2013 Final Finishes and 4th Quarter Finish-A-Long

My very last finish for 2013 is this embroidery piece. The pattern is by Bird Brain Designs.

It was one of the projects included in my list of goals for the 4th quarter of the 2013 Finish-A-Long hosted by Leanne at she can quilt. 

My original list can be found here.

I used Kona Snow for the background and a few different blues from my stash for the border and binding.  The back is also from my stash.  It makes me think of men's boxer shorts.  Oh well.

I did ok this quarter and finished 3 out of 5 projects.

Made the blocks from Fat Quarterly's BOM into a finished quilt,

and finished this cute quilt for Eamon.

I did not even touch

this Summersville top or

this sweater for Eamon.  At this point, I'll have to pull out what I've done and start something else.  The little bubbie is growing like a weed (13 lbs, 9 oz at 8 weeks) and will not fit into the size I started.  Maybe he'll get a hat.

I did manage one other finish just in time for Christmas.

The fabric is Winter's Lane. I used a snowball block and some diagonal straight lines for the quilting.  I love this collection.  I think it's probably my favorite seasonal line.

This one will stay around after the other holiday things are packed away.

Hope you managed to meet some of your goals for 2013.  I have a new philosophy for 2014, but more on that later.

Joyful stitching,

jane

Linking up with....

Fresh Sewing Day - See ya 2013

 

As I was putting together this collage of my finished items for 2013, I realized that I had accomplished a lot more than I thought.  I finished quite a few quilts, blocks and small items.  I also realized how bad I was at taking photos before giving things away, so there are some things missing from the collages.

I completed 7 baby quilts (one's missing from the collage). I have lots of baby fabric in my stash and 2 babies due in early 2014 for friends and family.  I should get busy on those.  

I finished 7 lap quilts.  My Saltwater and On the Plus Side were part of our guild's exhibit at the Lowell Quilt Festival this summer.  I also assembled and quilted 3 quilts using blocks that were donated to our guild's Quilts for Boston project. 

There are a couple of ongoing (they've been going on forever) projects that I managed to finish some of the blocks on.  I'm still working on the Lucky Stars BOM.  I've only finished the first 5 blocks, but I'm determined to finish all 12 of them.  My Rose Star blocks are EPP.  I managed only 4.  There are a couple of blocks for Boston as well as the flags that hung in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.  I had fun with some mini charm packs and made several candle mats and used some scraps on a set of potholders  I have a couple of holiday runners as well.

2014 will be a year of change.  Let's see how I do.

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day.

Joyful stitching,

jane

4th Quarter Finish A-Long

Thankfully, the holidays are over, life can get back to normal and I can get back to creating and blogging.

This quilt was on my list for the 4th quarter Finish A-Long.  I started this last year and finished it about a month ago. The blocks are from one of the designer BOM's at the Fat Quarter Shop.

The blocks were not too difficult to make, although some involved a lot more cutting than I like.  I usually did the cutting and sewing on different days.  The directions were very clear and I didn't mess up too much.

The fabric is Vintage Modern. The shop also offered a finishing kit for the quilt.  I was too cheap frugal to purchase it.  I had purchased some yardage on sale when I first started with the blocks, so I just finished it my own way with some sashing and cornerstones.   I quilted with an all-over stipple.

The back was assembled with some yardage and leftover triangles from the blocks.

I really liked the aqua fabric included in this collection and used it as the binding.

The quilt is a nice kid size measuring approx. 44"x56".  I have quite a bit of leftover fabric and will probably make a nice baby quilt with it.

Joyful stitching,
jane

A Baby Finish (and a Baby)

I've been busy sewing instead of posting.  I finished this baby quilt a couple of weeks ago.  I found the pattern in the Fall 2013 issue of Quilts and More magazine.  The designer is Sarah Price of It's Sew Emma.

The pattern calls for 16 10-inch squares and some yardage.  It was extremely easy and went together quickly.  It measures approx. 39" x 41".
I used a Riley Blake fabric called "Life in the Jungle" that I purchased from Hawthorne Threads. It was the plaids in this collection that I really fell for.  The gray is a Kona.  I don't remember which one.  I initially wanted a lighter gray, but this is what I had, so I used it.  I'm pleased with the finish.

I used my walking foot and did some straight line stitching in the solid gray and a loose stipple in the rest.

The backing is just a couple pieces of yardage.  I used an orange print for the binding.  I liked the way it contrasted with the gray border.

I saved the triangle cuts and have lots of fabric left to make another baby quilt.

The best thing about this quilt is that it will stay at my house for when this little cherub comes to visit.

Eamon Joseph arrived on the 6th measuring 22 inches long and weighing 9 lbs, 9 oz. (ouch)
After a difficult spring for our family, he is more than a smidgen of joy.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Little Quilt Monday

Good things come in small packages.  I'm talking about mini charm packs. These adorable bundles of joy are difficult to resist.  

I purchased two packs of these cuties.  The collection is called The Boo Crew. 

 I wanted to make a couple of quick and inexpensive Halloween gifts and decided on candle mats.

They measure 10" x 10".  I used just 25 squares for each.  You can get 3 of these mats from just 2 mini charm packs.  They took no time to sew together.  I  added simple straight line quilting.  The backing is from a matching fat quarter. 

These are about as close to instant quilt gratification as you can get.  I see many more in my future.

Joyful stitching,
jane

4th Quarter Finish-A-Long

I'm linking up with Leanne at she can quilt.  I was 2 for 5 with my finishes last quarter. I'm probably being a little too ambitious, especially with the holidays, but I'm going for it anyway

.
There are a couple of new things on my list...

This baby quilt is all basted and ready to quilt.  It shouldn't take too long.

I've also made some progress on this since the photo was taken.  The 1st snowman is almost finished.  I would like to have it in time for this winter.

I'm putting these three items back on my list.  Maybe I'll get them finished this quarter...

I've made no progress since last quarter.  It would make a nice Christmas gift...hopefully before the baby outgrows it.

I've finished 10 out of the 12 blocks on this quilt.  The remaining 2 are all cut and ready to sew. 

And on my list again is the hourglass quilt made with Summersville .  The top is complete, but I haven't even given the back a thought yet.

Wish me luck.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Finish-A-Long Q3

 

My second finish from my 3rd quarter list.   (My first finish is here.)

This has been sitting around for a couple of years.  I lost interest in the fabric.  I like it,  I just don't love it.  This line is called Charisma and it's from Moda.  It's a crappy day for photos, so I'll keep them to a minimum.

It was pretty easy to finish.  I did simple straight stitching.

I used a red print from the same collection for the binding.
I wanted to use every last bit of this, so I used some leftover blocks and the rest of the yardage on the back.

I think it came out well.  You can see the lines of the quilting on the back.  I kept it simple.
I'm happy to have it finally finished and I can see a new home in it's future, it just won't be mine.  One of my sisters really liked this fabric.

Joyful stitching,
jane