Life's unfair sometimes!

Although I have tried to keep recent posts quite upbeat things haven't been too rosy. This week we have been to the funeral of a friend of the Oh! Bearded One's. He has known this guy for probably more than 40 years through Scouting. This guy's funeral service was a celebration of his life but never the less it was sad and moving, also the end of an era. Things like this make me realise how short life is and how we must live for now.

Also this week, at work a resident at work is now dying from a horrible illness. There have been some hard ethical decisions to make regarding her end of life and it is hard watching her die, also watching her partner suffering so much.

I've been reading a blog that lists posts of stories surrounding how and why quilts were made and this has got me thinking about making a quilt for this guy. I want it to have real relevance and be a memorial of the lady that is dying but I haven't come up with a good idea yet. all suggestions are welcome.

This is the hard part of my job. This lady has lived in the home for 6 years. I have got to know her and her partner well. I knew that this lady would die eventually but knowing it and dealing with are 2 different things.

What I've been up to

Over the last couple of days I've been doing some prep work and a little sewing. I've also been to a funeral, worked and had 2 new tyres on my car.

I've cut out my next 2 blocks for the Summer Star Sampler quilt, I'll sew them over the next night or two.

When this pattern came out from Bunny Hill designs I fell in love with it. I've had the pattern a couple of years. Actually if I'm truthful this particular pattern is the second on as I lost the first one. I've also had the fabric (Moda Peace on Earth) since it came out. I decided last night I was going to start it so I got it all cut out.

This afternoon I sewed all the blocks together and have started the applique as you can see from the top left hand corner. I tried the needle turn method with freezer paper but didn't get on well with it (I'm probably not doing it properly) so I'm going to use my usual method although I'll have to get to grips with the needle turn method when I come to do the borders as I don't think they will look right using my usual method of blanket stitch.

I've also been playing with my Moda Rouenneries fabric and making 12 inch blocks.

Now what do I do with nearly a full jelly roll and charm pack? The fabric requirements for the Postcard cuties asks for a jelly roll and 2 charm packs. You don't need anything like that amount of fabric so I will now need to find another project to use this fabric-its hard life isn't it?

I'm also playing with yarn and crocheting a blanket, no pattern, the stripes are as I fancy them. The yarn is DK and I'm using a 4mm crochet hook.

next blocks

I've spent part of the weekend working on my blocks for the Summer Star quilt along.

Here's blocks 5 and 6

Here's the 6 blocks together

I am really enjoying this. It's helping me to become more actuate. I've got the hang of flying geese and half triangle squares.

I couldn't resist adding this very silly photo of Meg! She is as daft as a brush, we can do virtually anything with her!

I'm off now to make some cards and other bits & pieces for my work's BBQ and summer fair to raise funds for the residents fund.

2 more blocks

This afternoon I've completed blocks 3 & 4 of my Summer Star Sampler Quilt

I think they are coming together nicely although I had trouble with block 4 because the centre block turned out a bit small and I had to do a bit of jiggery pokery to get the block to go together and end up roughly the right size. I suspect I'll hace to mess about again when I put the quilt together.

I'm ready for blocks 5 & 6 now!

joining in

I'm currently sewing the binding on both of these, not that I've done any for the last couple of nights as I've been too busy on the internet!.

I think I'm keeping this quilt for myself as I love the colours in it, it also going to have mother of pearl buttons on it.

I've joined this swap, the needle case is prepared for sewing.

Now I've put the button on my blog I've got to keep going on this quilt, this is my challenge to myself.

I've not really been doing any knitting as it has been too ot for me to knit. When it cools down I'll want to start again but I mustn't start anything new as I've got several things started that I really want to finish. I bet, though, I'll see something in the new Autumn patterns that I'll fall in love with!

Look what I found

Back in May my Scout group had a jumble sale. My Mum gave me a box with some bits & bobs in it for the jumble sale. Before i took it I had a rummage............

and found these............

I notice that there is a fashion for re-fashioning old embroideries which is why I kept these back, as well as the fact that my Mum did these,

Mum did me a couple of tray cloths like these, she must have done these at the same time.

This one is a cushion cover and I love the colours and I am going to use it for a cushion when I get round to buying the cushion pad.

I don't know yet what I'll do with the others but I'm sure I'll get inspiration from a blog at some point.

What I've been up to

I haven't felt like blogging but I have been reading other people's blogs and have had all sorts of instipration which has meant I've been busy with needle, thread and a credit card.

First purchases.

I've joined the quilty blogs world's obsession with Schibbles and have bought Schinbbles times two.

I've bought 2 Moda Mill House Inn layer cakes and intend to make one of the two quilts below.

I have also bought Pam & Nicky Lintott's new book. I like 14 out of 18 designs so I'm going to be busy.

I've made this to be given as a Christmas present

I've just had this sewing machine serviced and I used it to quilt this table topper. It is stitching like a dream now but I can't wind bobbins on it as the bobbin winder is broken and the part needed isn't available. The feed dogs were just sticking and a good greasing sorted that out. The machine is 30 years old and there weren't as many of these machines sold as there were the 830s so parts aren't readily available which a shame.

I completely finished this little table topper and it is ready to be given as a present.

I have informally joined 'A Quilty Kind of Girl's' Summer Star Sampler quilt along. These are blocks 1 & 2. I am using Makower's Winchester and several other FQ's out of my stash for this quilt. I've not yet put the button on my blog because I wanted to be sure I can keep up with it.

I really like how these have turned out and can't wait for the next 2 blocks.

Meg & Molly have been enjoying the sunshine!

This bench is Meg's favorite sun bathing place!