Instagram SAL

I've joined the crowd and am making Lori Holt's Christmas quilt (#haveyourselfaquiltylittlechristmas on Instagram).  All the instructions are on Instagram - just search for @beelori1.  After making the blocks not in her book, I am waiting (impatiently) for my book to arrive so I can get on with the rest of these cuties.

They really are sweet and it's great using up last little pieces of favourite fabrics.

Last night I finished off the last Best Friends Forever block I will be stitching.

 

18 out of the 32 blocks have been stitched, 11 are going into the quilt I'm making and the other stitched blocks plus the unstitched blocks and patterns will be going to a new home soon.

Mum and I are going to see Schools Spectacular on Saturday, so that means on Sunday it's time to start decorating the house for Christmas.

Road Trip

On Saturday Paula, Karen and I drove to Bathurst to meet up with the other girls who were in Bathurst for the blog meet.  First stop was Anni's shop, The Home Patch, where we met up with some of the girls (Chooky and Ros and a few others).  I bought a few things at Anni's - a couple of her sweet patterns, some of her lovely Christmas fabric

and some chocolate brown linen for an Anni-designed bag I hope to make one day.

Next stop was the retreat venue for lunch, show and tell and "make it, bake it or fake it" swap.  I took 4 photos - 3 of them are some of Chooky's show and tell.

I took along this bag as my swap present:

The swap was a lot of fun with many girls wanting to steal each other's gifts.

Sunday was such a hot, humid day at my place.  I spent most of the day in the sewing room with the fan for company working on a Christmas present.

 

Last night I sewed a few Best Friends Forever blocks together and then felt like doing something different so I made a couple of Lori Holt's blocks that have been all over Instagram (#haveyourselfaquiltylittlechristmas).  These designs are so gorgeous - am very much looking forward to making the rest of the blocks.

The last Best Friends Forever stitchery block is coming along - might be finished this by the weekend.

2nd Last Block

Another Best Friends Forever stitchery block completed at lunchtime - one more to be stitched and I can put the quilt together; then I'll find a new home for the blocks I don't need.

I want to make an orange and white quilt for someone in my family and thought "Swoon" would be a great pattern choice.  This pattern requires 18 fat quarters plus background.  I had a few oranges in my stash

and plenty more are on their way in the post.  Last night I cut out and started to assemble one block - these are very large blocks (24") and I love the orange and white.

Finished this little cotton crochet cardy recently.

Road trip to Bathurst tomorrow!

I've Got Mail

A parcel was delivered to my place yesterday - Sarah had sent back my Red Letter Day quilt.

Love the quilting!  The quilt is going to look so fantastic when the binding is finished.  Might get to that on the weekend.

Finished another Best Friends Forever stitchery block last night - 1 and a bit stitcheries to go.

Saw two movies over the weekend.  Lynell and I went to see "Love, Rosie" on Saturday - was very enjoyable.  Mum and I saw "My Old Lady" on Sunday - much different than I expected but loved it.  Can't go wrong with Kevin Kline and Maggie Smith.  Turns out there was a huge wind storm while we were out - came home to find this big branch fallen in the back yard.  Very fortunate it landed where it did.

Stitching with the girls tonight - might finish off another stitchery block, then again might chat all night.

Stitchery Blocks

Another two "Best Friends Forever" stitchery blocks are finished.

I enjoyed stitching this block as there is no satin stitch:

 

Starting to feel like I'm on the home straight with 2-1/2 stitchery blocks to go.  There will be 11 stitched blocks in the quilt, excluding a few I had stitched before deciding to change the purpose of the quilt.  There has been very little progress since this photo was taken - am hoping to sew some more blocks over the weekend.

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Red Letter Quilting

Last Friday, Sarah started quilting my Red Letter Day quilt.  It's looking fantastic and I can't wait for it to arrive back at my place.

Sewing on Buttons

Another weekend has come and gone so quickly.  Had a lovely time stitching withe the girls on Saturday afternoon.  Made some good progress on a "Best Friends Forever" block

and felt motivated enough over the weekend to stitch more.  I really like this block.  Need to stitch another 4 blocks.

Saturday night was spent sewing buttons and ribbons onto some knitting that has been done over the last few weeks - not all pink.  I have a couple more knitted garments to sew together.

Yesterday the housepainters (my brother and sister-in-law) came over unexpectedly to do some more work.  Their grandchildren also turned up and they did a fantastic job painting the garage and watering the gardens.

Short Attention Span

Lots happening at my place - can't seem to concentrate on any one thing so I've been knitting a little cardigan in 12 ply Bendigo wool, crocheting granny squares and little shoes as well as sewing together some of the Best Friends Forever blocks.

Not so much sewing/stitching/knitting time since I started back at work last week.

The weather has been quite warm and flowers have started blooming in the garden - this is pretty exciting for me.

Mum and I went to see "Pride" on Saturday afternoon (great excuse to sit in air conditioning - it was a sweltering day).  Loved the movie, especially because it's a true story.