On a roll!

The month of June simply does not have enough days in it ... 30 days hath September, April, June, and November.  Or perhaps because the days are cooler, after all it is almost the winter solstice, my hours of sewing have increased.

A table runner made in the quilting block, Card Trick because I rather like Card Trick, in its 12" block format.  Simple, yet very effective, and if I had 100 days in June I may have considered making a quilt!  Just may have!

Another swap, this time for a Christmas in July mug rug.  Having recently found Christmas FQ's at sale price, this mug rug presented few problems, except ... which fabric to use?   

When in my favourite fabric shop last week I noticed some gorgeous fabric designed [so I think] with mug rugs in mind ... tea cups with flowers.  Photos?  Not until the sewing fairy puts in more hours!

Potholders and dishcloths

I have recently been involved in a global swap ... in that the swappees came from many locations across the world.  The swap was for a pair of pot holders, plus a little something of the sender's choice.

I love swaps!  And a swap article made quickly I love even more!  The problem of what colour to use solved itself as I sorted through my [not inconsiderable] stash.  A bright print featuring cherries and flowers, teamed with red, would brighten any kitchen ... and be useful into the bargain.

I also forwarded a mug rug as 'the little extra'.

Often when involved in BOM's I find myself in need of a little break, an urge to actually complete a wee project there and then. 

Dishcloths fall into that category.  A couple more to add to my growing pile of instant gifts.  These dishcloths are knitted from a cotton bamboo yarn and I can assure you that they are excellent not only in their usage, but in their longevity.  I have been using two dark cream dishcloths [washing them in a cold water wash each wash day] and they show no sign of wearing out. 

Another swap I entered into was for a Christmas in July gift ... Walter the Snowman was a lot of fun to construct!  One or two more of them are high on my agenda.

Doesn't he look superb?!

Fly me to the Moon

In the midst of a miserable winter's day what better thing to do, than fly me to the moon?

However, I didn't fly anywhere, let alone the moon.  I spent part of the day constructing Block 10 [only two to go!] of the Sentimental Journey quilt, and block 10 is called Fly me to the Moon.

This project has been challenging at times, and considering I have never attempted anything like this until the last couple of years, I consider I am doing OK.  Then again my Mother had a saying, 'Self praise is no recommendation'.  Oh well.

Asian teapots

Earlier in the year I began the Asian Teapots BOM but have been extremely slack in posting photos ... rectifying that now!

The first five are completed.  Recently when shopping in the northern city I came across a coffee shop that sells not only coffee in all its various styles [a window display featured coffee beans scattered on the base ... glorious!], but it also sells teapots/coffee pots and cups and saucers in a wonderful array of shapes and colours.  This BOM is reminiscent of their style!

I begin with a photo of the first one made, and carry through to the May BOM.



Wee House

Not being a keen sportsperson and as sometimes I feel the need to indulge in a little activity in that direction, a spot of surfing seemed suitable.

I clicked the cursor, surfing the 'Net and came upon a site I never had the pleasure of visiting before. On the sidebar of Retro Mama some of the cutest miniature houses I have ever seen captured my attention. Having a spare moment [or as it turned out, a couple of days, mainly because household chores took up some of that time] I decided on a realistic house. Many of the houses in Retro Mama's blog were whimsical ... time for them another day. When finding a new idea it is imperative that I make a trial model ... then any perfections of my making are ironed out.

The front

and the back

The completed wee house is cute ... I have plans to make more!

Promises and Borders Block 5

Jenny of elefantz has given us the fifth block of her Promises & Borders BOM, and once again the stitching of this block filled in three evenings of pleasant stitching.

The simplicity of design and verses promise to make this BOM a real treasure.

Our Craft Forum BOM

Two months have passed.  I forgot to post a photo of April's block ... Brasstown Star

The block I chose for May was Beacon Lights, which gave the option of regular piecing, or paper piecing.  I chose regular piecing even though I had to add seams to the pattern pieces. 

It wasn't until I had completed the block, and measured it, that I was happy in the realisation I had worked out the sum correctly!

My camera isn't picking up the colours all that well.  The spotty fabric is actually a rather rich cream, and the flowery fabric has pretty mauve flowers on a greyish background.