It's A Wrap For 2018

I don't usually tally my finishes for the year as I'm usually too busy quilting but thought I'd do a count back for the year.

I quilted 73 tops for my quilting group, Australian Quilters Association.

I finished 6 of my UFOs.

I made and finished 22 quilts for family or donation.

I quilted 27 donated tops.

I received 13 donated and finished quilts for Quilt Projects I support with the help of my blog readers.

We donated 5 crocheted blankets.

I finished 32 quilts from QAYG blocks (mostly donated blocks).

We donated 114 quilts to Peter Mac Cancer Centre and 35 to Anglicare.

Thta's a pretty good result for the year seeing my sewing time as been taken up by our treasured grandson. Of course a lot of the credit must go to those lovely quilters who have donated quilts, tops, blocks and QAYG blocks.

I hope you all have a very Happy New Year and get more UFOs finished than you start next year. I finished 6 which was pretty good and I still have lots more to discover as I unpack more of my quilting supplies. I didn't start any new either so I am making progress but I need to sew faster. LOL.
See you all next year.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Time For A Block Party.

 Tidying and sorting out my sewing room has uncovered some sets of donated blocks which need to be made into tops instead of being stored back into boxes. This first top consisted of 7 scrappy 12 inch blocks so I made 5 more and then joined them with sashing. I thijk the blocks might have been donated by Maria W. from W.A. and I don't thimk you can tell which were the original blocks.

 This set of Snowman blocks were also donated by Maria W. (I think) and I made some scrappy blocks to use as alternate blocks. I think that I will add borders to make the top larger before quilting.

This set of hand stitched blocks were donated by Sue McP, from Vic, and I made 2 more to give a 4 by 5 set of blocks. I will add borders to this one too and it will be a lovely quilt for Anglicare.
   I have found some more donated orphan blocks and my containers of scrappy squares are very full so I can see more block making in my future while I try to tame the scraps and tidy up my sewing room.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 I'm very surprised that I finished the cross stitching on Jake's stocking by Christmas Day. Unfortunately I didn't get the back stitching done but I will keep working on it while watching the cricket over the next few days as I don't want it to become another UFO . Lol

 I think that blogging my progress helped me to reach the deadline so I am going to select another cross stitch UFO when this piece is finished as it has reignited my love of cross stitch.

I hope you are all enjoying some quiet stitching time amidst the bustle of the holiday season. Thank you for continuing reading and supporting my blog.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Merry Christmas For 2018.

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all have a relaxing time with family and friends and some time to do the things you enjoy. I finished the cross stitching on Jake's stocking but still have to do the back stitching and assembling it, but at least I completed it before Christmas as I had planned.
  Thank you all for your invaluable friendship and support with my quilt projects. I will tally the results by the end of year.
Much love, Jan Mac 

Happily Pottering.

 Apart from Jake's Christmas stocking I seem to be ready for Christmas so it's good to have some time to potter in the sewing room. All of the finished quilts have been donated and I really want to tidy up my sewing room and sort all of the scraps which have accumulated.
   Part of the tidying involves sorting through the tops waiting to be finished. Some of them have been divided into 2 tops as the original was too large to be donated. The smaller of these needed borders added to make them larger. Some tops were also a bit small and adding borders makes them a more useful size. I don't always add borders to donation quilts if the size is adequate but I usually add borders to my own as I think it frames the quilt nicely, especially if they are scrappy.

   I'm not sure if I can sew my way out of my sewing mess and might need to just gather up the bits and pieces, box them up and put them in storage while I sew up some of the jelly rolls and scrappy squares that I have on hand.
   It's time to watch a Christmas movie now and stitch some more on Jake's stocking. Hope you're all enjoying some time to potter as well.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 I only have a week until Christmas Day and even if I finish the stitching I don't think I will be able to get the stocking made up but I should have it finished soon after. I'm not really worried as it at least won't be sitting unfinished until next Christmas.  Having a weekly report on my stitching progress has kept me focused on this project and I think that I should continue with another cross stitch UFO when this piece is done.
     I find that I work better if I have a deadline and if I don't meet the deadline with  finish, then the piece is more likely to become another UFO. Stitching during the daytime, while watching the cricket on TV also meant I got more stitching done.
   I need to use the same kind of schedule to finish more patchwork UFOs as well as cross stitching UFOs. Hopefully this piece will soon be finished and then I can select another piece to finish.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Variety of Finishes.

 I still love QAYG quilts made from the donated QAYG blocks that supporters of my quilt projects have sent. I still have some more to put together but these are the last for this year while I take a break.

 These embroidered blocks were made and donated by Sue McP from Vic, and they've made a lovely quilt for a little girl to treasure.

 This was a donated top which I have also quilted. I dropped off 15 quilts  to Anglicare to be distributed to some of their clients for Christmas and they were very happy to  be able to pass them on to disadvantaged children.

 I also knitted a beanie for Jake as he loves to wear his Pa's. He is such a happy boy and brings us so much joy.

 Jake loves his Thomas the train quilt and likes to play with it when watching the show on television.

Christmas is getting closer and I am still working on his cross stitched stocking.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 My cross stitched Christmas stocking for Jake is getting there and I am still making good progress. I'm not sure if I will get it completely finished in time for this Christmas but as my DD says, Jake won't know. I have finished 15 more quilts to be donated to Anglicare for disadvantaged children and they will be distributed for Christmas.  I always hope to get more finished but 15 is still ok for such a busy time of year.

I hope you are almost ready to take a break for Christmas too.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Special Delivery.

 You know it's Christmas when the postie leaves a parcel on your door step on a Sunday. Maria W. from Western Australia has made and donated this fabulous fish quilt.  The different fish and decorations are beautiful and this quilt will be going to Peter Mac for a child receiving treatment for cancer. It is such a lovely quilt that it will warm the hearts of the chikd and parents, as well as being a great I Spy quilt.

 

 Maria also sent these fabulous blocks for future quilts and they will play very nicely with other blocks I have on hand.

Sorry this block is upside down when the photo loaded. Lol
Thank you so much for your ongoing support Maria. It really means a lot.
Merry Christmas to you too.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 I have stitched the largest part of the chart and I am making good progress but Christmas is getting closer. I'll keep stitching and hope to get it finished but it may not be made into a stocking in time.

A photo from 3 weeks ago shows I am making progress. I still have lots of outline stitching to do too.

I showed it to Jake and he loves it as it has a train which is a big favourite with him. Hooefully it will be a nice keepsake for him in years to come.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

A Tale of 6.

 Jake has become obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine so when I saw a cot panel yesterday,  I decided to make him another quilt. It's an ideal size for him to carry around so I am sure that it will get lots of use.

 These 5 quilts are all tops made by AQA members and I have quilted them for donation to the various organizations we support. It's been great to get some more tops finished and donated in time for Christmas and we hand them over tomorrow.
   Then I have just a week to get quilts finished to donate from Oz Comfort Quilts for Christmas as well as finishing Jake's Christmas stocking in cross stitch.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 It's very rewarding to be able to see how much progress I have made each week on this Christmas stocking for Jake.  I did spend a few hours stitching during the last two days as well as I know that as we get closer to Christmas time will be more limited. Also I think I have a good chance of finishing it in the next 3 or 4 weeks so that means it is high on my priorities at the moment.

I still have some more quilts to finish for Christmas donations and hope to share more photos soon.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Only Three.

 I had a busy week so less time for quilting but I did get 2 more quilt tops quilted for AQA. I'm also working on my cross stitching in the evenings so I can finish Jake's Christmas stocking in time.

I also finished another QAYG quilt made from donated blocks. This one will go to Peter Mac for one of their female patients. I've also been making more QAYG blocks to use up fabric and batting scraps.
   I need to have my donation quilts from Oz Comfort quilts finushed in time for distribution in 2 weeks time so I hope to get more completed this week.
Hugs, Jan Mac 

Cross Stitch Tuesday.

 It's a good idea to take photos on a weekly basis when you are under time pressure to get a finish as seeing progress does keep one motivated. It also keeps me to my practice of stitching most nights when I want to document my weekly progress.
Christmas is looming closer but I am working on the most involved part now so I feel hopeful that I will have it finished in time.

Jake has had 8 teeth errupt in the past few weeks and hasn't  been well this week bug hopefully this to will pass. Lol
Hugs, Jan Mac 

More QAYG Block Fun.

 Finishing quilts from QAYG blocks is so quick when I have a pile of blocks just waiting to be put together, especially when it's such a busy time leading up to Christmas.  Even if I only get 20 to 30 minutes to sew I can still put a few rows together and it all adds up to finished quilts to donate.
   I love the darker sashing with the bright colours but really all colours work with these quilts.

 These embroidered blocks were made by Sue McP, from Victoria,  and they gave made a lovely child's quilt. All of these quilts will be going to Anglicare for kids in foster care.

Hopefully I will be able to get more finished in time for Christmas gifts.
Hugs,Jan Mac 

Back To Basics.

 While Ray is installing our new pool fence and deck fencing my pinning area has been out of bounds so I have used my sewing time piecing more QAYG blocks. I  have also been making up more quilts from QAYG blocks that I had on hand.
      These lovely quilts will be going to Anglicare to be distributed to children in foster care. Although our Christmas is in summer, kids can always use a warm hug from a quilt.
   Thank you so much to those generous quilters who have made and donated QAYG blocks over the years. They have been invaluable in getting more quilts donated to those in need. Hopefully I will be able to donate a big pile of quilts for Christmas.
   

Cutting up stash fabric for binding and sashing strips is also using up lots of stash too.
Also the question about the Post Stamp quilt- the size of the squares was 1.5 inches, so 1 inch when stitched together.
Hugs, Jan Mac