Happy New Year!

Time goes faster and faster the older I get.  Wow, can't believe another year has passed.  What a good year it was though so no regrets.
I have more starts than finishes so my goal this year is to have more finishes than starts.  That's a novel idea for me.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I started 3 quilts and finished these two  

Last year I had started a wonky log cabin quilt and never finished it so I turned it into 25 hotpads.  They were fun quick gifts to give.

I found loving homes for several of the quilts I had finished during the year.  I LOVE IT when a someone is thrilled with the quilt I picked for them.

My niece got this one.

My oldest son got this one.

Then, and I think the most exciting, I used over 80 yards of (what was I thinking of when I bought this?) fabric from my stash, to make pillowcases that were sent to Afghanistan.  

It did make a dent, WAHOO!

Can't believe I lost the pics of all the pillow cases so you get a pic of my pup sleeping with one of her Christmas toys.

Cheers!

Mary

When a quilt screams....

you should listen.

This quilt kept telling me it should be quilted with straight lines, but did I listen?  Nope!  I always think that free motion quilting is cozier plus I wanted some practice before I started quilting two oversize queen quilts that have been waiting to be finished.

It is backed with flannel and is so warm and cozy you could almost overlook the quilting.

Struggling with my regular machine really made me remember why I want a long arm so badly.  If only I could get the hubs to sell the pool table I could have room for one.  Ah well, straight line quilting it will be for the next quilt.  On to basting.

Enjoy the upcoming week.

Mary

....and I thought I would post more often

....but summer got in the way.  I have not been doing much sewing but have had alot of time with my kids and nephews.  They are hardly kids anymore (all in their 30's) and so much fun to spend time with.  Luckily we have been at the family summer cabin for much of the summer and I have had the most incredible 'studio' in the screened porch.

I did manage to start and finish a twin + doll quilt for a charity auction.  I am hoping a doting grandpa or grandma will spend the big bucks for this cute pink pair.

After my last HST quilt I was pretty sure I did not want to tackle another for quite some time but  the scraps I had were begging to be HST's.  For the white I used an  IKEA sheet.  I took the time to trim the HST's and as much as a pain that was it sure more accurate points.  Next time I think I will press the seams open then trim to eliminate some of the bulky seams.

On the back I used a sheet for the orange/white/pink squares, probably won't just use a random sheet again without knowing the fabric content.  It did not shrink the same as the rest so it looks really rumpled, but hey it's the back anyhow. I quilted it with a wavy cross hatch.  After washing it is crinkly and cozy.  Can't wait to see if it sells.

funny little fish.

The first and only kit I have ever purchased sat on a shelf for a couple years.  Since I have been trying to reduce my stash a bit I decided to pull out these cute little fish and try paper piecing again.  My first try was not so great.  I waste alot of fabric with miss cuts, jeeez you'd think I would learn after one or two miss cuts.  Anyhow these turned out okay and on the third fish they started to come together pretty easily, maybe they were even fun!  I am giving them to my sister-in-law cause we are going to visit for a few days.  Hoping the weather in MN is nicer than our weather in MT.

sashing standstill

I have started sashing these blocks and find that I really don't like to sew the sashing on.  I had so much fun making the blocks but the sashing not so much.  I really like the colors and some blocks I like sooooo much more than others but I think this will be a really fun quilt.  I had planned on giving it away but I made something else for that person so now I think I will keep this quilt myself.  I think it is perfect for the guest room.

Here is a picture of about half the blocks, some are sashed some aren't.  I am sure this isn't the final layout.  It seems I either spend too much time on the layout or I put them up on the board and don't move anything.

We are hitting the road for a week so guess this won't get finished anytime soon.

Have a fun week sewing.

Mary

a ufo finished

Well it is not a quilt but it is a finish.  I had forgotten about these little diamonds I knit about 10 years ago.  I had a pattern for a wonderful sweater but I guess I chickened out and was going to make an afghan.  I unearthed them while I was looking for a certain fabric(yet to be found).

Anyhow I am glad they are all sewn together now.  I wonder how many other ufos I have forgotten about.  Ignorance is bliss in this case.

Yahoo.

M

Inspiration overcomes willpower!

I have been reading my way thru the entries in the blogger quilt festival.  Wow, all the talent and imagination blow me away.

And just when I was doing so well at finishing my ufos I see Angela's quilt at my three sons and I know that is the quilt I need to make and of course start right now.  I really liked her color combos. I added some black and white but otherwise pretty much copied the colors.  I'm not sure what size I want the blocks to end up, usually I get 10 or so up on the board and then start cutting and adding to get the look I want.  The ones that don't make the cut are going to be turned into hot pads so really I am getting two projects done in one.

Keep on stitchin'

M