The Final January Finish - Blossie Basket

I have been seeing some rather cute Blossie Baskets popping up here and there.  It is a design by Nic of Craftapalooza, a West Australian designer.

She announced that she was having a stitch along, so I decided to join in.  Why not?  It is a quick and easy project.

The hardest decision is the fabric choice.  There are so many versions out there in so many different styles.  In the end I decided to raid my 1930s fabrics.  Initially, I was going to use a variety of colours, but in the end just used a selection of pretty blues.  Then to choose the contrast fabric or fabrics.  The winner ended up being a micro dot with red and green dots.  It is actually a Christmas print, but works well here.

The next fun part was making all the hexies.  They were the ideal project to work on at my Wednesday stitching group last week.  The pattern suggested hand quilting each hexy, but I like the finish of machine sewn…….and I’m lazy.

Today, I joined them into the little lidded basket.  So sweet.

Inside, the bottom hexy is reversed.  The pattern calls for a felt needle keep under the lid.  I was also too lazy to make that, but wanted a neat finish to the elastic closure.  The mini hexy finishes it off nicely.

This is my first project that was started and finished in 2026.  Happy dance.

My Goals For January

Here we are, at the start of a shiny New Year, complete with all the enthusiasm to get lots done and join in on everything.  I certainly have a lot I wish to achieve this month.  Let’s see how I go.

Firstly, I need to confirm that I did complete my jigsaw puzzle yesterday, which I am very pleased about, as I was using my cutting mat as a jigsaw mat and I want my cutting mat back to use.

My goals each month will be partly determined by the number drawn for the Chookshed Stitchers 2024 Challenge.  

The number this month is 6, which is the Scrub Stitchin’ Bag that we received at Baradine last year.  This worked out rather well, as quite a few of us have listed that project at number 6 and it also means that it will hopefully be completed to take along to Scrub Stitchin’ in April.

While I was pleased to have this as the first project, I suddenly wondered where the kit actually was.  Oops.  Fortunately, it was in only the third place I looked for it.  Those who know me well, are aware that I only do machine blanket stitch applique.  Well, I have decided that this will be a good project to try a little bit of needle turn.  It is time I had another go at it.

Now that I know what I need to do there, I can look at my other goals for the month.

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

My goal will be the Scrub Stitchin’ Bag. I did have another idea, but it will now be in the background and hopefully, I can at least get a little done on that project as well.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

The colour this month is green.  I intend to make two blocks for the split nine patch.  A very simple make.

JUST TWO CHARM PACK QUILT ALONG

This has been planned for a little while. When Susan from Granny Smith’s Quilting visited late last year she gifted me half of a layer cake of Bonnie and Camille’s Vintage Modern range, being the equivalent of two charm packs.  She proposed that we both join in with the quilt along.  The idea is that you can make any of the quilts in the book.  

I have chosen one called “Betty”, which is fairly simple, but should look really effective with the fabrics.  

I have added white and a patterned grey that was lurking in a bottom drawer for the background, sashing and border.  The plan is that we cut it out on 2 January, and then work on the next stages each two weeks, with a big reveal of the quilts in the middle of March.  It should be fun and very doable.

15 MINUTES A DAY

This worked so well for me last year, so I intend to keep at it.

Thanks to all the ladies who take the trouble to make these challenges possible.

Other than the Scrub Stitchin’ Bag, this is what I hope to do:

• Work on a donation project
• Use Monique
• Do some knitting or crochet - probably work on the Spiked Granny Rug
• Work on a UFO or WIP - just not sure what as yet
• Complete something - hopefully the Scrub Stitchin’ Bag

NON STITCHING GOALS

These remain much the same as usual:

• Read a book
• Try a new recipe
• Go away with the caravan - very unlikely, due to busy school holiday time
• Have a fun day out

In addition to these, I want to get our home office under control again.

That little lot should keep me out of trouble.  I’ll report back at the end of the month with progress.

Phew! I Made it on Time

The main goal I had for October was to complete the top of my Churn Dash quilt, both as my One Monthly Goal and for the finish line for the Churn Dash Stitch Along.  I didn’t even get it out to have a look at until Friday.  Nothing like leaving thing to the last minute.

On Friday evening I pulled out the blocks and roughly laid them out on the “Design Floor”.

Of course Joey had to have his input.

After a bit of a fiddle this was the layout of the blocks.

We were busy on Saturday, so no progress was made.

Yesterday afternoon I started to stitch on the sashings.

In my happy place.

My first plan had been to use the background fabric for the setting stones, but when i was playing, it looked far too bland, as the sashing fabric is a rather faded looking red.  Thinking back to our Zoom get together last Saturday, I recalled the discussions regarding Janet’s corner stones.  In the end, I took inspiration from her quilt and hunted out a fat quarter of a cheddar/gold fabric and used that, to give a “pop” to the quilt.  I hope Joey approves.  Every time I went to get another row to stitch together, he had scooted them all over the place.  At least it wasn’t a problem once the blocks were in rows.

The fabric has a touch of red, to tie in with the sashings, and coincidentally, the blue setting triangles have a touch of cheddar.  Looking at things, I suppose a light blue would have worked as well, to tie in with the setting triangles.

I had the top stitched all except the final two long seams by bed time, so finished those off this morning.  I’m calling it done for the purposes of my goals.  I haven’t trimmed the edges yet, and will do that when it is time to quilt.  I had considered adding a border or two, but in the end decided that I will just bind it with the red fabric.  I have JUST enough…..I hope.  

I’m pretty happy with how it has turned out.  The only fabric I bought especially for this quilt was the background fabric, which will also be used for the backing.  Now it has to wait in the quilting queue for the machine quilting………which may be a while, as I will be quilting it on “Monique”, my mid arm machine, when I get the confidence and skill to work on a large quilt.  That is three in the queue now.  

Thanks Chooky for providing the inspiration for this little stitch along.

I will also be linking up with Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal.  Pop over to see what the other girls have been up to.

Off to See the Wizard and Goals for October

We interrupt this program to advise that we have arrived home on Thursday 29 September, exactly twelve weeks after we left home.  I will continue to post the rest of the trip in the next few days.

In the mean time, it is time to set my goals for October.

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

This month I will resume working on the churn dash quilt.  I have everything ready to go, so my goal is to stitch all the blocks together into a top. I’m looking forward to seeing all together.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

Last month the colour was light blue, so I have to make the blocks for that.  August was Orange.  I still have to make the 30s nine patches in that colour.  I”m not sure what the colour is this month, so will do those as well.  This is the last month of colours, so will then have to see where I am up to for putting together quilt tops.

EDIT: The colour for October is lime or light green. 

ONE PROJECT A MONTH

I don’t have any specific plans for this month, but I do hope to have something completed.

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

Hopefully, I’ll get to play this month.

BLUE QUILT

No fixed plans, but I hope to make a few more EPP units.

READ A BOOK

I should get one book read.

TRY A NEW RECIPE

This is an ongoing goal. I have something in mind.

FRIDAY FUN DAY

Now that we are back home, we should find something fun do to one Friday.

GO FOR A MOTORCYCLE RIDE

This is something that we haven’t done for ages.  Now that the weather is warmer and we don’t have to go to work, we should be able to get out for a ride on one of the bikes.

That little lot should keep us busy.  Hopefully, I will be able to report back at the end of the month that all goals have been achieved.

My Goals for July and What Stitching to Take With Me

This is a bit of a tricky post to write, as we will be on the road for the next three months.  As a result, it is a bit hard to set goals.  However, I think it is still a good idea to have something to aim for.

STITCHING GOALS

I have been pondering as to what stitching to take with me.  Do I take my baby Elna Stella with me, or do I leave her at home and just work on hand stitching?  What hand stitching do I take? Will I realistically get any stitching done? What if I do want to do stitching in that time and run out?  Decisions, decisions.

In the end I have been busy prepping a couple of things and found a few more that I can fit in.  They are now all packed in the van, ready to go. I know that a lot will come home in the same state that it is in now, but that is OK.

I think the best thing is to show what I am taking with me, for my record as much as anything.

Yes, I decided to take my little machine.  I prefer to work on the machine more than by hand, so she is coming with me. I can even use her if we are off grid, as Mick has a solar panel on the roof of the ute, which is hooked up to a lithium battery and he has a small inverter linked to that, so there is some 240v power to keep the Engel fridge going and to charge some rechargeable batteries.  My machine only draws 50w, so the inverter will easily provide enough power for her to run, and yes, we have tested it out.  Therefore, as I have the means, I have this silly idea that I want to do some machine stitching in the middle of nowhere.  We'll see what eventuates.  Obviously, I won't be able to press anything with the iron unless we are plugged into mains 240V.

I was just going to use the fabric cover from Mum's machine to protect her while travelling, as she will be stored under the bed.  However, today we bought an new doona cover for the van and it came in a little bag.  I thought it looked about the same size as Stella.  Perfect.  Made to measure.

I have commandeered the storage compartment under my seat at the little dining table for my craft supplies.  A wire basket lives in there and slides out on drawer runners.  I was very pleased that one of my storage tubs fits across it perfectly.

So, without further ado, what am I taking?

Firstly, the makings to put the churn dash quilt top together.  I'll just have to use the bed as my design space to work out placement of the blocks.

I have now, finally, fused down all the applique blocks of the Blue Quilt and have them ready to do the little bits of simple embroidery.  They have not had the blanket stitch done, but I will be gentle with them.

I also have all the pieces for the first two EPP borders rough cut, ready to prep for stitching together.

Next, I have the black, white and bright coloured Half Square Triangle quilt in its tub.  I have been working on these blocks a leaders and enders.  Quite a few need cutting in half, pressing and trimming, before they can be stitched together.  I'm not sure how far I can get on this one, but I will make a bit of a start.

I have also popped in another pile of HST that I made as leaders and enders at Scrub Stitchin'.  They are ready to be made into a baby quilt top.  Once again, the bed will be my design space, as I decide what way to lay them out.

I have a few random hand stitching projects that have been kicking around for a while, so I popped them in too - just because I could.  I don't want to run out of things to work on.......as if.

Oh, and just in case I get all that done, I popped in my remaining two Swoon blocks that have been prepped for a while....... and a couple of crochet hooks.

So, I have quite a variety of projects to keep me amused, if I have the time and feel inclined.

Of course, all the relevant rulers, mats, cutters, and assorted sundry  tools have to come along, all in little pouches to keep some sort of order.

And just about everything fits nicely in my basket, which I just lined with a small towel. A cutting mat will sit on top.

The only things that don't fit are my long ruler, which fits nicely under the bed and a couple of mini design boards, which coincidentally fit perfectly in the base of one of our little storage tubs under the bed.

Back to my goals.....

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

This is such a hard one....... even since I started typing this I have changed my mind, as I really don't know how much time I will have for stitching.

I was going to aim to have eight hexy flowers made, but to be more realistic, my goal will be to do the stitchery on six of the applique blocks.  That will be half of them. More would be nice, but we will see how we go.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

The colour this month was purple and I have already made my blocks.  I needed to do that before we went away.  I will just be dragging the chain for the next couple of months and have to catch up once we return home.

ONE PROJECT A MONTH

I can't see this happening, unless I get energetic this week and make something simple.

Hopefully, I will get to work on some of the other projects  I have packed as well, but will not commit to anything.

NON STITCHING GOALS

READ A BOOK

I'm sure this will happen.  I tend to read more when we are travelling.  We will also listen to some audio books while driving along.

TRY A NEW RECIPE

Who knows?  I have a fully functioning kitchen in the van and we have to eat.  Also, I am taking the basic ingredients for baking with us, so there may be something new.  I do hope so.

KEEP MY BLOG UP TO DATE

I will be trying very hard to keep my blog up to date, as we will be doing so much travelling and seeing so many things that this will be the only way I'll be able to remember everything.

The only thing that will affect this is internet access in some places.  I will do the best I can.

This is my new blogging set up.  I previously used Mick's laptop when travelling, but now that my photos are on my phone it has been a pain getting them across.  Also, my old iPad was too old for any updates to be able to be loaded - built in obsolescence.

I've been using the new iPad for blogging for a few weeks now and it has worked well.  I'm so pleased I indulged in the keyboard case.

So, that are the plans for the month.  We will have covered quite a bit of ground by the time August comes around and it will be interesting to check on how my goals went.

The Start of a New Chapter

Yesterday was my last day in paid employment, and what a busy day it was, being the end of financial year. 

The day was brightened when some flowers arrived at work from some special friends and my colleagues gave me a card with beautiful sentiments and a gorgeous bracelet for a farewell gift.

I had mixed emotions as I left the building for the last time.  It hasn’t sunk in as yet, as we prepare to head off on our big adventure at the end of the week. It just feels like getting ready for a holiday.  When we return from our trip it will start to sink in.

The weather has been wet today, so when Chooky sent an invitation to a Zoom sewing morning I was definitely in.  Of course I forgot to take a photo of us all once again.  I always marvel at the range of topics that are discussed while we work on our projects, or just sit and chat.

I made a bit more progress on my Blue Quilt, finally getting around to fusing the lightweight interfacing to the appliqué background fabrics and then getting a couple of blocks ready to stitch down.

Then I remembered that I have to get my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks completed this week, so pulled out my 1930s fabrics and made a start on them.  

After the session finished, I kept on going and now do have the purple Rainbow Scrap blocks for July completed.

Firstly, my butterflies and nine patches.

Then my bright half square triangles.

I then got stuck in and cut the setting triangles and fabrics for sashings and cornerstones of the churn dash quilt. 

A day of bits and pieces, but progress on a few fronts.

I had to cut short my time in the sewing room, as we were going out to an early dinner with some friends and then to have a wander around the Bathurst Winter Festival.  The weather is disappointing, but it was just very light rain, so we still were able to see some of what was on offer.

Tonight was “Ignite the Night”, the first of two night time events with food stalls and street performers.  We will be away for the second, which will be next Friday night.

This is the seventh year of the festival, having missed 2020.  Our first port of call each time is to the Renzaglia Wines stand to buy a glass of mulled wine.  They are our old next door neighbours from when we lived out of town, so nice to see them.  We only just scraped in to get our glass this year, as they were about to run out.

Then it was just a wander to see the lights and street performers.

The centrepiece of the illuminations is the Court House.

Last year the court house wasn’t illuminated, as it was wrapped in scaffold while undergoing a major restoration.  That was completed just a couple of weeks ago, so it was nice to see it all lit up again this year.  One of the restoration tasks was to completely overhaul the clock, which is now working perfectly once more.

The Festival is such a feel good event, running for the two weeks of the school holidays.  It brings lots of people to town and gets us out and about in the middle of winter.

There are more illuminations, which we hope to get out and see during the coming week.  This year there are also sculptures in the park, so we hope to go and see them in the daylight.

As we went back to the car, we noticed that the old Techical College, that we toured a few weeks ago, has now been lit up at night.  It looked lovely reflected in the wet road.

Tomorrow is also predicted to be wet, but we must start getting organised for our escape at the end of the week.