Lutherdale Retreat 2019

I just got back from my annual 5 day sew-fest at Lutherdale.  I don't know what it is, but every year, the time elapses faster and faster.  In the blink of an eye, our retreat was over and it was time to pack up and go home.  I accomplished quite a bit, but of course, I would like to have done even more. Isn't that always the case?

The main project I worked on was starting a new quilt -->I don't have an official name for it yet. Winter Mountains? Steep Mountains? Rugged Mountains? Climb Every Mountain? Alpine Mountains? It is a wedding present for my mountain climbing cousin that has been living in New Zealand for a few years, but is moving back to the US this year.  The blocks are designed by Kristy from Quiet Play.  The layout I am using will be based on something shared on a FB group by @CamilleSews (on Instagram).  I hoped to piece the entire top (ambitous, I know!) during retreat.  The reality was-- those trees are a lot of work!! There are 25 pieces in the small tree and close to that many in the larger one.  It's been taking approximately 2 hours per tree!! Yikes!  I did complete all of the mountain blocks (15) and 1.5 of the 5 pair of trees.  In the last week, I've finished the second pair of trees and completed another pair.  Only 2 more pairs of trees to go!  Woot!  I can't wait to see this come together into a top.

The other main project I worked on was facilitating a group quilt to donate to Lutherdale.  Again-- my inspiration came from something shared on FB.  We cut bright scraps into 2" squares using my Go Baby! cutter.  It's turning out LOVELY!! The sashing will be a light grey and I'll add some more blocks to this throughout the year and have it finished up for next January's retreat.  What to name this?  It's kind of sparkly, jewel-like.  It's scrappy.  It's rainbow.  Hmmmm "Rainbow Sparkly Whatnot"?  Naming quilts is hard! 

The last project I have to share is a simple panel that I added 3 borders to.  This is something I will quilt up with fun doodles and donate to Lutherdale's August auction. I think I'll name it "Seaside Friends"

While at 'Quilt Camp', Mother Nature brought us a fantastic snow storm.  Using a quilting ruler, we measured 8" of snow!  Winter this year has been a bit dodgy and what little snow we have had has melted.  I'm happy to have a layer of white to make winter feel like winter.  The subzero temperatures we are experiencing right now...that's another story!!

I'm already counting down the days until next year's retreat!

xoxo,

Kristin

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

Finish-A-Long Q1 2019 - My Goals

It's time to set some goals and finish projects up!  The end of last year was a bit of a whirlwind and I didn't get to sew nearly as much as I would like.  Perhaps the first few months of 2019 will make up for it? 

Let me see if I can complete some unfinished projects.  Here is my list.  Many items I've been recycling, so it would be fantastic for this to be their final appearance on my goals list.


1- On Ringo Lake
I've had this quilted and partially bound for ages. Other projects have taken precedence, but this needs to get done. Would you believe that I have this on my bed at retreat with a partial binding and clover clips in it? Would you also believe that this isn't the first time I've done that??!!?? =P

2- Midnight Star
This top has been done for a while, but I haven't had a chance to quilt it. There isn't a specific place this is going, so it has been aging.

3- Legendary

I did manage to quilt this top up a few months ago in a swooshy panto.  It needs to have a binding attached and to do the hand stitching.  I can do this!! Yes, I can!!  (positive thinking)

4- Black Diamond String

This quilt is quilted, but needs a binding. It is going to the August Lutherdale auction and I would LOVE to have it all done sooner rather than later.

5- Scrap Happy Sampler

This is my TOP priority. Blue Bar Quilts has offered to hang the quilts from our class in their gallery in March. I have 2 borders attached. Need to finish them and quilt and bind.

I have other things that need finishing (ahem-- incomplete bindings on charity quilts....), but I'm going to stop here and get my entry in to Finish-A-Long just under the wire.

Here are the hostesses of this year's event:

• Sandra - Studio Sew of Course
• Marci - Marci Girl Designs
• Leanne - She Can Quilt
• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts
• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works
• Karen - Capitola Quilter
• Lynne - Tinking Along
• Sarah G - Sarah Goer Quilts
• Sarah Z - Cedar Fork Stitches
• Julie - That’s Sew Julie
• Nicole - Handwrought Quilts

I'm looking forward to another great year!


xoxo.
Kristin

Hello 2019!!

Happy New Year!

Winter is in full swing in Madison as of New Year's Eve.  We had a pretty good snow storm for most of yesterday afternoon and evening.  It coated the trees with a beautiful heavy, wet snow.

I wish I could be in my sewing room and enjoy the calm outside the windows, but alas, today is my holiday to work. I can at least fit some blogging in during my downtime!

Recently, I've picked back up something I started 1 year ago.  I'm calling it Black X-String --> for now.  This is the 'group project' I'm leading with my Lutherdale January Quilters.  We meet for 5 days every January and work on our own projects.  Two years ago, I thought-- why don't we do something together that we can donate to their August Auction?  Lutherdale gives so much to us, why not give back?  This pattern has always intrigued me, so I roped in all my fellow sewists to help out.  We had about 50 (?) blocks at the end of retreat.  I've sewn about another 15-ish.  The plan is to make it 8 x 10 and have it quilted before this year's retreat... in 15 days!!  Can I do it?  I sure hope so!

Also under my needle this week is my Scrap Happy Sampler.  I wanted to finish the top by today and I got mighty close.  I worked on it at Late Night Sew Night at Blue Bar Quilts and finished my troublesome spinny square block.  It now fits into the spot to which it belongs.  It needed 4 extra rings, so I'm calling this block "So Extra".  

The borders are ready to go on.  I did one at Late Night and decided this would be easier to do with my set in table.  Less wrestling and more support under the weight of the top.  I'm so close!! Can't wait!

And now for the big winner of my first ever give away......drum roll please....AMY!  Amy is a friend from Mad Mod Quilt Guild and a co-hostess with the mostest of Late Night Sew Night.  I did a bit of 'promoting' of my blog at this month's get together.  Here is the grand prize:

And look at my cool new letter board thingy!  What fun! Santa brought it  (and by Santa, I mean I picked it up at TJ Maxx while shopping)  😜

One last thing to share before signing off... I made another pincushion with Amanda Jean/Crazy Mom Quilt's pattern.  She is 'retiring' from her blog and the pattern writing business.  Her style really inspired me and I made all kinds of projects based off her patterns and tutorials.  I will miss her beautiful creations.  

xoxo,

Kristin

ps

Linking up with: Oh Scrap! and Let's Bee Sewcial