Started a new quilt

A whole week and very little sewing

I've been back home for a whole week now.  But DH is up with eldest DS in Bundaberg.  So, I'm being a single parent here.  With seven kids to get to school, who all seem to want to eat regularly and go to all their activities after school, there has been very little time for sewing.

I did a big clean up of the sewing room when I returned home.  Found a kit for a very simple quilt using 4 1/2 inch squares surrounded by two lots of sashing - the sashing being cut from a very pretty jelly roll by Moda called Spring Fling.  I was going so well.  I had all the cutting done and had sewn on the first round of sashing.  I started the second - sewed on the first 8 1/2 inch strips and then went to put on the 12 1/2 inch strips.  Funny, they seemed to be about 1/2 inch too short.  But, no, they couldn't be - I'd measured twice, cut once.  Checked and double checked.  So, I went on and did the second - strangely enough, the second strips were about 1/2 an inch short.  Did some more checking - my ruler was 12 inches and not the 12 1/2 inches I had thought.  So, yes, I was right - they were 1/2 inch short.  Duh!!

What to do?  Checked everywhere I could think of - no more Spring Flings.  Of course, I'd had the kit for about 2 1/2 years, hadn't I?  I rang the lovely ladies at Fabric Patch and they matched as best they could.  No Spring Fling, but Dilly Dally is close enough.

So, I'm thinking of a very bright and scrappy Irish Chain with the left over Spring Fling and Dilly Dally as I only need twenty strips to complete this quilt.  Actually less than the 20 full strips, as I have all the 8 1/2 inch strips cut perfectly!!

Our girls are still waiting on an outcome for the court case.  Parents didn't show at the hearing today at all.  The judge's comment was that there was enough evidence to give an order and the Department had done all they could to help the parents change their ways so they could try to get the kids back.  However, they didn't actually tell them at the last hearing that if they didn't bother to show they would grant an order, so the judge believed that it was "fair" to leave it until next Monday to give the parents a chance to turn up and state their case.  I'm on the list of witnesses - hoping it won't get to that, as this is the man who has issued death threats against us in the past and has smashed his way into our home.  It won't be pleasant, but someone has to do the right thing by the children and their protection will be worth what ever aggravation we get put through.  The law has to change!  Who would have thought you'd need to put in writing to parents that if they wanted their kids back they needed to bother showing up.  Then again, out of 24 visits in the last twelve months they managed to get to 3 - and most of the time it was "we forgot" and that was after confirming at 4pm on the Wednesday and forgetting by 10am on Thursday!

On a nicer note - in my quest to get some of my WIPs and UFOs completed in 2012, I have been working on Country Romance from Pumpkin Patch - Block 2.  It's a lovely quilt with lots of piecing and applique.  I've almost finished block 2.  When I have, I'll post a picture.  I'm waiting for kids at scouts, so taking the time to get some blogging done, but no photos unfortunately.

Tomorrow my eldest DD is participating in District Netball trials and then we're heading up to Bundaberg to visit DH and DS (dropping 2 children at a scout camp on the way!).  DS and DH will be returning on Sunday with DS beginning the search for a new path in life.  It's all a journey and he has learnt lots through this experience, so all is good.

Some prayers for Monday's court date would be great - these little girls will have their lives put in danger if they are returned to these people.  It's a scary thought.

I think the hand stitching of a new teddy bear will keep my mind occupied over the weekend!

Cheers everyone.

Some Good news and some not so good news

Well, I'm back at home after my sojurn up in Bundaberg and my 3 weeks of sewing and coffee by the beach!  I'm getting back into the swing of things.

My second son auditioned a week or so ago for a part in the school musical "Calamity Jane".  He found out today that he got the part of Francis Fryer.  It'll be more costume making for me this year.  Of course, we had to find the video and watch it and sing along with all the old songs.  Lots of fun.

The not so good news is that my eldest son's job didn't work out.  He got told last Friday that it wouldn't be continuing.  While it is disappointing, it has given him a chance to do some soul searching and he has decided on a quite different course to take in life.  One, I think, that is much better suited to his personality.  Anyway, it's been interesting trying to find a way for him to achieve what he wants.

Our two little girls should find out this week if they are staying with us until they are 18.  With the evidence, it should be clear - but these things aren't always clear cut - however, much it may seem obvious.  DH and I may have to appear in court yet - and, of course, we will do whatever it takes to protect the girls, but it's not something I'm looking forward to as their birth father has made death threats against us twice now - and we've had to move out and go into hiding for a month last year.  Not very nice.  And it won't be nice to have to face him in court - but if that's what it takes.........

Life is never boring...........

Cheers

Marg

More finishes

Had another finishing day today. Having a wonderful time sewing, sewing and sewing. Two quilts to hand sew the binding on and another two finishes. OPAM is looking good this month. Not to mention Sew It's Finished.

Some finishes

Finally finished my first furry bear. I've also completed a bag.

There are two quilts quilted and binding machine sewed - just waiting for the hand stitching.

I have two more bears 'almost finished'!!

It's been a very productive week.

Still in Bundy and Still Sewing

A busy week last week with lots of sewing getting done.

This is Summer bear by Debbie Amos - he's just about completed.  Just face to go.  I've enjoyed making him - quite different from dolls, but lots of fun.  Hopefully there'll be a face after my class on Tuesday.

This is the Garden of Life Quilt by Calico Farm Designs.  The top is finished - can't see the stitcheries in the photos.  A very enjoyable quilt to make.  Hoping to get it quilted this week.

One of the Stitcheries from Garden of Life Quilt.  I love the background fabric - chosen by Terease at Homespun and Beautiful - stunning as always!

Another stitchery from the Garden of Life Quilt.  Interestingly , the first border fabric is the same fabric I've used in the dress for the doll-bear in the next photo.  This one was kitted by The Quilter's Shack in Bundaberg.  Great minds think alike, hey?

This is the beautiful Elle Jane.  She is a bear-doll made with jointed neck, but sewn in arms and legs.  She is made from tea stained cotton wadding.  A beautiful bear to make.  So much so, that I made another one this weekend.  Just have to finish her face and finish her clothes.

I can't put Elle Jane on my "Sew it's finished" list as I only bought the kit this year, but she is my first OPAM entry.  One done for February.  Hopefully there'll be a few more entries before the month is over.

I'm in Bundy for another week and then back home for a week.  Eldest DS goes for his driving test the week I'm home.  So we'll see what happens after that.

I also made another quilt this week - a split nine patch, but blogger will not let me put the photo in here.  Not sure what that says.  Hopefully I'll be able to when I quilt it.

Cheers

Marg

A busy week behind and ahead

I spent last week in Bundy with eldest DS as he settles into his new job.  I've set up a bit of a routine - drop him at work and head out to Bargara.  Have a walk along the beach and then a coffee at a beachside cafe.  With batteries recharged, I head into Bundy and spend my day either sewing or sorting out things for home.  

The view for my walk and morning coffee.  Not bad, hey?

Friday night was supposed to see DH and 4 children arriving so that we could swap cars.  The one we have here is a very old Mercedes - drives fine, but not much on the inside works - like windows, air conditioning, etc.  So not too pleasant to be driving in summer in Bundy.  However, it has got us out of a tight spot as DH needed our main car to get all the kids around at home.  

So, DH set off with kids and some extra sewing supplies for me!  Guess what?  Car stopped about 30 minutes away from home!!  Better that it happened there than further in the trip or on a morning trip to work with DS.  They got towed home.  Turns out it is not a big problem - but big enough to stop them from coming up.  So, it was a bit disappointing as I was quite looking forward to seeing everyone and hearing their news.  It has been so quiet up here - and I have enjoyed that, too - but was looking forward to a little noise!

So, I had a weekend to get some more sewing done.  I finished all the seams on my first Teddy Bear.  I've ended up going with a complete fur bear called Summer.  This one is completely jointed - thought that was a better "learning" project than a bear doll.  But with extra time on the weekend I have completed all the seams on Elle Jane - so both are ready for stuffing.  I've also started on Elle Jane's outfits.  Will get some photos this week when they actually start to look like bears rather than piles of material!

Yesterday I sat down and cut out two more Dear Jane blocks and 2 more Some Kind of Wonderful blocks.  Hope to get these completed this week.  I've also cut out and sewn the back ground block for the second block in Le Jardin.  I think the last block of this I made in 2010 - so it's been awhile!  I have the applique pieces cut as well.  

So, a week of sewing ahead.  I have classes on Tuesday - to do more bear making and in the afternoon I'm going to start a disappearing 9 patch.  I've done one of these before, but this one is going to be in flannel.  It'll be fun to do and will be for one of my DS's.  

Wednesday will be social sewing day and Thursday night more bear making.  I'm really hooked on bear making.  Just love it.  So far I've done everything by hand sewing - I'm interested to see how this goes when I put the stuffing in.  A bit worrying.  I'm as wrapped in this as I was when I started doll making - perhaps more so.  Maybe 2012 will be the year of the bear?

I could really enjoy living in this part of the world.  I have another two more weeks and then I'm back home and DH will be here with DS.  Then it's my turn again.  DS is trying to get his licence and I am keen for him to do that - I'm enjoying being needed as well.

Hope everyone has a great week.  Cheers

Bear making is brilliant.

First night of bear making was just brilliant. Can't wait to move on with my project. Don't think I've been this excited about a project since I started making dolls. More today! I'll attach photos soon. Working with the designer was absolutely brilliant.