A Lovely Year of Finishes

A Lovely Year of Finishes – July Goals!

ALYoF2014Well hello July! Now that summer is in full swing I am beginning to think of more portable sewing projects. My goal this month is to work on my hexagon quilt. In order to do make the quilt, I need to finish making my hexies. I have one set of hexagons left to make and I will have them done by the end of July! Then I can start piecing my quilt!!!!

Simply Color & Style Hexies - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comThese hexagons are all from the Simply Style and Simply Color fabric lines. I love both of these lines so much and I can’t wait to start piecing my quilt, that being said I still have about 150 left to piece so my goal this month is to finish piecing them.

What about you? What will your July goal be?

What one item will you choose?

 You have two requirements to be entered into the prizes this month.

1. Link-up {on this post} the first 7-days of the month

and

2. Link-up in the last 7-days of the month.
Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.

Please grab a button or link back to Shanna and I so other people can join in the fun!

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Shanna , so there is no need to enter twice **

 ~~~

 Here is a list of our generous sponsors for July!!

 July prizes include:

1. A fat quarter bundle from Riley Blake Designs

2. Green Fairy Quilts – 3 pdf patterns

3. $30.00 credit towards Long Arm Quilting Services
from by Orchid Owl Quilts

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4. One pdf pattern from  Sew Sweetness

 Sew Sweetness

5. Thread Prize from Aurifil

6. 1 Charm pack or $10.00 gift certificate to

Stitches n’ Giggles (winners choice)

7. 8. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern

from Sew BitterSweet Designs ($10 value)

 https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/

9. PDF Pattern from Persimon Dreams

Project QUILTING

10. 11. Honey, Bunny and Doll – 2 Patterns

Honey, Bunny, and Doll

12. One PDF Pattern from Meadow Mist Designs

  Meadow Mist Designs Button

13. Thimblepie’s Quilt Supplies – Custom fabric package, 4 yards (worth $20) plus free shipping

14, 15. One pdf Pattern from Clover and Violet

 cloverandviolet



Swoon Journey – The Backing

I started my Swoon quilt way back in January of 2012. I kept up with the swoon along on Flickr for a few months, I think I made 6 blocks before I stopped dead in my tracks.  Then last May for my A Lovely Year of Finishes goal, I swore I would finish my top, and I did!

Half Moon Modern Swoon Vertical - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI love this top! It is probably one of my most favorite (for me) quilts I’ve ever made.  Then I stopped dead in my tracks again.  The reason was/is silly but I bet many of you can identify…I didn’t want to cut into the remainder of my precious Half Moon Modern fabrics. After all, it is an out of print line that is still in high demand. If I cut them and used them…then I wouldn’t have them anymore.

Fast forward to January of 2014 and my self-imposed fabric diet.  I decided I wasn’t buying anymore fabric so I had better finish my projects with what I have!

My goal this month has been to make a backing for my Swoon.  I decided on a giant star so I could feature some of my favorite scissor prints from the line. I didn’t use a tutorial for the backing, though I know there are tons out there for giant stars.  Anne insists on having her picture taken with all of my quilting projects so here is the obligatory cute picture (sorry, I just can’t help myself but to share her adorableness).

Anne with Swoon Backing - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comAnd here is another one with the borders on. It is hugenormous if you can’t tell. 89″ x 89″

Swoon Backing - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com

Have you finished your June Goal yet? Link up here!

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A Lovely Year of Finishes – June Finishes Party

ALYoF2014It is official! With this post we have reached the half way point of the year.  Can you believe it?!? I personally want to cry just a little bit because this year has gone by so fast. On the other hand I want to celebrate because I have so many finishes under my belt. I honestly can’t remember ever being so productive.

My goal this month was to make a backing for my swoon quilt.

Half Moon Modern Swoon Vertical - https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.comHere is my top, I will show you the back tomorrow. I really love how it turned out.

Did you finish you June Goal?!?

What one item did you choose?

 You have two requirements to be entered into the prizes this month.

1. Link-up {on this post} the first 7-days of the month

and

2. Link-up in the last 7-days of the month.
Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.
Please grab a button or link back to Shanna and I so other people can join in the fun!

 

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Shanna , so there is no need to enter twice **

 ~~~

 Here is a list of our generous sponsors for June!!

 June prizes include:

 1.  Green Fairy Quilts – 3 pdf patterns

2.PDF Pattern from Persimon Dreams

Project QUILTING

3. $15 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop

4. One PDF Pattern from Meadow Mist Designs

 Meadow Mist Designs Button

5, 6. One pdf Pattern from Clover and Violet

 cloverandviolet

7. Thimblepie’s Quilt Supplies – Custom fabric package, 4 yards (worth $20) plus free shipping

8. One pdf pattern from  Sew Sweetness

 Sew Sweetness

9, 10. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern

from Sew BitterSweet Designs ($10 value)

 https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/

11. Thread Prize from Aurifil

12. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

13. 1 Charm pack or $10.00 gift certificate to

Stitches n’ Giggles (winners choice)

We can’t wait to see what you have made!



June Participant Feature – A Lovely Year of Finishes

ALYoF2014One of the best parts of doing A Lovely Year of Finishes has been meeting and getting to know so many incredibly talented quilters. Many of whom I feel blessed to now call my friends.  Today we are introducing you to yet another amazingly talented quilter with our participant feature.

Blog Name: The Confused Quilter

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210543351307643908/

Name you’re known by throughout quilting world: Staci aka The Confused Quilter

What’s your ALYoF goal this month? (please include a picture we can share!)

 My current goal is a Christmas wall hanging. It’s a 3 year old UFO. All I needed to do is repair a couple blocks, cut sashing and borders and whip it all together– Easy, peasy, right? Nope! When I started adding the horizontal sashing I discovered nothing would fit together correctly. After a lot of time with my ruler, I’ve determined that there is actually a mistake in the paper foundation patterns so 6 of the 9 blocks are 1/2 to wide. After a lot of debate, I think the answer is to re-make the 3 blocks that are actually correct to the same size as the wider blocks. First time I’ve ever purposely made something wrong in order for it to come right in the end! This has been frustrating, but I like the little quilt enough to save it.

 My June Project

 DSCN9439

My June project on the design wall.  This is the point where I realized something was wrong.  All the single tree blocks are 1/2 inch smaller than the rest. 

 

DSCN9511

How do you approach your sewing goals?

Deadline and No Deadline! LOL! Beyond that, it comes down to what captures my imagination. If I’m not excited about something it feels like a chore and who wants quilting to be a chore?? Quilting should always be a joy—even when it’s making you nuts! =)

How do you organize/prioritize your projects?

I LOVE Lists! 2014 began with 3 big lists: UFO’s – currently 15; Planned Projects with fabric purchased – currently 32; and The Someday List, which gets longer every week! I have the attention span of a gnat so I usually have about 4 things going on: a UFO, a New Project, a Long Term Project (currently City Sampler) and Bee & Swap. I’m striving to stick to my plan so I’m not creating new UFO’s, but sometimes it’s tough!

What is your current favorite project that you are working on? Will you share pictures with us?

City Sampler! This quilt is just a joy! My fabric are really bold and bright, plus the blocks are so fast & fun each one feels like a treat. My daughter is making this quilt, too, and we have so much fun working on it together. I have a group of IRL and online friends who are all making this quilt this year, so we are sharing the experience through a little flickr group. So far I’ve made 23 blocks and have another dozen cut out and ready to stitch.

Current Project: City Sampler, the first 23 blocks.

 

DSCN9504 

City Sampler Project Box.  Baggies with pieces ready to sew!  The beautiful solid blocks in the box belong to my lovely daughter.

DSCN9505

 

What is your dream project to work on?

Right now, it’s Elizabeth Hartman’s Aviatrix quilt! I love that! I have bought the fabric the same day the pattern was released, but haven’t worked up the courage to do the cutting yet. It’s a LOT of cutting, but I know it will be worth it!

What is your favorite time of day to sew?

Anytime! Morning, afternoon or even the middle of the night! Whenever I can squeeze it in, even if it’s 15 or 20 minutes. I’m lucky enough to have a little sewing room, so it’s easy to slip in there and work a little while whenever I get the chance.

What is your favorite quilting/sewing accessory?

Rulers & templates.  I love them!  I have lots of them, and seem to always be bringing home more.  

Just for fun: Large rulers hang behind my sewing room door. Small rulers and templates have a drawer in my cutting table.

DSCN9402

 

What is your number one quilting/sewing goal for 2014?

Back in January when bloggers were all choosing words for the year, I decided on a phrase: DON’T GO CRAZY!

For me that means three things: 

1. Don’t take on too many projects at once. 

2. Don’t expect 100% perfection every time. 

3. Accept that sometimes the project should just go in the rubbish bin to free up time and energy for something that is better.  

Adopting my little phrase has helped me enjoy the journey so much more!
What is one technique you really want to learn?

Curved Piecing and Needle Turn Appliqué. I’ve done a little bit of both, but would like to learn more and improve.  

 

Thank you so much Staci for joining Shanna and I today! We loved having you and getting to know you just a little bit better!!!

Good luck everyone on your June Goals! Keep on Chugging!

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May Winners – A Lovely Year of Finishes

Time to reflect and celebrate.

Whoop.

 Shanna from Fiber of All Sorts and I are always so excited to share your amazing talent.  

GO YOU!
A Lovely Year of Finishes

 Here is a list of our generous sponsors for May!!

 May prizes & winners include:

 1. Fat quarter bundle from ADORNit

 

Cheryl – Texas Quilting Gal

 2. 3. Honey, Bunny and Doll – 2 Patterns

Honey, Bunny, and Doll

  Caroline – Caroline’s Craftiness

Becky – My Fabric Obsession

4. Sew Sweetness – 1 pdf Pattern

 Sew Sweetness

 Allison – Flickr

5. Thread Prize from Aurifil

Jessie – Just Some Boobs

6, 7. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern

from Sew BitterSweet Designs ($10 value)

 https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/

 Vera – Negligent Style

Joanna – Riddle and Whimsy

8. PDF Pattern from Persimon Dreams

 Project QUILTING

 Debbe – Pieces to Love

9. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

 Cheryl – Flickr

 10. 1 Charm pack or $10.00 gift certificate to

 

Kim – Persimon Dreams

11. One PDF Pattern from Meadow Mist Designs

Meadow Mist Designs Button

 Sharon – Forget-Me-Not Stitches

12. Green Fairy Quilts – 3 pdf patterns

 Heather – Heather’s Creative Blessings

13. Thimblepie’s Quilt Supplies – Custom fabric package, 4 yards (worth $20) plus free shipping

 

Alexis – Cinnamon Chip

~~~

 Seriously awesome work done by all!

 Happy ‘A Lovely Year of Finishes’

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