New Year's goals

New Year:   new and old goals 

My pile of unfinished projects is diminishing.   But of course, there are more hiding in the shadows. 

 A    Projects to finish:

1) Baltimore Bliss: 2 blocks yet to receive for directions, plus piecing together.

2) Blockheads 4:  Fig tree colors with light lime green. The applique border is needed to make.

3) Jen Kingwell's    Midnight at the Oasis. Churn dash and orange peel blocks made.?????

My colors are very different using Kim Diehl fabrics

4) Stash Bee quilt:  red and white for Jensen, my grandson.    I have 10 blocks.  September is when I will be getting more blocks. 

5) Snake River quilt:  oldy by Judy Martin in fall colors published in 2007. So I would think it is from about then as that is well before my blog. This is what it looks like, but mine is only the center blocks and they are not sewn together. And the blocks are not square and need revamping. My coloration is fall fabrics with the outline in browns.

B  Projects to continue:

Dear Jane quilt: 20 blocks completed of 113.  No deadline, just progress

       

Projects to start: 

1)Baby quilt in pinks  and fabric from My sister and Me, by Moda.  Always a bright spring colored combination ( The baby is due in February.)

2) Little blocks America, a red, white, and blue patriotic block from Sentimental Stitcher, a quilt store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pattern to be released each week for 50 weeks.

3)  Autumn Love; kit by Lori Holt...I have had the quilt for a few years. The original sew along was 2018. The organization along looks daunting. Only a few blocks are pieced. I have the templates as well, but am thinking about using them without the interfacing method. Hmmm.

So this is my plan.  But I am sure I will add more WIPS to finish,  a possible wedding quilt, and a few more starts.  ( There are 4 tops needing to be quilted, plus the one at the quilter.)

But quilting is my love and it is all good that I continue to put needle and thread to fabric. 

How far I have come!

I am starting my New Year's goal early: 

 I have been a quilter for decades.  I purchased my first book at Quilts Plus in Indianapolis in 1978. I purchased my Bernina in 1985 that I still LOVE. I made baby quilts and wall hangings when I had the time. I did take classes and join a guild.  Oh, and the rotary cutter was invented.

Fast forward a few years:

Once upon a time I tackled 2 difficult quilts: an ocean waves is still in a bag from 1990, but that is for another foray into WIPs. The second is a variation of a log cabin by Judy Martin from sometime after 2007 when the book was first published. So I started it about then. Yes, the one on the cover. OK, I was a little ambitious.  By the way, the book is still available for 28 dollars. 

                                         

I chose rich fall fabrics with an accent of brown. And I made the blocks and started the border. 

       

Looks amazing, right?

So here is the issue:   2 sample blocks of the 56 of them

                            

And what backs: threads everywhere, oh, my!

And here lies the issue. I was not exactly a precise quilter. Oh no! straight seams, sort of.

In other words, my blocks are not square and are at least 1/4 inch too small.  Some are worse off than others. I guess I slowly improved. 

Now, I will say the pattern  in the book was wonderful. Super directions, nice illustrations, and cutlery trays to organize the many sized strips.   IF ONLY I COULD FIND IT NOW!

Back to my educational progress in the area of quilting.  I am a much better quilter. ( most of the time) 

And I am determined to redo these blocks and finish this quilt in the New Year as one of my goals.   Over 365 days to finish,  !!!!!!!!

SO, I am resewing seams, frogging sections, replacing pieces, and generally having a great time. Realizing that from my years of sewing, practice, friends, and piles of projects, I have become a much better quilter.  That scant quarter inch seam really does make a difference!

Each block is taking a minimum of an hour or more,  to correct for a much better, squarer block. I did undo one complete block and carefully lay it out and reassemble.  But although the block was well done, it was not worth all that work.  It was just one block, after all.  

If you happen to have the book, I would surely love a copy of the pages of Snake River for completing it.   But I might, maybe, be able to figure it out?   Compensation given, of course. 

So after 3 days of working on it off and on, I have 10 blocks done. 

So send positive vibes.  Before I get overworked. Please!

End of the year summary

 What a year this has been!  I have really enjoyed sewing and some cross stitching.  I feel good to have produced 50 blog posts. And all this despite traveling every month, sometimes 2 or 3 times to see family.

I am happy to say I finished so many projects that have been on my Works in Progress : 

Blockheads 1 quilt:  this earned a big prize at the state fair!  It was started in 2017 by Moda for a block of the week.

2) This was another goal from the beginning of the year.  It was finished in May, and is still at the quilter for the final task.  I don't need it until the quilt show in March. But again, a long term project.

3 ) a Finished mini quilt.   4th place at state fair.  Each square is 1/4 inch.

Stash bee blocks from 2024:  Done! It is a nice picnic quilt!

Lap quilt

2 Christmas tree skirts, 4 table runners Adorable!

A very old block exchange where the pattern was short 1/8 inch on one side

Bee wall hanging adapted from magazine

Sideways spring flowers

Baby quilt for my daughter to give away

18 projects totally finished.  ( not all included. 

4 tops needing to be quilted  

So I always love to see what others have done: techniques, color combinations, and so much more. Quilters are such great people and I love sharing with you all. 

Have the happiest of holidays! 

Retreat tops: all 3!

 Getting away from home is a great way to reset yourself.   I love sharing with friends: creative ideas, talking about anything, and lots of laughter!  We tried a new retreat center in Janesville.  The accommodations were nice.  My only issue was the temperature  which was warm near the 4 season room heater, but much cooler elsewhere.  I think I can blame it on the weather which was at 0 degrees or lower. Some of the roads were still covered with ice. 

Anyway, so much fun:  My contribution was a baked potato bar which went over well. And I even brought home leftovers. 

So here are the fabulous tops that have been awaiting my focus: 

1) My Tilda quilt 17 different prints. The pattern is Everlasting by Coriander Quilts.  Finished size 74 by 92.   Started last November I intend to add the light tan on the 2 side borders to fit my bed

2) Mini log cabin kit  Blocks 4 1/2 inches each, 100 blocks total: about 45 inches. Started in October of this year. This was a precut kit! 

3) Lastly my sampler quilt made from Kansas Trouble fabrics. ( Of which I have an abundance) The Sampler blocks are 8 inches. I made the setting from a picture in a Sharon Craig book. Used the book Celebrate with Quilts by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache for most of the Sampler blocks

No Christmas projects this year.

Love all my quilty stitchin time!

 I so enjoy sitting down at my sewing machine and producing different projects!  On the weekend I had lots of cross stitch fun at the Jingle Ball organized by Lindy Stitches.  So many wonderful parts of it: the ballroom had videos of antics of the designers even a yoga session described as movements for cross stitching like hiding things in drawers, or opening doors for dogs, too funny.  There were fun classes and of course, patterns to buy. I enjoyed the Christmas music, the class I took as well as meeting the pattern designers.  If you are at all a cross stitcher, I recommend it for next year.  I learned  a lot even from the stitching sessions with other stitchers who shared tips and products and such.

Santa is almost done!

But I missed sewing and quilting.  I did finish my sashing  and am ready for my retreat later this week. I have 2 quilts ready to assemble.  As I have gotten to the finishing stage of a couple quilts, I am looking to what could I do next?   So I did get out another box of blocks out to make progress on. 

In the meantime, I did pull out an old wool project by Bonnie Sullivan of All Through the Night.

 I needed to add a couple small details like the beads.  I need to find to black buttons for eyes on one of them. 

And they are all done! But I am so delighted to get another project done. 

It was a preprinted panel that you add wool  pieces to followed by embroidery for the details and even some beads to the snow globe. Each wool piece is blanket stitched down after fusing.  I also backed the fabric with a stabilizer.  DONE!

Everlasting blocks done!

 Thanksgiving has come and gone. My daughter and her beaux came and we had a wonderful time. Before the ever favorite turkey dinner, we watched the Packer/Lion football game. Important game for the Detroit visitors vs the home team. Packers won, just in case it was not on your radar.

We visited the German Christmas market the next day in Oconomowoc. ( Don't you love those Indian city names?)

Sarah and Stefan

Me and my girl

And then the snow came down all night and day for Saturday.  We braved the slushy snow covered streets to go to a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game. I had not seen one in years. The stadium was less than half full due to the weather. But it was entertaining. I could not believe all the contests and acts during the time outs. And the 9 or so inches has made the world magical. 

And then they were gone. We have settled into out old routine albeit with a cleaner house eating yummy leftovers. And now it is on to Christmas season. It is too cold for me to put up my all my outdoor decorations.  My wooden Santa has made an appearance. 

So sewing again.  What fun.  I have finished all 20 of my Tilda blocks ( Everlasting pattern by Coriander Quilts) with each being 16 inches. YEAH!  I love the look of the Tilda fabrics and only have about an 8 by 10 piece left of each fabric, but a total of 320 bonus triangles.

( 0nly 12 blocks shown...not enough floor space)
And now I am piecing the sashing strips each with 7 pieces.  As my retreat is next weekend, I will now have 2 quilt tops to assemble.  I like to have the concentrated time for them. 

I did make 2 project bags for my cross stitch with vinyl fronts. It turned out to be really easy following a video online. The easy part was the binding which just wrapped from the back. 

I will virtually attend the Jingle Ball for cross stitching this week. This will be my first.  I love the stand up Santa I am stitching, but will probably not have it ready to assemble for class. Fortunately, I will still have access to the lesson for a while.

                          

Thanksgiving preparations

 Much of the food purchases for the Thanksgiving feast has been made.   A few more details are yet to be had.  But I am excited to prepare a dinner for my daughter and her beaux. My son and family are unable to come from Louisiana; he works at the VA hospital there even on Thanksgiving. 

 My daughter has always loved Thanksgiving more than other holidays: her favorites: food including the important mashed potatoes, family with the focus of the celebration gathered around the table together sharing what they are thankful for and football. While she has moved to Detroit, the Green Bay Packers remain her team. Yesterday she watched the game through her zoom to my computer while it is facing the tv screen. The Lions were playing simultaneously. Both teams ended up winning.

I truly enjoy being with her anytime. What a wonder to see how this pink screaming baby has grown into such a mature strong person. And I am privileged to be a part of her conversations about triumphs, losses, and struggles. 

So the house is being cleaned, and straightened and organized in preparation.  Not my favorite thing to do, but makes for a better me. I will give much credit to the spouse who has been exemplary in his help. The holidays are here. 

The only sewing I have been able to do is 2 of my Tilda blocks for the Everlasting pattern by Cory Yoder. This brings the total to 14 of the needed 20 blocks. Each block is 16 inches big, and I sew an additional line to each triangle to make bonus ones. (16 per block,  320 for the quilt)

My goal is to have the 20 blocks ready for retreat.

Otherwise, my handwork  time has been for cross stitching on Christmas projects. The first one is for the Jingle Ball in 2 weeks. EEK. My Hands On Design pattern uses pearl cotton and whisper both of which I have not used before.

 The second one, I started last year and put the Primrose Cottage pattern away after the holidays. 

I am not nearly as proficient a cross stitcher as a quilter and have had loads of fun unstitching my mistakes or miscounts or colors. Ugh!  But I trudge on. 

Hope you will enjoy the holiday wherever you are, near or far.

100 Blocks DONE!

 I have been slowly over the past several weeks working on my 1 inch strips to make a small log cabin block. ( 5 inch unfinished)

And today, they are all completed.  I would chain 3 or 4 at a time. This would allow changing colors if the random color on the stack did not match the block. I did not always agree on some of the light fabrics that were in the selection. Sometimes, I would use the back of the fabric instead, because it was lighter. 

A week ago I did a search of how I would set the 100 blocks into a top.  I ended up really liking Gretchen's Barn Raising setting from her 2019 tab of completed quilts. ( Gretchen Little Corner)

I just discovered my first post on them was from October 14 of this year even. I really stuck with it to remember how I squared up each log as I added it.  My mini ruler was a perfect assistant. 

Center as I laid they out. I needed for all dark squares for the center of the star. 

And all 100 blocks:

It will only be 45 inches square when finished. 

And here is what is left of the original precut box.

I could make a few extra... but I am DONE making the blocks. 

I now have them all paired up for webbing and putting it together on retreat next month.