A couple of finishes.....,

Actually its 2 Christmas finishes ......

feeling very pleased with myself.

Firstly is my "Christmas Belles"..... there is a bit of a long story about this quilt so rather than bore you to death I'll cut it short....

This is my second version of the quilt, the first was in 2007.... I decided to sell the quilt at the time as I didn't really want it for some silly reason and I was told by my friends " you will be sorry "  I do hate to say they were right. After a lot of thinking I decided to make it again ( I never make a quilt twice.... till now) I wanted to use all the same fabrics, after 7 years I was lucky enough to find nearly all the original fabrics in my stash and scrap box but the border did prove more difficult so many hours of googling went on and yep I found it at the "Quilter's Store" not far from home as it turns out.

 I needed 1.2 metres for border and binding but when I looked at the bolt of fabric I didn't think there was enough so the lady measured it...... and ....... there was 1.25mts on the bolt..... I couldn't believe it so naturally I snapped it up.

2014 

2007 

This quilt is for Gavan's chair at Christmas time of course..... I don't think he sees the point of changing his chair quilt but it just doesn't fit in at that time of year... not a man thing.

A simple Jelly Roll quilt.

So back to normal sewing now..... I'll give Christmas stuff a miss for the time being.

Quilt finish and swap pressies.

I've finally finished my "Jelly roll race" quilt and I'm very pleased with it, the colours are a bit out of the norm for me but I do like it for a change.
Ooooo I guess thats an OPAM too.

I ditch stitched the main part and on the border I made squares, you can't see it very well in this piccie as I used a matching thread. I was going to stipple the main area but seeing I'm the world's worst stippler went back to ditching.

My advent swap partner "Gai" ( no blog) has sent all these goodies and I can't wait for the 1st Dec to start opening the parcels.... well 1 each day should I say..... I will be good, I will be good.

Thanks Fee for organising this great swap.

Swaps and finishes

Well no.... this is not a finish but a start.... a bit of a fib there sorry...... its part of the Stitch-a-long.... SKOW not keen on that name so  I like to call it "Wonderful" quilt.

Here is a cute finish though please meet  "Totti" isn't she a sweetie ? another Annie Smith doll and yes I'm already working on the next doll..... just love making dolls.

                                      She really is so sweet.

This is a Jelly Roll quilt called "Pandora's Box", I'm still having trouble with my quilt holder....he thinks if he does a lousy job that I won't ask him anymore, he's so wrong hehehehe. I bought this fabric from Tereasa's shop "Homespun and Beautiful" she has this range and others on sale, its always good to get a bargain when we can.

It was great to get all my swaps finished and posted so now I can get on with a couple of other gifts for family and friends. I had better get a move on with those though as the days just seem to be going faster than they used to..... or am I just getting old.... nah couldn't be.
                                       These are for Friends in Stitching group.

Ooooops nearly showed you a gift with the ladies name on it ...tut tut very naughty..... its a secret.
                                      These gifts are for an Advent Swap.

                                  Friends in Stitching Ornie swap.

Phew thats about it for the moment, can't add much to the OPAM list until my partners have opened their pressies. Now off to do a little stitching.

News overload

Lots of news today... we went to the Beaudesert Quilters Retreat at Mt. Tamborine last weekend, fortunately it wasn't as cold as last year and of course we did enjoy ourselves.
We went to Gallery Walk for coffee and cake, then on to look at a few of the shops then back to the retreat.

Tereasa enjoying her yummie cake.

                                  Sandi  had scones and boy were they huge.

                 This is the project I worked on .... a jelly roll quilt.

                                               Tereasa busy busy busy.

The theme of the camp was Masquerade/Bling and lots of the ladies really get into the swing of it all.

                   We only wore masks.... pretty nice trio I think..... a matching set.

                   The lovely Noela in her black and white number.

                  We also have to make a placemat with the theme in mind.

There was a paper bag swap of fabric and we all received a cute name tag and bling bag.

       Here is my Jelly roll quilt with borders added, very happy with this one.

Tuesday was craft day with the girls and we decided to have a jelly roll race only 3 of us joined in but we still had a great time.... I came last.

                                                       Teresa and Mary working away.

                                   

  3 little quilst all in a row, we all used Bali Pops and the colours are really lovely.

We also had a visit from Jo (she now lives in NZ)  it was great to have the original gang back together.

Here is my jelly roll quilt top, I added a peeper as well as the border.