WIP Wednesday

I've been working on some economy blocks that I started last week. I like making these.  There's a bit of trimming involved which (sounds weird, I know) has almost a Zen-like effect on me.   A new blade in my cutter and something trashy on Netflix and I am very happy.

I've finished 27 blocks. I'm not sure how many I'll need, but I'm just taking my time with this.

I finished a 2nd block for my Hexie Garden.

This one took a bit longer than the first one.  I had to keep laying out the hexies every time I sewed a seam to make sure that they were positioned correctly.  I wanted the design in the fabric to run in the same direction for all pieces.
These are a little tricky to piece because of the angles, but I think they're coming out nice.

I had planned on spending the afternoon playing around with designs for the Riley Blake challenge, but we had a little visitor.

A much nicer way to spend my time.  (12 weeks old already!)




Joyful stitching,
jane

2014 Finish Along Q1

I accomplished quite a bit last year in the 2013 Finish Along so I decided to do it again.  This year it is hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle. 

The following represent my hopes and dreams...

First on the list is the Hexie Garden.  One block is done and the rest is all cut out and ready to sew.  This may actually get done since it will probably be coming on my guild's retreat in March.

Next is the Honey Cowl.  I made two of these last year so I'm pretty confident this will be finished before the end of the quarter. (Awful picture.  The yarn is actually blue.)

The next contestant is the result of my poor performance with last year's Lucky Stars BOM.  I am a wicked slow paper piecer.  I'm not holding out much hope but since I'm supposed to be more positive in 2014, here she is.
And bringing up the rear,

it's the Local quilt by Carolyn Friedlander.  This is also a paper pieced project, but the blocks don't appear to be very difficult.  Love the fabric for this.

Joyful stitching,
jane
 

Make it do

Use it up,

wear it out,

make it do,

or do without.

Make it do.  Yup, my motto for 2014.  It was kismet when I read Sarah's blog and saw that she was hosting the perfect way for me to start the year.

After the stress and excesses of the holidays, I'm ready to get back in touch with my thrifty side.  After going through my stash last night, I realized I probably would not have to buy any fabric in 2014 (but of course, I will). I went on a bit of a fabric binge in November, but haven't bought any since.  My fabric purchases in 2014 will be carefully thought out.

I've been looking at the Economy blocks that people have been posting and tried out a couple.

I enjoyed making these and will probably make a bunch more.  I'm not in any hurry, so this will be a long-term project.

I also started cutting another scrap project.

This will be a scrappy star quilt.  No purchases necessary.
And I finally cut into a fat-quarter pack of Simply Color that I purchased last summer.

The name of the pattern is Hexie Garden.  It's all cut and ready to go.

Joyful stitching,
jane

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