Summer Welcomes December

December heralds the first day of Summer for us, however this year Summer jumped the starters pistol and got here well before December. Nothing for it but to sit in front of the fan with some stitching and a tall glass of cold water.

I'm winging it this month with no list :)  With 3 projects to finish as soon as I can manage, I'll just keep working on those and chill out (if possible).  In no particular order of priority ...

#1  Ribbon Star - needs quilting - purchased backing this morning

#2  Tis The Season - 3 of 12 blocks hand quilted so far

#3  Christmas Gift with a tree theme - over halfway there

Oooops!  That looks a little bit like a list to me.

I promised yesterday that I would have a little reveal today so without further ado and a little drumroll please  . . . . . . . . . . .

Congratulations Cheryll for making 1 Xmas Item A Month - every month!  A little gift will be on it's way to you shortly.

After checking names against months, everyone's name was placed in a hat and I asked hubby to draw out 2 tickets. So if you participated 4 months I wrote your name out 4 times for 4 chances ... 7 months, 7 chances as so on. Another little drumroll please . . . . . . . . . . .

Lucky winners are Fiona and Sheila  Congratulations and a little something will be on it's way to you both.  I thank you all for sewing along side by side, or as close as we can be in cyberspace, and sharing all the beautiful gifts and decorations made throughout the year. It's time to start bringing them out of storage if you haven't already and enjoy the season.

Not trying to rush the New Year but I've already planned my 2013 item. As I will be working more hours next year I need to organise my sewing time to get the most out of it so when I saw this Rosalie Quinlin designs pattern from here, I just had to buy it. 

My plan is one letter a month for 9 months plus 1 month to put it together. I'm sure I can come up with something else for the other 2 months.

I would love to have everyone back for '1 Xmas Item A Month 2013' so keep an eye out in early January for an official sign up. Maybe you'd prefer to break down one bigger project into monthly chunks or continue with 1 or more items each month. It's all about the friendship and sharing and no stress aloud :)

Merry Christmas Sewing

November Wrap

Time for a look see at how November went.  I started out on a roll but soon came to a halt ... and finished with a trickle of stitching.

 

1 Xmas Item ~ Secret Sewing - still sewing

Tis The Seasn ~ started handquilting

Ribbon Stars ~ :(  backing too small, need to buy

Finish 3 Pot Holders ~ Yay!  Done!

Work on a UFO  ~  Yipee!  Finished Block

 

When I pulled out the backing fabric for Ribbon Stars it was only half the size I needed so I've had to add that to the shopping list.

 

My UFO was the 6th block of Red Delicious and I'm very pleased to say it's finished.

 

 

Completed blocks to date.

I've been busy tallying all the months and all the elves and have come up with a few little surprises that shall be revealed tomorrow. Someone managed an item every month and it wasn't me :(
Don't forget you're welcome to a final post on the 15th December with a last minute make or  a photo of something made earlier and is now on display.

Happy Sewing

 

November Goals

123rf.com

1 Xmas Item ~ Secret Sewing

 

Tis The Seasn ~ Quilt

 

Ribbon Stars ~ Quilt and Bind

 

Finish 3 Pot Holders

 

Work on a UFO

 

This is it! The final countdown to the end of 2012.  I've decided to make this my final list for the year and let December be list free ... whatever happens will happen. Yesterday I cut out and started to sew 3 pot holders so they should be a quick finish. The quilting could be another matter but I'll plug on.

 

 

October's A Wrap

Finish 1 Xmas Item

TTS ~ Christmas Joy

Work on Quilt Gift for 50th

Make bag with 'Stitch A Little Love'

Work on a UFO

 

Wow, I actually managed to cross off my entire list for October.  My secret is in keeping a short list and it seems to be working for me at the moment.  'Tis The Season' and 'Ribbon Stars' (50th Gift Quilt) are now tops awaiting quilting and would you believe I forgot to take my little bag to patchwork today for 'show and tell'.  Too many things to remember at the moment.

 

The UFO I worked on was a block for Red Delicious. I enjoyed taking this one out of it's dark box and hope I can squeeze in a little more applique next month. Just the leaves to do and some embelishment on the roses.

 

 

I enjoyed a lovely and productive day with our patchwork group. My machine came back from having a service and repair today so I tried it out sewing pot holders...sew far...sew good.

 

Did you revisit a UFO this month?

Goals for October

Not too much to show for yesterday's grand final craft time.  After deciding to make a headstart on a 1 Xmas Item I knitted some rows only to loose my place and muck up the pattern while trying to keep track of the big game ..... sooooooo ..... I pulled it out.  Then managed to make a 2nd start before half time.

At half time we lit the BBQ and threw some steaks on for dinner and watched the rest of the game while enjoying a yummy burger. So with a small headstart, here are the rest of my goals for this month.

directions.hauntedacresmanor.us

 

Finish 1 Xmas Item

TTS ~ Christmas Joy

Work on Quilt Gift for 50th

Make bag with 'Stitch A Little Love'

Work on a UFO

 

 

This morning I popped outside with the camera to stop and smell the roses.

 

Double Delight and Just Joey

 

Happy October

 



September Wrap

This month seems to have lasted so much longer, possibly because I've bee super busy, squeezed a lot in and have only now just realized that today is the last day of the month.

On looking back at my goals I'm happy to say that I achieved both. Yes I only set 2 goals :o)  Another wash cloth for my 1 Xmas Item and the TTS Block 'Santa and the Christmas Goose'.  I even finished the stitchery started at Highfields. Now I'm wondering what to work on while the NRL Grand Final plays out on the TV ... they'll be kicking off soon  ... should I get a head start on 1 Xmas Item for October or the last TTS block?  Refresh my crochet? Continue on another stitchery I have started? Or catch up on some zzzzz's after DS's 21st party last night?

I shall report back tomorrow as the Calendar rolls over to a fresh new month.

Getting back to baking my own bread, this one hit the top of the breadmaker.

Happy Sunday

Stopping to Smell the Roses

September Goals

 

1 Xmas Item

TTS Block - Santa & the Chrismtas Goose

 

A very very short list this month.  With work plus 3 weekends in September earmarked for occassions, I really can't see too much sewing going on so I'm going to be happy with just these two things getting done. I'm learning that it's ok to take a step back sometimes.

 

My first rose of Spring 2012.

 

Just Joey

 

I still hope to find time to visit all your wonderful blogs and keep up with all the lovely creations. There'll still be a post on the 25th  for 1 Xmas Item so keep up the Festive sewing my fellow Elves ... Christmas is just around the corner now.

 

Happy Sewing

Oh My! Another Month?

With only one day left (tomorrow) for the month of August and a busy schedule for tomorrow, I thought I'd get in now with my checklist.  Even keeping it small, I can't cross everything off ... where does the time go?

 

One Xmas Item

TTS ~ Pear Tree

Seasons Of ~ July block

Work on a UFO ~ Horse Quilt

Calendar Quilt ~ finish top (Sept)

(no longer a deadline)

Complete workshop top (Nov)

(progressing)

 

Hot off the press is this 'Seasons Of' block from July.

 

 

I do know where some of the time goes ... part way through this post and I get a call to go help out in the paddock.  Now I'm back to finish, only 3 hours later. Now where was I?

 

This month has included a major effort in the garden, getting ready for the warmer weather.  Lots of thick mulch to help keep some moisture in ...

 

Just ducking away to check on dinner ... won't be long :)                             Ok ... back again.

Do my roses look happy?  I promised them I would take better care of them this season.  The mesh squares are to keep the chooks from scratching.

Time to head back to the kitchen but I do have some stitching waiting for me this evening.

Happy soon to be Spring.

PS:  I still have some photos to add to the 1 Xmas Item page as soon as I can get a chance.

August Goals

Still making small goals while keeping in mind that I have a couple of deadlines to meet for September and November as well.

allcalendar.org

One Xmas Item

TTS ~ Pear Tree

Seasons Of ~ July block

Work on a UFO ~ Horse Quilt

Calendar Quilt ~ finish top (Sept)

Complete workshop top (Nov)

The days are noticably longer now and Spring is just around the corner. Soon time to give my roses some much needed love and attention.

Double Delight ~ taken April this year.

Happy Sewing

July's A Wrap

Time almost vanished completely this month and sewing time was reduced to night time relaxation. Here's how my list of goals went for July.

Join BISS BOM Blocks

One Xmas Item

TTS - Christmas Reindeer

Complete Workshop Top

Work on a UFO

Seasons of - June Block

Extra - TTS - Santa's Boots

I did eventually manage to cut 400 x 2" squares for a swap ... they're ready to post and I've traced the next TTS block. Only 3 to go and I'm really going to try and have Tis The Season finished and hanging on my wall this December.

Collage for July

Would you like to know my secret?  I make small goals and then I feel like I've made big progress :)

Happy Creating

July Goals

Firstly here are the results for my list of June goals. Happy that I'm keeping on track with the TTS wall hanging and 1 Xmas Item. Not so good for the BISS BOM but I'll keep it on the list as I'd like to get it into a top at least and another ufo bit the dust :) 

**** JUNE ****

BISS BOM ~ I'm sure it will happen ... one day :)

TTS ~ Christmas Angels

One Christmas Item ~  'Joy' Washcloth

Cut Fabric for workshop in 2 weeks

Finish Cream UFO Scarf

Work on a UFO ~ Fishpond

Make a Gift for a Baby Boy

Seasons Of - May block

justcalendar.org

***  JULY  ***

Join BISS BOM Blocks

One Xmas Item

TTS - Christmas Reindeer

Complete Workshop Top

Work on a UFO

Seasons of - June Block

Happy Crafting

June Heralds Winter

Today is the first day of Winter here in Oz and my scarves are coming in very handy.  With pen in hand I have written down my list of goals for June which doesn't include any new scarves but I have a feeling there will be one or two :)

fanpop.com

****  JUNE  ****

BISS BOM  ~  I'm sure it will happen ... one day :)

TTS  ~  Christmas Angels

One Christmas Item  ~  ?

Cut Fabric for workshop in 2 weeks

Finish Cream UFO Scarf

Work on a UFO  ~  Fishpond

Make a Gift for a Baby Boy

Fiona of BubzRugz shared a lovely collage yesterday of her finishes for May. Great photo and a lovely idea ... I couldn't help myself and had to have a play with my finished projects.

  Warm Wintery Wishes

April Already?

March has passed in a haze and sadly we have no new news on the whereabouts of our dear friend. We remain positive that he will be back with his loved ones soon.

Progress on my March list was almost nil but I did manage the TTS blocks early and my Candle Mat for Christmas is growing slowly. Most will roll over to April and see how it goes.

Month 12 ~ BISS BOM

(Work on 2" squares border)

1 Xmas Item (started)

Tis The Season

Pin Cushion

Work on UFO ~ Horse Quilt (found)

 

 

BISS BOM ~ work on border

TTS ~ next block

1 Xmas Item ~ finish Candle Mat (March)

1 Xmas Item ~ Felt Bell (April)

Quilt hexagon table topper

Pin Cushion

A new book arrived in the mail last week and I look forward to reading this latest "Elm Creek" novel over the school holidays.

My 'Bird of Paradise' is always flowering but I've never had this many spikes all at once so I thought I'd share some colour from my garden. The blur towards the bottom was a butterfly zooming past the lense.

Enjoy your day :)

 

March Goals

With February already a week behind me I'm only just getting around to checking of my list of goals. Some horrible bug had be me feeling miserable for more than a few days but hopefully it's gone now.

 

Surprisingly I was able to cross off everything on my February list and even made a small start on the RD block and another TTS block.

 

Complete Month 11 ~ BISS BOM

Complete brother's quilt

1 Xmas Item

Work on a UFO ~ Calendar Quilt

Tis The Season Block

Find backing fabric and prepare next Red Delicious block

 

My secret is making short lists of things I am fairly sure of achieving and any extras are a bonus. Helps me to keep focused and not get dis-heartened when time runs short.

 

 

Month 12 ~ BISS BOM

(Work on 2" squares border)

 

1 Xmas Item

 

Tis The Season

 

Pin Cushion

 

Work on UFO ~ Horse Quilt

Last month I placed an order for my 2011 Blog Book and it arrived last week ... full of lovely memories. My kids sat down at Christmas and had fun looking through my previous books.

 

I'm off to work on something from my March list.

 

Happy Sewing

A New Month Already?

Not much spare time at the moment now that I'm back to work so I'm thinking my list of goals will shorten and maybe I'll achieve some extras now and then. I almost tackled January's list so here's a wrap up.

Month 10 ~ BISS BOM

Complete ‘Stitching Around the Block'

Work on Queen Bed Quilt ~ UFO

Quilt and bind Brothers’ Quilt – (quilting half done)

Prepare next Red Delicious block - (need to purchase more backing fabric)

1 Xmas Item – 3 Plum Puddings

Find fabric for ‘Calendar Quilt’ sashings

Here's a couple of extras I managed while the tennis was on.

First block for 'Tis The Season'

Finished stitching month 11 of BISS BOM

Completed BAS (Tax)

and now onto ........

Complete Month 11 ~ BISS BOM

Complete brother's quilt

1 Xmas Item

Work on a UFO ~ Calendar Quilt

Tis The Season Block

Find backing fabric and prepare next Red Delicious block

Now I'm off to put the next load of washing in and do my floors so that I can squeeze in some sewing this afternoon ... also need to trace another embroidery ready for some night time stitching.

Happy February

January Goals and New Family Member

Happy New Year to all my dear friends here in blogland and to those friends I am yet to make.

Making a list each month seems to help me keep on track so I'm going to start out 2012 with a new list for my January goals. But first, here is how my December list finished.



Month 9 - Block 15 of Because I Said So BOM

Inchy Hexagon Swap Flowers

Home Sweet Home BOM - 'M'

Quilting on quilt for brother

Bind and finish 'Citrus Splash'

Block 5 - Red Delicious

Just the one goal that didn't get done so I'll roll that one over to January. However I am giving myself a deadline to have my brother's quilt finished by the end of January...no more rolling over for this one.

Month 10 - Block 16 of Because I Said So BOM

Complete Friendship Stitch Around

Work on Queen Bed Quilt - UFO

Quilt and bind brother's quilt

Prepare next Red Delicious block

1 Xmas Item

Find fabric ready to sash 'Calendar Quilt' - UFO/PhD

I mentioned a new family member and here she is. This is Pippa who was a lovely Christmas gift for DD from her boyfriend. She's such a talkative little character and I think had everyone amused.

We have 3 grand-doggies and 1 grand-kitty...my 2 girls were not impressed when they came to visit.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2012 with ample time to relax with needle and thread.

December Goals

Making a list each month seems to be working for me ... helps to keep me focused on what needs doing. So here is what I would like to achieve craft wise for the month of

Month 9 - Block 15 of Because I Said So BOM

Inchy Hexagon Swap Flowers

Home Sweet Home BOM - 'M'

Quilting on quilt for brother

Bind and finish 'Citrus Splash'

Block 5 - Red Delicious

Photos of Blocks 12, 13 and 14 of Because I Said So have been added to the page above and my hexie flowers are ready to post. After I have no idea how long, Red Delicious has come out of hiding. I couldn't think what to take to our last patchwork day on Wednesday so out came the red fabrics and patterns and I prepared block 5 of RD and have told myself I must continue to work on it.

Hope your weekend includes some sewing.



November Wrap-up and SSCS

What is it with the mail lately?  I've had post take 14 days to travel between states and even in the same state and yet this parcel made it all the way from Norway in only 9 days.

Yipee!  My SSCS arrived yesterday and was promptly opened to reveal ..

2 pretty parcels ... 1 of which I was allowed to open straight away.

Inside I found this lovely cone with applique heart and inside the cone I found a sweet surprise!

Yummy strawberry sweets with a hidden choc centre.  Thankyou dear Secret Santa ... I shall be good and place my other gift under the tree until Christmas day.

Another November finish for OPAM ... my red scarf with silver ... wool purchased at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Exhibition.

These hexie flowers have hopefully arrived safely with Debra for November.

November Goals

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 7

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 8

1" Hexi Flowers for Inchy Swap

Quilting of UFO Citrus quilt

Quilting of brother's birthday quilt

Home Sweet Home BOM ~ letter 'O'

Red/Silver Ruffle Scarf

One Christmas Item a Month

November Goals ~ October Wrap-up

Well here we are, the 1st of November ... and Melbourne Cup Day. The one horse race of the year that I get a little excited about. I'll be watching it at home on the TV and of course I can't just sit and do nothing so there will be some sort of sewing going on. What do you have planned?

 

So on with my goals for October ... I'm happy enough with what I achieved and if it didn't get finished it simply rolls over to November ... no pressure!

 

October Goals 

 

Month 6 of Because I Said So BOM

Month 7 of Because I Said So BOM

(almost finished - ran out of embroidery thread)

Letter 'H' of Home Sweet Home BOM

SSCS gifts made and wrapped

(these will also be for 1 Xmas Item)

Quilting done on UFO Citrus quilt (started)

Quilting done on brother's quilt

Finish half knitted scarf
1" Hexi Flowers for Inchy Swap

GST/BAS (tax) for the quarter

 

November Goals

 

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 7

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 8

1" Hexi Flowers for Inchy Swap

Quilting of UFO Citrus quilt

Quilting of brother's birthday quilt

Home Sweet Home BOM ~ letter 'O'

Red/Silver Ruffle Scarf

One Christmas Item a Month

 

From my garden this week ...

 

Goals for October Half-time Update

So far so good ... I've managed to cross a few things off the list of goals for October.

 

Month 6 of Because I Said So BOM

Month 7 of Because I Said So BOM

Letter 'H' of Home Sweet Home BOM

SSCS gifts made and wrapped

(these will also be for 1 Xmas Item)

Quilting done on UFO Citrus quilt

Quilting done on brother's quilt

Finish half knitted scarf

1" Hexi Flowers for Inchy Swap

GST for the quarter

 

The GST and SSCS are in progress and I've even prepared Month 7 of my BOM ready for stitching. Maybe having a list of goals is working? How do you keep yourself motivated? 

 

In my garden today I found ... Double Delight.