Our October Gathering

 We had 7 people at our October gathering at mine and then another 4 came on for our zoom session in the afternoon. A fabulous number! Unfortunately Jeanette was unable to connect but I have put her report in the entry below.

Progress was made on quite a few projects:

Briar Rose has gone home with Glenda for the binding to be hand-stitched. Then it just needs a label and a photo to be finished.

Shiny Blue was sandwiched but unfortunately we were a little short of backing fabric so Stephanie has taken that one home to add a strip of backing to one side. Then it can be quilted.

Green Stars which is now christened "Almost Celtic" is waiting for me to quilt it.

Party Lights now has its final borders attached. Next step there is to sandwich it. Perhaps a dark green binding on this quilt and the Almost Celtic will be appropriate.

The Giant Blue Hexagons are ready to join together but we are still waiting for one or two to come back.

At the end of the afternoon Sue, Glenda and I just spread the Disappearing HourGlass blocks on the table. We thought this arrangement looked like fireworks so perhaps that will inspire a suitable name.

Elaine brought along her latest quilt which we all loved. She joined the random blocks as strip panels of varying sizes then joined the panels with strips of fabric.

Elaine also brought along some blocks she has been making in a different 'disappearing' vein and we all loved it - more later with that one.

My show and tell is not yet finished but at least the blocks are progressing well with long spells of time to just get inspired for the next step. I'll write more when it is done.

In all we had a great but busy day with lots of laughs, some complaining and even disagreements, but as always, lots of food and fun.

I look forward to our next gathering in November. Meanwhile if you'd like to join our zoom sessions on Tuesdays 5-8 pm just contact me for the link. At these sessions we just sit together and do our own crafty thing, asking questions, laughing or just enjoying the company while we work without having to get in the car.

News from Jeanette

 Jeanette tried to join our zoom session yesterday but she was at her own group which meets in a building that sometimes has limited internet so she has sent some pics. She says 11 ladies helped with backing, ironing, quilting and binding their charity quilts. Jeanette's job was attaching bindings.

There are also some pictures of her latest gift quilt for a new bub due in November. She has backed it with fluffy fleece.

It will be cosy! Thanks Jeanette for this insight into your part of the world.

Jenny's Progress

 

Jenny has finished all the blocks for her stitch and flip quilt and is ready for the next step. It looks great Jenny.

She reports that weather in Mudgee is still cold, especially at night, so quilts and fires are still needed.

Sorry we missed you on Saturday Jenny.

Surrey's shirts again!

 Betty is using Surrey's shirts again...

Yesterday I finished my set of 8 placemats whilst I was on our Zoom gathering. They were inspired by Stephanie who gave me about a dozen 10" squares of shirt fabrics and then on another occasion showed me the cut-insert-turn method of increasing the size of the original square and changing its size. 

Stephanie sent me this picture of her cushion made the same way...

I used Stephanie's squares and added some of Surrey's shirts.

I think I'll use them on Saturday when I'll have some visitors here.

An August Gathering

 Six of us gathered one August Saturday and achieved so much of our various quilting tasks. Unfortunately my large sewing machine had died a week or so before so I was unable to use it for any work. It came down to my small Singer and Glenda's machines. I have now taken my sewing machine to 'the man' and it looks as though it may not have died completely. However, it means no actual quilting until I get it back or buy a new one, or both.

We tacked the Green Stars quilt so it is now ready for quilting.

We put Party Lights blocks on the board and have bordered Jeanette's Briar Rose and sashed and bordered our Shiny Blue squares. Glenda's Flowers are complete and Glenda, as the winner, has elected to donate it to charity.

We drew another fabric (actually it was a block design we drew) and discussed how we are going to achieve the results we'd like. I will eventually write up some instructions and send them out.

It is really great to have people back here and work being done together. Don't forget, if you have any time on Tuesday afternoons/evenings to join us on Creative Zoomers just email me and I can send you the link. We have lots of fun creating together without having to travel anywhere. 

Well 'that's it folks' until our September gathering.

Elaine's Animals

 Those of us who have been on zoom with Creative Zoomers have watched these animals as they were born. Now they are together they look great.

Some small child will just love it.

Zippered Placemat

Now here's an idea from Jo... a zippered placemat  into which you can stash your cutlery etc when you go on a picnic or to a workshop. Take a look at this link to Jo's blog.

Having Fun with Hexies

 A week or so ago I posted on Creative Zoomers about my method for making paperless stand-alone hexies which can then be used for joining point to point in applique and I'm sure a whole lot of other embellishments. They can also be used in the normal way and topstitched side to side.

Here is my progress so far. I am very excited...

Some years ago I inherited a relative's sewing gear and in it was a little pouch. All my hexie sewing gear fits in this pouch so it means it is easy to pack in a bag and take with me anywhere. This little kit is currently beside the TV so I can sew while I am in isolation.

Glenda's Flower Garden quilt finish

 Wow! Doesn't it look great.

Glenda's Flower Garden is now a finished quilt.

And guess what? The winner of this quilt is Glenda herself! I wonder if she will want to keep it.

A finish from Betty

 Last night I finished a little table runner to go on the table at the foot of the bed the Peaches and Cream doily quilt will be on.

Stephanie might recognise the little tassels at each end.

You might have also heard me say I'll NEVER make Friendship Star blocks again because I don't like the way they go together. Then I saw this block on the internet and just loved the wreath like nature of it. So I gave it a try and really love it. It is an 18" block using 2.5" squares.