April Catch-up

Computer issues continue to plague me so I am applying much patience and taking it very slowly. Just when I think I can comment on blogs or reply to your lovely comments there's another bump in the road. "Something" keeps throwing in extra spacing between paragraphs too so please excuse any gaps. :)

As well as the two 1/2" hexie flowers that I have previously posted about, I have a third almost complete. My May and June Inchy Swap flowers are finished and ready to be posted off although I might hang onto the June flowers for a little bit.

The first month of my "Because I Said So" BOM arrived and I'm very happy to report that both blocks are finished. I took it with me to our group patchwork day and sewed the fabric blocks ready to attach to the stitcheries.

Thankyou to those who kindly provided their thoughts on stitching before or after the blocks are joined. I've decided to complete the stitcheries first and then join the blocks. It's a little hard to see but I'm using a light purple for the stitchery and love the fabrics that have been provided with the BOM.

Month 2 has arrived so my plan is to complete blocks 3 and 4 by the end of May.

Block 1

Block 2

Blocks 1 and 2 for Month 1 are now safetly rolled in my block keeper and I'm ready to trace the stitcheries for Month 2.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Round 10 of our SAHRobin was to either embelish some more or ... quilt ready for adding further embelish such as beads, buttons etc.

I couldn't decide how to quilt the blue piece so I left it and quilted the tan piece first. Last week after much thought I kep it simple and stitched in the ditch around certain blocks.

For the tan piece I first quilted some straight lines to form a diamond pattern but didn't like the look of straight lines everywhere so .... some unsewing was performed. Then I decided it was a good time for some free motion quilting practice and used the applique hearts and embroidered flowers for a vine design.

A close-up of the hearts and flowers vine free motion quilting.

We've been having April Showers almost every day this month and there's a chill in the breeze lately ... time to make sure the woodbox is full.

O.F.W. ~ SAH Robin 9

Today I finished off the last three 1/2" hexie flowers for the last round of Stitching Round the Block. Sorry it has to be in black and white Kerry, can't have you getting any ideas.


We will each have our own blocks returned at our next patchwork day on the 23rd March so I still have some work to do. I also cut the green fabric into squares ready to baste the last hexies for my table top.

To visit more colourful gardens head over to our lovely host Karen for more links.

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After the little flowers were done, I pulled out my two SAH Robin blocks to see how I could add some embelishment for round 9. I thought maybe a dragonfly to go with the snippets of dragonfly fabric used in the blue piece.

Jayne thought she'd help me out in case the breeze tried to flip it over.

On the tan piece I decided to add a touch more blue and stitched 3 little blossoms down the left side.

Each month our lovely host Kate gives a small direction for the next round and then it's time to put the thinking caps on. If you'd like to see other gorgeous creations head over to Stay-at-home Robin.

O.F.W. and Other Sewing

My 1" hexies table top has come to a standstill until I can sorce some more of the green fabric. It only needs 12 more hexies to finish the border on the top left side and then I'm ready to back it and quilt.

My hexagon making won't be at a standstill though ... I've moved onto 1/2" hexies. This little fellow was for my SAHR project ... more will be made to add to a UFO quilt.


Another shabby bag hanging from the poinciana tree ... this one was waiting for buttons to be attached at the base of the handles ... I'd bought some and lost them so now I've bought more and attached them straight away.

Last night I finished off some applique for round 8 of SAHRobin ... notice the little hexie?

This one has two red hearts blanket stitched on.

This sewing caddy with matching scissor fob will be in the post shortly as a New Beginnings kit
once I make up a little drawstring bag to keep the kit all together.

And lastly these two little drawstring bags have already been sent on their way.

Phew! Still have a couple of things to tick on my February 'to-do' list including the third round of Stitching Round the Block ... we swap next Wednesday so I'd better get stitching.

Now if I can just squeeze in some progress on a UFO and make something for Christmas before the 25th!

SAHRobin 7 and Some Gardening

Quick off the mark for a change, I've finished January's round 7 for the SAHRobin and it's only the 3rd. Today the blue scrap box came off the shelf and to the bottom I have added a 5"x5"; 5"x6" and 5"x5".


Yesterday I went with the tan scrap box. The next step will involve embellishment so I can't wait ... but guess I will have to.


All of this rain has to be good for somethings ... just ask my roses. I don't think they've ever looked this healthy and have gone a little wild.

Above is after I spent an afternoon weeding ... below is the other half to be done.

Then out with the pruners to give them a light hair cut ... I don't want to loose all the buds yet.

Stormy Afternoon

Thankfully not severe like the storms through the week ... just lots of rumbling and lots and lots of rain. We've had 2 storms since lunch and water is gushing everywhere ... dams overflowing ... creeks breaking their banks ... and me enjoying some sewing.

With the end of December close I grabbed both my blue and tan scrap containers and my "100 Quilt Blocks" book for inspiration to tackle SAHRobin Round 6.


This month Kate's instruction were to add a 9" x 3" and a 4" x 3" piece to the left of our project.

I'm so happy with the way thes two projects have evolved and can't wait for January and the instructions for Round 7.

SAHRobin Round 5

Sunday today and I've been on a bit of a go slow ... enjoying the break from the hustle and bustle.

I did bring out the cutting mat, cutter, rulers and two clear shoeboxes of fabric bits and pieces ... put my thinking cap on ... and came up with the next step for the SAHRobin.


Step 5 asked us to add a 4"x6" piece and a 4"x7" piece to the top of our blocks creating a 4"x13" piece addition. It takes me longer to think about what to do and choose the fabrics than it does to sew them up.

The blue one below is a little different. I wanted to use two 4"x4" blocks so the checkers had to be 4"x5".

I'm really enjoying the challenge and love how the two blocks are following their own direction. If you'd like to see more wonderful creations by other quilters, Kate has a blog just for Stay-at-Home Robin.

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O.F.W. ~ SAHR4

Hooray for Wednesday! ... middle of the week ... I don't go to work on Wednesdays ... and it's One Flower Wednesday.

I've been super busy trying to get the housework done and play with fabrics.

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Some of my fabric play has been for round 4 of SAH Robin.

Why does the camera ... or is it just me? ... make the blocks look wonky?

I've also managed to wrap all the gifts for the FRIENDS Swap and now just need to wait till I can get to the post office.

Off to do some more housework. Atleast I feel like I've achieved something today.

Stay-at-Home Robin Update

Finally got a chance today to bring out my Stay-at-Home Robin blocks ready for step 3.

Step 3 was a 10"x3" strip joined either above or below the previous blocks. I have no thought of where either of these are going, they just develop each month as I dip into my scraps.

I've even had a little time for strolling in the garden. Here's some lovely 'red' blossoms.

O.F.W. ~ Mail Friday ~ SAHR Sunday

First off is my purple hexie for One Flower Wednesday for last week.


I've been playing with them all, trying different layouts and now I'm really not sure at all how I want this project to look.

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Then on Friday, the mailman left a parcel in my mailbox. Major excitement to discover which of the quilts from Another Little Quilt Swap 4 came to live at my house.

Ta-da! "Flutter of Time"
Fabric is Flutterby by Tula Pink for Moda and Grunge by Basic Grey for Moda. Block used is hourglass. This lovely little quilt now hangs proudly on my lounge wall. Big thankyous to Charlie for your lovely quilt and Kate for hosting a wonderful swap.

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Kate is also responsible for the idea of a SAH (Stay At Home) Robin, a round robin that stays with the maker at all times and doesn't leave home.

For our August block, we were required to make a 4" x 6" block to be added to the left side of block 1.

It's basically the same block for both, but then I decided to tweek it for the above block because the colours didn't look right when I set them as in the blue.

This month I had fun playing with my 1 1/2" strip scraps stash. Now I await September's block.