This, That, a Finish and Christmas in May

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a good week and got some quilting done. Since my previous post, I've been busy with several projects. I usually work on one project at a time, although not always get them finished. That's quite normal, isn't it?! :) 

First of all, I have a finished UFO! 

Yep! Another Postage Stamp Quilt! This is #9 (my UFO list). It's the same size as the other PSQ I finished recently; 72 x 95 inches / 183 x 241 cm. 

This is the one I struggled to get the 108" backing straight. We (with help from DH) did manage to stretch and pull making it a little bit better, but still.... UGH! The colors are pastels on almond colored background. I didn't really like it when I prepped the quilt, but after finishing the quilt, I'm in love with it! :) So soft and cuddly! For the binding I have used a dark teal fabric that has been in my stash forever! 

Do you give your quilt a name? Usually I don't, but after spending hours quilting the 'flying geese' blocks for this UFO (that was meant as backing on another quilt), I've named it 'Migration to Africa'. 

It consists of several 'Flying Geese' blocks and dancing African ladies. There are groups of triangles on the dancing ladies fabric. Interpretation; groups of migrating birds. 

Quilting 'Migration to Africa' is time consuming and for not getting bored, or worse; getting fed up with it!, I've done some smaller items in between. Going through my stash, I decided to make a few 'Golf Ladies' mug rugs

Aren't they cute?! 

The Advent Calendar is done! 

While searching my stash for backing for the Advent Calendar, I pulled out some other Christmas fabrics. I had enough to make a card holder, small wall hanging and scrappy table topper. I even found backing fabric for these projects! 

Is searching my stash for fabric good or bad?! LOL Earlier this year (or was it end of last year?), I made this tea cozy. At the time I made it, I intended to make a matching teapot mat, but that did not happen at that time. I pulled out these fabrics again and from what I had left I prepped a teapot mat, 6 mug rugs and 6 place mats! 

This blog post has been in draft mode for some days. I have a few updates: teapot mat is done, all mug rugs are quilted and 2 (out of 6) are done. I'm working on 'Migration to Africa', about half the border is left to quilt. Why on earth did I decide to do diagonal straight seams with 1' in between each seam?! My-O-My! It takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!! I love how it turns out though! :) 

HAPPY WEEKEND & HAPPY QUILTING! 

A FINISH! ...and that's a UFO!

Good Friday morning from a rainy and windy Mauritius! 

It's the beginning of 'winter', or 'cold season', as the locals refer it to. It's past middle May and the last days the weather is typical for July/August; rain, wind and drop in temperature. Meteo predicts the temperature drops to +11C  / 51.8F on the plateau this 'winter'. BRRR! Some of you may be laughing, but with high humidity and wind, this sort of weather IS cold! Time to wear warm sweaters and socks! 

We took advantage of the sunny weather and did some long overdue yard work. Can't believe how overgrown it was! Not really a surprise; the summer has been hot and lots of rain, perfect condition for all plants, and WEEDS! 

If you have read my latest posts, you know I'm determined to finish as many as possible of the accumulated 15! UFO's. I'm happy to say I do have a few finishes and here's the first one: 

This is #12 (my UFO list).  1728 squares pieced together! Most of the squares are from my stash and others from swaps. There are a few duplicates. 

I made the blocks last year, but never made them into a quilt. 

The back! Yep, I decided to piece the back. Makes it more interesting, doesn't it? 

First I chose the pretty floral fabric and added some matching fabric that picks up the colors of the flowers.  

What was left is cut into strips, and squares measuring 2', 2.5', 3', 3.5', 4' and 5'. Happy to say all these fabrics are used up.

After working entirely on big quilts, I needed something smaller to do. I know I've said I'm not going to start anything new until some UFO's are done......... but.... After finishing 3 quilts recently (posts later), I think it is justified! :) 

I admit it; I have a soft spot for Advent Calendars! I used YLI gold metallic thread for quilting, but I didn't find it easy to use. Usually I use Superior Threads' metallic (my favorite), but I didn't have more and to order to get it shipped FedEx Express costs about $50! Better use what I have, I thought! I've left to hand sew the binding.

Speaking of metallic thread, has any of you tried Yenmet for quilting or embroidery? 

I'm working on another UFO. This is the one that was supposed to be the back for another quilt, but I decided against it.

 

I've quilted (stitch-in-the-ditch) all the 17 'flying geese' blocks. I'm enjoying the process and due to the nasty weather today I'm going to continue quilting the orange rectangles, I think... that's the plan, but with me plans always fail! I may also find something small to work on in between...

HAPPY QUILTING!

Scrappy Pineapple Blocks and Lockdown

Good Monday morning!

I hope your week has been a good one and that you have been busy in your sewing room. We are on partly lockdown until April 30, 2021. I'm not going to say much about it except that we are allowed shopping etc twice a week only, on alphabetical orders. It works fine with us, one just have to adapt. Of course I miss my daily (almost daily) walk. Yep, we are not even allowed to go for a walk or take our dog for a walk! It has been raining almost daily for the last week, too wet for yard work, which is long overdue. Due to the lockdown restrictions, we also missed our sweetest girl's 5th birthday! Same happened last year! After watching the photos her Mom sent, I know she had a fabulous birthday. Hopefully next year we will be able to celebrate her birthday together.  

Thank goodness I have fabric and thread to keep me busy! Thanks to all of you who commented on my previous post. I did listen! 

The scrappy pineapple quilt has grown from 16 (previous post) to 30 blocks! If I stop here, it will measure about 55 x 66 inches / 140 x 167 cm, lap quilt size. I'm tempted to make it into a twin size quilt! What do you think? It has made a small dent in the scrap (strips) boxes, and there's enough for more blocks. 

 I love the 'circles' and 'waves'. Squint a bit and you'll see it more clearly. 

I'm taking some days break from pineapple blocks. They are fun, but a bit tedious to make. Actually it takes me 1.5 hours to make one (paper piecing), 53 pieces per block. I think I deserve a break! 

Today I'm going to start quilting a UFO! It is made of 2.5' squares from swaps and some of my own cut squares. I'm not sure I like the backing.... almond/pastel colors, but I thought the back would be fun with geometric fabric. It's a wide backing (108'). It was so skewed and I had a hard time straightening it. It's not new to me how to do it and with help from hubby and lots of tape, I think we managed pretty well. Time will tell how straight it is when it's trimmed and the binding has to be attached.  

Time for another cuppa before I remove everything (strips!) from the table to make space for quilting this large quilt. 

HAPPY QUILTING! 

APQ's UFO Challenge 2020 - June Finish

 It's already Tuesday afternoon and a week since my previous post where I posted a sneak peek of a UFO I worked on during the lock-down. 

This is Quiltsy Team's and APQ's UFO Challenge 2020; #11 - June challenge. (My UFO list #16) Twin size quilt. Finished August 6, 2020. 

To create this quilt, I have pieced together 1.5 inch squares to 36-patch and 9-patch blocks. Each block measuring 6 inch square.

 I don't remember exactly when I started cutting and piecing these blocks, it may be back in 2018 or earlier. Madness? Maybe! LOL One suggested 'Covid Madness Quilt', perhaps that's what I'll call it?! 😊 

The idea was to free-motion-quilt it in an allover meandering pattern. After several tries, skipped stitches and lots of swear words, I gave up! I even tried different size needles; from 75/11 (as I usually use) to 90/14, nothing worked! Second attempt was 'stitch-in-the-ditch'. Not a problem, but after two seams on the long side I gave up because I didn't like what I was doing. It did not look nice! (Fun to unpick! NOT!) Third and final attempt was diagonal seams, which made me satisfied! 

This is the back. I didn't have any wide backing and purchasing fabric from the US during the lock-down was out of the question. I put on the thinking cap and after some days I came up with this idea. I had more of the 36-patch blocks and I pulled out some fabrics that have been sitting there 'forever' and I didn't think I was going to use them for anything else. 

Closeup of the back. The pieced blocks on the front and back are the reason why the FMQ didn't work out; it became too thick. It may have worked on a longarm, but not on dear 'Nina'. 

It feels good to have finished this UFO and that I have used scraps and fabric from my stash. I didn't use all the 36-patch blocks I had for this quilt; I have 16 blocks I didn't use. Madness is I'm still making more and can add 8 to the 16; 24 blocks. I have a few ideas, but that has to wait!  

**********

APQ & QUILTSY TEAM UFO CHALLENGE LIST per August 11, 2020

#1 - Log Cabin #1 (my list #13) - April

#2 - PSQ / Pinwheel Lap Quilt (my list #10) January FINISHED!

#3 - Scrappy 2" strips (my list #15)

#4 - Black / White Wall Hanging (my list #7)

#5 - Deer Log Cabin TT (my list #17) July

#6 - Nifty Nurses Wall Hanging (my list #3)

#7 - Log Cabin #3 (my list #18) March FINISHED! 

#8 - Snowman Village Wall Hanging (my list #9) August

#9 - Log Cabin #2 (my list #14) February FINISHED!

#10 - Snowman Village WH Attic Window (my list #8)

#11 - Scrappy 1" squares (my list #16) June FINISHED!

#12 - Star Batik Quilt (my list #12) May

My UFO's for April, May and July are FINISHED as well, I've yet to take photos. 

  

Patriotic Table Runners and WIPs

Hello! 

It's Sunday again, two weeks into April already. Where did this week go?! 

Rain and thunderstorms today and Meteo has issued 'heavy rain warning' until tomorrow morning. No venture out in this weather and what is better than sew?! :)

The Norwegian National Day - May 17th - is approaching. 

I have a few patriotic quilted items in our Etsy Shop and after selling one table runner last weekend, I've been busy making two more. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/505436334/patriotic-table-runner-quilted-norway

I had some fabric left of this fun navy blue striped ribbons and made a variation of the one above. (Soon available at RedNeedleQuilts) 

I was looking for a specific fabric the other day and instead of locating the one I was looking for, I found these

Aren't they beautiful?! Love daisies! 

I've been pondering what to make and it can't be anything else than a summer table runner! :) I pulled out a white tonal daisy fabric and a matching yellow to the turquoise (azure) fabric and made two different fabric combination blocks

DH is my biggest supporter. I often ask him for advises and this is his design

...and here is mine. I love both blocks, both would look great as table runner / topper. Hm.... I think I'll make one of each. 
Please tell me, which one is your favorite block? 

I haven't had much time for the Scrappy Batik Star blocks, but managed to squeeze in time to make two last night

...and in between, when I have some 1.5 inch squares for my insanity project....

Altogether I have 103 blocks x 36 (squares in each block) = 3708 squares!
For a quilt size measuring 72 x 90 inches, I need 6480 squares! Not more than 77 blocks (2772 squares to go)! YIKES! LOL Honestly, I'm not sure how big I'm going to make it. 
With all the blocks I already have, perhaps it's time to start sewing them together?!

HAPPY EASTER WEEK! 

Custom order done and more thunderstorms

Where did this week go?? Someone must have stolen it, as one said....

We got more rain with thunderstorms the past days, which caused severe flooding in an area not far from where we live. The best way to keep dry is to stay inside and keep busy sewing! :) 

The red and white lap quilt (custom order) is done! 

...and the back...

Red and white are also colors I haven't paid much attention to. I have made several items in for this customer and how can I NOT fall in love with red and white?! Striking color combination that can be used all year. This lap quilt turned out so soft and cuddly, it's reversible and it can also be used as a tablecloth. I just love it! 

...and... drum-roll please! Another UFO done! 

An orphan log cabin block turned into a wall hanging.
First I thought of it as a table topper, now I think it looks better as a wall hanging. 
It can be used as both, of course. 

Remember the 36-patch quilt blocks (made from 1.5" squares) I'm working on in between other projects? 



When an item is done, I cut bits and pieces into squares, sizes from 1.5" to 5". I try to keep up with the 1.5" and made 9 blocks this weekend! That gives 56 blocks and 2016 squares sewn together! 

I'm sold out for Norwegian Flag Mug Rugs in my Etsy Shop and I'm currently working on a few. 

Rain, rain and more rain. More rain and thunderstorms.

Cyclone- and rainy season, but THIS almost every day since beginning of January?! I love tropical rain, at least it cools it down a bit. 

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

Updated UFO list per February 25, 2018 

#1 - Log Cabin Table Topper (orphan block) - FINISHED! 

#2 - Table Topper Purple Pansies - FINISHED! 

#3 - Wall Hanging Hawaii Dancing Girls

#4 - Christmas Place Mats - set of 4

#5 - PSQ - Squares and Pinwheels

#6 - PSQ - Scrappy Squares

#7 - Scrappy Irish Chain in Blue & White

#8 - Bonnie's 'Provence'

#9 - Sunbonnet Sue - NNC block swap

#10 - Lap Quilt in Red and White - FINISHED!

#11 - Pat Sloan's Grandma's Kitchen

#12 - Scrappy Log Cabin

#13 - Got the Blues

#14 - Nifty Nurses

#15 - Scrappy Flannel Quilt

#16 - Scrappy Christmas Quilt

#17 - Lap Quilt

#18 - Scrappy Black and White

#19 - Scrappy 1 inch squares (sewn into quilt)

#20 - Bag

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

'See you' next Sunday!
HAPPY QUILTING! 

Time to count UFO's and WIP's

HAPPY 2017!

I know I'm a bit late wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR, but as it is said; better late than never. I hope this year, so far, have treated you well.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions and do you stick to them? I have given up on them, they fail all the time. That said, I hope to blog more regularly and this year I start out with UFO's / WIP's

I'm not sure if I should refer to them as UFO's, WIP's or both? I work on each of them (except the last two) off and on, when I'm bored with other projects. :) 

I love scraps more and more and #1 are some PSQ blocks I have leftover from one I finished last year. These 2.5 inch charms are solely from swaps over the last years. My idea is to combine charms with pinwheels.... so let's see how that pans out. 

  

Scrappy granny square blocks I started last year. I'm using green and brown batiks, all from my stash. 

108 scrappy log cabin blocks! These are made from 1-1/2 inch wide strips and the finished block size is 8 inch. 

Another scrappy I started last year. I'm currently working on this one.

The next two are my oldest UFO's, from 2010/11! This one is a real UFO! :) 

Quilting members of NNC (NEEDLESnCRAFTS) yahoo group in Malaysia made blocks for a group swap. Here's one of the blocks I made. I may have enough fabrics for a small lap quilt...

Some of the blocks I received from the NNC group swap.
I have yet to decide on how to arrange them; there may be some other blocks (from the swap) in between. 

These UFO's / WIP's should keep me out of trouble over the next months! lol

What are you currently working on? 

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! :)

QQQ UFO Challenge 2016

How often does life come in the way? .... I'm asking myself this question today - February 2, 2016. 

Why, you may ask? Because I intended to be a better blogger this year, but it is already February and I have done only one blog post at the beginning of the year! 

The plan was to do a blog post last weekend. For me, to make plans is a waste; plans always fail and 'of course' the plan to blog last weekend failed too! Not my fault this time; I-net connection was off for 6 days! One week without access to I-net or access to my Etsy shop, is that acceptable?! NO! Fortunate the local Post Office has I-net access and I was able to check in a couple of times during the week.

Well, that's history now! :) 

Today I'm going to show you my UFO's. Yep, we all have UFO's, don't we?! :) 

Quilts Quilts Quilts! Etsy team is hosting the UFO Challenge 2016 and deadline for the entries was January 31, 2016. You can see the entries here. I've added only a few of my UFO's and hope to finish them all before end of July 2016 (deadline). 

This is my favorite UFO; Postage Stamp Quilt. 

I have used 2.5 inch charms from swaps only. The quilt is ready to be quilted, hope to get the batting this week.

Heaps with HST (Half Square Triangles). It should be enough for two small baby quilts.

For this one, I have to buy backing, don't have anything suitable.

Flannel baby quilt. I've had these fabrics F-O-R-E-V-E-R! Time to make something out of them. Have everything that is needed.  

Another heap with squares. The idea is a lap quilt, but time will show what comes out of these fabrics. 

This butterflies bag has been sitting here another year! I intended to finish is last year, but it's still the same! :) 

The same with this one; ZERO PROGRESS! The 'Izzat Biryani' is a rice bag from Pakistan. These bags are strong and perfect for reusing together with old jeans for grocery shopping bags. 

...and a few other UFO's not listed for the challenge...

An Advent Calendar that needs binding. Don't have anything that fits...

Boring place mats! Not sure I like them... I don't have binding for these either... 

Two Christmas stockings, I'm turning them into two small wall hangings. 

I think I have fabrics for the red one, but not sure about the other one....

I have a few more UFO's, but not sure I'm going to do anything to them in near future.