Tuesday, May 28, 2019

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! 



Friday, May 17, 2019

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.




Friday, May 3, 2019

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!