Starts and Finishes

So, way back in December, you know, the 30th and 31st (haha)

I got really motivated and decided I didn't want to start 2012 with UFO's hanging over my head

I have wayyyy too many projects I want to accomplish in 2012

So, I buckled down and sewed, and sewed, and sewed.

phew.

Well, it was worth it.

I was able to complete the blocks for TWO quilts I've had on my list for a while...

The first is my ruby, pearl and opal

I cut the pieces and laid it on my flannel tablecloth design wall..

and left it there..

But now!!

Blocks are finished! 

These took a lottttt of time, tons of piecing which I knew.. but didn't really think about haha - 

over the course of the 2 days I was able to complete them 

I love this - so feminine!

Still need to do the sashing, but the bulk of the quilting on the top is done :)

Next, my swoon quilt.. nope, still not mine - my parents quilt

These were going good till Christmas struck..

But now!

Again, needs sashing, but the blocks are done

This is for my parents bedroom at our beach house 

Mom's favorite color is blue, dad's is yellow.. so the room is yellow with blue accents

This will definitely be an awesome addition 

Now I just need to figure out the backing :)

These happy piles are sitting with my sewing things like before, 

only happier now since they're closer to being done

Till next time 

:)

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??

:)

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!!

:)

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!

Weekend Review

This weekend lacked any and all sewing prior to Sunday night.

I had initially wanted to participate in the Friday night sew-in because I've been wanting to for ages!

But, by the time Friday night rolled around, I found myself exhausted and ready for bed by 930pm! haha

Sunday I was in NYC to see "Bonnie and Clyde" on Broadway!

Good show overall, 

We had just seen Jeremy Jordan (who plays Clyde) in the Newsies in a smaller theatre and it was AMAZING -- there's talk of it making it to Broadway, if it does and you're in the are I fully recommend you go!

We had a beautiful day of walking around and enjoyed the show!

I knew we were in the vicinity of the garment district, but didn't know exactly where - I mentioned this to boyfriend and hinted we should check  it out.. didn't work.

As we were leaving we passed this..

(taken from google images)

AH! I have seen this in so many of my blog readings and I have wanted to check out the area..

but of course, it was a Sunday night and already 5pm, so boyfriend promised he'd take me back and let me explore to my hearts content (i'm holding him to that!)

 Anyway, so Sunday night was devoted to finishing up these 3 lovelies..

According to my count that makes me 1 BLOCK away from being done!

Later this week I'll show you them all laid out and ask for help!

I need help deciding on my last block!

Have a fabulous Monday everyone!

:)

Swooooooning

Finished 2 more blocks for my Swoon quilt!

I'm seriously in love with this pattern
5 down, 4 more to go!
Already cut the pieces for 2 more :)
I intend to get some serious sewing done this weekend

Have a nice weekend everyone!
Stay tuned for my first tutorial next week!

:)

Winter Stitching

I've decided to hold myself accountable this winter and I like the idea that FairyFace Designs had about making a list and linking it up so I can try and keep a more organized list of what I want to do..

Here goes nothing..

1. Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap 

2. Elf Wall Hanging - top done, waiting to be quilted and bound

3. SewHappyGeek Wall Hanging/Table Runner Swap

4. Ruby, Pearl and Opal Quilt (have all my supplies just waiting to find some time!)

5. Swoon Quilt (3 down, 6 to go)

6. Houndstooth Quilt

7. Finish quilt design

8. Christmas Surprise Quilt (in the process of piecing)

9. Crochet cowl scarf

10. Sewing machine cover

11. Wall hanging (design i've been wanting to make foreverrrr)

12. Baprons (babies due before Christmas plus some extras to have on hand)

13. Participate in 2-3 more swaps (maybe host my own??)

14. Write some tutorials!

15. LEARN HOW TO FMQ! (Should probably follow along with Cindy's)

16. Finish my 2 P.I.F. projects

Alright, that should hold me over for a while - only 3 actual quilts on the list

the rest are things to motivate me and get me to try new things.. all attainable though!

Wish me luck!

What are your plans this winter??

W.I.P. Wednesday #10

Woohoo! Double digit W.I.P. post! 

haha, it's the little things.. really (anyone else experience that?)

Works In Progress

1. Elf Wall Hanging - no progress from last week

2. Christmas Table Runner - almost complete! Pictures to follow tomorrow 

3. Swoon blocks - after these blocks monopolized took up so much of my time, I took a break.. well, i'm back and ready to start some more!! I cut the blocks for 2 more :)

4. Christmas Surprise Quilt - central blocks done, cutting some pieces -- my sewing table is covered in this though.. so not toooo much progress.

5. Christmas Scrappy Quilt - eh, no progress.

Finished Projects

1. Sew Happy Geek Table Runner/Wall Hanging Swap (just need to complete a small goodie as an extra)

2. Scrappy Swap 2011 - mailed this week :)

Projects on Hold:

1. Spanish Tiles

2. Swoon

3. Houndstooth Quilt (boyfriend can't decide on a color and i'm hoping I get the special ruler I need for it for Christmas hint hint)

Busy week(end) ahead of me, hoping to find some quality time with my sewing machine because I have a ton to complete before Christmas!!!

As always, I'm linking up with Lee from Freshly Pieced

:)

Holiday Weekend

So for the holiday weekend I decided to go with my family to my FAVORITE place in the world..

Anybody remember this view??

Yep, you guessed it. Chincoteague Island, VA.

The visit was multi-purpose, first to check out the damage left by Irene and secondly to enjoy the sun :)

Thankfully, our house was left unscathed.. how, I have NO idea, the eye of the storm literally went directly over the island.. but I'm thankful regardless.

The beach however, was torn apart and while Assateague Island can usually park 950 cars, they were able to park 300 this weekend.. YIKES!

I had decided to bring my sewing machine this trip and get some work done on my W.I.P's - I was planning to give you a tour of my makeshift crafting area, but this was as far as I got before my battery died!

Not a bad view aye? 

Well anyway, I only got ONE block done on my Swoon quilt because the pattern is very exact and i was paranoid to make any mistakes.. after a drink or two in the sun and on the beaches I decided quilting probably wasn't a good idea! haha

block 1 

I decided to go with the pastels for this one, and am thinking these colors for some other blocks

I'll worry about the rest later!

Tomorrow starts my in-service days at school and I just found out the elementary schools ceilings collapsed with Irene, so we are all being moved to the middle school UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Ah!

Should be interesting.. wish me luck.

Quilting may slow down for a bit with work starting but I'll do my best!!

I'm working on a new project Pay it Forward and would love for you to participate!

Also, I'm thinking a giveaway might be in order soon, I'm thinking when I get to 25 followers maybe? Spread the word! :)

btw.. i'm linking up canoe ridge creations - Sumo's Sweet Stuff - Sew Chatty - Skip to my Lou