SAL: Trick Or Treat Update #7

Here we are at the three week check in. It’s a timely check in for this Trick or Treat project. Here is where I was last time.

For my progress on this update notice I added an additional bottom row to the section one before getting started on the second section.

This project has been a real challenge for me. It’s been extremely difficult to follow the directions and match colors to the suggested floss. I have taken some liberty in making this my own {Halloween nightmare} I have been referring back to the cover photo on the package insert for color guidance but while writing this I had the idea to take the cover picture I had and crop it to show you some of the changes I have made. I am so glad I did because it really gave me a great view, a real eye opener, of what I was looking at. I have decided I will be removing it all and be starting the whole section again after seeing this view below.

Now it’s off to take a look at what everyone else has been working on, please join me. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Posting takes place every third Sunday, local time. Our next update will be on the 15th of November.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

Lots Going On

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Not just for the gorgeous foliage or the every thing pumpkin spice ~ yum ~ but as the weather turns cooler with more time indoors, I find it so much easier to have lots going on.

I participate in two different sew alongs. A HQAL, where I am working on a hand quilting project – The Dahlia Project and a SAL with a great Halloween cross stitch in progress but I have also been busy with a few other projects.

5 daughters will each get 2 dish towels this year. I’ve have 9 completed with this one just finished.

This years passion has been cross stitch Christmas cards. I had done one last year that was sent to my Uncle. He absolutely loved it. With this year filled with so much uncertainty, filled with social distancing, and actually not even getting together with friends, I thought these would really make the perfect non gift, gift to say you’ve been thought of and are special to me. Here are 3 of the latest completed.

These 2 Current cards are 5 x 7 and came in a set of 4. I have 2 more to do.

I just picked up these 2 Hannukah cross stitch cards off of eBay and am excited to get started on them. (about 6.50 ea give or take) I would have liked a couple more but only spotted these 2 at this price.

And some tiny pillows for gift giving using The Friendship Star pattern will make perfect friendship gifts.

Keeping me busy, as if I haven’t been busy enough, is a lap quilt for a friend. Using the Friendship Star pattern, I started this on Monday and have completed 8, 9″ blocks. I think 12 blocks may be enough with the added sashing, I’ll see. These blocks, a first for me, have been machine assembled and not hand stitched. When I get to quilting her though, she will be hand quilted 🙂 No idea on the backing yet.

The last on my doing list is this pinwheel block pattern baby quilt. I have been working on it through this last year. The blocks are all hand stitched with the sashing done by machine. I still have 1 more strip to piece together. I had used this pattern and material before in another baby quilt. With a few extra blocks I just kept going and made some more blocks, enough for this second quilt. She will be hand quilted.

It’s been a crazy year for so many. Blogging, reading and following blogs has been so important these past 10 months. It’s kept me focused on not being bored, one of the greatest complaints I have heard from friends. Along with keeping me busy, it’s connected me to those who share a similar passion.

I have been thinking about how the holidays, traditionally, can be a very difficult time for many regardless of this being the year of COVID. I want to make a little extra effort to connect with friends and family this holiday season.

HQAL: The Dahlia Project update #4

I have been working steadily on the Dahlia Project these last 3 weeks. At our last posting I had begun adding some quilting designs to the inside of the petals. I was using a clamshell stencil to create the design.

I have abandoned using the stencil and have begun free handing a pattern onto the petals.

My inspiration came from Carole Carter of From My Carolina Home Blog and FB page. Her Dahlia Quilt which was done for Bullington Gardens as a raffle fundraiser, is ‘magnificent’ and worth a look see if you have the chance. You can see her post and take a tour of the gardens and see her finished quilt here http://frommycarolinahome.com/…/a-visit-to-bullington…/

Wishing you all a safe, healthy and productive coming few weeks. Now I am off to visit the pagers of the others in this hand quilt along.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen, Daisy, Connie, Monica and Sherrie

SAL: Trick Or Treat Update #6

A timely posting for the month of October as I continue to work on “Trick or Treat”. At our last posting she looked like this….

Three weeks and I made some good progress. I did not get the back stitching done as I hoped but the bat joined the haunt, a window fixed, a pumpkin got a stem, along with completing the ground and border.

While this looks almost finished, there’s so much more to come with this project.

Now it’s off to take a look at what everyone else has been working on, please join me. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Posting takes place every third Sunday, local time. Our next updates will be posted on the 25th October 2020.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen