In the sewing room today ...

Today I am going to do some sewing ... I have been procrastinating far too long.

I really have to do something, and I reckon I cannot get it done from the computer which is NOT in the sewing room... 

And I guess I will just have to sew around the mess, and maybe put a few things away as I go .. who knows. I may even be able to find and dig out the spare machine and finally retire this one that honestly is on its last legs ... bits are breaking off all over ... I think I am just too rough ... It is plastic with a steel inner ... my last old machine was metal on metal .. and it was able to take a bit of rough handling and stuff that this one seems not to have been up to the task... Not the machine's fault at all .. it is mine and only mine ... for the past 7 years I have been using one right hand which works perfectly well .. and one left hand and arm that has little to no sensation in it, but the hand and arm have an incredible amount of strength .. so it is great for picking stuff up ... but unless I am looking at what I have .... the hand does tend to let go and it drops stuff  ... all a bit useless really ... so... I have to stay attentive ... and if you are a follower of any of my writings you will know I get distracted very easily and go off in a different direction at the drop of a hat ...  if I am having a conversation with my husband he often says ... "Foe-cuss ... Focus Bobbie!!" ... lol. 

See just like that ... I have always been like it but since I had the stroke in 2015 I have been getting progressively worse ... I need some structure in my life or so I am told ... stuff that will need some mental exercise... like keeping a diary .. and I reckon my blog will act as a good diary. Typing is easier, it emphasizes my spelling errors and, I am able to read this stuff ... my handwriting after about 10 lines starts to fall apart and gets really bad .. haha .. and I think that's because I try to write as fast as I think ... no chance of that ever happening .. not even when typing ... but word now has talk to text and that helps heaps .. although there are a lot of arms in it because I say umm a real lot ... did not know that till I started doing stuff this way ... and .. here I am .. way way way off topic ... I have a little notice just at eye level pinned to the wall that says ... Just try a little harder .. and I do .. try a little harder in everything ... and today ... my trying harder .. is to achieve something in my precious sewing room ... but first I have to get in there ... I will finish off this post .. along with my lovely cup of tea ... and go do what I am supposed to do today. 

today I typed this out, tomorrow I am going to use Microsoft Word and speak it .. and have it come out in text ... of course, it will need some editing ... as there will be photos being shared ... the cup of tea is empty ... and now so will this chair be ... 

have a wonderful and productive day where ever you are ... 

love and hugs ..💖

International Quilt Block Swaps

I'm back ... I am also back and sewing too ... Hubby and I are making some changes here in chilly old Tassie .. most of I guess will be revealed later down the track .. 

But now the first one ... I have started an International Quilt Block Swaps group on Facebook ... it is a private group but anyone is welcome to join ... Just send a request to join .. and answer a couple of questions re your quilting adventures to hopefully weed out any scammers and you will be accepted into the fold ... and there is no need to jump right into the swapping .. you are welcome to sit and lurk for a bit to see if its what you are looking for. 

It is your choice of a 'finished' 12-inch pieced block in your colour choices... 

The block can be the same each month or you can change it and the colours every month ... it is your choice.

You will get one partner each month, and the allocated swap partner email goes out on the 1st of every month the block must be sewn and sent to your partner in that month .. and "as life does happen" an email or Private Message is all it takes for us to work out any issue that has arisen ... 

So far we have 36 members, from 4 countries. 

We have been going for around 6 weeks and are currently organising our 2nd swap.

I am really thrilled with the response we've had, and look forward to our group growing. And in the future, we should be able to add more variety to the group, things as... applique blocks ... and 6 ½ inch & 9 inch blocks for those who would like to do them and perhaps Foundation Paper piecing too. 

Also, a Christmas block swap that could run throughout the year for those who would like to create a Christmas quilt or table topper/runners, whatever it is that suits you ... I think cushions or table runners are a great idea for an Aussie Christmas. 

What would you make your Christmas blocks into?

Anyway, I know there are many groups on Facebook that do the block swaps ... and some are very much like this one ... some are not ... and some do multiple replicated blocks, sewn at once and posted back to the organiser ... I have tried these and was totally shocked at the quality of blocks I received back. So much so that I will never attempt this style again ... I am sure there are lots out there who get some wonderful returns ... but there are also those who have no idea what the blocks will be like and really don't care ... 

I will personally guarantee if you are not satisfied with your partner's making of the block ... be it the size not being correct, or them not following your requested block or colours ... I will see to it that you get one that is right ... 

anyway ... I will leave the FaceBook link here and do hope that we see you sometime in the future .. 

International Quilt Block Swaps