Goodbye 2013

Looking back at 2013, I think it was a continuation for me of 2012 where most of my projects were about trying new things and skill building.  I completed only one large quilt for myself and other larger quilts were completed for charity.

 

 

Since I am a self taught sewist, it was nice to attend classes at Quiltcon, the Houston International Festival, and thru Craftsy.  It was so much fun, I really hope to attend more classes in 2014.

 

I also participated in the monthly challenge projects at Le Challenge, which I think have been tough.  But, I have really enjoyed these challenges.

My goals for 2014:

• Attend more quilt classes
• Practice more machine quilting so I can feel more comfortable when I quilt.  (I still feel hesitant to start, with a feeling that that I might ruin the quilt).
• Use up some of my gorgeous stash and not be so afraid to cut into it
• Push the envelope and get out of my comfort zone.
• And lastly, finish what I started.  I need to get serious about tackling the UFO's (un-finished objects) that have taken over my sewing area.

Le Challenge - Precious

I have been away for a bit, and I just got home.  I won't tell you where I went, but here is a hint.....

The theme this month in Le Challenge is "precious".  I have completed each month's challenge so far, but this time I really thought I might not make it.  This theme was tough.

 

I searched my stash thinking about what is precious and ended up with "love".  I used a scrap of heart fabric and some beads and created this Love mini measuring 10 x 10.

This is the first time I tried quilting loops and I had a tough time.  The project kept slipping and getting away from me.  I think I know what to ask Santa for Christmas - a pair of quilting gloves with some grippers.

 

I think it turned out kinda cute and I guess I got a head start a Valentine's project.

 

Please check out the other "precious" entries in this month Le Challenge.  I hope you can join us with the next challenge.  I think it's so interesting to see the variations on a theme.

 

Design Wall Monday - Fifty Shades of Groovy

On my design wall today is my quilt from a class that I took at the recent Houston International Quilt Festival.  There were not many modern quilting classes at all, but I register for "Fifty Shades of Groovy" taught by Leslie Tucker Jenison.

 

I really had a good time in class.  I learned a lot from the instructor about design, color, and planning your quilts.  Often, I love to get started on a new project and just jump in.  I don't think I plan too much, maybe I need to think things out more.

The class materials called for a layer cake of material in bold, graphic prints.  I thought that my stash of Echo worked well.

 

I just put these blocks on the wall.  They're in no final order just yet.  Not sure how big this will be and I have some extra blocks.

 

I thought the instructor's quilts were very bold and the quilting was fabulous.

During lunch and after class, I was able to go to through the quilt show and shop.  I can say that at the end of the day, I was worn out.

This picture was taken at the end of the day.  There was no way the aisles looked this way during lunch!  The place was packed.

 

Linking today to Design Wall Monday.

Le Challenge - Stripes

The theme this month for Le Challenge is "Stripes".  I thought that this would be easy, but then I discovered that my rather large fabric stash had about 4 striped fabrics.  Ooops.

I found a plain pink stripe that seemed to be awkwardly hanging out in the stash.  Its been there so long,  I think it was gifted to me many, many years ago.  I challenged myself to find a way to use it.  After looking at it a bit, I thought that I would make a tree skirt for my mini-feather tree.

 

I used my Dresden ruler to make the simple skirt.  It seemed liked it needed something extra, so I added some pom-pom trim left over from another project.

 

Super simple, and finished in one evening (and no, it was not finished last evening).  This month I have had a bunch of non-quilty obligations, so I wanted a quick project that was not a quilt.  Just for fun I thought I would show you my other possible stripe project.

The pink striped fabric was in the same storage box as these blocks that I totally forgot I had.  They were created in an Improv class that I had taken at Quiltcon.  We were to start working with a traditional block and then apply some improve techniques.  The bottom left is the "Roman Stripe" traditional block that I started with.  I decided not to use them for this challenge because I felt I needed more time to come up with a plan.

 

I hope that you check out the other "Stripes" inspired challenge projects at Le Challenge.  I love this challenge because you can interpret the theme in any way you wish, and you can use any medium that you want.  The only requirement is that you show a completed project.

 

I wonder what next month's theme will be?

 

Penny Patch QAL Progress

I have enjoyed working on the simple Penny Patch block in the QAL at Stitched in Color.  My color choices are orange and teal with a pop color of mustard.

I am ahead a bit on this QAL, as I am trying to stay focused with the holidays coming soon.  This quilt will be made entirely from stash scraps. 

 

I was getting a bit nervous because everything was looking so "messed up".  The more I moved and rearranged the squares, the more crazy I got.  So, I just decided to stop rearranging and started to put the top together.  Once the squares were sewn together, I started to like it more.

 

Today is the link up to review our progress.  Its always so interesting to look at other's color combinations.  I hope you join along.

 

MSBHQAL - Its Ready!

I have loved being involved with all of the sparkly goodness at the Molli Sparkles Broken Herringbone Quilt-A-Long. 

 

I cut into my Denyse Schmidt fabric stash and learned the Broken Herringbone block.  The top is finished and ready to be quilted.  I am still trying to figure the quilting out, but I am sure that I will come up with something soon.  I just love the fabrics working so well together and I think this will make a really nice Christmas present for someone. 

 

Christmas!  Did I just say that!  Yikes, it will be here before you know it.

 

Please check out the other entries in the MSBHQAL.  I just love seeing how everyone can take the same block and make it into their own project.

Design Wall Monday - Many Projects

I am excited!  Today at lunch, I took a little field trip from my office.  I put on my sneakers and caught the free green downtown bus to the George R Brown Convention center.  I thought that my family vacation would cause me to miss the International Quilt Festival this year, but the trip was delayed.  Now I can go to the show - yeah!

 

Since I had such a great time in my Quiltcon classes, I decided that I would try and get a class at the festival.  I missed the deadline to register online, so I went in person today to sign-up.  There were very few modern classes offered, but I chose "Fifty Shades of Groovy".  Now I am off to search my stash for supplies.  I need bold fabrics that look good with grays.

 

Until the class on Saturday, I do have other projects on-going.

 

 

I started some scrappy Dresden's.

 

 

 

I have my Broken Herringbone basted as part of the MSBHQAL.  Honestly, I haven't found the mojo to get the quilting started.

 

 

 

I have pulled my fabrics for the Penny Patch QAL at Stitched in Color (which I believe starts this week).

 



And, I started thinking about this month's Le Challenge theme of "stripes".  I thought this would be simple, but I have very few stripes in my stash.  Maybe, I'll just have to find some at the Quilt Festival this weekend.

 

Linking today to Design Wall Monday.