Rainbow Retreat 8 review

 Rubbish

Last weekend it was retreat time again but more locally in Jersey. We were fewer attendees this time which made for a quieter classroom and earlier bedtimes. Waiting for us on our table when we arrived was an Aurifil bag with goodies inside including a magazine, Aurifil thread, Art Gallery Fabrics from Hantex, a scrap bag from Sew Hot and Bosal from Empress Mills. 

We're very lucky to be able to use the facilities at Crabbe which are usually used by youth groups and schools. Although accommodation is in bunk rooms, there's only one person sleeping in each room as some attendees choose not to sleepover. We definitely aren't slumming it as Laura makes fabulous home cooked meals for us. Tarte tatin anyone? There's underfloor heating to keep us warm but the sun was shining the whole weekend. We welcomed a new attendee this time - Roy the Rooster!! 

I only completed half of my first project - last week's block for the Quilting Life sewalong as I hadn't cut out enough pieces. This was definitely the theme of my weekend, but I did get two blocks of a four-patch block stitched. I plan to finish this week's and last week's block on Thursday to keep on track.

Next, I worked on my Sewology sewalong and again hadn't cut enough of two fabrics. I had tidied my Ruby Star fabric on my desk on Friday, so hubby located the fabric and passed it to the hubby of another attendee, so I finished the sewing machine block on Saturday. So I just have half a block left to stitch with a bias tape thread and then I can piece the blocks together. I might swap the sewing machine and scissors block as the aquas are too close in colour and tone.

On Sunday I worked on my "It's Trashion" applique by Sewquirky from my recent mystery box. I disliked the bondaweb supplied in the kit so swapped it out for Steam a Seam 2, the chenille also shed a lot of fibres so I have patched some places on the ibis' body. This will become a cushion, so I've ordered some more of the Aqua speckled Essex dyed linen to complete the back.

The last project that I worked on was coming up with a plan for my #miniseriessal2022 blocks. I am going to make two extra blocks for the middle row and then use a 1-inch sashing. Then I'll make the top into the size that I need with borders of the Oakshott cotton in silver. First, I need to redraft my bonus blocks as they were too chunky to fit in with the other blocks.

It was all over too soon. The raffle was held after our Sunday lunch, and I was delighted to win an empty Aurifil box which I can probably fill with the large spools I have around my sewing room.

Friday finish - 1997 Santa

 I finished the 1998 Prairie Schooler Santa yesterday on 32 count Belfast vintage stormy night. I have just six more patterns in this series to stitch. They are prepped ready to take to London at the end of the month to stitch whilst I’m in hospital.

WIP Wednesday - Sewology

 

I prepped three blocks to take to the Modern Quilt Club (MQC) retreat - tomato, buttons and scissors.  I was out of sorts for the first two days of the retreat and I stitched some of the pieces of the buttons block wrongly. I spent two hours blanket stitching around the BUTTONS applique. I prefer the look of blanket stitch on raw edged applique. My friend had lent me a set of alphabet dies to cut the letters but they were too big. Problem solved when I found a brand new Accuquilt die at the back of my cupboard and they were almost the perfect size.

Now that I'm home I have my extra fabric and have finished the button card block.

I did get one block finished at the MQC retreat and that was the tomato pin cushion and pins block. I had drafted a foundation paper pieced pattern for the top of the pincushion which went together quickly.

I am off on a local retreat on Friday so plan to kit up the final three blocks to stitch at the retreat. If I accomplish that it will be a quick job to put the quilt together. I'm not looking forward to the bias applique and that will probably be the last block that I put together!!

I have counted eight finished blocks, one kitted up ready to stitch and three more blocks to prep.

Monday review - MQC retreat

 

A week ago, I returned home from the Modern Quilt Club retreat in Cleckheaton at the Gomersal Park Hotel. Lisa has developed a successful formula for the twice-yearly events. My friend Gill and I have also developed a working plan too. I fly to Liverpool and Gill picks me up and drops me off at the Premier Inn on the Thursday afternoon. we have dinner together on Thursday night (my treat). Then at about 10.30am on Friday Gill texts me that she's on her way and I know to check out and she lives only a few miles away. We aim to arrive just before the start time of 12 but got caught up in motorway traffic this time so Yorkshire Gill and my daughter Lizzie bagged us our usual spot.

First thing to do is then check in with Lisa and pick up our lovely goody bag with gifts from Janome, Soak, Aurifil and Art Gallery Fabric. Time to catch up with stitchy friends before a buffet sandwich lunch at 1.

On our table were Helen, Yorkshire Gill, Liverpool Gill, Carol, my daughter Lizzie and me. Lisa was kind enough to loan Lizzie an overlocker so she stitched up multiple outfits and thoroughly enjoyed herself. She was a bit of a table hog though.

My brain was not in the right place on Friday and Saturday, so two projects were brought out and then shelved as I made mistakes. However, I did finish three blocks for the A Quilting Life sewalong and I've now finished the fourth so I'm up to date.

And I finished the tomato pin cushion block for the Sewology sewalong. I had drafted a FPP pattern for the leaf section of the tomato which worked well.

I also worked on my Mini series SAL with Alison Glass and Guicy Guice so I was able to post my photo of the completed blocks for the week by the Sunday midnight deadline.

I may have made a few purchases of Ruby Star Society from Olive & Flo Handcraft, one of which has been cut into for a sewology block.

On Saturday evening we played Aurifil bingo and Lizzie won a sample box of threads for being the first to get a line. On Sunday before lunch, we also had the raffle in which everyone wins a prize. This time there were lots of Fat Quarter Shop cross stitch prizes. My number was drawn before Lizzie's so she used my ticket to pick a pack of three Tula Pink fat quarters which were given to me to make something for her!! Later my ticket was drawn and the prize I wanted was still available, so I picked up two Lori Holt cross stitch patterns. The Sew Happy pattern has been kitted up ready for a hospital stay at the end of the month.

It was lovely to catch up with stitchy friends and be fed for the weekend. On Sunday we made the journey back to Liverpool and Gill dropped me off at the Premier Inn again. Lizzie was lucky t get flights to / from Aberdeen to Manchester on Friday morning and Sunday evening so no she didn't need to stay extra nights. I think Lizzie is now hooked. I doubt that I will be able to go to the March retreat but we are hoping that the October retreat will be achievable. It's good to have something to look forward to. 

Friday finish - rice bag

Yes, I know this wasn't on my to do list for November, but the optician at my appointment on Wednesday suggested a microwaveable compress for my dry eyes. Applied several times a day. I have been using reusable make up pads under a very hot tap, so this sounded like a good swap.

I made this in the same way I would a large rice bag for knees or shoulders. I stitched a pouch using scrap fabric, stitched it into two compartments, filled with brown rice (40g each side) and stitched down the ends. Then I made an outer layer using my newest Ruby Star fabric. Why not cut into your best fabric?

The inner pouch was made with two rectangles of white fabric - 8.25" by 3.25"

The outer pouch is on 1/4" bigger at 8.5" by 3.5"

Then microwave the pouch for no more than 20 seconds, test the temperature before applying to eyes. Times will vary depending on the strength of your microwave.

November 2022 plans

I have big plans for November to complete many of my SALs and UFOs.

1998 Prairie School Santa is kitted up and ready to go.

My Sewology BOM blocks are coming along nicely. I need to prep three more and stitch three other blocks at retreat.

Four more blocks and some bonus blocks to be completed on the MINI series SAL with Alison Glass and Guicy Guice.

Floral Dreams Mystery SAL from Barbara Ana came out of my UFO cupboard last month and there's not a lot of work left to finish. Mainly the yellow rayon thread which I'm not enjoying - too slippery.

I have fabric for several Jarrah sweaters so I just need to get on with it. I would expect it to be a quick stitch once I've chosen my size and traced out the pattern.

I'm exhausted just thinking of this to do list and I also have a pattern to write, stitch and photograph for Make Modern but at least I have drafted the Foundation Paper pattern in its final form.

October 2022 finishes

Although I have been busy sewing along with two SALs, it is only the cross-stitch pieces that I've finished.

Spellville by Barbara Ana is one of three items left in our group UFO challenge. I failed to do anything on the September challenge but this one is finished for November / December. 

I also finished one more branch on The Tree, also by Barbara Ana. So close to a finish.

Another Prairie Schooler Santa is finished, leaving just seven more to stitch for a whole set. Again, so close.

Join me on Wednesday to see what my plans are for November.

Friday finish - Sewology block 4

 

I stitched the seam ripper which is block 4 during this month’s BOM Zoom call. A pleasant two hours spent with stitchy ladies. I had precut this block so it was a quick stitch.

During the call I also stitched some of the 81 HSTs needed for the 18” block for The Quilting Life sewalong. I am using Christmas fabrics and was pleased to be able to cut the HSTs on my Accuquilt machine.

WIP Wednesday - Mini series SAL bonus

 

It's week 6 of the Mini Series SAL with Alison Glass and Guicy Guice and it is a bonus sewing week. As you can see, I have completed the eight prescribed blocks to date so I thought I would stitch up the 2020 bonus block. In 2020 I stitched eight 2" blocks but this time I've stitched four 4" blocks. As yet I have no plan other than to keep up with the blocks. There is a 2022 bonus block which I am planning to modify and incorporate in my final project.

I will need to order more of the Oakshott background fabric, but I should be able to finish all of the blocks before I formulate a plan for the final project and calculate exactly what I need for backing, sashing and binding too.

Monday Make - Halloween

 

Spellville by Barbara Ana was a sew along which I didn't finish at the time. It is my number 7 UFO for our group UFO challenge. It uses just three DMC thread colours. Barbara Ana is known for including a key somewhere in her design and this design has a large key which is the base of the design and a small hanging key.

I had stitched some more of this design earlier in the year and this only took a couple of days stitching to complete. I'm not sure how I'm going to fully finish it.

I'm not sure what to work on next, another UFO or a new start? I'm thinking a UFO and then I can claim a new start for having completed two cross stitch UFOs.

Friday Finish - sewology block 9

 I am joining in with the Modern Quilt Club sewalong of the Sewology pattern by Pen + Paper Patterns. I am using a variety of Ruby Star Society prints paired with a Kona silver background.

I am now waiting for some Kona from Sew Hot so I can cut out the scissors block next to take to retreat. I will also stitch block 4 before retreat as we have a Zoom call for the sewalong this weekend. 

Block 9 is the embroidery stitches and brings my tally of completed blocks to five out of a total of twelve. I have two further blocks kitted up to sew at retreat.

WIP Wednesday - zickzack scarf

This is quite an old knitting WIP that I may not have shared with you before. The pattern is from Ravelry and is the ZickZack scarf. It is a free download from this link 

The scarf is knit with two 100g balls of self striping wool. I chose similar shades, but you could choose contrasting yarns. You alternate the balls every four rows. I take this project to my Wednesday morning group, so progress is slow but steady. The Regia yarn is two 50g balls and I have started the second, so I am more than 50% complete.

My yarn is:

Blue Gemini by Dragon Hill Studio on Etsy

Arne & Carlos for Regia colour  03653

I am knitting on a size 3mm circular needle.

Monday make - mini series Sal week 5

 

I have finished the two blocks for the 2022 Mini series SAL so added to those I've already stitched I have the first eight completed and one in hand for a future week. I have also made a very small start on the rainbow block and printed out four copies of the 2020 block ready to stitch. I couldn't quickly find the bonus block in my computer files but once I could picture the block, I made a concerted effort and found it in the trinkets folder from another Alison Glass sewalong. Just a few hours later the week 5 newsletter from Alison popped into my in box and it included a link to download the 2020 bonus block.

I have an all day Jersey Modern Quilt Group meeting on Saturday and I might take this project to work on. Once all of the blocks are stitched I will work out a layout but already plan to make four 4" bonus blocks. There is a 2022 bonus block but it's a bit chunky for me, so I will either not include it or modify in some way.

Friday finish - The tree

 

I have been beating myself over not having worked on this piece in August and September, but I hadn't realised that I had made good progress already on branch number 8. It only took one day of working on the piece to complete the branch and start working on the blue decoration on the tree trunk.

I am going to put it away for now and work on one of my UFO challenge pieces - also by Barbara Ana designs.

WIP Wednesday- stretched geese

 

This week is week 5 of the mini series SAL with Alison Glass and Giucy Giuce. It’s been almost a month since I stitched on these blocks.

Yesterday I pulled out my project to check what I had started and what I need to stitch this week. Week 5 is triangle geese and bloom blocks.  The bloom block is complete. I had two blocks in progress so stitched on those and finished the stretched geese (seen below) and make progress on the triangle geese. I also made a small start on the rainbow block which has a lot of pieces (week 8).

My plan, such as it is, is to make one of each block and then decide on a layout and make more blocks where necessary.

Monday Make - 1997 Santa

 

I have now finished the 1997 Prairie Schooler Santa. You'll be pleased to hear that I only have six more to stitch to have a complete set. I have prepped the 1998 Santa and put it away for next month.

Next I need to stitch on the Barbara Ana Christmas Tree.

Friday finish - block 5 Sewology

I wanted to stitch something quick today so I picked out block 5 of the Sewology BOM with Modern Quilt Club. I still have a stinking cold which is slowly getting better, but simple is all I can cope with at the minute.

I also stitched block 3 to blocks 1 and 2. This is going to be a big quilt!!

I also have three bocks cut and ready for the Modern Quilt Club retreat at the end of the month.

 

October 2022 plans

My only travel plans this month is to the Modern Quilt Cub retreat at the end of the month, so I am hoping to make more progress this month.

1. 1997 Prairie Schooler Santa which I started last weekend as I was full of cold and not up to doing anything but being a couch potato.

2. The Tree by Barbara Ana designs. Five branches have been finished and three more to go. No progress made on it for months.

3. The October UFO for our Guild Challenge is 2006 Prairie Schooler Santa which is already finished, so I will also work on Spellville by Barbara Ana

4. Stitch three more Sewology blocks, which I will do at the Modern Quilt Club retreat if not before!

5. Stitch three more Mini Series SAL blocks.

I have two other projects ready for retreat but those will need to be pieced at retreat and then quilted and finished in November.

September 2022 achivements

My first finish for September was the 2003 Prairie Schooler Santa. I have no idea why I thought this was the next one, so I then went on to stitch the 1995 prairie Schooler Santa. I now have only seven more to stitch for a full set.

I then started work on the Sewology BOM with Modern Quilt Club. I have two blocks cut out to sew at retreat and will sew on one during the Zoom call at the end of the month.

I also made good progress on the Mini Series SAL and have six out of twelve blocks complete.

After an unscheduled trip to London, I developed a stinking cold so I didn't even start my UFO challenge for September.