WIP Wednesday

My friends, this finish has been a long time coming...but it has not yet crossed the finish line. Gah!

You see, in 2013 one of my goals was to give away most, if not all, of what I made.  But...I did make this quilt for myself, because,well - I just wanted to.

Normally sewing on the binding is one of the most important steps, because the project is almost complete....and I LOVE sewing on binding. It is something that is super fast for me and also enjoyable.

But...at the December meeting of my quilt guild, it was my (lap project) while listening to the meeting. This quilt was shown for show and share, along with my desire to give everything away.

Wouldn't you know it-someone mentioned not to finish it until 2014 so I could make good on my goal. Yep, that's exactly what happened. It was almost as if I didn't want to touch it. What the heck? Am I that susceptible to the power of suggestion? In this case yes.

So...I am taking this quilt with me this week as some down time is coming up, and it will.be.finished. Promise!

Check back soon and you can see her in all her glory!

Linking up over at Freshly Pieced!

Time for Needle and Thread Thursday!

What am I up to this Thursday? Cutting fabric for a surprise quilt. She likes gray and yellow and this is my meager start. The yellows don't appear to go together, but when I get more fabric, they will...

Linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday! Pop on over to Kelly's blog and check out what other folks are doing - you just might get some inspiration (I'm pretty sure you will).

Was it too small?

In December, at my Modern Quilt Guild meeting, we had an exchange and the instructions were to make a bag.  This is new territory to me, as my usual "non-quilt" projects consist only of fabric baskets and zip pouches.

A quick look at Pinterest and this cute little "just uses two fat quarters" intro sold me on this Lindie Bag.
Here is the tutorial I used and it really was pretty easy. I will use it again, but perhaps shorten the straps.

It was shocking to see what some of the other guild members made though.  Messenger bags, zip bags, large pouches and a couple of ornate works of art. I wish I had taken some pictures to show you, but trust me, I felt small, kind of like my bag.  The sweet lady who got this at the end of the night happened to be sitting right next to me and I lightly asked her if it was too small to do anything with and she replied "not at all, I'm going to use it in my sewing room".  That made me feel a lot better about it but some of the guild members really went all out.

In exchange, this lovely bag is what went home with me and it's perfect for travelling, because it is long enough to fit my toothbrush - woo hoo! Thanks Jenn!

Note: sorry about the phone picture on my bag, I forgot to capture a good image before I wrapped it all up.

Modern Stash Bee - November

Yes, well better late than never. These are the blocks for the Modern Stash Bee for November. Can't say I was excited to do them, because I surely wasn't, but...I really like them.  Will I make some for myself some day? Doubt it as HST's aren't my favorite. This block is different and not one I have seen a lot of though, but the visual impact is strong, at least for me.

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!)