Wednesday 14 December 2011

How many days till Christmas?

Not enough!!

I'm trying not to get daunted but everywhere you look folks are counting down the days.  Am I the only one who'd like to push it back a couple of months.  How about Christmas on Feb 14th.... then I can get Valentines out of the way with the same pressie.   Please don't call me mean.... I'm just desperate!

OK.... here's where I'm at with THE quilt.....


The Robot block is appliqued and pieced.   Drat!!  I just noticed I haven't stitched his antennae or the dots in his eyes.


The train is now on track and the rocket is boldly going......

  
The fish are appliqued ready for block piecing.  


And the Alien is glue basted and ready to stitch.   I'm working on one of the comic strip stitcheries tonight... burning the midnight oil again.    Had to take a photo of the new tin I got last week.   I love it's retro look and it's just the dab for storing my silk applique threads.

You can see my new best friends in the photo too.   Clover Black Gold applique needles!!   How did I ever live without them.   They are fabulous.  They go through fabric like a hot knife through butter.  They pierce skin painlessly too.  I proved that when I tried to put my applique down and discovered I'd stitched no less than three stitches through the skin on my underneath finger...ouch! 

All that aside... the very best thing about them for me is..... they don't bend!!   Every needle I touch morphs into a banana shape in 10 seconds flat.  I have a death grip on my needle when I sew.  I actually snap needles with my fingers while I'm stitching.  I've tried to stop it but I can't... it's a natural (and costly) talent.  These needles are Josie proof.  I've been using the same one all week and it's still as straight as a die.  Luv em...luv...em...luv em!

At last..... my SSCS partner has received her package!!   I can't tell you how relieved I am.  It's like I've been holding my breath for the whole 18 days it took to arrive in.....Australia!!  Now I can show you the ornament(s) I made for her....
 

Pop over to visit Sue at Charlottes Cottage my swap partner..... I love what she's done with them.
I didn't know if I was rule breaking by painting a gift but it was lovely to blow the dust off these again....


I've promised myself... and Chris (who has never stopped) that I'll make time to paint again in 2012.   Hummm.... how I'm going to fit that in I don't know!  

Before I go I have to say..... it's FNSI again this coming Friday (16th).     Thank goodness for 2 FNSI's this month.... I might actually get to finish Mac's quilt after all.
   
So... you know the drill..... if you fancy joining me and lots more desperate keen Christmas stitchers just click on the link on my sidebar that looks like this......


and sign up.   You'll have a great time... honest!   (One day I'll figure out how to get a link directly on this darned picture).

Heck.... I'd better dash.  I'm not allowed to sleep till I've stitched a whole planet.... see ya!!

Hugs
Josie

8 comments:

Kristen King said...

When you figure out how to get the link with the picture, let me know...I can't seem to get it right. :) No need to panic about Christmas, what gets done gets done and now one else will be the wiser! :) Lovely quilt!

Anonymous said...

great post Josie,dont put pressure on yourself you will get there and its looking fantastic you are doing a wonderful job

Sue said...

Those Christmas stockings are very happy in their new home, thanks so much Josie. I like the idea of you breaking the rools, I do a fair bit of that too! Keep up the painting...maybe you need less sleep to make more time!

marina said...

fantastic progress Miss speedy! Love the 'ocean' fabric it is so effective.
Your applique is just amazing.
Your painted decorations are just beautiful.
Happy stitching.

Grethe said...

Great robot quilt you`re working on:-)
Only 10 days left,are you sure??!Happy Quilting to you.

Diane-crewe said...

just do your best!! Will be trying out the needles I have a similar problem!! Thanks for the tip x

Le rat des fils said...

I also own this book and like you, I fell for this model. I wish I could make this quilt some day. You have made a good start. I look forward to seeing the rest of it.
Bravo !

Chookyblue...... said...

only 9 sleeps now........you'll be fine........lovely ornaments you made for Sue in the SSCS..........