Using up scraps and stash

 I have been busy in my sewing room this week, trying to use up scraps and stash.

I used my newly invented ironing board method to sandwich the playmat I am working on. It worked brilliantly! Completely flat at the first smoothing and pinning so this is a winner. As I’ve decided I’m only making small quilts from now on I will continue with this method,

I worked hard on the playmat and yesterday I sewed on the binding, using new fabric I bought online. I thought a red and white stripe would show off all the different novelty squares and I’m pleased with the result. I watched TV last night and hand sewed a lot of the binding which I should finish today.

I hand quilted around a few more stars on the Pink Scrappy quilt and I love how it’s coming along. A neighbour popped in and saw it and loved it! I think I’ll ask her if she knows of a new new baby girl she could gift it to.

As it’s green for RSC this month I got out all my green scraps - hardly any. I cut a few more strips to make some Strippy blocks, then saw Cathy’s post yesterday (Crazy by Design) which gave me an idea for a centre section for a Green Scrappy quilt.

Here’s my start:

I’ll be adding some yellow to mine to bulk out the green scraps and use some more of my stash of Wonky stars. I’m loosing count of how many quilts I’ve added those to! Probably make some 4 patches with green and yellow and see if I can work those in. It will be like a puzzle to work out as I go along.

I’ve also been leader and ender sewing some 8 patch rectangles I had put in piles by my machine ( an idea of Cathy’s, Sane Crazy Crumby Patchwork blog ). Hope to show a few finishes next week.

Joining with Angela’s So Scrappy RSC blog.

September round up

 September has been a very busy month and today, 25th September is my first blogspot of the month.

On 18th September my husband and I celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary. We decided to mark this wonderful occasion with a series of celebration lunches, the first one on 4th September, another on 12th September and a third one tomorrow. Another will be held in North Yorkshire early October.  They have all been in different venues in various parts of the country which we felt were more convenient for various branches of the family. Many of our relatives are now elderly and we though it was best to have lunches within easy reach. All occasions have been super.

We have been spoiled with cards, gifts and so much love, it’s been amazing.

Two cards particularly stood out:

A lovely personalised card from our daughter, son in law and granddaughter.

And another from my sister and her husband who celebrated their Diamond Anniversary on 23rd September. They received a card from our Queen!

In between celebrations I have done some sewing and knitting. 

RSC orange blocks:

Other RSC blocks:

Some Sunshine Lotto blocks:

And I have knitted a little white cardigan and a striped blanket for another parcel to send to Evie, the trainee midwife in London.

Joining with Angela’s So scrappy blog.