Merry Christmas + 200 Posts!!! Oh my!!

Merry Christmas!!!

It's been a busy start to winter for me and there hasn't been nearly enough time spent sewing.  I hope to remedy that in January and do a lot of creating.  Who knows... maybe even finishing some things!!

For the first time in many years, I've gone all out and decorated my home for Christmas and I'm hosting a family dinner today.  I can't wait!

Did you see what was in the title of my post?  TWO HUNDRED BLOG POSTS??!!? What?!? How did that happen?  I'm not always the most consistent blogger, but I absolutely love having a journal of my work and adventures.  And being able to connect with friends, family and other quilters around the world is a wonderful bonus! I started blogging in December of 2007 and quilting in September of 1998.  It's my 20th year of quilting!!! There aren't enough exclamation points to go around!

To celebrate this big event, I'm going to have my first ever giveaway!  Of course I have nothing prepared....that's so me!  After a bit of thought, I've decided that due to my love of scraps and how much I enjoy making zippy pouches, that I will make a zippy pouch and fill it with 2" squares and send it off to the lucky winner.  Please leave a comment.  I would love to hear how you found me and if you have been a reader for a while.  I'll draw a winner on New Year's Day.

Now let's get to the quilty part of my post--  I've been working hard to finish up my Scrap Happy Sampler top.  The wedge border has been a doozy.  Lots of trimming and digging through my scraps to get a wide variety fabrics. It's getting there!! We aren't going to talk about that spinny square block on the left.  Nope.  Not talking about it!! =O  I would be absolutely delighted if I could have this all together by the New Year.  Not a bad goal!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!

From Fannie--

 And Finny--

And me!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with 2 of my favorite linky parties: Oh Scrap! and Let's Bee Sewcial

Norge

In August, I started a super secret sewing project-- a birthday present for my mother! I kept it under wraps on social media so I could keep this quilt a surprise.  It's a snuggly Norwegian Flag quilt that is very scrappy and has minkee on the back.  I got it **mostly** done for her birthday in early October.  The binding was machine sewn on, but still needed about half of the hand stitching to do.  I presented it to her and then promptly took it back!  

The pattern is very simple- lots of squares.  The cutting was tedious (why must I do everything scrappy??!!?), but it sewed up very quickly.

Normally, I quilt at my mom's house, but keeping this a surprise posed a bit of a problem.  Heather graciously let me use her longarm and I did a fun, swooshy panto.

I absolutely LOVE how this turned out.  And the minkee--swoooon.  It has lovely drape and begs to be pet.  And the way the colors sparkle is EXACTLY why I do everything scrappy!  I love it so much, that I'm making 2 more!! =O  One for me and one for my amazing friend, Bethney.  

I really need to have this finished up by Christmas, so I can officially gift it.  As they say, "this binding isn't going to stitch itself", so I need to get going!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Oh Scrap!, Let's Bee Sewcial, and to motivate me to hand stitch that binding-- Kathy at Slow Stitching Sunday (it doesn't get any slower that this!!)

Scrap Happy Sampler Progress

In March I started a monthly sampler class at Blue Bar Quilts (The Scrap Happy Sampler).  It's been a lot of fun and we are nearing the end.  Somehow my monthly blocks haven't made it into my blog posts much (I'm usually scrambling to keep up each month...).  Here are my latest 2, the Lonestar and New York Beauty:

Prior to completing those, I put all of the blocks up on the design wall:

I can't wait to get this into a top. It is turning out great! The borders are up next and they are ...different.  It will be fun!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Oh Scrap, Design Wall Monday and Let's Bee Sewcial

Lutherdale Auction 2018

I have quite a bit of catching up to do-- there isn't enough time to blog about all of my quilty adventures during the summer and now the fall has gotten away from me!!!  I've had a very busy late summer/fall this year and I was able to squeeze in bits of sewing here and there, but the blogging side of things took a back seat.

Where to start? In Mid-August, I attended the annual Lutherdale Quilt Auction.  I contributed many quilts and it was fun to see the bidding.  Somehow I ended up coming home with a vintage quilt!! =O  But in even bigger news.... I won a viewer's choice award for my Peacock quilt!!! What?  That was a big surprise!  Here are a few photos of quilts I donated or contributed.  I forget the total dollar amount raised by my quilts this year, but it was a lot!!!

Peacock quilt

Galaxy of Stars

Bonus Gala Quilt 

Gala Quilt 

Finding Nemo

My New/Vintage Quilt!

Viewer's Choice!!

More updates to come!

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish-A-Long Q3 2018 Wrap Up

Like a blink of an eye, another quarter has flown by!  Time never seems to slow!  It was a fabric-filled, quilty-goodness, stitches-a-plenty few months. LIfe has been so busy that I haven't been able to chronicle as much as I would like.  But let me wrap up my finishes and incompletes.

Here is my list of goals.  It was an ambitious list!  I predicted a great few months and it was not bad.  But I still have room for improvement and I love that this link-up keeps me honest.  It was helpful that I had deadlines, like the Lutherdale Auction and babies being born!


I finished these 5 quilts

• 1- Finding Nemo
• 2- St Nick
• 3- Stars and Stripes
• 5- Grey Plus Baby Quilt
• 6- Rainbow Plus Baby Quilt

Several of what I didn't finish, I've made progress and hope to have complete by the end of the year.  Wouldn't it be GREAT if I could finish each and every one of these??!!??

• 4- Bonus Charity Baby Quilt
• 7- On Ringo Lake
• 8- Midnight Star
• 9- Legendary
• 10- Charity Rail Fence
• 11- Bonus Baby Quilt
• 12- Featherweight Tote Bag - Purple 
• 13- Featherweight Tote Bag - Orange

If you would like to see links to other's participating in Finish-A-Long, here are the blog sponsors:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA

• Sandra (also Social Media Director) - Studio Sew of Course - Ireland

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA

• Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada

• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA

• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada

• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA

I'm looking forward to setting my year end goals.

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish! Baby Oliver's Quilt

This is the second of the two quilts for my tennis friends that had babies this summer-- the rainbow version! I had a lot of fun picking brights from my stash and putting this together.  It is my 4th finish for Q3 and is part of my Finish-A-Long goals.

This quilt is for Liesl and Tyler and their new baby boy, Oliver.  It was a total surprise to them, which is so much fun!! Not long before I gave them their gift, I was talking to Tyler about Quilt Expo and he was like, "oh-- do you quilt?"  I had to stifle my grin, because-- Yes!  I quilt and I made one for you!  😃

Here I am holding Baby Oliver.  Even more fun that giving a quilt is to see it with the new baby!

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish! Baby Flannery's Quilt

It has been a super busy summer and I've fit it a fair amount of sewing, including TONS of binding.  On my goal list for Q3 Finish-A-Long was to complete baby quilts for two of my tennis teammates. They work together and are close friends and were pregnant at the same time-- why not make matching quilts?!?  I'll do separate posts for each quilt.

This is the grey version of the pair of plus quilts and it is for Stephanie and Mac and their new baby girl, Flannery. 💗  

They didn't know if they were having a boy or a girl until she was born and decorated her room with white furniture and grey walls.  I used a lush grey minkee on the back and while binding, I noticed how much it resembled their precious first baby, a cat Beef.  Sadly Beef's long and fun life ended this summer, but he got to meet his new baby sister and now they have a quilt that can be a little reminder of him.

We had a combination end of summer tennis and new baby party last week where I finally gifted the quilts.  Both new families were thrilled!! It's the best part of making and giving! 😊

xoxo,

Kristin

More exciting news!

So much has been going on lately, I need to do a catchup post with all the news.

• Free Motion Class

About month ago, I took a free motion class at the Quilt Barn Studio near Janesville.  It was a lot of fun and helped me gain confidence with different free motion skills.  I'm getting closer to having a nice feather shape, but I still need more practice.  (((Squint when looking at this picture-- it looks better that way!! 😋 )))

And the reason I took this class........Are you sitting down?

• APQS Longarm Sewing Machine

My mom and I (well, mostly her) are getting a new/used APQS Millenium!!!! Woooooot!!
I felt that it was time we upgraded from our Voyager into a bigger and better machine.  Right now the machine is "at the spa" at APQS headquarters.  We are scheduled to get it at the end of August.  To say that I can't wait is an understatement!  I have a whole bunch of tops waiting to finish and it will be a perfect opportunity to learn how the new machine works.

• Quilt Ladder

Massdrop had a drop recently for a handmade quilt ladder from Bourbon Moth.  I've been wanting a display ladder for a few years now, so I joined the drop.  It's lovely!  Made from reclaimed hemlock! For now I have it in my stairwell.  I get to see my quilts all the time and there isn't any direct sunlight to harm them.

• Quilt Expo Exhibit

Happy mail came in early August-- my Hekla quilt was accepted into the Quilt Expo exhibit!  Hooray!  This is my third time showing there.  What an honor!

• Missouri Star Road Show

And the last bit of exciting news to share.... I spent a Saturday in Green Bay attending the Missouri Star Quilt Company's Road Show.  It was lots of fun!

Here I am taking a selfie of with the MSQC van.

And here is Jenny Doan, signing a mini for my friend.

The talk was funny, informative and touching.  She shared how their company began and grew, why they became interested in pre-cuts and gave lots of ideas on how to use them.  Ron (Mr. Jenny Doan) was the quilt holder and he even shared 2 quilts that he has made.  I had a great time and would highly recommend attending a road show if you have the chance.

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Let's Bee Social

Exciting news! Singer Rocketeer

Somehow a sweet little sewing machine followed me home and I decided to keep it. 😎

Meet my newest baby a Singer 500a - Rocketeer!

I have wanted one of these machines for years.  They are sleek and cool and have a built in zig zag stitch (along with many other decorative stitches).  I had never seen one in person, only in photos online.  In real life, she has not disappointed!  A guild member shared the ad for a local estate sale.  The sale was huge and included incredible collections of pottery, silver, LeCreuset cookware and full house of things being sold.  I met the daughter of the machine's owner and had a lovely talk with her.  Her mother was an avid seamstress and made clothes for decades.  She had multiple machines and the daughter kept the modern ones, but was selling this one.  She was happy to hear that it was going to a 'good home' and that I was planning to use it.

After the sale, I jumped right in and started to learn how to use it.  The bobbin is drop in (sweet!  I've never had one of those!) and the threading was pretty straightforward. Right away, it stitched a beautiful straight stitch.  I was dying to try a zig zag-- not bad!  Changing cams and using the dials was easy to do.  I don't think it does a true blanket stitch, though.  (slight bummer)

The same day I bought it, was my monthly Late Night Sew Night at Blue Bar Quilts.  I brought the new machine and a bunch of flannel and batting scraps and spent the night making burp cloths.  It was fun!!

I can't wait to use this machine more, but I don't think it will become my primary.  I love my Featherweight too much to replace it completely.  💗

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish! Stars and Stripes

The parade of finishes that are making their way to Lutherdale's auction in August continues.

Here is the fun flag quilt we put together at the Gala assembly weekend.

I quilted it on my friend Jim's computerized machine on the 4th of July.  It doesn't get any more patriotic than that, does it?!? Here's the back and a closeup of the quilting:

This is my third finish for Q3 Finish-A-Long. Here is a link to my goals list.

The binding is never ending!  I worked on the Rainbow Plus Baby Quilt this morning at the car wash!  I need to take advantage of all of the opportunities I can!

Not part of Finish-A-Long, is this quilt.  My friend Anna pieced it and wasn't feeling it.  Her sister-in-law scooped it up and her brother quilted it.  (The same person that I quilted the Stars and Stripes and St Nick quilts with).  I did the binding and it is going to be part of Lutherdale's auction.  I'm pretty sure that Anna reads my blog, so this will be a test for her.  I don't know if anybody told her that we were sending it there.  =P

I have some super-duper sewing machine news to share.  I want to save that for it's own post, because it is just.that.good!!  =)

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Kathy and Slow Sunday Stitching

Finish! St. Nick

Much like Nutso for Nemo, St. Nick is a panel I bordered and quilted up and will donate to Lutherdale's Auction/Fundraiser.

 I quilted it with my friend, Jim's computerized Gammill in a fun snowflake pattern.

This is my second finish for Q3 Finish-A-Long.  Here is a link to my goals list.

xoxo,

Kristin

Finish! - Nutso for Nemo

I've been a binding fool lately.  With so many quilts destined for Lutherdale's annual quilt auction/fundraiser, I've had to finish things up in order to meet the deadline.  I'll post these finishes separately, so it is easy for me to link them up to the Finish-A-Long.

I'm calling this quilt "Nutso for Nemo".  It's just a panel that I bordered with Moda Grunge Dots and did a lot of fun, doodle quilting on it.  I noticed at last year's auction how excited people were for panels.  I thought-- Hey! Why not work on a few of those to donate?

I picked up the panel last year at Quilt Expo and it will make a baby or toddler super happy.

This is my first (of hopefully many) finish of Q3 2018.  Here is a link to my Q3 goals.

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish-A-Long Q3 2018 - My Goals

Q2 of 2018 was about being lofty with my goals.  I didn't complete much, but really-- I did push many things forward.  Q3 is the time to shine!  I will complete things, mark my words!! ;)  This list is mostly the same as last quarter, but I'm updating the projects with new statuses.

1- Finding Nemo
I quilted this on the Fourth of July (with 3 other quilts!!) and need to bind it.  It will be part of Lutherdale's auction in August.

2- St Nick
Another one of the Four on the Fourth that I quilted. Needs binding...Will be part of Lutherdale's auction, too!

3- Stars and Stripes
I threw this top together at the Lutherdale Gala Weekend and will donate it to their auction.  It is quilt 3 of the Four on the Fourth.  Needs binding!

4- Bonus Charity Baby Quilt
The fourth of the Four on the Fourth! This is a bonus baby quilt made from cutoffs from a jelly roll quilt that Anna made a few years ago.  I'll donate to to Project Linus.  Needs binding too!

5- Grey Plus Baby Quilt
Baby Flannery is born and needs a quilt!  I quilted this up in a quick loop-dee-loo a few weeks ago.  Need to bind and gift.  

6- Rainbow Plus Baby Quilt
Also quilted on the same day as the grey plus quilt. Also with loop-dee-loos. Also needs binding and gifting.  I can't wait for a baby party! Both mamas are friends and we are hoping to do a little joint shower/baby party.  Baby Patton is still 'cooking' and I hope to gift this before they are born. =)

7- On Ringo Lake

This monster is quilted and the binding is started.  I did submit it to the Mad City Quilt Guild's challenge in June even though the binding wasn't done.  I would love to have this complete this summer and use it on my guest bed. As you can see from #1-6, I've had few things going on and this got put on hold for a little while.  Sooooo much binding to do!!!

8- Midnight Star
This is languishing as a top.  It is like a fine wine or cheese.  It needs to age.  Maybe I can quilt it and bind it in the next few months?

9- Legendary

Still no progress on this top...I would love to snuggle under it on the couch this winter!! Can't do that unless it is quilted!

10- Charity Rail Fence
More quilting to do!  I joke that I need a sabbatical from work to catch up with my quilting.  It's true!!

11- Bonus Baby Quilt

See a trend? Quilting needs to happen!

12- Featherweight Tote Bag - Purple 
This is basically done.  I need to do some stitching on the corners to offer more structure. And do a little photo shoot/blog post.  Not technically done yet.

13- Featherweight Tote Bag - Orange
Like the purple one, this is nearly done, but I don't have any recent pics. 

Lots and lots to do!  I'm excited!  Wish me luck!

If you would like to join the Finish-A-Long fun, head on over to any one of the eight bloggers who host:

Marci - Marci Girl Designs
Sandra - Studio Sew of Course
Leanne - She Can Quilt
Izzy - Dizzy Quilts
Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works
Felicity - Felicity Quilts
Karen - Capitola Quilter
Lynne - Tinking Along