Q4 Finish-A-Long List

It is the last quarter of the year, and I can not believe how quick the whole year has passed.  A lot of people say that the years speed up as you get older, and I am learning that.  Last quarter I was able to accomplish one item on this list, however some others did make progress.  I hope to finish several projects because a. they are Christmas gifts and b. they are soooo close to being done, if I spend just a little bit of time on them, the projects would be done.

1. Stitch and flip wreaths. Make 3-4 stitch and flip wreaths for Christmas gifts for 3-4 people this year. They should not be hard after I do the first one.

2. Baby quilt for my Cousin's son who was born in the middle of January.

3.  Knitting a blue shawl - deadline long past, but will use in my office, especially when it gets cold and drafty. I am so close to being finished, about 60 rows that get shorter every other pass.

4. Knitting a purple shawl - same thing as above

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

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

7. 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)

8. 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)

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

10. 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)

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

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

13. 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.)

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

15. 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 tried to remove the stain, which did not work so it is all taken apart to replace what was stained, and now it is time to put it back together)

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

17. 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)

18. 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.

19. This quilt is for charity.  I hope to have it done for 2018's Hands to Help hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  I am making it with orange and browns, and I have all the fabrics ready to go, I just need to start.  Photo is from Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

20.  This quilt will be for charity.  I hope to have it done for 2018's Hands to Help hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I am making it with purples and greens as the latices, and I just need to start.  It is going to be gorgeous I think.  Photo credit goes to Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

21.  There was a mystery quilt a long with Cora's Quilts called Gathering.  The fabrics are gorgeous and I have finished all of the cutting, I just have to put each step together.  It will be a throw size.

22.  I want to take this panel and chenille it for my niece's Christmas gift this year with a minky backing. She loves Doc McStuffin'. I have it layered, I just need to start sewing and wrestling it through my small machine.

23.  Finish this knitted baby blanket for a co-worker who just had a child. Simple pattern it just takes time. I have about 10 rows, if that left on it. A project I just need to take some time and finish.

24.  Finish table runner from a block that I drew out for the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop, hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict. It just needs to be layered, quilted and bound.

25. Supplement my blog post for the 12 Days of Christmas over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict by making a pillow. It will be a 12 by 12 pillow with a single snowflake on it, appliqued and quilted down. I have no picture, everything is cut out, I just need to execute it. I was not able to complete it, so I'm going to work on it and get it done so I can present it next year as a tutorial.

26. Supplement my blog post for the 12 Days of Christmas over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict by making a pillow. It will be a 14 by 28 pillow with three snowflakes on it. The snowflakes will be appliqued and quilted down. I have no picture, everything is cut out, I just need to execute it. I was not able to complete it for the blog hop, so I'm going to get it done and present it as a gift idea for next year's blog hop.

27.  Finish Sweet Tooth Queen size quilt.  Started as a Breakfast Club project, I want to finish all of the blocks and put it together.  It will be the first quilt I have made for our bed.

28.  Finish Sweet Tooth baby quilt.  I had left overs from the two kits I bought to make the queen size, so I decided to make just one of each of the twelve blocks and combine it into a baby quilt.  I think it is going to look awesome when it is done.

29. Chenille this panel of Mickey for a Christmas gift. It has been layered, I just need to sew rows and finish it off.

30. Chenille this panel of Disney Princess for a Christmas gift. It has been layered, I just need to sew rows and finish it off.

31. Chenille this panel of Dory for a Christmas gift. I need to layer it, and then proceed from there.

32. Chenille this panel of Belle for a Christmas gift. I need to layer it, and then proceed from there.

33. Chenille this panel of Belle for a Christmas gift. It matches the one before, the only difference is the minky on the back, and I'm sure the binding will be different. I need to layer it, and then proceed from there.

34. Chenille this panel of Donald Duck for a Christmas gift. It has been layered, I just need to sew rows and finish it off.

35. Chenille this panel of Little Mermaid for myself. This will be the last panel to be chenilled as I come last.

36. Finish snowflake pillow (shared at 12 Days of Christmas hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict), and make a second one for a Christmas gift and creating a tutorial. I received several requests during my blog hop stop for a tutorial for this one. I like it enough that I won't mind re-creating it.

37. Dr. Who quilt, finish as I have started cutting it out. This was an intended gift for my husband on Valentine's Day almost two years ago.

38. New baby quilt, pattern and fabric has been picked out. I just need to put it together.

39. Seth's toddler quilt. The pattern and fabric has been picked out, it just needs to be put together.

40. Natalie's wall hanging. The fabric has been picked out and the idea is in my head. I just need to put it on paper and figure out how to do the blocks as I do not have a pattern for it.

41. Storm at Sea quilt I started at the San Diego Quilt Show.  I have it all drawn out as to what I want to do, making it about 60" by 60".  This is the small quilt because I plan to make a scrappy teal/blue/green on that will be even bigger.  My Mom bought the templates, so I just need to borrow them from her to get cracking.

42. Proud Mary is from Splash of Color by Jackie Kunkel.  She was to come to the San Diego Quilt Show, however her class was cancelled.  However, I found a quilt along at Busy Hands Quilts, and I will be joining by doing this quilt.  All of my fabrics are picked out, and they are all currently being starched so i can get to the next step.  I want to make all of the goals with the quilt along, so I better stay on top of it!

Another long list this quarter. I hope to remove between 12-15 items from the list and make progress on a few more. I have several holidays over the next few months, and I plan to get ahead in all of the holiday festivities so nothing is done at the last minute (at least that is the goal). I look forward to seeing what everyone is working on this quarter. Linking up to Throw a Wrench in the Works for the 2017 Finish-A-Long.

-Christina

Goodies From the San Diego Quilt Show

This past weekend I was able to attend the San Diego Quilt Show.  I took a class on Thursday and then on Saturday my Mom and I got to walk around the show and of course look at the variety of items being sold by various vendors in the industry.  I found some fabric for in colors (purple, yellow and orange) that I am lacking variety in for my stash, and I found something that I am really excited about.

First stop was Sew Hut.  I was able to find a few fat quarters in each of the colors that I needed.  They were folded so nicely.

Second stop was Quilt in a Day.  Who can pass up $6.00 a yard?  If you finish the bolt, then it drops to $5.50 a yard.  They had no oranges, but I was able to find some great purples and yellows.  I love the pink/purple selection.

Third stop was Elkhorn Quilt Company from Mesa, Az.  They had some great modern fabrics, and some awesome bundles.  I was able to find an orange fat quarter bundle that I grabbed quickly because it is exactly what I needed to enhance the stash.

My fourth and final stop, and the one that has me still excited about what I got (that means it is pretty big).  I found a thimbles place and it is Thimbles by TJ Lane.  She had exactly what I was looking for (a shield is what she is naming it), was so nice and friendly (her husband was awesome too), and was able to get my exact size so it fits perfect on my finger.  I love that she backs her work 100%, they are gorgeous, the pictures are great but to be able to see, and touch them made me even more in awe of her work.  My shield had to be made a little smaller to fit exactly where I want it on my finger, so she took it home and was going to solder it and send it back to me, of course after we got the perfect fit.  I should have it by the end of the week.  I recommend her products, and Bonnie Hunter also highly recommends her thimbles too.

Due to a lot of stash enhancements that have been going on behind the scenes (I'm sorry, my LQS has their staff stash sale at the same time as the quilt show so I stopped there twice to browse, and of course found many things that needed to come home with me, and finding kits online, and buying scraps online, and buying but not completing), my stash is taking over the apartment (literally).  As a result, I am going on a craft supplies diet.  I have written up the terms and conditions that my husband has agreed too, and the biggest thing is if I break my diet rules, I have to extend it another month for each offense, and remove the same amount of yardage I bought from my stash.

There are of course a few exceptions which include if I need something to finish a project I'm working on, the Breakfast Club kit for next semester, and fabric for a baby quilt that I need to make, but currently awaiting further information from the Mom-to-be.  This diet includes all craft supplies, so no more yarn, cross stitch kits, fabric, quilt kits or beads.  I'm hopeful that I will make it through and come out unscathed.  It will just encourage me to work on some projects and finish them, and if I need additional supplies to finish said project I will be able to shop to get my fix but I will still have a purpose for what I'm buying, and nothing else can pop in my basket at the same time.  Wish me luck, it started October 1 and goes through to the end of the year, December 31.  My husband already tempted me, but I held my ground and said no, he could not figure out why, then I explained that I did not need anything, and realized what he had done LOL!

Come back later to check out my Finish-a-Long goals, and the quilts I saw and took pictures of at the San Diego Quilt Show.

Sharing at Bee Social with Sew Fresh Quilts.  Let us see what everyone is working on.

-Christina

Design Wall Monday

Last week I was prepared for my Storm at Sea class before it started, just barley, but I made it.  You can read about my experience here.

This week has smaller goals as I have to perform my monthly cleaning (not fun, but needs to be done) and I will be away from my sewing machine during the weekend.

The first goal is to start cutting out step 3 of Royal Gardens, which is my Breakfast Club's assignment at my LQS.  I would like to try and get it done early, and not be doing it last minute like I have been a few times (okay, more like most of the time).

Second is to cut out this lovely baby quilt, which will be a simple rail fence quilt.  I am going to make it scrappy, so I need to cut each individual piece out and then start sewing.  I did not make any progress on this last three weeks and failed to work on it and get it to a flimsy stage by the end of September for my OMG.  So I really hope I can this week.

Third goal is to make progress on a surprise quilt.  I want to cut out the next section this week, but I can not do it while dear hubby is around, as it is a surprise for him.  Shhh, do not tell him.  (Due to this fact no pictures, I will share when I get it completed.  Hopefully before Christmas or maybe Valentines Day.)  I have not made progress on this item for the last three weeks.

While I am away from my machine this week, I am going to be working on this lovely cross stitch.  I have a long way to go, but if I can make some serious progress I will be very happy.

The last item is when I have spare time in the evening, which is to finish knitting this afghan.  I have about 6 rows left, maybe 9 depending upon size.  I have a deadline (even though it keeps changing!), and I'm close to getting it done.

My heart goes out to everyone involved in the terrible destruction and life changing events last night in Las Vegas.  I will be praying, but also be thankful to all of the first responders both on duty and off duty who helped so many people last night.

I'm excited to see what everyone else is working on!

Linking up to:

Monday Making

Main Crush Monday

Design Wall

-Christina

San Diego Quilt Show Class

Yesterday, I had the wonderful pleasure of taking a class at the San Diego Quilt Show with Wendy Mathson, and I loved it!  She created a method for Storm at Sea Quilts, and some of her quilts are truly inspiring.  I loved being able to see some of her quilts up close and personal, and I loved her class!  I prepared all week for her class (thanks to procrastination)!  Then I realized, late night on Wednesday, that I had cut some of the pieces wrong, luckily I only had to trim down some pieces to correct my mistake.

At the class we got to use her new templates, which I really enjoyed using, and were pretty simple once instructions were given.  With a full day of class I ended up with the pieces for the center of my quilt finished!  It is similar to the cover quilt on her book "A New Light On Storm at Sea."

How she taught us was well structured, and you could tell she loves what she is doing.  She listened and helped, and was so personable to just sit and talk to.  Plenty of time was given between steps to work, and it was a wonderful experience.  She is more than happy to help outside the class too, and loves to see finished work from students and the designs you create as it inspires her.  I highly recommend her as a teacher.

I am truly amazed that I got that much done and I had so much fun.  My Mom and I took the class together, and even though she did not get as much done as I did, I know she enjoyed it.  Here is a picture of hers coming together too, on our makeshift design wall.

Other people's fabric choices were inspirational, and I got to see a scrappy teal/blue/green quilt in person.  This is one I will be doing for my husband and I at a later date.  Some of the fabrics have been starched, and some are currently on the drying rack.  I'm a little sad, I forgot to take pictures of everyone else's creations!

We did not have enough time to check out the exhibit for the quilt show, so we will be heading back tomorrow to check it out.  If you are in the San Diego/Southern California area come support the San Diego Quilt Show.  It runs until Saturday afternoon at the San Diego Convention Center.  I can not wait to see the inspiration within the show too!

Sharing at:
Busy Hand Quilts
Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday
Crazy Mom Quilts
Confessions of a Fabric Addict

-Christina

A New Week

I did not get much done last week, but it is a new week and I am excited as I have to get things done. Nothing like a deadline to get projects moving.

The biggest goal I need to do is finish starching the fabric for my Storm at Sea class that I will be taking with Wendy Mathson during the San Diego Quilt Show, and then cut out the pieces to be prepared for class, plus get the usual things prepared on my machine, such as a new needle, full bobbin, and changing the foot.  I am really excited, and of course I will share my experience once I take her class.  I picked out all of my fabric for the first quilt I am going to do during my all expenses paid quilt shop trip from my wonderful husband, as a birthday gift.  Bonus, most of my fabric for this quilt came from my LQS's sale room!!!  During this trip I was able to get the last of the fabric needed for my second and bigger storm at sea quilt, plus some other quilts I have been collecting fabric for.  I want to work on it all at once!

Second is to cut out this lovely baby quilt, which will be a simple rail fence quilt.  I am going to make it scrappy, so I need to cut each individual piece out and then start sewing.  I did not make any progress on this last two weeks, so I really hope I can this week.

Third goal is to make progress on a surprise quilt.  I want to cut out the next section this week, but I can not do it while dear hubby is around, as it is a surprise for him.  Shhh, do not tell him.  (Due to this fact no pictures, I will share when I get it completed.  Hopefully before Christmas or maybe Valentines Day.)  I have not made progress on this item for the last two weeks.

The fourth goal is to iron fabric and then start cutting it to make my Magnolia Mystery Quilt, hosted by Meadow Mist Designs.  I always like her designs, and I'm excited to see how it shapes up.  I will share my fabrics once I pull them out, aka next week :)

The fifth goal is to start cutting out step 3 of Royal Gardens, which is my Breakfast Club's assignment at my LQS.  I would like to try and get it done early this next month.

The last item is when I have spare time in the evening, which is to finish knitting this afghan.  I have about 8 rows left, maybe 11 depending upon size.  I have a deadline (even though it keeps changing!), and I'm close to getting it done.

I'm excited to see what everyone else is working on!

Linking up to:

Monday Making

Design Wall

-Christina

Design Wall Monday

This week, I only have a few goals.

First is to finish planning out my quilt for the Storm at Sea class I will be taking with Wendy Mathson at the end of the month at the San Diego Quilt Show.  I have it almost all colored out, and I have found the teals that are in my stash, however I need to go through and approximate the yardage I do have vs the yardage I need.  Then I get to go and spend my birthday present.  My birthday present is an all expenses paid trip to the quilt shop from my wonderful hubby.

Second is to cut out this lovely baby quilt, which will be a simple rail fence quilt.  I am going to make it scrappy, so I need to cut each individual piece out and then start sewing.  I did not make any progress on this last week, so I really hope I can this week.

Third item is to make progress on a surprise quilt.  I want to cut out the next section this week, but I can not do it while dear hubby is around, as it is a surprise for him.  Shhh, do not tell him.  (Due to this fact no pictures, I will share when I get it completed.  Hopefully before Christmas or maybe Valentines Day.)

The last item is when I have spare time in the evening, which is to finish knitting this afghan.  I have about 8 rows left, maybe 11 depending upon size.  I have a deadline (even though it keeps changing!), and I'm close to getting it done.

I'm excited to see what everyone else is working on!

Linking up to:

Monday Making

Main Crush Monday

Design Wall

-Christina

Design Wall Monday

It has been a while since I did one of these posts.  This week I have several things on my design wall.

First thing is finish Step 2 of Royal Gardens.  It is my Breakfast club project, which is held at my LQS on the 3rd Saturday of the month.  I got it all cut out this weekend, I just need to sew it all together.  I am loving how easy it is to put together, and the directions are fantastic.  (You can get the pattern at Cozy's Creative Center)

Second is to cut out this lovely baby quilt, which will be a simple rail fence quilt.  I was thinking about doing putting it together strip piecing it, but maybe I should cut each rail out by itself and put it together scrappily.  What are your thoughts?  By getting this cut out this week, I will have made progress on my September one monthly goal.  One step at a time, each week.

Third item to work on is planning out my quilt for my Storm-at-Sea class I will be taking with Wendy Mathson at the end of the month at the San Diego Quilt Show.  I am excited to make the quilt, I have the design picked out, I just need to figure out finished size of the quilt and amount of yardage needed so I can go spend my birthday present.  My birthday present is an all expenses paid trip to the quilt shop from my wonderful hubby.

Fourth thing is to make progress on a surprise quilt.  I want to cut out the next section this week, but I can not do it while dear hubby is around, as it is a surprise for him.  Shhh, do not tell him.  (Due to this fact no pictures, I will share when I get it completed.  Hopefully before Christmas.)

The last item is when I have spare time in the evening, which is to finish knitting the ball of yarn I currently have going on this lovely baby afghan.  I have a deadline, and I'm close to getting it done.  A little bite out of the elephant goes a long way.

Linking up to:

Monday Making

Main Crush Monday

Design Wall

-Christina

Sunday Slow Stitching

Today, as laundry is going through the cycles I was able to remember what Kathy at Kathy's Quilts reminds us to do, which is slow down and stitch.  I was able to make progress on this lovely knitted baby blanket that is so nearing completion!  I have about 36 inches done and just need 41 inches.  I now have a deadline as to when the baby shower is, which is about 3 weeks away.

Just look at that lovely texture that has been created with the yarn and pattern.

One thing I would like to share.  I recently bought this yarn ball holder off of Amazon, and I like it.  The one thing I do have a problem with is the spinning is not 100% easy, especially when the yarn gets stuck at the base of the part that spins, like it is in the picture.  If you need one, check it out.

Sharing at Kathy's Quilts.

-Christina

September 2017 OMG

This is the month!  I am going to get this baby quilt cut out and pieced to have it become a top by the end of the month.  One small bite each week of the month and it will get done, as that is how you eat an elephant.

This is after I have not been able to accomplish this for the last two months, especially after setting it as my one monthly goal due to time running away from me.

Sharing over at Elm Street Quilts, and setting the challenge.  Check back each week to see if I am making progress on my goal.  If not, start emailing and bugging me about it.

-Christina

Paper Piecing Class

Last weekend I had the pleasure of taking a paper piecing class from a Judy Niemeyer certified instructor with my Mom.  I worked a little on both Judy Niemeyer patterns I have started and made progress.

The first I worked on was Woodcarver's Star.  I finished the pieces for the center star, and I am so excited for the colors that I choose.  I can not wait to see the whole quilt put together with my colors.

Because I got the technique down to finish the bigger star at home, I moved to the next piece of the pattern that I did not understand.  I got one of the pieces done, with many more to do.  There was basting involved and curved piecing, which I'm going to be pretty good at by the end of the year if I do all of the curved piecing I plan to do.

Then I switched to Vintage Rose, which is the Certified Instructor/Shop pattern only (this means you can only get it through them, not your LQS unless they are a certified shop).  I had the center section done and added the yellow and purple pieces.  Each step took some time, with the cutting out the fabric, glueing, basting stitches, trimming and then sewing onto the center piece.  The purple pieces were also curved piecing, so that took some extra time. especially since I am learning how to do curves.  I am so excited for these colors too as the end result is going to be bright and fun, which is different for me and my husband to approve!

I started to cut for the next step that will be added to these petals, which are thorns.  But the next step includes a lot of paper piecing, so it will be slow.  I am perfectly happy with that.  Eventually these quilts will be finished, but it is not a race, instead I believe it is about the experience and the knowledge I am gaining from making these quilts is vast.

Sharing with Busy Hand Quilts.

-Christina