Update for April 2016

Wow, April is done and dusted and May is under way. I thought I would just have a recap on what I achieved in April as my focus this year is on being productive and moving some projects along.

The final block for Home Coming Lane was completed which felt absolutely amazing. These blocks are a combination of piecing and Applique and even though there are only four blocks, there is a lot of work in each of them. Having these finally completed is definitely an achievement in my book. They are half quilted but have been put aside for some other things to be worked on.

The Home Coming Lane blocks being quilted

The hexies are coming along and my little side projects are nearly complete. Two little hexie bags, one for me and one for a friend although there just might be a few more of these in my future as they are so easy and fun to do.

These just need the tops sorted and linings fixed in. The one of the left is having a hexie lining and the one on the right is having a round one piece fabric lining. Will post photo when completed.

At club we had a UFO weekend and that was incredibly productive for me with quite a few 'quilt as you go' 'string' blocks made. Once home I continued with making these blocks and before I knew it a quilt was completed. All that is left to do now is a label and to gift it to the recipient.

I quite like the blue grey traming on this and I think it has come out well.

Overall I am very pleased with what I achieved in April and am looking forward to achieving more in May. There is going to be no let up this year, 2016 is a very busy year indeed.

Just before I sign off, this weekend is the Great New Zealand Quilt Show in Rotorua by Aotearoa Quilters which is the main guild here in New Zealand. Rotorua is about an hours drive from Tauranga and there are a few car loads going from Tauranga this morning and I can't wait to see all of the quilts hanging in this exhibition. One of the displays is the Sewezi Flight Challenge quilts and it will be awesome seeing these quilts hanging together. Two quilts were chosen in the selection process from five for our region to get through for this exhibition. I will have more on all of that later in the next post as I have to get moving to be ready on time.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Strings are moving along

There was no sewing over the weekend as we were too busy with family visiting, which was nice to spend quality time with them over the ANZAC weekend. 

I received a lot of comments on my poppy for ANZAC Day which I made it last year and have been wearing lately.

Sunday saw drizzle turn to rain but before it did we managed to get in a visit to Memorial Park for a look around. I am always impressed with this fountain, it is pretty big and children play in it during the heat of the summer. While we were there a Great Dane stood and drank out of it, the smaller dog that was with the Great Dane didn't stand a chance of getting a drink.

Friday saw all of the blocks completed for the string quilt but I didn't get a chance to start sewing them together until yesterday and here is my progress.

I just have two seams to attach the traming over and the binding can go on and then this quilt is done. 

What a fantastic feeling it is getting close to a completion. Catch you later as I have some stitching to do.

Happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree

Some strings are happening

I have been working on some of these to bust some scraps, however it appears the more I use, the more I end up with!

I have been working on the quilting for Home Coming Lane lately but decided to work on something else over the weekend at our UFO weekend at club as I need to concentrate too much for machine quilting, especially as this quilt is going on the wall. Some easy stitching while chatting with friends was what I was after, and QAYG strings are just the ticket.

Since the weekend I have decided I need just a few more to get enough squares for a decent size throw or lap quilt. 

So I have been sewing away and the end is in sight and I am looking forward to joining these squares together.

Oops, nearly forgot these blocks weren't the only thing that I did over the weekend. I found this UFO from a class at my first ever Symposium, Auckland 2005. These were from a log cabin with attitude class with Janice Gunner from the UK where we were encouraged to cut fabric without a ruler. One square was complete while the other two just had the centres completed. I decided to get these squares completed before making a final decision as to what to do with them.

However more on that soon, but in the meantime some stitching is calling my name. 

Happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Slow but steady wins the race

Things are happening slowly around here, the sewing room is getting more and more organised as each day passes and projects are getting completed little by little. I have my list as my guide and things are improving. 

These crumb, string blocks and strips surfaced in my clearing of the sewing table, I love how this happens especially when you realise that with a few more you could do something with them and have them gone.

I have a long list for today and stitching is on there, so I am going to head off and make a start. What is on your list today? Let us all know in the comments below.

Until next time, happy stitching

Donna-Maree