A UFO Finish & More

Well some sewing is happening here among the hot weather we have had.  
This Celtic Sunrise paper-pieced block was sent out to my partner earlier this month.  It would be the hardest block I have had to do to date, but I persevered with it.

I have also been stitching up a storm with the hexagon flowers and these are all in the mail or ready to go into the mail.

Here in Gisborne we have had some lovely weather in the last couple of weeks and someone has finally done the rain dance as it has been showering on and off today.  Below is a picture I took on my walk earlier this week of where the two rivers meet in Gisborne

And finally to my UFO finish. These blocks were ones I had made for swaps but not good enough to post off, so they went in a UFO box to be made into a tablerunner.  Well a couple of years later it is made. This project is also part of Sew It's Finished and 1 Xmas Item a Month which you can go and view by clicking on the links on the side bar

While at it, I thought to practice some free-motion quilting and I think I have done a pretty good job too. 

Christmas Wishes

If you are looking for 'Grow Your Blog' post keep scrolling down or click here

After having a bad year last year I have decided I am going to be good and do a Christmas item once a month, whether it small or big, and I have accomplished something for the month of January .... yay!!

Yes I am also one of those ladies who has joined Chookyblue & Co for the Natures Journey Stitch-a-long this year.  While patterns and fabric are being rushed to every ones doors we have been given a pattern to stitch for the month of January. This one is Anni Downs Christmas Wishes pattern and it can be found here.  I used Cottage Garden Thread Hugs & Kisses and the material is from Lynette Anderson Designs

1 Xmas Item A Month

The month has gone by so fast and again 1 Xmas Item A Month has rolled around.

This month I have made a Xmas tag designed by Marg Low called "Deer Tree". This was a very quick to stitch up and was completed over two nights. I stitched up the Christmas Tree pattern this time.

1 Xmas Item A Month

Again this year I am joining Narelles 1 Xmas Item A Month. This year I also vow to complete one item every month. Fingers crossed.

This month I completed these mini stockings that will grace my house this Christmas.  It was good using some of my long stashed fabric for them too.

Already I have next months item planned...yay.

1 Xmas Item A Month ....... Better Late Than Never

Yes it is a few days late, but better late than not but here is my 1 Xmas Item a Month finish and I can say wow two months in a row I have posted about something.

This is the Santa Sack I made for my partner Raewyn which she has got now for the Santa Sack Swap.  I posted yesterday the stocking I got from her.

I also have sent this lovely table runner and coasters away for the Sew Swapit Secret Santa Swap I have also been in.

And this is what I received from my partner Minnie in the weekend

One Xmas Item A Month

Well the last few months I have been working on Xmas items, but not completed any, but some Xmas themed tissue holders last month which I did not get a photo of before they were of on their merry way.  Anyway, this month I have completed a few items, but as they are for a variety of swaps to be opened next month I can not post pictures of them yet, but watch for my swap posts next month at Xmas.

I can say,I can post a finish I have done this month.  Originally it was for a swap but done a boo boo (didn't think when sandwiching) and have kept it for my self.  This is a easy table runner to make and I am sure I will be making more of them in the future.

The pattern is called a Zig Zag Table runner and used one 5" Charm pack.  I watched this tutorial from the Missouri Quilt Company which is excellent.

1 Xmas Item A Month

This month I have finished a few Christmas items but they are for a swap so will not yet show them.  However I can show you the cushion I made.

Sometimes I make blocks for block swaps I am in and they just don't turn out right, so they get thrown into the reject pile. This one was just a little bit small, then I ironed it and my lovely iron left marks on it.  Hence my iron got a real good clean aft that.  Anyway I discarded the block into the reject pile and made a new one and the reject block has been made into this.

You can not see the marks in the photo but they are there.

Also with this cushion I practiced my zips insertion.  Still have not mastered it but will. The ends didn't look that great so some unpicking happened then I tried again with better success.

Finally Miss 17 is home today from Army Basic Training to recover from her injury.  Shinsplints are not nice.  If all things go right she will be back in again in just under a month, or if it takes a bit longer to heal, it will be February next year.  She on the bus as I write and get in late this evening.  Orders are Coke and Chocolate to eat straight away when she arrives and then Pizza for tea.

1 Xmas Item A Month Finish

Yay, I have finally finished a Xmas item.  This month it was a cross stitch I purchased a couple of months ago.

I have got my mojo back with cross stitch at the moment and have got a couple of projects on the way.

Desert Road

Miss 17 has just under two weeks to go till she is off to the Armed Forces.  Now we have been having bad weather in parts of New Zealand in the last week, though here in Gisborne it didn't come near us.  

Miss 17 because of this has been keeping updated on the weather in Waiouru where she will be based for 16 weeks on Basic Training.  She got a bit of a surprise when at the end of May she asked if it snowed there.  We just cracked up laughing.  Obviously someone had not done their homework on Waiouru weather.  Here is an example of the end of May snow which she is guaranteed to experience while there.

Waiouru Museum

Waiouru

 She has obviously gone out and got her self a few thermals now.

FNSI Results & 1 Xmas Item A Month

It was a bit of a rush and I had to do it Saturday night New Zealand time, but I joined in on FNSI again this month.  Sign ups were at the last moment, but I worked it out it was still Friday night somewhere in America.

For the last FNSI held in January I made this 12 1/2 inch block which was going to be made into a cushion cover.  This month I finished it and even put a zip in easy peasy.  Just need to go and get a large enough cushion inner for it when in town next.  

This cover also lets me sign off a project for 1 Xmas Item A Month too.

Also last night i made this block for QBSA which I am a member of. The block is for Terry in the US.  She asked for any block in Children Novelty or Brights, so I made this Churn Dash.

Next months FNSI is on March 22nd so keep an eye out for sign ups close to it.

Also lately I have completed another cross stitch keyring.

1 Christmas Item A Month & FNSI

Again this year I have joined up to Narelle's '1 Xmas Item A Month' over at Pins and Whiskers, where we aim to make one Christmas item each month and blog about it on the 25th or thereabouts.

I earlier this month blogged about this Christmas tablerunner I made at Gone Stitchins' Friday Night With Friends.

It will make a welcome addition to my Christmas decor this year.

Also sign ups are open for FNSI being held 25th Jan.  So go here to sign up