What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Have to admit that only a little stitching has been happening, but every bit helps, doesn’t it.  Packed away in my stitching bag is a set of 12 pre-printed small Christmas panels, designed by Bonnie Sullivan, my new hand stitching project.  This was a gift from my penfriend Carol from South Dakota, and has some felt pieces attached.  Here I am working on block number one.

My new stitching project

Our tripping around continues, and it’s always exciting finding “new to us” places  to stay.  We had never heard of Te Anga, a small rural community along SH37 ...

This wall hanging was actually completed just prior to Christmas, so I can claim it as a 2020 finish, just didn’t have time to blog about it during the Christmas rush.  Aotearoa Blooming features nine stitchery blocks, adapted from Jenny Hunter’s applique patterns, which were printed in the New Zealand Quilter magazine in the late 1990s. 

After bookmarking these patterns in the magazines for such a long time, I decided that I would prefer to do them as stitcheries.  The first of the prepared blocks came along on our 10 week South Island caravan holiday back in early ...

What a year it has been, what with the global pandemic throwing a spanner in the works.  So it has been interesting to look back through the blog posts to see what I’ve managed to achieve this year.  Some old projects finally finished, plus a few new ones, and I enjoyed taking part in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge again this year.

I finished my Autumn stitchery in February.  Hand embroidered and hand quilted, I really enjoyed stitching this little wall-hanging - this is a free pattern from Crabapple Hill Studio.

Autumn stitchery

Several items were stitched for the caravan.  Christmas ...

Here we are camped in the little town of Takapau in the Hawkes Bay where we have been for a couple of days. Other than the caretaker, we ae the only ones staying here, so had the choice of where we wanted to park.  This is a very reasonably priced camp, and we are nice and toasty with a power site, plus our cozy diesel heater too, keeping us warm.

Staying at Takapau

The weather started out fine, but rather chilly, probably because of the snow on the Ruahine Ranges.

A little snow on the Ruahine Ranges

Our trip to ...

It’s been a beautiful day here in my part of paradise.  So mild you could almost think it was Spring, instead of mid winter.  I’ve spent some time outside today doing a little knitting.

My knitting is coming along well

Then it was time to hand stitch my quilt binding down, something I always enjoy.  This is a cot size quilt, so didn’t take me too long.  And here at last, Under the Sea quilt is finished.  I started the stitchery blocks way back in 2010, so it was well overdue to become a finished quilt.

Under ...

It is odd to think that in a couple of days we will be half way through 2020. Time flies regardless of the way the year is unfolding. That is the limit of my navel gazing. On to the craft projects!

I am keeping on with my 2019 Gail Pan BOM. July is completed.

Now I am at the stage where I need to decide how big to make the quilt using these stitcheries. And select which stitcheries to use if I limit the size. A bit of thinking needed here.

I am deciding on a new crochet project and ...

The first day of June saw temperatures drop here so we really knew that Winter had arrived. Coats, hats, gloves and scarves all came out.

So, on that basis it was timely that I had finished my crochet blanket.

This is a pattern from Attic 24 called Sweet Pea. It is a very simple design but works so well with the gorgeous colours of sweet peas.

I followed the pattern for the edging as well with seven of the colours.

It will be a perfect blanket to be able to use on those really cold nights when you just want ...

Happy Easter!

Regardless of what is happening in the world, the days still roll by and we reach special dates. I hope many children around the world get to have some fun celebrating Easter.

I enjoyed using my Bertie’s Springtime as a backdrop for pictures today.

This was a Bonnie Sullivan pattern.

I realised I had several stitcheries traced for Easter that had not been completed, so they were moved to the top of the queue.

I think this is a Red Brolly pattern.

This is also from the same designer.

They in their hoops ready to go up ...

There are a lot of bits and pieces that still need finishing, so I will try to keep on top of those UFOs in March.

Knowing that Easter is around the corner, I managed to find a frame for this little rabbit. I think it is a Bonnie Sullivan design (All Through The Night)

I had a pin cushion that had the stitching done from a long time ago. I finally stitched a backing on and stuffed it. It’s a Hatched and Patched design. (Annie Downs)

I managed to finish one hedgehog in time to give as a Christmas ...