January Finishes

My goal for January was to complete the binding on at least one of the three quilts I have waiting.  Well I am happy to announce that two of the three are complete and the third is in the works.

This is my "Beginner's Quilt Along" quilt using Lilly and Will fabric by Bunny Hill.

My husband was helpful and held my quilts up so that you could see the whole thing.  It was gray and foggy today so it was a little harder to get a good picture.

I like to sew the binding to the back by hand, it is a perfect job for chilly evenings.

This is my Birdie Stitches quilt.  This was a fun quilt to make, from the embroidery to the piecing, I enjoyed it all. I love the quilting job that Leslie did on it.

The backing of this quilt is pieced together and the binding is made from the left over jelly roll strips sewn together.  It was great to get these quilts off my finishing list and now I will have to go choose my  projects to finish in February.

I will be linking up with "A Lovely Year of Finishes"

Making Progress on Sew Sweet Simplicity

Several weeks ago I completed this first block from my Sew Sweet Simplicity project designed by Jacquelynne Steves.  The patterns for the last blocks came out this week and I was motivated to get back to the project. 

I made my second block yesterday and started on the applique for my third. 

These blocks have been fun to make and are part of my "finish projects" goal.

I have the applique complete on one and ready to go on two more blocks.  I am not sure how I will put these blocks together, I have been waiting to see how others who have participated in this Sew Sweet Simplicity BOM use their blocks.  

I will be linking up with Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. 

I Am Joining "A Lovely Year of Finishes 2015"

I just read about this party sponsored by Fiber of All Sorts and Sew Bittersweet Designs.  At the first of the month you choose the project you are going to finish and then share it on your blog or on Flickr or Facebook.  Then at the end of the month when the project is complete you share it again and link up to the A Lovely Year of Finishes party.  I am too late to post my goal for the month on the linky party but I can share it here so that I will have the motivation to complete it.

This idea matches perfectly with my decision to complete projects that I have committed to or those that have been waiting to be finished.  I am excited about another way to be inspired to stick to my plan.

My project to finish this month is to get the binding done on at least one of these quilts.  It would be great if I could complete all three. 

Have a great day!

 

Planning for 2015

After spending a few days at Ocean Shores relaxing with my sister Laurie, I reluctantly decided that it was time to put away our Christmas decorations.   As I was curled up on the couch looking at our Christmas tree I decided to begin the process.   First I had to get out all of my Christmas tubs and line them up in my sewing room so that everything can be stored away properly.  While doing this I was distracted by the many piles stacked around my sewing room.

I found embroidery that I had completed in the past few weeks while in the car and in not so great lighting.  After taking close up pictures I was reminded that good light is important when you want straight and even stitches in your embroidery.

These pieces are for a "JOY" banner so I guess I wont be too close to them and notice all of the imperfections.

I was able to complete the embroidery on my Sundaisy block, the stitching on this project is a little more to my liking.

One more block to stitch for "Daisy Days" and I can put the quilt together.

What I learned as I prepared for undecorating is that I have so many unfinished projects, more than I had even realized.  I know now so it is time for a plan.  Not a resolution but a plan.  First I will go through the room, make a list of everything that is incomplete and those projects not yet started but all materials have been purchased.  I will then start checking off that list as I complete them.  I think I will have most of my Christmas gifts for next year if I stick to this plan.

The hard part about all of this for me is saying no to the block of the month projects that I know will be tempting me.  It would be fabulous to complete a few quilts from previous blocks of the month I have worked on these past few years.   My project list will include quilts, embroidery, cross stitch, crochet, small sewing projects and a few not so small sewing projects.

I am looking forward to a fun year of finishes.

Happy New Year!