Up and running.....

Firstly a finish.  Almost 12 months ago to the day I started this quilt for myself.  My goal is to make four Christmas quilts eventually.  In Australia you don't really need many quilts in summer but it can get cool sometimes and even if the weather is warm it is still nice to have something seasonal on the back of the sofa or draped over an arm chair.  

Today I finally finished the first of my four quilts.  This one is for me.  In spite of lots of interruptions I finally managed to get it quilted yesterday and bound today.

I laid it out on my lounge room floor to enjoy it before going on to some other chores.  When my hubby was ready to come and hold it up for me to take a picture look what I found!

At first Snickers was stretched out totally relaxed. 

 But then when she heard me she rolled over and planted her feet as if to say "No, you can't have it!"  Sorry Snickers!  I need a picture.  Funny dog.

 So, my 2012 sewing is off to a good start.

And I am back to making quilts and laundry bags for our Aussie soldiers in Afghanistan.   At the end of this week I am planning to have a new blog called Aussie Hero Quilts.  Cherry Red Quilter will still continue but the new blog will be designed specifically to encourage other Aussie quilters and quilt groups to get onboard and make quilts for the project.  

I received an email today from a Major in Afghanistan giving me five more soldiers to make quilts for.  Currently my quilt group is committed to making seven quilts for female soldiers in Afghanistan.  In order to make the next five quilts in a timely manner I am wondering if any of my Aussie followers out there would be able to help.  I have already told you about a quilter called Maria has promised some quilt tops for male soldiers in the near future but I need a bit of help getting together two of three quilt tops for girls.  If anyone is interested in helping please email me or leave a comment.  There are all sorts of ways to help and not everything takes a huge time commitment.

Till next time......happy stitching!

Happy Boxing Day

Like Betty Lou I too always feel a little bit sad when Christmas draws to a close.  Apart from all the more virtuous aspects of Christmas I also love the things that you can do at Christmas time and can't necessarily get away with the rest of the time - fairy lights, Santa plates, bits of whimsy and cutesy things etc.  I especially love Christmas lights and this year I have just broken the news to my husband that I want to leave a set or two up all year.  I have some gorgeous coloured stars up in my kitchen - you can see them here up behind the Christmas tree although the colours don't show up well.

I have decided that they look so pretty, and I enjoy them so much, that they can stay on the timer for the year and they will come on to cheer me EVERY night.  Hubby just smiled a long suffering smile.  He is very wise sometimes!

My friend from Ireland visited just before Christmas and she gave me these pieces of Donegal Tweed.   There are 18 pieces all up - six of each - now I just need some suggestions what to do with them.  Can I mix them with normal cottons or do I need to combine them with more wool?  Any ideas?

I have been busy baking today and prepping for tomorrow's Annual After Christmas Party.  I have made a pavlova and some mini chocolate cupcakes that I am hoping to turn into Strawberry Santa Hat Cakes that have been around on the web this year.  I can't remember where I saw them first but if they work I will share tomorrow night.  The trick is going to be finding strawberries the right size!  Our other contributions to the meal are strawberries to add to the combined fruit salad, marinated barbecued chicken, and roast rosemary and Parmesan potatoes and nutmeg and honey glazed butternut pumpkin and sweet potato.  I am also adding in a mac and cheese as my kids love it and I think some of the others will like it too.  The other girls are bringing pre-dinner nibblies, two different sorts of sausages, a variety of salads and a trifle.  We NEVER under-cater when we get together and we always eat well!

On Christmas Eve, while watching the Christmas Carols on TV I layered up my Christmas Quilt.  I posted about it almost a year ago here when I completed the top.  Then I put it away and on Christmas Eve I had just enough time to pull it out and layer it.  Tonight I am at least starting the quilting.  I doubt i will get it finished but that is ok.

These is something nice about working on Christmas projects AFTER Christmas as it sort of prolongs some of the nice feelings!  And Christmas fabrics often have a lot of the whimsy about them, or at least the fabrics that I tend to choose do, that I love about Christmas!

I hope you have all had a lovely day.

Till next time............happy stitching!