What happened in April

Looking back, it  seems that April has been a very productive month.  Mind you, we have all been in Level 4 Lockdown here in New Zealand, just moving to Level 3 with similar restrictions, so hardly any tripping around at all.  I remember that I often used to comment on my lack of stitching endeavours, saying something like “not much time for sewing as we will be away in the caravan this weekend etc”.  Well, during Lockdown that hasn’t happened for a while and all weekends lately have been spent at home, including Easter and Anzac weekends.  So….. a quick recap of the month.

First up was number 4 on my list.  I completed an apron and placemats, using caravan themed fabric I had received a birthday or two ago.  Wonder when we will get to go away for a caravan trip again, could well be some time, I think.

For the caravan

Then I assembled my “Under the Sea”  Block of the Month stitchery designed by Willowberry Designs in 2010.  These blocks had been hanging around much too long so I am  really pleased they have seen the light of day again.  The layers are all safety  pinned together now, so I’ll be ready to get on with the machine quilting soon when number 5 of the dice roll comes around again.

Under the Sea

Tane Mahuta was number 6 on my list.  Inspired by the Tiny Tree stitch-along by Temecula Quilt Co  the idea for this project evolved and grew.  Using two New Zealand batik designs, kowhai tree and ferns, I decided to make the blocks a little bigger and stitched pinwheel blocks instead of the multiple block designs which were offered.  I like to imagine the two fabrics show sunlight filtering down through the branches of this magnificent tree.  My little wall hanging is a tribute  to Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest, which is New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree.  Growing in the Waipoua Forest of Northland, New Zealand it is  estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old.

Tane Mahuta

Christmas Coins tablecloth was not on my list at all, but soon became my next finish.  All the Christmas coins were small scraps and strips hanging around, some longer than others, wider strips, and narrow ones too. Originally this started as a leader and ender project, just sewing strips together while I was working on something else.  Why not just keep working and finish it, I thought, so I did.

Christmas Coins

After reading about making covers to put on the handles of supermarket trollies, thanks to Cynthia Cynthia, on her blog “Quilting is more fun than housework”, read about it here,  I just had to have a go myself.  They didn't take too long to make, and I chopped up and used an existing small table topper.  Luckily I had some Velcro tucked away to use for the fastenings. It seems a great idea to use these, take them home to wash, and pack away till the next visit,  not only protecting us from Covid 19 but also from coughs, colds and other germs.

Two covers for supermarket trolley handles

And lastly, I’ve assembled blocks from my supply of neutral string blocks.  I had stitched quite a few of these for  when I started on “Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll”, a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.  Then I decided that Bonnie's quilt have too many little pieces for me to deal with, and the blocks were tucked away.  This is the second child’s donation quilt using these blocks, and this time I’m using teal blue sashing.

Neutral strings quilt top

What else has happened this month?  I’ve kept up to date with making blocks for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects.  We celebrated both Easter and Anzac Day at home, and Gemma had a birthday, she is now two yeas old.  I’ve made a several different pots of soup, so comforting I always think,  tried some  new recipes for dinner, and done some baking.  Many thanks to the gift of a big bag of flour sent down from my daughter Nicky as none could be found on the supermarket shelves.   It’s certainly been a busy month!