1st SAL.....Peg, Dale and I committed to stitching Anni Downs - A Gardener's Journal in March. I blogged about this on my blog thinking maybe one or 2 others may join us and lots of girls indicated an interest so I decided to start this blog where we can all encourage each other to meet the goals set along the way....March 2010 -March 2011...........
2nd SAL ......well so many of the girls wanted to continue on with another project and some new girls joined us and now approx 91 girls are stitching Natalie Bird's Tis the Season. March to Sept 2011...............
3rd SAL....many girls want to stick with the SAL so now we have moved onto Anni Downs Some Kind of Wonderful - My Favourite Things Quilt.......Oct 2011-Oct 2012.........
Where are we now.....
4th SAL 2013...is numerous smaller projects from the previous 2 books Tis the Season and Some Kind of Wonderful plus some projects from Red Home by Natalie Bird approx 60 ladies stitching together.........
2014 we had the year off..............
5th SAL 2015..........inspired to continue we are doing another quilt project.....Anni Downs newest quilt Natures Journey.....
6th SAL 2017.............A Holly Cottage Christmas by Michelle Ridgway.......once again the pattern is in an affordable book so it is easy for everyone to join in...........and you can raid your stash for the fabrics........or lash out and buy a the whole lot........this SAL will be run by Fiona aka Bubz Rugz and Raewyn........
Chookyblue........

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Merry Christmas...........

Thanks everyone for a wonderful year................
All is quite here so I will sign off for 2013............the above stitchery says it all..........
To our blog SAL girls and readers......
I wish you joy, hope and peace for a fantastic Christmas.............
Keep Stitching...
Chookyblue............

Saturday, November 30, 2013

August project very late!

Hi everyone,
Well, here is my finished sewing case (cheater version with no stitchery)three months late.
I'm afraid that life just got in the way and I was unable to keep up despite the best of intentions.
I'm determined to do the needle case as well as soon as I have the time.
So here is the front with buttons instead of stitchery


Back view is plain



inside - fabrics Beach House by Blackbird Designs for Moda



Margaret

Thursday, November 28, 2013

November swap

Yesterday I received this lovely parcel from Jessica, thank you, and big hugs

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Last stitchery


I finished the last stitchery! Few day's and I'll have my last project done!
Hoping for the next stitching along, I'd like a quilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

tHaNkYoU.............

Hi girls
I would like to wind up here..............
So thankyou for being part of the SAL..............if you just read the blog thanks for reading the blog too........
You girls have achieved so much...........so many wonderful projects..........
I have got them all on the go if they aren't finished............the last 3-4 months sewing has been very difficult..........but they will get finished.............one day.........

A massive thanks to Susan my assistance whip cracker she has been amazing and so helpful for me when things got a little hectic here she just slide into the controls..........the blog would have been terrible if it wasn't for her assistance......THANKS SUSAN............

As for 2014 - I will have to see what I can manage..............I already know I have a few things on my plate........that is without the unknown......but then I may need a good distraction...............
I have a couple of ideas (which I am sure you will love) floating around in my head......I will decide in January what to do and I will do a post here so you know if there will be a SAL 2014....... 

This year you have done english paper piecing, stitcheries, applique, zippers,quilting and piecing and you have done so well......CONGRATULATIONS.............

Please continue to post here if you are finishing up projects........especially previous SAL projects.....

Enjoy your stitching
Chookyblue.......


Saturday, November 2, 2013

At last ...

I've finished the last item of this fabulous SAL : the SKoW needle book !

Outside :


Inside :


I wanted it matching my sewing case :



Now it's done !!

And here are all the wonderful works we have made all along this year :

A huge THANK YOU to Chookyblue and Susan and all the ladies who have joined this wonderful adventure !!

I'm ready for the next one….. and you ?????

Florence

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Sewing stitchery

I'm so late but I loooove thei stitchery in brrown!!!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Another one down, one to go ...

Look Chooky!!  I got my 23rd block finished!!!


I was working on this block, little by little over the course of last week, since finishing off my 'sewing' block.  For some reason I enjoyed the needleturn over the stitchery this time, lol, which felt like it was taking forever *wink* ... especially all that hair!!! *giggle*

I've drawn up some ideas for my last block, but not quite decided yet.  I'm thinking I'll either go with my original choice of wine & cheeses, or my new option: gymnastics (I did it for eleven years from a young age, coached littlies for several years, and now my daugther has been going for over 3 years!!  I LOVE watching it, and often find myself scrutinising the gymnasts as a judge would, lol!).

I'm going to give myself a couple of days to mull over the ideas, and start on the cutting for a pieced quilt for my bed I've been wanting to make for a couple of years while I decide ... I also have WIPs, UFOs and USOs (Un-Started Objects *wink*) to sort through and organise, amongst other things this week.

Have a crafty kinda week xx

Now It's Done

After all the ups and downs of the thread issue - the silk one I ordered was totally different to the cotton one one but still nothing like the original - I have finished the heart and appliqued it on.
I used some plain threads and swapped colours a lot.  I was lucky in that the variegated thread had long lengths of each colour - so it was easy enough to blend in.



What a fun year it has been - I have certainly made things I wouldn't normally have chosen to make - but none of them were so onerous that it was a chore - and we have all had a lot of fun along the way.

As always I learnt things along the way - including that it doesn't always pay to pre-prepare things in advance - since your ideas might change as you go along.

Thanks everyone for all the fun & friendship - it is always good to see how you put your interpretation on a project - some stick to the project and follow the colours and some go way away, but in the end it needs to be what you like and what you want to end up with.

Again, a huge hug and thank you to Chookyblue and I will lend my voice to the group cry "Can we do it again...PLEASE"

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Needle Case - Tick

 
Life has been pretty hectic but I did manage to get my needle case finished a few weeks ago, but forgot to blog about it........ story of my life at the moment.
 

            
I did get my June pincushion finished,
 I posted it on my own blog but forgot to put it on here - sorry ladies!
 
 
I have really enjoyed being part of the SAL journey, I only had to use one pass (July hexie bag). I haven't been as active in my participation as I would have liked - study has been getting in the way. However if Chooky was to do it again next year - then please count me in!
No study for me next year.   
 
I would also like to show off my SKoW quilt that is finished. I love it!!!!

 
Thankyou to the talented Belinda Betts for her wonderful quilting
 - it really makes the quilt pop!
 
Thankyou to everyone for sharing this journey, I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's interpretations of the projects.
 
Take Care - Ann x



Thank You




Thank You Chooky for providing this opportunity. Just thought I would share my projects in total.    





Friday, October 4, 2013

MIA - well in UK atm

Well done to all those ladies who have completed their projects. I ran out of time with organising my market goodies before we left for overseas last weekend. I have them at the top of my list of things to do when we return in November.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Sorry girls

I didn't make it.
Life got in the way.
Maybe another time.

Anyway thank you all for the company and the cheering along the path.
Hope to see you again somewhere in Cyberspace.

Pia 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Better Late Than Never

I have completed my needle case, a little late, but Oh well.... Sewing should be stress less....

Thank you Chooky for a great stitch along. This is the first one I have ever done and it did make me get motivated to finish projects. I have completed them all and given some away as gifts already.
It was also a great way to complete more than one project out of those beautiful books.  thanks for organising it for us.

 Thank you to all the ladies who participated , I have enjoyed looking at your stitching and  seeing your  creativity in  each project.      Happy Stitching.



Off to a good start... should never leave things to the last minute.

I have tried to use mostly fabrics deigned by Anni




Tuesday, October 1, 2013

I'm stitching!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm stitching!!!!!!!!! Very slowly, I know, like a turtle, but I'm stitching!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Final SAL completed.

Here is my completed needle book. 

I am very thankful to Chookyblue for letting me join in the SAL. I am happy to complete all months with no Ps recorded. 

Thank you. There have been some fantastic projects made this year. Well done everyone. 

September SAL Project

Hi all - finished .my  September project, the Anni Downs needlecase just in the knick of time. Have enjoyed the SAL thanks Chooky.

I chose to use the same fabrics I used in the sewing bag from last month instead of the small squares.

Cheryl

miserable........

Miserable.......
....pretty much sums up how I feel ("hayfever" is killing me) and also about finishing my SAL projects.......my attempts have been made with some progress but no finishes.......
Anyway I have a few posts to catch up on............looked but not yet commented and you have some lovely finishes........
i'll do a better post when I stop sneezing....also some of you are so close so we'll add a few weeks on to get some more finishes then I will sign off for the year.......
Keep stitching if you have not finished.....
Chookyblue...........
PS pass me another box of tissues.........

All completed

Thanks to Chookyblue and Susan for coordinating a great year of projects! I've finished my needle book, only need to sew the button and loop: tis a finish for me!!! Was my first stitchalong and although I cursed a few deadlines I completed all nine projects! Yay me!!
   
                                  


                                 

I'm lateeeee!!!!

Hi girls, I'm so late :-(
I think to end next week but unfortunately I'm not sure. I'm sorry Chookyblue and to all.
Hugs from Italy, Emanuela

Second pass for me please

 
 
Hi Guys... Sorry but I need to use my second pass... between retreats, birthdays and going over to Vanuatu... I didn't have time to even start... I still going to make it, and when I finish will post a photo.
 
Thanks
 
 
Sandyn

I didnt think I would make it....

but I most certainly did!


I decided (given the tight time frame) not to piece any of it but I am so happy with how it has turned out.

A huge thank you to Miss Chooky and her offsider Susan who without a lot of organisation and whip cracking I know I wouldnt have nearly as many projects completed.

De

Needlebook Finished.

Here are some photos of my Anni Downs needle book. All finished except for the button. In my button box, I have a collection of all sorts of buttons so it is hard to believe I can't find one the right colour or size for this. Will have to buy one when I next go to the shops.


Now to work on my August bag and hopefully finish that soon so I can clean my 2013 slate by having finished all the projects.
A BIG THANK YOU to Chooky and Susan for keeping us in check over the last few months. I have enjoyed being a part of this 2013 SAL.
Hugs Noela.

Post to come

I am travelling home today after a few days away. Will post my finish later this evening. 

Sorry

Sadly i must use my pass... things didn't happen the way i respect and the time run out and i just made a part of the embroidery .....

this was my frist SAL and i love to participate .
Thank you girls

Sunday, September 29, 2013

September (almost) Done

Due to lack of thread...grrrrr.....I can't complete my needle case but here it is in its current state...






I have ordered some silk of the colour I wanted, so hopefully, it will be close enough to the original and I can finish the heart and applique it on.

I didnt piece the front section - but I did do the middle of the back - forgot to photograph that - I'll do that when I get the heart done.


So, Miss Chookyblue, I know you can't sign me off for September - but I had good intentions.

Thanks to everyone who has joined in the 2013 SAL - it has been a lot of fun - I have made things I would never have made, learnt a lot and made e-friends from all over.  And I had even more fun cracking the whip...

A huge thankyou to Chookyblue, I love the fact that you do this and hope you can keep us going for another year/project....though I am more than happy to wait til at least mid December....too many things happening now....

                                                         Chookyblue, for you:






This stitchalong....

.... has been so much fun......
(well they all are but I did enjoy making the other smaller projects in the books)

I chose not to piece the fabric for the front and used some sewing themed fabric ....... 


the stitching is done in Cottage Garden Thread "Cranberry" .... 


... some felted blanket wool for the needle patch....


... I was delighted to find a perfect button which matched the fabric and just did a little plaited rope to wind round the button ....


.... thanks Chookyblue and all the encouragers on the blog.....

Righto, Gotta Go..... I'm going to miss sewing with you all...... 'till next time!
 

A little cheating !

As I won't be able to finish my last work in time, I show you the needle case I made for my friend Vanessa last year...
This is our last pattern !





As soon I'll have a new one I'll show it ! I promise !
Florence

Saturday, September 28, 2013

22 down, only 2 more to go!!

Yup, that's right Chooky!! I've just finished off my third ... second to last?!! ... Ah!!! I have two more blocks to go before they are all finished ('best friends' and 'chair')!! Yay!!!

Presenting .... da da-da DAH!!!! ... My 'sewing' block!!

Well now, it's almost 11pm, so I'm off to prep up my next block 😜 ... I'm aiming to have them all finished by the end of next week so I can spend the weekend putting it all together!!

A Gardener's Journal~~~~FINISHED





Hi Everyone, Dzintra here
doing a great big Happy Dance wooo hoooo
my Gardener's Journal quilt is finally finished
and I am soooo happy with it!!!

I remember a few months into starting this quilt I broke my arm which just put me back several months in everything and at one stage wondered if I would ever get it done!!!  I'll never take the use of 2 arms for granted again....

Thank you so much Chooky and Peg who are the inspiration for doing this
and also thank you to all the fellow stitchers out there for all the support and encouragement along the way in getting this quilt finally completed....
I have thoroughly enjoyed doing my Gardener's Journal and I will bring it up to Nundle next year to show it off.....

Till then.....Happy Stitching
'bye, Dzintra xoxo