Nine-patches

are a challenge I took when I saw the blog post by Dolores  introducing many challenges to choose from for a good start of the  year. I'm not on Facebook so I'm just sewing my 2½" squares into 9-patches on my own and will show them to you when I feel like it. This first lot of  seven is made with ready cut squares from the trays I have. I'm ahead of the schedule already, as I read about the challenge 5 days ago!

When I'm cutting fabric for a project and there is a small leftover strip, I cut it into squares, or if it is a long one, it goes to the fabric string boxes. The white background squares usually come from making Unicef dolls.

Our grandson has his birthday around this time. He likes outdoor life and can already have long walks, so he has his own rucksack, torch etc. I made this insulated pouch for a small thermos flask so he can take hot chocolate along when they go out to explore the forest next time. His initial is made with reflector tape so the pouch can be easily found if it should get lost on the ground ;o). 

Little ones wear reflector vests here when they are on an outing from kindergarten, each group has their own color. 

New year, new projects

After Christmas I often feel a little in the mood for Christmas sewing, so I made this basket for the last Christmas chocolates.

I have been sewing some QAYG blocks for Oz Comfort Quilts. I had fabric strips sorted by color in cardboard bins, and after this project they are no longer overflowing. All batting came from the bits left over when I have trimmed my quilts to size after quilting, so the blocks are all scraps put to good use. The backing fabrics were cut to 11" squares and the blocks trimmed to 10 ½".

My last Christmas amaryllis yesterday. This was the third stem with four flowers.

The weather is playing tricks/global warming is here. We have only had snow for a couple of days in December, and now my daffodils think it is Spring already! Normally they would look like this in April and have flowers in May.