I know, I know...

I've been a very bad blogger. I have been trying to get back into the habit, but just haven't been able to do it. Also once I start again I've got to keep at it, which means I'll have to actually do some sewing... I have been (very) slowly working on the hexagons, and I'm pleased to say that the top is nearly finished. In fact it is so close to being done, I should be at it! But no I'm in my usual place which is in front of the computer at the kitchen table, lifting the eyes up to the view, then down to the screen, then up to the view etc etc. I'm not looking at the house as the housework is a bit behind - that's an understatement btw - nor mowing the lawn, which it badly needs. Motivation is a bit lacking.

Here it is on the floor. The yellow tape measure shows about 68 inches. The whole top is almost square, but I didn't really plan it that way. What really happened was that I got sick of it, so just started the border without measuring it. It has been surprisingly hard to get a good photo of it, so this will have to do. I have to add a few more hexagons to fill the gap beside the tape at the bottom, and the best part of a row on the opposite side, but I've already sewn most of them together, I just have to sew the row to the top.

Normally I'd be in a bit of a frenzy to get it done, but I'm quite blaze (imagine a little thing on top of the e) about it all. This has a bit to do with the dilemma of quilting it, but is mainly due to slackness. It really deserves to be hand quilted, but I'm not up to the job.

My other photo to show off last, but definately not least, is a geocoin gift that was sent to me by Holly of And Sew It Is . At the same time we both had the urge to send each other a geocoin, so we did. This is a very special geocoin as Holly won it in a local competition where I think she had to find a cache in each of a number of different counties, and also visit the Holy Grail of Caches, which is the very first geocache. It can't be bought or replaced, so I'm very lucky to have it.

I think my next post is going to be "The Airing of the UFOs", in the hope that some of them might get finished this winter. Stay tuned...

Finished UFO

I have finished the Over-Pink Flowery Number, as it has come to be called, and off it goes to Heartstrings. Maybe it will suit an elderly lady. It is a real relief to just have to finish the Flimsy then put it in the post. I will have to spend a fair bit of time trimming the threads though, as these strips have been cut for about a year and are all fraying.

So the good news is that now that's finished I have allowed myself to start the 1930s Zig Zag Quilt. This photo is from the magazine's kit page, but I am using my own fabric. I see there is only one kit left so they may take the photo down soon.

I've had the fabric for a while now, but felt a bit guilty about the UFOs. Now one is finished, my guilt level has dropped considerably, and it is exciting to start something new. I have started the strip sets, then they all have to be cut into 1 1/2 inch strips and sewn back together off line. Might not be so excited about it all by then!

Otherwise all is quiet here. Simon is back to his normal self, but still has the lampshade on. I'm supposed to take him back to get his stitches out on the weekend, but if the last visit was anything to go by I'll probably end up doing that too, so I think I might just take them out myself. I have a friend here who is also a nurse and dog mother, so we will do it together. Save another trip over on the waterbus. Still trying to catch up on blog reading, and the red fabric has gone in the bin.

Can't Think of a Title

There were quite a few horrified remarks after my last post, with some people thinking I took no photos of the Doll Quilt I made for the swap. I did, as you can see, but I forgot to take one once the binding was sewn down. This one is of it all finished, except the hand sewing on the binding, which is sitting toward the front. If you wanted to look at other progress photos, I have my Labels visible on my blog, so you could click there.

I haven't been doing much sewing this week as I'm in a bit of a general slump. I don't even feel much like reading blogs. I have done a little bit on the hexagons, but it is too bulky now to do in front of the TV- I really need to sit at the table to do it.

I'm in 'intimidation mode' about sewing up the jumper I have finally finished for Daniel. I have read the mattress stitch instructions and had some advice, but....

As for UFOs I have been doing a bit of work on this flowery number. It has been a real struggle to sew something that you don't really like. I have also figured out that one of the fabrics smells funny, which makes me feel yuk. I have been at a bit of loss what to do with it, but today I have finally decided to make this section 40 inches wide, then put some sort of border around it of the same strips, so they will be going in the opposite direction. I would like to put a plain strip before the border, but I am struggling to find something that will match. I do have a pale mottly cream that might do, but I'm not sure if I have enough fabric.

I just want to finish it to Flimsy stage, then pass it on. I was reading the HeartStrings blog, and they might take it. We have a coordinator in Austalia, so that would save going through the Terrorist Interrogation at the Post Office.

The winter days are so lovely here at the moment, that I have been spending more time outside. I am about to buy another rainwater tank which will go under the house in a 'system' with the other one - this is to save on plumbing and digging. I have checked out the downpipes, and I can't see why I shouldn't be able to divert some of them into the new tank myself. "Have hacksaw..." In preparation for its arrival I have been cleaning up under the house. When the builders left, they chucked everything left over under there, and I have gradually been supplementing the firewood with the offcuts. I have now reached a point where anything useable has been used, so a general sorting out was required. I did 2 trips to the Tip, and came home with more stuff! Only plants though, so that's ok. I took some cuttings and brought home some nice green banana leaves for the compost.

Now I just need to dig a bit of a level spot, then get them to send some crusher dust with the tank to sit it on. I have also been gardening and moving some plants to new spots. I had a salad of Cos lettuce, rocket and herbs from my vege patch last night, so it makes it all worthwhile.

New Fabric

I have been buying new fabric - not much, but a little bit. I am in the black though, as I have also been selling some of my stash on ebay. I hope you Stash Busters aren't too shocked, but that is my way of getting rid of it. Then I spend the proceeds on more fabric. Perfect!

I used to sell fabric on ebay as a bit of a sideline, as it is so expensive here, and it can be bought so cheaply from the US. My aim was not to really make money, but I would buy a yard, sell half of it for what I paid for the whole thing, and then get half a yard of free fabric for me. I quite enjoyed it, and got quite a little customer base going. But then they put the fees up in a huge way, and it was no longer worth it, so I stopped. It was an interesting experience though, as I was continually surprised by what would sell, and what wouldn't. I would have something that (I thought) was great, and it would sit there and sit there, then someone would pay big bucks for something that I thought I'd never get rid of . I quickly learnt to only buy fabric I would be happy to be left with, or could make something out of for someone.

Anyway, lately I have been going through the remaining fabric from that time, old stuff I have bought, and have sold A$230 worth since May, and I have a little bit more to put up. I had a few kids panels and stuff like that that I would never use, and it is amazing how much they go for. I have this fabric that has animals and the letters of the alphabet on it in individual frames, and each A - Z is 12 x 22 inches. The first one I put up (for 99C) went for $18! Crazy. Now the remainder are selling for a few dollars as I expected. I have been quite ruthless, and cleared a lot of fabric that I knew deep down I wouldn't use, and it feels good.

There is one local fabric shop that I buy from. They sell seconds and odd bolts quite cheaply, and I have made friends with one of the ladies there who is also a quilter. She tells me when the next shipment is due if I happen to be in there, but you have to be quick. Yesterday I bought 2m of this 50s kitchen scene that I have no idea what I will do with, and these 3 (0.5m each). You can never have too many black and white spots, and the other 2 will go in with the repros.

I also couldn't help myself when I saw these 2 Michael Miller prints. I bought some to sell. The Cowboy one is always a good seller, especially I find if you put some coordinating fat quarters with it. The other one is nice too, so I hope it goes. It's nice to see some cute things for boys.

Otherwise, I have done a bit on the pink UFO, which I was amazed eveyone liked so much. It's good that we all have different taste. I have found a pink floral border print in the cleanout, so if it is big enough I will use that up for the border, maybe with a plain green skinny border inside it. I have a friend who might like it, but now I'm thinking about the quilting. I vowed not that long ago that I would not quilt another large quilt, but is it worth paying to have done? I would rather have the Japanese quilt done. I suppose I should cross that bridge when I come to it.

The knitting continues - I picked up the ball of yarn yesterday from Mum, so soon it will be finished I hope. I have been working on the hexagons in front of the TV at night in the meantime. I think it was good to face the UFOS, and refocus.

Found Another One

I have found another UFO. I found these strips in a plastic bin. I have a vague recollection of doing this - they are 2 1/2 inch strips sewn end to end then cut into equal lengths, so I must've had a plan. I remember wanting to git rid of this fabric as much of it was bought early on in my stash building life, and as you know we don't always make the right choices at that time, not having been exposed to all the options!

So I will try and finish it too, as it will be easy. As I was ironing it all, I was trying to think what I will do with it. It will have to be given away, as it is not my thing.

As to what I have been doing? Not much really. After finishing and posting the Doll Quilt Swap quilt, I have had a little lull, apart from the knitting of course. I realise that I did not take a photo of the finished DQ, which was stupid of me, and after I'd posted it I had to have time to get over the feeling that I must be a terrorist. Australia Post has really cracked down on sending parcels overseas. I had to show ID, sign customs forms that they kept a copy of, they won't let you put it in a post box (no post office here), I got a lecture from the 1st post office lady for not having everything I needed, then when I went to hand it in at another post office, I got a lecture there because the first lady had put the wrong sticker on the envelope, and on it went. Quite traumatic!

Never-the-less it is on its way. As to the blasted jumper, Mum finished the top of the 2nd sleeve, but did not get around to doing the 1st one, so I have it back. I knitted away and came to the end of the ball and realised that the last ball of yarn is at Mum's place! What a comedy of errors. BTW, I found out when researching International posting that you are not allowed to post wool to the USA. I bet there are plenty of knitters and swappers that didn't know that.

Anyway, it is nearly finished. Half a sleeve to go and the neckband and sewing it all together. It had better fit! I have been doing it while sitting up late at night watching Le Tour de France. Did you know that the Tour will be going past the end of Clare's road in a week or two? She told me she is going to hold up a sign, so we might get to see her.

Name & Shame

QUILTING UFOs

1. Repro 4 patch - queen size. All 4 patches made, but don't have the fabric for the setting squares.

2. Wagga - queen size. Started this last winter, but I'm not too sure if I want to go on with it. On hold ? to abandon.

3. Denim quilt - huge. Quilt as You Go method, and all done except for top and bottom borders, which have been cut out, and the binding. Started this some years ago, but have had mental block about finishing it. However I have now decided to keep it when finished, and have actually got the borders out of the cupboard, which is progress.

4. Raggy edge small quilt - already decided to sew along edge and give it to the dog. Started right back when I started quilting and the fabric is average, and I don't like it.

5. Aqua, green and orange largeish wall hanging - started last year from photo in Japanese quilt book. Pieces have been hanging on design wall since then, and really I'm not sure if I want to go on with it either. Positive is that fabric could easily go back into scrap bins.

6. Hexagon quilt - about double bed size, by hand. Top nearly finished, but current winter knitting craze has taken over hand sewing time. Concern for this quilt is what am I going to do with it when I finish it? It really needs to be hand quilted, but I am not competent.

7. Civil War Diary Quilt (see photo album in sidebar) - 8 blocks made, 113 to go - ha ha ha.

FLIMSYS

8. Japanese Quilt - queen size. Have backing fabric, batting and top finished. I'm going to have it quilted professionally one day.












9. Doll quilt - small. Need some batting. Have backing sewn.

PIGS

10. Zig Zag Quilt - queen size. Have 30's fabrics cut as per pattern, have green and yellow setting fabrics not yet cut.




I do have fabric for other projects that are really just in my mind - no concrete decisions made or fabric cut, so we wont go there.

I hope this is all there is.

I think I might tackle the Denim Quilt first.