Finishes in 2014 Q4

I'm linking this to Katy's blog, The Littlest thistle, for the finish along.

Back in October I knew that the last quarter of the year would be very busy in the other parts of my life, so I said I would finish only three items (see that post). Well, I did! Just not the three I mentioned there!

Finished:

table mats

Tulpen op Tafel (Tulips on the Table)

Not finished:

Almost there ... but, "a miss is as good as a mile":

Toadstool House

This is a project that's going on to the next quarter, and this thing really must be finished by the end of March.

Congratulations to everyone who met the targets and "Better luck next time" to everyone who didn't!
My best wishes to Katy for a speedy recovery and my thanks for hosting this year and helping me to set deadlines.

Best wishes everyone for health, happiness and creativity in 2015.

Happy Sewing

Marly.

Fresh Sewing Day and Small Blog Meet

Two weeks ago I had the wild idea that I should make something for Christmas and that I only had two months to get it done. When I saw Any Smart's hourglass block tutorial I had an idea for a Christmas decoration that would be quick (from a charm pack) and simple (one block repeated forty times)!
Here is the top which I did indeed have put together in two days, two weeks ago:

Fabric: "Solstice" by Kate Spain for Moda
Pattern: Amy Smart (minimally adapted.)

"Why is it still only a top?",  you might be asking. Because there was an event in Houston which was so compelling for the ladies who own my LQS that they shut up shop for two weeks to attend; no-one in their right mind crosses the Atlantic for just a couple of days! While I have enough wadding I don't have enough backing fabric, so have been waiting until they open up again next Tuesday morning. I hope to have this finished by next weekend.

While waiting for the shop to reopen I have gone further with my hexagons,

Hexagons

done some catching up on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge,

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 14: October

and made some more letters in the Little Letters Quilt Along at The Temecula Quilt Company,

Little letters

Also in October I made two small table mats for our bedside cabinets from a Martingale freebie pattern:

table mats

Click on the photos to read more about each of these projects.

I'm linking up to Lily's Quilts for both

and

               

so head over there to see what else has been happening in October.


Happy Sewing

Marly.

A finish: table mats

This is my first finish for

hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle.

My very short Q4 list was published here.

mats for our bedside tables.

Fabric: Bella solids: background - olive green; blocks  - from stash
Machine quilted with Aurifil 40 thread in dark green (5012)
Wadding; 100% cotton (the only one my LQS stocks) - from stash
Size: 15" (28 cm) square.
Pattern: (slightly adapted) A Martingale Freebie here. (You may have to sign in to access the pattern)

Now here is one of the mats again, after washing and in situ.

This was so easy, I made them in eight days from buying the dark green fabric to putting into the washing machine, which for me is the fastest ever! I know some people can get a whole king-size bed quilt together in that time, but I'm not that fast! I still have a few twosies over so there will be a matching seat cover for my dressing table stool sometime.

Happy Sewing

Marly.

Finish Along Q4

Each quarter Katy at The Littlest Thistle hosts a finish along for all types of craft projects.

Last quarter I failed to reach my target, so this time I hope it's more within my reach.




My projected finishes for the fourth quarter of 2014 are:

1. Toadstool house

This appliqué panel to practise using the appliquick tools was on my lists for the last two quarters so it must definitely be finished this quarter. I took it on holiday with me in September but firstly couldn't work out how to make the windows and secondly left the appliquick tools at home! With the windows the appliqué will be finished, then it needs borders and quilting and maybe some embroidery.

2. Mats for bedside tables

These now have borders to make the mats up to size, so I need to layer, quilt and add the binding. They should be finished this week!! (Ever hopeful!)

3. Tulips on the Table

This photo was taken in Portugal when I had just finished the appliqué. Since returning home I have layered but can't go any further until I have white hand quilting thread. This just needs quilting and binding, both of which will be partly hand and partly machine.


I also have other WIPs but no hope of finishing them this quarter. I hope this is a more realistic list than the last two quarters!

I'm linking up to The Littlest Thistle so head over there to see what others hope to achieve this quarter.

Good luck with all the finishes everyone!

Happy sewing

Marly.