15 Minute and last post for the year

Well I think I can say it was a 7 out of 7 this week.  I am sort of in the limbo between xmas and new years where its hard to tell what day it is and what I was doing on a given day.  I have been doing lots of stitching.

I quilted a quilt that I made on my last sewing weekend away for Mo for her new room and have put the binding while sitting next to a fan to keep cool.  We've been hit with another heat wave so haven't been venturing out too much.

Mo went to the beach yesterday with her boyfriend.  My husband suggested that he take the beach tent down and set it up for them which meant they could stay down there longer.  He has an original Moana Beach Tent (30+ years old) that still looks brand new that we used when we use to go to the beach and stay all day.  He set it up went for a dip and then I picked him up and left them to there afternoon.  We had to laugh when they walked out of her room ready to go they looked like a pair of hippies, with round John Lennon sunglasses, both have long curly hair wearing baggy clothes and big floppy hats.

This afternoon we have a cool change, which is a lovely relief but there have been a few fires started today due to Dry Lightening and there is concern that the winds that pick up could add to the dangerous conditions.

I haven't touched the border of Springtime Romance for about a week but did some more work on it yesterday. I gave it a good press and took a photo though it is a little blurry just to make sure it was still looking good.  There are still 4 or 5 sprays of small flowers to go but I think it is getting there.

Head to Kate's to see how everyone went in the final week for the year.

15 Minute Challenge, Merry Xmas and Heat Wave

We have woken up to smoke haze this morning. Due to record heat this last week, bushfires started in the Adelaide hills and on Kangaroo Island (so east and west of the city).   The fires have been downgraded now The Cudlee Creek fire (Hills) is still out of control according to this evening news and as the air is pretty still today everywhere is a smoky haze even though we are a long way from both fire zones.

Last week Adelaide sweltered through 4 days of above 40C I don't know what that is in F but it was bloody hot.  Luckily I escaped to Melbourne for 2 of the hot days though the heat followed me and the day of our Christmas party though it started mild but by 1pm it was heading towards 40 as well.

Sewing wise because of the heat and Christmas dinner with the girls I think it was only a 5 out of 7 for the week.  I took some stitching with my to Melbourne and did some each day.

There was lots of walking in Melbourne, I did management to walk an extra hour that I didn't need to thanks to google maps taking me on an unnecessary detour.  I went to the DFO (factory outlet) and did mainly window shopping bought a couple of Tshirts for my hubby and some shorts for Mo otherwise not much shopping was done.  I'm a little bit over the crowds and hustle and bustle of Christmas I am looking forward to 3 more weeks of doing not much and recharging.

Views from Jack Rabbit Winery

View from the Ferry across the bay 

My Christmas present to myself arrived a full set of Wonderfil Efina 60wt threads, I have enjoyed using these for hand piecing and decided to get the full set to use for appliqué.

I can reveal my Christmas Present stitching to you now.  Though they look pretty cool the cork fabric was a real bastard to stitch and turn through.  I have a kit to make one for myself and it has only uses the cork on one side so I think I will be sticking to that for my version.

Yesterday I managed to finish and upload pattern 9 of Springtime Romance, only the final pattern to go but I won't start on that till the quilt is finished the tiny flowers are slow going but hopefully will get to binge watch a few shows of the break and do lots of stitching.

Well that's my penultimate week round up for the year.  I think I was pretty steady through out, there would have only been a handful of weeks where I didn't make 7 out of 7.

Check out those who are still recording at Kate's.

15 Minute Challenge and First Day of Holidays

Had a nice lazy sleep in this morning and then went full steam ahead moving Mo into her new room. So we are all pretty tired.

The painting of the room proved quite a trial as we ended up needing 6 coats of paint to cover the previous colour, we should have done a primer coat first. Mo wanted to do all the painting but DH is a bit of a control freak and jumped in (he isn't the best painter but I didn't tell you that).  He bowed to pressure and let Mo do the last 2 coats (which came out perfect).

Today we put up curtains and the furniture in.  I was amazed at how much crap one nearly 17 year old could accumulate in her room all hidden from sight I might add because her room is always really tidy, but there were stacks of older school books in every corner that she is just going to have to go through and chuck out.  We got rid of a few bags of clothes and old bed linen... there is more to sort through in the next couple of weeks.

Stitching wise it was a 6 out of 7 week for me.   I'm working on small flowers on the border and I have been finishing up Xmas pressies (sneak peak right) and stitching up hems on curtains.

I saw on instagram that the Makers & Shakers Market was on at the local town hall so Mo and I made a quick trip there.  I picked up a Xmas Present for me and got some nice xmas cards from one of the stalls.

I know I'm really tired so it will probably be an early night but I might do a bit of stitching before I head to bed.  The weather is going to be horrendous for the rest of the week (40+ for the next 4 days peaking on Friday with 44C which I will be in Melbourne for (their forecast is only 40).  

Check what every one is doing on Kate's blog.  

15 Minute Challenge

I'm in the middle of room reno's and Christmas sewing.  Sorry no photo's until closer to Christmas.

This week was a 6 out of 7.  Saturday I just veg'd out in front of the TV and no sewing was achieved. We've been watching the Crown on Netflix and even Mo has got engrossed in it.

So how did you go.  Check out everyones progress at Kate's

15 Minute Challenge & Wedding Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary 24 years and this year has been pretty good, not so many ups and downs as last year. Maybe we will start planning on doing something big for our 25th.  

Stitching wise its been 7 out of 7 again, but I have to say my sewing mojo is a bit lacking so though there has been progress on the top border not an awful lot.  

Maestro has moved into his new room and we have cleaned out his old room, we just have to find space for some of his stuff that my husband is loathed to get rid of...mainly all his Dr Who memorabilia.   

I managed to pick up some new bed linen for Mo in the Black Friday sales.  Still need a few things and think about curtains etc but that can wait for now.  

Mo was after a rather large ticket item for her Christmas and Birthday this year and I managed to find it below RRP so saved a bit of money on that.  Maestro is after a coffee machine, so I am trying to find one that uses reusable pods.  

When we first moved into this house the yard was full of geraniums.  I hated the smell and we pulled them all out.  But over the years I have collected a couple of new varieties which aren't as strong in odour but the flowers are striking and they grow with minimal effort.  

So how did you go this week.  I'm hoping that my sewing mojo returns soon as I have a few things that I want to get done in the next couple of weeks for Xmas.    

My Cyber sale is on for another couple of days and it includes all my digital patterns with the exemption of Springtime Romance.   Block 6 of Springtime Romance is available for download here until the 7th.  

Check out Kate's page to see how everyone has gone this week.  

Springtime Romance Free BOM Block 6

Here we are again.  I've been a bit all over the place this week usually I have this post well and truly set up a couple of weeks before but I haven't managed it this time.  Too much going on with end of school and a few medical things for me happening at the moment.  Luckily the block is all made and the pattern is all finalised.

Hope you are still following on and collecting your patterns.  Love to see any blocks that you have worked on so far.  The top border is coming along slowly but I will be on holidays soon and will probably have more time to just sit and sew over the next month or so.... fingers crossed.

Don't for get to check out my Cyber Sale at the moment all digital patterns (except Springtime Romance) 50% off until 4/12/2019

Mo and I have been to a Vintage Clothes Market this morning and she picked up a tartan mini skirt, a cute blouse and a jacket.

Sorry this is no longer available for free.  If you wish to purchase available here 

Cyber Sale

All digital patterns 50% off with exception of Springtime Romance. Finishes lunchtime on 4/12/2019.

15 Minute Challenge Room Shuffle and count down to Holidays.

As you can see I have filled in a bit more of the top border.  There are 3 more large flowers to start and a couple of layers to finish on some of the others.  There is still lots to go but it is good to see that progress is happening week to week and you can't see it when it is sitting on your lap and you are stitching.  Another 7 out of 7 this week.  Though I admit some days I really haven't felt like stitching this week.

Mo finished her last exam today and she only has 2 more year 12 prep days to go.  She has been trying to get a summer job with not much success, though she had an interview last week and she thinks she may be in with a shot.  She is dragging me to a vintage clothes market next week she needs to get a job to feed her shopping habit.

The big room shuffle has started Maestro is just about moved into his Batch Pad, he is waiting on delivery of a bed and sofa later this week and the room will be set up.  We can't wait for his noise to be away from our bedrooms, as all his friends are finishing uni so it will be late night gaming sessions when he isn't working and I think he is planning on a party.

We bought paint for his old room where Mo will be moving to and the art room (her old room).  She wants all white but is going to paint a mural on one of the walls down the track in her bedroom and a chalk wall in the art room.  She wants new sheers in the bedroom and new bed linen, I think I will be waiting for the sales to start.  There is a lot prep to be done to the walls in Maestro's old room most the previous paint work on one side of the room is pretty bad and most of the wall will needs a new layer of plaster.  Most of it was hidden behind his furniture but Mo wants a different layout and we need to take this opportunity to fix it.

How did you go this week.  Check out all the progress at Kate's.  I'm off to sit and complete another couple of flowers.

15 Minute Challenge & Maestro has his License

I have been working on lots of different projects this week.  It has been another 7 out of 7 for the challenge.

There are a few more larger sections of the top border filled in but still a long way to go.

I have basted the quilt top that I started at my sewing retreat.  Found the perfect backing fabric (white with tiny bee hives and bees on it which went with the whole bee theme of the fabric range.

I made a knot headband for Mo, she has been using one that she got in Japan which is a pigs face complete with ears and snout so she doesn't like to wear it out.  She found it didn't flatten her curls and held them out of her face. They were ridiculously easy to make, I just need to purchase some stretch needles for my sewing machine before I go into production for her.  Here is the link to the tutorial I used.

She also has been at me to buy her some cloth pad's.  They aren't cheap to purchase but I found a pattern download on Etsy so I am going to give that a go.  However by the time I've shelled out for all the components I probably won't save much but at least she can experiment with them while she is not at school over the summer.  I can't say I am totally on board with the idea but if she is happy to do the cleaning she can have a go.

I have also started a boro bag.  There is lot of stitching to go.  I have nearly finished the 1" stitches, then I have to complete 1/2" and then 1/4 for the sides of the bag and the bottom.  This is probably going to take a while as I am just doing it when I need a break from appliqué at the moment.

Maestro got his drivers licence this week.  He works 40 minutes away and my husband has been doing the lion's share of drop off and pick up so him driving has eased that burden at least though parking will become an issue as they get closer to Christmas as the restaurant he works at is in large shopping centre but we will both be on leave for when he is working the most.

We are about to start the great room shuffle.... I've been trying to put it off as long as possible but with school finishing for Mo this week with a couple of 1/2 days for exams and next year prep I can't put it off anymore.  Maestro purchased a new bed frame last week and I came home from work to find he has  assembled it in the new room which I guess means I have to purchase the new mattress to go on it.

Well that's my stitching round up.  I leave you with a picture of Coco who featured on the dog groomers facebook page last week.  Unfortunately she only looks like this for a couple of days.  I think next time we will have to give her a closer cut as we are heading into hotter weather (this week we are heading for 42C).

How'd you go this week.  Check out everyone else's challenge at Kate's

15 Minute Challenge & Sewing Retreat

Last weekend was my sewing retreat with 2 partners in crime.  We headed down the coast for some eating, drinking and sewing.  We had a ball and a much needed recharge before getting into the silly season.

I restricted myself to 3 projects, though I did end up stitching up a quilt with a layer cake that I just have to had on my last day.   There was a little progress on the borders and a couple of blocks of Green Tea & Beans finished as well as some cutting of Liberty Fabric for Sugar Plum.

We will be having a big bedroom switch around over the summer break, Maestro will be moving out to a detached room to the house which Mo currently uses as her art studio.  Mo will be moving into Maestro's bedroom and have her art studio in her old room.  The quilt is for Mo's new room.

I was a bit unsure if Mo would like her new quilt, she wants all her linen to be white, but she said the quilt was perfect, so although the girls on the retreat offered to find it a home if it wasn't liked its all systems go for quilting over my summer break.

So this is a round up for 2 weeks and I can safely say that it has been 14 out of 14.  The top border is starting to fill in I have been preping some of the bigger flowers which fill things easily but there are lots and lots of little flowers to go as well.

Head to Kate's to see how everyone is traveling stitching wise this week.  

Springtime Romance Free BOM Block 5

How are your blocks going?  We are up to block 5, though I would suggest putting in your favourite Vase block here.  Block 7 was originally going to be in this spot but I liked this block more so it got centre stage.

By the time this posts I will be packed to head down the coast for another sewing weekend with my girlfriends so I have set this post up well in advanced mainly so I don't forget.  

I'm hoping that the top and bottom border are well under way by the time this goes up.  The last couple of nights I have been back basting leaves and getting started on the book on the bottom of the quilt.  Yesterday I stitched the side borders to the quilt I think I will see how well it sits on the bed and if I can trim down the sides a couple of inches at the moment they are 10 1/2" finished but so far it looks balanced, haven't decided if I will add extra flowers flowing down or up the sides from the top and bottom border which is tempting but I may be over it by the end.

What you have been waiting for Block 5.

You will now need to purchase the block from my Esty shop

The pattern will be available until 7/11/2019.  If you have any questions, add a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  Otherwise enjoy and I'll catch you next time.

15 minutes and a missed week

I didn't get round to doing a post last week.  Was just really lazy, by the time I remembered it was sit in front of the TV with my hubby for Xfiles reruns and I decided to just do a 2 weeks post this week.

Last week was a 7 out of 7 week
This week was a 6 out of 7 week

Work is progressing on top and bottom borders.  I transferred the pattern to the fabric and have prepared most of the leaves on both borders and started on the book on the bottom border.  I am just hoping hoping that it will look like a book when it is finished.  Last week I stitched the side borders in place.  And I have finished writing block 8 which is now in my etsy shop.

My iMac has been slowing up over the last 12 months, it only worried me when I used excel, most other programs weren't too bad though open software usually required a lot of waiting around.  DH was more impatient with it when searching the internet and start carrying on when he got the pretty spinny ball and nothing would load.  So he gave me the go ahead to get a new one and I spent half the weekend migrating my data.  I have to say the automated migration app is amazing it took a long time to migrate over our network but everything was where it was supposed to be with little effort from on my part.

This week I head off down the coast for a sewing retreat with friends.  I've restricted myself to 3 projects.  Springtime Romance Borders, Green Tea and Sweet Beans and Sugar Plum.   We will see how much gets done on the 4 days and a bit days.  Lots got done last time so I'm hoping it will be the same again this weekend.

So how did stitching go for you this week.  Head to Kate's for the linky party.  

15 Minute Challenge Side Border Nearly There

I managed 7 out of 7 this week.  The 2nd side border is nearly finished there are just flower centres to go.  I needed a bit of motivation this week as it has been a bit of hard slog stitching over the past couple of weeks so I pinned the borders and quilt up on my cupboards in my sewing room just to see how it was coming together.

I'm thinking I will trim them down to 10" finished instead of 12".  I'm undecided about the top and bottom borders, the illustration for the borders is based on 10" width so that I could fit them on an A4 sheet when printed.

It got me motivated enough and I have transferred most of the top border onto the fabric and all of the bottom border ready to start stitching.   I want the cluster of flowers to be centred and the books to be on the corner, so I will get the centre spray stitched then work out the position of the books once I am ready to put it together.

I'm also thinking of next years quilt and I've seen some appliqué quilts I like the look of on instagram this one has a white background.  I've done grey's and now black I think I'm going for a nice fresh white this time will give me something new to focus on.  Where do you get your inspiration, I usually see a quilt that I like the overall look and feel.  How the background and colours work together then try and do something that has a similar combination with my spin.

I have another sewing retreat planned at the beginning of November can't wait, I have to leave a day early as I have a Specialist appointment on the Tuesday afternoon but I think the 4 night will allow me to have a bit of a recharge with the girls and get lots of stitching done.

Have you managed some stitching every day this week.  Head to Kate's to see how everyone is getting on with the challenge.