May Card Sketch Challenge

In between starting the mystery quilt with my patchwork group, working on the last bit of my Janome block of the month quilt and making more blocks for my scrappy quilt, I've had to make time to do my card for the May sketch challenge at My Creative Slice. I really liked the colours in the sketch so I've stuck with them for my card.

May sketch challenge

The image is a stamp from Laughing Moon, and I've stamped it with Versacolor White over a grid background stamp from Kaiser. The brads are from Kaiser as well, everything else is from my stash.

Once upon a time the only stash I had was a fabric stash. Now I've had to move my sewing machines, overlocker, cutting tables etc. upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms because scrapbooking/card making has taken over my sewing room. Where it will all end I don't know, but at least it keeps me sane (reasonably) and happy.

Scraobook layout and Free Block Frenzy

I haven't posted for a while but I have been busy with my crafting, including monthly Saturday card club at Scrapbook Fantasies (16 themed cards to make for swapping), working on my sketch challenges and my Janome block no, 7.

This is my interpretation of Alicia's January layout sketch challenge.

January layout sketch challenge.

I never tire of scrapping pages about great grandson Zachary. Although he's a bundle of energy and a bit of a devil at times, he's just so cute it's hard to keep a straight face sometimes.

This is block no. 7 in the Janome Free Block Frenzy.

Janome block no. 7

Block 8 is almost finished, and the next session is our last. It will conclude with block 9. and the borders and sashing kit. We saw the finished product at our last session and it's gorgeous. Since it's set on point I'm not sure how long it will take me to finish. Just have to keep plugging away.

Scraps, Free Blocks and Stampin' Up

I went to a Stampin' Up party yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed myself while making a card (Please note the gorgeous mini library clip on the tag!) Some how managed to glue some bits on back the front but what the heck. I went with every intention of ordering some punches but somehow I ended up ordering another stamp set (of course). They have some fabulous sets and when I win Lotto I'll buy them all.

Stampin' Up Christmas card

Another thing I've managed to do is make the first block of my scrap quilt. Yay! One down and who knows how many to go.

First scrap block

The Janome shop 'Free Block Frenzy' Block Number 4 was another thing crossed off my To Do list There are another six blocks to go and I think it will look pretty good when it's finished.

Block # 4.

I'm glad I finished it on time because tomorrow is take and show day in order to receive my next free pack. I did cut it a bit fine. It's also patchwork day at my local group, Port Curtis Patchwork, so it promises to be a busy day.

Retreat Fatigue

I've just returned from my annual week long quilting retreat in Rockhampton. It was really great to catch up with old friends. I even managed to get some sewing done. This year I decided to work on my UFO pile, and was able to complete the top I started in a Jan Phillips 'Freedom' workshop in 2008.

The workshop featured freehand rotary cutting and curved piecing, and the top went together quite quickly. Just need to quilt it now!

Another project I managed to finish was my shabby chic table runner.

This was the first time I'd made Prairie Points and I really like the effect. Another quilting job to be done.

I also managed to finish my third issue for Free Block Frenzy.

Block #3.

Block #2

Block #1

Missing in Action

I just can't believe how long it is since the last time I was here. Life has been so very busy that blogging has had to take a back seat (way back!). Great Grandson Zach is growing like a weed and is, of course, just the most gorgeous little man. Oh to have so much energy.

Fortunately he goes to daycare every day or Grammy would be completely bonkers.

Daughter Jastine is on the home stretch to complete her Thesis, then they will be moving back down to the Gold Coast. They will have been with us for two years and no doubt will leave a huge gap in our lives.

I have managed to do some papercrafting. Here are some ATC"S I've made for swapping on StampHappy internet swap group.

Scrapbook Fantasies, my local shop, is running Copic marker classes and I decided I need to do them because the cards I've been seeing on other blogs are just gorgeous. Have a look at My Creative Slice &  Geri's Cards to see what I mean. I've only done three classes so far but they're great fun and a good way to de-stress.

The other thing I've been doing is participating in Free Block Frenzy mystery quilt at Janome Gladstone. The idea is that you pay $15 at the first session, sit through the demo and receive your 1st block pack, come back to the next session with your finished block, sit through the demo and receive your next block pack for free. If you miss a session you can purchase a pack for $15. It runs for ten months, so it's possible to make all ten blocks for $15 with the option of buying a kit for sashing and borders at the end. My aim is to make every block on time and enjoy some sewing as I haven't been doing much of that lately.