Chookshed Challenge for July

Number 1 was chosen for the Chookshed Challenge for July.   My number 1 was to make three unicorn cushions for donation.  

The last of the small unicorn panels

These small panels were left over from making the unicorn quilt which was gifted to my friend's great granddaughter a wee while ago.

Charlotte loves her unicorn quilt

First I had to buy some cushion inners, then I was all set to go.  A couple of afternoons spent cutting and stitching and they were all done.  That didn't take too long at all.

Three unicorn cushions

I will send the floral cushion to Charlotte, to go with her quilt, and the other two will go to the Foster Hope charity for kids in foster care.

With these cushions done and dusted, I had one more cushion to do.  You may remember that last month's Chookshed Challenge was to make a train quilt and cushion.  The quilt was completed but I ran out of time to make the cushion.

Chookshed Challenge for June

I'm pleased to say that the cushion has now been made.  The stitchery was a gifted pattern and I completed it  some time ago, it was  just waiting to be put to good use.  So here we are, I'm pleased with how the quilt and cushion look together.

All done

Now that is out of the way I have time to concentrate on a couple of birthday gifts I'm making.  And do some more stitching on my daughter's big birthday quilt for next year.  The months are slipping away and I want to get it made in plenty of time.

I'm enjoying taking part in the Chookshed Challenge each month, many thanks to the organisors.  It is certainly helping me to get some of these older projects moved along.

Hand Stitching

I've been busy doing a little hand stitching lately.   On Saturday I attended a stitch-in day, organized by my quilt club.  The weather was miserable, wet and drizzly, but the hall was nice and toasty with the heat pumps working hard.  Others were machining away, but I don't like to take my sewing machine away from home theses days, it is just so heavy for me to load into the car and take it out at the other end.  So I make sure I have plenty of hand work instead.  Yesterday I starting  hand stitching the binding down on one of the big quilts I had commercially quilted a while ago ago.  I didn't get it all stitched down, but I've made a good start on it.  

Binding time

Eight ladies braved the wet and cold conditions to come and stitch for a while.  We stopped for a mid morning cuppa, and a lunch break.  It's always nice to stitch with company, isn't it.  By 2.00pm we all decided to pack up and head home.

Today, Sunday, I decided to make blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  I'd found a Jamie Oliver recipe, knew I had some frozen blueberries in the freezer, so whipped them up.  It was a nice simple recipe and I served them with whipped cream, extra blueberries and a drizzle of genuine maple syrup, all the way from Canada.  They didn't turn out perfectly round, but I must say they were absolutely delicious!

Blueberry pancakes for Sunday breakfast

I've been stitching away on a quilt label today, almost there.  I had just written the info with my pigma pen, but decided to stitch over the words.  Then I can attach it to the backing and share a photo of my completed quilt.  

Stitching a quilt label

As for my socks, they have come to a bit of a standstill.  I'm up to the heels, but need to spend a bit of time, sitting quietly on my own, while I read the pattern and mark off each row.  I've knitted heels plenty of times, but really need to concentrate.

Perhaps you remember the oven mitts I completed recently?  I posted them to my granddaughter Megan last week and received a thank you snap chat.

Thank you from Megan

My daughter Nicky has asked if I can make her oven mitts for her birthday, so I'm not finished with them yet.  That's next on my list to do.

Sew Wot Tuesday

 Oh dear, I went to this Sew Wots this week and forgot to take my camera and notebook with me.  Guess it's because I rushed out the door in a hurry.  Luckily Heather and Carol sent me a couple of photos later.  So there are no photos of Show and Tell this time.  I'll try and do better next time.  A shame as there were several knitted items, a pretty quilt, plus I had taken my two new oven mitts I had made for my granddaughter Megan to show.  These are now in the post winging their way to her.

This was a special day as Sandra was celebrating her 70th birthday.  And what a lot of lovely gifts she opening up.  All sorts of surprises were unwrapped, from hand lotion, wool, quilting fabric and a gift card for her to buy something special with.  

Sandra opening her birthday gifts

Sandra's sister Darla had come  over from Australia to spend a couple of weeks with Sandra, so she was warmly welcomed too.  And as we found out, Darla and Helen were in the same classroom as little girls at school for a couple of years.

Carol had made a scummy morning tea, plus there was a cream sponge with candles especially for the birthday girl.  

Darla, Helen, Sandra, Heather, Jenny, Carol and Jude

Many thanks to Carol for  being the hostess - she even had put a few balloons up for the birthday celebrations.  We all had such a lovely morning, and it was so nice to share in Sandra's special day.

This Binding was hard to Stitch

 I had a request from my granddaughter Megan for another oven mitt a while ago.  So I thought I had better get cracking and get on with it.  I like to make double handed oven mitts with hessian backing, insulbrite in the middle for heat resistance, and often another layer too - pieces of an old thin towel work great.  So I chose some strips and got sewing, deciding on one pink and the other one black/grey/teal.  I also like to stitch a double binding on the front, flip it over and hand stitch the back.  It's always a  bit more difficult to stitch through the hessian, just as well I used a nice strong needle.  My binding clips certainly came in handy keeping the binding in place.

Stitching the binding down

And here they are, all finished.  I really can't help myself, although the fabrics are scrappy, I just had to make sure the strips on each were "matching", so to speak.  I blame it on my star sign being Libra, the sign of the scales, even and balanced.  That's my story, anyway,

One blue, one pink

Megan and her  boyfriend own their own home, and Megan is a very keen cook.  I know she will appreciate these new oven mitts.

Shades of Teal

This month it is shades of teal for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge stitching, teal, turquoise and aqua. Not a colour I have a lot of, but I managed to find enough to get my blocks done.  Hollow Nines were stitched first.  I'm only using the 2.5in squares tucked away in my bag, and found enough to make two blocks.  I'm sure I've mentioned before that I don't really like working with little squares, and it will be interesting to see how many squares remain at the end of the year.

Two Hollow Nine blocks

I could only find two 5in squares for Happy Blocks.  One turquoise one with some rather strange looking girls, and the other was wiggly stripes.  Then there were three of my previously stitched four patch blocks which fit the bill, containng flowers, swirling sea, bicycle parts and teddies.

Just a couple of Happy Blocks and Framed Four Patches

My missing Pirate blocks have been tracked down, after hiding away, and I'll get to them later.  At least I now know where they are, after those cheeky pirates were missing in action.

Gemma has decided that snoozing on our bed during the day is a good way to pass some time.  Otherwise she likes to curl up in front of the large windows where the sun comes streaming in.  Cats certainly have the best life, don't they.  This quilt is Soul Searching, designed by Kathy Doughty.

Gemma is very comfy, thank you.

What's on the Table?

 What's on the table today?  It's one of my "holiday" tableclothes which was started during our 2018 summer caravan trip touring the South Island. 

Ooops, Blogger wont let me turn the photo

 I prepared little blocks using New Zealand designed fabrics, with plain cream to write messages on.  Each evening after our adventures, I wrote where we stayed, and places of interest that we visited. 

 

These are the blocks I prepared for our trip

While we were travelling around I started stitching the New Zealand floral wreath blocks.  I can remember sitting outside under the caravan awning, stitching away, a very pleasant way to pass the time for an hour or two after we had comnpleted our sightseeing for the day.

My first block stitched during our South Island holiday.

We had wonderful trip and this tablecloth is full of memories.

Sew Wot Tuesday and Medical Stuff

 Our Sew Wot Tuesday rolled around again, and rather than have us all drive way out into the country to her rural home, Helen arranged for us to meet at the LQS Fox's Cottage again.  Only five of us could make it this time.  We gathered in the class room at the back of the shop, and Helen had brought morning tea for us and to share with the shop staff - no wonder they are always so happy to see us.  

There wasn't so much show and tell this time, although Helen stunned us with her glorious black and white top, with just a sprinkling of colour throughout.  This was started during Covid lockdown, she told us.

Helen's black and white quilt top

Jude had completed one sock, and was just starting the second,  this was a new to her method knitting socks on two needles, usually she whizzes them up on four tiny double pointed needles.

Jude's new sock with self striping yarn

And I had brought along my recently completed Thomas and Friends cot quilt.

Thomas and Friends

I had to leave the ladies early to drive home, have a quick lunch, then take the Health Shuttle up to Palmerston North Hospital for my oncologist appointment.  I had plenty of time to wait, so settled down in the staff cafe with a coffee and my knitting.

Sock knitting at the hospital

My appointment went well, the results from my mammogram are excellent, and Dr Claire is happy with everything.  Because I took part in a drug trial I get to see the oncologist for 10 years after my diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, instead of the usual 5 years.  So I can't complain about that, it means an extra 5 years of care.  I boarded the 5.00pm Health Shuttle and we drove home in darkness in the pouring rain, it had been a long afternoon indeed.

Today was Gemma's turn for medical care.  She was bundled into her carry cage and off to the Vet for a check up and vaccinations.  No, she was not happy about the change to her usual quiet day, but tolerated the poking and prodding very well.  The vet, a young woman who came out from Canada pronounced Gemma fit and healthy, with a beautiful coat, and gorgeous eyes!

Where are you taking me?

Both of us have a clear bill of health, so that is good to know.

Chookshed Challenge no 10

 The end of June has rolled around and it's time to report on my Chookshed Challenge number 10.  Here is how it all started.  I had a nice piece of fabric featuring Thomas and Friends with the idea to make into a cot quilt.  Also a small embroidered piece which was to be turned into a matching cushion.

This was my starting point.

The plan was to add borders to the fabric, and luckily I had some red  fabric in my stash for another project, but there was more than enough for me to cut off  several strips.  And there was just enough of a piece of navy fabric for the inner borders.  I pinned the three layers together ready for quilting.  Pinning on the floor is not easy, I should have used the patio table as I usually do.

Pinning down on the floor is not easy

Next was the quilting, quite simple really, serpentine stitch diagonally and vertically.  This however, took me much longer than I anticipated as I cannot sit at the sewing machine for hours at a stretch.  I have to look after my back.

Simple quilting lines

With the quilting finally completed, it was binding time, always my favourite part of the process.  I just love those cute colourful binding clips, and I always use plenty.  I did need to purchase some more navy fabric to use for the binding, I've got plenty left as solids are always so useful.

All clipped up and ready to go

Thomas and Friends

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to work on the cushion.  Perhaps next month.

Sew Wot Tuesday

 We had a Sew Wot Tuesday with a difference this week - Helen had arranged for us to meet at Fox's Cottage.  

This is such a lovely local quilt shop, and has a wonderful range of fabrics, patterns, notions and classes.  I know some of us took the opportunity for a little retail therapy while we were there.  I purchased some more pinks and greens for my daughter's big birthday quilt.

This is only one corner of the shop, there is plenty more

I wasn't able to attend the previous get-together, so there was a lot of catching up to do. We were working too, of course, there was a bit of sock knitting going on, some EPP, and a binding being stitched down.

Jenny, Carol, Jude, Helen, Mary and Heather

 And Show and Tell of course, there was plenty of that.  Carol had finished another group of baby toys, a singlet and hat to be donated to the Neo Natal Ward.

Carol's donations

Heather had been knitting too, and brought along a baby jacket and hat, plus a pair of socks for her hubby.  She had also made a Walkabout quilt, a request from her daughter to give to her friend.  

Made  by Heather

And this was a bit different, a bright green apron with a pussy cat print for Heather's daughter.  We were all quite intriuged with this design.  There were some interesting class samples hanging up on the wall behind Heather.

Nice and bright, just what Heather's daughter ordered

I had brought along my recently finished Kiwi placemats to show.

My Kiwi placemats

Helen was working on something different, a sashiko teddy bear kit she was  making for a class sample.  This is going to be really cute when it is finished.

Helen's project

There was plenty of morning tea to share, and the owners and staff came to join us, between customers.  It was such a lovely morning.

Plenty of morning tea

Mid Month Chookshed Challenge

 There's a happy group of stitchers working on their Chookshed Challenge number each month.   We had to pick ten challenges, UFOs, or things we wanted to start,  and number them 1 - 10.   This is my number 10.   I purchased this fabric to make a simple cot quilt for a little boy.  Somewhere along the line I also embroidered a little engine, which would make a nice little cushion to  go with the quilt.

My challenge for June

This is rather like a panel quilt, as I'm using this train design, Thomas and friends, in one piece.  Two borders were added, a navy blue inner border, then a red border.  I then spent some time on my knees pinning the layers together.  So that's a good start.

Next is the quilting, I'll be working on that soon.  And I do hope I get the cushion made too, we will have to wait and see how the time goes on that.

Happy Birthday Socks

 Now they have been received, I can show the birthday socks knitted for my long term friend from my schooldays, Merilyn.  These were rather special as I used Merilyn's double knit cream home spun wool which she had sent to me, plus a commercial sock yarn.  These two yarns knitted up to triple knit, or 12ply, and make a lovely cozy pair of socks.  This is what remains.

The left overs

I've hunted high and low for a photo of the completed socks, to no avail.  But I can show this one, looks like I have just finished the heels, and was now starting on the feet.  I knit my socks flat, two at a time, and when completed, stitch up the side seams.  The coloured sock yarn knits up as little specks of colour throughout with Merilyn's cream home spun, quite a nice effect.  Sometimes you just don't know how the colours will turn out till you get started.  

Birthday socks for Merilyn

We had a nice chatty phone call, and she is thrilled with her socks, they fit perfectly, she said.  That's a relief, I made them to fit me, and as we are a similar size, just hoped our feet were too.  Here is a photo of us together earlier in the year, when Merilyn and her hubby came up to Wellington for her brother's funeral.

Old school friends together

As for my other knitting, it's coming along slowly.  I've two pair of socks on the go, plus a blue wool cardigan for me.  I had wanted to do an easy lacy pattern, but try as I might, it just didn't work out.  I'd knit the lacy row, and find out I had an extra stitch somewhere along the way, that just doesn't do in lacy patterns does it.  After unravelling my knitting for the fourth time, I'd had enough, and decided to do a simple textured pattern instead.  I just wanted a design simple enough that I could sit and knit without thinking too much in the evenings, or while knitting in the car.  This will be a long term project - after all, I will have to keep knitting socks too, won't I.

My new knitting project, the colour is more blue than shown here

Blue Blocks

I've been busy stitching away at my blue blocks this week.  Nice easy blocks so it hasn't been too onerous.  What takes the time is choosing what fabric to frame some of the blocks with.  I found three charm squares in blue tones to make Happy blocks, birds and owls, Micky and Minnie Mouse and pretty coloured hearts on a navy blue background.  The four patch blocks, stitched up last year and ready and waiting to be assembled, contain black scotty dogs and a little more of the birds and owls fabric.

Happy blocks and framed four patches in blue

Next were my Hollow Nine blocks in blue.  I'm only using pre cut squares tucked away in a little bag for this project.  It yielded enough squares for five blocks, two in dark blue and three in pale blue.  There are some repeats but I don't really mind about that, I just want this bag of squares used up!

Five Hollow Nine blocks, using up my pre cut squares

I still have to frame my pirate blocks, but Houston, I have a problem.  These have been carefully put away and I can't find them!  Guess I'll have to check some UFO bags in case they have been put in the wrong bag by mistake.  That's what happens when you have various UFOs on the go.

Unicorns for Charlotte

 You may remember that I stitched pretty little quilt featuring unicorns a while ago.  It started like this, a cute panel that was looking for a new home, courtesy of Sew Wot member Helen.  The unicorns popped into my bag quick smart - I was sure that I could do something nice with them.  Gemma thought so too, as she inspected the panel.

Approved  by Gemma

So I cut the panels apart, sashed them with different fabrics from my stash, assembled the blocks and added a purple border.  Then one sunny day I pinned the three layers together on the patio table outside.  Serpentine quilting finished off the quilt,  and then I enjoyed sitting and hand stitching the binding down, always my favourite part of the process.  

Our friends were visiting a month or so ago and Trish spotted the unicorn quilt on my quilt rack.  "My great-grand daughter loves unicorns", she exclaimed.  So it was packed up for Trish to pass on to Charlotte.  I was happy for the quilt to go to a little girl who loves unicorns.

Charlotte drew me a picture as a thank you, how sweet was that!  Trish has mentioned several times that Charlotte loves her "blanket".  It's a quilt, I gently remind her.

We have a monthly get-together with these long term friends.  In the old days when we were all so much younger and fitter we would climb hills, go for long walks, and explore all sorts of interesting places.  Over the years our numbers have declined from 12 to just 5.  These days we mostly "do lunch",  and they joined us for lunch during the week at a local cafe.  Yummy food, and plenty of chatter, putting the world to rights. 

Jenny, Helen, Calvin, Robin and Trish

Then it was back to our home for coffee and cake, and even more chatter.  The day was a lovely calm and sunny winter's day, although certainly getting cooler.  Gemma came to see who the visitors were, wound herself around peoples legs, then jumped up onto Robin for a cuddle.

Robin and Gemma

It was a lovely relaxing day, catching up with old friends.