SSD, and look what got delivered yesterday

This year, is the year of SSD and finish UFOs (at least some)! My goal is one UFO a month, so let's see how that goes. 

You all know what UFOs are and how they accumulate when we are sleeping!

SSD, you may ask? Strict-Stash-Diet! Yes, this year I'm on SSD, which means I won't buy 'unnecessary' fabrics 'just because' they are beautiful! That said, there may be some Advent Calendar panels for my Etsy shop later this year. 

Look what got delivered yesterday! 

While I was working on 'Tomten's Quilt' and 'Dwellings' (House quilt), I ran out of grey and red to finish both tops. They are UFOs #16 and #18 on my UFO list.

The beautiful 108" floral is backing for 'Country Charm' - UFO #33. It's a big quilt and I don't feel for doing another pieced backing.

Well, maybe not necessary, but some notions were added too

Mat cleaning pad and cleaning brushes for the sewing machine. 

A needed Aurifil thread too. 

I have yet to try the mat cleaning pad. My cutting mat is long overdue for cleaning, I hope it works! Have any of you tried it? 

Sometimes we deserve a little gift to ourselves, don't we? 

I've been quilting like a mad woman the last couple of weeks (every day) to finish my New York Beauty UFO. I'm happy to say the last stitch on the binding was done February 18! (Another blogpost coming soon). 

This is my deserved gift:

A MUG!

'COFFEE. QUILT. WINE. REPEAT'.

Well, not wine these days, it's way too hot. Coffee & Quilt; definitely YES! 

I just couldn't resist this one! 

Do you have a soft spot for coffee mugs? 

I have! 

Early Thursday more here, I'm off to make COFFEE! 

 

RSC Week 20 - May is Orange

 Hello everyone! 

Any progress on Orange - the RSC color for May, hosted by Angela over at SOScrappy? 

I'm a bit behind, but will get there eventually. I have been busy finishing the purple quilt top. More about that in another blog post. 

Orange. Orange has never been a favorite color and that is visible in my stash; approximately 4.5 yards.

Some of them may be seen as yellow with orange, like #6 from left. The spots are orange and since I have only a few, I chose to use it as orange. I had already cut the squares when I remembered to take photos. Didn't have much of those two fabrics, turning them into reversible coasters. 

I've cut triangles for the Swirling Star Quilt. One block (big and small) has 14 colors. I have 12 different orange. I would love if I can find 2 more, which I doubt!

Update!!! 

I had totally forgotten the Moda Marbles! Had a look there and found 3 orange! That adds more t0 the yardage; approximately 7 yards. Plan this evening is to make one big and two small blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - RSC 

Too Many Bunnies and Busy Quilting Week

 One week into March! Any progress on my sewing table? 

Let's see what I've done: 

- Table toppers from this post are quilted and trimmed, bindings cut. 

- Table runner is thread basted (ran out of quilting thread, more on the way)

- Pink girly quilt is trimmed and binding cut

- One big and two small GREEN blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt and RSC

- two small blocks for the same in BLUE

- Cut white background fabric for the Swirling Stars Quilt's remaining blocks

- 4 Pinwheel star blocks for the Star Streams (blue) quilt

Any progress on UFOs? Nope! 

The goal is to get at least one UFO off the list this month! 

Have you ever had too many bunnies?! 

I think I have! But they are on fabric! lol

I've had these cute bunny fabrics for awhile and I don't know how many times they have jumped to and from the shelf, lost count! Easter is approaching and I have a few ideas for some Easter-ish items. 

What quilting thread color would you use on the bunny stripes? I was thinking maybe blue as the background (sky)? I'd love your opinion! 

Isn't this tulip fabric pretty? 

...and this one?

The tulip fabrics went hiding when I gathered pink for the February RSC! 

These fabrics have GREEN too so I think I'll add them to the RSC GREEN MONTH and let's see what can be done!

Progress on the blue Star Streams quilt,

5 out of 5 Pinwheel blocks done

Two small blue blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt

Will I succeed in reducing my stash with 9.50 yards and hopefully more this month? 

Bunny stripes: 3 yards

Bunny galore: 3.5 yards

Watercolor Tulips: 1.50 yards

Pink/Multi Tulips: 1.50 yards

Total: 9.50 yards

I'm back!

Hello everyone! 

I'm back!  

You may wonder where on earth I've been?! A couple of days after my previous blog post (April 1, 2020), the I-net connection went down and later on the computer (windows-7) crashed! Very 'good' timing during the lock-down! NOT! To make a long story short; our dear friend and tech-guru got the computer up running again, now on Windows-10 and most files from W-7 are saved! For the I-net connection, we had to give up the ISP we have had for some years (worst customer service ever!) and hook up to another one. We are online again since about 2 weeks, so far so good!

I'm so thankful quilting made me busy during the 2.5 months lock-down! At the beginning of the year I joined the '2020 APQ UFO Challenge', and I'm proud to say I have finished some BIG UFO's! I have yet to take photos. 

During the lock-down, I also decided to work on some Christmas items. The challenge was to use fabric from my stash, since most of the online fabric stores in the US (where I usually purchase from) have suspended International shipping due to the pandemic and closed borders. I have finished some Advent Calendars and other items that is ready to be quilted. 

I've had this fabric stripes for some years and figured out the best way to display the whimsy snowmen is to turn them into place mats. That's what I'm working on these days. 

Happiness came with Fedex the other day! Horrible expensive shipping and fees, but what to do when there's no other options?! Yeah me did purchase ONLY what I need to finish some items! (Except the magazine! LOL) Quilt batting, backing, thread and fusible stabilizer for Advent Calendar ornaments. 

Yesterday was an extremely difficult and sad day; we had to say goodbye to our beloved Sasha. She came into our life 13.5 years ago as an abandoned puppy. We have loved her as much as she loved us and she will be deeply missed. RIP dear love. You are free from pain and we can imagine you running happily on the eternal hunting grounds. 

This is a rare photo of her (my favorite), she's looking straight into the camera lens. She never liked us taking photos of her. 

STAY SAFE & HEALTHY! 

Scrappy Quilting and Rainy Week

It has been a wet week weather wise. We had a 'cyclone warning class 3' caused by Moderate Tropical Cyclone 'Diane'. 'Class 3' means 'no venture out'. 'Diane' passed 40 km (24.85 miles) off the North coast before 04:00 a.m. Saturday morning and we did not even hear the wind or rain! Luckily it was not a strong cyclone; no flooding or other damages in our area.

I've been super busy with a couple of my scrappy UFO's and happy to say I have a FINISH!

   

This is my UFO #10 (my UFO list) and #2 (January challenge) for the APQ and Quiltsy Team UFO Challenge

The centre is made up of 504 squares, all from swaps I've done earlier. For the 116 pinwheels blocks, I have used 'ugly' fabric from my stash. Hmm.... Actually they don't look that ugly now! It is said all fabric are beautiful in small pieces. I think that is true! Oh, and the brown sashing and border is also from my scraps. 

I only had to buy the 108" backing fabric; a beautiful beige with tiny seaweeds pattern.

Friday we had the 'no venture out' (class 3) warning. While waiting for the storm to pass, I attacked another UFO, one of my 'insanity' project. Who told me some years ago I should cut rectangles 1.5 x 2.5 inches?! (I think I'm a bit lunatic!) Well, I can only blame myself, because I try not to throw fabric pieces that can be used. 

I'm pleased with the progress; two rows and the sashing. 

A fun 'I spy' quilt; do you spot the deer and the gingerbread man? 

It takes a little bit of time to piece the tiny rectangles together, but when that is done the rest goes rather quickly. Fun to rediscover fabric I had totally forgotten. I didn't have enough rectangles to finish another row. I still have some cut, but not enough to finish two more rows. No worries, I have plenty more strips to cut! :) 

Aren't these fabrics pretty? The fabric line is 'Zen' by Makower UK and I think they are OOP long time ago. I don't know how many times these fabrics have been in and out of the shelves and never have I come up with what to make, until yesterday....
...but that is going to be another blog post! :) 

HAPPY QUILTING SUNDAY! 

Scrap Challenge and more

Midsummer came and went, can you believe we are heading towards Christmas and New Year again?! 

I've been super busy and I'm not sure where to start. Quite a lot to share, I may share it into two posts. Why don't I post more often?! :) 
OK, let's start with the Advent Calendars.

 When I wrote the previous post, four Calendars were already quilted and the binding thread basted. A little progress; the 24 felt bags and a lined drawstring bag (to keep the felt bags) are completed. Next step is to add 'gold' metal rings (to hang the felt bags). I may do one with buttons - instead of rings - as well, IF I get the right buttons. I went to the neighbor town earlier this week, but the shop where I usually buy buttons were sold out on those specific buttons. 

The Quiltsy Team's Scrappy Spring Challenge is done

(see previous post for details)

I made a scrappy star wall hanging. All batik are from my stash. 

I love how it turned out and have yet to decide whether to keep or list it in our shop. 

2019 is my 'year of batiks'. Ever since I started quilting I have 'collected' batiks, and batiks are often too beautiful to be cut, right?! LOL This year I'm trying to use up some of the batiks and after making a few quilts it has not made a dent! 

I have made scrappy star blocks off and on. After 35 blocks I pieced the blocks together

I'm not sure about the size though... As it is now, it measures 60 x 84 inches / 152 x 213 cm. Isn't that a bit too long for a lap quilt?? If I add one row (7 blocks) to the width, the size will be 72 x 84 inches. If I remove one row on the length, it will measure 60 x 72 inches.

I'd love to hear your opinion, please! 

I've bought the most beautiful batik for the back! 

I had in mind a multi-colored backing, but when I saw this one I couldn't resist! 

I've been naughty! In spite of SFD (Strict Fabric Diet), I have bought some fabric, BUT defending myself; only some FQ's I didn't really need! Haha! 

These fabrics are for binding on some other Advent Calendars

...and here's the brown batik FQ's I didn't really need! Well, yes, somehow I need them, because I have not more than a couple of brown batik left in my stash! Always excuses to buy beautiful fabric, isn't it?! :) 

Nasty 'winter' weather these days; rain showers and strong trade winds.

Birre-Liten knows best

...the best place in the sun! 

I have more to share, but that has to be another post. 

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY AND HAPPY QUILTING! 

While waiting for fabric...

... to finish some summer table runners and toppers, 

I'm working on Christmas items. 

Yep, another Advent Calendar! 

After the photos were taken, I added all the pockets, sleeve and binding on one calendar (I have three in all). 

Update: They are done! 

The calendar will be available in our shop in a couple of days, need to take a few more photos. 

Remember the Christmas Stockings from my previous post? 

I spent the entire last weekend to finish them all! It took some brain work to get the lining/toes the right way, but when I got the hang to it, they were done in a jiffy, almost...! :) These will be re-listed in our shop soon. 

I received the white batting for the Patriotic Table Toppers , but the company sent me the medium thick instead of the thinnest batting. I contacted them, it is sorted out and my new order is on the way, hopefully with the right batting this time!

  The fabric I'm waiting for was shipped from the warehouse middle April, for so to take an extra journey; Jamaica US, Miami, Jamaica and finally left JFK 3 weeks after it was shipped from the seller's warehouse! SIGH!
Update: Finally received the fabric! I had to laugh when I saw the package was 'missent to the Bahamas'!  

In between, when I need a short break from making items for our shop, I go scrappy! 

I've made three new scrappy star blocks

I don't remember when I started making the scrappy log cabin blocks. I have lost count of how many I have, but I believe it is close enough to a lap quilt. 

Each block measures 8 inches (sewn into quilt)

Nasty weather today; rain, wind, and cold. 'Winter' is here.... again! Meteo predicts +15C / 59F on the plateau tonight, time for wool blankets! 

This and That

Hello everyone! 

 I hope you all had a nice Easter. No public holidays here, just normal days for us. 

How are you doing and what have you been up to recently?

First days of this week have just flown away. Today is actually the first day this week I'm not going anywhere! It's raining too, so what's better than playing with some fabrics and a little bit sewing?! 

Thanks for your comments on the daisy blocks! Since my previous post, I played around a little bit and decided to make three more blocks of each and turn them into two different table runners and table toppers

As most of you know, quilt fabrics etc are not available here and has to be purchased mostly from the US. I prefer to use unbleached cotton batting, but since it is a bit 'yellow-ish', I prefer to use white (bleached) for items where I use white fabric. I thought I had enough left for these items, but not so lucky. More on the way and I should get it by middle May. I didn't find anything suitable for backing in my stash and found an excuse to order! Haha! It should be delivered by end of next week, I hope! 

I have a soft spot for everything COFFEE where coffee fabrics are included as well! :) Last week I received these yummy coffee fabrics

Actually I needed one of these fabrics to finish a table topper. How come the other two ended up in the shopping basket too?! LOL

I was quilting happily away today, was thinking I can finish this table topper...

Nope! That didn't happen! Take a look at the spool! About 3.5 x 12 inches left to FMQ and ran out of thread! UGH! OK, no problem, I ordered more about 2 weeks ago and should get that parcel by next week as well! 

I love to use up bits and pieces of fabric and I've made two zippered pouches / makeup bags for the upcoming Christmas Show in Vadsø, Norway.

I was hunting through part of my stash for hook and loop tape the other day. I found it, but what I also found was these treasure boxes! :)

The one to the left contains 2" and 2.5" squares. The other one contains the same, but also some stripes. I have to admit it; I have lost control on how many boxes I have with pre-cut squares! Maybe this is a hint that I should 'attack' some of these squares and turn them into quilts?! :) 

I finally received these yummy fabrics yesterday! 

It took 40 days!!!  (USPS with International tracking) 16 days from date of shipping until it actually left the US! Then transit through Germany and UK before it arrived here and 10 days at the Customs! I went to the Customs to pick it up yesterday, at least I got some minutes city dose! :) 

I also have to mention I didn't buy these fabrics only because they are yummy! :) I'm going to use them for two advent calendars! 

'Winter' is finally here! ...in spite of 'Kenneth' and 'Lorna' spinning northwest and northeast from us and will not influence the Mascarenes, according to meteo

 Quilts are out for the nights! It's time to LIVE again, not only EXIST! Feels good! :) 

HAPPY QUILTING!

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, 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! 

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