NEW YEAR ... ANOTHER LIST OF THINGS TO DO....

Happy New Year

to 

everyone!

I had a bad start to 2016.......  was struck down with a tummy bug the day before New Year's Eve and didn't fully recover for a few days after ... but all good now !  not the start to the New Year I had planned.

Although I have said this before...... I will endeavour to post more to my Blog this year...... yes really! I will!  and to that end I have committed to a quilt along over here   (Whimsical Fabric Blog).  This sounds like a fun project - you make one block per month using scraps from a current project and by the end of the year you will have a quilt showcasing all the fabrics you have sewn with during the year.

I have been sewing for the past few days - I have my Civil War quilt all joined up to a flimsy but I'm waiting on two fabrics that might be borders..... I'm trying to grow the top out to fit our King bed.

Here are the rows just clinging on to my design wall a few days ago but they are all joined up now - I discovered I was missing a row....... found it!!!   so my top is 6 blocks across and 7 blocks down.

So my first block in the quilt along will be made with Civil War scraps - even though this quilt was pieced back in  2011  ...   as a finish for early 2016 I think it counts :-)

I have also "almost" finished my Table Runner from the quilt along I participated in last year.... Scrap Dance Quilt Along.  I decided to use up the seemingly never ending pile of "sewing" themed fabrics I had in my stash.  Here is the top pieced ...

I have since added a final border of scrappy squares and I pieced up a backing for it too but no photo yet!  I think the plan for the table topper size was a square table centre but I wanted a runner to go over my vintage treadle cabinet.  I should have made one more block to even out the pattern but I'm happy with how it looks.

So another WhimsicalFabric January block will be made using the leftover fabrics from the Table Runner - thankfully there aren't too many of those! but enough for one 9 patch block :-)

Brisbane has had some lovely cool rainy days for about two weeks but today we are back to warm and humid.  Sewing is probably the last thing to do on such a day but I'm just about to head in to my sewing room and set up my Featherweight to do the quilting on the table runner.  My 222K does lovely free motion quilting and this runner is just the right size project for this machine.  I would not attempt anything too large on my Featherweight as it is only a small machine with a small motor.

My sewing list for January.....

Finish Civil War quilt

Finish Scrap Dance table runner

Complete the embroidery blocks and make the four patch blocks for the Farm Quilt I'm currently working on... this one is a gift for our neighbour's little granddaughter.  Her birthday is sometime in January.

Start another "Boats on the Open Sea" quilt.... this one will be for my ODIBAG stash   (one day I'll be a grandmother).   This quilt will be my hand sewing project for quite a while :-)

Find a backing for my Teddy Quilt (another one for my ODIBAG stash).


Happy Sewing !
Cheers from Helen

I

A little hand sewing

Hello!

Checking in on this warm Wednesday. Enjoying a yummy Vietnamese coffee and catching up on my hand sewing. 

Yes ANOTHER farm quilt !  Making this one without the fusible PELLON on the back - not sure I like stitching without it. 

I've been working on a Teddy Quilt for my ODIBAG (one day I'll be a grandmother) stash ....

Up to the borders.  Sewing this one on my Featherweight 222K - and loving it :-)

Heading in to Town later for my skin cancer check up and then home for more sewing!

Cheers!

Helen

There's a Bear in There..........

PLUS...  three little books and a quilt.....     yes folks!   the teddy quilt has left the sewing room!!!

Little Maisy is in Brisbane for her Nanny's birthday so I took the opportunity to meet up with my Niece and little Maisy thisafternoon to FINALLY deliver the Teddy quilt!   I put a little soft teddy bear and three bear books in the parcel.   

As per usual, I used the Wide Binding Method as found HERE.  I just love this method, as you probably have guessed by now!  I labeled this quilt "There's a bear in there......" and included the Play School Book of the same name.

Here is a photo of the whole quilt up on my design wall, but as you can see - the flash from the camera turned the quilt a weird colour....

I am so pleased to get this quilt DONE!   Fred said that it is the most beautiful quilt I have ever made!!   thank you dear!!

Now on to more finishing.......   you may remember THIS QUILT   Tumbling Monkeys!!   well, this will be the next one to get finished.  It is just waiting for the binding!

I might have a Saturday Night Sew In tonight, no video this time!  I'll leave that for another day....

Happy Sewing!!

OFF AND ON

Hi there!

I actually did some SEWING last night.  I joined the Friday Night With Friends - I had a great night working on little Maisy's Teddy Quilt - almost have the quilting finished!!!  woohoo!!

THIS IS HOW I HAD LEFT THE QUILTING... THE LAST TIME I DID SOME!!
IT'S BEEN SITTING LIKE THIS SINCE THE HORRIBLE HOT WEATHER HIT BRISBANE!

HERE IT IS BEING QUILTED LAST NIGHT - NATURALLY WITH  MY iTUNES PLAYING TO ENTERTAIN ME!

I tried to get clever and do a video of me sewing.. lets see if this works.....

If this does work, you will have to excuse the poor sound - Dean Martin was up a bit loud!

Basically I apologise for the flash hair do (too hot to be "doing" the hair!)

and explain that I'm quilting Maisy's quilt.

I hope everyone had a fun Friday Night With Friends!

Now, why did I call this post OFF AND ON   ..  because I have a new gadget...

I bought myself a remote controlled power board!!!   How neat is that?  !       I have my computer charger, sewing machine lead and bendable bright light already plugged in and I have one more point to plug in my other sewing machine or overlocker if I have those set up.  So, now when I want to switch off, I just press the button which I have sitting beside my work area on my sewing table --- no more bending down to the floor to switch off the individual points or reaching behind my table to switch off at the wall.  Once I press the button, all the power to anything plugged in for the remote will turn off - at the board!   On the board there are two points for "non remote" power.  So, if I had something I did not want to switch on and off with the remote, then I would plug that item in one of those points.

Okay, I might do a "Saturday afternoon sewing without friends" and get back to the quilting,

Happy Sewing!!

FNWF

I have been watching the Friday Night With Friends posts on Cheryll's blog, wanting so much to join in but up until today I just felt it was too hard to commit some time to it.   Well, as you would have read in my previous post NEWFO # 1...  things will be changing here at Aunty Henny's!!  As Fred has now completed the chemo treatments, I feel there is definitely a different atmosphere in the home and I feel somewhat "released" (not sure how to explain that!)   Of course, it's early days but anyway, it's just different and therefore I feel so happy to finally link up with Cheryll and join in on the Friday Night With Friends.

So, what will I be working on I hear you ask???       Poor little Maisy's Teddy Quilt is STILL under the presser foot where I left it some weeks ago (before the horrible heat set in) so I will try and get the quilting finished on that.

Today I went out to my friend's home for a morning of coffee and chat (supposed to be sewing but didn't have anything to take!) so you could say I have also had a Friday Morning With Friends!!  Thanks Morag and Sue!!!  I feel all inspired to get into some sewing again!

Fred can have the tv remote all to himself and I will spend an hour or two in my sewing room.....  I will report in tomorrow...

Happy Sewing!!

HOW TO SEW ON A HOT DAY

FIRSTLY, THIS MUST BE ON FULL BLAST -  ignore the dirty blades!

SECONDLY, YOU MUST HAVE GOOD MUSIC PLAYING...  yes, I do have quite a selection in my iTunes!    As I am typing this, Dean Martin is singing La Vie En Rose and oh no, now I'm listening to the theme from Dances with Wolves (I still get goose-bumps when I hear this song!)

YOU REALLY MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AGES AGO, THAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED...  yes, embarrassed to admit it but this is our little Maisy's Teddy quilt that was supposed to be her Christmas present....  it's coming Maisy!!

Stitching in the ditch.  Using Gutermann Sulky  Cotton 30 in the bobbin (a lovely variegated thread col # 4031) and Gutermann Cotton 50 in needle.

When I sew children's quilts I always backstitch at the beginning

and end of the quilting row.  I feel this adds strength to the row of

quilting (will stand up to endless washing).

 

YOU SHOULD BE IN A HAPPY MOOD ... now this really made me happy - I received a complimentary copy of Barbara Brackman's new book "Civil War Sampler" - this was the weekly quilt- along I participated in back in 2011 ---- and before you ask, NO the quilt top is still not together.  I have a block in the book - Page 26  Blockade (it's the one on the bottom of the page).  How exciting is that!

but wait! there's more......

       

I had my first year of my Blog printed as a Blog2Print book!   Love it!  I'm now working on my second year. (sorry about the flash - if I didn't use it you couldn't see the book).

YOU SHOULD HAVE NOTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS SEWING (THAT WILL ONLY DISTRACT YOU!)...  I finished off this little quilt - I went through all of the scraps and leftover chunks of fabric I used making the Keep Movin' quilt and I put together this little quilt for a friend's new grandson.  It's only a small quilt - perfect for taking out to the shopping mall or the park - something clean and bright to use as a change mat or picnic rug.

I had the binding already made in my stash (it was going to be used on one of the toy twist quilts but I changed colours).  Although not a great colour match, I think it looks quite good and suits the quilt.

YOU SHOULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED BY FAMILY MEMBERS LOOKING FOR FOOD ..

Too easy... it's so darned HOT that nobody feels like eating anyway. Unless you count Frosty Fruits ice blocks:-)

So there you have it... how to sew on a hot day and believe me, we are experiencing terrible heat all over Australia.

I had better get back to the sewing, here's a bit of Dean to make you swoon (all those who do not like Dean Martin, switch off now)........

Happy Sewing!!
Cheers from Helen

... warning.. the above video may just make you cry-   better have a box of tissues handy:-)this of course only applies to those of you who love Dean Martin as much as I do.

Update on Fred:-  back to chemo again tomorrow and has had a rough two weeks following the last lot.  This will be # 5, so only one more session to go!   Thanks for all the lovely well wishes you send via my blog and email.

CHRISTMAS, WITH A TWIST

FINALLY HAVE THE TWISTER CHRISTMAS WREATH READY TO PIN AND QUILT - SORRY FOR THE AWFUL PHOTO!  I ENHANCED IT IN iPhoto (won't be doing that again!!) 

WADDING JOINED WITH HEAT PRESS BATTING TOGETHER IRON ON TAPE - IT WORKS REALLY WELL AND IT'S GOOD TO USE UP THESE ODD PIECES OF WADDING

THE BACKING IS A VERY OLD PIECE OF CHRISTMAS FABRIC - I THINK IT'S FROM MY DAYS IN SAMOA OR PAPUA NEW GUINEA!    

We are experiencing terribly hot weather here at the moment..... not really perfect sewing weather!

Today I managed to get all the blocks and sashing sewn together on the Teddy Quilt I am making for Maisy (photos soon), now I need to get the borders on.  Might have to buy some backing fabric for this one.  My Niece is making a flying visit to Brisbane in mid December so I will be able to give this quilt to little Maisy in person instead of mailing it.

Fred is back on chemo tomorrow thru Wednesday, so a quiet week for us.

I'll be back with a photo of Maisy's teddy quilt plus some other secret sewing which I can't show you until after Tuesday!

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

GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME SEWING.....

On my lovely Singer 201K that is!!

Hello everyone!

I've been unwell again with a flu thinggy so not a lot of sewing happening lately but today I wanted to clean out/tidy my box of Christmas fabrics with the view to purchasing some of the gorgeous new Christmas range that is in the patchwork shops right now.  I had a lot of chunky scraps, some already cut squares and just lots of "stuff" so I came up with the idea of cutting as many 5" squares as I could from anything I picked up, then what was left I cut into some squares for my sister who makes fabric flowers.  My first thought was to make a Twister quilt with everything I had cut but then I found I had the right amount of squares (bar one) to make a Christmas Wreath like THIS ONE HERE.  I short changed myself one square of the cream fabric and I had used every last inch of what I owned so I just cut a similar toned cream star fabric - I don't think it will be noticed in the end.  I've been wanting to sew on my Singer for ages, and figured this easy project was the perfect time.  I just absolutely LOVE my Singer... it sews so beautifully and it is so very quiet.  I have the rows all pieced, just need to join them up and then add the cream borders and then of course..... cut the whole thing up again!  and then piece it all together AGAIN!    I love how the twister quilts go together.  My Tuesday craft group is having a "Christmas in July" day next week, so I will have something new for my show and tell.

I have completed my Teddy quilt....   I'm just waiting for the pattern designer to give me her approval so I can donate this quilt to a friend (more about that when I get the approval!).  I used the self binding method for the first time with this quilt and I was very pleased with how it turned out.  I machined it down as well so it was a quick finish.  I cut my backing fabric 2" larger all around, and took off a triangle at each corner and then folded over 1" twice.  I ditch quilted all of the blocks - like I said... nice and quick and DONE!

Oh.... and here is the pile of 5" squares I cut from the christmas box.....

there is probably 50 or more squares in that pile, so I think I might do another disappearing nine patch or of course, I could do another twister quilt.  

On the health front, Fred is doing very well with the chemo.  He is now a quarter of the way through the first lot then he has a break before having the liver operation, then a recuperation time following that and then another three months of chemo.  Of course, he does have his bad days but really I think he's doing so well.

Matt had his check up at the hospital and all went well.  He has another test mid August, but he is really A.O.K.   No job as yet and won't be back at college until February next year.  Yep.... gotta get that job!

Both Matt and I had the flu virus but we did not give it to Fred!!  If you had visited our home over that time, we looked like an episode out of Dr. Kildare!  face masks for all!!  but it worked:-)

I want to thank everyone for their lovely emails and messages - and as you can see... I'm taking your advice ---  trying to look after myself as well --- that's where the sewing comes in:-)))))))

Cheers! and Happy Sewing!!

Helen

TUMBLING MONKEYS!

Hello there!

This is the project I've been working on during the past few weeks.  I found the pattern in Quiltmaker magazine (July/Aug '11).  I used fusible applique and hand blanket stitch.  My latest method of this stitch is somewhat different to the way most of us do it   (at least, I think it's different!! - it is to me anyway!!).....   take a look at this illustration     HERE   I do this stitch from bottom to top, i.e: working away from myself and in an anti-clockwise direction.  I poke my needle DOWN on the edge of the applique and then UP within the applique - this really makes a difference as usually you do it the other way and after a while, the edge starts lifting up and it's back to the iron you go.    (BTW.. I'm right handed)     This version is great for kid's quilts which will be getting lots of washing - the stitches won't roll-over!

I'm still getting over my cold and my concentration levels are zero so when I did the joining of my rows, the sashing didn't line up as it should but it's okay.

I'm sure I've mentioned this here before, but I use Bonnie Hunters method for adding borders, click   HERE    Perfect borders EVERY time!!  It makes sense really, if you cut the border fabric using the quilt as your base.. you just can't go wrong!  The book "Borders and Bindings" by Mimi Dietrich is also a wonderful "how to" that I just can't do without.

I will be pinning this quilt tomorrow and then on to the binding..... yes, the ALL MACHINE way!!  You know I love that method!!

Remember THIS QUILT?

well, today I finally got around to pinning it ready for quilting.   This quilt has been hanging in the "to do" cupboard far too long so it will be good to see it finished.

Of course, it hasn't been "ALL SEWING" around here.  Fred went in to Hospital for his first dose of Chemo last Monday through to Wednesday.  He's sort of okay, feeling a little crook, but sleeping well and still doing a little walk around the tennis court every day.  Meals are a challenge but we are working hard at finding things he feels like eating.   He didn't have an allergic reaction or any heart problems, so that was good.  Unfortunately, he goes back in again Monday week, so not much of a break.

Matt is back to normal... need I say more?   He is a typical 18 year old -  I want to know who invented the 18th birthday party?????  there seems to be one every week!   It's the same idea as our 21st, but that seemed more special to me.... anyway, he's out more than home, put it that way:-)  He goes back to the hospital this Tuesday for his final check up and then hopefully he can go out and get some work as he can't go back to College until February next year.  He's trying to be helpful at home and trying to be understanding about his Dad, but at his age it's all a bit scary I guess.

So I will be back with some completely FINISHED quilts to show soon,

Happy Sewing!!

WOOHOO!! MY TEDDY QUILT CAME SECOND!!!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted for my Teddy Quilt!!!! Second Prize - a lovely fat quarter bundle of Christmas fabric. The Teddy Quilt contest was sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop ...... you can see all the great new christmas fabric here.

This contest was such fun!! Thanks for all of your lovely comments on my Teddy Quilt!

Once the fabric has arrived, I'll make another bag for a Christmas give-a-way ... so stay tuned! I suppose the fabric should arrive here in Australia in a few weeks, just in time for Christmas!!

If you want to know what the next contest is, just click on the Quilters Gallery button in my sidebar. Anyone can enter!

Happy Sewing!

THANKS FOR YOUR VOTE! QUILTERS GALLERY WEEKLY CONTEST

Just a quick post

Thanks to everyone who has already voted!

Voting closes midnight, but here in Australia I think you have until mid Monday

I so appreciate your support!

If I do happen to win a fabric bundle, I'll make another bag and do a

give-a-way

Don't know how to vote?... just click on the Quilters Gallery button on my side bar and it will take you to the page, then scroll down and click on FIVE IN THE BED

Happy Sewing!

VOTING NOW OPEN!!

The Quilters Gallery is now ready for your vote!! Click on the link in my side bar! That takes you to the voting page, scroll down and you will see where you click on each quilt to vote for it... hint hint hint..... Thank you friends!!

QUILTERS GALLERY WEEKLY COMPETITION

This weeks theme at Quilters Gallery is Teddy Bears, so I've entered my FIVE IN THE BED Teddy Quilt! Voting commences on Friday and goes through to Sunday. Click on the link or the button in my side bar to read more about it!

Happy Voting! hint hint

LOOKOUT TEDDY - I'VE GOT YOU CORNERED!!

One teddy flimsy! Thanks for all the great comments! Yes, I had thought about running the stripes the other way, and then I could have mitred the corners! In the end, I had the exact width for the top and bottom borders, but had to join the sides. So hence the cornerstones! This method got me out of having the stripes meet each other in the corners!

I've had a few enquiries about the Teddy quilt pattern. At first I thought I hadn't given credit to the designer but thankfully, way back here I did! Anyway, the pattern I have is from the magazine PATCHWORK & STITCHING, VOL 10 # 12. The pattern designer is one of my favourites.....TONI ALEXANDER Toni also designed the cute dolly's I have been making. Thank you Toni - I just love your designs!!!!

You might be wondering where the Dolly is!? Well, she's sitting very patiently beside my Lounge chair, waiting for the rest of her filling! Almost done. Little Chloe is having her birthday party on Saturday (the day I'm going out to a Quilt Show with my best friend) so I won't be travelling up to Toowoomba for the party (it's at an indoor kids playzone thingy). I will send her present as I know she loves to get parcels in the mail - who doesn't?! I still have to make her Ballerina bag - will get that done soon :-) - sorry, did you say "when does she sleep????" Actually, I'm off to bed very soon, as I have to be up extremely early tomorrow to get our son to tennis training - such fun!

I'll be back with pics of a plump dolly and perhaps a ballerina bag!

Happy Sewing!

WWI - It's Wednesday Weigh In time again - I went to the gym today and worked really hard!!!!! Still no sign of any movement on those scales! (maybe they don't work!!?)

I'm adding more exercise to my plan and also trying very hard to watch what I eat! MH and I have a wedding to attend on Saturday week and I would really like to fit into something I have in the wardrobe - went shopping yesterday and all I can say is "who do they think wears this stuff - and good grief, what size are they?????" I'm telling you, Size 14 is NOT what it used to be!!

TEDDY BEAR TEDDY BEAR, TOUCH THE GROUND!

Here they are, with their sashing strips on! I just eeked out the four patch blocks - one of the yellow blocks is actually two scraps joined together!

Now to decide about a border. I have this multi stripe and I think it looks good. Certainly nice and bright!

What do you think?

TEDDY BEAR TEDDY BEAR TURN AROUND!

Remember my teddies I appliqued AGES ago? Well, I made the pieced blocks for the quilt today - the original pattern used 16 patch blocks, but I wanted to use just what I had and liked the look of the 4 patch! This is the first set of teddies, I have another set of 4 to make into a top as well! I have to make the sashing pieces yet, then the borders.

I made another doll! Figured I might as well work on two at the same time!! This one will be a spare to have on hand when I need a gift in a hurry! Of course, she hasn't got her stuffing as yet - I'm in the middle of filling the other doll at present (it's a long, tedious job!!) - a good job to do when watching tele!

At long last the RAIN has come - all day I've been waiting!!! NOW it comes! It's 8:30pm!! Oh well, lovely to go to sleep listening to the rain! and as you can see, I DID get some sewing done today!!

Gotta go...... Midsomer Murders is on tonight ----- ALL NEW EPISODES!!

Happy sewing!

SEWING REPORT

Quilting the Brights Baby Quilt

Where is all the "stuff" which is usually on my sewing table you ask??????

Over on the ironing board of course!!!!

Quilting now finished, just putting the binding on this one and it will be a finish for July!

As I had so much material left over from the first set of teddies, I'm building another set! This time with a yellow check background.

Here's a sneak peek at my version of Flea Market Boxes - not in any particular order, just the blocks I have completed so far.

Today we have woken up to quite a cold day, so I'm planning to spend most of the day in the sewing room. This is, of course, after we have been out for coffee - thank goodness I have more teddy blocks and siggy blocks to embroider!

Happy Sewing!