Pumpkins and potions

 

As I have been trying to focus on one project at a time in August, I didn't get many of the blocks finished before going on holiday, but I have made a start. I had planned to spend the day before we left for our holiday working on this project, but two family emergencies in one day, cut into any free time I might have had.

WIP Wednesday - catching up on customer quilts

 One more quilt completed for a customer before we left for our holiday. Just 43" square so a quick stitch.

Pat used some spare blocks on the back. The pantograph is Circuit by Anne Bright, and I used a medium grey Glide thread.

I have one customer quilt left to load, but it needs some extra borders added to the backing and will await our return from holiday.

 

August 2024 achievements

A few finishes for August which has been busy with a trip to the Festival of Quilts, a one day trip to London as well as family commitments.

My final finish for August was Autumn Squirrel by Barbara Ana Designs.

Sailor top to go with my Mave skirt with fabric purchased at the Festival of Quilts 2023 and 2024.

Pyjama bottoms packed for our holidays.

 Ginger's Kitchen bench pillow by Kimberbell Designs.

Caesarea Quilters Challenge quilt finished well in advance of the deadline of 21 October. I have also quilted three customer quilts and have just one waiting to be quilted.

Friday finish - Autumn squirrel

 

Autumn Squirrel by Barbara Ana Designs for Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher magazine was one of my 2024 UFOs for our Guild challenge. I thought it was a good project to take to my Wednesday morning group as it has blocks of colour to stitch. However, I have been stitching on it every day and it is now complete.

I am stitching it on 28 count cashel in light mocha / mushroom using the called for threads.  I love those mushrooms at the bottom. I will frame the piece in the month it is chosen as our UFO challenge piece. It would be perfect if it was chosen for September.

September 2024 plans

We are away for the first two weeks of September so I need to realistic about what I can achieve! That would be a first. Our Guild UFO challenge has four months to go, and I am crossing my fingers for a cross stitch project to be chosen.

Christmas Tiny Town is one of my UFO challenge pieces that I started in August and plan to take on holiday with me, so even if it isn't chosen, it will be further along.

Another small piece that I have started and put to the side is Spring Quaker by Primrose Cottage in a pretty monochromatic lavender thread. Very portable for our holidays.

I have started the Pumpkins and Potions ladder quilt by Kimberbell Designs, but I haven't stitched many of the blocks. I should try and make good progress in September as Halloween will come and it won't be ready.

I had decided not to participate in the Jingle all the way sewalong with the Cristin Creates FB group. Imagine my horror when I was putting stuff away from finished projects, I discovered that I had already purchased the embroidery book and embellishment kit for the project. Shockingly I only purchased it in the last two months! I think I will try and arrange the blocks into a ladder quilt.

I would have liked this dress for my holiday, but I should do a toile and take my time. The fabric is already prewashed.

Packing for my holiday - the crafty edition

Do you pack crafty projects when you go on holiday? When we used to rent a villa in France and drive down from St Malo, I used to pack either my sewing machine or scrapbooking kits with photos printed. My husband isn't a morning person so I could craft for an hour before he was ready for the day. We are heading off for a two week river cruise so I need to take something to keep my hands occupied. Last time went on a river cruise, I took a quit kit with me and cut all of the pieces ready to stitch up on my return. The only project kit I have is too big and heavy for my suitcase.

So far I've packed Spring Quaker by Primrose Cottage.

And Christmas Tiny Town by Heart in Hand. Let's hope this is chosen for my September Guild UFO challenge.

I also have a knitting project planned but first of all I need to find where I put the printed instructions!! That was simpler than I thought, the pattern was in the same room as my wool stash. The skeins need to be wound into yarn cakes before being packed.