those purple bags

Want to know what was in those bags?

These!

It's a bit gloomy here at the moment - it is winter after all - so this photo doesn't depict the bright, cheery colours as they really are.

We had a dozen girls spend a morning with us during the week tie dying shirts. Since tie dying is not really a group activity, while they were waiting for their turn with me at the kitchen sink we (well, Zoe!) organised some other activities for them to do.

In addition to some board games, the girls enjoyed making a flextangle (these are very cool - have a look at the video on how to make one!),

 painted mints using food colouring and a toothpick,

decorated biscuits 

 and made a Christmas tree ornament (it's never too early to start preparing for Christmas, right?) using a rubber bouncy ball, pins, beads and sequins.

We had lots of fun! But I am glad to be rid of the purple bags from my kitchen!

bits on the side

 

I have managed to go near the sewing machine again. Woo hoo! I even tidied up around it. Double woo hoo! Two weeks of school holidays has been wonderful (despite having to unblock a toilet approximately every three days and about 57 dental, orthodontic, specialist or other appointments). I feel like I have caught up on quite a few tasks that I just don't have the luxury (!!) of getting to during the school term. Come to my house and I'll show you my (now) clean grout between the floor tiles (so easy to clean if you use white vinegar and a stiff scrubbing brush)! Such a luxury being able to scrub grout!!!

Anyway, I digress. I have always wanted to make some flying geese, so when I came across the Summer Solstice Quilt-A-Long, with it's wonderful flying geese tutorial, I couldn't resist joining in.

My plan is to turn these strips of flying geese into a quilt top. It would be nice to finish it before school goes back, but who am I kidding? I'll try not to fling it on the unfinished project pile and give myself until the next school holidays to complete it.

I also managed to go to the post office and mail two lots of these:

They are the items I have sent my Pay It Forward volunteers. I made two travel tissue holders and included a few other bits and pieces that I thought they each might like (including a teeny bit of chocolate. So good.). Hopefully I will hear from them in the next week or two saying that their little package arrived safely overseas.

My daughter pointed out that I was a tad late in sending them (thank you daughter), but I hope that Anthea (who sent me my lovely arm chair sewing caddy) won't mind.

I've had a few bee blocks go in and out, including these that I made for the relevant Queen Bees.

Terrible photos really!

So, before I head off to unblock another toilet, what do you think I/we did today? Here's a clue:

Lots of bags on my kitchen bench that will sit there for 24 hours.

Can you guess?

scrap jar stars

I had a hard time deciding on a bee block for when I am Queen bee next month. I entertained lots of possibilities, but dismissed each one for a variety of reasons; too big, too fiddly, too difficult, it had already been chosen by someone else or would probably require a fabric purchase by those who would be making it for me (I would prefer participants to be able to use what they already have).

I love scrappy quilts, so I finally settled on the scrap jar star block by Amber who blogs at Gigi's Thimble. 

Here is my version of the block; I decided to resize it to use 2.5" squares in the centre 16-patch. I also changed the making of the half square triangles to a method that I prefer (because it makes two and doesn't require any sewing on the stretchy bias of the fabric).

Scrap Jar Star

This block measures  16.5" x 16.5" unfinished.

Fabric Requirements

White fabric

8 @ 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares

12 @ 2.5" x 2.5" squares

4 @ 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles

Bright scraps

12 @ 2.5" x 2.5" squares

8 @ 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares (for 8 different star points) OR
4 @ 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares (for star points with repeated fabrics)

Construction

Making the centre 16-patch:

1.  Sew a 2.5" x 2.5" white square to a 2.5" x 2.5" scrap square. Do this another 7 times for a total of 8 pairs. Press seam open towards the scrap square.

2.  Sew two pairs of white/scrap squares together. Do this another 3 times for a total of 4 strip sets.

3.  Lay out the strip sets in four rows so that the white and scrap squares alternate.

4.  Sew strip sets together. Press these seams open. Set aside.

Making the star points: 

1.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of each of the 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares.

2.  Place a white 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" square and a 4 7/8" x 4 7/8" scrap square right sides together. Sew 1/4" either side of the diagonal line. Cut along the diagonal line. Do this another 7 times (or 3 if you are using 4 different fabrics) for a total of 8 half square triangles (HST's).

3. Press the seam towards the scrap fabric. Trim the little white 'ears'. ***Put aside one of the HST's  

    from each pair if you have chosen the 8 square option so that the star points are each a different fabric (you could use these to make two scrap jar star blocks at the same time!).

4. Sew two different HST's together. Press seam open. Do this another 3 times for a total of 4.

 Making the corner blocks:

      3. Sew a scrap 2.5" x 2.5" square to a white 2.5" x 2.5" square. Press seam towards the scrap square.

     2. With the scrap square at the top, sew a white  2.5" x 4.5" rectangle to the left of scrap/white        square unit. Repeat with another unit for a total of 2.

     

3. With the scrap square at the top, sew a white  2.5" x 4.5" rectangle to the right of scrap/white  

square unit. Repeat with another unit for a total of 2.

Assembling the block:

1.  Sew two of the sets of HST's to opposite sides of the 16-patch.  Press seams towards the 16-patch.

2.  Sew a corner block to each side of a set of HST's. Ensure that the scrap square is in the outer corner. Repeat for the remaining set of HST's.

3.  Sew a HST and corner block set to the top of the 16-patch. Repeat for the bottom of the 16-patch.

And you're finished!

Let me know if you make my version of the Scrap Jar Star block. I would love to see photos.

So, what are you working on at the moment? Something sewing related? A project at work? Something for your family? Or perhaps something for yourself!

1960's dress ups

Before my mum moved into a care facility I was at her house sorting through a few things when I came across some dress ups that we had as kids. I am one of four children and I was born in the 70's, so I don't know exactly how old these are. What do you think? The 60's? 50's? I have a feeling these belonged to my grandmother. I should ask my mum!

Is this a dressing gown? I'm guessing you wouldn't want to forget to put your pj's on first!

Both are a little worse for wear play, but I love them! They brought back some childhood memories that made me smile. I remember dressing up in these quite a lot during my younger years.

That lime green colour is making a comeback!

Thank you to Lily for (reluctantly) modelling these precious items.

As a child I would always choose to wear a head scarf or fabric hair band if I didn't have to tie my hair back. How groovy is that print? I really wish that I still had all my child hood hair accessories. I'd love to wear them now.

Do you have any items of clothing from your parents or grandparents era? I just remembered a 1970's Robin Hood Green stretchy polyester number hanging in my wardrobe that I feel like putting on...

finish along 2016 {quarter1}

Well, I'm ready to get back into routine! This is the last day to declare my Finish Along list for the first quarter of the year so I'm scrambling a post together so as not to miss out.

I'm keeping it simple. Which hopefully means achievable.

So, this is it:

 

1. Grab bag. I cut out two and completed one for a friend. The second has been sitting next to my sewing machine waiting.

2. Star Wars Quilt. This quilt is going to appear on every list until it's done. I'm not going to say anything else. Just that this quilt is taking an embarrassingly long time to complete.

 3. Twirly Wirly flimsy. I really need to turn this top into a quilt. The flimsy and backing fabric are all ready for basting.

 

4.  Table tent. This is 99% finished. One window needs a border and then it's done!

5. Trip Around the World quilt. I am certain everyone is tired of seeing this one!

Well, I know this is not a terribly exciting post, but I am excited about the new year. I would like to finish these projects (and others) so that I can start some more!! 

I have caught up on my bee block commitments and look forward to receiving some blocks in the mail this month (I am Queen Bee!). 

I'll leave you with a Granny Square block and a Quatrefoil block.

Do you have any goals or hopes for 2016?