Happy New Year 2012

It's almost that time of year again where we wish health and happiness to our friends, neighbors and others that we come in contact with. I'd like to say Happy New Year early to all my blogging friends out there and wish you all a great 2012.

I have a few personal goals this year, one of which is to get into better shape personally and on a sewing front, I'm going to continue making my "Big 3" list with Robin and Michelle. The list kind of keeps me accountable in the sewing room.

Last year I made those Art to Heart minis for my mom every month and it felt so good accomplishing that and getting them mailed to her in Florida. This year, I am hoping that every month or every 6 weeks at least I can assemble a charity quilt top. Heaven knows I have bags of blocks and charm squares/coins etc. cut up and all ready for assembly so I'd like to keep myself focused on charity for 2012.

NOW...I know I may fall off the wagon somewhere along the road but I'm really going to try...and with luck all my BFF's will keep me focused.

Here's to a Happy, Healthy New Year and all of 2012 to everyone!!!

New Project

I'm going to start a new project today with the hopes of finishing it by the weekend.

My niece goes to"hair school" with a girl that is pregnant and a while back asked me if I could make a baby girl quilt using some fabric that has"hair products" on it like combs, hair dryers etc. I did do a search online, but didn't come up with anything so I just bought a white print focus fabric with flowers and lady bugs etc, on it and pulled fabrics that might go with it. Being as none have white in them it will work nicely for the separator strips.

I'm using a Moda "Jumbo Coins" http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/12/jumbo-coins-baby-quilt.html#more pattern that I found on their web site. Instead of using a solid white, I'm going to use the white print as the separator fabric.

I don't even have to buy a backing fabric because I have enough of these to piece the back AND I have a pink and a purple flannel up on the shelf that I can use! Can't beat getting an entire quilt almost for free from the stash now can you?

Peggy

Twister Finished

I started this twister quilt at a retreat in Indiana back in mid November. Since then I've started 2 new projects, finishing one totally. I finally made the executive decision that NOTHING gets started until the 2 borders were sewn onto the twister. I sat down earlier today and finally got them on.

The finished quilt is much brighter in person but we have to settle for a cell phone picture because although I got a new camera, I haven't had the chance to read the instructions etc.

I will sometime this week....

Now to get to the quilt store with a few of my Christmas gift cards and get the backing for this one.....

Oh, and by the way, it was made with Fig Tree fabrics and finished up to 73-1/2 X 88! I used 2 layer cakes and a little yardage for the 2 borders!

What's on your New Years Eve agenda?

Jamestown Landing

Have you seen this Bonnie Hunter quilt yet? I saw a sneak preview of it on a blog one day while I was hopping around so I tracked down the "Australian Homespun" magazine it was in and started to round up some neutrals and blues. Earlier this week I decided to start making the quilt so I got to cutting. Step #1 is 840 HST's !!!!

Here's 178 of the 840 all trimmed up.....

I'm thinking I have a lot of work ahead of me :)

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/


Did I really just sign up for my first block of the month for 2012?
Absolutely! You should go to Jo's Country Junction and check it out...all it will cost you is the price of the pattern! The fabric comes from your stash and it's a 12.5 unfinished block that you can finish off to be a candle mat or table decoration.....click on the above link and head on over....

December???

Where the heck did December go?

I haven't done much in the sewing room but I have been sewing. I did some binding on the red and white twister and got that on the coffee table and then I did some binding on a quilt I was giving as a retirement gift for my friend Helen.

Yesterday I thought I'd get some sewing done but when I sat down at the machine I just couldn't focus so I sewed a few 2 inch squares together to use as the center of a scrappy star block but then I lost my oomph and wandered out to the couch where I spent the night.

Today though, I was determined to do "something". I realized that I couldn't focus mainly because my "need to do" list is really non existent as opposed to my "want to do list" so it's hard to just pick one project and start it.....so instead, I pulled out some strips of fabric coins and started sewing them up....and this is what I ended up with tonight.
The colors are much brighter in person but I think you get the idea. I do have to admit that now that it's assembled and I see the picture I realize that I should have alternated the green separator strips but it's too late now!
I have some Laurel Burch flannel on the shelf to use for the backing...which by the way I bought for $5 a yard at my local shop, so it's going to make for a great charity top. OH....and by the way, everything for this quilt which finished up to 47-1/2 X 62 came from my stash! No credit cards were damaged in the making of this one!!!

I have a lot more fabrics cut for coins so I think I'll make another one!!

OH, and just a warning to any readers. 2012 is going to be the year of "using what I have" so you're going to be seeing lots of scrap projects here....just saying.

Peggy