Birthday quilt #2 revealed

After Johnny left in the beginning of September, I had only four weeks to finish girlfriend Kari's 50th birthday quilt! The sandwiching was done - managed to do that when Johnny was here. I put it away and then started quilting only a few days after Johnny left. If you are new to my blog, you can see the quilt I made for Johnny's 50th birthday by clicking here.   

 I did finish it on time, but taking photos was done early morning before we headed to the airport the day Kari and her daughter Nina landed here!

 

I first saw the pattern in one of the lovely Australian quilt magazine a few years ago. I knew there and then that one day I'll have to make it and started collecting rose fabrics.

The original pattern does not have the green sashing and the square's border, those I have added to make the quilt bigger - a snuggle quilt on chilly days. That is definitely something Kari needs, coming from the Northeasterly part of Norway - Finnmark county - not far from the Russian border. The winters there are harsh!

 

 

Each of the 12 blocks has a stitchery with friendship quotes.

It took me some 'deep-thinking' figuring out how to quilt the stitcheries. In the end I decided on stitching in the ditch around the stitchery and a loop pattern around each pattern.

 

 

Kari and I have known each other since beginning '80's, we have been through different 'life-experiences', which has made our friendship grow stronger.

 

 

Kari is into a little bit quilting too, but closest to her heart is sewing clothes and knitting.

 

 

...and of course... being close friends, we love to have tea or coffee together

 

 

I love the fact that I didn't have to buy any fabrics for this quilt, all fabrics from my stash. The floss used on the stitcheries as well as the backing (flannel) are from my stash too.

 

 

After reading this post almost to an end, you may wonder how such a wonderful friend looks like - don't you? Just admit it - lol!

Here we are - on one of the 'tourist spot' on the island.

 

 

DEAREST FRIEND KARI,

once again;

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

LOOOOOVE HAVING YOU TWO HERE!

 

 

 

Christmas Mug Rugs

I love making Christmas items! Who doesn't, if I may ask...

I love to use up bits and pieces too. When I sorted out the Christmas fabrics some weeks ago, I pulled out some scraps from Debbie Mumm's 'Christmas in your heart' and turned them into mug rugs.

 

Two Santas and trees

 

 

Three Angels and Stars

 

 

Another Angel and Star - I had only one of this one...

 

 

Not much sewing these days... Having a great time with my friend and her daugther from Norway. :)

 

 



Another UFO (2011) finished! Place Mats

How are you all doing? I have been MIA for some weeks... I felt a bit 'burnt out' after finishing Johnny's BD quilt. It took me some time after he left to get into quilting again, but over the last couple of weeks I have been clever! :) 

I don't know how many times I have pulled those place mats out from the shelf! They have been sitting there for months... I remember I ran out of fabric - about one year ago - to finish them. I wanted to finish them before Christmas last year.... took me one year to finish! :) When I finally got the fabric, I was already working on another project so had to put it aside. I have been working on them off and on; did all the binding some months ago. 

What took time is that I couldn't decide what to do with the Santa's and polar bears... To leave it undone was not an option; it had looked unfinished... I finally decided to outline all the details, using the sewing machine, which I do not regret at all! They look so much better now! :)

 

Tedious job to do, but now it's finally done! :)

 

 

 

Being on a SSD (Strict Stash Diet) this year - I have sinned!!! 

When I saw the panel of 'Too many men' - I couldn't resist! Those snowmen are just too cute, hiding here and there! :) I didn't buy one panel only, but TWO!!! :) 

One panel consists of one big 'picture' and four smaller ones. Out of the latter, I've made four place mats. 

 

 

Just too cute! Hiding there, behind the tree - and believes no one sees him!

 

 

All details are outlined using my sewing machine. 

Love how it turned out! 

 

 

I'm afraid it won't be much quilting this month.... We're having visitors again from middle of this week.... :) Can't wait!

Before they land here, I have to finish some mug rugs that I started working on a couple of days ago... Almost done, just left to hand stitch the binding...