Wednesday Catch Up

I thought that I would take some time out of my schedule to catch up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for W.I.P. Wednesday.

Its been a while since I have shown off some of my projects lately. At the moment I've been focusing on some EPP and have been attacking the Rose Stars. 

I have 8 stars completed and 3 more cut out and ready to baste. I am loving the color combinations. I have some Kona snow solid arriving for the background.

So head over to visit Lee and see what others have been up to over the past week.

Rose Stars

I have started plugging away at my rose star blocks.

I have finished 2 blocks. I have 7 in total

Still lots to go. I need to cut more fabric.

Getting on board...

Sounds like I'm heading off on a trip. Well kind of anyway. 

This year is taking off for me.  I have found things in blog land that are calling out to me.

The first calling is the Scrappy Trip Along on Flickr.  If you haven't already seen the addiction across the internet go and check out the link. I have admired this pattern and tutorial for a while and have had it on my bucket list. Every trip made is an ode to Bonnie's genius mind and scrappy talents using her infamous stash.

Which leads me onto this. I want 2013 to be a year of this.

I have tried and tried to make this happen and have found myself drawn into the new gorgeous lines out there. But this year I need to pull my head in and break into the stash. The biggest reason for stash busting is house renovations. Since returning to work, DH and I have been discussing upgrading our house and moving on. But over the last week, we have come to the realization that with little kids and money spending it would be cheaper to renovate our current house and double its size. Yep, we are extending. Plans are currently being drafted up and next step is finding a builder.

So to acknowledge my pledge to downsize the stash, I joking told my DH this morning that I could make a scrappy trip quilt for every bedroom and my stash would not look like it had been touched. 

I'm thinking though that I would love to make one out of all my spots. I have numerous shade and colors of fabric that happen to be covered in spots. Not a bad plan. My other idea was to attack my stash of 1930's fabric. So thank you Freda for your suggestion and gentle nudge on your blog, it now my time to take action against the every increasing stash. 

Oh and the best news about renovating. Not only will I have a brand new bedroom with ensuite, the new renovated house will be 4 bedrooms, larger bedrooms for the kids and a sewing room (study) for little ole me with a lovely big cupboard built in. Now all my fabric will be in one place and I'll have a little room of my very own.

Finishing up Q1 projects

It's not my top of my to do list, but is has been one of my Q1 challenges. If you read my blog you will know that I'm addicted to EPP.

So in keeping my addiction happy, I've managed to complete the second side of the hexagon bag.

It's now quilting time.

1st Quarter FAL for 2013

So its time to set myself my first quarter challenge to finish off some long overdue projects for 2013. I've decided to mix it up a bit for me so that I have a variety of things I really need to finish this quarter for sure. I want them done, done, dusted!!

So here they are and what I need to do to get them finished.

Project 1: Hannah's Quilt

I was making this as a commission quilt for a friend from my Mother's group. The family moved away from the area so I decided to make it as a gift instead. It was started in March 2011.

To finish it off
1. Piece the backing together
2. Raw applique around the letters and hexagon flowers
3. Baste
4. Quilt 
5 Bind

Project 2: Car Mat

This project goes with Hannah's quilt for her big brother Will. I started quilting in 2011 and put it away to do other projects. Not much left to do but just no motivation.

To finish it off
1. Finish Quilting
2. Bind

Project 3: Thomas Quilt Number 2

I wanted to make Will this quilt as he just loves Thomas. Super easy to finish and get done as its only 3 steps involved.

To finish it off
1. Baste
2. Quilt
3. Bind

The first three projects are my top priority for the quarter. 

Project 4: Liam's log cabins

This quilt was supposed to be for the birth of my son. He turns 4 in February and still it is not finished. I'm naughty I know. Its time to dust off the cobwebs and get it done. Its made from a kit I received as a Christmas present because I love it from the Fat Quarter Shop. I think I received this gift in 2007. I started this project after he was born but its never been finished.

To finish it off
1. Piece the blocks together
2. Add the borders
3. Baste
4. Quilt
5. Bind


Project 5: Hexagon Bag
This bag is my EPP project. Its my addiction, hexagons. I started this late last year. Its made with a variety of pinks from the 1800 reproduction fabrics. 

To finish if off
1. Piece together the second side 
2. Quilt the pieces
3. Make the bag
4. Purchase the handles

Project 6: Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin

 I joined this group in 2012 to try out something new. This is the top I received back from my fellow bloggers from countries such as France and USA. 

So its now time to get it finished and on my wall.

To finish it off
1. Baste
2. Quilt
3. Bind

I think I'm in for a busy quarter. Sorry about the photos. The finished products should look 100% better.

Friday night sewing

Well the night went quickly. I actually achieved some sewing and some SMS gas bagging with my friend Simone.

I started with this.....

And ended the evening with this.

Hope everyone had a great time. I did but boy was I hot, hot...overheated!!!

I'm heading over to link up with Cheryll.

Joining in

So DH is currently working 5 nights on so I'm kicking back my heels, lazing about in my recliner and stitching away with blogging friends. Kids will be watching their eyelids by 7pm.

I'm going to the first Friday night stitching hosted by Cheryll at Gone Stitchin' Can't wait. My girlfriend Simone has joined in on the action too. 

My plans. Hexagons of course. It's going to be a scorcher today (43 degrees Celsius) but not uncommon. So hand work is better than nothing.

See everyone this evening.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I didn't get to see the New Year in this year as I'm trying to catch up on lost sleep after our Christmas trip away with a very unsettled little boy and thanks to my little girl she has passed on her cold. Argh!!

So in my continual madness, I have been browsing around for some quilt alongs for 2013 when I came across this...

Leanne from She Can Quilt is hosting the 2013 Finish-A-Long (FAL) and I think that I have enough projects that I could compile a nice list for 2013. Seeing that there is a link party every 3 months, I can have a nice time thinking about or working on those dreaded UFOs.

Now to start thinking about my list...hmmm I definitely have some immediate projects to finish off over the next three months. 

I will be linking back on Monday 7th January with my list. Stay tuned.