Plodding away

At getting things finished, but then that is nothing new.  I think it is everyday life for a quilter, don't you?  Mind you, we do all work at different speeds, and some of us are (hopefully) like me, stuck in low gear.  Hehehe.
The progress on Danielle's quilt is good.  I have sewn all the rows now and merely need to stitch last five rows into the final section.  Stitch all the sections together and we are up to the frame and border.  It sounds (and feels) so good to be able to talk about the border as if it is becoming close to a finished quilt top.  Yay  I have to say that I like this quilt more as each section goes on.  The busyness of the smaller HST's would be quite overwhelming in a large quilt for me, but it may be because of the darker colours I am using.

This is the hat I was talking about in my last post.  It came through my error ridden blocking process with no problems.

Richard loves it as he is very kind to his Mum.





















Keeping it brief today.  Off to try and cook some dinner for us.  That will be interesting.  lol

Hugs and blessings to you all.
Clare

Scrappy Week

I have been tootling away at some more scrappy hearts and hope to have about 20 to send away on Monday.  The response has been overwhelming.  Thanks everyone.
I finished another hat this week.  This one was for my friend Helen, and it was a lovely pattern called Irma by Aneta Gasiorowka, whose Ravelry username is agasi.  It took a little bit of brain work for me to get the hang of it and I was actually amazed that I managed it.  I've never unpicked so much before without chucking it in the corner and leaving it there forever.  However, instead of said throwing out the toys from the cot, I did persevere and it is well worth it.  I even washed and blocked it, something I have never done before.  It was interesting...I watched a clip on YouTube and the knitter suggested using a partly inflated balloon to put the hat on to dry.  What a brilliant idea I thought, and after much scrounging Kerry and I managed to find a balloon that was not perished.  Of course Kerry had to blow it up, as I don't have any puff these days (darn). Next problem - neither of us could tie the blooming thing!!!  So we tied it tightly with a bit of fabric strip.  Later that evening said green balloon had become deflated instead of inflated.  "Nec minute" we found a vase that was shaped like a head.  Popped hat on and went to bed.  Oh dear, the ribbing had ended up on the widest part of the vase and was awfully stretched...  Back to the basin to soak and this time, I laid it flat.  After all this I forgot to take a picture.  This photo is of the one I did just before that for GD Marcy.
Thank you Aneta for such a lovely pattern.

Now my photos don't want to behave and load on my computer so I'm afraid this is all you can have today.  I am working on finishing my next two hexagon blocks in my mystery quilt and need to get a move on before April's arrive.  Trying hard to keep up with this one.  More importantly, need to get the next section done on Danielle's quilt.
Here's a couple of older quilts just because...enjoy.

The quilt above is one of the  very early quilts when I began doing long arm custom quilting and free motion.


The second one is the quilt I made for my granddaughter Olivia.  It was such a happy animal quilt.








Hope life is going well for you all and that you are enjoying some family time over the weekend.
Hugs and blessings to you all

Clare

I'm Linking up to Cynthia's Oh Scrap here and hope you enjoy your visit.

#this is not us

My heart is still very heavy as I pen this quick post.  The tragedy that unfolded in our country on Friday 15th March has left a huge impact on our people.  50 precious New Zealanders lost their lives when cowardly shot down while praying in their Mosques while they were praying. These people should have been safe We have come together in ways never seen before and made us look long and hard at our own attitudes to races and religions.  It will take a long time for New Zealanders to process this.
I really liked what a Rabbi (on a panel of a Christian, Muslim and Jew) said in an interview on television discussing this event and the question of why do we have these white extremist views.  His point was (and forgive me for not remembering his name)  that "when God made Adam and Eve, He made them human.  The Jews were not around for another 2000 years."  Such a good point - human!
I continue to pray for all affected by this terrible tragedy.

There are, of course, many quilters doing what I am at the moment as we unite to make healing heart quilts.  This is the start of my offering.

If anyone would like to contribute to these quilts, the following is reposted for your information.  Please read it all first as there are some requests that are very important to be followed.  Thank you.

View this email in your browser

Quilters' Lane, 50a Queen Street, Masterton (behind the Library) 06 370 9400

Quilters' Lane News Healing Hearts for Christchurch Dear Quilters and Stitchers It is so wonderful to see the community of quilters working together to do what they can to help the families suffering as a result of last week's terrible events in Christchurch. Two of our fellow shops have volunteered and are making a massive effort to provide quilts for the families. Helen of Angels in Gumboots is co-ordinating heart blocks. These can be appliqued or pieced. There is a pattern in the kiwiquilters Facebook group.They are looking for green hearts on a white background. Here is some information from Helen IMPORTANT NOTE: I've been asked to pass on that our hearts need to avoid the colour red, prints with animals on (my bad with my applique heart!) and prints with people/faces/figures. EDIT: pattern has been uploaded into Files and a picture attached. I love how much aroha there is in this group! So excited to see what we create together. For those wanting to applique, just make sure the background block is 6.5 inches unfinished square and your heart is at least 1/2" from all edges. Address to post to me: Helen Thomas, Angels in Gumboots, 101 Cambridge Avenue, Ashhurst 4810. Contact email: angelsingumboots@gmail.com. May I make a suggestion RE the Healing Hearts quilts? I have put my hand up to help coordinate and organise Healing Hearts quilts. I do know the colour white and green both mean a lot to Muslims - I am thinking we focus on white backgrounds with green hearts. Busy Bee quilt shop in Rongotai have offered to quilt and bind 100 quilts. Our wholesalers have offered the backing and batting free of charge. There has been a huge response internationally as well.

With love to you all and I pray that God will bless and keep you safe.

Hugs

Clare

Scrapping away still

I'm not going to talk about the fact that it's already well into March. Much better to talk about fabric and projects and everything else except how fast time flies. That's what you get when you look in the mirror I told  myself.  Just don't look and you wont have to think about it.  LOL.
In my attempt to reduce my stash,  I may have been a little successful since I spoke with you last, because at least I haven't bought any new fabric!!  Progress has been made on a number of projects, and I even dug out some (very) old UFO's and did a little on them.  I had to pinch myself a little at this point.  Hahaha.

The photo to the right shows that I have now laid out the fourth section of Danielle's quilt ready to be sewn up.
Section three has two blocks up on the design wall and the other two have be stitch into rows and just need making into the 2 remaining blocks.
That will just leave the fifth and final section to be done.  Woohoo as they say, sounds like it's almost getting there.  Must not speak too soon just in case.  LOL.















I'm trying to do some each day, but it can be a bit of a struggle some days.  All in good time.  The next three photos are of some eye candy from the Tuesday Girls who have been very busy of late.

This is Lorrie's lovely Christmas Redwork wall hanging.  It is really pretty.

Lorraine is doing a Boston Commons using hexagons.  These are quite large hexagons for Lorraine.  Often she is working with little tiny things that can barely be held in one's hand.  Mad, I think, LOL.  It's certainly going to be a beautiful quilt.  The fabrics are all French General scraps that Lorraine was gifted.

Not sure if I have already mentioned this quilt before but this is Lynn's Pies and Tarts quilt that looks fabulous.  It was interesting choosing the correct binding colour and I found a delicious rusty red in my stash that was perfect.

I have gifted my pile of completed pies and tarts and the cut out pieces and fabric etc to a quilter who needed it a lot more than I did.  I had to take a look at how important this quilt was to me in relation to my health issues and decided I did not want to continue with it.  Feeling really happy with that decision, and it has allowed me to continue on with other projects that need to be finished.

This is the first two blocks in the mystery quilt I am doing with Quilters Lane in Masterton.  I chose the Dear Stella colour way as a change for me and just love it so far.  The bestest thing though is it comes already cut.  I just have to sit and stitch it up together.  But guess what... I still only just got them done before the next blocks arrived. What.... that's just sad,  hahaha. Mind you, I had to pull out a few rusty old drawers in the filing cabinet of my brain to remember how to get these stitched up properly.  (whispering - I had to unpick a LOT...lol)  To change the subject....

This little quilt appeared in post here a while back and a couple of friends had suggested I make it bigger.  I'm never too sure what to do with little quilts, and the fabrics were not suitable to donate it as a baby quilt.  So I have added on a small frame and another floral border so far.  Have another floral border but with different flowers cut from the same striped fabric so will put in another lighter frame and put that one on too I think.  Then I will have to decide what to do with it from there as it will probably end up neither one thing or the other.  Might have to ask if anyone would like it and send it off somewhere to live happily ever after!!









So that's about it here for now,  thanks a heap for popping in and reading about my crazy life.  My health has been great the past two to three weeks and New Zealand has been sitting under this ginormous high and the air pressure has been so good for me. Now it's back to reality as this dratted little low came by and moved it out the road.  Okay, I know we all needed the rain, but gosh it was fun while it lasted.  Ignoring the fact that winter is definitely coming with the cooler autumn nights and mornings we are now having and realising the other side of the world is very happy about that.  Oh well.  See you again soon.

Hugs and blessings
Clare

I have linked to Confessions of a Scrap Quilter here enjoy your visit.
Also linked to Oh! Scrap here for even more scrappy goodness.

Some Progress in 2019

Okay, January has already disappeared off my calendar and I didn't get to post.  I can see that this year is going to go even faster than the last, but I put some of that down to less time available for me to do "stuff" in. Health has leveled out a little and we are managing to get back to our sewing machine so that is the most important thing.
Here are some photos of what I have managed to accomplish so far...

 This is my block for January for the BOM running in the Kiwiquilters Facebook group.  It is a large block - around 22 inches.
Now to get onto February's block.  I'm trying to do it all from scraps in an effort to make a small dent in said pile.

In an effort to keep control of those wonderful bits of fabric called scraps I have got hold of this four tiered basket trolley.  The goal is to have all the colours in their own little spot so no need to rummage through endless bags and drawers to find them.  Let's see how well that works??

You may remember this - Danielle's quilt from Amanda Jean Nybergs book.  Have got two blocks assembled in the next size with the remaining four all sorted ready to be stitched,  Hoping this will be finished this week, then it will be onto the third size.  There's five in all.

My production line, lol. 













That's it for now.  Thought maybe I would be better at this if I kept the posts nice and short and then could do them more frequently?  We'll see.

Oh, did I tell you that my first block arrived today for my new BOM from  Sheila at Quilters Lane in Masterton?  It's a mystery quilt and we could choose from 10 different fabrics.  I have chosen Dear Stella and am very excited.  Only done one other mystery quilt and I enjoyed it.  You can check out Sheila's shop here and see for yourself.  Well worth a visit.

I'll catch you all later and thanks heaps for stopping by. 
Hugs and blessings to you all.
Clare

I'm linking to Cynthia's here for some more eye candy. 

The end of 2018

Thought I had better try and catch up with you all before the year is gone.  November/December have been hard months for me health wise and I got back home for Christmas on Christmas Eve Day.  Yay, thank you Lord.  Spent Christmas with some of our family.  Photos coming.
Might not be a lot more posts in 2019, we will see what progress I can make.  However, there is still a strong urge to kill that stash, so I'm hoping to do a little more stitching yet.  Hoping to infect (lol) one of my granddaughters with the bug as much interest is being shown.
Have started to assemble Danielle's quilt at last and did get three blocks worth together before crashing.  Today is when I'm feeling like stitching again, yippee.... so onwards and upwards people.
Now for some photos to finish the year off.

The two blocks

Danielle's blocks - one has fallen down and all the stuff has been plonked in front of my design wall.  Sorry, but you get a vague idea.
Colours are looking great.

This is Meg from our Tuesday Group who does the most amazing handwork.  Sorry about the light behind the quilt.  Meg has also done numerous hexagon quilts of all types.

This is our family at home between Christmas and New Year.  My daughter Rebecca is standing in front of her 6' 5" son Bradley along with her three beautiful daughters.  My eldest son Daryll is sitting beside me and my sister Joy has my grandson Hamish on her knee.  Love this photo except by beautiful daughter in law Dayn is taking the photo.

 On the way home Rebecca met up with her youngest brother Richard, wife Kea and daughter Marcy in Napier.  Glad they had a chance to catch up as they live in opposite ends of the country.

Suzy's quilt got finished before Christmas.  She was so completely blown away that it was hers to take away and have. I must acknowledge with such grateful thanks my helper Lynn Murphy for making and stitching on the binding for me.

Forgot to take a close up of the quilting which was a beautiful big daisy pattern.  Long arm quilter was Gael Byrne from the Quilting Shed in Hastings.  Made an awesome job and loved the way she put the red thread front and back.  It gave a fabulous two sided effect, and I jolly well forgot to take a photo!!!!

This is one of my favourite finishes for 2018.  This quilt was totally made from scraps and stash - oops, I forgot - I bought the green sashing as lack of large pieces of stash. It was quilted by my friend Lorraine Baker of Masterton who is now an accomplished long arm quilter.  The centre blocks are made from leftover bits of WOF  that I couldn't quite bear to throw away as was about an inch and a half wide.  LOL.  What a funny little lady I am, and loving it!!!












That's all folks for this year of 2018.  One of so many ups and downs for me I can truly say.  For once I am very surprised at how many quilts I managed to finish and give away to family and friends.  My stash (old) did reduce by quite a substantial amount, but alas and alack, I fear the new fabric section may have grown a little,.  Hehehehe.  It just means I will need to try and make even more quilts in 2019.
God has blessed our family constantly and I can say with all my heart that He  answers those prayers we ask of Him.  Sometimes it is in His way and time, other times we get what we asked for.  He is always good and God is love.  May your 2019 be full to the brim of love and laughter.  Love will always overcome dark.
Thank you for coming to visit my blog and I hope to see you again next year.

Hugs and blessings
Clare
I'm linking up with Oh Scrap here take a look and enjoy some eye candy.

Almost there...

I am taking a short break from trimming the very last of the HSTs for Danielle's quilt.  Soooo pleased to have finally reached this point and that assembly can now begin.
I was a little delayed as I stitched up this quilt for someone we know who lost their house in a fire.  Kerry dropped it off to the LA quilter this morning.  A little big for me to handle these days.

It was made using two roll ups of Kaffe Fassett fabrics that I had in my stash - bought the 2nd one by accident, and is lovely and sunny and bright.  I will show you again when it comes back from being quilted, but very happy with it.  Nice and quick to make and the pattern is from a Layer Cake tutorial from The Missouri Star Quilt Company.












Our Tuesday girls had a couple of beautiful finishes too.  Here is Lois with her fabulous Cat in the Garden quilt she has made for one of her granddaughters.  Awesome job Lois.

The colour choices are gorgeous and don't those cats looks fabulous.  Well done Lois.  Quilted it herself too, such a champion.


















Lynn was our other star yesterday.

Lynn does beautiful handwork and this table runner is so lovely.  The colours are really nice and the ric rac around the edges makes for an awesome finish.  Clever lady.



















That's it for now folks.  Off to trim up those last few triangles.  Hopefully the next picture will be of the progress of assembling this quilt.

I'm linking up with Confessions of a Scrap Quilter here for Can I get A Whoop Whoop! Yay, go visit the eye candy.

Hugs and blessings to you all.
Clare