UFO Excitement.

 While looking for fabric to make sashing and binding for QAYG blocks, I found an old UFO. It's probably my oldest one and I started in in the mid 1990s in a class. I loved the Hoffman sky fabric at the time but now I feel like there's too little contrast. I guess it shows how limited our fabric choices were then, and my tastes have certainly changed now.
   The project stalled because there was a large hand appliqued block of flowers, set on point, for the centre,  with more blocks around it. I liked most of the individual blocks, especially the appliqued ones, but I didn't like most of the pinwheel type blocks which were supposed to be alternate blocks as there wasn't enough contrast.

I think there are more blocks somewhere but I only found 8 so far. I decided to make another block and finish it as a lap quilt. Each block is 14 inches in size so it will be large enough without sashing.

I should have used a fabric with more contrast for the small star points but it looks ok with the others.

Today I added borders,  made a backing and binding and have it ready to quilt this week. I think it will look better when it's quilted and hopefully someone will appreciate it. Even better, it will be  long term UFO finished and out of the cupboard,  as well as using up more fabric.

While I was looking for some of the fabric I'd used, I found another 2 UFOs which was a real bonus. This one was a wholecloth quilted vest and I had started to hand quilt it. I had drawn feathers and cross hatching and I enjoy hand quilting but I won't be wearing a hand quilted vest so I have pulled it apart and will use the fabric for more quilt blocks.

I pin basted it so I must have thought I would quilt it quickly but it has sat in the cupboard for 25 years or so and it can come off my UFO list.

Another exciting find was another quilt top which I had started about 25 years ago too,  and even better,  I found the rest of the material so I can finish it. That will be my next project after I finish the pink and grey quilt.
     I'm so happy to have found some old UFOs which I can finish and donate as well as downsize and create more room in the cupboards.  Who knew thst finding old UFOs would be so exciting.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Nearly Halfway.

 I can't believe that the year is slipping by so quickly that we are almost half way there. Going out during the week is more difficult now we are full time carers for our grandson but he is such a delight that it's a sacrifice we are happy to make. There isn't much time for anything else except when he is having a nap, and as long as I don't need one too. I have finished off these quilt tops for my quilting group's Gift Quilt program so I am making progress, even if it's not as much as I would like.

These quilts will all bring some joy to their recipients and Jake continues to bless us every day with his noise and chuckles. He's 9 months old, crawling, has 8 teeth and is growing up too quickly. How could you resist this smile. I spend less time online now too so he gets my full attention- one of the benefits of being grandparents is that I don't have to do anything other than focus on him while he is here.
I hope you are all enjoying some time for what you love too.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Five For Now.

 We've settled into a routine where I mainly quilt on the weekends now as time is limited during the week, especially as Jake is trying to drop his afternoon nap. These first 3 tops were all made and donated by Jo L. of Qld, and they will be donated to the Peter Mac Cancer Centre. Jo has nade some beautiful tops and some of the larger ones I divided into 2 so they are a more appropriate size to donate.

 I had some smaller donated QAYG blocks and made more to have enough to make them into a quilt. This one will go to Anglicare for kids in foster care.
  The last quilt was a donated top and now that it is quilted it will also be donated to Peter Mac.

Life is busy but rewarding as I am still managing to finish some quilts as well as devoting all of my week days to playing and caring for Jake.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,Jan Mac 

A Slower Week.

 So much for my plans to quilt while Jake sleeps.  Instead I have been napping too! It has seemed like age is catching up to me and he's not crawling yet. We are managing well but usually toward the end of the week I'm not getting much done but I started the week tired too. Luckily I got plenty done on Saturday.
     The first quilt was a donated top which I added a border to so it would be a larger lap quilt for Peter Mac.
 

 The second quilt was made from smaller QAYG blocks and I made some extra to have enough for the quilt. This one will go to Anglicare.

 The last 2 quilts were tops made by my quilting group and I quilted them for our Gift Quilt Program.  Not as many finishes as I had hoped but better than none.

Hopefully I will have more energy this week.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Thirty Eight!

 Busy times here with lots of baby cuddles, singing and playing and not a lot of time for blogging. Every spare minute left is being used for quilting.
  However at the weekend I boxed up 30 quilts and delivered them to Peter Mac Cancer Centre as well as 8 quilted tops for my quilting group's Gift Quilt program. Yes that's right 30 for Peter Mac thanks to your lovely donations. The first quilt here is one of the fabulous tops seng by Jo L. from Qld. I divided it into 2 tops which made it an ideal size for a donation quilt. The second quilt was another from donated QAYG blocks in a 12 inch size.  I have a few variations in block sizes on hand and just make a few extra if there's not enough for a quilt.

 The remaining quilts are tops I have quilted and most of these will also be going to the Peter Mac Cancer Centre from AQA's gift quilt program and will be presented at our Biggest Morning Tea event in 2 week's time.

It's been great to box up 38 more quilts for donation which leaves me more room for the next lot I am finishing. I am trying to sew my way out of the mess in the sewing room but there is no visible difference yet. Lol. I think we have passed the goal of 100 quilts for Peter Mac and I  think we have already reached 117 but I need to check that. Either way the need is still great so I  plan to keep quilting as time allows.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Old Faithful.

 Thanks to having so manh donated QAYG blocks on hand,  I have been able to stitch them together every time I get a small amount of time to sew, usually during Jake's nap time. He's in a good routine now so I try to have fabric prepared to join the blocks and I have finished these 4 in the last few days.

They're all different and despite being made by many different people, they all play nicely together. I plan on dropping off some more quilts for Peter Mac Cancer Centre this weekend so will give an updated number soon.
    Apart from that I have been busy singing and reading stories to Jake. He is such a delightul little boy who is a pleasure to have here. DH even commented om jow muvh he misses him at the weekends. I guess moving has been a success for both of us. Lol
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Two Quilts and a Blanket.

 I have been pin basting quilts and quilting them every spare chance I have as baby sitting is full time and tiring but very enjoyable. These two quilts were made by members of my Quilting Group and will be donated to Odyssey House and Peter Mac Cancer Centre.

 I have also been crocheting Granny squares and had enough to add to the squares donated by Linda A. (UK), to make another blanket for New Guinea. Every little bit of spare time can help to make a difference in the lives of others.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.
Hugs, Jan Mac