January Goals: Charity Quilts

Happy New Year!

Isn't it heavenly to start with a clean slate? 

Are you ready to do a fabric purge in your studio, 

and put it all to good use?

A whole year of new starts, and fresh eyes toward our future is a gift. We stand on this exact spot, but recognize the opportunity less than we would like to admit. Many times it simply becomes routine with the New-Year's-Resolution-Thing. This time is different. I've taken the entire month of December to dream about what I was seeking in 2018. Nope, that's not a typo. How can you plan the year at hand by not looking further down the pike? Do you ever just get in your car and drive around and around? No. We plan destinations, and we determine the best routes. Energy is in limited supply.

Wanted: Other Quilters Seeking Joy

Another Scrap Box Dumped

"The End (of the Year) is coming! The End (of the Year) is coming!" If you heard this, and you only had one quilt to make before the End, what would you make?

Seriously, if you only had one more quilt to make 

EVER, what would you make?

Snail's Trail with Depression Scraps aka Feed Sacks

Snail's Trail Block

Always Start by Sorting!

About a year ago I started collecting vintage fabrics. They can still be found around here by hunting little shops, word of mouth, or scrolling through Ebay. Everything I buy comes home, and gets a good wash and press, and then stored flat. Up to this point I haven't used a thing. I've been literally stockpiling it waiting for just the right project.

150 Canadian Women Blocks

150 Canadian Women Quilt Along

Next Step Quilt Designs is hosting a quilt along celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary next year, and I hopped on board with some friends. The blocks are released 3 per week, and I'm close to being caught up now. The suggested palette is a range of red and white. I'm making this one more of a Glory Quilt palette by adding blues, grey tones, and a some gold.

'En Provence' Mystery Blocks Piling Up

One Possible Combination

Last week's installment is all finished here. It's time to start putting things together to imagine. My thoughts: Did I pick the right combination of colors for this?

Saturday Lists, Stash, & 150 Canadian Women

The Day of Big Lists 

and Why You Should Have One

More than any other time of year, this is the Craziest (with a capital "C") for most of us. There would be no other opportune moment for me to plug the value of making lists than today, one week before Christmas and Hanukkah. My current lists are:

Santa's List

Shopping

Home and Holiday Budgets

Calendars: His, Hers, Theirs, Yours

Menus

Travel Itineraries

Studio Work/ Holiday Sewing

Scrappy Dresden Baby Quilt

No Pressure Quilts

Can I tell you what I love most about making baby quilts?  I love that when someone looks at this quilt, it's only going to be for a moment before their eyes go back to the new baby. They aren't going to see the little imperfections you and I might pick apart with our eyes. This is about the baby--not the quilt! No pressure. But for the sake of letting you in on what I learned, I'll pick apart the process. 

Mish Mash Monday: Piecing, Projects, & Partnerships

A Little Bit Sweet

Oh, Sweet Monday! Through the wonders of air travel, I woke up in foggy Florida, and was back in a snowy Ohio by lunchtime. I was travelling very light, and my computer was stashed at home--not my choice. My little phone had such a workout to stay connected, but with big limitations for me. Can I please do a quick catch up for you?

Last Friday morning I started a quickie project with 2.5" strips, and a Creative Grids ruler. I turned out this Dresden Plate early in the morning, then used the rest of my free time before my trip to blanket stitch it on to a low volume background. I added a few spunky borders to round it out to a 36" square, and it was ready for something I'd never tried before.

Give Away Days at Sew Mama Sews

Give Away Time At Sew Mama Sew!

It's Here! It's Time! Are You Ready?

It rolls around just once a year now, and it's fun for everyone involved. Let's just say it feels like Christmas comes early for quilters.

I'm going to make this short and sweet. I'm giving away a new tool I've found, and am over-the-top thrilled with. I used it cutting out triangle for this lovely flying geese quilt, and anytime I have stacks of fabric to cut through. 

Cutting HST with Directional Prints & Studio Goals List

November's Bee Hive Block

This pop of color was No. 6 on last week's To-Do List. It's the next-to-last Bee Hive Block to complete for the year. Blossom Heart Quilts organizes the Hives every year, and the blocks made for it come from a free archive of block tutorials hosted there. 

Blossom Heart Quilts Bee Hive Tutorials

This one was presented with a technique I wasn't comfortable with, but Alyce gave her modified version, which simply uses all HST. I was using 2 directional prints for the star tips, and want to show you a hint to make this work.