Winners Announced: 2017 Finish-A-Long Q4

Today is the day we are delighted to announce the winners for Q4 of the 2017 Finish-A-Long, thus bringing the 2017 Finish-A-Long to an official close.

If you are low on inspiration or maybe your sewing mojo has been missing lately, we highly recommend you visit some of the finishes from the last quarter of the year.  There are a lot of beauties linked up and ready to inspire you!

Thank you again to our generous sponsors. Without further ado, the winners - each picked by the random number generator - of the Q4 FAL prizes are:

The Q4 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Just Jude Designs goes to Kristin, she blogs at Gumdrops and made this really pretty colorful scrappy quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop goes to Julie on Instagram (@julieschloemer) and she finished this stunning Criss Cross Applesauce quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Charm About You goes to Swooze who blogs at Swooze's Quilts and Tall Tales and she finished this lovely quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop goes to Crystal who blogs at Crystal's Creations and she made this really fun Halloween tote:

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The Q4 Winner of a surprise package from Marci Girl Designs goes to Cathy who blogs at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting and she finished this lovely scrappy quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Tartankiwi goes to Chiska who blogs at Muddy Spring and she finished this adorable little baby turtle quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the 3 PDF patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts goes to Mary who blogs at Mary Emmens and she finished this handy fold up pouch (along with a ton of other projects from Aneela Hoey's book):

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The Q4 Winner of the $50 gift certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Anne who blogs at Said With Love and she finished this stunning quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the 3 PDF Patterns from During Quiet Time goes to Jenny who blogs at The Lilac Cat and she finished this bright and colorful quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of your choice of 3 individual patterns from Happy Quilting goes to Kate who blogs at Katie Mae Quilts and she finished this awesome Minecraft quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Cooking Up Quilts goes to Becky on Instagram (@thesparrowstitchery) and she finished this bright and cheery throw pillow:

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The Q4 Winner of the 3 PDF patterns from Sew Sweetness goes to Lisa who blogs at Lisa in Port Hope and she finished this super cute little pouch:

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The Q4 Winner of the $30 gift certificate from Knotted Thread goes to Kim who blogs at The Quilter at Osage Hill and she made this pretty four patch quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the Camp Bag Pattern Pack from The Littlest Thistle goes to Sheila who blogs at Chez Budsmam and she made this fun and pretty quilt:

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The Q4 Winner of the $15 gift certificate from Green Fairy Quilts goes to Kirsten who blogs at Gemini Stitches and she crocheted this festive Christmas bunting:

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The Q4 Winner of the 2 PDF patterns from Quilting Jet Girl goes to Nicole who blogs at Handwrought Quilts and she finished this simply stunning quilt:

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The Q4 Winners (3) of a six month subscription each to Make Modern Magazine goes to

1. Beth on Instagram (@bhaferko) and she made this lovely quilted set for her son:

2. Beth who blogs at The Anonymous Blueberry Muffin Thief Sews and she embroidered this spooky bat wall hanging:

3. Katy on Instagram (@pudgypenguincrafts) and she finished this lovely Sew Together bag:

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The Q4 Winner of the $30 gift certificate from Clover & Violet goes to Tracey who blogs at It's A T-Sweets Day and she finished this crochet Stardust Melodies Afghan:

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The Q4 Winner of the $20 gift certificate from Sew Me A Song goes to Terry who blogs at On Going Projects and she finished this black swimsuit:

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The Q4 Winner of the $40 gift certificate from Imagine Gnats goes to Mindy at Operation Domestic Goddess and she finished this adorable My Little Pony costume for her little one:

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The Q4 Winner of the $25 gift certificate from Studio 39 Fabrics goes to Anja who blogs at Anja Quilts and she finished a mini letter A quilt:

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Congratulations to all the winners!! Thank you for joining us in 2017, we truly hope the Finish-A-Long has helped you finish up those works in progress this last year.

A special thank you to our hosts this past year for all of their hard work and time.  A big thank you the sponsors for 2017.  Last but not least thanks to those of you that have played along with us during this past year and previous years, the Finish-A-Long wouldn't be here if it weren't for all of you and your WIP's and finishes!

We hope that you are joining us in 2018, the first quarter is about half-way through so you still have plenty of time to finish up those projects.  If you missed the first quarter link up, please consider joining us in April when the second link up opens.

Throwback Photoshoot and PQS9.3 Voting Time

First off, head on over to Project Quilting HERE because voting just opened and you get to choose your top 10 picks.  Wink, wink I'd love to have my entry one of them (it's #6 on the list of over a hundred!).  Read all about the tote I made "Forge your Own Path" for the Bold and Brave theme in my last post and shown at the bottom of the page.

Photo Session at Sew Day

Photo shoot at Sew Day 

The February prompt for BeeSewcial is "Timeline" and Stephanie has asked us to make a personal totem representing important people and events in our lives from birth to present time.  Working out the specifics of what to include and reflecting back on it all has been a really great process.

Timeline Bee Block Fabric Pull

I knew that I wanted to include my creative journey as a category and mark certain key points like learning to sew in 4-H, joining Flickr, starting my blog etc.  What I found in digging for dates is that I really did not photograph the earlier quilts very well.  Thank goodness there are snapshots for breadcrumbs to follow but what was missing on most is a full finish reveal.

photo credit Darlene reopost from  SBAMQG

The idea of documenting quilts was also fresh in my mind because I had read about QuiltAlliance and their Quilt Story Roadshow and also one of my guild mates had created photo books and a calendar of her quilts and shared at Sew and Tell last meeting.

Anyway - long story long, I asked her to bring the stand to our Sew Day so that I could hang and photograph my most recent big finish, the King Clam and while I was at it, several other that I still own and don't have a proper picture of.

King Clam - the quilt for our bed

This included the three other "beasts" that are our own bed quilts. They range in size between 105" and 110" square and are too big to simply hold up on the porch.   The Bento Box in pink batik and indigo was made from fabrics gathered while vacationing in Kauai 2010/2011.  The pattern is by Tracy Brookshier (a fellow guild mate)  Lava Lamp was made from stash around the same time and I sewed matching shams for them both.   For years I rotated those two on our bed Spring/Summer then Fall/Winter.   In 2013 the x-Plus took their place year round.  I love the mixed scale blocks and layout.   You can find the fussy cut bonus HST tutorial on my blog HERE.

It was a nice chance to take a close look at some favorite fabrics and quilting motifs especially on the quilts that have been sitting in a stack unused. The two other quilts were Goats Askew was made as a test score in 2014 for The Improv Handbook For for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood of Daintytime.  It didn't make it in the book but is linked from her gallery.  I posted about it HERE.  And lastly, a scrappy cross quilt made from stash March 2011.  It is backed with flannel which I use to use regularly. 

Bento Box -Batiks and Indigo from Kauaii

Not only is the inside space at Community Foundation of Santa Cruz ideal for stitching with friends, sharing technique, inspiration and making memories but the exterior makes for the best backdrop.   There was early morning glare and then the wind did pick up in the afternoon but I managed to pull off my task along with several other guild mates who photographed using the stand.

a "Chelfie" because - we color match!

There wasn't much actual stitching done on my part but I did trim the rest of my quarter circle blocks to prepare for QuiltCon's workshop.    I've got solid with solid, print with solid and print with print combinations and with a three hour class I'm feeling pretty set.

Trimming my Homework

REMEMBER: The polls close this Friday, so head over to Persimon Dreams Project Quilting and VOTE

Project Quilting Bold & Brave Entry

Bold and Brave: Project Quilting 9.3

Finally, after following for years the posts for Project Quilting I'm participating!  The third challenge of season 9 is the theme "Bold and Brave" and best of all makers are encouraged to interpret however they like.

The turn around is quick with only a week to finish and link up and usually life and other deadlines get in the way.  Voting for my favorites is about all the joining in I've been able to squeeze in but not this time.

In the spirit of multi-tasking, I decided to take the opportunity to use the theme for a gift that I wanted to make anyway.

My granddaughter has been a collaborator in many projects and letting her curate the fabric was fun for both of us.  Obviously I didn't use all of the pull but she enjoyed unpinning and unrolling the pieces from their boards.  She also added two words to her vocabulary: "Insulated and Laminated". 

The original orientation was this direction because it reminded me of a lotus blossom.  A design concept that I'd like to revisit.  I don't use or organize my notions very well so I was proud of myself for owning and more importantly being able to locate where I kept the Insulbrite, snap closure and laminate. 

I shared this sneak on IG captioned "Forge your Own Path".   My take on the theme may seem a bit on the lighthearted side of the spectrum as I'm sure there will be deep meaning tributes by others but that's OK.  

Insulbrite 

Embracing the Bold and Brave within my creative self and taking that approach to quilting and designing is very heartfelt and genuine.    

I used metalic essex linen to add some bling and quilted at whim with Aurifil 40wt and 50 wt in several colors.   Life's path is not a straight line and sometimes you get thrown a curve and redirect but it doesn't mean the journey is any less wonderful.

Depending on the angle viewed you get a different perspective with the curves and that feels symbolic as well.   In more recent years, I've explored "meaning in the make" concepts and if there isn't a direct prompt it has a way of creeping in subconsciously.

The size was partly dictated by the size of the piecing but I made sure it was practical for use and could hold a reusable water bottle with room for snacks.

The loop I included is meant to make it easy for hanging on a doorknob but it worked well for the photoshoot too!

It's a bonus to discover other makers who participate and also the sponsors, like Therm O Web - talk about a selection of notions, wow!  Linking up HERE at Persimmon Dreams.  Instagram hashtag is #pqseason9.  Check it out even if you aren't playing along and be sure revisit when voting opens.

Started 5pm Sunday 2/4/2018
Finished 10pm Monday 2/5/2018
Fabrics/notions: essex Linen, Thermalbrite, stash quilt cotton, laminate, magnetic snap, aurifil 40& 50wt thread.
Sewing machine: Babylock Symphony
Original design.  made in Capitola, CA

MQG QCon Mini Swap - One Monthly Goal

Next Mini on Deck

QCon Mini Swap Sneak

I'm in the home stretch of the one for my MQG Swap partner.  Well, the top is pieced so that's a solid start.  She said she likes pink and had just participated in a Libs Elliott mini swap so I included those elements.  Mustard is of course my go to color.

Backing Chosen

Finding the perfect backing in my stash always brings a smile.  I'm going to bind it with the black bolts fabric.  No clue about the quilting design which is typical but it will probably focus on texture rather than contrasting thread.  My swap partner is coming all the way from Germany, how cool is that?  I'm excited about it being a direct swap since I've never done that before and know I'm going to love what she makes for me.

The palette feels familiar wouldn't you say?  A little bit like the mini from my last post I'd say.   I love how things spill out and overlap.  Creative connections are the best.

This one is on my FAL Q1 goal list and I'm kicking it up to top priority linking up with Elm Street Quilts for February "One Monthly Goal"  My OMG goal is to quilt, bind and label the mini.

Having the opportunity to meet and swap minis in person was a really fun part of participating last year.  Last year was the first time and now that the word is out, I'm wondering if more people are going to do it.  Here's a picture from MQG QuiltConEast 2017 in Savannah GA. 

MQG QConEast MiniSwap 2017

I blogged about making it in the POST but I don't think I shared the swapping smiles on the blog.

Three weeks from now I'll be in Pasadena at QuiltCon.   I've ordered a batch of buttons to hand out.  Not sure how much pin trading there will be but I decided that they are still fun to have just in case someone wants one or two!    

Although I'm excited and honored to have my Reflections quilt displayed in the Bee/Group category, it makes me a little nervous and insecure too.  It's amazing and I love it but there is still the element of being judged by viewers.  Not everything is for everybody and I get that.  Putting yourself out there is still worth the risk and I hope that I continue to feel that way.  PIQF and Road to California are shows that I haven't gathered enough courage to enter but plan to in 2018.

Happy Stitching,  Karen