Fall Happiness in the mail today

I did not intend to purchase anything new, right?! But then.... suddenly the famous squirrel was sitting just in front of me and demanded me to purchase something! Does it sound familiar? I'm sure it does!

As much as I love fall, I don't have any decor I would like to display. Can you believe that?! I have been smitten by so many of you, for your lovely fall decors. 

...and of course, there is no fall here. However, I have noticed there are a few trees in the Black River Gorges that turn leaves. That's the nearest I can get to fall in nature on this island.

When FQS announced Pumpkin Hollow Row Along (A Quilting Life), I knew I had to grab the F8 bundle, fabric for the border & binding as well as the pattern! I didn't purchase any background fabric, I have a Moda Marbles that can be used. 

Birch and Willow F8s

Border and binding

I want to do some fall cross-stitching too. Another purchase happened today; 

Kim Diehl's Miss Pittypat Pumpkin

I'm in love with Teresa Kogut Designs! 

I had to purchase the 'Hello Winter' booklet! It features 9 wintery cross stitch designs. All so cute!

I don't think I will start any Christmas cross-stitching at this point. I have a few mini-pillows - Melisa's Designs - to finish before I start anything new for Christmas. 

(Note: I'm not affiliated with FQS, except for purchases) 

 

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. 

January 2025 - Time (again!) for UFOs

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Here we go again! UFOs / WIPs 2025! 

I know I'm one week early, but I also know there's no chance I'll get any of these UFOs / WIPs finished before 2025! 

I've been a slug the last couple of years, finished only a few. 

The list does not differ much from January 2024, just added a few more! Haha! 

1) New York Beauty - Finished February 18, 2025

Progress 2024: blocks pieced together, thread basted, ready for quilting

2) PSQ 36-patches

Progress: more blocks added 

3) Wedding Ring quilt

Progress: Zero!

4) Scrappy Christmas Stars

Progress: Zero!

5) Advent Calendar Woodland - Finished 2023

6) Christmas Card Holder

Progress: Decided on fabric

7) Vegetable wall hanging/storage - Finished 2022

8) Basket Quilt

Progress: Zero!

9) Scrappy 4"

Progress: Zero!

10) Pineapple Quilt - Finished 2024

Take photos!

11) Crumb Quilt

Progress: Zero!

12) Irish Chain - Finished January 2024

Take Photos!

13) Got the Blues

Progress: All blocks done

14) Poppy Wall Quilt

Progress: Zero!

15) Scrappy Flannel Quilt

Progress: Zero!

16) Tomten's Quilt - Finished May 17, 2025

Progress: All blocks done, ready for sashing

17) Granny Squares

Progress: Zero!

18) House Quilt (Dwellings) Finished April 10, 2025

Progress: Zero

19) Snowman Wall Quilt

Progress: Thread basted, ready for quilting Finished April 30, 2025

20) Swirling Stars - RSC 2024

Progress: All blocks done

21) Star Streams

Progress: Flimsy + pieced backing, purchase batting

22-1) Bases Loaded, Purple - Finished May 13, 2024

Take Photos!

22-2) No name purple - Finished Jan 12, 2025

Progress: thread basted, ready for quilting

23) Patchwork Potpourri

24) Star Quilt / Brown Orange

Progress: Zero

25) Flag Table Runner - Finished Jan 9, 2024

26) Keep the Home Fires Burning - RSC 2024 - Finished March 12, 2025

Progress: Flimsy + pieced backing, purchase batting

27) A Quilting Life BOM 2024 - RSC 2024 Finished June 8, 2025

Flimsy + pieced backing + batting, ready to be quilted

28) 182 Day Solstice 

Progress: 13 out of 25 blocks made

29) 35 Scrap Jar blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

30) 94 Zipper blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

31) 64 Split 9 blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

32) Kris Kringle KIT

Progress: Zero! 

33) Country Charm

Progress: Blocks made for the center unit

Currently making blocks for this one. 

Knitting / Stitchery / Cross-Stitching

Shawl - (knitting)

Open Finger Gloves (knitting)

Santa (knitting)

Gnome (knitting)

Bed Cover (knitting)

Granny Square Blanket (crocheting)

Over the River and Through the Woods (stitchery)   -  Finished Dec 14, 2025

Progress: First section done. Started third section.

Bits of Blue (cross-stitching)  Sampler finished June 22, 2025

Progress: Zero

As you can see, there are way too many! I'm not saying I'm going to finish ALL by 2025. My goal; I'll be happy if I can finish one per month. 

What about you? Are UFOs top priority 2025? 

I think I'll start with a piece of Banana- Rum Bars I made yesterday! YUM! 

RSC Week #3 - Not much Done...

 The Blue Month continues

RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge, hosted by Angela

Not much has been done on the blues since I'm still waiting for 'Nina' to return from the Spa. It has been one week now, I just have to practice patience! UGH!

Update Saturday: 'Nina' has got the green light to return home! YEAH!

While waiting...  

...another blue UFO popped up while I was looking for something else!

I had completely forgotten this one. I know why it was put aside; the backing intended for it was used on two placemats (custom order) and I didn't bother looking for replacement at that time. I was searching through my stash some days ago, chose a yellow solid, and green leaves from the same fabric line. It will be just enough for the back and sleeve.

Look what I found in the embroidery box! 

'Bits of Blues' by Plum Pudding Needleart

Stitching on 28ct Pearl Linen, using #7037 'Freedom' from The Gentle Art

If you have read my previous posts, I've said I won't start anything new, rather work on UFOs. Well, now that 'Nina' is still at the Spa, I've sorted some of my fabrics and searched the net for scrappies free patterns. With all those tempting patterns, I ended up with three choices (from Fat Quarter Shop). 'Swirling Stars Quilt', 'Star Streams' and 'Brick House'. You may not be surprised if I say I'd love to make them all for the RSC! 

My first choice is 'Star Streams'. 

I love it because it has a variety of six star blocks and the step blocks. Since January is the blue (dark and bright blues) month, I've cut blue fabric for three different stars. Aren't they pretty in blues? 

1) Fair and Square Star block

2) Pinwheel Star block

3) Cross Star block

My head is spinning! Make the entire quilt in blues and white? Do another one for the RSC?

Decision! Decision!

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

While waiting for 'Nina'....

 ...to return from the Spa....

The Scrappy Pineapple Quilt (UFO #3) is thread basted

Snowman Wall Hanging (UFO #18) is thread basted

I have another UFO (the NYB quilt) to be sandwiched. Two pieces of the backing fabric has to be pieced together

I borrowed MIL's vintage Singer. We are not sure how old the machine is, she bought it in 1956, the year she got married. Actually it was a gift from her late husband. 

We have tried all day trying to set the thread tension right. MIL came to rescue, but no way is it possible to get it right. I think next step is to change the needle to a lower number and adjust the bobbin a bit. 

Update: That didn't work either and my patience has expired! lol 

I have to wait for 'Nina' to return.

I have two FINISHED UFOs; 

'Winter Wonderland' (LHN) 

and

'Through the Woods' (LHN)

I struggled doing the French Knots on the snowmen. I don't know how many times I redid them, in the end they look OK enough. 

Yesterday I pulled out another stitchery. I think I bought the pattern in 2008 or 2009

Crabapple Hill Studio; Over the River and Through the Woods

At the end of 2010 I went to Norway and while there I bought fabrics in reds, browns and creams for the blocks. Take a look here, photos from the quilt shop in Oslo.

I don't know if I should call it a UFO since I've not done any preparation, except buying fabrics and embroidery floss?! But that is prep also, isn't it? Yes, I think it is a UFO! lol

This is why it has been stored in the closet all these years; tracing the pattern on to the fabric! I don't have a lightbox and I dreaded taping it all to the window for best light. Yesterday I decided to give it another try, and to my excitement I was able to trace it without taping it to the window! 

I'm using Moda Marbles - I think it is 'cream' - for the background. The fabric is thin enough to see the pattern underneath. I cut the pattern (it came in one big folded sheet) into each section, taped it to the top on the long buffet (in front of a window), then taped the fabric over and traced the pattern without any problem at all! YEAH! 

Next step is the iron on the stabilizer. I bought it in Norway too and I have no clue what it is called. It's loosely woven with glue on one side. 

I'm using overdyed floss from ThreadWorx for the stitchery; rustic brown cherry. Isn't that floss yummy?! 

This project is not done in a jiffy, it measures 51.5 x 57.5 inches / 131 x 146 cm. The goal is getting it done in time for Christmas. Let's see how that works out! 

We are in for rainy weather / possible cyclone (current status from JTWC: tropical cyclone, yet to be named) for the rest of the week. Perfect weather staying inside and stitch!

It's that time of the year; to attack UFO's!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 

 So, here we go again! UFO's! 

2022 was not a good year for me to finish UFO's. Out of 15 UFO's, I finished 2 only; an Advent Calendar (waited for thread) and a vegetable wall hanging. Actually I loved those fabrics so much that I used it all up! Click here to see the items I made. After I finished these, I totally lost interest and haven't touched the UFO's. I hope 2023 will be a better year to finish some at least. 

I'm joining APQ UFO CHALLENGE 2023

Update: APQ's January challenge is #3

...the second UFO I finished in 2022 is the Advent Calendar #13. It seems like there's always something with those calendars, because I have another one that is not done. For the already finished one, I ran out of fabric for backing, sleeve and binding. Easy-peasy to finish.

For this one, 1/4 left to quilt when I ran out of quilting thread. More on the way. 

Cross-stitching

Knitting/crocheting

I'm not really that bad?! I've added 3 new Quilt UFO's and 2 Cross-Stitching UFO's to the list last year (2022)! There may be others hiding, out of sight - out of mind! 

UFO's to finish 2023

1) Basket Quilt

2) Scrappy 4" 

3) Pineapple Quilt (top done) 

4) Crumb Quilt

5) Irish Chain blue & white (top done) 

6) Got the Blues

7) Poppies Wall Hanging black & white

8) Flannel Quilt Scrappy

9) New York Beauty (top done)

10) Postage Stamp blocks 2.5"

11) Wedding Ring Quilt

12) Scrappy Christmas Stars

13) Advent Calendar Woodland

14) Christmas Card Holder

15) Gnome Quilt

16) Granny Square Quilt Moda Marbles

17) House Quilt (Dwellings) Moda Marbles

18) Snowman WH

Cross-Stitching

19) Through the Woods LHN (cross stitch)

20) Winter Wonderland LHN (cross stitch)

Knitting / Crocheting

21) Shawl (knitting)

22) Open Finger Gloves (knitting)

23) Santa (knitting)

24) Gnome (knitting)

25) Bed Cover/Tablecloth (knitting) 

26) Granny Squares blanket (crochet)

WISH ME GOOD LUCK! lol

What do you do when you lose your quilting mojo?

 Earlier this year, when I lost my sewing/quilting mojo, I did some counted cross-stitching. Does any of you follow Melisa's Blog? She often shares some of her most adorable cross-stitching designs (freebies). I have admired them for quite some time and knew I had to give it a try. I have always loved counted cross-stitching, not new to me. 

I love the 'Mason Jar' designs, and this is the first one I did

'Bunny Jar'. Stitched on 28 count evenweave.

OOH! I had so much fun stitching the cutest bunny so I decided to do these adorable sheep too; 'Sheep Jar'. Stitched on 28 count evenweave.

Don't you love this snowman and cardinals?!

'Winter Jar', stitched on 28 count evenweave. There are other 'Mason Jar' designs, which I'd love to do.

Who does not love Little House Needleworks' designs?! 

I've had this pattern and fabric; 'Through the Woods' for years. Looking at it now, I remember why I put it away; I was struggling with the French Knots for snowman eyes and buttons. UGH! I have to try again! Stitched on 28 Rue Green Cashel Linen from Zweigart.

LHN's 'Winter Wonderland' was also put away after I got my quilting mojo back. Left to stitch two snowflakes and the last row (same as the top).

Fabric: Zweigart's 28 count Natural Raw Linen

I'd love to hear about your second passion, what do you do when not quilting?