Jewelry and Scarves Finished!

The jewelry for my best friend's wedding that was on November 12, was completed right before the rehearsal and dinner on November 11.  Talk about cutting it close!  But they turned out lovely, and I'm happy with the end product.  I made 5 necklaces, and 6 bracelets (one for the bride + all of the bridesmaids).  The idea came from what we wanted/liked after pursuing Charming Charlie's however they did not have the style in gold to match the necklace the bride had already found.  As a result I came in to save the day and made the jewelry two weeks before the wedding.  In the end, they turned out just how she wanted them, and they looked great with everyone's dresses.








A second finish was for Christmas, I made two matching scarves from the Canon Layer Cakes they have out right now.  My grandparents are Ohio State alum and collage sweethearts, and they LOVE Ohio State.  As a result, when I saw the scarlet and gray layer cakes I knew what I was making them for Christmas.  Of course once they opened their presents together they immediately put them on which was heart warming to see.  I know they will be put to good use, especially when they return home in the next few months.  I loved how these turned out.

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it Up Friday, and Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Fridays.  I am now all caught up from all the sharing from the last few months of 2016.  Check out my Appalachian Museum post, to learn about our trip before the wedding referenced above.  Now it is time to make progress on my Q1 and 2017 goals for the year.

-Christina

Q1 2017 Finish-A-Long Goals

It is January of a new year, and that means it is time to set my quarterly goals for the 2017 Finish-A-Long.  I'm setting my goals high, there are a few that I have to get done this quarter and others I need to start working on.  If I make decent progress on some, maybe I will get more quilts finished this year.  Each quarter I am able to reassess my goals, and it makes me think of what needs to get done.  So, let us see what is on my list.

1. Table Runner for J&B's wedding (took place in Early December)

2. Table Runner for T&M's wedding (taking place in February)

3. Baby quilt for my Cousin's son who will be born any day now (mid-January is his due date)

4. Knitting a blue shawl - deadline long past, but will use in my office, especially when it gets cold/drafty

5. Knitting a purple shawl - same thing as above

6. Cross stitch Marriage record for C&T (late present)

7. Wedding quilt for C&T (late present, at least they know it is coming)

8. Handiwork (something I have been trying to catch up on for the last year, I just need to use one of my off fridays and sit down and do the minor repairs on most of the items)

9. Make rugs, this includes ripping what I've done out and restarting as I found a different pattern I want to use (belated Christmas gift..we won't say how many years late)

10. Charity Quilt top for Prayers and Squares at my Grandmother's church

11. 2nd Charity quilt top for Prayers and Squares at my Grandmother's church (I started these before I got married, which means they are about four years old.  I just found them in one of the last boxes I still have to unpack)

12. Wedding quilt for D&D (late present, at least they know it is coming)

13. Quilt for one of my Grandmother's (shhh, it is a surprise for her)

14. Mom's quilt (this one is even older than 10 and 11.  I got the kit in college and got frustrated with it because my 1/4 inch seam was off and I was doing a horrible job at cutting.)

15. Wedding quilt for N&B (this wedding is this year, 2017, shhh, it is also a surprise)

16. Christmas Table Runner  (this was going to be a present, but Christmas Eve my cat decided to play with my soda on the table and spilled some on it, so I could not gift it due to running.  I need to try and remove the stain and redo the quilting on it, then bind)

17. Second Christmas Table Runner (still to be finished for a Christmas present)

18. Bonnie Hunter's En Providence Mystery Quilt (I've printed all of the clues and my fabrics picked out, I just have to actually start on it.  I do love the reveal, and I'm considering making it just a tad larger to fit on a queen size bed)

19. Knit scarf for my husband.  He saw the scarves I made for my grandparents for Christmas, and wants a few scarves.  As a result I am going to get this one done, and have the other two made for next winter.  It is made with a simple pattern.  Knit stitch about 30 stitches across and then 70" long.

Wow, long list, but if I can make progress on these things I will be very happy.  Time to fix the tension on my featherweight and make some great progress on these projects.  I can not wait to see what everyone else is planning to make progress on.  Linking up to Throw a Wrench in the Works for the 2017 Finish-A-Long.

-Christina

A Visit to The Appalachian Museum

The Appalachian Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Museum, presented a wonderful look into the life that was lead by various Appalachian people, that some probably still lead today.

When we first walked to the front there was a barn quilt square.  It made me very happy to see.

While we were in the Hall of Fame there were many quilts.  They all had history and were inspiring to read about.  Of course who can forget the detailed workmanship, which was gorgeous and very inspiring.  Now for your viewing pleasure, some eye candy.

These quilts behind the glass still had the newspapers that they used for English Paper Piecing with the fabric.  It was amazing to see, and fun to read what the newspaper said, especially the prices for items.

This is a sampler that in the Hall of Fame, and the details were inspiring and gorgeous.  Even though you can tell it is old, I believe that added to its charm.

Here is the cabin that Mark Twain's family use to live in.  He never lived in the cabin as they moved out of the region before he was born.  Their cabin was nice, it was one of the first bigger ones that we saw, but it was still smaller than our apartment, which just amazes me.

Inside one of the cabins there was a weaving loom and strips of fabric rolled into balls, and these gorgeous rugs.  They were using what they had, whether it be from old clothes or old quilts.  These rugs that they had turned out beautifully.

We also found an old rag rug, which is something I need to work on, as I have a few in the making.  It just made me smile when I saw it in one of the cabins.  (At this point, my husband is just shaking his head because I have a big smile on my face and pointing everything out to him fabric related and talking about it)

At the end of the tour (self guided) there was a saw mill, with fresh saw dust.  The saw mill had just been used the previous weekend we were there.  I found this really cool as it is keeping history alive.

Would we come back here, yes! we would come back.  There is so much history of the area and the life that was lived in the mountains.  It would be educational for our kids when they are in elementary/middle school.

Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts

-Christina

New Year, Same One Monthly Goal

It is a new year, which means I should be working on something new right?  Well, I'm not.  For January's OMG, my goal is to finalize strip selection, starch, cut and put together the top for a table runner for a couple that just got married.  The colors and beautiful and can not wait to gift it to them.  I think this goal is doable, especially once I get my husband's birthday party planning finished (almost there!).

Here is to a new year where I am working on setting small achievable goals that are more realistic for me to achieve.

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts.

-Christina

A New Year Slow Stitching

Happy New Year to everyone!  I have a feeling that this year is going to be great for everyone.  This evening I am settling in and working on a knitted shawl, while watching some TV with my dear husband.  This is definitely a work in progress.  I started it in November 2016, thinking I could get it done for a wedding in the same month.  Boy was I wrong!  I'm still not even halfway done with it, granted I did take a hiatus from knitting it due to some Christmas scarfs I did for gifts.  The pattern is called Knit Triangle Shawl from Carron, and the yarn I'm using is Moonshine from Juniper Moon Farm.  I love this yarn, it is all natural, and has a wonderful feel to it.  I'm also really enjoying knitting with it, as I haven't had it shred once.  There is still the occasional hay debris, but nothing to write and complain about.  I'm about 12 inches away from starting to decrease, but I'm going to sit and enjoy the process as there is no deadline for this.

What drew me to the pattern was the edging detail, even though it is simple I feel like it adds a nice edge to the piece.

In 2017, I'm going to try and expand my horizons on knitting.  I have a few harder patterns picked out plus the yarn, and I hope to try it out.  I would love to eventually work my way to hand knit my own socks, which would be nice especially in the winter.  Baby steps, especially learning all of the terms, and stitches to use that go into some of these patterns.  With this pattern I learned how to do a yarn over, yes simple, but I have only been knitting with the garter stitch since 2nd grade when I first learned how to knit.  In 2016, I learned how to pearl, simple, but different.

I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Sunday's Slow Stitching.  She is encouraging us to sit down and take some slow stitches, there are plenty of health benefits, and with the crazy holiday season that is coming to a close, I think we all need it!

Here is to slowing down and enjoying the process this year!
-Christina