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 results and more!

Thursday evening, I finished the binding on my Red & White quilt!  My Friday morning started with washing and photographing it.  I still have yet to label it and this is my dilemma. Can you help? I like to name my quilts but I am having a little difficulty with coming up with just the right name.  This pattern is a old traditional block called Robbing Peter to Pay Paul.  I could name it that and be done but it doesn't seem right.  I have been calling it my Red & White quilt but that just isn't creative at all.  Some ideas have been: Jumping Jacks (due to one of the patterns it makes with arms and legs stretched out), Twist and Shout, A Kusama Happening (after a famous Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama that has an obsession with red and white dots). What do you think?  I would love to here your opinions!

For FNSI, I worked on making 2 new pillows for our living room.  We recently hung new curtains and I wanted to add some more contemporary throw pillows.  I didn't want square pillows but I couldn't find pillow forms in the size I wanted so I bought a child size body pillow (15" x 36").  I then cut that down in half to make 2 - 15" x 18" pillows.  Using some left over fabric from curtains I made for my daughter's room, I cut 1 - 15.5" x 18.5" and 2 - 15.5" x 14" pieces for each pillow.  Using my computer,  I printed the words family and friends onto some coordinating fabric from my stash.  I then cut those letters out and fused them to the right side of the 15.5" x 18.5" piece of fabric and then machine appliqued around each letter.

I then stitched the backing pieces (overlapped) and the front piece together and stuffed the pillow forms in and they were done! I really how they like the look!

 

The charcoal gray gives a little update to my pink and blue (a little outdated) room.  This will have to do until we can afford something else.  I'm happy with it!

There was still some evening left so I continued working on my stitchery needle case from Kaaren over at  The Painted Quilt.  I'm loving it.  Only a peek as it is not yet done as you can see!

Now I will be spending some time visiting other FNSI blogs to see what you all have been creating!

 

Mariner's Compass Quilt and a little more...

I started this blog (back in January) because I wanted to record the progress I made on the Mariner's Compass Quilt that I am making for my husband.  Awhile back, I completed piecing the top but was stalled due to not having the time and space to sandwich it.  After school let out for the summer, I got right back on it!  I sandwiched and starting quilting.  Each compass is stitched in the ditch with a star stitched in the center circle.  I takes me about 1 1/4 hours to quilt each compass.  [I may add some more free motion quilting once the compasses are quilted.]  I also used a fleur de lis template in between each compass.           Take a look!

Since I starting this blog, I have become aware of all the talent around the world.  I have become inspired to try some new things like stitchery.  Here is a peek at the latest block that I finished. I think this is #6 and will eventually find its way into a quilt!

 

And finally after many years, look what's on my design wall!! Yes, my red and white blocks!  There are 96 in all [not all fit on my wall]. I am getting ready to stitch the blocks and rows together.  The blocks are hand appliqued. This is my first applique project!  A lot of learning in the process. Not perfect by any means but I love the way the design comes together and forms another pattern! Take a look!

It's a rainy day here in Chi Town.  Good for some quality quilting time!

Happenings...

I'm back for a brief update.  It has been very busy around here but exciting! Our 2nd oldest daughter, Kirsten, graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University yesterday!  We attended a very beautiful Baccalaureate Ceremony on Friday and then Graduation on Saturday.  We are so proud of her and her boyfriend, Mike! Here are a few pictures...

This coming week will be a crazy one as Kirsten comes home and gathers her things to move to South Dakota to start her new job and adventure.  At the same time, we are preparing for our oldest daughter, Brit, to graduate from University of Illinois - Chicago next Saturday.  I'm preparing for the emotional roller coaster that this week promises to be!  Tears have already been shed and I'm sure there will be many more, both of joy and sadness!

On the sewing front, I have been able to work on a few things!  I have started 2 lap quilts, one having the top almost pieced and the 2nd one well on its way (no pictures, sorry), I completed 2 of these adorable little bags, directions here, and here, and I have finished all but 2 of the 96 blocks on my red and white quilt.

Aren't these bags cute!  I need to add some bling to the zipper to finish them off.  I will be making several more.  What I haven't done is work on my husband's Mariner's Compass.  Sigh!  I need a good solid block of time and I just don't have it right now.  It will have to wait a little longer.  That's it for now!

EDIT: I finished the last 2 blocks - a total of 96 blocks - of my red and white 2-color quilt - Robbing Peter to Pay Paul!