What I've Been Up To Lately

What with all the hooha around Christmas I haven't had time (or inclination really) to share some of the things I've been working on over the last month or so.  Time to get up to date!

I decided to make some cushions for Serena (my hubby's granddaughter) to match the quilt I made her a couple of years ago. She and her Mum and Dad moved into a new house just before Christmas so I thought some pillows for her bed might be just the thing. I had some fun with the quilting on the heart pillow but thought the star pillow didn't need as much.

This is the quilt I made originally and I tried to use a lot of the bits and pieces I had left to make the cushions.

Last year I also helped Kristy at Quietplay test some paper pieced blocks, one of which was for an alphabet/numbers collection of patterns. I was allocated the number 4 and an apostrophe to test. I didn't quite know what to do with them and then remembered that my brother's lucky number is 4 so I put the two together and made him a little mug rug for work!

I also made some heat pads (to protect your table from hot dishes) as small additional gifts. I found this pattern when someone else shared a link on Quilt Club Australia and they are seriously easy to make!  I initially made my first two using 9 inch squares of fabric and two layers of batting but changed to 10 inch squares and used one layer of batting and one of insulbrite for the rest. They were a little easier to quilt at the corners that way and a better finished size.

This is what they look like from the back. Effective aren't they?

This one is my favourite, I'd like to make some like this one for myself if I ever get around to it!

I made a couple of others too but in the rush to get them in the mail I forgot to take a photo!

So that was my Christmas sewing. Before I start the UFO along I decided to spend my last couple of days before I go back to work working on finishing my Star Value blocks. They're on my UFO list and were last year too but got pushed to the side so I could finish my brother's quilt.

I had four done but have another 12 cut out ready to piece. I'll share more photos when I make some more progress.

Thought I'd finish with some random Xmas photos (mostly of our dog - fair warning!).
Livvie didn't want to wear the Christmas hat but she didn't want Brian to wear it either

Livvie also took it upon herself to recycle the Christmas wrapping paper by shredding it to reduce landfill!

 Mmmmm, my Christmas trifle!

 Livvie liked having her country cousin Kip to stay but wasn't always keen to have him share her bed!

Well, that's me up to date. Best go now, just heard from my sister-in-law that they are evacuating from their place due to bushfires currently burning in the Adelaide Hills and are heading here with their animals. We're well away from any bushfire danger being in the suburbs but do get a bit of smoke when the wind blows the wrong way.

Thinking of everyone affected in the hills today. Hopefully they can get it under control soon.