A few finished projects between trips

In between trips overseas, while packing, unpacking, washing and re-packing AND resting, of course!, I had little pockets of time here and there that I spent on finishing up a few small projects....

I moved my sewing room into my quilting room before I started travelling for this year - it's the goal and timeline I set to do something for myself. Now, I don't have to run up and down the stairs every so often between the two rooms.... I bought the fabric panel at Craft Depot sale in May because I like this particular block on the panel. :-) I used my wonderful Gammill Statler to quilt the block and make it into a wall hanging, just to make a little statement for the room.! By chance, I found the black sewing machine broach at this year Sydney Quilt Show. It's a perfect addition to the wall hanging.

I have made these colourful 'flowers' to brighten up my quilting room.

They were fun to make. :-)

I'm one of Amanda Jean's many followers. She recently published about making pin cushion on her blog. I needed a couple more for my quilting room, and so, made them. I have got the idea for the pin cushions from the pictures on Amanda Jean's blog for the one with nine-patch, and the other one with hexagons was from the pin cushion I saw on display at The Quilting Loft in Ballard, Seattle, WA while I was there, about a week ago. I also bought the fabrics (for the pin cushions and other projects!) from the shop.

  

Sewing BY machine

When Marijke, her friend, Renee, and I went to a patchwork shop in Germany, The log Cabin, I saw cute little rolls of pre-cut fabrics and thought that it would probably be a good idea to introduce this hand quilter, i.e., Marijke, to doing some foundation paper piecing by (sewing) machine. The owner of the shop, Jacqueline, was very helpful and accommodating. We came away with a lovely bright colour roll to try out the technique, and a few extra things, as usual.! I showed Marijke how it's done and made the first block of the log cabin. Marijke, who didn't like to sew by machine, made the other 3 blocks and seemed to enjoy working with her (old) sewing machine very much even though, every time, it started like a plane taking off the runway.!! I put together the 4 blocks and left the panel for Marijke to finish it off as a cushion cover for her house....

While at the Log Cabin shop, Jacqueline mentioned to us about the jelly roll race gathering at her shop. Marijke and I watched the jelly roll race video by Missouri Star Quilt Co. that night, and we decided to try it out with the left over fabrics. We ended up with another panel, which we weren't sure whether to put it on the back of the log cabin cushion front or use it to make the second cushion. I also had a bit of fun making a little pin cushion for Marijke before making my way back home. Since I left Maastricht, Marijke has made more patchwork blocks using the (foundation paper piecing by sewing machine) technique. I'm very pleased to hear about (and see) her progress, and not to mention how much I'm proud of my dearest friend.