Up the Garden Path Stitchery - January

I love the pretty stitcheries from Fee so far this year. They are free each month. I have struggled to sit and stitch though. It is a bit hot here at present so it makes for sweaty stitching.
I bought some whisper weft to use as interfacing but have since learned that it must be rinsed in very hot water before using it because it shrinks. I used it on the pockets of my pyjama shorts because I thought it would stop the knit from stretching. I now have very puckered pockets. I am so glad I didn't use it on outer wear.
So, the back of my stitchery is unwashed whisper weft so I will have to make it into something that only needs a cold rinse sometimes so it doesn't pucker. Maybe even a little framed picture. I have a spare embroidery hoop to frame it.

I have started another blog about my Mom's ToolBelt Planner Folder and what I put in it.
I am gradually getting through my sewing goals for February.

I love being able to keep this blog mostly sewing and just start another blog when I find a new subject to journal about. I also like having the quilt diary blogs for my non BOM quilts. Maybe in 100 years one of my household quilts will end up in a museum and they will be able to find the story of it in a computer data base!

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Beginning My Home Planner

I downloaded the free samples and I searched for free pages but in the end I bought a lifetime membership to Mom's Toolbelt so I would have a coordinated look and the whole range of pages and calendars.

I printed out the Summertime cover then decided what I wanted to organise. I have tabs for Goals for 2014, Housework Routine, Meals and Shopping, Budget and Inventory.

I printed out a Summertime divider. I cannot say enough how great it is to look up my goals pages and get something done. I spent an afternoon writing my goals for Feb and Mar and now I don't need to worry about wasting time or forgetting what needs to be done. Mom's Toolbelt has PDFs that you can put your own text on. This planner is one of several layouts.

I have a little parsley plant on the back deck now and because I had these goals written before we moved I also have a multi planter herb pot with me ready to plant some winter herbs in a few months time.
My folders sit on the pantry shelf in our rental house where I can easily access them. This shelf is just along the meals room wall. They will be on our office desk in the new house. The Mom's Toolbelt spines come in different sizes and you can print your own titles on and save the file. At present I have a Contacts folder, a New House folder and My Home Planner folder set up nicely. I have other folders still in the process of being put together for lots of personal papers.

Along with my lifetime membership I have access to affiliate links (I get a % if you visit with my link and then buy something) . I don't hesitate to recommend the Mom's Toolbelt printables because they have really helped me get more out of my time as well as given me peace of mind that what needs to be done is getting done.


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Happy Quilting and Crafting and Organising,
Val

WIP Wednesday Sew Kitschy BoM

I have been admiring all the lovely paper pieced blocks being sewn and decided I should seriously give it a go. I have gotten myself fairly well organised this year using Mom's Toolbelt printables so I feel I can work on several of the great BOMS I have found and keep it all organised. (My links to Mom's Toolbelt are affiliate links)

Sew Kitschy is a collection of fabulous kitchen appliances all paper pieced. I have just caught up and now have two blocks done. I only need to stitch 'Cookies' on the cookie jar.

It has been a lovely warm day here in Wide Bay. We have been here for a week now and it still feels a bit strange to be living in a new place but it feels really good to have selling the house behind me. I snapped this pretty sunset this evening.

I am linking up with the Sew Kitschy linky at Quiet Play
and also with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

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Happy Quilting and Crafting
Val

Scrappy Stars at Scrap Happy

I am just in love with stars at present so I couldn't miss making my second scrappy star for the year. This one is called Green mountain star and has lots of pieces. The background is quite large so I had to use some from my larger pieces box for that. While looking for something dark for the middle star I came across a fat quarter that I have had for some time and it was perfect. The little points were just right for some little scrappy pieces so I fished out a couple of charm squares and scraps of orange that seemed to go well with the suns in the blue fabric.

I have been wondering if it is better to press the many little seams open or press them to the side but after this star I think I will nearly always press my seams open. It just seems to give a smoother finish on the right side. It takes a bit longer to do but I can handle that for one star a month.

I got the star pattern from That's Sew Julie. You can download the tutorial as a PDF.
I have been collecting some different types of stars on my favourite quilt blocks Pinterest board. I am amazed at how many types there are.

This is my first scrappy star.

I have so many sewing projects and other projects I want to get done this year so I have turned to the web for ideas on how to set goals and organise myself. 

I found some great pages at Mom's Toolbelt that I tried out and then decided to buy a life time membership that entitles me to any updates she does and new calendars each year. I love her designs. I have incorporated a few other free pages from around the web but Mom's Toolbelt  gives the folders a uniform and organised look. The membership enables me to use an affiliate link and since I think the product is great I figured I may as well use it. Click the thumbnail to visit Mom's Toolbelt.

I am linking up to Majas Paradise with my scrappy star this month.

There are some great links from last month here.

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Happy Quilting and Crafting,

Val