2012...Here I come

It's officially New Year's Eve. So I will be spending my time looking after my sick little boy and working on completing the flannel quilt top for my sister in law and her fiance. Here are some sneak peaks.

I plan to move my dining table into my lounge room and sew the night away whilst my husband watches some much deserved TV.

Here are some more photos to end off my 2011 year.

Hexagon Diamond #29

Ferris Wheel templates that I won from a blog. It was a belated birthday gift. I was very surprised to win them. I can't wait to play with them. I need to practice my hand piecing first. Meredithe at Pomegranate and Chintz designed this set of templates. She is a very talented lady. Go and check out her blog and her inspirations. Maybe Meredithe will help me play when I catch up with her for one of the Midday to Midnight Sewing sessions in 2012.

I caught up with my special friend Michelle and her mum Heather this week before my little man became ill. I love her purpose built sewing room. I'm just a bit jealous. I managed to finish off the quilt top for my Grandpa. It will be a belated Christmas gift. Now to get it to the LAQ.

Here was the original finished quilt top.

Here is the finished top with added borders to fit his bed better. I plan to bind the quilt in the brown.

I happened to get some fabric for Christmas from Santa for being such a good girl. I received 6 Prince Charming Charm Packs from Tula Pink. I think I have a idea of what I can do with this fabric. I have Kona Ash that I can add to it.

So now for the 2012 Goals

My biggest goal for the year is to attack my stash. I purchased too much beautiful fabric in 2011 and I need to use some of it up. If I need to add I will endeavor to purchase only backgrounds/solids that I need for individual projects. Stash first...purchase second.

I would also like to try some designing patterns and playing around with my EQ7 in 2012. I designed my sister in law's wedding quilt using the program and would like to keep going. But I also have ideas floating around in my head all the time. I need to get them down on paper. 

I think that I would like to set my set some goals once a month. So I will start with January. When we get to the end of the month I will re evaluate and set some goals for February and so on..

1. Finish off the Wedding quilt top so that I can get it to a Long Arm Quilter.
 
2. Quilt the checkered baby quilt. That means that I have to piece the backing before that starts.

3. Join up with Lee at Freshly Pieced every Wednesday if possible for 2012.

4. Finish Hannah's Quilt.

5. Finish Will's Floor panel.

6. Work on some hexagons. I need to give my self permission to do some hand stitching. I can pick these up and put them down whenever I can.

7. Try and blog at least twice a week.

8. Write down a list of my WIP's and projects that I want to complete.

9. Plan my little girl's number "5" birthday party.

10.. Set my goals for February.

I think that I'm going to be busy. Welcome to my 2012. Happy New Year Everyone!!

Hexagon Diamond 28

I'm playing around with my birthday present. I got the new IPhone 4S from my family.

So I thought I would show off my next hexagon diamond. 

In the end I've gone back to my computer as it didn't work out for me as well.

Celebrations

This week has been about celebrations. There were of course some minor downers as well.

Monday was the last day of Open Playgroup for my son and daughter.

Santa came to visit. Just to say, my kids are very stranger danger when it comes to Santa. My little boy wouldn't go anywhere near him and to top it off he has an aversion to any sort of wrapping paper. He hates getting presents. Yes that's right, he hates to receive and unwrap presents. It takes him ages to even look at a new present when we unwrap them.

My minor downer for the week, my new scar wasn't healing the right way and the Doctor had to re cut and restitch it back together again. Not impressed really.

Tuesday I celebrated my birthday. I received some lovely gifts and I have to wait for my new IPhone 4s as there were none in stock. This is what I received. 

Measuring Cups

I also was able to catch up with my girlfriend Michelle and her Mum, Heather. I basted some more of my Ahhh hexies. I was also taken out to dinner. So the whole birthday was not too bad but I was sore from Monday.

Wednesday was another trip to the Doctor to check my new stitches.

Thursday was the last day of Rostered Playgroup for my little girl. She loves Playgroup and starts Pre School next year. This is her second year and she will miss it. She was so excited to tell Santa her Christmas request. REAL Fairy wings and REAL Pixie Dust so she can really FLY. If anyone has ideas about some Pixie Dust that doesn't involve glitter I would be very interested.

I finished off my Kris Kringle for the Murray Mallee Quilters Christmas Party. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of the finished gift but here is one of part of the present. I brought a new mug and Christmas cake to go with it. Can you guess what it is??

On Saturday I attended the Christmas Party. It was for lunch and I had a great time. Here is a photo of my Kris Kringle present and the door prize I received. My little girl has eaten my chocolates.

In amongst my trips to the Doctor, parties and celebrations, I did manage some more hexagon diamonds. I had lots of sitting and waiting at the Doctor surgery so I had lots of time to stitch with no interruptions. Here they are.

Hexagon Diamond 25

Hexagon Diamond 26

Hexagon Diamond 27

Now that my birthday is over, its time to decorate for Christmas. Tree is up waiting for presents to be wrapped.

W.I.P Wednesday

Hi everyone. I'm back again for another W.I.P Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced. 

This week its all about hexagons. I have been recuperating from minor surgery this week and I've been basting and whip stitching my hexagons together. I pulled out my hexagon diamond quilt and completed diamonds 23 and 24 and 2 half side diamonds. 

Here they are...

I also basted hexagons for diamonds 25 and 26.

I also finished Hexagon 3 - The Columbia for the Ahhh Hexies group that is happening over at Hillbilly Handiworks. Here it is...

I've also been basting the smaller pieces (there are 96 of them) to complete Hexagon 4 - A Girlie's Star. Here is one of the smaller hexagons that make up the larger hexagon shape. They look cute. 

Last but not least. There were 2 special baby boys join us the last couple of days. One little man known as "Fox Theo" will be receiving this lovely quilt when finished.

The other little boy will have his own special quilt too. He doesn't have a name yet that I know of but I know he will love his gift too. I just have to make it. The design is in my head, now to put it down and sew it up. Its going to be a basic 9 patch and snowball block combined.

My brother and his girlfriend found out this week that they are having a boy too. It must be the year of the boy as all my friends or family this year have either had or are expecting boys. Go figure. 

I'm getting clucky all over again..LOL

More Hexagons

I have been busily working on more of my hexagon diamond quilt over the weekend and my Ahhh hexies. Its about the only thing I could manage over the weekend as I have been extremely sore and it's been hard to move about. My wonderful DH has been looking after me and done heaps of housework on top of looking after our 2 year old. My little girl went away for the weekend with her grandparents to the annual family Christmas parties and has had a great time. The house has been extremely quiet without her constant chatter. My little man has enjoyed all of his dad's attention as his competition has been elsewhere.

I managed to finish off hexagon diamond number 24

I have also basted hexagons for diamonds 25 and 26. I completed 2 more half diamonds for the side of the quilt.

I have nearly finished the Columbia hexagon but have a few more whip stitches to complete. I will post a picture once it is finished.

Hexagons

I pulled out an old faithful yesterday. It just called to me. It must have been a form of comfort for me as I had some minor surgery. 

It felt so good to work on this W.I.P again. Its been on hold whilst I work on my other hexagons.

Here is diamond number 23.

Here is the beginning of diamond number 24.

Now I have to pull out the fabrics and choose more diamond colorways to add to the quilt.

Here is a picture of its current progress as well.

So my weekend will be filled with hand sewing as I don't think I can manage a machine and be comfortable. What will others be sewing this weekend??

W.I.P Wednesday

I'm back for a brief but excited W.I.P Wednesday. I have some great progresses to show off so I'm heading over to visit Lee at Freshly Pieced for another W.I.P Wednesday.

Where do I begin???

Being a Mum who works on various committees, I have been busy organising meetings and end of year activities. I have had a very slow internet connection which made it difficult to do anything or blog my craftiness for all to see. We've had a dance concert and rehearsals which went well. My little girl had a great time and loved dancing in her concert and dressing up. In amongst it all I managed to work on my hexagons. It helped to keep everything more sane and keep me on an even keel.

So for my show and tell.

My hexagon quilt. I have added the last row of 8. I have two color rows to complete and some backgrounds and I am finished. I am thinking that I would like to hand quilt this one with variegated Finca Grey pearl cotton. Now that I'm close to a finish I'm super excited.

I've also been working on some Ahhh hexies that Tonya at Hillbilly Handiworks has been posting. I'm using 1.5" hexagons so mine are bigger but I'm enjoying the challenge. I have made a number of different blocks from the first two hexagons.

The Pointing Star

The Hexagon Star

Second Hexagon Star

The Columbia

Pieces ready for A Girlie Star

Hexagon shapes for A Girlie Star

There are 96 pieces for the next hexagon A Girlie Star. Aren't the pieces tiny and my hexagons finished are 1.5". For the people following Tonya's pattern and directions to the letter, their pieces will be smaller than mine.

Now if I can just find time to get on my machine. I have some projects to finish off and get sent away before Christmas and I definitely need to finish off this baby quilt. The baby is imminent and I have to quilt the top and get it done.

So here is my Prima Ballerina or as we called them last week our Lemurinas.

Here in spirit

I just wanted to let people know that I've been busy the last couple of weeks. It will continue to be busy until the end of the month. I've been around looking at all my favourite blogs and adding my comments but I've been unable to post, much to my dismay.

My sewing machine had a little holiday at the Doctor and I'm yet to test to see if its problem has been fixed. I have a few unfinished items that are priority number one to get done very soon.

I've been wearing my other hats recently, which include President of my children's playgroup. Its that time of the year again when we have our AGM and get ready for the end of the year and teach the new committee what they can do in 2012. I'm also trying to employ a new Playgroup Leader which is a task within itself.

I've have been hexagoning when I sit down in the evening. 

Its about as much as I can manage. The quilt is coming to a close and I'm in love with it. I've had so much fun and can't wait to show off the finished product.

I've also managed to make some of the Ahhh Hexagons. They are lots of fun as well.

This week my Prima Ballerina has her dance concert. All systems are go and everyday there are rehearsals on. Today we have our first full dress rehearsal, makeup, hair and all. She is very excited and prancing around the house at all opportunities. Will have to show everyone a photos of her in her costume soon.

Lastly, my internet has been so slow that its been hard to do anything. But is back to normal today. Thank goodness. I've missed my speedy connections and seeing everyone's blogs just pop up on the screen for me.

Weekend time on the machine

I was so happy to be able to get some sewing machine time this weekend that I was able to put together a couple of quilt tops. One is finished ready for the next phase..basting and quilting and the 2nd quilt just needs the borders added. 

I am liking the fresh bright feel to both of them. 

I also found another blog that has got my love of hexagons and paper piecing. Hillbilly Handiworks is hosting an Ahhhh Hexies stitch, english paper piece, quilt along for the addicted english paper piecer. (I guess I fit into this mode somewhere). I have decided to join along. She is releasing a new hexagon every Thursday. I've decided to use 1.5" hexagons for the project and here are my fabrics for the first hexagon.

I've decided to delve into my 1930's fabric collection. I'm not sure that these are 30's fabric but I put them with the stash as they definitely had a 30's feel to me. I have always liked 30's reproduction fabrics especially used with a crisp white background. Stay tuned for the first block. I am making two different blocks using all of the fabrics above.

Winner....

I just want to thank everyone who decided to have a guess at how many 2" hexagons I could baste in an evening. 

With out further waiting the answer is 22.

Congratulations to Lee from Freshly Pieced who guessed 21. She is the lucky winner of a surprise. I will contact you via email Lee to make arrangements to send you your special surprise.

Further, I was in awe of the large number responses. It gives me something to aim towards.

Don't forget to have a guess?

If you are a regular reader of my blog, don't forget to have a guess. 

I have a lovely surprise for the person who can guess the correct answer or get the closest which ever happens first. At the moment 3 people have played, so feel free to have a guess as well.

Remember that I will come back tomorrow (Saturday) and let people know who has won the special surprise.

Can you guess it right???

Tonight I have been basting background 2" hexagons for this quilt.

So I've decided to have a little competition and if you can guess the right answer there is a small reward just for you.

How many hexagons did I baste tonight for my quilt? (P.S. I have been tacking the hexagons onto the papers if this helps any). Also let me know your favourite colour.

Tell your friends and post in the comment section your answers. I will let people know who the lucky winner is on Saturday 29th October 2011.