November ALYOF goal

Tick - Tick- No Excuses

If ever there was a project that had absolutely no good reason for taking so long, the one is it.  My son chose the design and approved the fabrics for his bed quilt so long ago I can't even remember.

Progress at October Retreat 

I've worked diligently on it at two retreats and several sessions at home.  The pattern is not too difficult for me, I like the fabric, I really WANT to gift it to him - none of the typical stumbling blocks apply here.

Parts from March Retreat

There has been progress.  It has rolled from month to month and although I feel a little like the quilter who cried wolf,  it is my official ALYOF project for November.  Goal Setting Linky party is open at Fiber of All Sorts and Sew BitterSweet Designs. 

We are after all headed rapidly to a new year and it will NOT be on my 2016 Resolution List.  Yup, you guessed right, it was included in this post from January 2015

Initial Pull

I've decided to keep the fabric almost exclusively Parson Gray, mixing from various lines rather than the scrappier pull shown here.  Framing it in a mid-to-dark border is also on the redesign plans and not just because I want to finish but because I think he will like it that way.

As usual, I'm strategically selecting on item from my 2015 FAL Q4 list as well.

Wish me luck and hop around to cheer on the other participants too!

Pie becomes a Turnover

There was plenty of sewing for me in the month of May and my ALYoF goal made progress but not a finish. Turning it over to June for the goal setting link up.

My friend came over on Sunday and we kept at it until there was a top to hold up and photograph.  I think it's so cute when one of my dogs photobombs.  This QDAD will become a reality, hopefully before the end of the month. 

my QDAD design 

Friday was sewday for our MQG and more hst parts were made for my sons quilt. It might be smart to tally and calculate my target so I don't make too many.  Both of these projects are on my 2015 FAL Q2 list and I'm feeling quite disciplined about that fact.  Linking to WIP Wednesday 

Saturday was filled with retreat prep and a fun day with the committee but no spoiler alerts  here.  I've also got one more surprise quilt that will be revealed as soon as it's gifted.

With three days back to back sewing I was on the verge of burn out and afraid I'd need to decompress this week but fortunately - so far - that's not the case and I'm happily stitching along. Hope you are too!

ALYoF April and Origami pouches

Done - Complete - Finished 

Amy Loves Kisses, delivered

There's nothing like the feeling of a finish, on time and delivered. I took it back to my sister and she loved it.  Linking up to ALYoF April goal party with a reference back to my goal setting post here. 

Amy's Backside 

One less WIP for her and a finished goal for me. That's a win win.  This is also the first of four 2015 FAL Q2 projects and a happy Finish It Up Friday too.

Charity Pouches for Pooches 

Origami Pouch - pieced version 

Last week I got together with my small quilt group the Fabric Hounds.  In the past we've donated quilts for a local auction event.  This year instead of one big collaborative item, they decided to make up several smaller things.  I volunteered to make all of the coordinating pouches to go along with the animal shaped coin purses they are sewing.  Yes I'm making more things but it still feels like the long end of the stick because these are a breeze. 

Finished Sides

We picked out fabrics for me to take home but the pretty V and Co Simply Color scraps weren't big enough.  I pieced them into an 18" square, problem solved.  Stitching along the sides make the inside seams are a little bulky with the extra layers but it looks nicely finished.   It really is a clever way to avoid raw edges.

Puppy Pouch 

Because I left the pattern on the counter when I walked out the door I referred to the YouTube video by Debbie Shore. I've got a couple more "modification" ideas bouncing around to try out.

Amy Loves Kisses, I love Retreats

I had commented that the colors in my sisters quilt were sweet as candy but I had to laugh at how true it was when I set down a handful on the table next to it.  The fabric line is "Love" is by Amy Butler so when I posted this photo on IG, the very clever Eileen @Luckycharm93635 commented "Amy Loves Kisses", ha ha.  This is my April ALoF 2015 linky goal. 

Building the Backing

Here's the pieced back - I sized the left over bars and alternated them with chunks of floral.   The front has a lot going on and adorable polkadots (see last post) were just too busy so the pink that reads as a solid won out along with the wavy stripe that will be the binding.

trim time - or not

An interested conversation on IG with Linda @flourishingpalms reminded me that when I first started quilting I use to attach my binding and then trim after.  There is more stability to it and an accurate trim from the stitch line but I've become impatient and like the feel of a "haircut" at this stage.  

View through the open door

We had gorgeous, gorgeous weather and such a pretty view out of the workroom door.  Both front and back were propped open until the sunset which comes much later than it does during our Fall Retreats.

Me & Anne

It seems as though I hardly ever get to hang out with Anne @playcrafts anymore so the extended four day weekend to sew, laugh, eat and chat was especially fun.  When I read the list of attendees I though I only knew a few but it turns out I'm just terrible at matching name with faces and recognized plenty.  My SIL came too and is joining our MQG, yeah.

Tassles, my bunk quilt

Packing which quilt gets to come along and adorn the cabin is kind of fun.  Last time it was Goats Askew, the time before my girly plus quilt.  On my first retreat it didn't occur to me until after to bring one.

Parts and Progress

Finally - the long awaited quilt for my son is more than just a stack of fabric.  I'll have to collect more light fabrics but I'm thrilled with the results so far.  At first I wasn't sure if the directional was going to bother me but I like it up and down and side to side just fine.

 Block Mock up

Also contemplating if I'll mix other than Parson Gray into it or not. Either way, it's a WIP Wednesday!

Sandwiched

Plans were for a FMQ marathon to take advantage of the massive space to spread out- that didn't happen.  It wasn't until towards the end but I did manage to sandwich what I came with and we're having a Sew Day soon.

Workspace

There are a lot of foodies who are also quilters and love to cook.  I however fall on the polar opposite of that stereotype which is one of the reasons all-inclusive is so appealing.  Three meals a day and snacks in between are my kind of arrangments.

Fresh Guacamole 

Happy Valley Conference Center does a wonderful job with local growers and with making things from scratch.  The only thing wrong with the sorbet was that it melted in the sun the day we ate on the patio and that I couldn't take a gallon of it home with me.

Cinnamon Rolls

The fresh cinnamon rolls were available for order the last day- to entice your family to let you come back again and again when you return with a tray of them in your hands.

The next Quilt Retreat for me will be in six months at our 4th Annual MQG private event held here but if you're local and interested in attending a Craft Retreat, check out Jen's dates for the rest of 2015.

Travel Handmade WIP Wednesday and more

Mixing up Favorite Fabrics

Sewing my stash counts even when it's my precious bits and relatively recent acquisition.  I used pinking shears to be safe.  Deciding what to put where was fun.  The pocket size needed adjusting to avoid the horse loosing his feet and fortunately the giraffe ducked his head exactly right once sewn in.  The number of hours this simple bag has taken is laughable. I could have made an entire quilt top!  

Taylor Made Bag

  And yet I'm pretty pleased and proud of myself for installing a functioning zipper and nearly completing a travel handmade for Quiltcon in time. WIP Wednesday link up at Freshly Pieced and claiming this as my February ALYOF goal too.

Houston Quilt Festival

I got to use the amazing handcrafted fabric picked up from the Turtle Hand booth for the pocket trim and lining along with some Houston Mqg Festival meet-up winnings  "Grace" too.

IG for February

Keeping My On Track

Have you seen the #soakphotochallenge IG feed this month? I enjoyed last time and found some new friends to follow so as of day 3 I'm playing along.

An Official Finish

I made this block for Tina and am calling it a finish- yeah!  Can't wait to see them all together because as I've mentioned on more than one occasion - collaboration rocks. 

More Winning - Who, Me?

Bundle is in the mail 

Guess who won again ?  Me. Yup. A lovely bundle of Belle Suede by P&B thanks to Quilters Newsletter and the Tradition with A Twist blog hop.

My Very Own Copy

Here's hoping that a bit of luck spreads your direction.

SPARK week - Day One and a Sewing Weekend

QDAD 01.04.2015

A Glorious & Colorful First Weekend of The New Year

As I mentioned, this week kicks off my turn to upload the inspiration photos for the week for QDAD,  "Quilt Design A Day", a Facebook group that I belong to.  There were a few pictures and/or places that I had in my head to use in anticipation of this.   

The View from Mr. Toot's Coffeehouse, Capitola Village

I've been having fun for days obsessing (in a good way) over tweaking each image just so to generate the right colors using PlayCrafts Palette Builder.  The photo below is the one that I had in my folder to use for today, until this morning that is.

Original Spark Photos Chosen

Although I like this picture from a walk recently with baby grand girl and hubby, I really didn't want the design element of the seagull to be so dominant.  It would have been fine I'm sure.  But on my way home from the donut shop I detoured to the beach and took the shots at the top of this post.  

A Flash Back Palette 

Camping trip circa 1990

In the back of my mind I kept thinking the combination of colors reminded me of something from the past - then it dawned on me it was an O'Neill's ski jacket hubby had  (his wetsuit was similar too as I recall).  I dug through a box of photos and found this one to share for kicks.

Because members live all over the world and I'm on Pacific Time, I'm posting in the evening of the night before and then get to wake up and see what designed have been added to the folder for that day.  

Around The World Blog Hop Hops On

Remember when I tagged Debbie @ Shadows of The Blue Ridge ? Now it's time for her to post about herself and the quilting creations she's working on.  Be sure to hop on over and check it out.

Hashtag x 3

#scrappylogcabinQAL #useitorlooseitstashchallenge #sewmystash2015

That's right, I'm not double dipping on IG, I'm triple dipping with this project and made some progress this weekend. linking up to Oh Scrap!

One Entire Block Done (snicker sarcastically) 

All centers framed in LV

The plan is to build them out to measure 16" with a 4x4 layout and making the blocks and sewing them into a TOP is my January ALYoF goal.  Linking up to WIPWednesday at Freshly Pieced. 

good times on IG

 I'm reminded of the "drop everything" and make a Scrappy Trip Along.  That one got finished and donated for an auction quilt which is way better than another UFO.  Hopefully this time around will be as successful and fun.

My sewing room was cold (a relative term these day) so I invaded the living room making these two pus happy.  Sending my friends in colder places rays of virtual sunshine and warm thoughts. 

Fresh Sewing Day and December 2014 aLYOF Goal

Fresh Sewing Day - How is it December?

IG mini Swap

Turns out that taking a picture of a mini by yourself is more difficult than I thought.  I'm constantly challenged with getting a decent photo of my larger quilts that require two sets of hands but at least those drape well.

A quick stop at the beach for fabulous natural lighting paid off.  The seagulls were missing the tourists and one in particular was quite the poser.  Fortunately, nobody pooped :) Following the IG feed has been fun now that packages are arriving - fingers crossed! 

That's me on the right

Although two finished quilts for the month felt like a huge accomplishment, it also meant that not a lot else got done.  There was sewing involved in the crafting of my clever slippers for the SBA MQG PJ Party and slipper contest so I'm including them.  And yes, those are Munki Munki's with adorable Heather Ross fabric I've got on.

Redwood Grove Wedding Quilt

I just shared the finish and gifting of this one last post so I'll include a different photo and them looking down at the quilt - such an adorable couple. 

aLYOF December Goal

Veggies 

Now for what's on my plate for December (pun intended).  I'm sticking with items from my Q4 2014 FAL goals to double dip so I'm serving up Veggies and linking up at aLYOF with Melissa and Shanna.  I'm planning on making a gift. Linking up to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.

Speaking of the Finish Along - did you hear it's headed to New Zealand with Adrianne for 2015?  I started way, way back in the beginning here in the USA with Rhonda 2012, kept up pretty good with Leanne 2013 when it jumped over to neighboring Canada,  and have tried really hard to hold on with Katy in the UK this year.  No matter if I link up every quarter or get all my goals met, I still like to visit other participants to see their progress and send a big huge thank you to the hosts of FAL past, present and future. 

Here's hoping for some Holiday Handmade.

Redwood Grove quilt

Redwood Grove Wedding Quilt

With the help of late night marathon sewing at our recent SBAMQG Quilt Retreat and a bit luck, my FAL Q4 project Redwood Grove has been gifted.   I'd hoped to complete it there but instead brought it home with about 1/3 FMQ done and kept going.

I managed to enlarge and finish the wedding quilt for my niece and her husband and deliver it in person at Thanksgiving - well before their first anniversary and in time for Finish it Up Friday and Whoop Whoop linky parties the aLYOF November goal and 2014 FALQ4 deadlines.   

For the binding, I used two similar fabrics (the green and the blue/green) that were in the quilt and included a pop out of the dark bamboo fabric in just one spot.  Also tossed here and there in the quilt you'll find some brighter rust because as much as I tried to narrow the palette to a cool calm one they had requested, I couldn't help myself.  

Basting at 3am on the floor of the workroom while most of the other attendees at the retreat were fast asleep.  Fortunately there were a couple of other hard core worker bees still at it and they were nice enough to help me manage this beast.   After adding two rows to the side and spicing in another 12" to the bottom the final size is 91"x 87" to give a better drape on their queen bed. 

Detail of Erik's Quilt

Working from stash felt good and I have quite a large batik collection that I still like despite not having added to it in awhile.  To give their quilt a touch of sentiment and cousins loving, I incorporated the fabrics that I used for the two quilts that I had previously made for my sons.    

Kyle's Quilt

My Q4 FAL 2014 goals are now at 2/7 with the finish of my IGmini swap quilt.  It'll be mailed off in a few days and I had better remember to take a photo of it bound.  This shot is from the retreat (matchstick at midnight) as well and I just love the lashes of Aurifil that were created.