Celebration!!

One year ago today, my blog started with a hastily put together post late at night so I could participate in The Library Project hosted by Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts.  It's amazing what one will do for the chance to win a prize.

Huge thanks to my friend Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge for her encouragement to start this blog and for all her support and advice over the past year.  Also thanks to Linda aka Scrapmaster and to M-R over at Quilt Matters for their tips and suggestions on how to improve the layout of my blog.  It's great to have friends near and far willing to share their knowledge and expertise.

So what's one to do for an anniversary...buy presents of course!!  So I treated myself to new some Kona.  I won a Gee's Bend pattern from Debby Kratovil Quilts, and she allowed me to choose from her eight patterns.   I choose Medallion Variation:

Medallion Variation by Debby Kratovil

So off to my LQS last night.  One my bee mates works at my LQS, and she did an awesome job putting together this collection of delicious Kona.  Thanks N!!!

Poppy - Black - Corn Yellow - Jamaica - Turquoise- Purple - Yarrow - Grass Green - Pomegranate

Since it would be awkward to ask all of you to buy me a present for my anniversary, I've decided to give away a present instead.  Comment on this post (by Saturday, February 28) for a chance to win a little something from me.  Anniversaries and birthdays are a time to reflect.  What are you grateful for, or what makes you happy?

I'm grateful for all my quilting and blog friends.  It's been a great year!  Now on to year two.

4 x 7 Sewing Challenge - Week Three Begins

Week two of Berry Barn Designs 4 x 7 Sewing Challenge ended on a high note -- there was  a lot accomplished this past week.  Having accountability and breaking projects into smaller manageable pieces is the key to success.

Day 8
Made a microwave soup bowl holder and trimmed Kona HST's.

Day 9
Started sewing HST's.

Day 10
Finished sewing HST's and played with various layouts.

Day 11
Pieced HST's together for finished quilt top

Wall hanging for my sewing room.

Day 12
No actual sewing as it was the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild's monthly meeting.  Received lots of quilting ideas for my HST project.  Now re-thinking my straight-line diagonal plan.  Consensus is free motion in the Charcoal sections to make the colours pop.  Hmmm...think I have been convinced to do FMQ -- just need to decide on a motif.

Day 13
Made a baby quilt from beginning to end.  Love vacation days!!!

Kona Capri for the binding.

Day 14
Sandwiched two charity quilts and quilted this one:

Inside photo because wicked storm outside.

I've been keeping track of my daily progress on a calendar to stay focused on this challenge.  Think it will become a part of my sewing routine.  It's a great way to keep track of what you're doing, and it's a good planning tool.

Thanks to Sarah for hosting this challenge!

Off to do some more sewing as I'm tired of shovelling wet, heavy snow.  Spring, where are you??

I ♥ Kona!!

Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge threw down the challenge to create a Kona bundle.

Who knew it would be so hard to choose just four.  I was trying to stay away from my favourite orange, but I couldn't resist.  Here are Sunny, Papaya, Orange, and Kumquat.

Sunny - Papaya - Orange - Kumquat

These delicious colours are in my stash.  I have used Papaya and Orange previously, but these four are part of the wonderful 24 Kona colours in my Night Sky quilt by Jaybird Quilts.  Stay tuned...I'm still in the process of cutting pieces.

I also have Lemon, Bright Pink, and Lapis.  I bought these because they intrigued me, but have no idea what to make yet.  Any suggestions for a fourth colour?

Lemon -Bright Pink - Lapis

What are you favourite Kona colours?

Linking up with Do you Heart Kona?

I ♥ Orange.

TGIFF - A Quilt in a Day!

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you ignore housework and others tasks that need to be done.  Today was an extremely productive vacation day -- a baby quilt completed from start to finish.

Decided to use the leftover fabric from a commissioned quilt:

Instead of my usual diagonal quilting, I decided straight-line quilting on both sides of the seam.  I've seen Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts do this and thought I'd give it a try.  I like it...I like it a lot.

Aren't these owls the cutest!

Hoping to be as productive tomorrow, although I do need to do a bit of housework and laundry.  On Sunday, I'm off to a workshop hosted by Scrapmaster to learn how to make fabric postcards.  Can't wait!

TGIFF is hosted by M-R over at Quilt Matters.  Drop by to see what she's been up.

Also linking up with Finish it up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

WIP Wednesday - HST Wall Hanging

Thanks for all the suggestions on possible layouts for my HST project.  In the end, for the first row and subsequent odd-numbered rows, light to dark going left to right.  And then moving down to the even-numbered rows, light to dark going right to left.

At 32 x 40 inches, this will become a wall hanging for my sewing room.

It was difficult to arrange the colours, as some of the Kona's were very close in colour.  There are two blue-green blocks in the top row that don't really belong with either green or blue, and some of the light blue ones had a hint of violet in them.  But I'm happy because I used the Kona Sunrise charm pack and now have an interesting wall hanging for my sewing room.

My first thought is to quilt diagonally -- bottom left to top right -- on both sides of the seam.  But not sure what colour thread to use.  Would love to hear your suggestions on quilting and thread colour.

Linking up with:

4 x 7 Week One Success!

And so begins week two of the 4 x 7 challenge hosted by Sarah over at Berry Barn Designs.  Week one was a great success -- at least 30 minutes of sewing each day!!

The HST's were joined in pairs, so the end result was a diamond of each colour. Still debating on the layout.  Light to dark in each colour family?  Or random?  Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Disappointed with photos on the iPad -- the colours look dull.

One of my Bee Christmas gifts was a microwave bowl holder -- so you don't burn your hands on the hot bowl.

Bee Christmas Gift

So I decided to make one to have at work:

My bowl holder

Thanks to Sarah for hosting the 4 x 7 challenge.  It's been great to have the accountability to make time for myself.

Have you made time for yourself this week?

It's Finished...Friday

My friend Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge is hosting this week's Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday -- TGIFF.  Hop on over to see what she (and others) have been creating.

I committed myself to the 4 x 7 sewing challenge over at Berry Barn Designs, and so far this week, I have succeeded in sewing each day.  Today's 30 minutes of sewing achieved the binding on this charity quilt that has been hanging around my sewing room far too long.

Shovelling snow was too much work, so break time for some photos.  An hour of shovelling by myself and then another hour with my nephew after the photo break.  Thank goodness he didn't have school today.  It was worth the $10 sacrifice from my fabric budget.  The snow is gone, but there is still almost two inches of ice on the driveway and walkway.  Spring...where are you????

Some sewing on the Kona HST's:

I've decided to join A Lovely Year of Finishes 2015 to keep on track with projects.  My February goal is to finish my Kona HST project.

What have you finished this week?  Be proud and shout it out loud!

4 x 7 Sewing Challenge

Sarah over at Berry Barn Designs has come up with an awesome sewing challenge:  sew 30 minutes a day for the month of February.  My goal has been to incorporate sewing/quilting into every day; however, life always seems to get in the way.  Sarah's challenge will be a way to make myself accountable to this goal.  So here goes.....

Day 1
Finally decided on a pattern for the Kona Sunset charm pack I won back in the fall.  The beginning of some HST's:

Laundry needed to be done, so toss in a load, set the timer for 30 minutes. and then start sewing.  Tomorrow's goal will be to cut the squares in half and press open.  The key to the challenge will be small achievable goals for each day.

What's interrupting your ability to sew 30 minutes day?  Good luck to us all.

P.S.  In case you're wondering (you know you were!), the Kona colours are:  Crocus, Mulberry, Magenta, Violet, Pansy, Petunia, Thistle, Orchid, Lilac, Lavender, Amethyst, Brt. Peri, Deep Blue, Surf, Lapis, Blue Jay, Candy Blue, Periwinkle, Grapemist, Cornflower, Blueberry, Lake, Cloud, Baby Blue, Robin Egg, Aqua, Azure, Bahama Blue, Peacock, Turquoise, Jade Green, Candy Green, Aloe, Pond, Ice Frappe, Mint, Honey Dew, Pear, Pistachio, Sour Apple, Kiwi, Fern, and Clover.

Finish Friday - HST Charity Quilt

Not a lot of sewing this week, but I finished this charity quilt today while enjoying a vacation day.

The fabric was from a fat quarter collection from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday over at  Crazy Mom Quilts and with TGIFF over at From Bolt to Beauty.

2015 Project To-Do List

The to-do list keeps growing...and growing...and growing -- I forgot about the unfinished projects from 2014....

Carry Over WIP's:

• five charity quilts (two are sandwiched and ready to quilt; three need to be sandwiched and then quilted)
• four quilts in various stages of being pieced that I take to Sew Ins
• quilt-as-you-go pillows that I am not enjoying -- I hate to waste fabric, but I'm thinking of tossing this WIP and trying another QAYG pillow project.
• Gray Square Scramble - not sure know how to quilt - Would love to hear your suggestions.

Now on to the new 2015 list:

Projects Already Started:

• Mini Lotus wall hanging - fabric is cut - piecing in progress
• Seaside table runner - completed
• Tankini table runner - completed
• Doll quilt for goddaughter - completed
• Wishes Quilt Along - fabric needs to be cut and then start piecing
• Triangle Quilt Along - fabric is cut - need to start piecing
• Two Baby Quilts - fabric is cut - need to start piecing

Projects to Start:

• Night Sky from Jaybird Quilts - fabric needs to be cut and then start piecing
• Radiant Star (or Lone Star) - need to calculate fabric requirements and find fabric
• Plus Quilt - need a few more coordinating fabrics
• Kona Sunset Charm Squares - need to decide on a pattern
• Quilt of Valour project
• Fox and Friends from Sew Fresh Quilts - need to purchase the pattern
• Debby Kratovil's Block of the Month 2015 - I'm drawn to this, so might give it a try.

Miscellaneous Projects:

• Charity quilts for our local children's hospital
• HST blocks for Maritime Modern Quilt Guild charity quilts
• Coiled fabric bowls

I'm sure more items will be added throughout the year as I see new projects that I MUST try.  I may not finish everything on this list, but I'm okay with that.  The list is to keep me focused and on track.

Linking up with:

Show Off Saturday: Doll Quilt

The goal for today was to piece (and hopefully quilt) Mini Lotus.  The instructions are clear and the piecing fairly easy, but...the pieces are soooo small.  I was not in the right frame of mind for this project today so only 4 blocks of 28 were completed.

The sides are about 6 inches long.

Next on the list was a doll quilt for my goddaughter's Build-a-Bear Sarah.

I was using leftover 5-inch squares so had to be creative with the layout.  I think it's time for a new camera or better lighting in my sewing room -- the triangles on the left side are purple, and the long strip of triangles next to the purple is teal.  The colours clearly did not come through.

Blue testing the quilt to make sure it's warm enough.

Linking up with Show Off Saturday over at Sew Can She:

Double Finish Friday!

Give this girl a gold star...make that two gold stars!!  Two finishes to brag about.

Thanks for the suggestions on how to quilt the Seaside table runner. Zig zag quilting was the winner, which was my first thought.

This was my first attempt using Jaybird Quilts' Sidekick ruler.  Great ruler, with lots of versatility.

On to the Atkinson Designs table runner.  The Hex N More ruler came in handy for cutting the triangles.

That's Kona Curry in case you were wondering.

This project was quick to cut out and just as quick to piece - will definitely use this pattern again.

Two projects completed on my 2015 to-do list (which is still not fully finalized).  What a great way to start the year.  Hoping to continue this quilting high and finish the Mini Lotus this weekend.

Linking up with TGIFF, which is being hosted by Val over at Val's Quilting Studio:

WIP Wednesday - Another Table Runner

My ability to sew has been limited for the past week, so cutting has become my new hobby.

I've already made one pattern from Atkinson Designs, so thought I'd try another:

Remembered I had a bit of yardage from a previous project:

As this WIP is smaller than the other projects I have on the go, I'm hoping to get it pieced tonight.  Can't wait to see how it looks put together.

Linking up with:

Sunday Stash - Quilt Labels

My quilt labels arrived!!!

Not quite orange enough for me, but I love them anyway.

Thanks to a tip from Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, these were ordered from Mommie Made It.

Not much sewing this weekend but managed to cut fabric for the Mini Lotus from Jaybird Quilts.  I won the pattern and Mini Hex N More ruler from an online contest.

Hoping that I'll be able to get some sewing done this week.

Linking up with:

Finish (almost) Friday: Seaside Table Runner

It's an almost Finish Friday.  The piecing is done on the Seaside table runner.

Still debating on how to quilt this.  Would love to hear your opinions.

Not much sewing this week, but lots of thinking about my 2015 project list.

Linking up with TGIFF being hosted by M-R over at Quilt Matters.

First Finish of 2015

The past two weeks have been a good break from sewing and blogging...and everything else.  But now it's back to a regular routine...and to catch up on reading blog posts.

All the projects I wanted to complete by the end of 2014 did not get finished.  But I'm okay with that.  There are three projects that I want to save for Sew In days with Maritime Modern Quilt Guild.  I prefer piecing projects when I'm sewing away from home.  Two projects are sandwiched and ready to be quilted.  There is one project that I'm not sure how to quilt, and I finished this one:

Quick photo in the rain

Finished late afternoon today, amidst a snow/rain storm.  I wanted to get some photos before it got dark.  The rain seemed to slow a bit, so I ran out into the backyard.  But sadly only had a few minutes before the rain quickened.

And now it's really raining so had to hurry.

No, QJ...I don't know what Kona colours I used other than Silver for the background.  I suspect the green is Chartreuse.  I'll have to figure out the colours so I can check them off on my new Kona colour check list.

UPDATE:  Kona colours are School Bus, Pomegranate, Turquoise, Chartreuse, and Silver.

My 2015 project list hasn't made it to paper yet, although I do have some ideas.

• Seaside table runner by Jaybird Quilts - The fabric is cut and ready to be sewn.  I'm not really a fan of table runners, but they do add something to a dining room table.
• Mini Lotus by Jaybird Quilts.  I won the pattern and mini Hex N More through an online contest.  I'm hoping I have enough fabric from the Seaside table runner to make a matching wall hanging.
• Radiant Star.  Thanks to my MMQG members for identifying the pattern in a photo of a quilt that I liked.
• Tankini table runner by Atkinson Designs.  I made the Merry-Go-Round table runner for a Bee Christmas gift, so I thought I'd try another pattern.
• Wishes Quilt Along by Fat Quarter Club.  I purchased the fabric but somehow lost sight of this project.  Better late than never.

I need to figure out what gifts I'll be making this year so I won't be scrambling at the last minute.