RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

Catch-Up on RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) July / August / September 2025

 Hello everyone! I'm back! 

I can't believe I haven't done a blog post since beginning of august! If you read that post, you know my 'Dear Nina' (Bernina 440 QE) was sick and had to go to a spa in South Africa. She has reached the spa and waiting for either good or bad news about what can be done. 

Good news is, I purchased a new Bernina; 770 QE PLUS! Her name is 'Helena'. I got her in August and I very happy! It has a lot of features I most probably never will use. I have yet to explore a lot, at least I know how to do the basics. 

The last week I've been catching up on RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) for July, August and September. Not all blocks are done, the 'plan' (unless it fails!) is to do more blocks this weekend. 

First up is Sherri McConnells BOM 2025

July BOM / RSC color: Purple

August BOM / RSC color: Aqua

I don't have much aqua, I've used a mix of aqua, turquoise and teal

September BOM / RSC color; light/bright blue & green

I got carried away making these blocks

Six purple blocks

Eight aqua/turquoise and teal blocks

More updates on RSC to come.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) 2025

Over the River and Through the Woods - Progress! Other stitchery updates and the Destiny of Dear Nina

Hello dear readers and followers! I hope you all are doing well.

It has been way too long! I call it 'vacation' (from sewing)! 

As you may remember from my previous post, 'dear Nina' had to go to the spa. 

The handwheel (mechanical part) got fixed. Unfortunately, the S-board (motherboard) is pooped and has to be replaced. To make a long story short; the S-board is not available from Bernina Switzerland!! The S-board is not made anymore since the 440 model is +20 years. The S-board is available at Bernina SA, hence a dear friend has offered to take the machine to SA to see if Bernina there is able to do something! 

This has been dragging way too long and finally I have ordered a new Bernina! It should be here by the end of August. I'm sew excited! 

While waiting for the destiny of my old sewing machine and the purchase of a new machine, I'm keeping myself busy doing cross-stitching. 

One of my oldest UFO's is seeing daylight, again! 

This year, I've spent a few hours off and on in the evenings stitching on 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. 

The goal was getting it done before Christmas 2023, that didn't happen! (here). It didn't happen before Christmas 2024 either! Maybe 2025?? I doubt it, but I shall see... 

This is how it looked like end of December 2024. 

There are two sections; sceneries at the top and bottom.

 I started section #3 (bottom) May 9, 2024 (just for my records)

...and this is how it looks like now: All stitchery sections DONE! 

Can you guess I got tired of stitching all those tree branches?! lol

The middle section (verse) are fancy letters. First I thought it was satin stitches (YIKES!). On the pattern it looks like backstitches and not 'filled' completely. And there are those dreaded French Knots too! Oh well, it gave me some practice. 

While waiting for 'dear Nina' to return from the spa (if ever!), I picked up this one again. 

It went really fast stitching the letters; 4 evenings. I even managed the French knots! 

I pulled out the fabrics intended for this quilt to have a look. The pinkish-reddish fabrics are not as pink as they look on the photo.  Stash shopping in Oslo 2010.

The wall hanging can be used all year long since the fabrics are not typically Christmas fabrics. 

These are the fabrics intended for the quilt, but now I don't know.... 

The fabrics are beautiful, they have a rustic/vintage look, but.... a bit too pinkish for me, maybe.... 

I may use these. They are mostly brown, but also red, beige, gold and cream. I may mix some of them with the pinkish. Yet to decide what goes together. 

If I was to buy fabrics for this quilt today, I may have chosen something else, but not sure what.... I think it had been Christmas fabrics.

I'm using Threadworx embroidery floss #10351, a beautiful variegated rustic brown cherry. It may go together with the pink fabrics. Pink and brown, maybe not the red? 

That was a lot of 'maybe'! LOL 

UPDATE: I decided to use all the fabrics; red, pink and brown. All pieces for the stars and flying geese are cut and ready to sew! 

It took me some days getting used to being without the sewing machine, but there are always other things to do. I have prepped a lot of Christmas items for my shop and enjoying cross-stitching again. 

First up; I finished the 'Bits of Blue' sampler! (Plum Pudding Needleart). I've had the pattern for years and started stitching it January 2023 while 'Dear Nina' had another spa appointment. Since then, I didn't touch it, until a couple of weeks ago. It's finished! Another UFO off the list! 

Stitched on 28ct Pearl Linen using #7037 Freedom from The Gentle Art, Simply Shaker Collection. 

I may do the pincushion, mini pillow and peg hanger later. I ran out of floss and more is on the way.

I have a soft spot for Little House Needleworks designs. 

I finished (almost) 'Snowflakes' (Second row, right). I ran out of Crescent Coulors 'Bamboo' and 'English Ivy'. According to Crescent Coulors chart, the 'Bamboo' can be substituted with DMC #822, but it won't be the same. 

It is originally stitched on 32ct Natural Raw Linen from Zweigart. I don't have the 32ct, instead I use 28ct. I'm not sure my eyes had liked the 32ct. 

Another cross stitch pattern I bought years ago, is 'Cinnamon Stick Santa XVIII', 'Wishing Thee Merriness', designed by Sandra Sullivan / Homespun Elegance.

I'm stitching it on 28ct Cashel Linen Zweigart, 'Vintage Beige'. Originally stitched on 28ct 'Sandstone'.

I ran out of floss for this one too. Just not enough to finish the letters. 

Next up is Cinnamon Stick Christmas XIX - 'Rejoice in Peace'. 

As you can see, it's almost done. Satin stitches are used on the tree and sheep. I did not like how the tree turned out with satin stitches. I ripped it and did cross stitches instead. The sheep is done the same way, I'm going to do cross stitches using Wisper. 

I have a couple of cute Christmas ornaments / mini pillows that are done too, but that will be for another post. 

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. 

 

My latest scrappy craze and Dear Nina

While waiting for 'Dear Nina' to return home, I came up with a zillion ideas for new projects. 

I know, of course, that only a few will be put into action! :) 

In this post I talked about the 1.5 inch wide strips I have cut from scraps, cutting some of them into 1.5 inch squares for a Postage Stamp Quilt. Looking for something else the other day, I discovered another small box with strips! Yep, I had totally forgotten about that one! More strips to play with, can't be better, can it?! 

Well, while 'Dear Nina' was 'ill', I came up with the idea to turn the 1.5 inch strips into a scrappy log cabin quilt! 

Here's the test block I did today. 

For the center, I have used a charm from the swaps I have participated in earlier and the strips are from projects I have made over the last years. The block measures 8 inch square sewn into quilt. Love the scrappy look! 

A few of the strips. I figured out I have to sort it all into light and dark fabric and cut the strips into the lengths I need for each block. A tedious job, but it will make life easier when I piece the strips together. 

'Dear Nina' returned home yesterday! Yippee!

... and here's the culprit (most probably); the L-board / power supply.

'Nina' has a new power supply now and I hope she won't do more jamming (I've learnt a new tech word!) now! If she acts up again, the next to be done is to change the S-board (motherboard). HOPE NOT! (That's an expensive thing!)

Now that 'Dear Nina' is up running again, I have a custom order to work on and several UFO's. Got the backing fabric for a baby quilt and some table toppers. 

What do you do when it's more fun to work on scrappy projects than any other things?! 

Well, I have to do that custom order! That is going to be fun too! 

Happy Quilting! 

Postage Stamp Quilt (PSQ) ready to quilt

In my previous post, I said there will be another post for the PSQ I'm working on and here it is

... it is ready to be quilted.

I took this photo before it was pinned properly and thread basted

I don't think it had happened if not 'Dear Nina' had decided 'it is no fun to sew'! 

Not sure what the problem is. Had the same problem back in December and the tech guy didn't find anything wrong after running test programs etc. I took her home and it has worked perfectly since then, for now to act up again! It could be dust on a sensor and I also believe the high humidity here has an impact.... cotton dust + high humidity = cotton 'glue'? 

Well, here she is in her 'sulking' (carrying) bag ready for the tech guy on Tuesday. 

An empty sewing table! It's scary empty!!!

This had NOT happened if 'Dear Nina' had behaved! 

What else to do when you can't sew? Quilt top, batting and backing ready! 

It is made of 2.5 inch squares and all the squares are from swaps. 

I counted the squares some time ago but have forgotten how many there are... 

UPDATE:

I did this post as a draft some days ago and here's an update on 'Dear Nina'.

The tech guy had to connect with Switzerland for support on 'Dear Nina's illness'. He called back yesterday and could tell it is the power supply and that the L-board (power supply) has to be changed. Fortunate he has one in stock, he said, and hopefully 'Dear Nina' will be home today or tomorrow! :)

Surprise Gift and OPAM December 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season. For us, it was quiet and nice. 

I didn't do much sewing last month. Dear 'Nina' acted up and refused to sew. About 3 months ago 'Nina' was in for a long overdue service and there were no reason for it to act up. Horror scenarios was the mother board had to be changed and that costs money!  The Bernina guy did some service tests and didn't find anything wrong. The day we picked it up, I did test sewing and it worked perfect. No clue what the problem was. One suggestion is the high humidity here or dust / lint on a sensor... It has behaved after the trip to Port Louis, so perhaps it just needed a 'city dose'! Who knows?! :) 

I'm so flattered! One of my returning customers on Etsy is so happy with the custom orders I made for her that she sent me a hand warmer mug as a 'thank you'. 

The mug rug is one that has been sitting here F-O-R-E-V-E-R waiting for the binding to be hemmed. 

This mug rug is MINE and only MINE! LOL Most of the items I make are for sale in my Etsy shop and I seldom make anything for me or our home. 

I've never seen a coffee mug like this before. 

Not the right time of the year for a hand warmer mug, but I will definitely use it during 'winter'.

Couldn't resist making some nurse mug rugs! 

These are perfect gifts for a nurse. 

I finished a table topper too. I had some leftover fabrics from table runners I made earlier and what I had left was just enough for this table topper. Love this pattern! 

We are already a couple of days into 2016 and for me that means it is time to attack UFO's! I have pulled them out already and it looks like I have to buy more fabrics to finish some of them. I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I hope to stay on the fabric diet. I forgot all about fabric diet and bought way to many fabrics at the end of 2015! Shame on me! 

Quilting and needles

Today I finally decided to start quilting the stitchery quilt.

I have spent more than half the day quilting and now it feels like that is enough for today! When I decide on quilting, I can sit the entire day, but of course with many (coffee) breaks in between. :) Now I have yet to decide on how to - if? - quilt the stitchery blocks... 

 

 

I started out with SCHMETZ Quilting needle 90/14, but by experience I knew it wouldn't work as it should. I'm using Superior Threads King Tut #40/3 and Masterpiece 50/3 for the bobbin. Superior Threads recommends needle 90/14, but it seems to me the needle is too thick? For this quilt I'm using Quilter's Dream batting and flannel backing.

Every time I have used needle #90/14, it skips some stitches - and (of course) that happened today too...

Do you see the long stitch? That is what happens... :( This was the 3rd or 4th time I had to unpick - far from happy about that! :(

I changed the needle to GROZ-BECKERT #75/11, which does not cause any skipped stitches at all!

Why does it happen only with the #90/14 needles? Are they really too thick for the three layers? Anyone knows?  

 

 

Can't wait to get this quilt done! I said in an earlier blog post I should not be tempted to start any new projects this year, but then I had to buy some very cute whimsical Christmas panel and fabrics... :) Want to make 4 place mats and one wall quilt out of the panel.... :)

 

Click here, and it takes you to one of the places we went together with my friend J.