Jo's Block of the Month Challenge

Jo from Jo's Country Junction is hosting a challenge in 2018 in which we make progress and/or finish a Block of the Month quilt that has been UFO for a little while.  This is also a great motivation for her to get two quilts using the same pattern done, one for her and one for her daughter.

I have decided to participate because I have the perfect project that I would love to see get done this year.  My project for the year is Sweet Tooth by Jaybird Quilts. I am making the queen, and a baby quilt. I bought two kits because the kit only made a twin, but really the kit they give you has enough fabric that you can squeeze out a queen from it. Due to having extra fabric I thought it would be awesome to make a beautiful baby quilt at the same time. Make one more of every block as I am making them for the quilt and wa-la I would have another small quilt, perfect for a close friend when they have a kid, or need one in a hurry.

My goal for the month of January is to iron the black and grey fabric for the background and finish cutting the background pieces for both the queen and baby quilt. Once I get this all done, it will be time for some serious sewing to finish it all up, and I can not wait to see it all finished.

Good luck to all in accomplishing your goal this month! If you are struggling, maybe do a small task and have something fun as a reward? That seems to work well for me. Until next month!

Linking up to:
Jo's Country Junction

-Christina

15 Minutes to Stitch Report - Week 1 2018

I am a day late, I hope to regularly do this on Sundays from now on, but being under the weather has proven to make me run a little slower than normal.

Each week I am going to reflect on how many days I was able to work on something quilty related for at least 15 minutes.  This could include drawing out a pattern that is in my head, figuring out calculations for a pattern I have created, organizing and/or folding fabric, ironing fabric after starching, cutting pieces for a project, sitting down at my machine, or hand stitching either a binding or English Paper Piecing.  All of these things are fun for me, and by spending 15 minutes or more a day will help move along some of the projects I hope to finish this year.

I am modeling my tally after Kate at Life in Pieces.  I like how she has broken it out.

Days spent stitching this week: 3 out of 7

Days spent stitching for January: 3 out of 7

Days spent stitching for 2018: 3 out of 7

Rate of Success: 42.8%

I am not starting the year off strong, but I have felt like I am coming down with something since right after Christmas.  It is like a storm is brewing off the coast, you can feel it, but you have to be patient, which I'm not with sickness.  I just want it to turn into whatever it is suppose to be because I do not like feeling under the weather only slightly, and not being able to do things I love.  Including being able to work on quilty related stuff each day.

Linking up to:

Life in Pieces

-Christina

January 2018 OMG

I am going to start this year off, with making progress on something I should have gotten done last year!  I am trying to do 15 minutes a day, which I have not done very well this week, thanks to feeling under the weather and some other factors.  But this should help with getting my goal done and maybe even getting ahead?  We shall see what the end of the month brings.

My goal is to cut out the pieces of the quilt for the son of my cousin.  He turns one this month, and I want to get it moving along so I can finish it in the next quarter or so.

Positive thinking will get it done!

Linking up with:
Elm Street Quilts

-Christina

Best of 2017

This year I am participating in Cheryl's best of 2017 linky party.  My selections are below.

1. A Tutorial - On the 12th Day of Christmas

I was able to put together a tutorial this year through the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  I am really happy how this turned out.  This post also had the most comments, but there was a giveaway associated with it.

2. Most Views - Rug Finished!

This post surprising got the most views.  I think what attributed to it was where I linked up, and how early in the day I posted it.  I am still proud of being able to fix this rug.

3. Most Comments - Design Wall Monday

This post had the most comments.  I introduced that I was going to take a Storm at Sea class, which I loved, and there was excitement from the comments.  I also shared a lot on this post, and set my goals wayyyy too lofty for the amount of time I have to work on projects during each week.  But, I'm learning.

4. Quickest Finishes - Progress!



This post has the two quickest finishes of the year I believe.  I was able to put together the stitch and flip wreath in a day during a class.  Then that night I started sewing the straight lines on my niece's Christmas present (talk about cutting it close!).  I finished it two days later including the binding, label and washing.

5. The thing I liked doing the most this year - San Diego Quilt Show Class

I loved taking this class during the quilt show this year.  I love the pattern that the center is, and I can not wait to work on it some more to finish it, maybe this year before the next quilt show?  I also loved  writing this post.

Sharing at:
Meadow Mist Designs

-Christina

2018 UFO Challenge

I have thought long and hard over my 2018 UFO goals.  I hope that I can make progress on all of these quilts, and hopefully move some to the done pile in the next year.  So without further ado see my list below.

#1 - Wedding Quilt for L&B - fabric is starched.  The next step is to iron and start.

 (no picture yet)

#2 - Quit for Grandma - a kit that I picked up.  It has not been removed from the packaging yet.

#3 - Wedding Quilt for S&D - fabric starched, and EPP prepared.  The next step is to iron fabric and work on hand sewing the dresden plates together.

#4 - Wedding Quilt for C&T - fabric all cut, currently working on piecing blocks together.

#5 - Mom's Quilt - started, I need to figure out why I put it off to the side.  What happened?

#6 - Wedding Quilt for N&B - fabric is all cut.  The next step is starting the piecing.

#7 - Dr. Who Quilt - fabric is half cut.  The next step is to start sewing it together.

#8 - Gathering Mystery Quilt by Cora's Quilts - the parts are all cut out.  The next step is to sew it all together.

#9 - Ispy Mystery Quilt for Niece - the fabric is picked out and half starched.  The rest needs to be starched and then ironed.

(no picture yet)

#10 - Storm at Sea Version 1 - it was started in a class, I just need to finish it, after I make a few more units.

#11 - Bel Canto - some blocks have been started.

(no picture yet)

#12 - Christmas table runner - the runner has been taken apart to remove the stain, it is now time to put it back together.

A little progress on each item is better than none!  Here is to a new year.

Linking up with:
Patchwork Times

-Christina

2018 Planning Goals

I set 2017 goals, lets see how I did:

1. Work on and or finish Wedding presents - there are quilts for C&T, (quilt to finish), T&M (table runner to finish), L&B (quilt to start), S&D (quilt to work on), J&B (table runner to finish), D&D (quilt to work on/finish?), and N&B (quilt to gift at their wedding).  I did finish the two table runners, but did not finish any of the quilts.  I made some progress in the cutting department, but nothing was really sewn together.

2. Complete Dr. Who quilt for my husband.  I started cutting this out, but I need to finish cutting it out and start sewing it together.

3. Finish a quilt for Mom.  I did not even touch this one.

4. Participate in a QAL, and keep up with the clues as they are given.  I have followed along with several QALs, but time just keeps slipping away.

5. Make tutorial for blog to help spread the quilting word.  I'm not exactly sure what I originally meant by this.  I did create a tutorial and participated in a blog hop, which was great progress for myself.

6. Start to organize stash/cut up scraps from previous quilts and keep up with new scraps.  I have in my mind how I want to do this, but no action was taken to actually fill the system.

7. DO NOT buy fabric or kits unless it is needed to finish a project (it is a goal, but in reality it probably won't last too long).  Haha, I'm sure this did not last long, I bought plenty this last year.

8. Finish Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilts.  I did not touch this.

9. Organize pattern library, or even start to.  Again, I know what I want to do, but I have not put that plan in action yet.

10. Get out more in the blogging community, which means I need to comment and post on other people's blog posts, offering words of encouragement and offering advice from what I have learned.  I have been getting better at this, especially within the last few months.  Granted I might comment on a post a month after it was published, but I feel like that still counts, right?

11. Post more about the process of making something on my blog, instead of just showing a finished project.  I believe I am getting better about this also.  I started doing a design wall monday post and including what I wanted to work on during the week.  I will be continuing this in 2018, because I actually enjoyed them.

Well, 2017, was not as productive as I originally had hoped it would be.  The new year starts fresh, and I want to refocus myself and set achievable goals for myself.  I have broken them out in categories so there might be a few goals under each one.

1. Blogging -

• Blog at least once a week, I like Mondays as I enjoy sharing what I was able to accomplish within the last week, and what my plan is for the next week.
• Comment on other blog posts.
• Improve my picture taking skills.

2. QAL -

• Follow along with one mystery QAL and keep up.  There are several options throughout the year - Cora's Quilts, Meadow Mist Designs, or Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt.

3. Showing Work -

• Enter 2 quilts into a Quilt Show at church in March
• Enter 4 quilts into the local Quilt Show in September.

4. Personal Sanity -

• Sew, cut, or iron fabric for 15 minutes each day.  Realistically I will accomplish it between 200-300 days this year, but I am going to strive to do it all 365 days.

5. Organizing/Cleaning -

• Clean off desk - these items need ironing and folding as the fabric has been starched and it will be nice to have it ready for when I start on a project.
• Organize and empty 4 laundry baskets full of fabric, putting fabric away.
• Organize (at least start) the quilt patterns as they are overflowing.

Overall goal:
My overall goal is not to buy new projects, I have plenty and by working 15 minutes or more a day I will make progress on a few projects this year.  Focus on what I have and use it.  Do not pine over another project.  I am noticing that when I do not touch fabric or work on something crafty for a while I start to look for another project and if it is on sale I buy.

My word for 2018 is focus.

Linking up and sharing at:

Quilting Jet Girl

-Christina

Last Finish of 2017

I was able to finish this lovely chanielle blanket for my husband for Christmas.  I had to find secret sewing time when he was not at home, which can be hard when you really want to work on it.  This was not hard to put together, and I find the long straight lines relaxing to sew.  Due to the weight of the quilt my shoulders would get tight, so it was nice to take little breaks here and then to relax my shoulders.

My husband loves it, especially the minky on the back.  Even though it does not cover him, it has kept him warm every night since Christmas, which makes my heart sing.  He has told me multiple times how much he loves his blanket.  I would not dare make him share it with me...the next one I finish for us, he will have to share though :)

This is my last Finish-A-Long Q4 finish, and it is number 34.

Now to put the finishing touches on my 2018 UFO list and do a year in review post.

Linking up with:
Crazy Mom Quilts
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Busy Hands Quilts

-Christina

Progress!

This past week has been very productive!  I did a batch of tamales (beef), where we yielded over 8 dozen.  We even had some and they are delicious!  I am deep in the throngs of cookie making, I am considering even cutting some extra batches I was planning to make because I am running out of room!  I have the first round of tins and trays that go out for co-workers on Thursday, so that should help with room.  The second round is for family and will go out Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  I might even make a tray for my brother's co-workers when they go back after the new year, to help get them out of my house!

On the sewing front I finished my niece's Christmas present!  It is goal #22 on my Finish-A-Long list for Q4.  I love the texture of how it turned out, and my husband was raving about it.  Little does he know that one has been made for him yet (shhh, do not tell him, I'll share more on Christmas).

I also finished a stitch and flip wreath, and one more is almost done.

M goals for this week include make three more stitch and flip wreaths (Christmas presents to the women in the family).  Below are the fabric combinations that I will be using.  They are quick to make once you figure out the process.  I think the second one took me about 3-4 hours to make, and that includes the hand stitching that I performed.

In addition to finishing the stitch and flip wreaths I will be finishing all of the cookie baking and treat making, and tamales will be finished before Christmas.  Then I can relax, and Christmas Eve after we play in church we are going to enjoy something hot and watching Home Alone, a wonderful tradition we have together (my husband and I).

Happy Holidays to all, wishing you blessings as we enter the new year.  Next week will be a lot of goal posts and updates to the blog, so be on the lookout for that.  I'm excited for next year, and to kick it off right I will be have a sewing weekend to bring in the new year!  I am looking forward to it, hopefully I will be finished with my OMG.

Linking up with:
Design Wall
Monday Making
Bee Social

-Christina

Preparing for the Holidays

I'm in the deep throng of the holiday hubbub. My work had their Christmas party yesterday, which included a cookie exchange, potluck lunch, and gift exchange. As a result the beginning of the week was spent preparing for that. I have been to the store more times in the past week than I normally go in a month, and I STILL have another trip to do. This is all because plans have changed and potluck dishes need to be made at the last minute. Below was our cookie exchange, 27 people participated and some great cookies were shared!

Besides cookies and tamales, I have deadlines to meet for some gifts, which are also part of my December OMG. I am working on chenielling this blanket for my niece. I have to get it done this week.

In addition I need to finish two of the stitch and flip wreaths this week, I have all of the fabrics picked out, and I hope to start cutting them out tonight, after I go to the store and finish baking a double batch of chocolate chip cookies. Good thing I have a sew day tomorrow that I will be attending. It is another potluck, where I will be making a simple dish.

I think I have created a schedule this week that I will be able to get everything done. My nose is to the grind stone. Come back on Friday as I hope to have a finish then. I will be putting the finishing touches on it during my sew day on Friday.

Linking up with:
Sew Fresh Quilts

-Christina

December 2017 OMG

It is the last One Monthly Goal for the year.  I had to sit down and really think about what I will be able to get done, as it is a very busy time of year.  Especially between concerts, cookie baking, working full time and tamale making I'm not going to have a lot of free time.  As a result I am going to put the Christmas items that I am making on my list to finish.  Some I do not need to get done before Christmas as we have Christmas with some family after the New Year, but it would be awesome to get them done before the New Year.

My goal is to finish the 7 panels below, turning them into chenille quilts, and make 3-4 stitch and flip wreaths with the fabrics below.  All of the supplies are bought, but I just have to sit down and do them.

Wish me luck!  I think all of this sewing will help me keep my sanity throughout the season.

Linking up to:
Elm Street Quilts
Sew Fresh Quilts

-Christina

Design Wall Monday

I missed last week, I just ran out of time after wrapping up an extremely busy weekend.  I am definitely very happy to be back in the swing of things.  Thanksgiving went off successfully.  The bird was gorgeous, and the spread was pretty delicious too.

We also moved storage units, and I was able to break down craft mountain and put it in the unit.  Below is it all organized, the last space not used yet will be for Christmas once we take it down in the new year.  And, we are all set up for Christmas, fresh wreath on the front door, lights hung up and tree decked out in its Christmas spirit.

During the last two weeks, I was able to work on the panel below.  it is now chenille, and the binding is sewn on, I just need to hand stitch it down when my husband is not around, like when he goes to work out, or when I'm hanging with my Grandma on Friday.  My first goal is to get the binding stitched down this week.

My second goal is to is to start quilting this panel for a chenille blanket.  My niece loves Doc McStuffin', and it contains her two favorite colors, pink and purple.  I would like to at least start it this week, if I get more done like sewing all of the straight lines I have ahead of me even better.  I already have the binding prepared and ready to go!

Along with my 2 smaller goals I have tamales to make (I swear I am going to make them this weekend!), a Christmas party to attend, and our big church concert, plus prepare for cookie baking, which starts either Sunday or Monday, depending on how I finish everything else.  If I am caught up on everything, I want to start working on the stitch and flip wreaths I am going to make as gifts for some family members.  If I can get to these it would definitely help me not be so stressed out later on in the month.  Positive attitude will get me further than a negative Nancy!

Have a great week everyone!

Linking up to:

Monday Making

Main Crush Monday

Design Wall

-Christina

November OMG

My November one monthly goal was to work on/complete these three panels.

They are all layered, two are ready to quilt with lots and lots of straight lines, and one is to the stage of just needing binding (quilting done, chenilling, and trimming done).  They are not done, but great progress was made throughout what turned out to be a very busy month, so I would call myself successful.  Until you see that I'm sneaking in at the last moment for this post...opps.  I just finished packing and moving craft mountain, a feat within itself, so we can enjoy a lovely Christmas tree that is now decorated.  This weekend we are going to finish decorating and then relax for a little time before cookie and treat baking starts next weekend!

Linking up to:

Sew Fresh Quilts

Elm Street Quilts

-Christina