Something missing on the Table

Can you spot what is missing on my sewing table? 

'Dear Nina', of course! My sewing machine!

It had to go in for service after the handwheel got stuck! 

How did that happen, you may ask? I was quilting an Advent Calendar, using gold metallic thread (Superior Threads). Metallic thread is a bit stiff and tend to 'jump'. That is what happened! Somehow it got tangled in the handwheel and made it stuck! UGH! 

I bought the machine (Bernina Aurora 440 QE) in 2008 and it has been used almost every day. There are a couple of other issues too; the bobbin pre-tension as well as the display, unable to read part of the display. 

The display has to be ordered (not in stock). What else I don't know, the dealer has yet to call back!

I'm addicted to sewing and now after 5 days I'm having severe withdrawal symptoms! LOL I do not have a spare machine, which I do regret now of course! 

So, what do I do?!

I'm doing something that is loooong overdue; I'm going through my Christmas fabrics! 

The table is full of Christmas fabrics! Most of these are already prepped; place mats, tea cozies, coasters, pot holders, mug rugs. Lots of pieces that can be used for small items. (I'll be busy when 'Dear Nina' is back!)

I have two big UFO's to sandwiched, but 'of course' I don't have batting enough! That has be be purchased soonest. 

Since 'Dear Nina' is an old lady, I'm looking for a new machine. I'm eyeing the Bernina 570 QE or 740. A dear friend in Norway has the 740 and she is very happy with it. 

I'm a 'Bernina-girl' and if, there will be another Bernina! 

Any other Bernina-girls out there? Which model(s) do you have and which one would you recommend? 

More Christmas fabrics are waiting to be sorted! 

That's what I'm going to do now. 

 

Too Many Men Wall Hanging - A Finished UFO

I have a few FINISHED UFO's to show. I'll start with this one.

This post has been in draft mode since April, just waiting for photos. 

Photos were finally done today, but due to strong glare from the sun and blue sky, they didn't turn out as good as I hoped. Oh well... I'm not a photographer! 

Since I finished my goal for April early (Dwellings), I thought it would be nice to finish a smaller quilt; the snowmen wall hanging. 

I'm not sure when I started working on this one. 

I purchased the panel - 'Too Many Men' - April 2022 and it is on my 2023 UFO list #17 Snowman wall hanging. At that time; already thread basted. 

It is small (in comparison to the big quilts I have finished this year), but a lot of work goes into it.  

I could have done the quilting easier, like FMQ or crosshatch design. Instead, I quilted it by outlining all the detailed designs to make it stand out better. 

There are some pretty cool snowmen hiding here and there; behind houses and trees, one poor guy has lost his head (!!!) 

and there's even a snowman head on the weathervane! 

The moon! 

Other details are the stars, snowflakes and holly berries, hardly not seen from a distance. 

I have added seed beads and small bugle beads to make them visible and sparkle in the lamplight. 

A lot of work, yes, but well worth it! 

The back

Size: 30.25 x 36 inches / 77 x 91.5 cm

Panel purchased: April 2022

Thread basted / to be quilted: 2022? UFO list 2023

Fabric: Purchased panel, border fabric and backing (in 2022). The backing fabric was on sale to half price. Squares from my stash

Mill Hill Beads: from my stash 

Finished: April 30, 2025

Next Up / My goal for May:

UFO #16 (on my UFO list); 'Tomten's Quilt'. 

RSC Week #23 Orange for June / Last of Green for May / Not Getting Rid of the Squirrel

How come it's June already?! Before we know it's Fall and Christmas again!

Been busy quilting, I know I have missed a lot in blog-land. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying summer, or 'winter' on the Southern hemisphere. 

Over the last days, I'm caught up on RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) for May, which was Green. Orange is chosen for June and all blocks done! I have mentioned earlier I prefer to do the RSC blocks beginning of the month. By doing it that way, I can work on anything I fancy the rest of the month. 

In my previous post, it was about that famous mischievous squirrel. I thought it would leave after getting me to pull out those panels and UFO, but nope! It was still hanging around some days ago and got me to do this!!! 

Last year (2024), I did Sherri McConnel's BOM. She's doing a BOM this year too, which I decided not to do due to all the other projects I have. 

It lasted almost 5 months! LOL. I've been following her monthly blocks and I think they are really cute. 

Squirrel asked; 'why haven't you put away the green fabrics?'

Me: Hmmm, not sure, I was thinking I make 1-2 green blocks for 'Eclipse'

Squirrel: 'Just admit you won't do it'! 

Me: 'Hmmm... I think you are right'

Squirrel: 'You like Sherry McConnel's BOM 2025, don't you?!'

Me: 'Yes'

Squirrel: 'Go ahead! Make it!!!'

...and so she did! LOL

Since the RSC for May was green, I decided to make the block for April in green. It was an easy choice, since the pattern is printed in green! 

The centre block is 6-1/2 inches (6.5 cm) unfinished / block is 18-1/2 inches (47 cm) unfinished. 

As I've mentioned earlier, I'm almost out of green. Then I remembered I have that teapot fabric somewhere.... and found it! 

The June block in orange 

Squirrel update: The squirrel is kicked out!!! I've sent it to someone else! lol

I ran into a problem quilting the UFO (more about that in another post). I needed a break from it and instead I've done most of the RSC blocks in orange and caught up on green (RSC May).

Last month, I made only one block for 'Eclipse', in green and red (here). I wasn't really motivated to do circles and left it there. Now that I needed a break from that UFO, I got to it again and made these

A mix of green and orange

...and of course the cups! 

Coffee with Dad

Don't you love that black cat?! I do! 

6 Scrappy blocks

I dived into my 5" squares box and found a cute pumpkin and oak leaf in orange. 

Not a big variety of orange, 

just enough 3.5" squares for 2 Hollow 9-patches blocks

I have 6 blocks left to do on Pat Sloan's "182 Day Solstice Challenge". I have the finished blocks in RSC colors (2 of each color). I've run out of colors! I'll make another one in orange, yet to decide which one. There are 2 blocks having applique. I'm not so eager on those. I shall see...

Update: Block #20/25 - Hugs & Kisses in orange

I made a mistake on this one! I had just finished the six scrappy blocks where I used up 120 2-1/2" squares. I was still programmed on that square size when I started working on this block; I didn't read the cutting instruction properly. The squares (white) should have been 2" instead of 2-1/2"! I discovered the error after I sewn together one block! I didn't bother to change it, who will notice? I'm happy with the block as it turned out. Do you see the error?

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)  

Who sent the Squirrel?!

Since last Saturday I've been doing a little bit tidying on the sewing table. 

Before I packed away the red fabrics (RSC April), I made these two small hot pads. Aren't they cute? 

The rectangle one measures a bit shy of 6.75 x 8.75 inches

The round one is 8.25 inches across

But that was not what I was going to talk about! 

I had finished some items for my Etsy Shop, the hot pads, and the 'plan' was to sandwich another UFO (my goal for May)

After a delicious morning cuppa, I was going to start working on that UFO.

Update (one week later): the UFO is under the needle!  

SQUIRREL DISTRACTION!!!! 

While my DH was preparing tea, a squirrel disturbed my UFO preparation!!! I've made some place mats for my shop recently, and that squirrel reminded me I have place mats panels in the (fabric) buffet upstairs! 

Of course I went to have a look, and this is what came with me to the sewing room; 

8 Paris place mats 

+ backing 

Last year I ordered 2 Advent Calendars from a well known online shop in the US.

This is what they sent me; 2 Place mats panels!!! LOL 

8 cupcakes / birthday place mats!

Eventually I got the calendars and where told to keep the place mats. What to do with them? Not exactly what I would have chosen, but I ended up purchasing backing and binding from the same fabric line. After all, I think they are quite cute and great for cupcakes party or birthday. 

I have a big (I think?) selection of Coffee fabrics and I just love these small mug rug size panels! 

I even made one mug rug! (Forgot to take photo!)

What else came with me to the sewing table?

A UFO! A small wall hanging

I don't know how many times (and years!) this one has been pulled out of the shelf for so to go back in again! I know how I want it, but.... I'm worried I'll mess it all up!

The background is black & white squares pieced together, from light to dark. My idea has always been to fussy cut the poppies and applique to the background, using the raw edge quilting method and maybe add seed beads to the poppy centers. 

Any tips / suggestions?  

A fun chicken / farmhouse panel

I had to laugh out load of these chickens, they are really fun! 

Maybe some potholders? Or mug rugs?

Fun chickens, what about these? 

What can I make of these hilarious cats?? Each panel measures 7.25 x 11 inches, I have two panels. Place mats with some coordinating fabric ( I have only the panels and busy background fabric from that fabric line), or small wall quilts? 

Any suggestion is welcome! 

I'm currently quilting 'Tomten's Quilt' and hope to get it done by the weekend. 

A glorious morning today, however meteo has issued a 'heavy rain watch' for this afternoon. I'd better get ready to do some yardwork before it gets wet! 

RSC Week #18 - GREEN for May

Happy May!

It's the first Saturday in May and new RSC color (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Angela at SuperScrappy has chosen GREEN as the color for May. 

I spent last weekend catching up on red by making 

one half circle 

and one quarter circle for 'Eclipse'. Here I have used red and green.

The pattern (layout) is still a bit confusing, but I should not bother or overthink about that at this point! I'll make the blocks and 'worry' about the layout when the time comes! lol 

I had sew much fun making two green blocks for Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Challenge!

Block 12/25 - Jacob's Ladder 

Measures 18.5" x 18.5"

It even has a red butterfly!

 

Block 6/25 - The Crosswalk

Measures 12.5" x 12.5"

It was a challenge to make these two blocks in green, because I'm running out of green! How is that possible, you may ask? Because of this quilt! Lots of green fabrics were used up. What I have left of green (today's date) are a few pieces of yardage (less than half yard each) and same with a few green Moda Marbles. 

I have quite some green squares though, in different sizes. Enough to make some blocks.

4 Scrappy blocks

Finally I was able to use those green squares I do not like at all! To me they are ugly! You may see that some of the squares are blue-yellow-greenish, it's those! I had a couple left I cut into 1.5" squares, and still I found them ugly! LOL I have to admit they don't look that ugly together with the other lighter and brighter squares.

Note that I didn't buy these fabrics, they were given to me!

 

7 Hollow 9-patches

My favorites; Coffee with Dad

4 coffee cups

All green blocks are done, except 1-2 blocks for 'Eclipse'.

Now I can concentrate on other projects, like UFOs.

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

 

Dwellings - A Finished UFO

Warning: Photos heavy! 

Click on the photos to enlarge.

 My goal this year is to finish at least one UFO each month. 

'Dwellings' was my goal for April, and yes, I did it! 

The border is a fun houses design. It looks a bit overexposed and I was not able to correct it in the photo editing program. Not the best quality photo, you can see a better photo of it here. 

Pieced backing

I used up the house fabric, a piece of Stonehenge and various Moda Marbles

Moda Marbles are also used for the scrappy binding

Closeup of the quilting. 

This is the best I could do on 'dear Nina'

Each house is custom quilted

Size: 61 x 86 inches / 1.55 x 2.18 meters

Fabrics: Moda Marbles, Country Houses, batik, Stonehenge

Batting: Quilters Dream 'Select'

Thread: King Tut, MasterPiece, Aurifil, Yli, Mettler (52 colors used)

Fabric used: The pattern calls for approximately 16 yards 

(9.75" front and 5.75" backing)

All fabrics, except 'Country Houses' (purchased) are from my stash.

Batting was purchased for this quilt

Quilting: Each house is custom quilted in straight lines. Background, sashing and border FMQ.

Total hours of quilting: approximately 96 hours (17 days, average 5 hours per day) 

First block: December 2022

Flimsy: March 2025

Thread basted: March 2025

Started Quilting: March 21, 2025

Finished: April 10, 2025

*************************

Next up: 

UFO #19 - Too Many Men (Snowmen Wall Quilt)

UFO list 2025

Compared to the quilts I have finished so far this year, this is a small one. I needed a break from wrestling (arm exercise!) big quilts. I'm currently quilting this one and hope to get it done this month.