Bitten by the bug again

I have started Michelle Ridgway's " Chocolate and Cherries " quilt and this is the progress so far. I have another 4 small hexies to do plus the corner ones and 8 of the big ones. Not at all like Michelle's colourway but I am loving the way they are all turning out. The bottom one with letters on (next to the stars) is a bit of whimsy as I am giving this to my neighbour's daughter when she gets married in December.. her initials just happen to be CD.

Here are a couple of the fussy cut ones.... don't do too many as I am trying to use scraps and sometimes there is just enough fabric for 6 hexies. These ones are 3/4" and I so love this size.

Finally got the kites sewn on this one and February's Perpetually hexie bites the dust.  This is Katja Marek's pattern using the perpetual calendar.

I am going to link up with Anthea at Hibiscus stitching as once again I have been bitten by the EPP bug. Also been bitten by that awful cold bug as well so gentle stitching and an early night for me .

Stitchings

On Weds last week the February pattern for the Perpetually hexagon was put up. These are my pieces ready to go, the background sewn together.... still not sure how Sharon at the Quilt shop gets hers so perfect in the centre but....

Two hexies done ready to be sewn together. I actually now have all six sewn and 4 put into the wreath so soon I will have the wreath shape done. Then it's on to sewing it onto the background. Again Sharon gets hers very smooth and mine always looks like it needs a good press!

Not one to just have one project on the go, I have been crocheting some beanies for the prem babies. Thanks Barb for the pattern and these will go to Lyn at the next bloggy meet. I did get 6 out of one ball of wool  so very happy about that.

Bloggy meet

On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited by Shez to a bloggy meet in Gisborne. It was lovely meeting a new group of stitchers and also meeting up again with Annie who I have known a long time( Nursing Mum's era)

Photos were taken ... all those people that have blogs of course. I am not a very happy snapper so this is what I got. Shez did send me some photos but I don't know how to get them onto my blog.. technologically challenged I'm afraid.

A bag swap was done and here are some of the beautiful bags that were made. Very talented group of ladies.

Thanks for inviting me and hope to see you again in May

so far this year..

... I have finished stitching all 25 blocks of my candlewicking quilt. All washed, hanging on the clothes horse to dry. I have ironed and cut them to size and placed them in their order for stitching together. That may be Wednesday's job and then I can attach the lace. It is all booked in at the quilters for July.

This is the first block of Katja Marek's BOM sewn onto the background.Just wish I could get the points on the under hexie to lie really flat.

At a friend's place a couple of weeks ago I was shown a pattern for a crocheted blanket done in hexies. Got the pattern and so far I have done 6 red ones. 2 cream and two red and cream combined. Went to Spotlight to buy some yarn ( at 99c a ball you can't go wrong) and I will see how far I get!Can do these watching "Burn Notice" DVD's

Went out the back door the other day and this is what I saw. Our Hoya is just bursting with flowers and looks so good. Shame they don't do too well in the house in vases.... last time I tried that there were too many ants on the blossoms.

Christmas and the new year

My beautiful family all getting into the Christmas spirit. So good to have them all with us this year. So BBQ chicken ,salad for main with Chocolate Ripple cake for dessert! After this was taken we did adjourn to the kitchen as the deck was far too hot.

First of Jan saw me embark on a BOM from Katje Marek. Here are all the pieces glued (yes glued... a new thing for me) and I did try sewing them from the back using a flat stitch, hence the clip. I found this hard on my wrists and I'm not sure I was any good at it, so reverted to whip stitch.

This is the finished wreath, it will have "jewels" in the plain corners.. jewels are 1" hexie with a 1" triangle on the top.Have to get my background fabric before I can put those on. Think this will be fun and I am ready to get back to some EPP

Jo recently made some isolette covers for the NICU in Mildura and asked people to also make some. I managed 3 successfully, two panels the same with different borders to make the size and one other panel that I had. Did some FMQ on 2. I was also "gifted" the flannelette backing from a donation made to the Eltham Quilt shop so thanks to that person for making it possible as well.

This is the bits from the panels that I had to cut off and it has made a perfect Blanket of Love. The clips at the bottom were my KK gift at the Kilmore Quilters lunch. I love them, not just for binding, but for the EPP. Great gift.

This is the panel I left unquilted(bad photo)

Many years ago I was in a 12" and 6" block swap and had these left over from Blankets of Love so with a bit of a fiddle this is also an isolette cover. I stitched down the centre with a fancy stitch which pulled the backing a little so this is a bit wonky on the bottom but I don't think the babies it covers will mind.

Been a busy start to 2017 but it's back to work on Monday so the sewing will slow down. Enjoyed what I have done and am sure much more will be done over the year.

Can anyone help this very non tech person learn how to blog from the ipad??? Not sure how to get the photos on, so any advice would be appreciated. The lap top keeps shutting down on me with an error and it takes forever to reboot!

May 2017 bring you health and happiness.

Caught on the hop...

... by this young man. Great Nana with I think no 16 great grandchild who was due on Jan 9th but arrived last weds. I had made his quilt( having bought the pattern before he was a twinkle in his parents eyes... nothing like being organised!) and all I had to do was quilt it. We babysat DGS last week so my plan was to quilt it this week.....

...after a frantic 3 or so hours on Saturday , it's done. Finished the binding on Sunday at 11 a.m and handed it over to the proud parents at 5.00 p.m. Pretty happy with the job I did on the quilting.

Some butterflies as I like to put them into as many quilts as possible. I did manage a two minute cuddle of the 7lb 3 oz bundle of joy before we left him in the adoring arms of his auntie ( the bride from last post) and his grandparents.

These are the Dec Dear Jane blocks. Most have some cream fabric, from a friend of mine who is no longer with us so that is making this a bit special.

A quick special thanks to Michelle too for my gingerbread house decoration. It will make it to the tree when I get that set up... very slack here. Thanks too, to Shez for my beautiful butterfly. I love both of these decorations.

A beautiful day

Yesterday this beautiful couple became Mr and Mrs.It was a very moving service and a truly wonderful day. 

Back of the dress, stunningly simple and elegant as we knew it would be.

My DGS with his second cousin(the bride's niece) They both scrubbed up pretty well.

DH with his sister(mother of the bride) his mum and the bride. It was a great day and so pleased to share it with such a lovely couple.