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........

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

It's a Top!!!!

Yahoo - I have finished the top.

It needs de-threading and ironing and I am thinking of an extra border...as if it is't big enough already....but I can legitimately say its a finished Top.
It was a bit hard to get it all in but you get the idea...and only a few "Dawnifications"...lol

Quilting??? - hopefully January/February so it's ready to take to Nundle.



Thursday, December 17, 2015

Back into it

I am now on Annual Leave - we have a Company Shut Down - this year from 16th December (I won't comment any further on that decision....), so I have promised myself a certain number of hours of domestic duties (erk) per day and then I can sew.   I have a lot on my To Do List - including Nature's Journey.  

Being my first day I didn't want to overdo the domestic stuff - so I allocated 40 minutes and then finished trimming my blocks.  Now
 I can start arranging them.


So, Hows it going girls??   - we have had one recent finish from Oddbjørg - a total of 5 now and we have 20 finished tops.

I know this is a frantic time of the year for some, so maybe not before Christmas....but perhaps some of us will be able to get back to it after Christmas??

We would like to see more finished quilts of course - but more finished tops would be wonderful...you don't really want another UFO lying around do you???

Do I need the whip again???

Image result for whip images

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Finished!

Here is my Natures Journey. It's finished. I'm sooo happy. The wall hanging is quilted by Merete Ellingsen. The quilting pattern is called Angel wings. At this time of the year the days are quite dark, but yesterday we got some snow. I tried as best as I could to get an okay photo of the quilt by taking it outdoors. If you see something white on the binding, it's a little bit snow :-)
This quilt top is made only from scraps/stash. I think that's great to know.
I'm quite satisfied with the result, but of course the needle turn applique are not perfect "here and there". Thank you very much to Chookyblue and Susan for hosting this stitch-a-long! I would never started with this quilt without being a part of the group. Thanks to Anni Downs for the great pattern!
Also a thank you to all who have given positive comments to my posts along this journey! I have enjoyed reading them all.
Christmas is just around the corner. Warm wishes for a Christmas that's Merry and Bright!
Oddbjørg

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Next to the Centre...

My Nature's Journey may have been on hiatus but not forgotten...the applique blocks have escaped their box and jumped up on the design wall...
It took a little bit of switching about of individual blocks to get the various designs in a layout I was happy with but the basic configuration of large and small blocks is to Anni's plan.  As I've used fabrics from the scrap basket without any real planning, just going with what I liked for the particular shape on the day as long as it kind of fit in the general tonality of the other blocks, they go together pretty well I think...no one jumps out as a jarring non-fit with the others.

I have had the centre square background pieced for a while and now the blocks are all up together I'm going to have fun sorting out which fabrics to use for the centre applique (once I've finished cutting out the templates)...

Happy Stitching...

Friday, November 13, 2015

Progress

I'm happy to tell you that I have finished the top. It's wrinkled, so I have to iron it before the next step.
Have a wonderful weekend all of you!
Oddbjørg

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

I finished top:)



I am done the top. yay!!!!!

Thank you so much!! Chooky and Susan.
I have been so happy for being part of this project and learning a lot from other great quilters. As a self study quilter quilting is one of the hardest things to do. 
However with all friends here I can get some ideas. ❤️
Blessings and love
Myung

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Natures Journey finished !!!

I'm happy to share my finished "Natures Journey" Quilt .... I have finished sewing on the binding and I love it !!!   Trying to get a picture today with David holding it up and our grandson Jed decided he wanted to be in on the photo too .... 


This has been a lovely project to work on ... thank you to Anni Downs for your beautiful design ... and a huge thank you to Chookyblue and her band of helpers who have encouraged and motivated us through the Stitch A Long Group .... I'm looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us in 2016 !!


If you are lagging behind ... hopefully this will motivate you to stitch a long !!  

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Centre appliqué complete

Hello all, I'm still chugging away and am loving all your beautiful quilt tops. I've finally finished my appliqué centre. 




(even though my quilt colour's are based on green and pink, I couldn't help but incorporate some bluebirds of happiness)


Happy Stitching
Susie

Monday, November 2, 2015

Still going.....

Apologies girls... Yes, I am way behind, but still here. All the completed tops look wonderful, great to see!
Can't seem to get a pic to load at the moment, am still on my centre applique.
Still here though!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Yes! I have a Top Finished

Yesterday I sewed and sewed and sewed!! I was determined to get my top finished in October.... which I did - didn't finish till around 6 o'clock by which time it was too cloudy to take a photo outside therefore it's already November when I'm showing you my finished top :) 


Now deciding whether to machine or hand quilt it - leaning more to the hand quilting... with maybe a little machine quilting?....So it may be a little while till the whole quilt is finished!

Thankyou to Chooky and Susan for organising the SAL - the first one I've taken part in - have thoroughly enjoyed my own "journey" while watching everyone's progress and seeing all the other beautiful quilts!! And.... thanks to Anni Downs for coming up with such a lovely pattern! 
Along the way have learnt to do needle turn (am looking forward to my next needle turn project!), after starting decided applique pins were a necessity, a bias maker is a great invention!, loved using bits and pieces of fabrics from my stash - even some from the early 80's!... and (of course) a few extras were bought! 

Will be back with a quilted quilt! 
Happy Stitching
Asta

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Still not completed........

It has taken me a few weeks to work out if I wanted to add the diamonds to this or do something else. I finally decided to add the red Ric Rac between the two borders and am now working on joining my 9 patch blocks to the sides, top and bottom. Sorry, it's not the best photo.
Have to do a bit of Xmas secret sewing before I finally get back to it.
Till next time...........

Monday, October 26, 2015

Hip hip hooray. .I have a topper.

Well.. with a lots of sewing undoing.. remeasuring. And a bit of adapting.. I have a beautiful topper.✔✔✔✔
I have thoroughly enjoyed this process. I started 3 months late ,got up to date, lost the plot.. he he
But I now am so so happy,
Blogging and seeing all the beautiful creations from one pattern ,AMAZING...
You all should be very proud of yourselves.
Thank you To MISS CHOOKY BLUE and her whipping assistant.. he he. For cracking us into sew sew sewing....
Now all I have to do is quilting...and put it all together...
Can not wait for next challenge. ..
I have learned so much and my sewing is all the better for it. And I have met so many beautiful new friends along the way .
Big hugs XXL......
Diddles

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Gardener's Journal - by Kris

Kris has finished her Gardeners Journal top - well it was finished in September and I have taken a while to post about it for her..

Pop over here to read her story and see some more pictures.

Well Done Kris!!!
(The blog header tells me this is a project from March 2010-2011)



Getting There!

Seen here - blowing in the wind - is my Nature's Journey quilt after spending some time on it this weekend!

Hope to do some stitching after work during the week and actually get the top at least finished by the end of this month! 

Will be back soon...
Happy Stitching 
Asta

Friday, October 23, 2015

Finally….

a top is done !!!


I'm so happy to have finished it nearly in time…. what are 3 or 4 weeks in a lifetime !!! ;)
Now the quilting ! 
Not by me so we have to wait a little longer to have a complete quilt but I think the harder part is done !
I'm very happy to have made the journey with all of you, so inspiring !!

Florence

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Slowly....

I'm way behind!!!!
There's always something else to do.
On 2 october, I had surgery on my both knees.
While I was resting, I could choose the fabrics for
the applications. I prepared everything because
on the 13th I had surgery for a gastric bypass.
I did a part of the applications in hospital
before my surgery and the rest at home
while I was resting.


This is the result!!!
I'm slowly getting there.

Have a nice day,
Martine 


Monday, October 19, 2015

Update

Well, after a couple of weeks the momentum has returned! 
I cut all those little squares but then fell into a hole and Nature's Journey was no longer happening :( ..... but yesterday the sewing machine was out and humming away as I was on the "Journey" again.... a little way to go but there will be further updates later in the week!
And, how inspiring are those lovely finished tops (or quilts)!

Happy Stitiching
Asta

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Nearly there ....


One side down ... Three to go !!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

One my way ....yeah ..


Yeah . Got up early and sewed the needle turn blocks together and put them on.
So so happy . Love it ..
Love this view out my window..
Feeling blessed.
Big hugs to you all .. keep stitching the end is nigh ..
He he 😆😆 Diddles. Xx

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Morning...

Having another go at posting.. it's was not working. Got my machine back from the doctors..
All good it feels much better and ready to get back to work .. he he
I have been working yesterday arvo.got the sides and top done..
Little pesty  squares today ...
I have also been to Fiji for a wedding 5 days ..beautiful did  to pick up a stitch . Did  not have time.
He he too many cocktail hours.. hic.
Loving all the photos and posts. You are amazing. . All of you . So talented..
Big hugs 
Diddle. 😆😆

Monday, October 12, 2015

I'm a Topper!

Finally, and just 11 days late...
I wish I could have finished on time...
but, alas, things get in the way...
here is the completed project...
I'll sew my other border, I'm adding and 
then quilt it before I post again....
Congratulations to all who have finished...
and the rest, like me, you'll get there...
just keep stitching...

Not the best photos, a lot to get in, but you can see
it's finally done....
Thanks to Chooky and Susan for all
the time you put into this SAL...can't
wait to see your finished quilts..
Mama Bear
Sammie   

 

Slowly...

… I have taken back my needles…
Vacations are not the best time to sew ! but I still enjoyed this special time !!
Little squares border is finally done !
Colors are not exactly like that…I hope more pictures soon !




Sunday, October 11, 2015

Nature's Journey - Quilt Top Done

I am so happy my quilt top is done!  I have put a full weekend in sewing to get it done. 

This is my first fully completed Anni Downs quilt. Thank you Chooky  and Susan I know it would not have been done unless I had deadlines to meet. 

It's also good to know you are not doing it on your own.  

I am not sure when it will be quilted soon..... I hope.

Thank you ladies I have enjoyed my journey with you all.  I think everyone has done beautiful work....so until next time enjoy your stitching. 

I will still be checking out the blog to see how you are all going.

Jenny 





I had to decide ion the colour for the  vase.. I left this until last. I began with red , then blue and finished with grey.



Friday, October 9, 2015

Nature's journey part 3



 
So slowly... so slowly! But I want to sew!!! Very difficult to find out time (returned to job, a baby one in my home, an adopted one next door just in front of his beloved aunt and last a new project on a second university degree... don't know how to find out time, only an hour a week!!!!), but so lovely this project!!!! <3 :)

Just Updating Progress

Finished the single 2" borders today and added two sides of the pink border..........I'll soon be a topper as Susan says but I think I'm going to add another border in red before I quilt it to make it just a little larger....I already have the fabric......I'll go back to a blue for the binding..

Mama Bear
Sammie
 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Not long now...

About to sew on the needleturn borders...almost...almost....there
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Still Working!

I am still working on Nature's Journey...today
I put in about 4 hours...as you see, I finished sewing
on the applique border and began to put together the 2
border....I had to go back to the cutting table as I didn't have
 enough of the color squares, didn't know it would take so many.
Its okay to do it in stages, though as having my head bent that way
tends to initiate the old vertigo...
I have two of the sides, sewn and ready to put on....
as I worked in assembly line fashion, I began to do some of
the pink border so won't be too far behind when I get to
that...
I should get a couple of hours of sewing in tomorrow..
but must make a cake for a meeting on Thursday night...
so probably not 4 hours...the end is in sight...
now I'm thinking about backing...
Mama Bear
Sammie         

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Smiling

Hello my friends.
I am smiling :)
My `Nature`s Journey` is finished.
I had to keep going as this was not to be a UFO.


I pegged my finished quilt to the side of the deck.
There was a bit of a breeze.
I am so pleased with the red and teal colours in this quilt.


Turned quilt around to show quilting at it`s best.
More machine quilting in this quilt than
my last so that shows my progress there. :)


I made a heart label as hearts in applique.
Thankyou to Chookyblue and Susan for SAL.
Thankyou Anni Downs for this delightful pattern.
Happy Stitching,
Clare. 

Monday, October 5, 2015

Keeping you Updated!

Well, I have fallen behind...but not too far.....
Under the watchful eye of Miss Dora......
..... I cut out the rest of the 2" squares on Friday night (FNWF night) ..... all the "blue" ones had been cut out earlier)..... here they are all stacked up.....
...so there is no excuse now not to start stitching them all together..... .. I could say the end is in sight! 

Congratulations to those that have finished their tops - or have even quilted them! I've so enjoyed seeing your lovely work!! ..... Very inspiring!

Happy Stitching
Asta 

Saturday, October 3, 2015

In my hoop.....

I'm taking a little break from the Natures Journey SAL. I am on the last row of diamonds....hope to add the borders in the next few days....
For a change of pace tonight I've started to stitch for a Chrissy swap..... shhhh tis a secret swap.....


Friday, October 2, 2015

Quilting along.

Hello my friends.
Each day I am working on this quilt!
I thought I`d show how far on I am with my quilting.


I have machine cross hatched the centre and 
free motion quilted the applique circle and hexagon.
Then placed on my hoop for hand quilting
round applique.


Now I am back at the sewing machine.
This is the back showing the quilting.
The flowers and leaves are the checker board border.
A little reverse stitching needed 
but free motion a learning curve for me.


Next time I post the quilt will be complete.
Happy Stitching,
Clare.