Starting the Year off with...

...some bee blocks!

Let's talk about these quilting bees. I was so excited to be done with all my quilting bee obligations after January of this year.  Jump up and down excited, but then....I was in one that I forgot about. The Jane Austen Bee.  Not only do we make blocks, but we read books and discuss too.  Talented quilters we are.

But back to the story. I am grateful to be in this bee because it makes me get in my craft room and get to sewing! I did 5 paper pieced blocks this weekend, along with these two blocks and then a couple other projects too -Woo Hoo - I miss my sewing machine and am glad to be back. When I didn't have any deadlines, I also didn't have any motivation to sew.

These blocks are for a friend of mine, who is making a quilt for her mom.  Awwwh, I love that!!!! You can't get a more personal and heartfelt gift than a quilt....made just for you. It really is an honor to make these for her.

There are really two blocks here, but I put them together to see how neat they will be.

Until the next project - remember, life is what you make it!

Happy New Year!

As we come to the close of 2013, I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Posting has become less frequent in quarter 4 (yes, that is my finance background creeping in) due to more things to get done and no additional hours in the day.

In 2014, I expect to get back to more regular posts.  In addition, there will be more time to read and comment on your blogs, which I really miss.  Our community is so full of talent and creativity and it is inspiring to see.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!

Julie

A MIL Finish for 2013

This is a quilt that I made for my mother-in-law.  When I asked Mr. Maxtin about what color she would like, he said brown. Frown.  I'm not a big fan of brown, but I know her living room is purple, so I incorporated that, as well as the complimentary color of yellow too.  This quilt was started early fall, when I went on retreat (that reminds me, I'll have to tell y'all about that) and it is now done! It wasn't quite finished for her birthday early October but it is now, so I will bring it at Christmas to present to her in person.

I chose straight line quilting and I'm falling in love. It's fresh, modern and just looks good - just wish it didn't take so long.

What a view!

Is that some crinkly goodness or what? Only a quilter would get this right? I just finished these straight lines and am trying to take a greater variety of photos than just the dead on shot.
Stop back later, I can't wait to show you the finish!

Modern Stash Bee - October

It is a wonderful feeling to be part of a group that just gets it done! This is that group!!  We had someone in our hive disappear.  Not off the face of the earth, she is still around, but for whatever reason, just didn't want to be part of us anymore.  In general my luck with online swaps and bees has been fantastic, but it feels terrible when it happens to you.  So...she didn't make me a block, but what did I tell you, this group found an angel and I got my block.  So...little miss missing had her month in October, so we decided to just have a couple of us make 3 blocks (to make up) and then we would be done in November, not December. 

Our queen in October wanted these Wonky Pinwheels.  Oooy.  These take some time, and I had to my two, plus one. But aren't they just lovely! This quilt is going to be fabulous! I love my hive!!

December Simply Solids

They look plain don't they? That was my first thought when Colby requested these blocks.  Now usually, plain is right up my alley so I had a moment of "is this my style or not" cross my mind.

Two things though:
1) She has the second to the last month for this year long bee and maybe she was nervous about having a complex block during the holiday season. (Guess who has next month......and that is one of the many things I am thinking about)
2) The finished quilt is AWESOME!

Look at that! Gorgeous right?  (I don't know whose photo this is...please please, if it is yours, let me know and I would be happy to give you the credit, it's beautiful!)

Q3 Finish-A-Long Check in {Progress}

A Big Thanks to Leanne at she can quilt for hosting this fun event! I'm sorry to say that I didn't get as much done as I wanted to this quarter. Here was the original post with the lofty list.

Orb Quilt - I requested this block a second time in a bee so I could have double the amount of blocks (and make the quilt double awesome), but sadly, I am still waiting on one more to arrive so this isn't done.
Big 10 Quilt - I am 3 seams away from completing the top, but it isn't done either.
Mondarin - blocks done, need to sew together - Forget it. I'm not feeling this one so will no longer put it on a finish list.  Don't be surprised if one day though, I just finish it up and show it to you!
Churn Dash - The blocks are done but I still need to decide on a design and sew them all up.
Make Up Bag for Sister {post here}

Husker Zip Pouch {post here}

Summer Sampler {post here}

And for those of you wondering how I was doing on the rest of the projects...
I have decided not to do a low volume quilt. I just got caught up in all the hype and wasn't doing it because I wanted to, so now, I'm not doing it at all.

2 M quilts, one is basted and one almost has the top done, you will hear about both of them soon.

Baby Allen is going to get this quilt, I only have the label left and it will be heading to Washington, D.C.

Canada/USA Quilt is waiting for a big maple leaf.

Modern Stash Bee - September II

It happened to me AGAIN! I only made one block. Gah!  In my Modern Stash Bee, we are supposed to make 2 blocks each month and I keep forgetting.  No worries though, it isn't late (thank goodness I was early with the other one). I'll be sending this on tomorrow!

Sneak a peek at my first one (it was teal).

In the interest of learning

I would love to share with you about a new learning platform, called Daily Craft TV. The classes I am most interested in are the quilting classes, so I tried one out! String Piecing - 7 ways.



This is a simple technique that can give you so many different results. There were a few that I was aware of, but some that I did not. It's always great to learn of a new way to make blocks.

Now...on to the review!

Going through the checkout process was easy and effortless.  I selected String Piecing because of the chance to learn something new. Although there were some patterns that were new to me, it might be disappointing if you are an advanced beginner or higher quilter.  The format had a couple of teachers and they talked throughout the video as they showcased the various blocks.  It wasn't something I was keen on.  I think I would really prefer to just have one instructor.  The tone, while casual, almost had too much conversation.

Another observation is the pricing.  I am not aware of how the pricing structure is applied, but having watched this one (which was valued at $9.99) and lasted just under an hour, if I had to select again, I would have selected Fresh Quilting Ideas & Design Techniques (which is valued at $4.99) and is just over an hour and a half.  

I would say about half of the selections are either traditional or not of interest to me but there were some other titles of interest including: Yes You Can Piece Curves, Unique Ideas and Innovative Designs for your Quilts, Advanced Quilting Techniques & How to Resize Blocks and Choosing the right quilting fabrics and learn about Hue and Contrast with Mary Fons (because well, I love Mary Fons!)

So my advice to you, if you are interested in the class offerings, is to read through all of them and step outside of your comfort zone! I played it safe and should have selected a different class to really be impressed.

Please see my disclosure policy regarding reviews.

Grandma's Lawn Chair Blog Hop

It's not over yet!

Check out some more of the fabulous quilts made with this easy pattern!

Mon 16th , Diane @ from blank pages
Tues 17th - Hilary @ Young Texan Mama
Wed 18th - Mike @ The Amateur Quilter
Thurs 19th - Rachael @ imagine gnats
Fri 20th - Courtney @ Mon Petite Lyons 

Mon 23rd - Jamie @ Sunflower Seeds 
Tues 24th - Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts
Wed 25th - Krista @ Spotted Stones 
Thurs 26th - Cristy @ Sew Much Like Mom
Fri 27th - Diane @ from blank pages...