2015 Year End Wrap Up

As the end of 2015 approaches, I look back on the list of projects I wanted to accomplish this year.   I basically completed my list, with a few exceptions.

* five charity quilts - completed here and here

* four quilts in various stages of being pieced that I take to Sew Ins - still in progress - Perhaps if I'd stop starting new projects, these would be finished already.

* quilt-as-you-go pillows - tossed out - No more working on projects I don't enjoy.

* Gray Square Scramble - completed here

* Mini Lotus - completed here

* Seaside table runner - completed here 

* Tankini table runner - completed here 

* Doll quilt for goddaughter - completed here 

* Wishes Quilt Along - changed my mind - other projects piqued my interest more

* Triangle Quilt Along - completed here

* Two Baby Quilts - completed here

* Night Sky from Jaybird Quilts - completed here - but only the quilt top - I haven't decided on how to quilt it, and I don't want to rush making a decision.

* Radiant Star (or Lone Star) - did not start as I couldn't decide on fabric and I lost interest in the pattern

* Plus Quilt - completed here

* Kona Sunset Charm Squares - completed here

* Quilt of Valour project - did not start as I did not find a pattern I wanted to use

* Fox and Friends from Sew Fresh Quilts - completed here

* Debby Kratovil's Block of the Month 2015 - did not start as I didn't choose fabric.  I may complete in 2016.

* Charity quilts for our local children's hospital - completed here and here and here

* HST blocks for Maritime Modern Quilt Guild charity quilts - completed here

* Coiled fabric bowls - did not end up making more bowls

I started and completed other projects that were not on my original list.  And the projects I didn't finish were as a result of my choosing not to make them.

I'm working on my list for 2016.  The list is just a guideline to help keep me focused so I don't lose sight of projects.

I bid farewell to a wonderful 2015.  And look forward to an even better 2016.

2016 Planning

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl is hosting a 2016 Planning Party.  It's an opportunity to think about goals, plans, and wishes for the coming year.

Reflecting back on 2015 and looking forward to 2016, I plan to to accomplish the following:

1.  I will organize my sewing room (and keep it organized).  I have been slowing sorting through my fabric and organizing it by colour.

2.  I will continue to make charity quilts for our local children's hospital.  They are also in need of larger quilts for teens in the mental health section, so I will ensure that I make at least one twin size.

3.  I will update my blog and learn more about how to improve the look, such as a custom logo/header.

4.  I will continue to try new things.  I have already joined the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club and Stash Bee.

5.  I will make pattern for the block I designed, Floored.


Have you set your goals for 2016?

Best of 2015

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a Best of 2015 linky party.  It's a chance to reflect back on 2015.

2015 was the year of trying new things.

1.  Improv Piecing

In March, my guild, Maritime Modern Quilt Guild, hosted a workshop on improv piecing.  I was a bit reluctant to participate, but decided to step outside of my comfort zone.  I am very pleased with these two projects that are now on the wall in my sewing room.

2.  Longarm

In April, I purchased a used longarm machine from Val @ Purple Boots and Pigtails because she upgraded to the Robot.  It was partly an impulse purchase, but it's something that I secretly wanted to have but never thought I'd have the money or the opportunity.  It's been fun working on my FMQ skills, and I look forward to learning more in 2016.


3.  Gravity Quilt

2015 was the the year of using lots of Kona and Jaybird Quilt patterns.  And so when Val told me she was participating in a Gravity QAL, it was an easy decision to jump on board with her.

4.  Quilt Block Design

I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop.  Part of that adventure afford me the opportunity to design a quilt block.  My block is Floored.   Thanks to my bee-mate Dena for helping with the dimensions and to Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal for the block name.

5.  The Quilter's Planner

I was still riding the high of having designed a quilt block.  And then Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter took it to a whole new level.  She had been designing a quilter's planner, and it was finally coming to fruition.  And my Floored block was going to be featured in the planner.  Pick me up off the floor.  Not only was I able to design a block, but it was actually going to be in print.  I would never have imagined this in a million years.  I can't wait to get my hands on my planner.

What were your highlights of 2015?

Christmas Friday Finish

Merry Christmas!

Today's Friday Finish is also my December goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes.  This is the final ALYOF for 2015, and it has been great participating this year.  The monthly goal setting has kept me on track with projects.

My December goal was to quilt my Glimmer quilt and matching pillow.

I decided to do star FMQ, with some loops thrown in.

I used the following Kona colours for the top and the striped binding:

• Wisteria and Tulip
• Pomegranate and Carnation
• Chartreuse and Citrus
• Meringue for the background

And the matching pillow:

I love a hidden zipper back.  Thanks to Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts for sharing the following tutorial by S.O.T.A.K. Handmade

Linking up for the final TGIFF for 2015 hosted by Alisa @ Knit-Spin-Quilt:

WIP Wednesday - More Pattern Testing

Julia @ Jada's Quilting Adventures needed someone to help test a pattern, so I offered to help out.  The pattern is called Additions.

I forgot to take photos during the piecing process, but luckily I remembered before I sewed the blocks together.  Kona Yarrow for the win!!

The pattern calls for 10 fat quarters -- two blocks from each fat quarter.  I had a collection of seven fat quarters, so a couple repeat four times.

The blocks create a secondary pattern.

And once again, I need to decide on a quilting motif.  Why is it so hard to make a decision???

I'm linking up this WIP with:

         

Mini Mini Collection

Back in October, I jumped on the mini mini bandwagon.  I first swapped with Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal and with Leanne @ Devoted Quilter.  Since then, I've swapped with:

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl:

It's reversible!  I think Yvonne knows that I love orange.

Tiny paper pieced flying geese from my friend Dena (who definitely knows that orange is my favourite colour):

A 2.5-inch mini from Kathy @sewitsme61 on Instagram:

And an improv mini from Lisa @ Sunlight in the Winter Quilts:

Here are the minis I created:

I now have six minis, so that's a collection!  Time to figure out how to display them in my sewing room.

Linking up with:

           

Friday Finish - The Procrastination Is Over!

As you may remember, I have been procrastinating about quilting four quilt tops.  This week, I bit the bullet and got one done!!

This is Delight, a WIP from last month.  I decided to do FMQ loops.  I used the leftover fabric to make a scrappy binding.

It was so windy, and the quilt would not stay put.

As it was dancing in the wind, I captured a photo from the back.  It looks like stained glass.

I like FMQ loops!  I think this will work on one of the other tops sitting in the pile.  Hoping to find the time this weekend for another finish.

Here's a glimpse of the back.

This quilt does not have a home yet, but I'm so pleased with the quilting, I'm tempted to keep it for myself.

If you have a finish this week, link up with:

TGIFF hosted by Iris @ Crazy Dutch Bird Quilts
Finish it up Friday hosted by Crazy Mom Quilts

Whoomp There It Is! hosted by A Quilted Passion

WIP Wednesday - Mystery Unveiled

The mystery quilt is starting to take shape!!  Cheryl over at Meadow Mist Designs has created this wonderful monthly mystery quilt, and I have been having a lot of fun the past six months.  There is still time to join...especially now that you know what the blocks look like.

The Court House step blocks that were made back in October were cut into four sections.  I suspected that the blocks would be cut because they were so large in comparison to the other blocks, but I was still nervous as I was cutting.

The four sections were then pieced with the sections that were made back in November.  And voila!  New even larger blocks:  eight full blocks and two half blocks.

I wish my favourite colour orange had ended up being the large star.  But in any event, I still like the block.

You can read about my mystery quilt journey:

July - Cutting

August - Flying Geese

September - Square in Square

October - Court House Steps

November - Piecing

I'm showing off my WIP with the following linkups:

         

Finish Friday - Gravity Pillows

It's been seven months since I began the Gravity quilt journey.  Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts hosted the QAL, and you may recall my finished Gravity posted last month.

Myra added one more linkup:  the Gravity pillow.  Since I put so much work into making Gravity, I decided I needed matching pillows.

I tried a new tutorial for a hidden zippered back:  S.O.T.A.K. Handmade.  It's a great tutorial, and I think I'll be doing this from now on, instead of an envelope back.  Thanks to Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts for pointing me in the right direction.

I carried the quilting from Gravity over to the pillows.

Backing fabric is Flight Patterns by Tamara Kate for Michael Miller Fabrics.

Thanks to Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts for hosting this QAL.

If you have a finish this week, link up with:

TGIFF hosted by M-R @ Quilt Matters
Finish it up Friday hosted by Crazy Mom Quilts

Whoomp There It Is! hosted by A Quilted Passion