Under the Needle

Hello everyone!

Do you remember me?! :) It has been ages since my last blog post (almost one year ago). It became a bit overwhelming and I believe the break was needed. I have missed blogging and hope getting into the routine again. 

So much is going on under the needle so far this year. For years I have bought (read; hoarded!) batik and as all quilter's know; batik is too beautiful to cut into, isn't it?! :) For me, that changed this year!  2-3 weeks ago I finished a jelly roll quilt (no photos yet). I made my very first one some years ago (Quiltsy Team on Etsy challenge). I had sew much fun making it so I decided to make another one! All batik (except the backing) are from my 'batik collection'. I have another lap quilt top done and last week I finally got the batting and backing to finish it. I'm also working on a scrappy batik star quilt (photos to come). 

I'm currently working on a batik wall hanging. 

It's a fun design where New York Beauty blocks are used to create 'Sunflowers'. 

Here's a sneak peek. I worked on the stems yesterday and to be honest; a pita! LOL They are all done now and thread basted to the background. Today I'm going to add the leaves. 

In between I'm working on some small items for the upcoming Christmas Fair in Vadsø (Norway) My dear friend Kari will be attending the fair with her handmade items and kindly selling my items as well. 

I've made a heap with coaster. These are great as small gifts. 

I sold some Advent Calendars in my Etsy Shop last year and here's a remake of a sold one. 

HAPPY QUILTING!

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

Follow Red Needle Quilts on Social Media: 

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RedNeedleQuilts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redneedlequilts/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/redneedlequilts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redneedlequilts1/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/redneedlequilts

Blog: https://grandmasredneedle.blogspot.com/

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

Some more small items for the Culture / Christmas Fair

The last months have kept me busy making small items for the Culture / Christmas Fair as well as for my Etsy shop

An Advent table runner

... with matching place mats - Set of two

Gingerbread people place mats - set of two

Farmer's Market Place mats - Set of two

Lots of hot chillies! 

Farmer's Market Place mats - Set of four

Taco bread cosy / warmers

Elk / Moose coasters

Autumn / Fall foliage coasters

More photos to come! :) 

Last Friday we went for a hike in the area. You can read about it here. 

Finished some small projects

One of those rare sleepless nights. Being awake for an hour I thought its better to get up and do something, so what's better than to have a yummy cup of coffee and do a long overdue blog post. :)

The last weeks have just flown away. I have been very busy making small projects for the Culture / Christmas Fair that takes place in Vadsø - Norway - the last weekend in November. I have also made some items for my Etsy shop. 

Here are some new items for my Etsy shop

Cardinals in the pines table runner

Table topper or candle mat

...and of course... a pair of mug rugs

Using up bits and pieces of black & white,

added some creepy spider fabric - a Halloween table topper

... and another one...  just switched the fabrics

Love using up bits and pieces and here are some more mug rugs

Loralie's Nifty Nurses

A pair of wintry placemats with pocket for cutlery

A wintry teapot cosy 

It will be another busy day today. Have to work on some mug rugs and coasters.

Some of the items for the Culture / Christmas Fair in Norway

As you know from my previous post, I'm busy making items for the Fair that takes place in Norway at the end of November. Today I finally got around to take some photos of some of the items I have made over the last weeks. I am very strict on myself; I want to use up as much of my stash as possible and I don't allow myself to buy new fabric 'just for fun' - LOL! So far I have done rather well, but I must confess - YES - I have bought a few yards, which was needed or else I had not been able to finish some items. 

For this table runner I have used fabrics I bought a couple of years back. It looked beautiful, but when I received the fabrics, I didn't like them that much after all. Earlier this year I even tried to sell it... didn't sell either, so here's what came out of the fabrics...

Love the village scenery... :)

Couldn't help it! Some DM fabrics that turned into placemats

Mug rugs...

.... and more mug rugs

...two more... :) 

Some autumn / harvest pot-holders...

Christmas pot-holders

Egg cosy

Penguin coasters

... and two more...

...four more...

Some of the photos didn't turn out good enough, so I'll have to redo them. I have more items done and today I'm working on a table mat and a table runner. I also have several items where the only job left is to hand sew the binding.