Day 4

Work today, so mainly stitching in the train to and from work. The project for the train (and car whilst a passenger) is my blue and white postage stamp quilt of one inch pieces.

In January this year I set myself a goal (not a New Year's resolution) to try and sew at least one half hour each day. I have managed to achieve my goal most days and I have recorded what I have achieved each day, in a most appropriate book:

This is proving to be a very useful exercise as I do not like to have an entry 'no sewing', and aim to have at least 'planning next quilt'.

Day 3

Well I was off to a good start with a finish on the second day of the challenge set by Pomegranate and Chintz, so now I have turned to a project that I am very behind in. Last year in a fit of enthusiasm (or madness) I signed up for the Quilted Crow Block of the Month - The Cousin's Walk.  I don't know why these are called Block of the Month, when it is actually Blocks of the Month - four blocks each month to be exact! So far I have received patterns for blocks 1 to 20, and four more to be received very soon. I have completed blocks 1 to 10, and today I have prepped and started appliquing block 11.

Tomorrow is  a work day so I will be hoping to complete my hour of sewing in the train to and from work.

Day 2

Well, still keeping up with the challenge!. Today I have finished binding the streak of lightning quilt for son R's girlfriend.

 Son M is holding the quilt for the outdoor photoshoot, (luckily he is quite tall). I have to confess that I commenced this quilt nearly twenty years ago, and when I found out that R's girlfriend likes purple and black I thought that it would be ideal as a gift for her.

 


and even added a label, (the Clover wonder clips are great when binding a quilt, no more blood on quilts from injuries from pins).

Also today I have cut out some more pieces for my ongoing blue and white postage stamp quilt which I sew in the train on the journey to and from work.

I find the plastic punnets that apples are packaged in are ideal for reuse as receptacles for patchwork pieces.

Well what shall I sew tomorrow?

Pomegranate and Chintz stitching contest

Day 1

Decided to take up the challenge set by Meredithe at Pomegranate and Chintz to "sew something, anything, be it prepping, hand piecing, hand appliqué, embroidery, hand quilting for at least 1 hour each day and post about it." This is going to be quite a challenge seeing how I am such an irregular blogger, can I keep it up for two weeks and sew one hour a day as well?

Well today I have worked on sewing on the binding of a quilt that I have made for son R's girlfriend, the quilt is streak of lightning in black and shades of purple.

I don't know what it is about cats and quilts, but no sooner had I laid the quilt out on my bed to take a photograph, than the cat leapt on it.

Day one completed, and a sense of achievement.  Thank you Meredithe!

On point or not?

Not much sewing has been going on around here lately, which is why I have not been updating my blog, I don’t have anything much of a material nature to post, and also I have been very busy at work organising an annual event.

Rediscovered these churn dash blocks in red, grey and black that was my travelling to work piecing project a few years ago. This quilt has never been finished because I cannot decide whether to set the blocks in straight lines with an alternate black block or on point with alternate black blocks.

Churn dash is an interesting block that looks very different (to my eyes) when it is in a straight line

 Compared with when the blocks are placed on point. These photos are bit wonky because the blocks have been placed roughly on my bed.

 

 

I think that I need to put the blocks up on my "design wall" (the wall in the dining room) and look at them for a while before making a final decision. Though the decision may be made for me, as I will have to make more blocks if I set the blocks in straight lines.

Anzac Day

The last few years Anzac Day has been bright and sunny, not so today. There was still a very good turnout in the rain.

Anzac Day, a time for reflection, is always a moving occasion, and more sombre in the rain.

 There are services like this in many little towns around Australia today.

Long time between posts!

 Well as usual it has been some time between posts. This is because I have been trying to finish this quilt (in spite of furry obstacles) for the Springwood quilt  show

Well now that this is actually hanging at the Springwood quilt show I can read my email and update my blog. I must be the sloweeest quilter.

When entering my quilt I remembered that the lighting in the Springwood High School hall is not the best so I thought that no one will notice the (many) flaws in my quilt. However, when I took this photo of all the beautiful quilts hung ready for the crowds of visitors tomorrow I noticed that the lighting in the Hall has been much improved (though not enough to improve the clarity of my photography).

It was our wedding anniversary last week and we went for a delightful cruise on the Nepean River on the the Nepean Belle.