Thursday, April 25, 2019

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!

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Patriotic Table Runners and WIPs

Hello! 
It's Sunday again, two weeks into April already. Where did this week go?! 
Rain and thunderstorms today and Meteo has issued 'heavy rain warning' until tomorrow morning. No venture out in this weather and what is better than sew?! :)

The Norwegian National Day - May 17th - is approaching. 


I have a few patriotic quilted items in our Etsy Shop and after selling one table runner last weekend, I've been busy making two more. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/505436334/patriotic-table-runner-quilted-norway


I had some fabric left of this fun navy blue striped ribbons and made a variation of the one above. (Soon available at RedNeedleQuilts

I was looking for a specific fabric the other day and instead of locating the one I was looking for, I found these


Aren't they beautiful?! Love daisies! 


I've been pondering what to make and it can't be anything else than a summer table runner! :) I pulled out a white tonal daisy fabric and a matching yellow to the turquoise (azure) fabric and made two different fabric combination blocks


DH is my biggest supporter. I often ask him for advises and this is his design


...and here is mine. I love both blocks, both would look great as table runner / topper. Hm.... I think I'll make one of each. 
Please tell me, which one is your favorite block? 


I haven't had much time for the Scrappy Batik Star blocks, but managed to squeeze in time to make two last night

...and in between, when I have some 1.5 inch squares for my insanity project....


Altogether I have 103 blocks x 36 (squares in each block) = 3708 squares!
For a quilt size measuring 72 x 90 inches, I need 6480 squares! Not more than 77 blocks (2772 squares to go)! YIKES! LOL Honestly, I'm not sure how big I'm going to make it. 
With all the blocks I already have, perhaps it's time to start sewing them together?!

HAPPY EASTER WEEK! 



Sunday, April 7, 2019

Week in Review / Some Finishes and WIPs

It's late Sunday afternoon and time for a blog update. 
The sun is shining again today after a couple of days with heavy showers. The temperature has dropped 2-3 degrees (Celsius) and we do hope this is finally the beginning of 'winter'! This summer has been hot! Hot! Hot! More showers to come the coming days, meteo predicts, which is just perfect for indoor activities; quilting! 

In my previous post I mentioned a batik quilt top I was going to work on. As said so done and here it is in all its glory! Finished! 


I love how it turned out! I have used about 40 different batiks. It measures approximately 63.50 x 71 inches / 161 x 180 cm, a good size lap quilt.


For the back I have used a fun batik designed by Pat Sloan.
Soon to be listed in my Etsy Shop


Some weeks ago I finished my 2nd batik jelly roll quilt (see previous post).  I had sew much fun making this one. Love the vibrant colors! 


Don't you just love the back? I have used a gorgeous color splash batik in turquoise, pink, yellow, green etc. Measures approximately 56 x 70 inches / 142 x 177 cm.
Soon to be listed in my Etsy Shop.

I'm still working with batik... 


Some of the blocks for my 3rd batik quilt. I'm not sure how big I want it; lap size or bigger... Currently I have 20 12 inch blocks (sewn into quilt). I need 35 blocks to make a 60 x 84 inch quilt.... 15 to go! ....or more! :) 


Sneak peek on the NYB wall hanging! It is done and ready to be quilted. 

I bet most of you are sick and tired of winter and don't want to hear the word 'Christmas'?! Look what I finished today:

 Another Advent Calendar! :) 
Coming soon in my Etsy Shop.

... and finally...


... a few more coasters for the upcoming Christmas Fair in Vadsø, Norway. 

Time to sign off and get some sewing done this evening. 

HAPPY QUILTING and have a fabulous Sunday! 

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