OMG - January - Tablerunner

I thought I would commit to One Monthly Goal this month.  I have a UFO that I have done a little work on - a tablerunner.

It is pattern called Modified Trees by Eva Page Quilt Designs.  Beth Helfter spoke at our guild and I thought the pattern would be a fun one for a boutique or gift for a friend.  I made it and got stuck on wanting to do the border.  2 nights ago, I decided to forgo the entire border, but only add some ground for the trees.

This picture is only half the tablerunner.   There is also a star between the two trees, and I am thinking of a ribbon to do that or fancy stitching - but have to look and see what might work.  The colors I choose are a little bright, but I think I will like it.

This will be the back and binding.  It is a fabric that was in my stash but it quite fun with the trees.  I  have an idea for quilting - we'll see if its as brilliant as I think - or whether I can do it.  Wish me luck.


Linking up with:  One Monthly Goal 

An exciting annoucement!

Can you believe it???  I can't.

I saw the announcement come across my blog feed that applications were being accepted.  I thought, what the heck, I may as well apply!  I was so inspired by the work of a few quilters that I follow:

Laura Piland at Slice of Pi Quilts

and

Jennifer Fulton at The Inquiring Quilter.

I met these wonderful quilters during the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers event and started following.  I have quilted a long time, but my primary joy in quilting is trying new things, stretching my skills and sharing them with others. I hope that is what this opportunity holds for me.

Watch for announcements for the 2018 New Quilt Bloggers group if you are interested in expanding your horizons.  February 1 is when the new applications begin being accepted.  I have broaden my blog presence and met many new friends in the journey.

Island Batik fabrics are wonderful and I can't believe I'll be receiving a shipment soon with a mission to accomplish. For now, feel free to browse their site for fabrics coming in 2018!  Each month we are given an assignment and off we go - creating and blogging about our successes and sometimes our failures.

Wish me luck, its going to be an interesting year!

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!

4th Project for 2017FALQ4 Finished!

They are done - my two sew together bags are finished!  I think I cut them out two years ago, but they had no specific destination so they wallowed.   This is a big way we get UFOs - we find a new fabric and make a plan but no destination, no deadline.  For this year, however, they were part of my APQResolution and my 2017FALQ4 resolution.  I think these bags are so useful for EPP, hand sewing, cords or makeup. 

As you can see they are very similar.  I just swapped the lining and inner pocket lining for a way to mix up the fabrics.  I think it is nice to have some differences between the bags, even when making multiples.

As I write this, I am thinking of a person who might need at least one of these!

I have one more project, but it won't get finished today.  I am missing a bead I need, and need to make dinner for our quiet New Year'e Eve celebration.

Happy New Year!

A hat for a boy who wears red....

My son is a rabid red sox fan, and while it is a stretch to call him a boy, he is my boy!  I started this last year and finished it last night.  He should have it - the weather here is frightful - but it will be early next week before he sees it.  The pattern is “Man Hat” by Ashley Haven, available on Ravelry.

I love the way this is so cozy and can be turned up if a little oversized or gets stretchy.  For years, he had a red sox hat, but that went missing.  I made two for his father, similar, but in blue.  Can't wait to see him in it!

Linking up to:  Friday Foto Fun and Crazy Mom Quilts

5 Best posts of 2017

Cheryl Brickey  of Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a Linky Party!  This is better than any New Years Eve Party and is a great way to look back over 2017.

I can tell you that my blogging picked up this year - I had 41 posts for 2017 - up from 16 in 2016.  My total visits were up to 11,136 visitors form all over the world - United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, Portugal, Ireland, Germany and Ukraine!

I decided to highlight my most popular posts this year.  I included a picture and a link back to the posts.  I am so pleased at the push the 2017 New Bloggers Quilt Group gave me and the guidance of our wonderful leaders - it really has made a difference in my blogging presence.  Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl has led this the past few years, and I feel so fortunate to have her guidance this past year, as it was her last as a leader. 

Please feel free to visit or revisit any of the posts - the links and counts of visits are next to the picture from the blog entry.

Block 11 in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along
2,282 visits

Finish It Up Friday & FreeFallQAL #4                                      
423 visits

Finish It Up Friday
324 visits

2017 New Quilt Bloggers Introduction
165 visits

  A Finished Top #FreeFallQAL 
  142 visits






I learned a lot, and met quite a few folks I now call friends.  Many thanks for following along and visiting and commenting.  I love meeting my internet friends!

Linking up to:  The Best of 2017 Linky Party at Meadow Mist Designs