Reflections of 2010!

I can hardly believe that last year at this time

I was not a blogger!

I didn't have any idea that a wonderful community of quilters and other creative and talented crafters existed out in cyber land.

Then in early January, we watched the movie Julie & Julia. 

Her idea of blogging her progress as she cooked through Julia Child's cookbook prompted me to start my blog to document my progress on the Mariner's Compass quilt that I started for my husband. 

I quickly discovered the vast pool of talent from all over the world.  The first blog that I came upon was Kviltstina over in Sweden.  I was amazed at Stina's talent and how she incorporated stitchery into her quilts.  I joined her Valentine 2010 block giveaway and started stitching!  

I hopped through several of the blogs on Stina's blog list discovering so many more talented quilters.  

I started following and reading blogs and I was inspired! 

In March, I joined my first Friday Night Sew-In over at Handmade by Heidi and Crafty Vegas Mom.  Heidi and Bobbi co-sponsor this monthly sew-in and I have joined them every month.  I finished many projects by dedicating this night to sewing.  

I kept reading and discovering new blogs. 

  I followed a quilt along over at As Sweet As Cinnamon and another at Charming Chatter.  I joined a swap over at quilting gallery.  I joined the Charming Girl's Quilt Club and sew much more!

So here is a college of most of the quilts I made over this first year of blogging.  

There are so many other projects that I have finished over this year including totes, mini bags, wristlets, pincushions, needlecases, and toys.  I have knit baby blankets, an assortment of headbands, chemo caps, and coffee cozies.  I even tried some crochet.  

Many of the projects were found through the blogging community.

So a BIG THANKS to the blogging quilt community. I have been awed and inspired.

There are sew many more, I couldn't mention everyone by name.  Hope you understand.

Here's to a prosperous New Year!

  

Friday Night Sew-In, Finishes and ....

So tonight is October's FNSI! I will be working on wedding quilt blocks!  I am over half finished with the blocks.  After a few little diversions from them, I am ready to get back to them!  I'll let you know tomorrow how I did!  Will you be joining me in the fun?

I have a FINISH!  During the Charming Girls' Quilt Club's Christmas in August Sewing Party (here), I started the Frosty Flakes BOM by Dawn Hay at As Sweet As Cinnamon.  It is now finished!  This little quilt encompassed 'sew' many techniques:  hexies, applique, embroidery, beading, piecing, free motion quilting!  What fun this was to make and the best part is that it was made entirely from my stash! It matches a Christmas ABC quilt I made several years ago.  Thanks Dawn for this little quilt pattern!

Christmas quilt

I also wanted to show the finished wristlets I made for a friend's wedding.  I started them on the September FNSI but was waiting the hardware.  Here they are...all 12!

And I'll leave you with some more color and texture pictures from the Fall O Ween challenge!

Tomorrow I'll be back to update you on the FNSI results!

The results are in....FNSI

Last night was the Friday Night Sew-In!  It was a busy week for me so I didn't have time to remind you.  Did you remember to join us?  Hope so!  

This is now my FNSI went....

Right after school, a friend and I headed off to the fabric store to pick out some fabric and supplies for wristlets that she has commissioned me to make for her bridesmaids and a few other special ladies in her wedding.  

After playing with color combinations and fabric choices, she made her selection.  

We then headed to the zippers to match the fabrics. Next was thread and then interfacing.  

We headed to the cutting table to finish up.  We were on our way!

  

I was anxious to get started [especially knowing it was FNSI]!

After a quick bite to eat I was ready to settle in for a night of sewing!

Press fabrics.  Cut out patterns.  Sew, Sew Sew!

And the results...

Aren't they cute!

I will be making a total of 12 wristlets.  The 2 green ones are one of a kind. There will be 10 of the yellow and purple wristlets. The rest are all cut out and prepped for sewing...

Here are 2 more Frosty Flakes that I finished but haven't had time to show you all.  

Block 5

Block 6

Only 3 more to go!

Hope you had a great FNSI!  I did!

Catching Up to Do!

After the Christmas in July Sewing Party on the last Saturday in August, we packed up and took our D3 back to school.  I took along 2 more Frosty Flakes hexies to work on while on the road.

Block 3

Block 4

I love the way they are turning out! I think I'm addicted.  

Hubby & I were home for a day when we headed out the door once again.  I need to make sure I had plenty to do so I grabbed my box of 2" squares [that I have been cutting from my overflowing scrap bin], some hexi templates that I purchased awhile back (I just couldn't resist anymore), some thread and my new needlecase and off we went.  I jumped on the hexi bandwagon and started sewing hexies!  I got quite a few done so far!  

Here are a couple of other projects I have finished...and sent off to Gran at Knot-Y Embroidery Lady.

I also been practicing free motion quilting with Christina at A Few Scraps.  Here is my practice pad.

Finally, I have begun my D2 and future SIL's wedding quilt.  I am using Eden by Lila Tueller for Moda. I do have permission to show a glimpse but that is all.  The reveal will have to be after the wedding next year!  I'll be back with a peek.

Christmas Sew Party

The Charming Girls' Quilt Club will be sewing tomorrow at the Christmas in August Sewing Party.  I have decided to make some snowflake blocks.  They are part of the Frosty Flakes BOM  from Dawn Hay over at As Sweet As Cinnamon.  I haven't been able to start these yet and there are already 4 blocks!  They are very little hexi  (1/2") snowflakes.  I have picked out fabrics from my stash (scraps from my Christmas A-Z sampler), cut out my hexi templates and downloaded the patterns.

I'll update with pictures tomorrow! See you then!

UPDATE:

I got started this morning on block one of Frosty Flakes. Here this the fabric I choose and my supplies ready to go!

Look at those tiny hexis!

After cutting out seven red hexagons, I started hand stitching them until they were all together like a flower.  I then appliqued the flower to the center of my 6 1/2" block.

And finally added stitchery and beads! The first block is finished 3 to go!

Very cute!

[Sorry for the not so good picture.]  

UPDATE 2: So after lunch, [my hubby was still at his bee job and daughters away], I continued with Frosty Flake Block 2.  Here are some pictures.

And the finished block!  This one is quite fancy!

And a better picture of Block 1.

I'm going to prepare the next 2 blocks for our trip to take our D3 back to school tomorrow.                   By the way, I've heard...these hexis are addicting!                        Yep, I can see why!!