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)