A NEW SIGGY BLOCK FOR MY COLLECTION

THANK YOU RIEK HENDRIKS

Hello !

I had a lovely surprise envelope in my letterbox this week.... a lovely Siggy Block from Riek Hendriks from the Netherlands.  Thank you Riek, your block is a lovely addition to my collection.

So what is new in Aunty Henny's world?    I guess the most exciting thing is my new HQ Sweet Sixteen quilting machine and table.  I purchased it at the recent Craft Show and just had it delivered this past week.

Unfortunately I am unable to have a play with my new machine as I have a slight fracture in my left wrist and I'm wearing a splint but maybe one more week will see the splint off and then I can sew!

I had finished most of my Christmas sewing prior to hurting the wrist.  Our local Spotlight had a new range of Aussie Xmas fabrics in stock so I did up a few items....

Yes, sewing with a splint!! 

I have been working away on the hand sewing for a Car Quilt to add to my ODIBAG stash (One day I'll be a grandmother) :-)   The fractured wrist did hold me back for a week or two but I'm back at it now.  

ODIBAG Car Quilt

I spent a few days in September school holidays with my Nieces, Sister, Great Nieces and Nephews.  We booked two units at Bribie Island so we could also visit with my Sister Sue.  We had a fantastic week.  I made a treasure collecting bag for the little ones to take to the beach ...

NOTHING FANCY BUT THE KIDS LOVED IT

Our little Maisy found a bag she desperately wanted in a toy shop but I told her I would make her a special bag.  I asked what fabric should I use and the answer was..... Unicorns, princesses and rainbows.... we promptly went online and found the fabric, ordered it there and then and it arrived the day I returned home from the little holiday.  I made a Ballerina Bag which was very well received.

Front of Ballerina Bag for Maisy

and the back.

Two of my Nieces were in Melbourne recently and found a little gift for me.....  thanks girls, I love it!

I already had the little tricket box on the left... now I have a cute little treadle!

Many moons ago I did the embroidery on these Elephant blocks.  They've been sitting in a box just waiting for the day to be made into a quilt.  Well, that day finally came and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I have it all ready to quilt on my new machine :-)

ELEPHANT QUILT

FOUND THE PERFECT BACKING IN MY STASH

MY CIVIL WAR QUILT ALSO HAS ITS BORDERS, ANOTHER ONE READY TO QUILT!

Our neighbour's daughter had a new baby girl, so of course....  a little Pram quilt!  basically two fat quarters with cotton wadding in between and quilted on my Featherweight 222K.

A QUICK LITTLE PRAM QUILT FOR A NEW BABY

So as you can see, I have been sewing and keeping busy.  If only this wrist would heal quickly I would be sewing on my new Sweet Sixteen !   Oh well, not too long now!

Happy Sewing!!

Cheers from Helen

ONCE UPON A TIME.......

THERE WERE FIVE BEARS....

Okay, I know there were only three but in my story there are five!  okay?

and here is the first bear ...

THE BEARY BUNCH
Pattern by Toni Alexander
The Red Boot Quilt Company
link HERE
Poor little thing looks a bit washed out in this pic but in reality he is quite a bright bear!

I have previously made two of these quilts,  both in boy colours:-

This is the quilt I donated to Blair's Wish Foundation

I don't have a photo of the other quilt as it is only a flimsy at present, waiting to be quilted.

So who will be on the receiving end of this quilt you might just ask????     Our beautiful little Maisy of course!   Hey, I'm Aunty Hen and I can make as many quilts as I like for the little darling!  You may recall, Maisy already has three quilts from me (Royal Critters, Lullaby in the Night Sky and just lately the bright orange Toy Twist quilt -Hey Diddle Diddle) plus a stack of little pram quilts I whipped up in a hurry one day, terrible photo ..

Pram quilts (two fat quarters layered, quilted and bound-
great for practicing free motion quilting)

This quilt will be ready for Christmas I hope.

I tried something different with the Applique method this time - I used the "soft or window applique" technique.   This makes for a much softer feel to the applique therefore making it so much easier to blanket stitch the parts where there are lots of layers.  I cut the teddy head and body using the soft window method and I have found that it is certainly much easier to stitch through all of the layers.  It feels kind of strange holding the block as I stitch, as I am used to it feeling much firmer, but I'm getting used to it now.  A good test for this method was the eyes and nose of the teddy -  lots of layers but it was so easy to stitch without the fusible web being behind every piece.  I could have used the soft method on the muzzle too, might try that on the next bear I build.

UPDATE ON FRED:-          He started back on chemo last Monday (same as last time, plugged in for three days - wears the device home).  It seems to be having more of an effect on him this time but that's to be expected following a major surgery I guess.  He's feeling a little woozy and off colour.    The chemo will go on for 12 weeks so we will be having a low key Christmas.

Cheers for now,

Happy Sewing,

Helen