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

Finish-A-Long Q2 2018 Wrap Up

Time is moving too quickly for me right now! I set big goals for Q2 and didn't have a lot of completions.  It's ok! Quilting is definitely an ebb and flow sort of thing and I have a lot of flowing around the corner.

Here is a link to my goals for Q2.  There were 12 of them! And I finished ONE! I'm blushing a bit.

Hekla was my finish.  I submitted it to be shown at Quilt Expo this fall, so wish me luck!

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

Next up-- Create a list for Q3 2018.  It will be a great few months!

xoxo,
Kristin

Finish! Hekla

I'm happy to report that I finally finished my binding on Hekla.  I tend to bind in spurts and I didn't have enough time to finish this up prior to the end of Q1.  So it became my slam dunk finish of Q2.  Here is the listing of my Q2 Finish-A-Long goals

I started this quilt almost exactly one year ago.  Gudrun Erla came to the Madison area and had a trunk show and workshop (sponsored by the Lodi Valley Quilt Guild).  It was a lot of fun and I was very inspired by her designs.  I bought the book Strip Your Stash, a few patterns and her Stripology Ruler.  The ruler is amazing! It exceeds my expectations and I absolutely love how easy and quick it is to cut strips with it.

Hekla is the name of a volcano in Iceland.  I love the design of the Scandinavian Stars.  This will eventually hang in my house (not sure where) and if accepted, I will show this at Quilt Expo this fall.  My friend, Heather, did the quilting and it really makes this quilt shine.

In other sewing news, I'm piecing a back together for my On Ringo Lake.  It needs to be done by next Friday, when I plan to quilt it at my parent's house.  I have my work cut out for me this week!!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts, Finish-A-Long, Let's bee Sewcial and Oh Scrap!!

Finish-A-Long Q2 2018 - My Goals

I had a little wrinkle in time at the end of Q1-2018.  I had a lot going on and wasn't able to link up my finishes for the Finish-A-Long.  Oops! Overall, it wasn't the best quarter in terms of finishing projects.  Apart from Elephant Parade, I didn't meet any of my goals!! =O

That doesn't mean I wasn't sewing, because I've actually been sewing up a storm.  And now I will have a very ambitious Q2 goal list!

Let me start with projects that were Q1 Goals:

1- Hekla
This was sooooo close to being finished for Q1, but see above statement--> lots going on!  And if you look closely, there is just a weeee bit of binding left to do! =O

2- Midnight Star
I did manage to get the top fully pieced this last quarter.  Now it needs some quilting!

3- On Ringo Lake

I worked soooooooooooooo hard on this quilt all winter and I'm thrilled to have the pattern complete.  I've decided that I'm going to add a border of oranges/corals/pinks to extend it a bit more.  I would LOVE to have this finished up by May, because I've used a challenge fabric in it for the Mad City Quilt Guild.  I'm really hoping to make this happen!

4- Finding Nemo
Not difficult, just need time with a longarm

5- St Nick
I managed to put borders on this at January Retreat

6- Legendary

No progress on this and it's ambitous to think I can finish it this quarter

7- Charity Rail Fence
The quiting doesn't need to be fancy, but everything takes time!

8- Bonus Baby Quilt

Isn't this fun?! I made this up out of leftovers from a baby quilt several years ago.  This will go to Project Linus

9- Grey Plus Baby Quilt
I think this baby is due in May, so it would be fantastic if I had it done by then!

10- Rainbow Plus Baby Quilt
I have a bit more time with this one, but it would be great to finish it along with the grey version.

11- Featherweight Tote Bag - Purple 
Getting there!  Not many steps left...

12- Featherweight Tote Bag - Orange
Still a fair amount of work to do on this one...

Twelve projects!! I know I won't be able to complete all of these things-- but it doesn't hurt to dream! 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

xoxo, 
Kristin

UFO progress

Yesterday was rainy, windy, overcast and all around yucky.  In other words-- a perfect day to stay in and sew! I was able to make progress on a few different UFOs--hooray!

First up was to correct the corner squares on my Hekla.  I thought I had this top finished last week, only to realize as I was blogging that I used the wrong fabric on the corners--doh!  I couldn't let it stay like that, even though it was not too bad.  I pulled out the seam ripper and fixed it. It's ready for quilting, which means I need a backing.  As it turns out, Blue Bar Quilts still has yardage of the grey-woot!

Next up, time to piece backs for the charity quilts I want to quilt this month.  I bought several yards of brights online at a bargain price.  I'm cutting them up and adding to other leftover bits that I have to make fun, improve backings.  I got one complete and started on the second one.

And while working on those projects, I finished the last X blocks from my Goodnight Irene quilt.  This has been a leader/ender project for YEARS! I looked back through my photos and the first time I have it documented seems to be Feburary of 2014, but I was sewing 4 patches together way before that. Here is one of the earliest photos I could find:

Oddly enough, this photo of the units has blocks from 2 other quilts I finished up this year.  Apparently my scrappy quilts are on a 3-4 year completion cycle?  I still have some of those improv log cabin superhero blocks in my UFO containers!! Maybe I need to work on those this year, too??

Anywho, I finished the last blue X block.  I'm out of blue and can't make anymore, so it is time to start assembling!  This makes me very, very happy. I wonder if a border of another color and some more 4 patches would be nice?  I'll wait and think about it more once I have this put together.

xoxo

Kristin

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Mondays and Lorna's Let's bee Sewcial and for the first time-- Oh Scrap!!

Sew 15 Minutes September - Wrap up

I had such a great September in terms of sewing.  By challenging myself to sew every day, even if just a little bit, it really got my mojo going!  There were just a handful  of days that I missed and I sewed some really, really long days throughout the month, that I think I'm covered.

Thanks to all of that dedication, I got my Galaxy of Stars fully assembled!  WooooHooo!!!!!!

I started assembling the top on September 1st and on Saturday--the 30th, the end was in sight!  I pushed through and kept plugging away, because I really wanted to have a completed top in the same month I started it.  The final assembly was a bit tricky, but I was up for the task!  I used some more partial seams that I learned from Mary Fons and voilá!  There is one bit that in hindsight I wish I could re-work, but to quote one of my early quilting instructors, "Done is good!!"  This top is now in the queue to be quilted and I have it listed as one of my Q4 Finish-A-Long goals.  I want to show it off in January to the retreaters that contributed blocks.  

The best part about finishing the stars?  I have my design wall back!  I could sew on the borders to Hekla!

AAAAAACK! I was so pleased with myself last night that I got this sewn on nicely, but not until just now, did I realize the corner squares are supposed to be orange and not grey!!!!!  Grrrrr.  Harumph.  I thought this was done and ready to be quilted, but I guess not.  Taking pictures and stepping back are really important ways to gain perspective on your quilts!

Oh well-- back to the seam ripper this will go.

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Mondays and Lorna's Let's bee Sewcial

Finish-A-Long Q4 2017 - My Goals

Sliding in to the last part of 2017-- I have lofty goals!  It would be grrrrrrreat to quilt up a bunch of tops that I have waiting or close to completion.  Yesterday I spent a fair amount of time daydreaming about what I have to do and thinking about how I can complete it.  Finish-A-Long has been a big help in keeping me motivated to keep moving on my UFO's.

Here is my list:

1- Charity Chop Quilt (this quilt needs a better name!)
Right now, this is my top priority to quilt.  I'll do something simple on it, like a panto or an all over improv design.  Easy-peasy.  Before I can quilt it, I need to piece the back.  It seemed that everyone I showed the backing to said it needed to be it's own quilt.  Fine.  But now I need another backing!!  I will do something MUCH simpler for the back, but it will still be bright and a bit improv.

2- Kitchen Sink Rainbow Quilt
This is what was going to be the back of the above quilt.  Guess what?  Need to piece a back for this one, too!! =O

3- Galaxy of Stars
I've been working hard on finishing this top in September and I want to have it complete prior to my January Retreat.  Setting a goal for completion in Q4 would make sure it is done by January!

4- Hekla
I don't have a current picture, but the borders are pieced and waiting to be sewn to the center.  Finishing the top won't be hard-- can I get it quilted, too?

5- Legendary
This poor quilt was in time out.  I followed the instructions and used a slimmer vertical sashing in the Sasquatch row and then the row is 1/2" short!  Grrr.  I checked the website and didn't see any corrections for this.  At the late night sew night, I looked it over with some friends.  The fix is going to be to rip out the sashings on either side of 'squatch and add some wider sashings to make it the correct length.

6- Elephant Parade
I want to finish this quilt and I'm wondering if the best solution is to have someone else quilt it?  That would make finishing it this quarter realistic.  We'll see...

Six goals!  I've had that same count each quarter and each time I finished 3.  What will happen this quarter??

Linking up with Marci at Marci Girl Designs.

xoxo
Kristin

Finish-A-Long Q3 2017 - My Goals

Summer is my favorite season of the year and announcing that the 3rd quarter of 2017 sounds crazy to me!  How did half of the year go by already?  As long as summer holds on for many, many, many more months, I'm ok.

Setting quilting goals for this time of year is tricky.  I don't spend as much time indoors, because there is so much to do outside.  I do have things that need quilting and by adding them to this list, perhaps it will help motivate me a bit more to find some time to quilt and bind?

To start, I might as well list out what didn't get done on the Q2 list:

1- Pink Purple XO Quilt
I was sooooooo close to finishing this in the last quarter.  Just a few more hours of hand stitching the binding and I would have made it.  Oh well.  This will be a slam dunk for Q3.

2- Charity Chop Quilt -- This quilt didn't make any progress last quarter.  It would be fantastic to quilt this up and add it to the finished column.

Front

Back

3- Wonky Stars for Lutherdale: This top is not going to make it to this year's auction (bummer), but it did make it further along.  Just like the charity quilt above, it would be great to finish this up and move it to the 'done' column.

4- Elephant Parade-- This poor top is languishing in my closet, just waiting to be quilted.

4- Whirly Star Bonus Quilt-- Speaking of languishing in my closet.  While tidying up, I found this top.  I put it together in January 2016 from leftover bits from one of Heather's quilts.   It won't take much to finish this up and then it can go to our guild's charity project.

'
5- Legendary -- And now it is time to be ambitous.  This top isn't done, but it isn't too far from it.  I might use some flannel for the backing and then it will be my new 'couch quilt'.

6- Hekla-- More ambition!  This wallhanging needs another border and then it will be ready for quilting.

Can I finish all 6?? Probably not.  But I can accomplish some of this!  And it doesn't hurt to try!  Just like last quarter, I'll ask for you to wish me luck!

Linking up with Ella at Throw a Wench in the Works. 

xoxo

Kristin

Legendary Progress and other goings on...

Summer is in full swing and I have a million things happening-- two tennis leagues, a huge (for me) garden, crazy work,etc.  BUT--I've still been finding time to sew.

My guild had a sew day last Wednesday and I took a day off from work and had a delightful time getting to know my fellow members a bit better.  It was a gorgeous day and I 'moved the needle' on a few projects.  In January, I started 'Legendary' by Elizabeth Hartman.  It's been languishing ever since, because I had other projects that took precedence.  Right now, I have all the rows together and only need to sash and border for a finished top.

My Hekla wallhanging was also languishing.  I thought that I was ready to start the triangle borders-- until it was pointed out that I have a boo-boo.  Argh!! I couldn't live with the mistake.  Can you find it?

 So, on the sew day, I did some ripping and re-sewing and all is right with the world.

I thought it would be fun to sew up some burp cloths and bibs for friends.  Here are a few of them (I don't think I have pictures of them all).

Here are some pictures from my garden.  It is producing tons of lettuce right now and some yummy radishes.

And me after a hard day of tilling!

Lastly-- we had a fun rainbow after a short shower yesterday.  I love summer!!

xoxo

Kristin

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday and Lorna's Let's Be Sewcial