Quarterly Goals - 2018 FAL Q2

Goal #1: Island Batik Vintage Made New

Top is done, needs to be sandwiched, quilted, bound

(Fabric was given to me by Island Batik)

Goal#2:  IAQ/Island Batik 2 for one project

I can't say much more but it will need to be sandwiched and quilted.

(Fabric was given to me by Island Batik)

 Goal #3:  Grandmother's Flower Garden

It is an antique I rescued and the quilting is done.  It just needs binding but the 

edges need to be trimmed too.

 Goal #4:  Applique Rose of Sharon

Finish applique, sandwich, quilt, bind

Goal#5 Typewriter Quilt

 Quilt, make binding, label

I think these will keep me out of trouble!

Linking up:

She Can Quilt:  FAL Q2 2018

First Quarter Goals - #2018FALQ1

So I did it - I finished all my first quarter goals! If you aren't familiar with this group, please jump over to Beth at She Can Quilt.  Everything you to need to know is right there.  My list was three quilts to get done....and I did...HAPPY DANCE.💃  I'm grateful to the three sites that keep me honest and am pleased to see my quarterly report completed.  

The first finish was in January and was My Funky Pine Trees.  Here is the blog where I listed as a goal and here is the completed blog entry.  I'll leave you with before and after pictures - just to keep it all honest.

Funky Pine Trees before finish

Funky Pine Trees, completed

Next up was the baby quilt, Fancy Forrest.  It is now named "Fancy Forerest Deux" and has been given to a coworker who is expecting her first son in May. I am doing a happy dance for both quilt and baby!  Here is its before entry and the finish entry.

Finished "Fancy Forrest Deux"

Before Fancy Forrest

And last, but not least is the loon.  My father always recited something from Pogo about the the loon - which I remember the line as "and only the loon is lorne".  I love the finish product and it will hang somewhere in our Maine Cottage.  Here is the  before blog and the after blog!

Before finish - some work done on it

Finished Quilt

And at the time I knew I would be doing some Batik Ambassador pieces but not much more - three of those were completed too!  Its been a good run for the beginning of the year.

Linking up to 2018FALQ1!

March UFO Done - OMG Finish and APQResolution

This quilt has spend a couple of years on my UFO lists but, happily, I can report that it is finished.  This quilt was for my OneMonthlyGoal and my APQResolution2018 lists and my #2018FALQ1.  I bought the pattern years ago (probably 10) but who's counting.  It took me a long time to find the fabrics for the loon and I think they are nearly perfect!  And then, I just hesitated or procrastinated or was too afraid to start the technique on my own.

The pattern is from Joan Shay whose technique is called Petal Play Appli-bond©.  This pattern is  called Loon and Water Lilies.   More about her technique and patterns are available at her website.  

You use HeatnBond©Ultra Hold and use this between two layers of one fabric.  The HeatnBond allows you to attach the pieces and they can hold there shape(like the petals) or hang loose(like the feathers) or twist the like reeds.  For instance, the petals are bonded once, then you press for a few seconds and curl them!  They hold their curl.   Joan also sells something called AppliBond needles which are able to go through the HeatNBond and fabric - they seem to have a three-pointed needle (I am imaging that leather needles are like this).  I do love that I had this bright pink in a number of shades and blended them with the flowers.  The feathers, however are my favorite part.

So, this completes my OMG and my APQ Resolution for March.  YIPPEE!

Linking up to:  Elm Street Quilts/One Monthly Goal

Quilt stats:
"Loon on a Lake"  22x33
Pattern:  Loon and Water Lilies by Joan Shay

Next months project will be up soon.   I expect it may be finishing a piece I am working on today in Paula Nadelstern's class.  It is a great class - take it if you ever get the chance.

New Goals: OneMonthlyGoal, APQResolution, and 2nd Quarter Goals

April is here...flowers should be blooming but they are having a hard time here in New England.  Nonetheless, I am commited to setting monthly and quarterly goals and here they are!


First, my One Monthly Goal and APQ UFO Resolution Project for April will be...


For the 2018FALQ2 - Finish along Quarter 2 I will include the above quilt....


Grandmother's flower garden - needs trimming, binding made and sewn on
Rose of Sharon - finish applique, quilt and bind
Typewriter quilt - quilt, binding made and sewn on

Linking up to:  Elm Street Quilts/One Monthly Goal
Elm Street Quilts - One Monthly Goal
She Can Quilt - 2018FALQ2
All People Quilt - Resolution

Fancy Forrest Deux - OMG February Finish

I love this quilt!  It is the second time I made it, using many of the same fabrics from the first but a few changes.  The pattern is Fancy Forrest by Elizabeth Hartman and I just couldn't help myself.  I changed a few things.  I wanted my thistles to be purple and I wanted Frances the Firefly (not butterfly) to have a bright yellow bottom - all lit up - like fireflies are!

I was cutting it close with this thread when quilting!  I made it - although truth be told - I did have another similar looking spool (same color) in my stash.  Must be one I really like!

The back was a fabric I stashed for awhile.  Of course, it wasn't big enough so it has its own border.  I didn't use my printed labels as this is for a baby and I didn't want the label to be a problem. I will sign somewhere discretely or put a small label on this side when I know who is getting it.

 I did quilting with my Westalee ruler set on my Bernina 440.  It allows you to do straight lines and other lines with a little more precision.  I had fun figuring out little ways to enhance the critters and the thistle.

I liked giving Hazel the Hedgehog some spikey hair.

Frances the Firefly just got some curves added to her wings.

I am pleased it is done and think I know where it may go.  That is the really nice part, knowing the quilt will have a lovely wee one to smile at it.   If I hadn't set this goal, I am sure it would not have been done.  Thanks for the encouragement!  This quilt was on my list for OneMonthlyGoal, 2018APQ Resolution and 2018FalQ1.  So great to have it done.  

Linking up:  One Monthly Goal

                     2018FALQ1

OMG January Finish - My Funky Pine Trees

"My Funky Pine Trees" table runner is done.  I am glad as it has been a UFO for quite some time.  This was both my One Monthly Goal and one of my UFOs for my APQResolution and my 2018FQLAQ1.    I have to confess, some of those fabrics have been favorites of mine for a long time.  I loved using them again, and for many of them, it is their last appearance.

I heard Beth Helfter at Rising Star Quilters Guild many moons ago.  I bought the pattern, I did a little and then I got stuck.  I don't think the style is really me; that was what made it hard.  I like it done a whole lot more than I liked it half way done.  Trying new things, learning new techniques, new approaches is something I like to do.   I have never put jewels on a quilt before, but I rather like it.  I did it the simple way with Swarovski flatback crystals, like these and an embellishing glue.  I used my tweezers to place them.  Worked rather well, if I may say so.

Here are its stats:

My Funky Christmas Trees

17" x 42"

Pattern:  Mod-ified Tress by Eva Page Quilting

Batting:  Quilter's Dream Request

Machine Applique Thread:  YLI Machine Quilting 50 wt, #12V Jewel

Pieced and quilted by:  Kathleen Scargle McCormick

Linking up with:  

Elm Street Quilts -  One Monthly Goal

Sew Fresh Quilts - Let's Bee Social

She Can Quilt - 2018FALQ1 

First Quarter Goals - #2018FALQ1

This first quarter is a busy one for me!  Some of you know I moved from our house of 22 years to an apartment (still have a sewing studio).  Well, this little company that I do some consulting for is moving the end of February and I am in charge of helping coordinate some pieces of the move.  This week has felt like I lost a lot of time, but its the weekend and I am going to use it.

If you aren't familiar with this group, please jump over to Beth at She Can Quilt.  Everything you to need to know is right there! Basically, we list our goals in the beginning of the quarter and at the end of the quarter 'fess up to what we have/not accomplished.  I am going light as I think 3 may be it.

As I was thinking of this I felt like a little Gilbert and Sullivan....

I've got a little list

I've got a little list

Of society offenders undone quilting projects 

Who might well be underground forgotten

And never But would surely be missed

They never would surely be missed

1.  Wonky Christmas Tree Table Runner

Quilt

Embellish

Bind

2.  Loon - on my UFO list for 3 years:

Attach lily pads, grass, flower

Quilt

Bind

3. Fancy Forest

Quilt

Bind

Also, I will have one other project to do, and I am not sure of its deadline, so it will be fun to see what the 2018 Island Batik Ambassadors will do.  

That's it for now....

Linking up to 2018FALQ1!

4th quarter complete

The 4th Quarter was a great one!  I accomplished a fair amount and am very pleased.

My goals were to finish the following:

1.  Free Falling Leaves - quilting, binding, labels, hanging sleeves - more here

Free Falling Leaves Top

Free Falling Leaves
Hanging at Rising Star Quilters Guild

2.  The alphabet quilt:  Hand binding, sleeve and label - more about this quilt here

Alphabet, Unfinished

Alphabet quilt, Finished

3.  2 Sew together bags - more about these here

Finished Sew Together Bags

Sew Together Bags, in project box

4.  And finally, finish organizing my space, more here

The Closet, unfinished

The closet - organized

More closet organized

This last project was not done, but I can't really complain.  Its a little harder in odd ways than it should be, so I only do an hour or two when I am working on it.

 The Loon did not get finished.  It was a little harder than I imagined and not so fast to do.  I expect it will be done in two weeks, if we get to Maine both of those weeks.  It lives there and so I only have access to it halftime.  I am making a list of what I need too, so I don't get stuck for that reason.

The Loon,unfinished 

Linking up with:  2017FAL 4th Quarter 

UFO's - #APQResolution - 2017 & 2018

All in all it was a good year.  I completed 9 of 13 projects.  A few were carry overs from last year and a few will be carried into next year.  There were a couple of projects that got done that weren't on the list, and a little later in the month I'll do a reprise of 2017 finishes.  It was a year in which we decided to put our house on the market - it had been in the back of our minds  - but it became real.  Honestly, I didn't sew much for 3 months.  Things are in a better place, so 2018 should be good!

I am pleased to keep doing this as it really helps keep me focused. I do move around projects as the year goes on so they finish when I like.  A few would not have been done, had they not been on the list.  I am making headway on the projects I have and would like to speed up to 2 a month, but much depends on a secret commitment - if it happens I don't think I will be doing 2 a month.   

I am excited to begin this year and think that I will start where I left off, finishing the Petal Play Loon...

Best wishes for a terrific 2018!