Christmas Tree table runner

 Last week I went to the Spotlight sale where not only were there Christmas fat 1/4's for half price - but I got a VIP membership scratchy ticket for an extra 20% off. I wanted to make a Christmas table runner for a gift, a friend that likes the Scandinavian/Shabby Chic sort of Christmas vibe, but didn't have any Christmas fabrics left so.... I bought three fat 1/4's and a half metre of one print for the backing and binding all for only $10. I had the solid in my stash. I didn't have a pattern in mind and the fat 1/4's sat there for a couple of days before Diary of a Quilter  posted this cute little Christmas Tree block tutorial.. What a cute fun little block to make. This thing was finished in no time.... and the quilting took about an hour, full steam ahead I stitched the binding down by machine (instead of by hand). Haven't done that in a long time but surprisingly with the help of  my wonderful little Clover clips it was a breeze.

The result is very subtle and with very little contrast but I think it's quite cute in it's own way

The front from both ends

 I made six blocks as per the tutorial, resulting in a positive/ negative kind of look. I added a three inch strip to the bottom of a couple of blocks and 1 1/2 inch strips to the top and bottom of the other blocks to create a staggered effect and then added a final 1 1/2 inch strip to each end

The back

 For the backing, the 1/2 metre wasn't quite wide enough so I free cut one block (no double up of fabrics as per the tutorial) and inserted it into the middle. There was enough backing for the binding
 The finished runner is 11 1/2 inches wide and 22 inches long....super quick to make....

I still have heaps of my fat 1/4s left so
I made 8 little scent sachets, cut 5 1/2 inch square, quilted the pattern side with straight lines, backed them with solid, filled them with dried wood shavings scented with essential oil - a mixture of clove, vanilla and cinnamon for a spicy Christmas scent (they smell wonderful)
Little gifts for the girls at work with some mini Christmas puddings which I will make this weekend.

Cinnamon, Clove and Vanilla scent sachets

Bundled with red ribbon and cinnamon sticks

And there is still some fabric left!

Dotti Angel Frockalong

I am a new blogger but am really enjoying the inspiration provided by all the other creative souls who choose to blog and of course I haven't found them all yet. How exciting.

Cassandra Madge and Scrappy N Happy are hosting a frockalong using Simplicity 1080 Dotti Angel frock pattern, so I thought I would give it a go.........now it has been sometime since I sewed a garment for myself but having miles of fabric in the cupboard and only having to outlay for the pattern I thought it was worth a try and if I hated it I could always wear it round the house....

Actually the lemon Moda fabric was a bargain from a bolt clearance sale (you had to buy the rest of the bolt for $20) This bolt had enough for a double bed quilt backing, this dress and I still have about 1/2 metre left ..... BARGAIN! Chez Moi pockets and scraps for binding

Dotti Angel Frockalong

I still have to hem the dress and I think I will make a couple of extra pleats in the shoulders. Getting my Granny Chic on!! Thanks Cassie and Jess for hosting this frockalong and making me step outside my comfort zone....... looking forward to seeing the others.

More Christmas gifts ....

Made these quick little pouches from Noodleheads open wide zippered pouch tutorial. Super quick, super easy and I think would make great little gifts anytime of the year. Good way to use up scraps, piece the outside or use one fabric. You guessed it these fabrics haven't seen the light of day for many years and now the are ready to be useful as these little pouches. Noodlehead has lots of other great tutorials too.

These are the 12 inch version 

Christmas Topper.....quilting practice... true blue progress

I can only guess how long this poor little topper has been in my cupboard waiting to be finished ( well over 10 years). What would have started off as a quick project has been years in the making. As Christmas is nearly upon us I thought I should finish this and gift it to one of my friends who loves the country look. As simple as it is, I know she will love it .....
Quilted it in about an hour and bound whilst watching telly last night ....not sure why I didn't do that over 10 years ago.
Been quite some time since I have free motion quilted too ... did the reversible table runner a month or so ago but that was echo quilting, anyway didn't get too crazy just a bit of stippling and some cross hatching and free motion an extra holy leaf in each corner - had fun

Also have been progressing quite nicely on my true blue quilt (Norfolk Island Quilt by Brigette Giblin)

Am in the midst of hand stitching the pieced hexie centre to the frame border. I am liking the way it is coming together. Once I finish the centre, there are more borders to add and lots of scrappy orange peel shapes to applique, yay - get to use my scraps!!

Looking a little scrunched - still appliqueing hexies to frame border

Have been inspired by Wendy's Quilts and more blogging her 2015 quilting achievements and thought what a great idea. So over the next few days I would like to put together a list of quilts I would like to make for 2016 and give myself some goals to achieve.