Monday, January 16, 2017

Ready for retreat!

Just a few days left before I leave for my yearly Lutherdale retreat and I totally cannot wait!  As usual, I have a long list of projects to work on.  A little too late to submit this list for the 2017 Finish Along that is being hosted on several websites-- maybe next quarter I can be organized for participating in that?  Here are my main goals:

Quilt #1
Legendary by Elizabeth Hartman
Wow-  this quilt looks like fun!  I found yardage in my stash for the trees and Sasquatch.  I bought a super cool textural fabric for the background and I can't wait make this!  It's one of my top priorities.  How far can I sew on this at retreat?

Quilt #2
Triangles in Mint-B/W-Grey
As this is the year of the baby quilt, I want to make some gifts that aren't overly complicated, but still stunning and not too simple looking.  Making an all triangle quilt is something I've wanted to try for a while and it let's me use the special ruler I bought a while ago.

Quilt #3
Pink Baby Quilt
See above about year of the baby!  This pattern is pretty simple and I think I can put together a top in short order.  I have a large supply of pinks and I would make it scrappy.  The sashing is TBD-- grey? Black?  Not sure and need to audition the fabrics.

In other sewing news, on Saturday I hoped to finish the scrappy, use it up, get it out back for my charity quilt.  It's not complete, but it is getting there!  I'm at the stage where I feel like I need a few different fabrics to freshen up what I've been sewing with...  It would be super nice to have this wrapped up prior to leaving for retreat!



xoxo
Kristin

ps
linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts and Patchwork Times

Monday, January 9, 2017

What's under my needle and on my design wall?

I've been a busy quilter lately and have all kinds of things to report on!

My lion quilt top is complete!!!!  I absolutely love how it turned out and can't wait for it to be quilted! This went together quickly.  Probably because I was rather obsessed and was working on it in most every spare moment. What is hard to convey in the photo is the size-- 60" x 60".  It's practically as tall as me! I'm hoping to enter this at Quilt Expo this year! ☺


Over Christmas, I added the borders and quilted my Strawberry Quilt. I'm making this as a donation to Lutherdale's annual quilt auction.  It seems perfect for a little girl to take naps under, play picnic on top of and just to decorate a room! Hopefully it gets a high bid!  Just a little bit of binding left before this is complete.  I'll see if I can get better pictures at that point.

Now that the lion is off the design wall, I can use it for other things. I have another charity quilt I would like to finish up and send on it's way.  I assembled the top 2 years ago? And it has been hibernating in my closet.  Instead of purchasing yardage for the backing, I've decided to purge my stash of fabrics I am not in love with anymore.  That is how the top started!! I had some fabrics that were taking up precious space, so I started making large nine-patched for a 'disappearing' quilt.  


The back is all improv with 2 orphan blocks.  It is about 75% complete. This quilt will be part of Mad City Quilt Guild's donations to Project Linus.


Lastly, I've started pulling fabric for a baby quilt.  I'm quite excited to get this started!



xoxo
Kristin

ps
linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts and Patchwork Times

Sunday, January 8, 2017

2016 - Year in review

Another year has passed and it seems to have gone faster than ever.  How is that?!?!  I always have ambitous goals, whether it is chores on a Saturday, things to do on a vacation or quilts to make in a year.  Looking back on 2016, I might think that I wasn't very prolific in finishes, but I had a lot of wonderful experiences.

I quilted my longest UFO (my bed quilt) and completed the binding in less than a week! (2006-2016).



I entered a quilt at Quilt Expo for the first time! And-- my Aunt Nancy happened to be visiting from Seattle at the same time as Expo and was able to spend a few hours there with me (so much fun!!).  



I sent my second quilt ever home with Nancy to give to my cousin who is expecting her first child! This quilt was waiting patiently for a special home.


I added another vintage machine to my collection.


I had a fantastic weekend in Eau Claire making bags and meeting new people.


I participated in the Lutherdale gala quilt again and feel honored to help with such a fantastic cause.

I've started what I think is my most stunning quilt ever!


I'm settling into my new sewing room at my new home and feel very blessed.


All in all, it was an amazing year!!  And I can't wait to see what 2017 brings.  The way things are looking, this might be the year of the baby quilt.  I have plans to make quite a few. 

xoxo
Kristin