Karma Willow Designs

Headed into 2024

2024-01-04T14:29:00.001-05:00

As we head into another year I like to reflect on the goals of the previous year and how that reflects on the person that I am now and where I would like to see myself in the upcoming year. I would like for this upcoming year to be a year of growth through minimization.

Now you might be thinking -- what? because quite frankly when I looked at my goals they seemed in conflict in several areas and I realized that if I took a different perspective on the pieces that I could combine the goals and perhaps accomplish this overall goal.

In the area of minimization, many of the concepts are the usual suspects -- use more stash than brought in, purge scraps, complete UFO projects. I want to also do this with patterns and books that I have purchased and never used -- see if I can learn some new skill or bring those patterns to life using scraps or stash for a gift quilt or charity project.

I did quite a bit of pattern testing last year to promote stash usage and it felt good to move things out that had been in the cabinet for quite a while so maybe I will continue with that journey as well. Though the drama around pattern testing right now is a bit high on Instagram so I am unsure how this will impact the number of people willing to ask for help when creating patterns -- and I have a lot of thoughts about that but this is not the post for that.

I also wanted to take this a step further and start using tools I have had for years and either bringing them into something I uses regularly or purge them to a new home later in the year.

In the realm of growth aside from skills and trying new patterns and tools, I want to continue to expand my long arming business. In the last 3.5 years that I have been offering hand driven edge to edge services I have quilted an average of 2-3 quilts per month for others, last year I did 36 quilts. I would like to see that number closer to 50 quilts this year and as things are expanding now that I have gone digital with my long arming I see that as a possibility.

I'm also hoping to start blogging more frequently and build my Instagram community -- the goal is to reach 1500 followers by years end. I hope to also make weekly videos and hold several raffle opportunities to win quilting services throughout the year.

So what UFO's am I taking into 2024?

Ghastly NY Beauty Quilt -- started in early 2023
Blue and teal orphan block scrap quilt
All Solids Pickle Dish -- started in early 2023
Candy Cats -- started 2018 (4 of 12 cats made)
Slow going blue and pink pineapples -- started mid 2022
AMH Octo Zen Quilt -- started Dec 2023
Starry Cabins -- 2023 bee block
Georgous Gertie -- 2021 bee block (ready for quilting)
Traveling Wonderland Quilt -- started 2016, top finished 2020 (waiting for quilting)
Skull Quilt -- Assembled 2021 (needs quilting)
Bear Claws Quilt -- 2022 bee block (needs quilting)
Winter quilt -- fabric pulled, no pattern picked
September Moon Glow Quilt -- fabric pulled, no pattern picked
RSS / CS Giant Sisters Choice -- needs binding

So 14 -- that's not too bad I guess, when 1 needs binding and 4 need quilting -- it really makes it more like 9.

Yeah I'll keep telling myself that because I know how much I dislike the binding step. Hopefully January will see some finishes or at least some progress and more blogging with pictures of my actual projects. I am also trying to challenge myself to do 30 minutes of quilting (or time in the sewing room) daily or at least 3 hours per week to promote these goals and set good habits moving into the new year especially as January is cold and dark here in the US and it's very easy for me to not want to do anything after work.

I'll be linking up over at Quilting Jet Girl for the #2024QuiltingPlanningParty

Embarasing Admission

2023-10-20T16:09:00.004-04:00

In making the choice to start blogging again I looked back at some of the posts that I had posted late 2017 and others that I had in drafts to see where I wanted to start again. I'm a list maker and like working toward goals as a challenge and many of the posts are relating to that so that got me energized to move forward in this endevor. My enbarasing admission comes in that some of the blog posts in draf, waiting for a finished quilt are still relevant -- 5 1/2 years and still not completed.

If there was one or 2, I wouldn't feel so bad about this but there are at least half a dozen in progress projects that are still in progress and this makes me feel bad for neglecting them this long.

I have 2 in the que to be quilted soon and another that I actually finished quilting on last night so it just needs binding.

The other 4 remain as they were at the time of the last post.

I hope that I will be purging more scraps in 2024 as I am trying ot encourage others to do on instagram through a color play challenge that I am posing. This is inspired by a blog that I used to read and engage with that did monthly color challenges that I have lost touch with being away from blogging (and I could not find anything similar on instagram) so that should help to move forgard in another of my long forgotten projects.

The other 2 sit untouched for no real reason other than I haven't been inspired to pick them back up or being sort of forgotten. OOPS!!

I aim for at least to finish the 3 that are nearly done by the end of the year and make headway on at least one of the others so that these projects can free up space from my craft room and not make me feel embarased, unmotivated or overwhelmed.

What's your oldest project that you still want to finish? What do you suggest for project that you no longer want to finish or no longer brings you joy?

WELL it's been almost 6 years -- lets give this another go

2023-10-13T11:41:00.001-04:00

Time passes quickly and before you know it, it's been way longer than you antisipated being away from doing something that you enjoy. I had no intention when I posted Januaray of 2018 that I would be taking over 5 and a half years to get back to blogging but this is where I find myself -- lots of things have happened in that time and it was no concious effort to not blog as I love the written story part of blogging that I do not get from the other social media platforms. Some would say that no one blogs anymore -- maybe it's true and for me that's ok because it's also for me -- so I am going to put forth effort to revitalize this blog especialy going into 2024 with resolutions and tracking of progress because that is another thing that I do not do well on instagram. I'm a list maker and like to see things get checked off, with check ins with net friends and read about the story relating to the project more than just a photo and quick blurb, I'll still be using instagram for pictures, stories and shares but I want to get back to this comfort.

So a quick fast forward update of what nearly 6 years has looked like ...

3 major surguries (gallblader 2018, brain decompression 2018 and hystorectomy 2022) -- each with varying levels of complication at recovery.
moved from a townhouse in the city to a house outside the city (Feb 2019) -- rented the townhouse to a friend which turned out to be a nightmare *do not recommend* -- sold the townhouse (March 2020)
bought my longarm Bridgett (September 2019) officialy started my longarm business (Feb 2020) doing hand driven pantographs.

made about a thousand masks during the lockdown / work from home mess of Covid
completed 100+ quilts on the longarm (85 for customers) before going digital (Sept 2023)

loss of a few family members and 4 pets -- added in 2 new cats to the household (below is Graves and she is just over a year old and she is insane)

tested several quilt patterns -- finding that I really enjoy the proofreading, testing and feedback part of being a pattern tester.

celebrating husbands and my turning 40 and 15 years of mariage.

Let's hope I can keep this blogging thing up -- I already know what I want to talk about next and it's embarasing ....

January wrap up since Tomorrow is a big day

2018-01-29T19:11:00.003-05:00

I'm going to go ahead and do my January wrap up now since the rest of the month I will not be able. Tomorrow I go in to have my gallbladder taken out and I'm both nervous and excited -- it's been a long time coming.

January was rather uneventful with the health stuff going on and I got my bee blocks finished in December, Sara really loved these pineapple blocks.

I did manage to get my 10th scrap basket completed and it's the white / low volume one.

I worked on a new project -- the candy cats quilt that Kristie is hosting a sew along for online. I mean how could I resist making these cute cats when I saw all the others that were being made. Best news is all the fabric is from stash.

The biggest news was getting my churn dash quilt top put together

it's been mailed out for quilting and I already have the binding in prep stage so that I will be ready to go once it comes back.

I did buy backing for this quilt and an extra yard of fabric while I was at the quilt shop (+1.5)

I had an outpouring of support from my post wrapping up 2017 and several people asking how they could support me in my journey this year. I wanted to let everyone know that I started a fundraiser and designed a shirt that's geared toward quilters (who doesn't love a good quilt themed shirt). The fundraiser is open until mid February and a portion of each shirt sold will be coming straight to me to help with these medical bills that will be rolling in any time.

I'm planning a giveaway over on instagram for spreading the word that will be starting soon. On my @katies_chiari_journey account.

My Goal outline for 2018

2018-01-09T12:54:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned in my earlier post I currently have 40 ongoing projects -- time for the quarterly link up so with the Finish Along group.

-- 3 are in the binding phase (with Teri while she recuperates)
Swiss Cross

Migration

Botanics

-- 4 are in the ready for quilting phase
Rainbow Strips 1 (this one will be getting long armed -- it's huge)

Bobba Fett Mini

AG Rainbow Geese

Kwik Evening Star

-- 7 are blocks or mostly completed tops
Tessellations Pillow
2016 Round Robin (Wonderland Theme)

2017 Round Robin (Cat Theme)

Double Stars

MMBB -- Oldest UFO
Rainbow Strips 2
Chiari Churn Dash

-- 7 are ready to be made into blocks and the fabric is cut
White Scrap bin
Black Scrap bin
Grey Scrap Bin
HST scrap project from Lee
Makers Tote
Kwik Mosaic quilt (half is already assembled into a top but then I decided it needed to be bigger)
AG Selvage Strips project

--15 are in the fabric selected phase
-- the final 4 are still waiting for fabric to be selected

I'm really going to focus on the top 21 names items in this list. With my goal for January, is to get some kind of sewing done each day and keep myself motivated with accomplishing things. As I finish things I may start dabbling with adding in more in progress items.

2017 by the numbers and a few bits of news going into 2018

2018-01-05T14:06:00.003-05:00

In 2017 I completed

13 Quilts and Minis

2 Tunics

12 Bins

69 Pouches / Bags

3 monthly block bees

2 Traveling quilts

Sorry to have been away for so long everyone but there has not been a lot of sewing happening lately. You see I have been having some medical issues with headaches that were worse than migraines (i really didn't think there was such a thing) and trouble with keeping food in my system for very long.

I went to the doctor in October and after an ultrasound, i found out that I need to have my gallbladder removed. It's a pretty routine thing and I'm not to worried about the procedure -- more the anesthesia than anything and the gas pain afterward.

I also had an MRI done and they found out that I have a condition called Chiari Malformation 1. To help alleviate these issues I will be having 2 surgeries in the upcoming weeks -- first the gallbladder then 6 weeks later I will be having a cranial decompression.

I don't know what this means for my 2018 sewing goals yet but I have plenty of things to keep me busy if I feel like sewing. I know that with the 2nd procedure I will be out of work for 6 - 8 weeks and I'd like to think that I will be up and sewing during much of that but I know the reality is I probably will not for most of it.

I do know that my UFO list is extensive with 40 projects on it. I am still participating in the American Patchwork and Quilting Challenge this year but I am doing things a little different than the standard list of 12. With all these projects I have decided that I will chop up a copy of my master list and draw out project names each month, with the project number for that month being the item I set as my goal for the month (ie. if the number is 8, my goal project will be the 8th project I draw). I will repeat this process with each finish throughout the month.

I am also going to keep linking up with the quarterly finish along to help keep me on track.

Since I will be having some large medical expenses I will work hard to stick with fabric dieting this year and track fabric use more thoroughly since I kinda laxed up on that last year. I'm also planning a fabric destash over on instagram for later in January or early February to keep up the purging I have been doing in other areas of my home.

As 2017 comes to a close what goals did I meet this quarter

2018-01-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

It's time for the progress on the Finish Along goals for the end of 2017. I started the quarter with an unrealistic 48 projects -- however 13 items were intended for gifts and those really needed to be finished this quarter.

Things that I did get finished and posted

Tessellations

Plus Side

2 rainbow scrap bins (orange, Pink)

Spiderwebs

6 charity quilts -- I took them to my guild and distributed them to ladies that can get them ready for donation

Things I did not finish

Swiss Cross for Teri -- needs binding
Migration -- needs binding

Botanics Pendent Chevrons -- needs binding

Scrappy Rainbow Strips 1 -- needs quiltingKwik Evening Star -- needs quilting

Boba Fett Mini -- needs quilting

Alison Glass Geese Rainbow mini -- needs quilting

Double Star -- needs assembly and quilting

Moda Modern Building Blocks -- the oldest project -- needs assembly and quilting

Down the Rabbit Hole Traveling Quilt -- still deciding if it needs more added, then quilting

Triangle pillow or mini quilt from leftover tessellations blocks

Makers Tote

Kwik Mosaic Tiles -- half the blocks are completed and assembled

2017 Round Robin Quilt - needs addition and quilting

Scrappy Rainbow Strips 2 -- needs assembly

Scrappy Kittens -- need to make a bunch more, this will likely be my scrap project for 2018

Weekender Bag

3 Tunics

3 rainbow scrap bins Black, Grey and white/lv

2 Mini Sew Together Bag

Sew Together Bag for Lisa

Things in the Idea Phase -- When I need to start something new

Squirrel Mini for Gina*

Tula Pink Color Dive

All Squared Up with Priory Square

Broken Herringbone

Anna Maria Horner Scrappy Quilt

Metro Hoops

Kandy Cat Quilt

Project with Spirit Animal

Happy Go Lucky Dutchman's Puzzle

Jen Kingwell Holiday Pillow*

Alison glass selvages project

Oh well -- I'll give all these another go as we enter 2018 but 5 finished and 6 projects moved to another home is not that bad.

Granny's quilt

2017-12-22T16:26:00.004-05:00

Having quilty friends is awesome and usually the mail that you receive is something that you are excited about right away -- whether it be a coveted fabric or fun notion that you've been wanting to try, but sometimes you get things that initially don't seem to fit in.

For me this was a box of Fig Tree fabric a friend sent me unexpectedly. I'm not into the muted tones or modern primitive fabrics (is that a thing). SO I hung onto it for a while trying to figure out a project for it, and it wasn't until I was making a bee block last year that I finally decided how I wanted to use this fabric.

We were making Plus Side blocks from Riley Blake and i liked how simple the block was to put together and it showcased the fabrics in a line well.

My husband has a grandmother that is still living and I knew that these would be a great quilt for her. I worked on making them at stash bash earlier this year and got them assembled at the girls weekend over labor day.

I made the backing from the leftover fabric. This was an easy one for longarming on and now it's time to wait to gift it to her for Christmas.

A finish for the 4th quarter

October Update

2017-11-08T13:44:00.000-05:00

October went by in a flash it seems

the bee blocks included

I partisipated in get your quilty wishes granted on instagram and mailed out many packages of scraps and fabrics but I also made some blocks including this great flower block by Unicor Hears for a very special young lady.

In turn I asked if anyone would like to make churn dash blocks for me with a color pallet and no size limitations, so far I have received blocks from all over the us and some from New Zealand from my gal Rebecca.

I had 2 quilt completions last month -- my Tessellations quilt

and my Triple Bee Spiderwebs quilt

Both were finally blogged about earlier today.

I hope October was kind to everyone and I know the rest of the year is going to zoom by. I'm happy to report that most of my bee commitments for November are already complete so that's something and 2 of the groups have a December block but we've already been given the details for the blocks so here's to a productive end of 2017.

Tessellations

2017-11-08T11:34:00.001-05:00

My initial desire to make this quilt started when I first saw pictures of it online, and when I met Alison Glass at a trunk show she did in Virginia I was hooked. Aside from this being an awesome project and not overly complicated to assemble, Alison is one of the most genuine and nicest people that you could know and has a real passion for her work.

I bought the pattern that night and held on to it for a while because I had so many other things in the works. I pulled fabrics to match an awesome piece of Voile backing.

I then was super lucky to get to take a workshop local with Kathleen Baden and my start on this project was energized and I got like 15 blocks made that day and my solid blocks cut.

I made a few more in the days following the workshop and then seemingly lost momentum and would only work on it from time to time but every time I remembered why I still loved this project.

I took this project with me to Stash Bash and didn't get around to it and that's probably a good thing because of the distractions that were around me and focus that these blocks need. I elected to make this my OMG goal for May and at least wanted to get the blocks completed -- Ideally also then assembled.

This did not happen in May because I ran out of month before I found enough motivation to finish all the blocks. I did finish about half of them and only have about 25 more to go.

When I finally had all my blocks (and a few extra) ready and now started the tedious part of layout but I was able to get things all laid out with the help of Kathleen in early June. My goal became to have a top by the 2nd anniversary of the class (June 15).

Well that didn't happen so I finished the top on July 4 and sent it out to be quilted by Charlene at @thecottonfarmfabrics

She did an AMAZING job on this one and I know it's well worth all those stitches to have it home looking this great.

I had a great time taking some finished pictures at a settlement community near my work -- this place was established nearly 300 years ago.

How great is this Voile back by Anna Maria Horner -- it was the inspiration for the whole quilt.

This is my 2nd finish in the 4th quarter 2017.

Don't get tangled up in the spiderwebs

2017-11-08T11:28:00.000-05:00

I've always been intrigued by the spiderweb quilt blocks that I've seen and this year I decided that I would have one of my bee hives make blocks up so that i would finally have one. I've been a part of the triple bee swap where we make 3 blocks each per month for the queen and I was the queen in January. I loved having all the blocks come rolling in and I made a big batch as well.

I got it all assembled and sent off to Charlene for quilting after the Stash Bash retreat. She went with a fun geometric pattern and it turned out great.

My good friend Teri was having some down time after a knee replacement so I asked if she wanted to bind it for me -- and she awesomely said yes.

I was so glad to get it back before Halloween cause I think it's a good fall pallet and around here temps are starting to be in the 40's and 50's in the evenings and I do love a cuddly quilt.

The only thing better is a cuddly cat to go with the cuddly quilt and as a matter of fact I have a few of those as well, including my sweet little orphan baby Miss Lula Roe. She's about 6 weeks old and finally over 2 lbs after having been with us for a month from less than a pound when I found her.

This is my 1st finish of the 4th quarter.

Houston Guild Swap

2017-10-26T11:14:00.003-04:00

This is the 2nd time that our guild has done a mini quilt swap with another guild in Texas and I always find these to be really fun. What's even better is when you know many of the ladies in the other guild and just so happen to get one of them as your partner.

I had Liz @fatchickquilts as my partner and had met her in person at my first stash bash retreat and she's a great lady so making for her was a treat. I used her love of magenta, blue and Tula Pink to create this mini.

The pieces are on the small size and required a bunch of starch to make sure all those little points stayed in place.

In return I received from my dear friend amy @houseofbadcats

Isn't this mini purrfect for me!! the quilting is awesome and she knows how much I love my kitties (especially Nugget).

This was a finish in the 3rd quarter but I was not able to share since my partner had not received.

Goals to wind down 2017

2017-10-02T20:15:00.001-04:00

It's time for the Finish Along goals for the end of 2017. You all know I love making lists and this one is no exception but this quarter I've decided to include all the projects and brake them up into the phase that they are in currently and see if that helps me focus on getting more things accomplished.

2 that are So Close -- Just needs the binding turned

Tessellations
Spiderwebs

14 Completed tops -- Need quilting and Binding

Migration
Scrappy Rainbow Strips 1
Plus Side* -- Due in October
Botanics Pendent Chevrons
Kwik Evening Star
Boba Fett Mini
Swiss Cross for Teri*
Alison Glass Geese Rainbow mini
6 Charity Quilts*

7 In Progress Assembly Required -- Blocks to be turned into tops

Double Star
Moda Modern Building Blocks -- this is the oldest project
Kwik Mosaic Tiles -- half the blocks are completed and assembled
Down the Rabbit Hole Traveling Quilt
2017 Round Robin Quilt (comes back in December)
Scrappy Rainbow Strips 2
Scrappy Kittens

12 Things in the Idea Phase -- When I need to start something new

Squirrel Mini for Gina*
Tula Pink Color Dive
All Squared Up with Priory Square
Broken Herringbone
Anna Maria Horner Scrappy Quilt
Metro Hoops
Kandy Cat Quilt
Project with Spirit Animal
Happy Go Lucky Dutchman's Puzzle
Jen Kingwell Holiday Pillow*
Triangle pillow or mini quilt from leftover tesselations blocks
Alison glass selvages project

13 Things that are not Quilts

Continue making my rainbow scrap bins (5 left to finish)
Weekender Bag
Makers Tote
2 Mini Sew Together Bag*
Sew Together Bag for Lisa*
3 Tunics

OMG that's 48 projects -- Very unrealistic goals because I would need to finish 16 items per month or an average of a finish every other day to make that happen (insert crazy laughter) but I do have 13* items that are gifts and those really need to be finished this quarter.

September notes

2017-10-01T11:00:00.003-04:00

The month started out with an awesome girls weekend, where I got 4 quilt tops and a mini quilt put together. Most of these were already in blocks at the start of the long weekend but it felt good to come back with tops instead of pieces.

Not much else to report this month -- After Labor Day holiday with my girlfriends, my time back to my sewing machine was limited for a few weeks because of a change in my husband's schedule and a sickness that a coworker brought to me.

I did finish my mini for the Houston Guild Swap.

Toward the end of the month, I managed to get my Bee blocks finished for Kathleen and Dianna. How fun are Cathleene's Filmstrip blocks and those winged square blocks turned out great.

I worked on Maryanne's traveling quilt, adding the braided part to the right side made from half hexagons cut on my accuquilt. This group has one more round and then mine will return home probably in time for my birthday.

I didn't really get much else done this month except a few extra blocks that will be going in my double star quilt once my hive mates send the rest in.

Things start to slow down for me once the weather turns cool and hopefully my schedule will get back to normal and much more sewing can happen. I'm really hoping for time on the longarm soon so that I will be able to finish up some of the charity tops that I have been making all year.

Lucky 21 -- Lucky Lady

2017-09-27T09:12:00.001-04:00

My niece Ireland graduated high school in just 3 years while doing all kinds of awesome extravehicular activities along the way and now she's off to college -- so you all know what that means -- it's time she gets a quilt.

To be honest this did not start out with the intention of being her quilt -- it was a fun fabric that I loved and wanted to make as the color pallet for an unknown project. I love it when that happens -- but more when the actual project comes together and in the end everything seems just right. It all started with this very pretty art gallery fabric

and pulled most of the coordinating fabrics from my stash.

I came across the pattern in a stash box and knew this would be a fun and simple project to put together. I actually started on this quilt back at the 2016 stash bash and it sat for a while as components waiting to be randomly put together -- there really is limited planning on this pattern. I got the blocks assembled at Stash Bash earlier this year and really loved all the bright pastels I was finally getting to use.

I made the backing shortly after I got home and it was in the pile waiting for quilting. It was really supposed to be waiting for me to longarm it but when I decided to send 2 others out I threw this one in as well. Charlene @thecottonfarmfabrics did a simple panto on this one and it looks great.

I used more of the backing for the binding.

and once it was complete I knew this quilt should go to Ireland. Now the quilt lives with her at college and I hope she knows how much I love her and how proud I am of the awesome young lady that she has become.

Was a finish in the 3rd quarter.

3rd Quarter Accomplishments

2017-09-27T08:56:00.003-04:00

At the beginning of this quarter I linked up with 25 ambitious goals for the quarterly finish a long. I completed 4 and made some progress on 7 others.

Completed

Patchwork Swoon -- Complete

Guild mini quilt swap with Houston guild -- Complete

Lucky 21 -- Complete

3-6 more scrap bins -- blue complete

Progress
Plus Side quilt for Granny -- assembled, needs quilting, her birthday is next month so I really need to get this one finished.

Tessellations Quilt -- needs binding finished

Spiderwebs quilt -- needs binding

Pattern testing for Karie Jewell -- one top complete and one half complete

Botanics Pendant Quilt -- needs quilting

Migration Quilt -- top completed

Double Star Quilt -- Waiting on the blocks to come in I am the Queen Bee in September -- I made 4 blocks so far and have received a few more

There were plenty of other things that didn't get touched this quarter but here's hoping that next quarter will be more productive.

When your Friends design patterns.....

2017-09-13T10:23:00.002-04:00

Many of my friends know that I sew almost daily and because of my husband's work schedule I sew most evenings. I'm not a 30 minute per day sewer, it's more like 3-4 hours per day and 6 on Fridays when I don't have other things going on.

This leaves plenty of time to try new things and sometimes those things include pattern testing. When my friend Karie asked if I'd be willing to test out some of her new patters I was beyond happy to give them a go. She sent me 6 that would be coming out soon and I was able to squeeze in time to test out 2 of them.

The first one went quickly and is a great one to really showcase the fabrics in a layer cake, here's my smaller version of Kwik Evening Star.

The second one was a bit more labor intensive and I really only finished the first half before she shared the pattern -- I did a reverse coloration of Kwik Misaic Tiles. I hope to be able to get some more cream scraps so that I will be able to finish up the other half of these blocks because it's looking great so far.

Big thanks to Karie for asking me to be a part of this awesome set of patterns to test. I have another that I am hoping to put together soon and look forward to sharing it as well.

August -- was kind of a blur

2017-09-13T10:17:00.002-04:00

August started out with the 9th anniversary to my husband. We usually take some time off to celebrate and this year we just decided to do some local things and a day trip to Asheville. I also made a trip to Pineapple fabrics -- they are only open to the public a few times a year and this was a great trip for me to get backings and a fill in things.

Sewing this month consisted of bee blocks

A traveling quilt for the awesome @Seydonamade -- I added the heart and geese section at the bottom

Getting 3 of my quilts back from Charlene @thecottonfarmfabrics , means that soon I will have some finishes to share.

a Pattern test of Boba Fett for @radioactive_Squirrel

and a wonderful girls weekend that consisted of much sewing, laughter and good food.

July was full of blues

2017-07-31T16:00:00.001-04:00

July marked the use of blues from my scraps -- I made my colored strips that i am getting ever so close to having the major 6 colors all finished so I will be able to make an awesome rainbow quilt once I make the orange ones.

I got the scrap bin made early on in the month as well.

I got my green string blocks put into a future charity or baby quilt

and then I whipped up a blue charity / baby quilt.

I spent a great deal of the month putting together some patters that I am testing for a friend so I can't show you guys 2 quilt tops I did manage to put together but here's a preview of the fabrics i used -- all from stash.

instead I will show off this rascal of a cat that is making sewing extra challenging lately. She steals my layout spot, my chair and here lately she tries to reach for the rotary cutter or whatever project I am sewing on.

I did buy some fabric this month for a mini quilt that I will be making for a guild swap with the Houston guilt coming up in September -- I love these fabrics and am pretty sure my partner does too, especially since I know her in real life.

I was queen bee in one of my hives this month and choose migration blocks. I love the ones that I made,

and as more are coming in they are all looking so great together, still waiting on 2 ladies to arrive but I know one is in the mail.

For my other hives I made a hidden gems block (this one took me 3 tries to get the colors in the right place even with marking them),

and a fun variation of a 9 patch -- mine are on the bottom row.

For the traveling quilts i added mountain's majesty blocks for Becky's quilt but she wan't things to be a surprise for her so I can't share that either but they were pretty awesome.

I finished my Tessellations quilt top and got it shipped off to the longarmer for her magic.

I showed you guys my completed swoon already in it's own post.

My Feather weight project is nearly complete and she's a fun candy purple now -- the bobbin case just needs a little tweeking on the reassembly and i am sure that she will be sewing in no time. This machine was found in an outdoor junk pile by a friend a few years ago and wasn't 100% then so even if it becomes just for display I love it. Her name is Bridgett -- my mother's nickname when she was being stubborn.

and managed to make a bunch of frankien batting for most of my charity quilts. These will be great practice pieces for the longarm some time soon.

Wow July was busier than I remembered and I know August will be as well since it's vacation time and my aspirations are high. The end of August is also a fun girls weekend in the mountains and many things need to get under way before then to have a super pruductive time.

Savings Challenge time

2017-07-17T11:46:00.003-04:00

It's time to link back up with Val and join in on the savings challenge that I have been a part of for the last 4 years,

Per usual I will be saving my loose change and some bills for the next year with the hopes of a slush fund for fabric shopping and the excitement of something bigger after the year. This year I will be storing my bills under the watchful eye of Darth Vader.

My real goal is to beat my small total from this past year but I'm also hoping that my savings this year will go toward a quilt retreat next year or a fun trip somewhere.

Swooning -- a completion

2017-07-14T11:15:00.000-04:00

I've been a fan of Thimble Blossom's Swoon pattern for some time but never seemed to get around to making it.

I bought Pat Bravo's Rock N Romance line with the intention of making a queen size quilt for my bed out of it but put it off.

Earlier this year swoon came around again in a quilt along and I joined up. Now by this time my love of doing a huge quilt from the line had wained and we have a bed quilt that my husband loves so I regrouped on the design and narrowed things down to a patchwork version of swoon.

I made a few modifications to be easier on the math with these prints and have had the top completed since March, when I sent it to the The Green Apricot for quilting.

Angela (and Juan) did a great job with it and all I had left was to bind it. Truth be told i got the binding attached right after stash bash but then never got around to turning it.

I am happy to report that it is now complete and all ready for display in my bedroom.

This is my 1st finish for the 3rd quarter finish a long.

Mammoth Undertaking -- a completion

2017-07-12T11:07:00.002-04:00

Every now and then in life we stumble into a person that from the beginning we have a connection that is deep and we know that our life is changed because they are now a part of it.

For me this story starts 2 years ago. It was my first stash bash and I was anxious about meeting all these new people. To be honest it didn't start out as a great time because of some negative interactions I had right at the beginning but then there was this one chick on the other side of the room that kept stalking me. Everytime I went to the cutting table or iron there she was, anytime I went to the side room to lay something out there she was again. We joked about her stalking me and at one point I think I was convinced she was my secret sister. Turns out she wasn't but she was an awesome chick and through social media we kept in touch and made plans to meet up at the next retreat and hang out more. So now we've been to a total of 4 retreats together and plan to see each other more once they move later this summer.

Before retreat this year she proposed a private swap -- ok sounds great. we knew we were doing a quilt swap but when it came to specifics I asked mini quilts or throws, we take the plunge and commit to throws (which for us loosely translates to a twin size bed quilt). I knew right away in looking through her pinterest and knowing her love of Alabama that I wanted to make her Violet Craft's Abstract Elephant.

After some discussion it was determined that it should be in teals instead of grey and I set forth to find a great fabric group to make this happen.

As it started to come together the project became more exciting.

I determined that I would send it out to The Cotton Farm Fabrics for quilting and Charlene did a remarkable job.

Then I got it bound in some fun Cotton and steel

and had some fun taking pictures of this mamoth undertaking.

It was a real pleasure making this for Mallory and I know that she will cherish it for many years to come. For me she made an AMAZING Tula Pink rainbow shadowbox that she had Tula sign at Quilt Con -- I love it and her so much.

Mr. Pink also finds it an amazing spot to cuddle.

Mallory is one of the few that i put in the category of "my people" -- I am forever grateful for stash bash and bringing her into my live and know that we are destine to be friends a very long time.

Piggy Bank Challenge Results

2017-07-06T15:06:00.000-04:00

Each July Val hosts a Piggy Bank Challenge -- I've been doing this challenge the last 3 years and usually I do pretty well. We have a year to see what kind of savings we can generate from change or loose bills and then decide on what our splurge item will be and then we start the challenge over for another year.

This year I managed to save $338.50 -- That's not nearly as good as my savings in the previous years but I have dipped into it a few times recently.

My husband and I got a new to us 2000 4 Runner and we have been making some upgrades to it.

I also bought a FQ Bundle of Tula Pink's new line Spirit Animal that a friend snagged for me on an instagram sale.

I also got a layer cake of Sunprint 2017

And I pulled money out already to order her new line diving board, that is coming out soon.

In non fabric purchases I am planning a small trip later in the summer and I am sure the funds will come in handy then.

May and June update

2017-07-05T11:34:00.001-04:00

Well I've been a slacker in the realm of blogging and also in the realm of sewing -- I find myself under motivated recently.
I have managed to add 2 more scrap bins to my growing collection -- Green and Yellow (somehow i have no photo of the green one)

I am really loving how they are looking together and now that the first side is full that will be motivation to push on the next 6 months and finish up the other half

-- not to mention that it gives me floor space back where the boxes have been. I may use this space and display my machine collection in the near future.

I also made a few charity quilt tops that I look forward to being able to finish up soon.

I managed to work on a few traveling quilts and made a slew of bee blocks.

May Blocks

June Blocks

I am steadily working on my tessellations quilt and hope to have it finished very soon -- I got it laid out in the beginning of June and numbered all the blocks so now it's just about putting the top together.

I've been good about limiting my fabric buying but did manage to get a bundle of Tula Pink Spirit Animal that will be coming out later this year and an Acacia layer cake --- thanks to my gal Mallory. Spirit Animal is stunning and I can't wait to figure out what to make with it.

I'll be setting new quarterly goals soon and my biggest one will be to get something completed and alleviate this sewing funk.

3rd Quarter goals

2017-07-03T10:12:00.002-04:00

2017 has been a year of limited accomplishments so far but I am hoping that the 3rd quarter will be better than the first half, so here's all the things that I have in the works currently.

Patchwork Swoon -- needs binding

Guild mini quilt swap with Houston guild -- due September, I have a plan and the fabrics.

Guild Holiday Swap item -- due October but I want to get it in early

complete the charity quilt tops that I have been making from scraps -- 5 currently need quilting

Plus Side quilt for Granny -- needs assembly

Swiss cross Quilt for Teri -- needs quilting

Tessellations Quilt -- complete assembly and quilting

Lucky 21 -- needs quilting
Down the Rabbit Hole traveling quilt -- needs my contribution
Spiderwebs quilt -- needs quilting

Alison Glass extra geese mini quilt -- needs quilting

Moda Modern Building Blocks abbreviated version -- needs assembly
Kitten Head quilt -- blocks being made from scraps monthly
3-6 more scrap bins
Squirrel Mini quilt for Gina

Pattern testing for Karie Jewell

Botanics Pendant Quilt -- fabric is cut and marked

Weekender Bag -- the outer panels are made
Migration Quilt -- I am the Queen bee this month

Double Star Quilt -- I am the Queen Bee in September

Tabby Road Project
Spirit Animal project
3 more tunics
All Squared UP with Priory Square

Broken Herringbone Quilt

AMH Scrappy Quilt

Grandma's Surprise

Metro Hoops

Taffy quilt with Color Theory

I'll be linking up all these 25 ambitious goals for the quarterly finish a long. It really looks like I need to book some time on the long arm at my local shop or head to a friends house and bang some of these out because the pile of 10 to be quilted looks quite daunting.