Setting my One Monthly Goal for October

I can't believe that it is already October, and therefore, time to set my OMG for the month.

September was a busy month. However, October is going to be even busier, with something on every weekend and welcoming some very special visitors to stay with us.  As a result, I don't expect to spend a great deal of time in the sewing room, meaning that once again, I am setting rather modest goals.

My main goal will, as usual, be to make four Splendid Sampler 2 blocks.  The remaining blocks are getting to be a bit more detailed, so that is all I will reasonably expect to get done.  Any more will be a bonus.

In the background I will make my final three blocks for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt.  This month's colour is black/brown/grey and my blocks have already been completed.  I will finish these three extras and then share them all.

Then the fun part will take place next month, playing with placement and putting the top together.

I'd like to get some extra stitching in there, but anything further will be a bonus.  Maybe November will be a bit more productive.  We'll see.

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over and see what the others will be working on this month.....probably a lot more than me.

I Sewed in September

It's been a bit quiet around here during September, but that doesn't mean that life has been quiet, rather quite the opposite, just no blogging.

Happily, I did meet the stitching goals I set myself at the beginning of the month.

Firstly, the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I already had the purple blocks completed from previous leaders and enders.

Therefore, I had set myself the goal of completing a further three bonus blocks to help make a slightly larger quilt.  I have another three cut out to make the final number of blocks.

Next, my One Monthly Goal was to complete six Splendid Sampler 2 blocks.

 

Job done!  It wasn't even a last minute rush.  I was surprised to find that there were still some relatively simple blocks to complete.  Of course, each month means the more detailed blocks remain.

Each month I also like to have at least one finished project for One Project a Month with Kris.  On Friday it was time to make something.  

A new ironing board cover was very much needed.

Whenever I've been ready for a new ironing board cover I've just found some fabric I like and delivered it to Mum with a request for her to make it for me.  Now that she lives in residential aged care I can't do that.  Time to put on my big girl pants and make my own.

Normally, I buy a drill fabric, but lately I haven't been able to find anything that I like, or the design is directional and would be sideways on the board. I kept looking each time I was in the fabric shop. Then, recently, I spied a fabric in the clearance bin in the home decor fabric section that I liked, and best of all, it was only $3.00 a metre and was 150cm wide.  That meant that I could have the directional print going the correct way.  I bought two metres, as the fabric doesn't look as durable as the drill, so I figured I could make two and it would still be cheaper than the normal fabric, and with less waste.

 I know it sounds silly, but I felt rather intimidated by this make, as I have no pattern to go by.  Time to bight the bullet and cut a pattern off my existing version.  The style works really well as it is fitted around the pointy end of the board, not just elastic all the way around.   I don't know where Mum got the pattern, but I'm guessing she cut it off an ironing board cover that she bought many years ago.

 I wasn't going to unpick the stitching to see how it comes together, so I just cut it off and then added a seam allowance.

This is how it looked when placed on the fold.

So, really all you have to do is cut the end of the fabric at an angle, for the pointy end and round the corners for the other end. Run a zig zag all the way around and then press under about an inch wide casing around the edge starting at the start of the angled cut.  Next, lay it flat with the seam up the middle, like in the photo further up, and draw a curve, which I took off the original cover.  I then stitched on the line a couple of times for strength and cut off the excess leaving half an inch seam allowance.  Thread your elastic and stitch down the ends.  

Too simple.  It really was a quick easy project.  My curve at the pointy end isn't quite right, but it will certainly do the job.  Next time I may cut a pattern for the curve off my actual ironing board.  

Now to put it on the ironing board.

Ta da!  Do you notice something amiss?  Yep, the pattern is upside down!! Duh!!  What a duffer.  However, as you walk into my sewing room it is facing the right way.  It would be perfect for left handed people and also, they say that it is clever to turn your ironing board around the other way to iron yardage or table cloths.  It would be facing the right way for that too.  Oh well, I'm still going to use it as it is.

While I was on a roll, and most importantly, while I had the fabric direction in my head, I made a second version.  This time facing the correct way.  It has now been put away, together with my old one to use as my pattern, for when the current version wears out. 

They certainly look nice and fresh compared to my very stained one. 

I still have some left over fabric, but just  not quite enough for another version.  However, I reckon if I add a bit of something else to the top and bottom, it would be hidden underneath, so we may make another one shortly.

I'm linking up with So Scrappy and Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over and see what the others have made this time.

One Monthly Goal for September

It's that time again - time to decide what to achieve during the next month.

Life always seems to start to get busy in September, what with the warmer weather and longer days.  Not as much time to spend in the sewing room.

Therefore, in keeping with my plan of setting achievable goals each month I plan to make six blocks towards my Splendid Sampler quilt. 

In the background, I will work on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  As I've been using them as a leader and ender project, I've actually made all the ones I prepared at the start of the year.  So what's a girl to do, but cut out another six blocks to make a larger quilt.  I hope to get at least three of those made.

Hopefully, I will get a little something else made so that I can keep up with my plan of having at least one finish each month for One Project a Month.

I do think that is all achievable....well, at least I hope it is.

Pop over to Patty at Elm Street Quilts to see what other plans are being made for September.

Virus Meets Granny Shawl - Another Finish

You may remember I bought a ball of yarn at the Sydney Craft Show back in June and started crocheting the Virus Meets Granny Shawl.  You can read about my progress and where to locate the pattern and tutorial over here.

I started the project in July and happily I finished it in August.  You've no idea how happy I am about that.  These sorts of projects are often the ones that get put aside and become a UFO, but not this time.

So, how did it turn out?

Rather well, I think.  When I started I despaired that the colours weren't changing fast enough, but when it is finished they are just fine.  

I'm pleased that I added the granny panels, as it adds a bit of interest.  It was much easier to make than it looks, being just chain, double crochet and trebles (UK terms).

I wanted it to be drapey so I could wear it as a scarf rather than a shawl.  It looks OK on Victoria, so hopefully I will get some wear out of it, but that will be more for next winter.

I have a bit of the yarn left over, but I'm not sure if it is enough to do anything much with and it is all a rather similar very pale blue to grey.

I've been surprised at how much I have enjoyed doing some crochet during the cooler  months.  I have another ball of Caron Cake yarn, so there will be some more in the future, but once again, that will be for next winter.......I think.

The best thing is that I have a project to link with Kris' One Project a Month.  Happy Dance.

Splendid Sampler 2 Blocks for August

As usual, my goal was to complete four Splendid Sampler 2 blocks in August.

I've gone through the book and marked all the remaining blocks I need to make and was surprised that there were some relatively simple blocks, so those were the ones I chose.

I know that I am making the future months a bit harder for myself, but the way around that may be to make them my main goal in some months and reduce the other goals.  I'm determined to make this goal setting caper work well for me and to get this quilt finished in under two years. It was started in June 2018, so we are tracking OK. 

On that front, I am so pleased that since I have started One Monthly Goal at the beginning of last year, I have not only completed quite a few UFOs (although not as many as I had hoped), but I have not created any either.  I have finished projects or have been actively progressing them each month.  It is working so well.

Anyway, I'm pleased with these few little blocks.  They were a pleasant way to spend last Saturday afternoon.

Now to decide which ones to work on next month.