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.

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.

More Scraps

My collection of squares and rectangles continues to grow. I was up at 6.30 am. this morning, started cutting straight away, and had a nice little pile by breakfast time.

 

Up until now I've been cutting up my collection of charm squares, but needed more lights (512 for an 8 block x 8 block quilt) so it was time to tackle my lights scrap box.

 

Scraps from the box

 What a mess

Why oh why didn't I trim those scraps as I went, instead of just stuffing them in the box! Now I'm being quite ruthless and any scrap smaller than 2" goes in the rubbish.

 

 The overflow

Some of the scraps brought back memories. The scraps (above) were trimmed from the end of the strip pieced set used in my 'Hidden Wells' quilt. I made this at my second Retreat (1997) in a Joyce Carter workshop. It's still one of my favourite quilts.

 Hidden Wells

 Since g.g.s. Zachary has now returned home I have had to clean up my mess and will have to be more organised. :-0

Scraps

I had a lovely time today visiting my good friend Marilyn. I took my container of scraps with me and spent the afternoon cutting and increasing my pile of 2.5" squares for this quilt. It's amazing how much work you can get done when you're in the company of friends. We never run out of things to talk about,  even when we've just seen each other the day before.

Marilyn-C.Q. Retreat 2010-'Playtime Cards'

Cards and Quilts

Telstra have finally updated their technical support for Apple's latest operating system which means, at last, my computer has a wireless connection. What freedom, to be able to carry my laptop anywhere in the house with no messy cords to get in the way. Now I just need to work out how to install my printers' wireless connection.

This is the card I made for Alicia's September card sketch challenge. I'm really happy with it.

I love the little bird on a branch, which is from a Stampin' Up! set 'A Touch of Nature'.

It's really quiet here at the moment because Jastine and Zachary are down the coast for a short break. This means I can leave my sewing supplies spread all over the dining table and not worry about little fingers. A week of sewing at the retreat has energized me and I've been busy cutting 2.5" squares with a view to making a scrap quilt. I think I only need to cut several hundred more and I'll be finished! Time to change my cutter blade.