2011 in Review

First off,
wow, a week with no work and literally everything goes out the window
I haven't even posted about my Christmas goodies yet!
Oh well, moving on..

Well, as i'm sure for most of you 2011 was a BIG year.

Personally, it was as well.

I graduated with my Masters back in January.

Starting working many, many part-time teaching jobs through June.

Started my blog in August.

Started teaching full-time as a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing in September.

Did A LOT of sewing through December.

Overall, I'm super happy with how 2011 came and went. Starting my blog was a huge undertaking and though I loved following other blogs, I wasn't so sure other people would care AT ALL about what was going on with me personally and sewing related.

The response has been amazing, I have met some of the nicest, most talented people.

So thank you to every single person that has left me a comment or emailed me or just discussed this hobby with me. 

I appreciate it.

:)

Here's some of my quilting recapped for 2011

Quilts 2011

Other sewing 2011

Overall, looking back, I think I did alright, 

technically my sewing craze began in August with the blog

Hate to think about what next years will look like! hahaha

I have big plans for 2012.

Hope you'll stick around to see what I've got up my sleeves

:)

Recuperating

Hey everyone,

Hope you all had enjoyable holidays, i'm still recuperating myself!

I'll be back this week with some sewing to share!

Hoping i don't burnout after my all night sewing sessions to finish up the holiday stuff, 

so i'm taking it slow..

Have a great day 

:)

Accomplishment?

This holiday season is running me ragged..

and it hasn't even happened yet!

Today was the last day of school before winter break, 

i came home and literally crashed.

BUT I managed to get something accomplished.

My two blocks for Quilting for Kids

These will get sent to So Sarah Sews 

she has been making quilts for a family of children in the foster system

I was fortunate enough to be able to help with the first two and I was happy to do my part again :)

So, though its only two blocks, it's part of a much bigger, more important project... 

so i'm happy with that 

Now, tomorrow's job is to make binding for my duffel bag to finish up and cover the raw edges..

then the gifts are DONE

I'll be checking in, but sporadically until next week

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday! 

:)

Final Stretch..

Alright, let me just start this with, I typically can't keep secrets

and this year I have MADE more gifts than usual.. so i'm about ready to 

burst!!

Haha, still a few more days to go..

I finished up another gift this weekend though

a large duffel kind of Vera-Bradley-esque

This bag is for my aunt, who doesn't read the blog so its safe.

It's on the large size, 11x11x22 approximately

I seriously can't wait to give it to her!!

Only 6 more days!

I also got some more work on my Swoon blocks done

I have a feeling this is all i'll get to till after the holidays though..

As you can see I seriously procrastinated my wrapping, baking and basically everything else

so that's what i'll be doing the rest of the week.

I have 2 more gifts on my list, one is super quick the other, not so much..

wish me luck I complete the list!

How's your holiday gift-making coming along??

:)

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

First I want to thank everyone that stopped by and entered the giveaway this week!

The response was VERY overwhelming. 

As of last night I was still trying to catch up with comments!

Sorry I'm a bit late, worked a holiday party last night so 

I wasn't able to draw the winner of the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day until NOW!

The winner is.. 

No. 74 is Melissa!!

Congrats Melissa, i've emailed you!

Holiday parties and whatnot this weekend, but i'll be back Monday with some sewing?

Hopefully?

My list for gifts still has some undone! uh oh!

Anyone else starting to feel the pressure?!

:)

(argh, sorry for the technical difficulties with pictures, i'll attempt to fix later)

Progress..

So, what do 180 HST's and 72 flying geese have in common?

They are all a part of my new SWOON quilt!

I know, I know, before you say it I will.

But.. you still haven't finished your first swoon..

There's a theory to my madness.

I'm not finishing this one until I find the last color block that I LOVE.

This quilt is fabulous to me, and I worked hard on it, so I want it to stay fabulous.

I'm on the hunt for a "true blue" for the last block but the hunt will be

postponed till after Christmas

So, back to the new Swoon.

This one is for my parents bedroom in our beach house.

Their room is yellow

We're using "True Blue" by Benartex

Found the yellow floral version at my LQS and only ONE fq of the blue floral

OF COURSE this led to the online search for more, which luckily I found

Paired them with a solid-ish and voila!

I'll show more once I start constructing..

its taking longer since i'm working on all 9 blocks at once

Have a fabulous day everyone!

btw, 10 days till Christmas!!

:)

Quilt A Long in 2012

Hey all,

First off i'm still overwhelmed by the response from the

Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway day.

This was my first time participating and I think i'm still trying to respond to all the emails!

Seriously, you all have given me some AWESOME ideas for gifts and you will have some really happy people in your families. 

I wanted to let you all know about a Quilt A Long coming up in 2012.

Jenna at SewHappyGeek is hosting her first ever QAL!!

A sampling of the blocks.

Jenna has fabric requirements listed and is starting to send out some  information.

If your interested, get going!

My new years resolution is to try new things and think outside the box - 

a modern quilt along fits the bill

I'll be back later this week with some actual sewing. 

Its been a crazy week and not much has taken place!

:)

update - just realized I didn't tell you about the winner from my comments
I wrote these on paper since some people had more than one entry 
(cough Katy and Debbie cough) haha
I also made boyfriend pick since I wrote them down
drumroll.......

Heather! Im emailing you today! Congrats!

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day!

The day has finally arrived!

Sew, Mama, Sew is hosting a giveaway day.

Stop on by and see the fabulous bloggers that are participating!

I have some Denise Schmidt FQ's to giveaway today!

We're keeping it super simple - I know you have lots of blogs to visit,

thanks for visiting mine!

Entries:

(1 entry)

Super simple, leave me a comment with your favorite gift to  MAKE for people for the holidays.. 

I'm looking for inspiration :)

(1 entry)

Optional entry: follow my blog

You do not need to be a follower to win, 

but if you choose to follow (yay!) great!

Giveaway will be open until December 16, 2011 @ 12 midnight.

I'll email the winner December 17.

Make sure I have a way to contact you!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, to make things a bit more interesting, I decided to add something else.

If you have left a comment on my blog, prior to today

Anytime from December 1-11, 2011 

you will be entered to win another prize.

I really value your opinions, feedback and overall nice comments so anyone that has left a comment prior to today on my blog will be entered 

(however many times you've commented will be how many entries you receive)

to win a "surprise" gift.

Since the comments are already left, I will draw a winner on 

Wednesday!

Saturday in Photos

:)

Slow and Steady..

So, since my Christmas quilts are done (1 & 2)

I decided I was allowed to work on a non-Christmas related gift..

(Even though I have more gifts to make.. but whose keeping track!)

Just a peek today - in case you were ever wondering what 180 HST's look like

(seemed like wayyyy more at the time)

oh, and don't forget the trimmings!

Have a great day! 

:)

Christmas runner swap

Hey all, 

Seriously a HUGE thanks to everyone who commented yesterday and tried to help me with my swoon choices.. I really like getting the feedback from you guys because it gives me a chance to step back and look from a different angle!

A lot of you agreed with the grass or clover, but some mentioned a "true blue" which, I have though about, but not seriously.. so I think its time I do. 

I'll keep you posted on how that turns out!

Just wanted to share with you what I received from the Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap.

Seriously, how cute is that!

These were made by the fabulous Nicky!

They are on my table ready to go for the holidays!

Thanks Nicky!

 And this..

this is what has been sitting on my sewing table

slowly making progress..

 any guesses??

Swooning again!

Finished swoon blocks!

attempting to determine greens..

grr for wrinkles! sorry!

I finally had a sunny day and by the time I got around to taking pictures, 

the sun was setting!!

I'm thinking a darker green for the last block, but i'm open to suggestions --

 these are the ones I pulled as possibilities

I'm open to any and all feedback so please comment and help me out!

grass

jungle

clover

palm

Any other suggestions? I'll find my print later.

I'm leaning more towards the grass I think because none of the blacks are super dark, 

just darker variations..

Any and all help is appreciated!

Christmas 2011

Anyone remember my post about Christmas 2010 when I made this quilt?

Well, this years job was to make a quilt from the scraps for boyfriend's mom!

What do you think?

I love this design, whichever way you look at it your eye catches something different

 Same Yankee fleece backing as 2010

I didn't bind this quilt, I turned it inside out and topstitched the edge and inner edge

Simple enough, but will keep the batting in place

I was afraid too much quilting would take away from the design and also, have you ever tried to quilt fleece? ugh, pulling and puckering mess.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 48" x 60"

Pattern: inspired by Boxy Stars but modified by myself

Quilted by: myself

Completed: December 4, 2011

Christmas Quilts 2011

Through the Ages

 

Boxy Stars

I have 20 days to spare?! I'm pretty excited.. maybe I can sneak another one in?? hmm

:)

Quilting for Kids

I know everyone is busy with their families during this time of year,

but I wanted to let you all know about a fabulous thing that has been taking place.

Sarah from So Sarah Sews has been organizing and collecting quilt blocks.

She just recently finished quilting and sent 2 to 2 sisters in the foster care system.

These are the quilts she just sent to the sisters - I had the privilege of helping with these :)

Now, she is asking for help to make one for the brother. 

If you find yourself with a few minutes so spare, please check out the flickr page and consider making a block or two.

She has posted a tutorial for the blocks and seriously, so simple, but going to be a striking quilt.

She's using the boy's favorite colors (red, grey, white, black) - solids only.

She's using Toni's "Dead Simple Quilt Along" quilt as inspiration.

So please, I know everyone's busy, but a half hour of your time will make a big difference to someone else.

Sign-ups for the blocks are located on the flickr page.

:)

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day!

Hey all, just a quick blogging update.

In case you haven't seen Sew, Mama, Sew will be hosting a Giveaway Day
on
December 12, 2011
Sew, Mama, Sew will have a link up for all the blogs participating, so all you need to do is visit them, then blog hop and enter the ones you'd like to!

Mark your calendars! 
I've only ever participated as a person trying to win!
This year, I'll be hosting a giveaway myself.

I was planning to do one soon as a
thank you
to all my followers for their continued support and encouragement.
Seriously, it makes all the difference and I sincerely appreciate it!

So stay tuned, I'll have some fun things for you to win on the 12th!