Showing posts with label 2017 Finish-A-Long. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017 Finish-A-Long. Show all posts

Friday, January 5, 2018

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q4 Finishes

So it's time to report in for Q4 of the 2017 Finish-A-Long! I am happy to say I finished 4 for 5 this quarter, and the only reason I feel badly about number 5 not being finished is because I let it get the best of me. I don't like that feeling, but it's the reality, and I think this month (quarter?) I'll finally be able to face it. I sure hope so.

But still,  I did finish 4 projects on my list, and I'm perfectly satisfied with that.

1. First up was Venti, second in my series of tumbler quilts. 



I was actually midway through quilting at the beginning of the quarter, so a finish was pretty predictable. This one was an experiment in value, and I fully expect more such experiments and tumbler quilt in my future, tho not necessarily in the same project.



2.  There were just a handful of improv spikes when I added this project to my list, all created from my scrap basket.



spikey was the happy result. I really enjoyed these improv blocks and the crazy scrappy palette. In finishing it, I tried a new-to-me quilting design that felt a perfect match for those spikes.



3.  For a few years now, I've made my own everyday bags, and this time, the Traverse bag  by noodlehead called my name.



Working with my fabric choices and the hardware I purchased right from noodlehead made this bag a joy to sew together. I made the large version, and I've found it so roomy, I haven't even used the pockets under that snapped flap, but I do love the look!



4. And finally, just in the nick of time, I finished my Minimal Day Sampler, the Seattle MQG 
block of the month project last year.



I hadn't appliqued in so long, I pretty much devoured each month's block assignment. And it felt great having this as my first finish  of the year.



Soooo.... one big, challenging project will carry over on my Q1 list, and the rest remains to be seen! If you'd like to join the Finish-A-Long for 2018, here's all the info. It's a fun, low-pressure way to keep moving on those works in progress!

Linking up with the 2017 Finish-A-Long Q4 linky. 

Monday, October 2, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q4 List

After such a fun and productive Q3, I almost feel like a little breather would be in order, but I have, of course, several projects in the works, so here's hoping I can make decent work of them this quarter.

1. It may not even be fair to put my Venti quilt on the list, as I'm in the quilting phase already. But it IS officially a w.i.p., so there ya go. AND I'm not overly motivated to work on it, so all the more reason to put it on the list.



2. I don't even know where I'm taking the improv spikes I've been making, but I hope to figure that out before long. Cuz I kinda love em!



3. And then there's my "Looking Up" quilt. Yikes. All the blocks are here, and I have no ideas how to puzzle them together. But I trust eventually I will. Fingers crossed!



4. And for a little something different, I'm really hoping to get a Traverse bag made. The noodlehead pattern's been purchased, and the fabric and hardware as well. I just need to do it.



5. And lastly, this may be a stretch, but I'd really like to have my Minimal Day Sampler done too so I can start the new #seamqgbom year fresh. It's a smallish project so I have high hopes, even though we don't even have all the instructions yet for the remaining blocks. Still.... let's be optimistic, shall we?



So that seems like plenty, no? Yeah....that's good.

Linking up with Q4 of the 2017 Finish-A-Long!

Sunday, September 24, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q3 Finishes

Nearly three months ago I went out on a limb by putting five projects on my Q3 Finish-A-Long list... and survived to tell about it!

1. My scrappy improv quarter log cabin quilt top sat for a while, but eventually I pushed through to get it done.


I really appreciated how many scraps it used up, and it's a block I always enjoy making. So win-win on this one.

Fragmentary :: 72" x 72"

2. Juneish was made during Amanda Jean/crazy mom quilts' June Quilt QAL, and again, used up alot of scraps! Separated by those backing squares, it made for a really large quilt.


I treated myself and asked my guild-mate Pam Cole of Keeping it Simple to quilt it for me and I'm so glad I did!

Juneish :: 86" x 86"

3. Another scrap-involved project led directly to the improv stripes QAL and it was great fun to have a crowd sewing along with me.


Here's the basic block tutorial, in case you missed it. I have no doubt I'll be making more of these.

variegated :: 32" x 35"

4. A scrappy tumbler quilt with a mix of all my brown scraps had been on my list for a while.


The result, Double Tall Skinny Vanilla, went together really fast, and I enjoyed it so much, I'm working on another version. Love when that happens.


5. Last on my Q3 list and the most recent finish was a baby quilt made with the Geo pattern by Samantha Green/MissyMackCreations.


This was the one project that wasn't begun from scraps, but I appreciated being able to mix some stash fabrics with a few new purchases to be able to make the envisioned quilt.

Geo Baby :: 32" x 44"

So that was a terrific quarter.... loved using up so many scraps, and focusing on some really enjoyable sewing!

Monday, July 3, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q3 List

Going out on a limb here and putting five projects on my Q3 Finish-A-Long list! That's alot for me, but I'm super psyched about all of them, so hoping for the best!

1. First up is my scrappy improv quarter log cabin quilt, totally started in an effort to whittle down those scraps. Those are 12 1/2" blocks, so the quilt will finish at 72" square. I've got a plan for a scrappy backing and am anxious to get quilting on this one.


2. Speaking of backing, I honestly joined in Amanda Jean/crazy mom quilts' June Quilt QAL to make a June quilt as a backing for #1 above. BUT after making the largest quilt top I've made in quite a while, I decided I just couldn't trim it down after all. SO I chose a big ole 108" wide back in dark coral, with a quilting plan to be determined.


3. Next is another scrap-involved project and probably the one I'm most anxious to work on. I've sewed just a little ways in prep for a {fingers crossed} improv stripes QAL to be announced later this month.


4. Another one I'm really excited to make progress on is a scrappy tumbler quilt that will be a mix of all my brown scraps + stash fabrics as needed. Soon, I'll begin assembling this one on the design wall. Crazy thing, I already have a name in mind for this one, so I need to get to it.


5. And lastly is a baby quilt. I'll be using the Geo pattern by Samantha Green/Missy MackCreations. I've pulled from stash and also have a few more fabrics headed my way.


So I'm feeling good about this quarter's list, as well as the fact that I'm making good progress on sewing through the scrap basket. Here goes nothin!

Sunday, June 25, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q2 Finishes

With just two projects on my Q2 Finish-A-Long list, one with a deadline and the other a bee commitment, I was pretty sure I'd get them both done with time to spare.

The first was a stitch and flip quilt that was made for a Black & White + One challenge, and is still awaiting the show it was made for.


Considering I 'built' it on the design wall one block at a time, this one took a while, but it was really an enjoyable process.

40" square

The other project on the list was February's Faith Circle quilt. Inspired by Greenery, the Pantone Color of the Year, we used Jodi/Tales of Cloth's Squash Blossom block tutorial, which became a favorite for sure.


The mix of greens really made for a striking quilt.


48" x 60"

So yay! Refiner's Fire is in Minnesota for the upcoming show, and All the Greens has been donated to Valley Breast Center locally. I feel good about all that.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q2 List

Though I'm got some new projects on my mind, there are two that are in progress and will be first up for Q2 of the Finish-A-Long:

This stitch and flip quilt has been set aside for a while, and I'm really anxious to get back to it - especially the quilting. I've actually got half of the rows pieced, so it shouldn't take too long to make good progress on it.



I also have February' Faith Circle quilt to do. Inspired by Pantone Color of the Year Greenery, we used Jodi/Tales of Cloth's Squash Blossom block tutorial. I decided on layout and have the blocks arranged next to my machine to begin piecing the rows.


So just two wips for Q2, and hopes are high!

Lining up with 2017 Finish-A-Long Q2!

Monday, April 3, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q1 Finishes

Goodness! I only had two projects on my Q1 Finish-A-Long list and am feeling quite the relief at having gotten them both finished!

First up was my Seattle MQG improv BOM which I was still in the process of designing at the start of the quarter. 


I ended up adding more skinny improv spikes along the left side, bringing it up to a size I was happy with (68" x 82"). Asking my guild-mate Matt Macomber/@odditease quilt it was a stroke of genius on my part, and he really brought the quilt to life. I call it Improv Alliance and still can't stop staring at it!


The Patchwork Forest quilt, using the Modern Christmas Tree block tutorial by Amy/Diary of a Quilter, very nearly did not get completed in time!


Making up the 100 blocks I needed wasn't the problem, but keeping on top of the process was. But whew! I took the last stitch in the binding on the final link-up day, and that made me a happy camper. Timing and weather didn't allow for an all-out photoshoot for my Uncommon Forest, but honestly, I'm just glad to have her done!


So now it's time to start a fresh new quarter and see what's up next!

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Q1 List

It's gonna be a short list this quarter. And in this moment, I'm feeling really committed to both projects. In the short-term, my Seattle MQG improv BOM quilt top is the priority. I'm so tickled how some skinny improv spike slabs brought the blocks together in a way I'm really smitten with. I have a tentative plan on how to add a bit more to the top before moving on to quilting. 


My second work-in-progress is a Patchwork Forest quilt, using the Modern Christmas Tree block tutorial by Amy/Diary of a Quilter. I'm creating it from stash in my own personal favorite Christmas palette. I've got 24 blocks sewn and trimmed, another dozen sewn, and a bunch more cut out - not quite enough but close. I'd be happy to work on this quilt throughout the quarter, in amongst other projects, so that's the goal.


I really only had two other wips - both of which I gave away! One was gifted to a random winner on Instagram - and the other was claimed by daughter dear. How awesome (and freeing!) is that? So I'll stick with the remaining two and hope for the best.

Picture

Linking up with Q1 of the 2017 FAL#2017fal

Friday, January 6, 2017

2017 Finish-A-Long :: Transition

While the 2016 FAL is coming to a close, it's time to announce the new group of global FAL hosts for 2017! This year's hosts continue to span 3 continents and several countries. Each has a terrific blog and you will enjoy checking them all out:
  • Sarah - Sew Me - Northern Ireland
  • Judith - Just Jude Designs - Northern Ireland
Join me in thanking the outgoing 2016 FAL hosts. Many hands have made the work of hosting the FAL much lighter, but each host has still given considerable time to supporting the great community that makes up the FAL. 
Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a host this last year, but will be stepping down for 2017. But no worries, I'll still be sewing right alongside you all! 


Feel free to grab the 2017 FAL logo and use the hashtag #2017fal when you share your FAL projects on Instagram...