Going Patriotic and Christmas

To all Norwegians worldwide: 

HAPPY MAY 17TH! 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/233095321/norwegian-flag-mug-rug-quilted-red-white

The last two weeks have been very busy. I've been out of the house almost every day, running errands here and there and only had time for sewing in the late afternoons / evenings. 

The Patriotic Mug Rugs in our shop sold out and I made a few new. For the back, I chose a red fabric with tiny flowers instead of the mottled flag red I've used earlier. 

I thought I was done with Patriotic quilts for awhile, but after searching the net for new ideas, I found this block worth trying. Norway's National Day, May 17th is today and July 4th in the US is approaching. These would be great table toppers on these special days. 



I prefer to use white cotton batting on white fabric. I ran out of white and more is on the way. I should get it by next week (she said hopefully!). 


https://www.etsy.com/listing/652698029/advent-calendar-quilt-gingerbread-house

I've been working on some Advent Calendars as well. Even if these are easy to make, it takes its time. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254308142/advent-calendar-gingerbread-cookies

I'm taking a few days break from Advent Calendars and this is what I'm currently working on

Yep! Christmas stockings! Aren't these cute? I cut the panels last year, but figured out it was too near up to Christmas to get them shipped abroad. Since I took the photo yesterday, I've quilted all the backings (12 in all) and almost halfway quilting the fronts. These are really cute and would put a smile to everyone's face. 
Soon to be listed at RedNeedleQuilts 

I bought some meters satin ribbons (sold per meter) the other day and got the clever idea to reuse empty Superior Threads cones for the purpose.

Wall Hanging Progress and New Blocks

HAPPY MAY!

Where did the first months of this year go?! May already and the Southern Hemisphere is heading towards 'winter'. We've got a touch of 'winter' already; temperatures dropped 5-6 degrees C beginning this week. After a very hot summer, the 'winter' climate suits me better. I'm warning you; soon I'll be complaining about the cold weather! LOL

Not much new has happened on the sewing table, except I've been busy working intensively on one item; the NYB / sunflower wall hanging

More progress after I took this photo. Yesterday I finished quilting the eight 'sunflowers' and FMQ the background. Had a very bad thread tension day, but managed to sort it out by changing needle and re-threading several times. What a pain! Last night, before 'time for watching TV', I added the binding, just a few inches left to add before it can be folded over and hand sewn to the back. I discovered I missed a little bit quilting,  which I have to do. 

Do you tend to make the same blocks - blocks you love - for new projects or do you try new blocks? 

Here's a new one I hadn't done before. Well, new to me! :) I was playing around with the pink daisy fabric and made four blocks. It's going to be a table runner. 

I'm still waiting for the backing fabric for the turquoise daisy table runners/toppers. Non trackable packages from the US usually make it in three weeks, fingers crossed I'll get it this week! 

I received a package with spools end of last week. It was expected end of this week, sometimes the Postal Services surprise us! :) 

I also got fabric for the sleeve on the wall hanging, which I forgot to calculate and add when I ordered the backing. DUH! How come these gorgeous green batik FQ's ended up in the shopping cart as well?! LOL I'm running out of green batik and since this was a good bargain - $19.99 / 12 FQ's (Island Batik) - I couldn't resist! (My fabric diet is going a certain place!!!)

Earlier this week I finished two table toppers. The weather has been miserable all week, hence no photographing. As soon as the weather improves, photos will be taken and they will be available at RedNeedleQuilts 

HAPPY QUILTING AND HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND! 

This and That

Hello everyone! 

 I hope you all had a nice Easter. No public holidays here, just normal days for us. 

How are you doing and what have you been up to recently?

First days of this week have just flown away. Today is actually the first day this week I'm not going anywhere! It's raining too, so what's better than playing with some fabrics and a little bit sewing?! 

Thanks for your comments on the daisy blocks! Since my previous post, I played around a little bit and decided to make three more blocks of each and turn them into two different table runners and table toppers

As most of you know, quilt fabrics etc are not available here and has to be purchased mostly from the US. I prefer to use unbleached cotton batting, but since it is a bit 'yellow-ish', I prefer to use white (bleached) for items where I use white fabric. I thought I had enough left for these items, but not so lucky. More on the way and I should get it by middle May. I didn't find anything suitable for backing in my stash and found an excuse to order! Haha! It should be delivered by end of next week, I hope! 

I have a soft spot for everything COFFEE where coffee fabrics are included as well! :) Last week I received these yummy coffee fabrics

Actually I needed one of these fabrics to finish a table topper. How come the other two ended up in the shopping basket too?! LOL

I was quilting happily away today, was thinking I can finish this table topper...

Nope! That didn't happen! Take a look at the spool! About 3.5 x 12 inches left to FMQ and ran out of thread! UGH! OK, no problem, I ordered more about 2 weeks ago and should get that parcel by next week as well! 

I love to use up bits and pieces of fabric and I've made two zippered pouches / makeup bags for the upcoming Christmas Show in Vadsø, Norway.

I was hunting through part of my stash for hook and loop tape the other day. I found it, but what I also found was these treasure boxes! :)

The one to the left contains 2" and 2.5" squares. The other one contains the same, but also some stripes. I have to admit it; I have lost control on how many boxes I have with pre-cut squares! Maybe this is a hint that I should 'attack' some of these squares and turn them into quilts?! :) 

I finally received these yummy fabrics yesterday! 

It took 40 days!!!  (USPS with International tracking) 16 days from date of shipping until it actually left the US! Then transit through Germany and UK before it arrived here and 10 days at the Customs! I went to the Customs to pick it up yesterday, at least I got some minutes city dose! :) 

I also have to mention I didn't buy these fabrics only because they are yummy! :) I'm going to use them for two advent calendars! 

'Winter' is finally here! ...in spite of 'Kenneth' and 'Lorna' spinning northwest and northeast from us and will not influence the Mascarenes, according to meteo

 Quilts are out for the nights! It's time to LIVE again, not only EXIST! Feels good! :) 

HAPPY QUILTING!