WIP Wednesday - 01.27.16

This week I'm trying to work on a table runner that is on my list to complete for the Quarter Finish-A-Long.  My goal is to have the quilting finished by the end of the weekend, which is already a forth of the way finished.  The quilting pattern is a simple wavy swirly pattern, as I'm working on improving my free motion quilting.  The over achiever in me, wants to get it squared up, and sew on the binding to be able to hand sew it during my visit with family on Sunday.  We will see if that happens.




Another item I am trying to finish is putting together an afghan.  I just need to crochet 4 long seams.  This is for my brother's graduation, which happened last June.  However his birthday was this week, and during his party (this weekend) I hope to have it done to give to him.

Fingers crossed I can get my goals done on both items!

I'm linking up at Freshly Pieced for the WIP Wednesday and at Sew Fresh Quilts.  I'm excited to see what everyone else is up to.

Christina

Christina's Handicrafts Update

I have been working hard on updating my Etsy shop.  First thing to go back up are my spring earrings.  They are cute and festive, and I'm sure they make many people want to have Spring come now after the big snow storm that moved through the East just recently.  These earrings can help you think about Spring, and who knows maybe it will be here sooner than you think!

The next few items to get an update in the shop are my burp rags.  Perfect for any Mom, new or expereinced.  The burp rags work better than store bought ones, and will absorb more than them with any mess that is create.  Check them out!

I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Christina

Word of the Year 2016: Organization

The word that I am choosing to focus on for the year of 2016 is Organization.  The definition is:

1. The act of process of organizing or of being organized

2. The condition or manner of being organized
This definition is from the Merrim-Webster dictionary.

While I was thinking about this word, I looked up some synonyms of organization and I found these words interesting: making, construction, design, assembly, and standardization.  All of these words fit with quilting, and crafting as a whole.  Crafters make items by construction and assembling them from a design that we have thought to be something we want.  We even design an item to express our true selves.  Our supplies and materials are organized to help our creative juices flow, and to make right in the crazy world we live in.

I want to organize my craft supplies and materials throughout the year of 2016.  Everything should have a place to be, whether it is in a project box, or a clear plastic box.  My hope is to have this accomplished by the end of the year.

Now in regards to the synonyms; making, and construction.  I know I will not finish everything this year, but through my 2016 goal list, I hope to get through a lot of the projects I have planned.  All of these projects will be organized in a project box ready for me to pull and work on at any time though.

I'm positive and hopeful that I can get it all done.  Now I am ready to get this year started! (24 days after it has started though...oh well, you can call me a late bloomer sometimes)

Have a great week!

Christina

Being Sick

Last week I was sick with a simple cold, but man it knocked me off of my feet.  I took a day at home where I just rested and watched a LOT of TV.  I really wanted to knit and work on my current projects, but I am always nervous that my sick germs will be embedded into the project and pass on to the recipient.  I'm curious as to if I should work on a project while being sick, and does my germs pass on to the recipient, or do they "die" if I wait long enough?

Long Weekend Sunday

Today has been busy!  Doing lots of family stuff, hanging out with my in-laws, cleaning out items from my husband's childhood, watching football playoffs, playing games, and just enjoying everyone's company.  But, in between I have still have been able to get some slow stitching done.  I have been commissioned to make a baby hat with a few stripes of colors, and a flower.

This was my progress throughout the day.  I'm almost to the decreases.  I am going to have fun weaving in ends once I finish.



I have the day off tomorrow, in which I hope to finish this hat, while I sit with my laundry in the common laundry room.

I can't wait to see what everyone has worked on today over at Kathy's Quilts, and I'm linking up with her Sunday Slow Stitching.

Christina

2016 Quarter 1 Goals

I am joining in on the fun of the 2016 Finish-A-Long that is being hosted on multiple blogs.  The goals that I have for the first quarter of the year are small (so I think), and accomplishable (so I hope), and I'm thinking positive.

1. Baby Quilt with Dr. Suess fabric and minky.  Everything is cut and ready to sew together.  I also need to layer, quilt, and bind.  The baby that this is intended for arrived in December.

2. Baby Quilt with forest fabric and mink.  Everything is cut and ready to sew together also.  I need to layer, quilt, and bind the quilt also.  The baby this this is intended for arrived in September.

3. Hand sew a rag rug together.  It will have twenty rows when completed.

4. Crochet 4 seams on a blue and gold afghan for my brother's graduation.  This present was to be given in June 2015...I'm just a little late.

5. Finish quilting, square up, and bind a table runner in orange, black, and Dr. Who fabric.  This is for one of my best friends who had an engagement party in October 2015.

As you can tell I am a little behind on a lot of things.  My goals are to help me catch up from previous gifts owed to people, and I'm hoping that next quarter I can try and get ahead.  (I doubt it, but I can try and be a Little Engine that Could)

Wish me luck!
Christina

Linking up to A Quilter's Table

Goals for 2016

Welcome to my blog, Christina's Handicrafts!  Check out my about page to learn more about me, and what I hope to accomplish with this blog.  This is my first blog post ever, and it is also at the beginning of the year.  Therefore, I feel like it is a perfect opportunity to let my craft goals for 2016 be put out for the world to see to help me be accountable.  Who knows if I will get them all accomplished, but there is no harm for listing them all, and try for the stars.

My crafty goals for 2016 are:

Quilting:
-Complete 3 baby quilts
-Complete 2 Star Wars quilts
-Finish Wedding quilt that is started
-Complete 2 Wedding quilts
-Take long arm quilting class/ long arm two quilts
-Wash and iron 4 containers of fabric plus all fabric not in containers yet
-Cut scrap fabric (2-3 small boxes) into Bonnie Hunter's Scrap Saver System
-Complete Judy Niemeyer's Tree Skirt
-Work on Woodcarvers Star by Judy Niemeyer
-Tumbler Quilt
Knitting:
-Complete 5 scarves for Operation Gratitude
-Complete 1-2 baby blankets
-Complete dishcloths for business
Cross Stitch:
-Complete 3 different cross stitches
Etsy:
-Add 4 new products to store/make Christmas items early and post by end of August
New items include: wine cork trivets/coasters, knitted dishcloths, earrings, and Christmas trees and wreaths out of paper punches
Crafty Items:
-Finish rag rugs

Holy cat!  That is a lot, I'm tired just writing them out.  My goals are a long list, but as the Little Engine that Could; "I think I can, I think I can", and I will!  Who is ready to join the crazy roller coaster of my life?  I’m excited to share, and learn more about a wonderful thing called quilting, and anything crafting related!

-Christina