Writer's block - and a big finish

I think I am lucky who have not experienced a writer's block before,
but when it struck, it struck long and hard. It has been unpleasant, for months, with a lot of thinking I want to write, I want to write, but I just can not find my writing mojo.......

Starting to write again feels like breaking in a new pair of shoes, and I am looking forward to the writing process getting in flow mood again.

I have been busy with the needle through 2016, and focusing mainly on Ufos, and have many finishes to show for it. Luckily I have never experienced a quilter's block - I hope I do not jinx myself by saying that...... I think not!

My plan is to blog sort of backwards, starting with my latest finish, the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt - My Favorite Things, a stitch-along from several years ago (2011- ), hosted by Chookyblue on Stitch-A-Long

I am so in love with all Anni Downs' designs, and this one is no exception.
This is my first big quilt all needleturn appliqued. I think I really love this quilt even more now than when I started it. Meeting Anni in Norway was special too!

Merete Ellingsen has done the machine quilting.

Wherever you go,
go with all your heart!

Hanne

Goals are good :-)

If you remember that I was working on Some Kind of Wonderful quilt a couple of years back (and a little in between), you are so right!

I still have the 2 more complex applique blocks to go, then joining, machine quilting and binding, and in my not so simple head I now think I can do it all through March.
I may come to regret that goal, but at least it is a goal.
If I fail in March, there is always April…….

Wouldn’t it be great to have this quilt done for show and tell when Anni Downs come in May…… yes, yes, yes!

I treated myself to Anni’s last book from Quiltmania recently – it is cute :-)

I have some other goals too – I am not sure if I should name them, but these are amongst them ;-)

Should keep me out of trouble for a while!

Hanne

A happy finish–and some SKOW progress :-)

Maybe you remember what I was piecing on the beach in Turkey recently ?
Now the table runner is done and I am very happy with the result :-)
This is my own idea – no store bought pattern -  using English Paper Piecing pieces, half linen fabric and hand quilting in 2 colours, both with regular hand quilting thread and perle cotton.

My Some Kind of Wonderful quilt is coming along too – now lacking 2 blocks, 2 vertical sashing sections and the top and bottom borders.
I think I can finish the top through October! Go me!

Hanne

Weekend stitches

I am looking forward to start hand quilting this table runner shortly :-)
It was fun to piece and applique.

Some Kind Of Wonderful quilt is coming along too :-)
Only 2 more applique blocks to go, but they have a lot of pieces.
I still need a lot of sashing strips too. All the small square blocks in the vertical rows are done, so I could do a real tidying of my desk – that was nice :-)
I will give the quilt some daily attention for another week (and probably the week after, and the week after too)

On Saturday I participated in a sew-together for caring quilts with one of my guilds.
Well – they did the sewing, I did the coffee drinking…….
I do not have strength for that kind of work anymore,
but I can participate in arranging fabrics and so on.

I have gathered most of my charity quilts fabrics now and given it to my guild for others to use for the good cause of warming children with cancer and other long term diseases.
Over the last 14 years I have made more than 100 quilts for this cause, so it has been a bit hard to give it up – but a woman has to do what a woman has to do…..

I have been forced to choose between different activities to be kind to this troublesome body.
I do not knit anymore and I very seldom do crochet, so the rest of the baby yarn I had is as of yesterday given to a lady who distributes it amongst eager knitters, to knit hats, blankets and socks to babies born to early or with health problems.

Even if it is hard to give up charity quilt making, it is good too, liberating sort of.
It just mean I have set my priorities and am setting my own health and strength first!

I love my own quilts and I love my teaching – and not a charity project in the world can come between that!

Did I mention it gives extra space in the Quilt Corner too ? Nice :-)

Look what I have got!!
I am doing a very happy dance for a big light table for tracing stitchery :-)
Someone I know had one to sell, and I am now the happy new owner.
Stitchery and my beloved crazy sampler blocks of all kinds – I see a lot of fun in the future.
When one door closes, another door opens!

Hanne

Busy week

I often wish for a couple more hours a day, and I could really use them.
So many quilt, so little time ;-)
I hope to be able to show you more photos shortly.

In between everyday life and other quilt activities, the Some Kind Of Wonderful quilt gets its daily attention. It does not show much difference from day to day, but every little step gives results.

Hanne

Stitch by stitch

Stitch by stitch, the quilt top is coming along – not very fast, but slow and steady.
The filler blocks with all the small squares takes some time to do, as i am cutting from my scraps, but I think they look good, and I am trying to balance the colours too.

The chair block in the right row lacks the stitchery text, and I still miss 3 quite work intensive applique blocks ( I guess that is why I miss them……. )

My plan for the upcoming week is to give this quilt top at least 1 hour attention every day – in average.
I do NEED the light fabric for something else that I can not get done before this top is done – remember, Catch 22 ;-)

The very good thing is that the more I do on this quilt top, the more inspired I am to get it done. I really really like the design and it will look nice and the right kind of whimsical once it is done :-)

 

Hanne

Back in business :-)

After more than a month without my beloved pink computer, a new Miss Sam has moved into my house :-)
The old one died before reaching the age of 1 year, and the shop did not succeed in repairing her even after 4 tries – or, maybe they did the last time, but the repair persons managed to make serious damages to the exterior. I wonder what they did to damage my pink lady – trying to open her with a can opener instead of a screw driver?
So, today I got a new friend instead, and finally I could install the required software for more enjoyable blogging :-)
I still went for a Samsung, but chose a bigger screen. Pink was not a colour option this time, so I liked the silver pc more than the white.

I am working away on my SKOW quilt – it is slowly coming together.
Here is the book, in case you want to make this quilt too. It is filled with nice projects of all sizes :-)

Hanne

A Vitamin Q weekend :-)

It is always so fun to have a true Vitamin Q weekend, like May Britt and I just had :-)
I had a lot of projects packed. I only had 1 small finish this weekend, but several projects got moved forward.We had the very best time making angels – I can never have to many angels!
This beauty is 8” tall.

May Britt was busy finishing several placemats, and machine quilting her Christmas stitchery.
We have a little challenge between us – 2 UFO or WISP (work in slow progress) finishes for October, November and December (6 finishes total).

Even if it is still a bit early for Christmas markets, the first ones have already started.

We visited Irene on Saturday afternoon. I hope she sold well through the weekend.

We had dinner there – a traditional dish of Elghakk – minced meat of elk, mixed with onion and potatoes. Lingonberries and flat bread on the side.
We did not have to cook at home then, and we enjoyed the rest of Saturday sewing :-)

 

May Britt is working on several red projects, and here she is ready to throw a fraction of her red fabrics in the washing machine.
The funny thing is she has tried to convince me that her selection of red fabrics are small, for quite some time ……….. well………. not so much anymore ;-)

One quilting project, like one cookie, is never enough!

Hanne

Many small stitches

One more Some Kind of Wonderful block done – 3 4 to go!

I have been in block mode today, so I finished this one too – for the Life Is Beautiful quilt.

One more Sue Daley block for Gyspy Garden quilt :-)

I do not buy many kits anymore, but I have some lovely kits that I have not yet made.
I felt like doing something small and fun this evening, and this tape measure chatelain was fun to make.

Done and ready to be used!

I am working on getting my finished count up – stay tuned :-)

Hanne