This and That - In the Heat of Summer

We are at the heat of summer and it is HOT, HOT, HOT! 

Compared to other places in the world, I should not complain about +31C / 87.8F! 66% humidity is actually dry here in QB! It's comfortable inside, not too hot without A/C, until the afternoon the rooms facing west start heating up, although trees are shading.

In spite of the heat; it will be Christmas this year too! We've had an artificial tree for about 10 years. Last year we didn't put up the tree. With three one y/o kitties!!! Read: most probably a disaster! After all the decorations were put away, the tree was moved to the lower ground floor, without demounting and placed in its carton box. Of course the kitties discovered it was the perfect tree to practice climbing real trees! They had so much fun and in the end the tree looked like a scarecrow! It's time to buy a new tree, but for now it'll be a small one. I may have found one I like. It's a small tree for the table, which I can easily move to another room and close the door during the nights so that the kitties won't have fun, in that tree! 

Speaking of Christmas tree. A couple of weeks ago I had an errand in Port Louis. After the job was done, I went to Caudan Waterfront I like this area, not for the shopping (mostly tourist related shops), rather for the atmosphere next to the sea and there's always some refreshments to buy.

This year, they have put up a huge Christmas tree, decorated in red and gold baubles

I wanted to take a photo of this tree and went back earlier this week. Due to the strong glare from the sun, the baubles look a bit washed out. I wonder how many baubles there are and how long time it took to decorate it?! 

It was a nice, but HOT day in the city! Nice to see something else than the sewing table! Haha! 

Back to reality! 

A few more 36-patches are done

It has grown from 23 blocks here to 31 per yesterday. 

31 blocks x 36 = 1116 2.5" squares. 

What do you do with fabric pieces measuring approximately 6-7 inches or bigger that can't be used for anything? I turn them into round coasters, selling at my Etsy Shop

Binding is added to these, just left to hand sew to the back. 

These are nice spring / summer coasters, in lavender (batik) and light green.

Now, to the custom order; the birthday wall hanging

A sneak-peek; one of the pockets and some of the letters. The letters are 'glued' to the background and ready to be machine appliqued.

I so enjoy working on this one! With its bright and cheerful colors in mostly batik, indeed a fun quilt to make! It has also given me some ideas for future wall quilts. 

Are you busy preparing for Christmas? 

I'm not going to do much. Maybe buy a tree and decorate on Monday. I have a dentist appointment and have to go to town anyway. 

HAPPY SUNDAY & HAPPY QUILTING! 

Patriotic Table Runners, This and That

 I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. For us, it was just normal days. Here, compared to Norway, there are no public holidays related to Easter. In Norway; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Now that we are on partial lockdown (phase #1 in reopening), all church services are closed. If you would like to know more about lockdown Easter celebration in Mauritius, click here. 

UFO's are put aside, since I'm currently working on two Patriotic table runners. It's a custom order to one in the US. 

OOOH! That photo doesn't look that good, shot in the late afternoon in lamp light, but alas, you see what it is! lol This flag is in the centre of the table runner, which measures approximately 82 inches / 208 cm). Since the customer wanted a monogram, I have hand embroidered 'May 17, 1814' at the top and bottom of the flag. This date is the day the second oldest (after the US) constitution was signed and celebrated as Norway's National Day. 

The second table runner is shorter and doesn't have any monogram. Not visible here, but the pinwheels differ slightly from the longest table runner. Both are quilted and ready for the binding. 

Does any of you have an on-going project? 

My insanity project! 1.5 inches squares. So far, I have pieced together 1512 squares. For not being overwhelmed by all these tiny squares, I piece them together when I see there's enough for 2-3 36-patch blocks.

All the arcs for the Double Wedding Ring quilt is done.

...and in between quilting and housework

LHN's 'Coffee Menu'. Love how it turns out! Not much left to do. I love doing counted cross-stitching again; fun and relaxing. 

Our bougainvillea in full bloom.

HAPPY QUILTING!  

Custom Order, Small Items and a Treasure Box

It's Sunday again and time for an update on what I've been up to lately. 

In my previous post I mention I had a custom order to do.

The customer wanted the name 'Lisa' added to it and more hair on the nurse. 

The hair was not a problem, just some FMQ. I don't have an embroidery machine so had to hand embroider 'Lisa'. It's a long time since I've done this kind of embroidery, some ripping, but I think it turned out OK. 

I made a couple of mug rugs from a panel last year and both sold in my Etsy Shop.

What was left of the panel has been sitting on the sewing table for some weeks, actually since middle March. I made a few, prepared some, but got bored with them and put it on hold. After I finished the drawstring bag I didn't know what to sew so decided to finish more mug rugs.

These are maybe small as a mug rugs, but big enough for a mug and a small snack. 

These are bigger and cute as summer mug rugs and great as a gift or Holiday memento. 

A small wall hanging. 

These items will be listed in my Etsy Shop.

(I don't think I have to mention the relief I felt when the last one was done?! lol)

After I finished these mug rugs, I decided to try something new.

This pattern caught my eyes and I had to try it. 

The pattern is in centimetre and I should have known better than trying to convert centimetres to inches; IT DOES NOT WORK!!!  Lots of trial and error before it ended up in the bin! :( From there I decided to do my own pattern (measurement) in inches and I had no problems. 

NOTE: Please do not look at the color combination!!! lol This is a TEST and I have used different fabric quality; chintz, bed sheet, thin cotton and cotton mix. I didn't dare using my quilt fabric just in case it ended up disaster (as the first try did!) Now that I'm confident in how to make it, I'll make one for my shop, just have to decide on colors.  

My 'insanity' quilt blocks

Accumulation of 1.5 inch squares turned into blocks. 

I made 8 36-patches blocks this week; 288 squares sewn together! 

In the treasure box:

Look what I found! :) 

When I was hunting high and low for a embroidery hoop (drawstring bag) I ended up looking in a plastic container hidden under other containers. I had totally forgotten about these log cabin blocks I made in 2010! Yep, that long ago! I made a log cabin quilt for my friend's mother and you can see it here. (Love that quilt). I have nothing left of these pretty Nancy Halvorsen fabrics and I think they are OOP. I'm not sure what to make of these blocks, not enough for a quilt, maybe a table topper. Also rediscovered some patterns and other things in that treasure box. :) 

Birthday and Christmas in the mail box this week! :) 

Poppy fabrics for a UFO (wall hanging). The idea is to fussy cut the poppies and do an applique wall quilt. It's the first time I'm doing something like this and it need some serious brain work! :) 

Batting and backing for 'En Provence'

The black and white charm pack is for the same wall hanging where I'm going to use the poppy fabric and the blue charm pack is for the Irish Chain UFO. 

This should keep me busy the next weeks! :) 

Meteo predicts nice and sunny today; time to start our hiking season! 

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/

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

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! 

It's Sunday....

... and time for a new blog post! 

What have you been up to this week? Have you finished any items or perhaps some UFO's? 

I've been working on several items and actually have a few finishes. 

Did you know 'Pantone Color of the Year 2018' is Ultra Violet?

Before I started quilting, there were colors I didn't like at all and one of them were purple in all shades from light to dark. Gradually I began to like purple and I have made a few items in different shades of purple.

I had a beautiful fabric depicting purple (violet) and aqua pansies on a very light purple background. When I love a fabric, I want to make as many items as possible. From the pansy fabric that was left, I made a table runner in ultra violet and shamrock green

.... and a small table topper or candle mat

Available in my Etsy Shop

https://www.etsy.com/listing/594684707/quilted-table-topper-purple-pansies

Progress on the custom order

Since my previous post, I've thread basted and quilted the custom order quilt. The quilting is done in diagonal straight seams (crosshatch pattern). 3 mug rugs, all different, are included in the order too and I finished them yesterday. I think they look great, all being different and each with a different backing. 

I've been working on bindings this week and when I counted them all; 17 items I have to hand sew the binding! How did that happen?!?! I've done a few already, only 12 left! :) 

2 table toppers and 1 table runner that need some hand sewing

This gives:

- 3 mug rugs - DONE! 
- 1 purple candle mat / table topper - DONE! 
- 4 Christmas place mats (UFO)
- 2 Valentine's Day place mats
- 1 table topper (poppies)
- 1 log cabin table topper (UFO)
- 1 blue/yellow table topper
- 1 blue / yellow table runner
- 1 table runner (poppies) 
- 1 table runner (pansies) - DONE!  
1 wall hanging (UFO) 

I don't have any finished UFO's this week, except added binding to the log cabin table topper and working on the custom order. 

It's not been raining here for the last 24 hours! What's wrong with the weather God?! lol That means some long overdue yard work this a.m. (Already Monday!)

HAPPY QUILTING AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK! 

A WIP and some January finishes

Low pressure and rain over the last days. I love it! Yesterday morning I had to go to town - in the rain. It doesn't take more than 15-20 minutes by foot. I did the grocery shopping, walked home and came home soaked. It doesn't bother me at all to get soaked, as long as I'm on my way home to a shower, dry clothes and a yummy cuppa thereafter. Love the tropical rain; it's warm! 

Not a good day today though; torrential rain and the worst hit is the Northern part. Schools have been closed for the last couple of days, offices closed at 11:00 today, houses flooded, roads closed etc. We are fine, we got less than half of the rainfall they got North. 

No venture out for me today. I have spent the day working on an Easter table runner

This is the layout from yesterday. Blocks and set-in triangles are sewn together and it is ready for quilting.
The fabrics for the top are washed so I washed the backing fabric yesterday afternoon. How do I expect it to dry on the line in 94% humidity?! lol 

UPDATE: This was written earlier this week. Weather has improved, but we still have localized thunderstorms.

I have several finishes and most of them are for sale in my Etsy Shop

A pair of Valentine's Day place mats. 

SOLD to the US. 

Valentine's Day wall hanging

Nurse mug rug. Love making these!

Table runner

Another one...

Last one...

... and a table topper or candle mat.

Love these fabrics!

Actually I have made three like this one. I made the first one in December that sold. The customer loves it and placed an order for a second one that is now off to the US. The third I made is for sale in my shop. Love these fabrics too! 

A fall table runner that I finished last year. It has been sitting on my sewing table, waiting for me to take photos. 

Nurse mug rug

Another one... 

We are having a break from hiking during these hot & humid summer months. Instead, I'm trying out some new recipes and here's one I did some days ago.

OPAM November

HAPPY DECEMBER!

We are already one day into December... Soon it's Christmas! Yikes! 

Have you started preparing for Christmas? I've done some house cleaning and putting up Christmas wall hangings. Living in the tropics, I'm not going to make '7 varieties' of cookies! :) My favorites are gingersnaps and Norwegian dough nuts, so IF I'm baking, these will be the two varieties I will make. 

November kept me busy making items for my Etsy shop 

I love this Advent Calendar! It's so cute!

Advent Calendar, sold to the US 

A custom order to the US; two mug rugs

I've had some Christmas stocking panel forever and why not turn it into a wall hanging? :)

A cute Santa mug rug. 

Actually I made two... One is sold and off to the US

I've been working on the Postage Stamp Quilt - see my previous post - and I'm happy to say I have a flimsy! :) I don't have backing for it, need to get something on sale. I won't have time to finish it this month so it will be a UFO next year! :) 

I'm currently working on some nurse mug rugs for my shop, hope to get a few listed one of the first days. 

From UFO to FINISH / An unexpected Custom Order

HAPPY DECEMBER!

I have finished a UFO! 
I can't remember when I thread basted the binding on this bed quilt, but it is some months ago. I find hemming rather boring because I don't like to sit still for the time it takes to hem an item, even small items. For me, it is just to DECIDE I have to do it and that is what I did! First I was thinking to do one side per day; 4 days, but since I wanted to finish it, I decided against it! I sat the entire day to finish it; 7.9 meters!  

It feels good to see it on the line! :) 

I had lots of  Nancy Halvorsen fabrics and have used them together with white tone-on-tone. The small rectangles are 2 x 2.5 inches sewn into quilt. The quilting is done in a loopy pattern. 

The quilt measures 187 x 209 cm / 74 x 83 1/2 inch. 
 It fits a European small double bed (120 x 200 cm / 47 x 79 inch)

Last Saturday I got an unexpected custom order of 4 mug rugs. 

They are now on the way to the US! Thank you Kelli! 

I had to tidy up my sewing table / sewing area the other day. All Christmas fabrics are put away, don't think I will work on Christmas items now. I'm going to make one blue and white item for The Hot Bobbin album next week. Have yet to decide on what to make! What I know is that it won't be a big item! :) 

When I'm not quilting, we do this... :)