Scrappy Log Cabin

Oh my! I can't believe I haven't blogged since July! 

No excuse! Priority has not been given, but now I feel the urge to start blogging again. (Let's see how that goes!) 

December came and in a few days this month is history too. Christmas Eve was spent together with dear friends and it could not have been more fun with two kids 3 and 6 y/o! 😊 Thank you dear friends, for spending the Eve with us!

There comes to a point when one is fed up making Christmas items. I believe we all are there, to a certain degree. That said; I love making Christmas items, but not 365 days a year. 

After pondering 'what to make next', I couldn't come up with any ideas. It ended up I pulled out my scrap strips (I'm making log cabin blocks from scraps off and on). For some years now (don't remember when I started), I have cut and collected 1.5 inch strips in different lengths from scraps and I'm quite sure they have multiplied every night!!! 

I have some traditional log cabin blocks (ready to be pieced together), but this time I got totally addicted to making this version. They are fun and super fast to make. Each block consists of 13 pieces and measure 7 inches finished. The only thing I had to keep an eye on, was not to get two pieces of the same fabric in the same block. These are fun 'I spy' blocks. Can you spot the two naughty kittens, wrapped Christmas presents, another kitten, spiderweb, fall leaves, cardinals, nurse hats? 

I have spent almost each day this month working on this large twin size quilt and last night the last row was added to the quilt. It measures about 70 x 91 inches (178 x 230 cm). It consists of 130 blocks, 1690 pieces sewn together. One has to be a bit insane to stay sane, isn't it?! 

I'm pleased with how it turned out. I don't have anything big enough for backing, have to hunt for a bargain! 😊

It's Sunday today, the weather is so-so; cyclonic weather conditions and I just saw we have a 'cyclone warning class 2'! Oh well, what would be better than a mug hot chocolate and chocolate muffin?! 

Have a great day!

Advent Calendars

Hello everyone!

Not much has happened in the quilter's household lately, except I have been and am working on Advent Calendars. These take time to make, especially when there are +100 pockets and felt bags to be made.  

I have a few finishes

A fun and cheerful calendar to make. It has 24 pockets, some pleated, randomly placed. I have used a green holly with white berries fabric for the binding. 

Available in our shop

https://www.etsy.com/listing/707335936/quilted-advent-calendar-christmas-wall

It's also available with red/green binding

https://www.etsy.com/listing/526684152/advent-calendar-quilted-wall-hanging

...and here's one of my favorites

It has 24 red felt bags tied to brass rings and it comes with a drawstring bag to keep the felt bags safe when not in use

https://www.etsy.com/listing/707788880/quilted-advent-calendar-houses-winter

More Advent Calendars available in our shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RedNeedleQuilts?section_id=22038126

I'm sewing almost every day and trying to get a few days off doing something different. 

Last Sunday was such a gorgeous sunny day and I know I had felt bad if I'd stayed at home. 

Tranquility! Away from cars, pollution and people! 

The first cuppa of the day is empty. Time to start my day. The goal today is to finish .............??? Yes, your guessing is right; two advent calendars! :) 

HAPPY QUILTING! 

Advent Calendars and Tortilla Warmers

WELCOME JULY! 
Where on earth did the first part of 2019 go?! I'm sure someone stole it, as one said! 

I'm busy as ever and determined to finish some Advent Calendars. 

Over the last days I have quilted, added pockets and sleeve to four of these. I have one left to do, I ran out of fabric for the back! UGH! More on the way, expected to arrive end of July. 

There are 24 single small pockets, measuring 2 x 2 inches. They are tedious to add and I must say I was relieved when all 96 pockets where done! 
This calendar is one of my favorite. It's a Debbie Mumm design; Jolly Christmas. 

The four Snow Village Calendars are done as well

The brass rings are sewn to the calendar. I hope to get a photo of the complete calendar - brass rings and felt bags - one of the first days, if the weather permits. 

Currently working on a tea cozy. Love those cardinals. 

I have new table runners listed in our shop

https://www.etsy.com/listing/704644280/quilted-table-runner-daisies-turquoise

https://www.etsy.com/listing/704769706/quilted-table-runner-turquoise-daisies

I've made a few tortilla warmers (cozies) for the upcoming Christmas Fair in Norway

These are easy to make and a fun addition to the table

Made of 100% cotton, the tortillas can be heated in the microwave oven.

Last night - after being in limbo for a few hours, lol - I pulled out one of my scrappy UFO's. Yes, there are more than one! :)  

It has been put aside for more than a year because I couldn't decide on light or dark sashing (first border). Last night I decided on a dark brown scroll fabric after trying a few light ones. Black is suggested by some, but I'm not a big fan of black. Not brown either, but definitely better than black, in my opinion. :) After all, it is scrappy, right?! :) All the squares (centre) are from swaps. The pinwheels are fabric from my stash. 

HAVE A NICE JULY 4th AND HAPPY QUILTING! 

Scrap Challenge and more

Midsummer came and went, can you believe we are heading towards Christmas and New Year again?! 

I've been super busy and I'm not sure where to start. Quite a lot to share, I may share it into two posts. Why don't I post more often?! :) 
OK, let's start with the Advent Calendars.

 When I wrote the previous post, four Calendars were already quilted and the binding thread basted. A little progress; the 24 felt bags and a lined drawstring bag (to keep the felt bags) are completed. Next step is to add 'gold' metal rings (to hang the felt bags). I may do one with buttons - instead of rings - as well, IF I get the right buttons. I went to the neighbor town earlier this week, but the shop where I usually buy buttons were sold out on those specific buttons. 

The Quiltsy Team's Scrappy Spring Challenge is done

(see previous post for details)

I made a scrappy star wall hanging. All batik are from my stash. 

I love how it turned out and have yet to decide whether to keep or list it in our shop. 

2019 is my 'year of batiks'. Ever since I started quilting I have 'collected' batiks, and batiks are often too beautiful to be cut, right?! LOL This year I'm trying to use up some of the batiks and after making a few quilts it has not made a dent! 

I have made scrappy star blocks off and on. After 35 blocks I pieced the blocks together

I'm not sure about the size though... As it is now, it measures 60 x 84 inches / 152 x 213 cm. Isn't that a bit too long for a lap quilt?? If I add one row (7 blocks) to the width, the size will be 72 x 84 inches. If I remove one row on the length, it will measure 60 x 72 inches.

I'd love to hear your opinion, please! 

I've bought the most beautiful batik for the back! 

I had in mind a multi-colored backing, but when I saw this one I couldn't resist! 

I've been naughty! In spite of SFD (Strict Fabric Diet), I have bought some fabric, BUT defending myself; only some FQ's I didn't really need! Haha! 

These fabrics are for binding on some other Advent Calendars

...and here's the brown batik FQ's I didn't really need! Well, yes, somehow I need them, because I have not more than a couple of brown batik left in my stash! Always excuses to buy beautiful fabric, isn't it?! :) 

Nasty 'winter' weather these days; rain showers and strong trade winds.

Birre-Liten knows best

...the best place in the sun! 

I have more to share, but that has to be another post. 

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY AND HAPPY QUILTING! 

Quiltsy Team Scrappy Spring Challenge and more

'Winter' is definitely here to stay. Cooler days and nights, which I love, but still.... BRRRR! The change in weather has caused my sinus infection to flare up again; blocked nose, sinus headache and not feeling well enough to do much. I'm one of those who can't sit still, I have kept myself busy sewing, which include rests on the couch and hot chocolate to drink. Good thing I'm feeling better today.

The best way to keep my fingers warm is to get busy and sew. A couple of items make me sew excited and I wish there were more hours in a day and I didn't have to sleep. 

First, Quiltsy Team on Etsy is having a challenge: 'Scrappy Spring Challenge'; make a table runner / topper or wall hanging using SCRAPS. We all have that scrap bin, don't we? Well, I can't say I have a scrap BIN, I have boxes with already cut squares (small leftovers from finished items) cut into different sizes; from 1.5 to 5 inches. I'm so organized! Haha! 

I decided to use batik squares for my challenge item...

and a sneak peek of the item. It's tread basted and ready for quilting. 

Click here to see finished items for the Quiltsy Team Scrappy Spring Challenge

The second item I'm sew excited about, is a table topper I have wanted to make for years. Don't remember exactly when I bought these fabrics. Yesterday I had in mind to make a Christmas/winter tea cozy. When I pulled out the fabric for the tea cozy along came these fabrics

I fuzzy cut all the deer blocks needed and made one log cabin block. Really, really love how it turned out! First priority is to finish the scrappy challenge and this one has to wait. 

I've made another Advent Calendar (four in all)

As you can see, I have left to hand sew the binding to the back, thread basted only. This calendar does not have pockets. For the complete calendar, I'm going to make 24 felt bags and add rings or buttons to the calendar to hang the bags. It will be listed in RedNeedleQuilts when completed.

I have a few finishes

These are to be listed in our shop one of the first days. The weather has not been on my side when it comes to photographing; rain showers and strong trade winds. Meteo predicts better weather the next days. 

Updates: Available in our shop: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/700410988/quilted-table-topper-turquoise-daisies

https://www.etsy.com/listing/700411472/quilted-table-topper-daisies-pink-candle
https://www.etsy.com/listing/700411304/quilted-table-topper-daisies-turquoise

Yes, of course.... my insanity! LOL 

7 new blocks, 252 1.5 inch squares sewn together. I may have come up with a pattern for this one. What I have in mind is star blocks. I'll have to make one to see how it turns out, but that will be another post.

HAPPY WEEKEND! HAPPY QUILTING!  

While waiting for fabric...

... to finish some summer table runners and toppers, 

I'm working on Christmas items. 

Yep, another Advent Calendar! 

After the photos were taken, I added all the pockets, sleeve and binding on one calendar (I have three in all). 

Update: They are done! 

The calendar will be available in our shop in a couple of days, need to take a few more photos. 

Remember the Christmas Stockings from my previous post? 

I spent the entire last weekend to finish them all! It took some brain work to get the lining/toes the right way, but when I got the hang to it, they were done in a jiffy, almost...! :) These will be re-listed in our shop soon. 

I received the white batting for the Patriotic Table Toppers , but the company sent me the medium thick instead of the thinnest batting. I contacted them, it is sorted out and my new order is on the way, hopefully with the right batting this time!

  The fabric I'm waiting for was shipped from the warehouse middle April, for so to take an extra journey; Jamaica US, Miami, Jamaica and finally left JFK 3 weeks after it was shipped from the seller's warehouse! SIGH!
Update: Finally received the fabric! I had to laugh when I saw the package was 'missent to the Bahamas'!  

In between, when I need a short break from making items for our shop, I go scrappy! 

I've made three new scrappy star blocks

I don't remember when I started making the scrappy log cabin blocks. I have lost count of how many I have, but I believe it is close enough to a lap quilt. 

Each block measures 8 inches (sewn into quilt)

Nasty weather today; rain, wind, and cold. 'Winter' is here.... again! Meteo predicts +15C / 59F on the plateau tonight, time for wool blankets! 

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!