Flowers

So far this BOM was started on July 2010, Block 2 finished in Jan 2011 and now Block 3 was finished 29 Dec 2011.


I am sure I will finish it.... one day :)

12 WIPs in 12 Months

As I mentioned in my last post (am I really posting two days in a row, shock horror ) I intend to make some more time to sew for me alongside my Two Little Monkeys sewing.

Luckily AJ came up with a challenge that will encourage me to not only sew more but get some of my huge WIP list finished. Now more info about the challenge can be found here and here but the gist of it is

1. Entry fee of 1 FQ to be sent to AJ to compete for the grand prize at the end of the 12 months
2. For each month that you finish a WIP you get an entry to the grand prize draw (plus an extra entry for blogging about it)
3. 6 of the projects have to be true WIP 'already started' which shouldn’t be a problem as my current list shows 17 and I know there is at least two more to add to it. The other 6 can be not started but you must be previous planned and either material or pattern owned (or drawn up for pattern) While I have at least 9 in that category as well.

My only problem is that most of my WIP still need a lot of work on them so apart from the 6 that are am going to list here I will choose the others that I will do during the year.

Monkeys & Lions Quilt  - This just needs the binding sewn down

Arabella – This was my MIL’s Christmas present for 2010 (oops) just need to send it off to be quilted and then bound

Bastian’s Plane Quilt – I need to remove all the stabiliser from behind the appliqued planes and then once I getting the backing fabric also needs to be sent out to be quilted and then bound. I don’t have a photo of this one but it is this quilt

Charm Square quilt along – Also don’t have a photo of this but I have the quilt top almost finished just need to add the borders, not sure if I have the backing or not for this one. Once again needs to be sent out to be quilted and then bound. This is a photo of the first block I finished.

Pram Quilt – this was meant to be for Lachie but I never got around to finish it. It is going to be backed in two layers of mint green microfleece, I might add some pink flowers or shapes to it before sandwiching it and give it to my cousin for her little girl that is due in Feb.

Snowballs -  This is an advent calendar that I started Nov 2010, did some more Nov 2011 at a quilt retreat and would really like to have it finished for Christmas 2012

My last one is an unstarted one, I bought myself a Odyssea by Momo jelly roll either Christmas 2010 or 2009 waiting for the perfect project and found it while at the quilt retreat in Nov last year. Then at my last market for 2011 I found the pattern I was after at Bella’s Patchwork stall. I decided that I really want to start a new project at the first MMQG SASD in two weeks time so this will be it.

Just need to find some material for the borders and get some white Emma Louise for the background

So I think given that I finished no quilts last year that if I get all of those done I will be doing well.

Holiday Sewing

One of the things I love about this time of year, apart from Christmas and spending time with my beloved family is I have a break from work and can get some guilt free sewing done
One of the many projects that I started during the year was the Homespun “Life is a Celebration” Mystery block of the month, if I had kept up I should have the whole quilt finished, however I have just finished my second block.


I have also made a good start of the third block so hopefully I will be able to show you that one completed shortly

Blogtoberfest – Day 14 (My Creative Space)

Another sneak peak of the EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Blogtoberfest – Day 7 (My creative space)

A sneak peek of the doll quilt I am making for EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Swaps, Shopping and Stuff

With the August MMQG sewing day happening tomorrow (7 Aug) I thought I should blog the name tag that I made and received at last months sewing day. My sneak peek here included some paper in the left hand corner, did anyone spy that. As everyone seems to be in love with hexagons at the moment I decided to use hexagons for my name tag and made this one for Cathy

This is the one I received from Bec

I have also been making a few purchases lately. Firstly I went to Melbourne Craft & Quilt Show a couple of weekends ago and was very restrained in my spending. I got was Janelle Wind’s first book Pieces of Me, and a this kit to make Melly & Me’s Fat Quarter bag 

I have to admit that I am quite proud of myself as I have already made one project out of the book, started and finished it all in one day. One of the reasons why I purchased this book was for this specific project.

Isn’t it cute, it is a cover for my Iphone and has a small pocket on the front which is the perfect size to hold my ATM/credit card and some loose change. I have also order some fabric from this lovely store to make two bags out of this book.
Actually I have purchased quite a lot from that store recently as well as the fabric I have three Christmas related kits on there way to me, a advent calendar, reindeer stocking and Christmas wreath. There were all part of QFD Christmas in July online event so I am unable to post photos of the patterns but if you have a look over here you can see some pictures of some of the projects I got kits for. Another purchase I made from QFD was this lovely soft flannel

I am going to team it with the FQ pack of Ginger Blossom that my lovely EB friends gave me as a thankyou for running the Round Robin Swap last year. I plan to make a half sq triangle quilt like Esther’s using the flannel as one half of the sq and the cotton as the other half, hoping it will look as I imagine.
I have also been working on the Freckled Whimsey Charm Pack Quilt along and am now up to date.

150 1/2 square triangles

75 four patch blocks

Finally if you like the look of my IPhone cover, don’t forget that I have a PIF open at the moment and you never now I might make one for you :)

Another finished quilt

Yes ladies and gentlemen (not sure if there is any gentlemen reading my blog but you never now) I have finished another quilt. This one was started early 2008, the quilt top was completed April 2009 and was quilted May 2009 it has been sitting folded since then waiting to have the binding attached. Well thanks to Joy's Finishing Stitches Challenge I have finally finished it. So introducing

Grandma's Magic Bag

The actual name of the pattern is Granny's Magic Bag but I decided to change it to Grandma's as that is what my Mum is to me two boys and also what I call my Dad's Mum. 

After I finished hand sewing the binding down I moved on to another new project :) this time the Charm Pack Quilt-along that I have mentioned previously. While watching the final of MasterChef last night I drew the diagonal lines on my 75 plain charm sq  and paired them up read to sew

and this morning I got a chance to sew them either side of the line to turn them into this

Now I just need to find some time to cut them apart and trim them back to 4.5" squared before Sunday.

Hectic

That is what my life is at the moment, so today once the little boy was sound asleep and the bigger boy enthralled in watching his latest obsession I made myself a treat

and decided it was about time I update you on what I have been doing.

So what have I been doing......

Not Much......

Andrew has been spending crazy hours with his pet work project which has left me feeling like a single mum at the moment, not a nice feeling I can tell you. Mind you we have plans for this weekend once it all over, talking Bastian to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday and then I am escaping for a day of sewing on Sunday.

So apart from being Mum, which is a job I love don't get me wrong and working on the paperwork required to help get this up and running there has not been alot of time for sewing.

For last months guild sewing day I decided to start a new project... yes ladies and gentleman, my name is Kirsty and I have a slight problem. I like to start projects...... and never get them finished. I decided to start the "Life is a Celebration" Block of the Month that is running in the homespun magazine in 2010.

The first block is finished

Wonder what I will work on next....

I have also been doing working on a name tag for a swap run by MMQG 

Here is a sneek peek of my starting supplies

I really need to get a move on with that one as it is due on Sunday.

I have also decided to join in to a quilt-a-long. I bought a Frolic charm square pack with the name tag swap in mind but once it arrived I decided that I wanted to use it in a quilt for myself, so when Kelli posted that she was going to join in I decided to get another two charm sq packs and sign up myself. Should be fun.

Oh I have also decided to join in here, not actually planning to make anything at the moment, just get some patterns for future use.

Now I just need to find the time to get it all done, and be a fantastic mom to my two monkeys of course

And now we are up to date

There were a few others quilting related events that have happened since our new little boy entered our lives.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to AQC when Lachie was 2 weeks old were we had a lovely time, it was quite a weird experience in that at times neither Esther (who was "wearing" 4mth old Hannah) and myself (who was "wearing" Lachie) could take a step without some one coming over to gush at the babies. I was quite restrained with my spending this year compared to last year I only brought a kit to make Lachie "Little Monsters" quilt and the pattern for the King George III quilt seen here I am using all my stash of material for my DJ quilt to make this one.

I then went to Stitches and Craft Show once again "wearing" Lachie were I was even more restrained with my purchases. All I bought were the patterns to make these little creatures

Ellie the elephant

Raff the Giraffe

Mitch the Monkey

I have since made a trip to spotlight to buy the necessary fleece to make these three little friends for my boys so can now add this as well as my other purchases to the projects pending list.

Speaking of list as you may have seen I have cleaned up my blog and it now shows three lists, Completed projects, Unfinished Objects (these are quilts and other projects that have been started at some stage) and Projects Pending (these are quilts and other projects that I have all the requirements for but have yet to start) as you can see I don't need to make any other purchases for a long while :)

While I have been recuperating from Lachie's birth I have made a start on the first block of the King George III quilt. Here is the completed inner circle for the first block.

The final event that occurred was the inaugural meeting of the Melbourne Modern Quilting Guild, I was unable to take my camera along so you will have to pop over to Esther's blog to see some snaps of the day. It was a lovely day with 29 like minded quilty ladies, and while I did not get a whole lot done, due to attending to Lachie's needs and my post-pregnancy brain moment when I stitched a hexagon flower together incorrectly (she last picture on Esther's post) I am eagerly awaiting next month meeting as well as our first committee meeting next week.

I have been sewing as well.. I promise

Before my 2nd gorgeous little boy entered our lives I did get some sewing done. Here is task list I set myself at the start of the year to do before the birth.
C’s cot quilt – top all done about to be sent off to be be quilted and then needs to be bound
Cuddle Quilt for Bastian - quilt top done, just need to sandwich, quilt and bind, I am using Minky as the backing so am quilting this one myself
Single Bed Quilt for Bastian – Appliqué strips finished just need to cut remaining material strips and piece together and then send off for quilting
Finish Cross Stitch for Nursery – Finished, need to make a trip to frame store to frame and hang it

Cot Quilt for Emily – Quilt top

and pieced back both  finished, sandwich ready for quilting

Bunting for Bastian’s room – Not started
Pram Quilt – Have all the materials for quilt top and back but not started

I also got some pyjama pants made for me to use in Hospital and a these cute little baby booties.

I had originally made these to gift to a different new little boy but one Lachlan arrived they seemed to mysteriously make there way to his room :)

Weekend Wrap up

Well the long weekend is over and I thought I had better update you all on my list and what I did (and didn't get done)

Here was my list

1. Finish work hours from this week - done and 2 hrs for this week as well, hopefully that means some more sewing time for me this week
2. Sew backing for C's cot quilt together so I can drop it off to be quilted - didn't buy enough material so need to make a second trip to Spotlight
3. Finish nieces messenger bag - Done
4. Finish off blanket stitch on planes for Bastian Big Bed Quilt - Finished one of the two strips, hope to maybe get the rest done today
5. Cut rest of material for Bastian Big Bed Quilt ready for last class Wednesday night - Hoping to do tonight or tomorrow 

The rest of the list will have to wait for next weekend

This is the bag I have made for my niece's 10th birthday

 

It has an adjustable strap, two pockets on the front and one of the back, a magnetic clasp and a zip pocket inside

I am really happy with how it turned out, has given me the confidence to make the nappy bag that I am planning to make now. I used this tutorial but just left of the zip on the actual main bag part. The only thing I would do different next time is use a different interfacing, I don't like how this one has bubbled.

Also I managed to get one of the two appliqué strips finished for B's new bed quilt which is this quilt

There is actual three plans per strip but I found it two hard to take a photo with all three in it. The first and third plane on each strip are the same any way

 

and a close up of the two planes

Monkeys & Lions continued

I am surprising myself at the moment with firstly how much sewing I am getting done, and secondly the qty of things I am actually getting finished.

Now I just need to quilt and bind it and one more thing can be crossed off my list, maybe I might even be able to fit in a few more projects before the baby comes, one can dream can't they :)

Introducing...

Leyroy the Lion and Milton the Monkey

These quite little fellows will form part of Bastian Cuddle quilt, aren't they adorable I just had to share. They still need to be blanket stitched and Milton needs a mouth and both need eyebrows, I am using this pattern from my LQS, given my little boys love of monkey I also got this pattern shrunk the Milton down to fit on to some of the blocks

Maybe this a an omeno for a good quilty year!

Yesterday and today I have been able to apply myself, thanks to my darling husband and finally get this quilt finished that I started back May. The little girl that it is meant for is turning one in March and it was meant to be her birth present Oops :(

Know I just have to decide how to quilt it, I have three different ways in mind, the first an all over stiple which I would most likely get professional done, the second quilting all over on the angle following the lines of the quilt, like this

and the third quilting the small "birds" on a angle and echoing the large "birds" triangles

What do you think?

As far as new year resoluation or plans, I am still working though my list that I did back here, so I might copy this over to the right hand side. I will be back at a later date to do a 2009 wrap up and post a few pics of my final 2009 projects.

Advent Blog-along - Day 1

As it is now December, I was excited to read Bastian the first of main Christmas theme books over the next couple of weeks, tonight before bed we had three

Tomorrow I am planning to go to one of my favourite local bookshops so I am sure there will be many more Christmas books to read after then (not that we don't have heaps already :) )

I thought I should start this off with a list of projects that I have to get finished between now and not only Christmas by when the baby comes in April

Finish Secret Santa item - over 50% done, need to assemble all together - Due today (opps),DONE
Finish remaining Round Robin blocks - Due this weekend
Presents for Bastian's Mini Maestro and swimming teachers - Not started - Due 11 & 14 Dec respectively decided to not do them due to time constraints

Make Crayon Roll and softie Dolphin as gifts -  DONE

Make Crayon Roll for Bastian to take Sailing - DONE
Make Lazy Day's Hat for me to take Sailing - Due 3 Jan, decided to not do one as my Mum has a hat I can borrow
Make Versatile Wrap for me at least one by sailing trip, have material for two, one done

Items to finish before the baby comes
Finish C Cot quilt - was meant to be a birth present C is now 8 months old (oops) quilt top done
Quilt C's Quilt

Make Bastian cuddle quilt
Make Bastian big boy bed quilt
Make Bunting for Bastian new room
Finish Cross Stitch ABC Sampler for baby's room - 80% complete
Make Dilly bag for LQS Christmas Challenge - due 17 April
Quilt for K's baby - due 27 April
Pram quilts for my baby and K's Baby with left over material, if have time - due 27 April

I think that will be plenty for me to do between now and then and I am sure that I will add some extra things along the way and of course I have DJ blocks to complete along they way as well as the binding for a quilt that was quilted back in May

Round Robin Block Swap

I just realised that I have not been posting any sneek peeks of my Round Robin Blocks, a bit slack of me seeing that I have be organising it.

Anyway here are the pics of the 8 completed ones so far, the other 4 are still a WIP, 2 are cut out and the other two still to be done. They will be this weeks project