Hanne's Quilt Corner

Last day of January

2012-01-31T12:27:00.001+01:00

What have I been up to this month?

It started with a little crochet, and another preemie afghan saw the light of day.
The little bear is handmade by a dear friend :-)

I have been exercising several times a week (yes!)- and this applique quilt actually decorates the front desk where I do exercise and physiotherapy.
The man with the dark trousers was the founder of the place and the one in the fuchsia top and broad shoulders did really work there before :-)
I wish I knew the maker of this quilt. All the people are made 2 dimensional by stuffing - very clever.

I have been eating better too.
I do not plan to get skinny, I am aiming at getting stronger and more fit.
I have things to do and places to go :-)

I have had a lovely weekend at May Britt and Rusken's,

I have not been shopping anything this month, at all, but I was so lucky to have May Britt's Civil War Repro collection to move to my sewing corner :-)

I LOVE CW repros - May Britt not so much.

I have made progress on several projects, and I have attended a lovely 1 day class with May-Lisbeth. More about the lovely class some other day. Lots of fun and laughter!

All in all a good month :-)

Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.

Hanne

A girl got to do what a girl got to do……. :-)

2012-01-25T17:44:00.001+01:00

Sometimes me and my body are not in the same game……..
I know that is to be expected with you come delivered as a heap of 2nd sorting parts.

A lot has been on the back burner lately, but luckily it is getting better now, at last!
I am happy you are dropping by to see what is going on in my sewing corner :-)

The Dresden flower quilt is back from the quilter, and it is beautifully quilted by Merete at www.sy.no
Remember the flowers from last summer, when I had them on display on my walker?

I have not got the binding on yet, but I will shortly, and it will be the striped fabric you can see on the photo above.

Dresden-flower-mania has been going on in the sewing corner and it is so fun :-)
If you notice the black leather couch is out of here, you are so right!
The new couch set is a lovely grey, from Ikea. I do need new cushions now, right?

I am longing for spring and to celebrate spring getting closer I have also made some flowers in soft yellow. I made these when visiting with May Britt lately - we had a great weekend :-)

Several fabrics were tried for the centre circle - the Civil War repro double pink won!

Miss Cat just wanted to say hello as well.
I wish she was good at house keeping in the sewing corner too - I am a mess there when I do not sew so much ;-)
I think she likes the smell of the cardboard boxes where I keep my sewing thread.

Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold,
happiness dwells in the soul.
Democritus

Hanne

A finish!

2012-01-08T21:40:00.001+01:00

Recently I have been working on several things not yet bloggable, but today I have made something I can blog about.
The heart is from May Britt, and the pouch is also May Britt's pattern, slightly adjusted to fit my needs.

I have made several of these over the years, for gifts, but this is the first I will keep myself :-)

Hanne

Simplify and enjoy

2012-01-01T23:13:00.001+01:00

I want to wish you a Happy New Year and share with you my slogan for 2012 - Simplify and enjoy!
If you like to stitch the design too, you can find it here.

Please keep in mind that this is my pattern and I enjoy sharing it with you.

You can make as many hearts as you like, to keep, to give away or to sell, adjusting the size if you so prefer
BUT
I will ask you kindly not to teach from my pattern and
not to copy my pattern to your blog or website.
You are welcome to refer your friends to my blog to print their own pattern, and I love to see what you have made from my design!
Enjoy!

I am not one for resolutions really, but I love plans :-)

My plan for 2012 is to simplify and enjoy -
* organize my fabrics by using from my fabric collection
* finish several started projects
* shrink my WISP collection
* take a break from making care quilts
* have fun with my own designs

This is May Britt's lovely heart design in the making :-)
I love hearts, and I love May Britt's yearly heart designs. Thank you May Britt!

May Britt and I have a January challenge going between us:
No starting of new projects in January.
We also have a Low Buy challenge going until 16. March - only BBBB allowed - borders, bindings, batting and backing!
It will be hard, but we can do it, together :-)

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary
so that the necessary may speak.
~Hans Hofmann,

I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace
- a connection to what matters.
Oprah Winfrey

Hanne

The last day in 2011

2011-12-31T17:58:00.001+01:00

It is time to make a tally for the year 2011.

It has been a year of many events - some good, some not so good.

The foot and its surgery in May took a lot of time and effort, both before, under and after.
Outcome - maybe not so good, but it is sloooowly improving, sort of.
I guess it is also a matter of adjusting to the current situation - I can do that, over and over ;-)
I think it is good to look for the bright sides instead of focusing on what is not so good.
Very good is the fact that I can again use the sewing machine pedal without pain!

WISP (work in slow progress) situation - well well………… ;-)
I have had a lot of finishes in 2011, but also some starts that were not finished, and some dead ends.
I just counted my finish list - 67 finishes - not at all bad :-))

Knitting was a dead end - my neck and shoulders are glad I gave that up.
Crochet is a good alternative, in between other activities - in between being the operating words.
I have used a lot of fabric - 15 care quilts took care of that, combined with all other finishes, big and small.
I have used more than I have bought! Go me! Yes!!

In between Christmas prepping I have made these 3 preemie afghans and 1 baby hat. They will be delivered shortly :-)

This quilt top is done, and it will be delivered to Merete on Monday for custom machine quilting :-) I am very looking forward to see the finished quilt!

Since DH is going on a week long guy trip in a few days, the Christmas decorations will go down soon, as in tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
The cutest decoration is present through the year though :-)

These are the last Christmas gifts.
Some of them got so delayed in the post, but I think they all have arrived by now.
I could not blog them before.

Hugo and Felix (Lynette Anderson's furry friends) are looking after DD1's coins now.

Christmas always generates leftovers of all kinds.
Some milk of a kind we do not use resulted in good whole grain bread,

and yesterday I was inspired to bake Christmas bread / Christmas cake with some leftover double cream.
This sweet bread with raisins and cardamom is very good as coffee bread au naturelle, with cheese or jam, and also goes well with the salted meat and liver paté we use for Christmas sandwiches - believe it or not.
I like to bake with yeast :-)
I have never tried this recipe before, but I will do it for Christmas from now on.

As in every year, it is a matter of get some and lose some.
I am so happy for good friends with whom I can share all kinds of days.
Even a dull day is brightened by good friends, always, and a hug and a laughter can get us through whatever it is :-)
You know who you are - consider yourself hugged :-)

I still do my morning coffees or teas in the flicker of candle light.
It is a good time to think and sometime rethink the important things in life, in company with some hand sewing or stitchery.

2012 will be a year with some changes - they will be embraced as they appear.

I want to thank you all for spending time with me this year.
Bring a mug, sit down and enjoy some quilt corner time with me in 2012.
The fun is about to begin :-)

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life
actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life."
-- Christiane Northrup, MD

May 2012 be the best year for you!
Happy New Year!

Hanne

Christmas days

2011-12-28T22:49:00.001+01:00

The last presents were made the last week before Christmas - 4 cushion covers with redwork stitcheries and red fabrics from the scrap box.
It was hard to part with some of these cushion covers- especially the one on the first photo! That is when you know they are good gifts, right? :-)

I tried to make nice backings too, from different fabrics. I am not fond of gold prints anymore, but they do make nice mixed backings, and as a bonus my red stash is shrinking too. :-)
You will never see me buying anything with metal print again!

I still have some gifts I can not show you, as the postal system has messed up delivery, and a couple of people are still waiting for their gifts, even if I sent the packages within the given time limits. Grrrrrrrrrrrr and double grrrrrrrrr - next year I will send my packets even a couple more weeks in advance, like I usually do. I guess these are going by row boat……via China……

I got some lovely gifts too :-)

The best part of Christmas decorations are all the lights -

and my favourite Christmas quilts - and the lovely cross stitch Christmas calendar my late father in law made!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched -
they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller

Hanne

4th Advent Sunday

2011-12-19T00:05:00.001+01:00

This week, Miss Cat has had a busy week – checking proper wrapping of gifts,

supervised storage facilities, trying boxes on for size and all.

She absolutely think all this Christmas stuff is highly over-rated, unless one can have a box and a quilt to one self. :-)

Thursday I had the pleasure of visiting my favourite quilt shop, Lappemakeriet, to shop fabrics for a special quilt.
The service is always excellent and inspiration is in abundance :-)

Today I lit the last Advent candle and opened the last Advent Calendar gifts.

Thanks May Britt and Bente for being part of my Advent this year.

We light four candles tonight
and let them all burn down.
For longing, joy, hope and peace
but most of all for peace on this little earth
where people live.

Hanne

3rd Advent Sunday

2011-12-11T16:21:00.001+01:00

Miss Cat was enjoying "cat TV" on broad screen, also known as the living room window, watching the birds in the trees.
She made funny noises too, nearly like a frog :-)

Secrecy season - I can not show you what I am working on, but I can share my calendar gifts.

Thank you, May Britt and Bente :-)

Hearts is the theme in the sewing corner this weekend, and I was so lucky finding a zip lock bag with pre cut hearts from the long gone shop Lille Stasjon in May Britt's town Elverum.
The shop was sold a couple of years back, and it has got a new name, a new staff, a new location and a new style.
It was nostalgic to work with these hearts, reminiscing the old shop and the lovely, skilled ladies working there.

We light three candles tonight
For longing, hope and joy.
They stands there shining by themselves
and we who present are
We light three candles tonight
for longing, hope and joy.

Hanne

Inspiration, dreams and goals

2011-12-09T00:34:00.001+01:00

Miss Cat and I are organizing the sewing corner today, and she is a great helper and supervisor :-)

Since we are soon at the end of the year, it is a good time to set goals for 2012. I am not ready to publish them just yet.

I love my quilt books, my quilt magazines and my crochet books, and the thoughts, ideas and dreams gets wings while enjoying all the wonderful photos and text.
In my dreams I can make it all, fast, like right now – are you like that too ?? :-))

I just have to show you these beautiful mittens I got from a friend a while back.
She has the warmest heart and she is so skilled with her knitting – notice the wonderful quilt pattern!
I am sending you a big hug my friend, for being who you are!
These mittens has warmed my heart and my hands.

Hugs grease the wheels of the world. ~Author Unknown

Hanne

Decisions and goals :-)

2011-12-07T18:30:00.001+01:00

I am organizing in my things, and I have got rid of a lot, and am lifting my treasures up :-)
I have a very small sewing room, and I have decided that the walls are as full as I want them.
I am not hanging anything more on these walls, and I will hold back on buying in 2012.
That goes for everything, from spools and fabrics to decorating items.
My goal is to find room in my boxes for everything – you may even call it a resolution :-)

This is the wall over my vintage desk – isn’t it cute, with the things I love the most :-)Two small baby afghans, just finished, to give to premiee babies, through Amandaprosjektet.
They are leaving the building in a couple of minutes – I hope they will warm where they come!

PERSIST. Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things

Hanne

Candles for hope and joy - Sunday baking

2011-12-04T18:24:00.001+01:00

We ended yesterday's baking with a delicious meal together with May Britt's daughter.
We had pinnekjøtt - dried, salted, smoked, rib of mutton, which is a traditional Norwegian Christmas dish.
Before it is cooked it is watered, so it gets soft and not so salty.

Early in the morning today we enjoyed the quiet flicker of the candle light, a cup of coffee and the Advent calendar gifts.

From Bente I got a beautiful cross stitched card, vintage photos on fabric and stitchery on Transfer-Eze,

and from May Britt a lovely fabric and a beautiful button ladybug :-)

Today we made Krumkake and Coconut macaroons.

Making the Krumkakes you have to work fast,

- if not you can not roll them! As they cool they are very crisp.

Here is today's baking - yes, I did taste the crust on one of the sponge cakes we made from the leftover egg yolks :-))

Today we celebrate 2nd Advent Sunday, and we have lit the second candle.

This weekend has been in the sign of Christmas preparations. We have shopped for gifts and we have baked, but we have also had time to do some sewing - at least a few treads on May Britt's new heart design, which is as lovely as the ones she has made before :-)

We light two candles tonight,
two candles for hope and joy.
They stands there shining by themselves
and we who are present.
Tonight we light two candles,
we light them for hope and joy

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our hearts

Hanne

Christmas baking

2011-12-02T22:42:00.001+01:00

Yesterday evening I was chatting with my friend May Britt.
She had made a batch of doughnut dough for baking today, and on a whim we decided to bake together in her kitchen.
A good thing gets even better when doing it with a good friend, and baking doughnuts is best done by 2 persons :-)

One to use the rolling pin and dough cutter,

and one to do the cooking.

Doughnuts = smultringer in Norwegian.
We used May Britt's mother's recipe, and it is Good!
The process of baking doughnuts goes like the wind when one can share the work, laughing and chatting :-)

And in the end, the reward - the taste of fresh doughnuts and fresh coffee - can it be much better than that ??

If you want to be happy, be.
Leo Tolstoy

Hanne

Happy stitches :-)

2011-11-29T19:56:00.001+01:00

A finish!
The stitchery is my own design, and I have made it in to a cushion I am giving as a Christmas gift to someone I am very fond of :-)
Feel welcome to download my design, but please also make sure to read the whole post I am linking to, and respect my copyright - thank you!

Finish # 2 :-)
The stitchery is from Hatched and Patched.

The back side of the heart.
I like the natural colour of the linen, combined with red.

Oh Stina - I so enjoyed stitching your little Christmas design today!
Thank you again, for brighten my day!
I could not put it away before it was finished :-)

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.

Hanne

A light for joy - Advent time

2011-11-28T23:20:00.001+01:00

I have spent the first weekend of Advent in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with my husband and a group of friends.
We arrived home yesterday afternoon, in time to light the first Advent candle before dropping in a deep chair with our feet up.

I also have 2 Advent calendars to enjoy this year - one from May Britt and one from Bente.

From May Britt I got these cute buttons,

and from Bente, the Lucky Troll and a packet of colour catchers, which I have already put in to use :-)

Over the weekend this cute little packet has arrived too - an Advent gift from Stina - how very exciting :-)
The packet was so beautifully packet it was hard to open it!

Look what was in the packet - the cutest little stitchery, with red embroidery floss, ready to be made, and it is part 1 of a Christmas mystery :-)
Lucky me !! Thank you ever so much Stina!
I am so looking forward to enjoy this lovely stitchery, starting tomorrow morning, with my morning coffee :-)

Tonight we light one candle
we light it for joy
It stands there shining by itself
and we who present are
Tonight we light one candle
we light it for joy.

Hanne

Saturday progress

2011-11-19T23:02:00.001+01:00

I did have a rather ambitious to do list in the sewing corner today, but you know, the best laid plans and all that ...... :-)
I have moved the Christmas stitchery project forward though, and I am planning to make a table topper.
I am not really sure what do to next, border wise, but I will sleep on it until tomorrow.

Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Hanne

TGIF ! (Thank God It Is Friday!)

2011-11-18T15:53:00.001+01:00

It has been a busy week, with a lot of physical work out and not so much sewing.
I have got a new physiotherapist, and I am sore in places I did not even know I have muscles ;-)
Lovely time has also been spent with friends this week.

Some beautiful mother of pearl light mornings has been enjoyed with the morning coffee.
Only a month until winter solstice and more day light again.

Crochet is lovely for sore arms, and another set of napkin rings is done :-)

I recently bought a Japanese crochet book online, and it is as beautiful as the Japanese quilt books :-)
This is a new baby afghan in the making.

I have plans for a full sewing day tomorrow.
I can not tell you all now in the secrecy season!

Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life.
~Thomas Jefferson~

Hanne

Paying it forward :-)

2011-11-14T20:36:00.001+01:00

I feel lucky who can comfort others with my work, and organize my yarn and fabrics at the same time :-)
I get so much joy out of my work, and it is a pleasure to pay it forward to children in need.

These 2 small afghans are to preemie children - sent in today.
I am now out of wool yarn, for now :-)

This afghan is done by Tunisian crochet + crochet border.
Tunisian crochet was hard on my arms, and I liked to to afghan #2, ordinary crochet, the best.

I was planning to stop doing care quilts for ~~good~~ now, but old habits die hard, or something like that ;-)
I still have fabrics suitable for the purpose, so I will keep on keeping on, but stop participating in sew-together meetings, other than in my own local guild. We are a nice group in my guild, meeting a couple of times autumn and spring.

I like the thought of paying it forward, and so like the fact that I can pay it forward anonymously, so no one owes me anything in return, not even a thank you :-)
I like that very much!

I am not out of fabrics in a long long time yet :-)
My beloved Japanese fabrics and Civil War fabrics will not go in to care quilts though.

May the love hidden deep inside your heart
find the love waiting in your dreams.
May the laughter that you find in your tomorrow
wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays.

Hanne

Sunday progress

2011-11-06T20:04:00.001+01:00

A WISP is soon ready for machine quilting!
The logs are cut 1" wide, and the blocks are not foundation paper pieced. A lot of cutting was involved in making these the blocks!
I need to find a backing right now :-)

I bought this pre-printed stitchery from Quiltegården in September. It is a Rosalie Quinlan design. A LOT of details - very fun to stitch :-)

Hanne

I have a plan!

2011-11-05T21:58:00.001+01:00

I think it is typical for me - I feel like filling up my finish list before the end of the year.
Christmas is coming soon, and gifts are to be made too.
I have challenged myself to do as many finishes as possible through the next 2 weeks, just for fun - just to give myself a kick in the behind ;-)
Starting yesterday!

Miss Cat wanted to rest on the dinner table the other day, even if she knows it is a big No No.
She was crossed with me, brushing her off the table, and later squeezed her furry self on to the smaller table topper on the side table in the living room - where she is allowed.
Half of her did not fit on the table topper - bummer ;-))

Fast forward to today:
First finish!

We learned this 3 dimensional Bow Tie block on the guild meeting on Tuesday, and I had to give it a try with 6" squares.
This quilt is given as a care quilt through my guild today :-)
If you would like to view the instruction online it is quite similar to this, except I cut all the five squares 6", and not sewing down the red edges, to give the quilt some interest for small hands.

Second finish!
A new batch of 6 napkin rings - now I have 12 :-)
I have had questions about the instructions, but since I do not know the English abbreviations for crochet, I am not able to translate it.
I can give it to you in Norwegian, so you can fix translation yourself :-)
Google translate maybe?

Du trenger:
Plastring, heklegarn 12/3 ( eller tynnere), heklekrok nr, 1. Fyll ringen med fastmasker, 1 sm i 1. fm
1. 6 lm, hopp over 6 fm, 1 fm - gjenta til du har 7 buer
2. 9 fm rundt hver bue
3. 5 lm, 2st 3lm 2st i 5. fm, - gjenta ut omg. 1 3dbst i 1. fm forrige rad
4. 5 lm, 2st 3lm 2 st i lmbuene - gjenta ut omg. 1 3dbst i 1. st forrige rad
5. 5 lm, 2st 4lm 1fm i 2.lm 1lm (picot) 2 st i lmbue, 4 lm 1fm onkr. begge buene fra tidl. omganger, gjenta ut omg, 4 lm, 1 fm i 1. st forrige rad.

If you are a visual learner I guess you can figure out a bit from the photos too :-)

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Les Brown

Hanne

This and that - again :-)

2011-11-01T10:14:00.001+01:00

Me and my body has not been playing to well together lately, so the arm movements has been small, as well as my stitches.

This is a pram quilt for my grand-nephew :-)

I was working on the binding up to right before Baby J received his gift.
It was not a last minute plan, but it turned out to be last minute stitches anyway ;-)

The quilt has now been slept under - on his grandma's couch and in his pram :-)

The stitchery for the before mentioned star quilt is done - here rinsed, but not yet pressed.

I had to give up knitting recently, due to my bad neck, but I had to give crochet a try again, and it went well (and was fun).
A new scarf - I found the pattern online -

and a matching hat - which I made myself with elements from the scarf, invented as I went along.

A set of napkin rings was fun to make too.

I made dozens of these for sale when I was about 10 years old, and have kept one, from which I could count a pattern.

True silence is the rest of the mind;
it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body,
nourishment and refreshment.
~William Penn

Hanne

Shining stars

2011-10-17T20:48:00.001+02:00

It has been some time since I last made stars, and I have enjoyed the process very much :-)

I have changed a couple of the fabrics in the kit, to use some of my own favourites, so do not get stressed if you have bought the kit from Quiltegården and can not find all the same fabrics.

I am looking forward to put this quilt on the wall in my hall :-)

I am working on the top stitchery and I am lacking 4 more stars.

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement
and the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D Roosevelt 1882

Hanne

Jumps and leaps

2011-10-13T10:42:00.001+02:00

All these days coming and going, little did I know they were life itself - Stig Johansson

Goals and dreams, dreams and hopes - sometimes days just pass, without making much of an impact - filled with all kinds of everyday activity.

The knitting is out of here and care quilts are on a long term hold.
Through the winter I will give full focus to my own work, so to say - BOMs, kits, Wisps and other ideas :-)
I will ~~probably not~~ NOT sign up for any BOMs with kits in 2012, but I have some to take from here, and I have signed up for participating in a year long Stich-A-Long online.
I am looking forward to participate in this SAL, sewing from my own fabric collection :-)

The bad foot has taken a huge toll on the rest of my body this year, as I have been on 2 crutches until now, and I am have been very tired.
The surgeon did not have his best day at work back in May, and the surgical repair did not turn out to well.
The aching and damaged joint is gone (which is good), but I got some new challenges instead, the toe not touching the floor when I stand without shoes. It does affect my balance.
It did not look to bad in the beginning, when the cast was just off and the toe was quite swollen, but new challenges has surfaced since then.

I am very hesitant to try to fix the foot more, being afraid it will be even less functional after that.......

I Need and Want to be able to do the things that are important to me - like sewing, travelling and meeting fellow quilters. I can do that now, but with further foot repair, I would not know the outcome, by the looks of it.
Maybe I will get even more problems walking? Lose the rest of my right foot balance ? Be on 2 crutches for the rest of my life?

I can not take more long waiting lists either + several more weeks in a cast for an unknown outcome, unless it is a matter of "life and death"!
I hate it when my life is on hold for months on end and out of my control!

Luckily one does not need to much balance to work the sewing machine.
I can get used to the strangest things, given some time.......
Done venting - thanks for listening :-)
I Need to get over this stupid foot and move on - pun intended ;-)

What I have been up to lately in the sewing corner:

The Jelly roll half done blocks has turned into this top :-)

I will add borders shortly - just have to wash the fabrics first.

On Saturday and Sunday, May Britt and I had a sew together over MSN, finally opening this lovely kit we bought in March, from Quiltefryd.

A lot of triangles

and cutting to size

We both changed the sashing and border triangles to light fabrics, as we both found the original to dark for our taste right now.
Thanks for the company May Britt - it was fun!
Distance is no obstacle as long as there are computers and MSN :-)

This has been my grab-and-go stitchery lately. This is an old design by Bronwyn Hayes. I found it on eBay a while back. I plan to frame it - first with fabrics and then with a wooden frame. The wooden frame (Ikea) needs some painting first.

My new grab-and-go project is the stitcheries for this quilt.
The focus stitchery is nearly done - see first photo - I just need a few stitches with fill in. I can start the stars very soon.
I love my sewing machine - it has been a patient friend, waiting for me through the summer.
Now we can work as much as we want together again :-)

Siw at Quiltegården has made this wonderful kit! Siw always make the most beautiful kits. If you want one too, just give her a call :-)

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there

Hanne

Sometimes

2011-10-02T14:33:00.001+02:00

Sometimes things happen for a reason, and sometimes things happen for no reason at all.
Sometimes it is time to sit down, think and regroup, and this has been one of those weeks.

The big question has been - What is important to me ?
Having come delivered as a heap of 2.sorting body parts, I sometimes so meet myself in the (swing)door, wanting to do so much more than what I can, and what is good for me!

Well - knitting is NOT good for me, as I can not be happy with doing just a couple of needles a day, so knitting is so out of here!
A good friend got my knitting yarn, books and needles this week - and we are now both happy about that :-)

Top on my priority to do list is sewing, by machine and by hand, piecing and stitchery!
My sewing, my friends and my family - Yes - that's what is important to me :-)

I had the pleasure of attending a good and fun inspiration lecture given by Helle Løvenskiold this week, and I have had some ideas spinning in my head since then. Thanks Helle :-)

First, I Need to get some older work out of here, or rather out of my WISP (work in slow progress) box - as the quilt in progress on top of this post.
It was started in April 2009, and how it turned out did not really fit my taste back then. I see I have already then thought about putting some light fabric into the work, before it got put away and forgotten.
I loved the Jelly Roll the fabrics comes from, even if it was a bit out of my favourite colour palette. (Hemming House by Moda)
It is really growing on me as I work, but I am so particular about how my blocks meets, so the seam ripper has come to good use ;-)
I am so looking forward to come to the quilting stage of this one - I have a plan :-)

Back to the sewing machine :-)

Hanne

Time flies

2011-09-25T20:32:00.001+02:00

The knitted bolero is done and the knitting needles are put away.
I am not sure how well the cotton wool blend will keep with wear, but at least the bolero is nice to wear as long as it lasts.
My arms and neck is happy I am done with the knitting bug for now!

This nearly done Dear Jane top is made by one of my students and I had the pleasure of seeing it on Tuesday.
She is so clever with fabrics and is piecing and painting fabrics to match the original Dear Jane quilt as close as possible.
Her quilt top is a feast for the eye - lovely work indeed!

I am currently working on a quilt with a lot of triangles. Since we are coming into the secrecy season, I can not show you or tell you more right now.

The finished blocks go into this box :-)

This blouse looks quite good on the hanger, but not so good on me!
I decided to cut it up, as it is 100 % cotton and suitable for "recycling" into something else.

It was quite fun to cut the blouse to usable plain pieces, throwing out the rest.
I will use the fabric for a specific project shortly :-)

Goals are dreams with deadlines.
~Diana Scharf Hunt

Hanne

Saturday stitches

2011-09-17T16:58:00.001+02:00

The autumn is definitively here, with long dark evenings and cold temperatures at night.
What is nice with the dark evenings is that I can burn a lot of candles - I love candles :-)

I have mostly been working on small items this week. Above is a coin purse with a see through window and a ring for keys.

These potholders was fun to make, as was the bigger coin purse for DD2.

She is going to Tarrytown, New York, on Thursday, to stay a school year, studying English + Fashion & Design.
She loves to shop for shoes, dresses, sunglasses, chocolate, handbags, perfume, cupcakes, shoes + + The pattern is from Anni Downs' last book.
I am sure DD2 will have the time of her life, and if I were young, I would love to do the same :-)

I had to embellish the zipper with this cute charm :-)
I am sure I will miss her more than she will miss me!
There are always Skype and Facebook!

Miss Cat is taking care of the relaxing around here, and she has pushed my freezing paper out of the basket to make herself comfortable.

The autumn invites to cook more hot meals, and home made veggie soup is great - easy to make and great comfort food.
I know I will make another batch of soup in a few days.

Home made low carb cracker bread is also nice to make and to eat.

Note to self: Knitting of bigger things than hats, socks and mittens is not for me!

I am still knitting on the bolero jacket, and even if it looks like it will come out nice, I do not enjoy the process.
My arms and neck hurts, I get tension headaches, even after a few rounds, and I am really bored stiff, and I feel it is taking time away from my beloved sewing.
I used to knit all the time, and I know all the do and don'ts of knitting and relaxing muscles, but my arms are not for knitting anymore.
The small things, like socks and baby hats on bamboo needles are nice and easy though.
I am determined to finish this jacket though - soon!

Motivation is an external, temporary high that pushes you forward.
Inspiration is a sustainable internal glow which pulls you forward.
Thomas Leonard

Hanne

Back in business - catching up :-)

2011-09-12T21:23:00.001+02:00

Vacation happened, and I am not fond of telling online before I am home again :-)
Alanya, Turkey, again, again!
It was nice to come somewhere familiar when on 2 crutches, and we like Alanya a lot.

Warm weather, cold drinks (who can resist a Strawberry Daiquiri ?), good food :-)
Sun every day, all day, and after a very wet summer at home, it was so nice!.
Like balm to both the body and the soul, warming up all stiff and achy muscles.

I love the down town pavement mosaics in Alanya :-)

Not a stitch was taken on vacation!
I think it is the first time I have not brought any hand work when leaving home, since I was a little girl.
I did bring my IPod though, and listened to several books while relaxing on the beach.

Since arriving home 10 days ago, I have not got so much done, as an AC cold got the best of me. The plane home was so cold (and windy) from a hyper active air condition system.
Right after the cold was done, a stomach bug going around here stopped by too.
I guess this cold, wet summer has been a party for all kinds of bugs........

Slowly I am getting back in business though, and some sewing have been done too.

Another pair of Dresden flower potholders are nearly done, only lacking the centre circle :-)
The flower fabric you see underneath is the backing fabric.

The first Dresden flower potholders I made need mending after have been used by someone in my household holding a hot bread roll in the potholder, using the big bread knife, also cutting into the centre circle. I have to search for the right fabric, or change both centres.

DD2's makeup / coin purse is in the finishing stages. Maybe tomorrow?

I am doing a bit of knitting too. I love this bolero jacket and I want one!
I have chosen a cotton wool blend, so I can use the bolero as a warming vest through the winter.
I must admit I do not find knitting as fun as it was years ago, so I will not make it a habit to make bigger things. After this bolero I will stick with my occasional socks and baby hats :-)

"In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy."
-- Albert Clarke, photographer

Hanne

A finish :-)

2011-08-24T20:39:00.001+02:00

This is Lynette Anderson's Magical Christmas Stitching BOM in a different colour combination - I love it! Looks kind of French inspired - just what I wanted :-)
The finished size is 20" x 23".

Hanne

A time to treasure :-)

2011-08-24T20:21:00.001+02:00

What is better than spending time in the sewing room ?
Spending time in a friend's sewing room!
This is May Britt's sewing room, on Sunday, and we had a great time there :-)

May Britt is working on her sample blocks and I am working on a pouch with stitchery for DD2.

I managed to finish the Christmas table cloth! Even bindings are easier to do in good company :-)

This is the stitchery for DD2's pouch finished. The text is very appropriate for her, shoes, shoes and more shoes :-)
She is going to New York soon for a year of language study + Fashion & Design study.

A friend is like a flower,
a rose to be exact,
Or maybe like a brand new gate
that never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl,
both beautiful and wise.
Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,
whose spirit never dies.
A friend is like a heart that goes
strong until the end.
Where would we be in this world
if we didn't have a friend. - By Adrianne S

Hanne

Small finishes have great charm :-)

2011-08-17T20:56:00.001+02:00

The little coin purse from Lynette Anderson's Project Club is done :-)

The back side of the coin purse.

I so hope this is the last waiting room preemie hat I am knitting in a long long time!
Started on Monday when waiting at the hospital for my foot check up.

I just Needed a new start today :-)

I have just found a good fabric for the Christmas table cloth, for doing binding tomorrow. It has been washed and is drying as we speak.

Hanne

Monday progress

2011-08-15T22:29:00.001+02:00

Today I have had a hard time sticking to my focus project - felt like working on something else, but I did persevere.
Maybe a focus list is like a jinxed list from time to time?

This Lynette Anderson sign up bonus project from the Project Club is so cute, only 2,5" tall.
Now I need to sew a zipper in.

I saw the orthopaedic surgeon today.
The bones in my right foot are now healed, so now I can focus on doing exercise without being afraid of doing something wrong.
The foot will still be swollen for 6-12 months yet.
Patience, patience........... :-)

The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes to do,
but in liking what one has to do.
- James Barrie

Hanne

Sunday stitches

2011-08-14T20:49:00.001+02:00

When I was at May Britt's a couple of weeks back, I shopped for backings and battings, and now I am putting them to good use.
My DH helped me with the spray basting and I have worked hard on the quilting since then.

Now the quilting is done :-)
I am not sure, but I think I will use the binding that came with the BOM kit, if I only can remember where I put it.....................
This table cloth is huge - to big for my coffee table - mystery BOMs are not for me in the future!
I might do the centre of this table cloth again though, without the last borders.
I will find use for this table cloth too! Dining room table maybe?

The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.
Mark Twain

Hanne

This & That

2011-08-13T10:15:00.001+02:00

It has been a very busy week, if not in the sewing corner.
The foot gets a lot of exercise too, and I can again walk in the house with less support :-)

I am done with all the stars for Lappemakeriet's BOM though, before arrival of the sashing fabric, and all the 20 stars are now waiting in a box.

Since doing a real focus on the stars, with fast success, I am now eager and ready to do an effort on this other BOM, Alle Fugler (All Birds) from Northern Quilts.
I guess I am spoiled by Lappemakeriet's BOMs, with plentiful kits, but Alle Fugler also will be a nice quilt when it is done. I have done a lot of stitchery and several blocks already.

This little one will also be in my focus pile - a bonus pattern from Lynette Anderson's new online pattern club :-)

And third, the Christmas table cloth BOM from last year. I have shopped for backing and batting, and this project deserves to be done in good time before Christmas :-)

The first rule of focus is this: "Wherever you are, be there." - author unknown

Hanne

Sunday stitches

2011-08-07T21:37:00.001+02:00

First 2 stars, and then 2 more :-)

It has been raining heavily all day, and Rusket, aka Miss Cat and the furball, is taking resting to the max :-)

Just 3 more stars to go - prepped and ready to be pieced :-)

I have had some questions about how I piece the stars.
I prefer traditional hand piecing for these stars.
Most people do them English piecing around here.
Isn't it a good thing - the many choices of patchwork and quilting ? :-)

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret
than our willingness to choose life. Leo Buscaglia

Hanne

For my kitchen

2011-08-06T21:33:00.001+02:00

I am doing a lot of exercise with my foot these days, so I am not using the sewing machine much, but I had to give it a try today, playing with the yellow flowers.
I needed some new potholders for my kitchen, and they are already up on the wall.
Making these flowers are fun, so I plan to make more, in different colours.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather,
always bring your own sunshine.

Hanne

When I grow up

2011-08-05T21:36:00.001+02:00

When I grow up:
I will be doing one project at a time, A to Z.
I will not go wild with a new idea.
I will be tidy at all times.

....................I better not grow up........................ :-))

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today?
Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.
~Babatunde Olatunji

Hanne

Stars again

2011-08-05T19:57:00.001+02:00

I am enjoying doing the stars!
I am trying to finish a couple of blocks every day, so I can be done with all the blocks very soon.
The sashing and cornerstones will arrive in about 10 days.

These 2 blocks were finished yesterday, and is in the 11 blocks photo above too.

This morning I was lacking 9 blocks altogether - 7 stars already done, 2 stars in pieces.

2 more block down this afternoon - 7 to go :-)

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.

Hanne

I have a plan :-)

2011-08-03T19:22:00.001+02:00

Really old blocks, with some lovely new fabrics - I have a plan :-)

2 more finished star blocks to put in the box :-)

I am now the lucky owner of a hand-me-down IPod - handed down from DH, loaded with my favourite book files.
If you wonder, he has bought himself a bigger, better IPod for his files and photos.
I do not think it can put the kettle on, but it can do a lot of things, according to the happy owner :-)

There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.
Brian Tracy

Hanne

More stars

2011-08-02T22:18:00.001+02:00

I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Hanne

On my design floor :-)

2011-08-01T21:41:00.001+02:00

These hexagon stars really change when they get the final round on them - I like it!
These blocks will be my focus project for the week, aiming at finishing all 20 through the weekend, in good time before the sashing and corner stones packet arrives :-)

People rarely succeed
unless they have fun in what they are doing.
Dale Carnegie

Hanne

Slowly, slowly

2011-08-01T13:55:00.001+02:00

Life is slowly taking form again, after what happened here in Norway 22. July.
Like a rainbow, love is shining in my country, after the big massacre.
I am so happy the bombing and massacre did not let hate grow.

All the dead are now identified - also DD2's friend Åsta.
If feels so meaningless that you and all the other bomb and shooting massacre victims are gone, Åsta, and we are thinking and talking about you daily.
Your friends from school will travel this week, across the country, to attend your memorial service and funeral on Thursday. My thoughts goes to your family and friends!

The furball does not care much about anything but food, resting and bird hunting these days, and a hero, both at night and during day time, needs her rest :-)

We have had some lovely hot summer days, and we had the pleasure of taking DMIL to visit her sister. It was good to have a hat to cover the neck in the sun - DMIL's hat that is - I am not much of a hat head :-)

DH's aunt lives by the sea, on Jeløy, and the view is great. From the upstairs veranda we can see across the Oslo fjord. This day we sat downstairs by the grass.

I tasted the cherries - they were sour,

and smelled the roses - they smelled sweet,

and the strawberries were the very best :-)

I have been spending quite a lot of time reading a thick novel this past week,
but the sewing needle have not rested either.
At first I did not like the middle block on the row 2, the one with yellow and a lot of white, but it has grown on me and I can see it adds to the quilt, even if it looks very pale.
First I decided to redo it later, but I now know I will not.

Only 2 more stars to go - and all the triangular pieces around the hexagons to make them square, or rather a tad rectangular.

Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it. ~L.M. Montgomery

Hanne

Together

2011-07-27T21:10:00.001+02:00

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

It is always good to spend time with friends, and it is good to take the first step into the life after 22. July surrounded by friends.
From sending news 24/7, both radio and TV are slowly returning to normal sending schedule, and everyday life is slowly returning in every way.

We met at May Britt's yesterday, sharing coffees, thoughts, laughs and sewing.

Tour de Fibre came to a halt on Friday, in the light of all the events in our country.
Sunday Tour de France ended, and so would Tour de Fibre have done.
We had done many stitches through our Tour, having had all kinds of stages, just like in the cycling Tour - team stages, climbing stages, speed stages and all.

May Britt and I had planned a prize for each other, and it was time to give each other the big surprise:-)

I got a beautiful glass jar filled with goodies! Am I not the luckiest girl ?
A lovely cat scissors fob, fabric, silk thread for applique, buttons, refrigerator magnet with a lovely saying. Lucky, lucky me!
The tin box with fabrics is my prize for May Britt.
Tour de Fibre with May Britt was great fun, and I am planning on doing it again - do you hear me May Britt - what about you?? :-)

Rusket took his task as quilt inspector very serious, arranging Bente's star blocks :-)

Today, after a late breakfast, it was time to go home again, and we decided on visiting Karin at Sy-Sammen (Sew-together), at Stange.

Karin's shop is filled to the ceiling with all kinds of fabrics and goodies.
She is very well stocked on fabrics, thread, rulers, patterns, books, batting and not to forget, double width backings in all colours.

May Britt is hugging her new found treasures :-)

Karin also collects vintage hand crank sewing machines. The second one from the top Karin bought from me some years back, as I had bought it, even if I had one, and I could not really fit in my house. Here is has a very good home :-)

Here are my treasures - backings, battings, a few Japanese treasures, a booklet on embroidery stitches - there are always some new to learn - and some notions.

Love is a fruit in season at all times,
and within the reach of every hand.
~ Mother Teresa

Hanne

Thanks - and looking to the future

2011-07-27T16:54:00.001+02:00

My town Oslo has changed forever, and the direction of the future is changed too.
In the matter of short time, he who wanted to plant hate by his actions,
made a whole nation, in fact the whole world, unite in love and caring for each other.

As said so well by a young girl surviving the Utøya massacre:

If one man can show that much hate,
think of how much love we can show.
Stine Renate Håheim

A young man started the action on Facebook that ended in 200 000 persons gathering downtown Oslo on Monday, with roses in hand to honour the victims of the bombing and the shooting massacre.
There were speeches and music, and the Crown Prince and the prime minister gave very touching speeches too.

All the killed are not yet identified, but DD2's friend is amongst the victims of the shooting.
We are so sorry for her family and friends!

A special thanks to all of you sending hugs, prayers and good thoughts!
You made a difference through the darkest days of my country.

In union there is strength. ~Aesop

We will never forget 22. July 2011!

Hanne

Our hearts are bleeding

2011-07-23T14:31:00.001+02:00

We are lighting candles for those losing their loved ones in the Oslo terror bombing and Utøya youth camp massacre.

We have a been lucky in our family, all things considered, having had good news about 2 young boys we are connected to.
A friend of DD2 is reported missing after the shooting - we are hoping and praying for her rescue, and are keeping her family in our thoughts.

Sorrow makes us all children again - destroys all differences of intellect.
The wisest know nothing.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hugs are the best gift - one size fits all !

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Thursday - Decisions

2011-07-21T23:50:00.001+02:00

2 more stars today - 8 to go + framing on all :-)
I aim at being done in a week's time, ready for the sashing when the fabrics arrive.

May Britt asked me to talk about decisions - yes, well - I have some, as well as having some WISPs (work in slow progress)
This spring has been special in many ways, also some that do not meet the eye.
Some events has given food for thoughts, and in the long run, that is good :-)

I feel an urge to finish more of my WISPs and use more from my fabric collection :-)
I do need finished quilts more than I need a stuffed sewing room!

I have more WISPs - not to worry ;-) but I do not really know where to start, yet :-)

Stars first!

If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile,
the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Wednesday - Star struck :-)

2011-07-20T23:27:00.001+02:00

I love these stars :-)
The progress is not that fast, but I do enjoy every stitch and every fabric combination.
The kits from Lappemakeriet are Great - plenty, and fun to work with!
There are a few fabrics in packet # 4 I am really looking forward to cut in to - tomorrow :-)

10 more stars to go!

Tour de France update - Norway won the stage - we are so proud :-)

PS.
I see May Britt has given me a challenge - more on that when I get daylight to take photos :-)

When twilight drops her curtain down and pins it with a star,
remember that you have a friend though she may wander far.

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Tuesday progress

2011-07-19T23:56:00.001+02:00

I am working away on my stars - soon I hit the half way through the quilt mark :-)
I have also been out shopping today, all by myself, on 2 crutches!
As we speak, I am paying for it with a swollen sore foot, but I have a wonderful tunic to show for it!

Love never fails; Character never quits; and with patience and persistence;
Dreams do come true. Pete Maravich

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Monday

2011-07-18T21:42:00.001+02:00

This is one star for yesterday and one for today :-)

Yesterday went fast, as DD2 had a guest in the house, and later we celebrated DD2's 20th birthday, with cakes and family.

The Tour de France bicycle riders have a rest day today, and I have been resting too.
It is nice to be on 2 crutches instead of wheel chair or walker, but it takes energy and strength. I like the freedom to move around the house as I like :-)

.“We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly. . . spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.”
Susan L. Taylor

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - one for yesterday

2011-07-17T09:20:00.001+02:00

The best laid time schedules can be skewed by sunshine :-)
In this part of the woods you never know how long the sunshine will last and when you can get more ( weather forecast says rain showers and no sun for the next 8 days now )
I had pieced the star below in the early hours of the day, indoors, and star # 2 came outdoors with me.

I also spent some time going through my fabric collection (aka stash) yesterday, sorting out fabrics for care quilts.
We were going for a barbeque with friends in the afternoon, and the lady of the house is also a quilter.
She is very good at making care quilts, and it is fun to add to her fabric collection. The fabrics I am bored to see and work with are new and fresh for her :-)

I have been slowed down so much by my foot this past year.
It has hurt to use the sewing machine, especially the last 6+ months, and even if I have made many care quilts, I am behind on other more intricate quilts, which in the long run is what I love to do - the more work the merrier - or something like that :-)

Pain is never a good motivator, and neither was it good for (my) concentration.
The care quilts were very good for practising left foot on the pedal sewing though, and now I can actually use the sewing machine pedal equally good with both feet - more or less.

The foot is better day by day now ::-)
I do not walk to well yet, and it still hurts quite a lot, but not all the time, like a tooth ache, like it used to do.
I have been told that it will take months before it is pain free, but I can absolutely live with that, now that I can sew again!
I am a very happy seamstress!!

Here is the shelf for my red and yellow fabrics after I had gone through them yesterday.
Someone said in the comments the other day she would love to visit my fabric collection ;-)
Some of the darkest reds - like very deep vine red, went into the care quilt paper bag, but that was just a handful.
If you wonder what my favourite fabrics are these days, I must say Japanese fabrics and CW repros are sky high on my list. I also love to mix the two :-)

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Friday

2011-07-15T22:21:00.001+02:00

Today's stage of Tour de France was great - Norway won!

As the Tour de France stages are quite long I made the last of the Dresden plates while watching.
Maybe I should keep my walker permanently decorated with quilt blocks ?
I have advanced from wheel chair to walker / crutches over the last few days :-)

One more star for the BOM quilt too :-)

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Thursday - a day in the sun :-)

2011-07-14T22:15:00.001+02:00

I have finished a few more red and green blocks, as well as cutting the rest of the pieces for the rest of the blocks.
It has been a lovely sunny day, and I spent some hours outdoors, on the veranda, piecing the star block for my BOM and just enjoying myself, soaking up sunlight and let the body warm up in the best possible way :-)

Remember that life's most treasured moments often come unannounced

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Wednesday

2011-07-13T22:16:00.001+02:00

Today I have enjoyed working with my sewing machine again. I am happy :-)

Remember all the thread I got a while back ?
Today DBIL brought me this lovely box of thimbles from the same source. Thank you!

We do not remember days; we remember moments.
~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Tuesday

2011-07-12T21:28:00.001+02:00

It has been a long time since I started a new project, and it was great to do so :-)
I am sorting through my red and green fabrics and it is a nice challenge to pick from my fabric collection only.

The preemie hat from yesterday is done.
Several nice people has asked for a pattern, but I do not have a pattern - I am making them up as I knit.
I do cast on 68 stitches, knit 2, pearl 2 for 10 rounds and after that just play with the thread.
You can do braids, lace, stripes, whatever you like, for 4" (total length) before casting off by knitting 2 and 2 stiches together until you have 8 stitches.
I use thin baby wool and 2,5 mm needles.

Why not learn to enjoy the little things -- there are so many of them.

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Monday

2011-07-11T23:29:00.001+02:00

Just wanted to share my new piece of jewellery with you - I love it - I love heart jewellery and the text is so nice.

I had an appointment for my foot at the hospital today, and I was nervous, so my waiting room work was done before lunch - and my appointment was after lunch.....

I had to cast on for another preemie hat before leaving, and that was good, as I had to wait for a while before the Dr. arrived, after having x-rayed my foot.

The cast is off!!
I do have to wear sturdy shoes all the time, and walk with the walker or 2 crutches for the next 4 weeks.
In 4 weeks the foot will be x-rayed again.
The skin is very very sore, and I have had an antiseptic foot bath, and I will be wearing a sock until the skin heals.
The surgical cut is right where the leather of the shoe meets the foot, on the side of the right big toe.
The foot is stiff, sore and strange, but it is mine, and I will make it work again, take as long time as it need!

DH bought strawberries for dessert today. I do love the look, the smell and the taste of fresh strawberries :-)
We had these berries without any additives - no cream, no sugar - these were the sweetest, most tasteful berries.

This has been a very long day, and a little more knitting and hand piecing in front of the TV, with the computer on the side was nice.

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Sunday stitches

2011-07-10T21:44:00.001+02:00

The blue baby afghan is done, and now I just need to rinse and block the 2 afghans.
It has to wait until I can walk stairs again though.
DH is good at doing laundry, but the more special missions are more for me than for him.

Tomorrow is another waiting room day, and I will hopefully know more about when the cast can come off by the end of the day. You see I have started a new little preemie hat as a grab and go project for tomorrow.
Cross your fingers for me please!

Miss Cat and DD2 were having a playful moment together :-)

I am about to prep more BOM blocks.

Tour de France - Norway has now lost the yellow jersey, but our man did the right thing when a bad accident happened - waiting to see how his friends were doing!

Hanne

Tour de Fibres - Saturday

2011-07-09T23:13:00.001+02:00

Today we visited a friend and celebrated her birthday at her family's cabin by the sea.
We had a lovely day and sat outside all day.

A few threads of crocheting was done outdoors in the sun, framing some of the blue blocks. Now I have only 2 more to do before I can join them for another little baby afghan.
I have to prep another waiting room work before Monday.

Did I mention a Norwegian still holds the yellow jersey in Tour de France? :-)
I did not get to watch today, but tomorrow is another day, and I will spend it here in the sewing corner.

Hanne

Tour de Fibres - Friday threads

2011-07-08T23:25:00.001+02:00

A couple of evening hours, alone by myself, with a film of my choice on the DVD player and a glass of red on the side, the rest of the most girlish crochet blocks got the white frame,

a pleasant colour placing was found,

and the blocks was joined :-)
Now to sew in the rest of the lose threads and start the last round of white around the whole afghan.

Tour de France update - the same Norwegian still holds the yellow jersey - very exciting!

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Thursday

2011-07-07T21:59:00.001+02:00

Hand piecing is fun and relaxing :-)
These two blocks now lacks the elongated triangles to the sides, to make the blocks rectangular.

I had saved this BOM from Lappemakeriet for my foot up period, but I never got around to work on it before today.
I did finish the January blocks before, and have saved all the packets after.
I guess I should have done the packets as they arrived...... lesson learned ?....... probably not ;-)

The Tour de France was very exciting today - a Norwegian came first and another Norwegian came third !

This BOM is also very close to finished now, only lacking the applique star on the top of the Christmas tree.

There is never enough time to do everything,
but there is always enough time to do the most important things - Brian Tracy

Hanne

Tour de Fibre - Wednesday add on :-)

2011-07-06T22:38:00.001+02:00

What is better than a team meeting during Tour de Fibre? :-))
It is always so nice when May Britt and I meet - Vitamin Q, laughter and good times!

I am soon doing the last stitches of stitchery on my wall hanging - May Britt is already hand quilting hers.

Miss Cat is enjoying a relaxing time in the garden grass - she often likes to relax below the lilac trees when someone is sitting on the veranda, like we did.

Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life. unknown

Hanne

Tour de Fibre Wednesday

2011-07-06T16:57:00.001+02:00

It is early afternoon - the Santa is dressed, the reindeer is done, all the snowflakes and stars are done too :-)
Lacking: The mini block in the middle, hearts and baubles on the Christmas tree and the star appliqué.

This beauty spent the night in our living room without us knowing. I was able to let it out in the morning, with the help of a clean glass and and piece of paper. It fluttered happily and disappeared over the roof.
Good Miss Cat was not around!

Blushing with............. I do not know....... ;-)
This BOM from Lappemakeriet has been so neglected through the spring.
I planned to do it when sitting here with my foot up, but I was not prepared for being so out of energy.
The energy is coming back and as I am still sitting here, I can do a catch up - Tour de Fibre is perfect for catch up work :-)

Time to find some tread and a hand piecing needle :-)

How is your Tour de Fibre coming along?

Hanne

Tour de Fibre Tuesday

2011-07-05T22:02:00.001+02:00

Today my Tour de Fibre stage has been intensive stitching!

I must admit I got a more eager finishing this quilt seeing May Britt's quilt is ready for quilting.
Isn't it the true beauty of teamwork ?
We have always enjoyed working as a team, and we always get results :-)

Now I lack half a reindeer on the top, half a Santa, half the Christmas tree, the centre mini block and some stars and snowflakes on the top border.
All the bottom border + the right side border are complete, and I have to throw in some focused hand work to finish the rest.

If you want to join in on Tour de Fibre - 19 days more to go - make sure to leave us a comment so we can visit your blog. Come have fun with us!

Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together. Unknown

Hanne

Tour de Fibre Monday

2011-07-04T21:05:00.001+02:00

Today I finished the rest of the variegated yarn and I had just enough for my 24 blocks.
Framing the last 12 blocks in white will be done little by little, as my waiting room work.

The Christmas quilt is coming along too, and I am doing reindeers today - there are 9 of them. I thought Santa had only 7 reindeers...... ;-)
I am aiming at finishing this quilt shortly!

Hanne

Tour de Fibre 2011

2011-07-03T18:01:00.001+02:00

Norway's Thor Hushovd just won the Yellow Jersey on day 2 of Tour de France, and I am officially opening my Tour de Fiber 2011 in my quilt corner :-)

Today's stage in the quilt corner has been stitching on the Christmas BOM from Lynette Anderson + crochet more centres for the preemie afghans.

Feel free to join Tour de Fiber 2011 if you like - the more the merrier!
21 more days to go :-)
Just leave a comment on this post, and I will visit our blog :-)

Definition of Fiber:
a slender and greatly elongated natural or synthetic filament
(as of wool, cotton, asbestos, gold, glass, or rayon)
typically capable of being spun into yarn
www.merriam-webster.com dictionary

Hanne

This and that - less is more :-)

2011-07-02T23:04:00.001+02:00

This is my "new" sewing room, even if I am not sewing there.
I love my "old" sewing corner in the living room, and I will keep on sewing there and keep the new room as a storing room mostly, with a chance to retreat there if wanted.
This room used to be DD1's bedroom - 7 square meters (75 square feet)

The bureau to the right, my father painted orange in the early 70s.
I had most of my clothes in the 3 drawers, and it was also my writing desk and only place to put my personal belongings.
When my mother passed away last year I had the chance to move the bureau to my home.
I was thinking about re-painting it, but will keep it as it is for now, as it is mine and holds my memories. I do not have many things from my childhood, so I feel a bit possessive about this bureau, and I was so happy when I could take it home. I even like the orange painting now.
It has shelves and 2 small drawers inside - maybe I will invite you to see some other day.
Did I say I love my bureau? :-)

The room is quite full of my fabrics, tools, beloved boxes and beloved books, and my plan is to pair down by using, like making more care quilts.
Not yet though, but before to long :-)
I would love to get more things off the floor and into the shelves.

May Britt and Laila has shown their Ufos, but you will not see my Ufo or Wisp collection any time soon.
Not that I have that many, I just have no urge to Count & Confess ;-)
I will however not add to many projects to the not-done-yet-boxes - that I can promise, and I will keep you updated on all finishes.

Lately knitting and crochet has been nice to do, for Amandaprojektet, a project for preemie babies. Perfect for sitting with my foot up.

Many years ago, I used to crochet all the time, and I now found that crochet is like riding a bicycle - the technique is still in the hands.
I am using a multi-coloured yarn for the middle of these blocks, and I found that half the blocks will have pink in them and the other half will have blue in them.
I have made 12 blocks so far, and there are 6 of each colour combination. I am half way through the ball of yarn by now, so I can just crochet on.
I will make these into 2 small afghans for the preemie project, 3 by 4 blocks to each afghan.
If you look closely on the second photo from my sewing room, you can see my box of yarn to the lower left - and I am using from the box only, pairing down the yarn collection too.

I had plans to work on the My Garden quilt blocks today, but the electricity was gone for an hour and a half this afternoon and I ended up working on this quilt instead.
The best laid plans of men and mice.......... :-)

Hanne

A June finish

2011-07-02T13:49:00.001+02:00

The before mentioned makeup pouch, from my design wall, is finished :-)
I did not know what to embellish it with, as a plain 4-patch is a bit boring.
A piece of paper and a pencil - 2 pieces of fabric and some embroidery floss - the problem is solved, on both sides of the pouch!

Friendship is like vitamins,
we supplement each other's minimum daily requirements.

Hanne

Tuesday progress

2011-06-28T21:29:00.001+02:00

I do not know how it is with you, but with me it often is as if a to do list has to be sabotaged by my inner brat ;-)
This morning I did not feel like doing anything on my to do list, so this Christmas quilt got a few threads instead.

In the comments yesterday, someone suggested that it is good to be bored, as a sign of improving health.
Is it really ?
It might be that it is ok to be bored if you have choices to do whatever you like ?

I am bored being housebound - not being able to sew much with my sewing machine, not being able to drive a car, not being able to visit friends by myself, not being able to go anywhere outside my house without assistance, bored of being dependant on others all the time.
Bored is a better word than dislike to me in this matter, as I am so happy and grateful for my helpers - without them it would have been worse, and I do like their company, when things are as they are :-)

Luckily being housebound is a temporary state, even if I do not know yet when the cast can come off.
Eventually it will :-)

My Garden has moved forward by a jump today!

Last night I had to knit a little again, and a Blueberry Loveberry preemie hat is done :-)

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. ~Author Unknown

Hanne

On my design wall

2011-06-27T14:05:00.001+02:00

All the stitcheries for My Garden are done and now it is applique which is in focus this week.

By a quick glance it looks like nothing has changed on my design wall since 2 weeks back - nothing much anyway.
I am not a doll person - I Need to get this one done before the summer is over!
Nothing much reminding of summer here today - it is grey and wet today (too).
The makeup pouch is still here too.......

DD2 made us the very best skimmed milk lattes for lunch - thank you :-)

New shoes are nice, even if I only can wear one :-)
If you think I am bored with not being able to move around as I am used to, I can only say yes!

Hanne

Not so much going on

2011-06-25T18:40:00.001+02:00

A summer flu took most of my week, but now I am back at it again :-)
I lack 2 blocks stitchery wise, quite a lot of applique and a lot of machine piecing.
I love the look of this project though, so I will keep on keeping on!

A strawberry preemie hat, for Amandaprosjektet.
I did the cast on in a waiting room in the beginning of the week. These hats are nice carry around projects.
I have named these berry hats Loveberries :-)
May they warm both the wee owners and their parents where they come!
Now I am out of started knitting projects, but I am still well stocked on yarn - I will make more Loveberries.

Hanne

Much better :-)

2011-06-21T23:03:00.001+02:00

It was something with the green fabric in the framing of these blocks that was not "me" at all. Changing the green with more brown / beige, light blue / grey and Japanese pink - yes! - I like it :-)

I have been spending to much time in waiting rooms lately.
Knitting is good waiting room work, and lace knitting is lovely.
This pattern comes from Ellen's shop. It is fun to do :-)

Hanne

Small steps forward

2011-06-19T22:47:00.001+02:00

Not much going on in my corner of the woods, except a thread of stitchery or a thread of knitting, here and there.
The sixth stitchery block for My Garden is done - 3 more to go.

Inspired by May Britt I have started to frame my blocks too, plus adding the applique :-)

I might take off some of the green fabric - did not succeed to well with the placement - I can see it now. I think I will leave it on for now, and sleep on it.

I have been knitting a little too, and I love this pattern. I got it as a surprise gift from Ellen, together with lovely white wool. Thank you Ellen!

I did buy this brown bamboo yarn in Canada last year.
As much as I love this colour, I do not love bamboo yarn though - it feels dead, if you know what I mean ?
I have been told it is nice to wear, so I will give it a chance, but I will most likely not buy more of it.

I hope you have had a good Sunday too :-)

Hanne

A surprise and a treasure :-)

2011-06-14T19:04:00.001+02:00

Yesterday my DBIL called and said he had spools for me.
He is helping a friend cleaning out his house, and the friend has had an auction business for years - now he is in a care facility.
59 different colours - some a dozen spools, some only 1 or 2, most colours, something in between - all in all a big happy surprise :-)

The mailman brought the treasure today - Anni Downs' last book + wonderful fabrics, all bought from Quiltegården :-)
Thanks Siw - your service is so good!
The book is great - I want to make every single thing in this book - does not happen often :-)

Hanne

Monday evening

2011-06-13T21:51:00.001+02:00

One more block done :-)

I even moved the stuffed doll in the right direction today, by an hour's work.

Hanne

A small finish - Christmas in June

2011-06-13T14:47:00.001+02:00

If you think you have seen this mouse before, you are so right - I posted about it in December 2010 - here - and you can also find a link to a downloadable stitchery pattern there, designed by yours truly.
I just had to stuff the heart with fibre fill and close the opening by hand - all done in minutes.
When I first finished this heart, I stuffed it with lavender, but the smell got to strong for me.
I had to take all the lavender out, and since then the heart has just been lying here on my desk. Now it is done done :-)

If you start now, you can get an early start on your Christmas gifts :-)

***********

Please keep in mind that this is my pattern and I enjoy sharing it with you.

You can make as many Christmas mice as you like, to keep, to give away or to sell, adjusting the size if you so prefer
BUT
I will ask you kindly not to teach from my pattern and
not to copy it to your blog or website.
You are welcome to refer your friends to my blog to print their own pattern :-)

~ In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures ~ Kahlil Gibran

Hanne

Design wall Monday

2011-06-13T12:44:00.001+02:00

Taking inventory on the week that has passed - nothing on my week goal list is done, but it does not bother me a bit, as I have got the My Garden BOM moving!

I am a simple girl in a complicated body - and I Need my sewing fixes, one way or the other :-)
Right now stitchery is the best, with my foot up.
Sewing machine work is not to comfortable yet.

Hanne

Sunday report

2011-06-12T23:03:00.001+02:00

One more block :-)
These blocks are not really finished yet, as they lack applique and finishing touches, but stitchery is good when I sit with my right foot up.

Stitchery, a cup of good dark roasted coffee and a piece of chocolate (or two, three, four) - life is not that bad ;-)

If you want to get somewhere you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up. -Norman Vincent Peale

Hanne

Saturday stitches

2011-06-11T14:58:00.001+02:00

The stitchery on My Garden BOM block # 3 is done :-)

Yesterday I re-found a packet of DD2's handmade sweets among my things, and I filled them in this traditional jar - must admit I had a handful too :-)

I love DD2's handmade sweets and I love her handmade soaps, the pink ones!
They are fragrance free and they keep the skin very soft.
I have recently bought these big bars of neutral soap so I can just cut it into suitable pieces. I will not add colour, nor perfume.
Lately I have also found shampoo in bars, and both shampoo and soap bars are so great for travelling, and sort of " going green light" - no plastic bottles to carry or throw away.
You travel light with a small box of soap bars and the box can be used again and again - mine is a mini Tupperware (lunch?)box.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Hanne

My Garden block # 2

2011-06-09T22:38:00.001+02:00

2 blocks down, 7 to go - both lacking applique, buttons and log cabin framing.
My plan is to work row by row, and I have already started the third block for this row :-)

It is better to take many small steps in the right direction
than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.
Old Chinese Proverb

Hanne

A change of mind and plans :-)

2011-06-09T04:27:00.001+02:00

I just Needed a new project! Something without Santas, something fresh!

This BOM from Lynette Anderson is perfect - summery,stitchery, patchwork, lovely buttons!
I subscribed to this BOM from Quiltegården last year, but I must admit I neglected it badly.
Not so anymore :-)

It is a woman's prerogative to change her mind
with no notice nor any apparent logic.

Hanne

Left-foot work

2011-06-07T23:33:00.001+02:00

I have been stitching, but I must admit I am not very inspired right now.

My furry friend, Miss Rusket, enjoys her rests, but I am just plain bored being housebound.

I had to try doing some left foot work this evening, and with frequent rests, I managed to finish a block. I like using the foot pedal more than using the manual start and stop on the sewing machine.
I am aiming for more machine work in the morning :-)

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson

Hanne

Goals are good, right ?

2011-06-05T18:32:00.001+02:00

Rusket and I have spent time outdoors today - me on the top of the veranda stairs, on my bum, in the sun, and Rusket in the shady corner.
I can not get my wheelchair down the stairs, but a girl needs her sun and fresh air, right ?

Sitting outdoors is good for thinking too :-)
It came to mind that it is time to revive the Focus Projects again, as I am feeling I do not accomplish much at the moment. Make me kind of restless.

This Lynette Anderson Christmas BOM I want to be done with, stitching wise, through the week.

It would be more than cool if I could finish an average of 1 block a day through the week. It does depend on me (my body) cooperating with the sewing machine though. Today not so
much.

This little make up purse needs some decor before the last joining seams. I think it will be stitchery of some kind.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Les Brown

Hanne

Counting the smaller blessings :-)

2011-06-05T12:17:00.001+02:00

I absolutely love boxes! I love them best when they are beautiful, and preferably made of metal, glass, cardboard or wood material.
I do not care to much about plastic boxes, but some of them have personality too.

There are so many nice vintage style boxes around these days, and this girlie box is so nice.
The Singer box is a true keepsake from days gone by.
I do not buy many boxes anymore, but I do enjoy the ones I have, on a daily basis.

DD2 spoiled us the other day, with Churros, recipe from this blog.
Strong black fresh grounded coffee and fresh from the kitchen baked goods - a moment to enjoy and remember :-)
These Churros reminded me a lot about the Pretzels from Shipshewana - my favourite is cinnamon & sugar.

The furball sends her greetings to other furballs in blogland - may your days be filled with happy bug hunting and lazy moments :-)

A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings and forget the day's troubles.

Hanne

Saturday knitting

2011-06-04T19:41:00.001+02:00

I am tired of knitting adult socks now - I promise I will not do it again for a loooong time, even though I have done only one pair.
I thought I would find it more fun, but I did not!
I have also promised myself not to have knitting Ufos, so once started, I had to finish, as fast as possible.
Knitting was nice when I had to have my foot up all the time, but now I hope I can do more piecing again!
I can see some more preemie berry hats in the future - fast and fun and making someone warm and happy.
I guess I will be happy for the socks too, during the winter mornings, when I am enjoying my morning tea :-)
PS. Did I mention I am soooo bored with having my foot up ?

"The most wasted of all days is
one without laughter."
E.E. Cummings

Hanne

Yes, pigs can fly, sometimes :-)

2011-06-01T22:40:00.001+02:00

Several years back I gave up knitting. I even gave away the rest of my yarn and knitting needles - that was how determined I was. My arms hurt, and it was not that fun anymore.

Last year I bought some yarn in Canada, as well as bamboo knitting needles, and I found I can knit a little again.

The preemie hats and booties are my only finishes for May, and I will donate them to Amandaprosjektet.

I had decided on not having more knitting yarn than what could fit in this small Ikea box. I guess I have to get busy, as DD2 did some yarn shopping for me today, and got a bit carried away - she came home with 4 balls of soft baby wool instead of 2 balls :-)

The bigger balls of yarn I have are sock yarn, not suitable for tender baby skin. I love wool socks in the morning, during winter.

The baby hats are the most fun to make, and I am playing around with lace knitting and braids, and they are finished in a few hours. I also like the thought of warming some wee babies and their parents with my work.

I will do sewing machine work again tomorrow -
I love patchwork and quilting the most :-)

Hanne

Sunday update

2011-05-29T21:02:00.001+02:00

It is a good sign when one is getting bored, right ?
Less pain meds is good too :-)

Have you ever reflected on how many muscles in your body being involved in machine piecing?
Some for moving your hands, some for moving your feet and some for balance of the body - all in all a lot of coordination going on.

I started sewing this block today with my left foot doing the pedal work, but it was something with balance and coordination that did not agree to much with the right foot.

A friend of mine suggested using a hand crank, and that would have been nice if it had a 1/4" foot.
Another friend suggested using the hand function on my Janome.
I have tried that before, not being to happy, but I WANT to sew, so I thought would give it another try.

By happy accident I found that the electric cord for the Pfaff also works on the Janome :-)
I was able to piece the rest of the block without to much trouble, so if I had more that one foot to dance with, I would be doing a happy dance now!
I can carefully wiggle a toe or two for the occasion though :-))

Under the table, a box with a cushion for my foot (feet).

The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.
George Bernard Shaw

Hanne

More of this & that

2011-05-26T23:29:00.001+02:00

Yes, it hurts (quite a lot), but now it is done - an arthrodesis of the big toe. The inner joint is now removed and fixated.
Isn't the arrow pretty cool ?
It is drawn by the surgeon prior to the surgery yesterday. It is part of the pre op routine to identify the right body part.
I was so close to have surgery performed on the wrong hip many years ago, so I do like the arrow very much.

As I am not able to jump on crutches I will spend a lot of the next 6+ weeks here in my sewing corner, in my wheel chair.
A good place to be, after all :-)

Some stitchery is going on,

as well as some hexagons and some knitting for preemies, for Amandaprosjektet, which is providing hospitals with socks, hats,mittens and blankets for preemies.
The hexagons have 1.25" sides, so you see, the hat and the socks are not big.

Hanne

This & That

2011-05-18T08:26:00.001+02:00

Yesterday we celebrated Constitution Day, 17. May, and here is yours truly, in 1964 :-)

My bad foot lead to a very nasty fall on Friday, and my face is every possible colour, complete with stitches in my left cheek and forehead and clamps in my right temple.
Did not go well with my national costume at all. Nor did I have my photo taken ;-)

Concussion does not go well with sewing either, but I am bouncing back now, and it is only 1 week until The Foot meets The Surgeon!

I am back at doing CWLL quilt - Civil War Love Letter goes to Japan :-)
The observant viewer will see that even Lynette Anderson's furry friends Hugo and Felix just made it into these blocks - a lovely fabric from Lecien.

Hey ho, hey ho, off to the Dr. I go - to have my stitches and clamps removed :-)

Hanne

I am tired

2011-05-11T17:40:00.001+02:00

Miss Cat and I are resting, or at least I am!

A troublesome foot has been very painful for a long time, and pain is taking its toll.
I have been on a waiting list for surgery since January, and it is my turn in 2 weeks from today!
Waiting for a date and pain are taking its toll, to be honest.

In the process my hospital files, x-rays and name on the waiting list got lost somewhere in the system, but all is in order now, finally.
Impressed ? Me not so much.............

My on-going projects have mostly come to a halt. I am enjoying my hexagons, but not at full speed.

My 9 patches have been badly neglected,

but I am doing some stitchery,

if not on these blocks though......

These projects are neglected too, in case you wondered......

It will be a hand sewing summer, so all that can be done by hand will be taken care of :-)

I did not feel like telling you much about the upcoming surgery before I had a date.
Whining would not make it a tad better in the long run!

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles

Hanne

The last day in April - challenge ending

2011-04-30T17:27:00.001+02:00

I feel like I am on a Use or Lose mission this year, throughout my house actually, but especially in my sewing corner and sewing room.
As a result of that I have been participating in a 5 before 5 / 15 before 5 challenge on the Scandinavian quilt list Quilt Skandinavia.

I enjoy challenges, and I have actually finished 15 Ufos, which also includes some of the care quilts this spring.
So, when I say I have finished 15 Ufos and 15 care quilts, they total less than 30 finishes, but more than 20. I have not kept a list, but reported to the challenge mom as I have moved along, so it is a guesstimate right now. Who cares anyway, as long as 15 care quilts can warm 15 sick children and the Ufo / Wisp ( Work In Slow Progress) pile is shrunk by 15 ?

The 15th Ufo finished:

I see that many of my Wisps are Christmas related and that has given me food for thoughts.
Conclusion: Do not start that many Christmas projects in 2011!

5 before 5 / 15 before 5 challenge finished for this year :-)

Hanne

Busy hands :-)

2011-04-30T16:23:00.001+02:00

Bente and I decided on doing a couple of care quilts days together, Tuesday to Wednesday this week, and I spent the night at her house.

The last finished triple stripes blocks quilt top I will make in a while.

Another big size hexagon quilt top, lacking borders

Bente's quilt, front and back, and nearly done :-)

I have cut all my orange fabrics, enough for 2 care quilts.

These quilts to be is going in my project box for another care quilt day :-)

Hanne

Easter

2011-04-30T15:51:00.001+02:00

Easter came and went - with lovely days with friends - here they are reading up on blogs and mails, :-)

lovely marzipan treats made by DD2,

lazy moments,

coffees in the sun,

a finished care quilt,

and another finished care quilt,

good helpers making a quilt sandwich for a third care quilt,

AND a finished Ufo :-)

Hanne

A hasty happy decision :-)

2011-04-30T15:00:00.001+02:00

After Sue's lecture on Thursday evening my head was spinning and I could not sleep :-)

I knew there were a few vacant spots in her Friday class the day after, on the sampler quilt,
and with help from Merete I got signed up Friday morning, and was out of the house in 15 minutes - that must be a record for dressing nice and packing for a class!
I remembered all but the rotary cutter, which I made without, and had a chance to borrow from Merete if I needed one :-)

Merete and Heidi :-)

We learned very nice tricks for the glue pen Sue uses, and even if English Paper Piecing has not been my thing up until now, I now am convinced to use it much more :-)
The circular rotating cutting mat is clever, as is the thin thread and the use of straw needles.

I had to try the techniques for hexagons the minute I came home, and if you are an observant reader you already know I have made a few of these hexagon flowers by now, as well as started the quilt It Takes Two. The sampler, on the other hand, is still a sleeping project or Wisp.
My head is still spinning ;-)

Hanne