Looking back at my 2018 quilts

 I thought it might be a good idea to review my 2018 finishes. This year I feel as though I haven't completed many but of course life is not just about quilting even if we would like it to be.

I've made a few baby quilts my husband likes to gift his clients when they have a baby of course a quilt so thats a couple each year.

 

My daughters friend had a baby last January and the nursery theme was Peter Rabbit so off to Spotlight I went and bought Peter Rabbit fabric. The quilt I made was simple but cute.

Next quilt I made was a shop sample for Busy Bee quilt shop I jumped at the chance to make it as I love Foundation Piecing.

Then it was an exciting quilt. A quilt for our first grandson Fox who lives in Canada. Of course I had to take the quilt over and was able to spend time with the new family. 

A quilt made entirely from my stash I was trying to use up my Kaffe Fassett fabrics I still have quite a bit left but I have a plan for them.

Another baby quilt this one went to England for another baby in the family. I made 2 one for a boy another for a girl. And I am just finishing the other 3 I cut out and prepared. I dont know what i was thinking but I have a few baby quilts ready for gifting in 2019.

This Christmas one was blocks from an online swap I did many years ago through Southern Cross Quilters.

On Ringo Lake last years Mystery from Bonnie Hunter.

  This actually isn't finished but I completed the top today. The pattern is from Juliet van der Heijden of Tartan Kiwi. I started it in a class organised by Wellington quilters in July. I didnt get back to it because I had a phobia about how I was going to place the background fabrics. Anyway I just did it yesterday I could change a couple of colours. But I'm not its finished!

And of course I've made a start on Good Fortune this years mystery from Bonnie. 

I've changed the colours a bit I wanted a richer colorway.

Tomorrow as it's a new year I am going to make my yearly list of unfinished objects not all of them are quilts I'm sure. Ad I've managed to complete a few during the holiday break it will be interesting to see what is still hiding in the cupboard.

Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone it's already Christmas day here in New Zealand.

As you can see we are having  a wet but warm day here the Pohutakawa tree you can see in the distance is starting to turn red. I think Island Bay may be a bit cooler than the rest of Wellington so it's not in full bloom yet.

There's been a bit of excitement on our street first a fire engine and  a bit of smoke apparently from a pizza oven.

Santa has been to our house and the presents are waiting to be opened which I guess will happen soon. As long as I get what i asked for I'll be very happy if not I'll go and buy it myself tomorrow.

I've managed to keep up so far with Bonnie Hunters mystery but if she starts to give us the clues quickly like she has in the past I'm going to get left behind but that doesnt matter I give myself the year to finish the quilt in just before the new mystery.

And just to prove it here us Ringo Lake quilted and bound finished last night. Its quilted quite densely as it wasn't the flattest of quilts and now you cant notice. 

I'm linking up to Bonnie Hunters part 5 mystery link up. Go and check out how everyone is going 

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html?m=1

I'm a Christmas lover much to my husband the grinchs horror. When my children were younger they also got a lot of pleasure from Christmas a photo with Santa every year. Off to the now gone  Kirkcaldies department store christmas shop and choosing a Christmas decoration each. It was all fun.
Now they have almost all left home christmas isn't the same I've got rid of a lot of decorations but still have my quilts.

I think the first christmas quilt I made was in 2001 it was a star block online swap in Christmas colors.

Over the next couple of years I went in christmas row by row swaps with another online group Southern Cross quilters and made these 2. One of the disadvantages of not putting labels on quilts I have no idea what year I made these.

And still drawn to Christmas quilts I did a block of the month from the Fat Quarter Shop.

I love the colors in this one

And a stitchery from Crab Apple studios I loved doing this one.

And my latest found it hiding in a cupboard this was another swap from Southern cross quilters.

I also have numerous table runners but wont bore you with these. 

http://wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-christmas-peacock-party.html?m=1

http://wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-christmas-peacock-party.html?m=1

I'm joing up with Wendy's Christmas Peacock Party 

http://wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-christmas-peacock-party.html?m=1

Good Fortune Mystery Part 4

Well I went for the easy option the last few days have been a bit crazy so I was delighted at the easier option.

And luckily I am still pleased with my colour choices.

My daughter and I went up to Hastings on Sunday to spend some time with my parents.
There had been an issue with their landline and thought it might be a good idea to just have a mobile phone. To cut a long story short they are back on the landline and I doubt if they will ever look at the mobile again.
Once that was all sorted we went out to lunch st their favourite cafe in the Plant Barn

For us Wellingtonians it was a delight to be able to eat outside enjoying looking at all the plants to buy.

We couldn't get over the size of the hollyhocks in the gardens amazing.

Then this morning we headed off to Birdwood for a quick coffee before heading in the long drive home.

My parents waiting for cake and coffee.

 Custard square for me I didn't need lunch as well after eating this which of course was delicious.

Sculptures in the garden and we had to purchase a few goodies from the old fashioned sweet shop.

Check out  Bonnie Hunters blog showing what others have been doing for this clue. Check it out here.

 http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html?m=1

Its Saturday Evening

Its Saturday evening here in New Zealand it's been a full on day as we hosted Lana my Daughter in law 's baby shower. People are so generous she got some lovely baby gifts I said I'd wash the clothes so I get to have another look at the cute clothes.

Here are most of the gifts after unwrapping.

We had a lot of fun shopping for balloons etc for the baby shower. The only bit that wasn't fun was tidying the house and washing all the wooden floors. Lucky I wont be doing it again until after Christmas so thats a bit of a bonus.

On the sewing front i managed to get the top together for the babies quilt just need to quilt it just needs to be quilted and the binding added will wait till the baby is born before I do the label.

And I'm still working on the never ending hexagon quilt which was a free online pattern by Sue Daley.

I keep thinking it's just about finished and finally it is just 2 sides left to do. Be nice to think it'll be finished by christmas but I doubt it.

I'm linking up with Wendy's Peacock Party.
http://wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2018/12/peacock-party-and-my-gingerbread.html?m=1

Good Fortune Mystery part 3

Here we go almost up to date I've run out of the darker Aqua I dont really like the lighter colour of aqua that I've got in my stash so will be shopping tomorrow.
I'm pleased with my colour choices I changed the medium blue that Bonnie has used to dark blue and green to a deeper aqua.

I did think now I had finished the latest clue I could prepare a few more blocks for my 36 ring circus quilt but look at this she even pushed the lid off.

And I'm not moving her or else shes a pain wanting attention I am sure if I start cleaning the floor she will disappear.

I'm linking up to Quiltville Good Fortune mystery part 3
https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2018/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html?m=1

It's been a busy old day today headed off to the Dutch Shop in Petone and bought a few bits for my parents for Christmas.

Then off to California Garden centre had a coffee and of course had to purchase a few plants.
The rest of the day has been cleaning cleaning and more cleaning. We have having the baby shower for my daughter in law here next Saturday. Its interesting how you think of all the things that need extra attention when you have guests coming over that normally wouldn't worry you. I just hope they notice my nice clean windows.

I'm hoping to get on with Oart 3 of Bonnie Hunter's Good Fortune Mystery tomorrow after I've finished the back garden.

Europe 2019 part 1

oh wow I’m not using my phone and can actually read the blog headings.
Anyway thought I might share with you a couple of photos from our trip to Europe in September this year. Our first stop was Hemel Hempstead in the UK where my husband Bobs parents live.  In fact my father in law is 98 next week and they are still managing in their own home with help from careers. I’m not too sure if this is best really but I don’t understand the English health system. Bobs sister lives in Leominster and is often having to rush over when there is an emergency.

Anyway we stayed just out of Hemel in a little town called Aspley which was on a canal I loved it there and went for lovely walks.

Just a quick post a photo of our lounge with the Christmas lights on.  Even though it's Dark you can make out a christmas quilt on the back of the chair.

   

I've just come home from a very pleasant pre christmas catch up dinner with friends as usual we had a bit to catch up with so lots talking and laughing was going on. It's crazy how before Christmas we end up with so many get togethers with friends and family.

This is 36 ring circus which will be my hand  project for 2019 I have started it but haven't made much headway as I have been working on a few other projects like La Passacaglia which is still not finished.

Day 3 and I'm still able to find something to write about. Today I have spent most of the day doing the final 6 of these.

The unfinished 6 are darker blue and aqua so I hope it's going to work.
In fact the colors a very like this one I made for a cousins baby in Holland which I was fortunate to gift and meet the baby.

I need to do something different for the next baby quilt I think.

This was a nice simple one I posted off to England to my husbands great great nephew makes him sound old his sister has great grandchildren we are just starting on grandchildren. The bear quilt is for grandbaby no 2 due in January.

It was quite fun to make and I can see I few more in the future.

I'm back to work tomorrow keeping up a post a day is going to be a challenge.

 I've managed to finish part 2 of Good Fortune this years mystery from Bonnie Hunter.
I like to make my half square triangles a bit bigger and trim them down to the required size this is when my half square triangle ruler is great. But I will admit it's the most time consuming part.
  

I also tried to make a couple of blocks for my Bjorn Bear quilt designed by Elizabeth Hartman but this happened so gave that away and hopefully will get the top finished tomorrow as it's been a bit slow and now I'd like to start something new.

As you can see I was making 2 blocks at once so made the mistake twice. Oh well tomorrow is a new day hoping I have enough of the stripe fabric.