A look back?

Hello Friends

I had every intention on looking back and blogging about all of the things that I accomplished this year.  How boring is that?  I didn't do a lot of sewing this year so if you want to know what I did this year you can scroll down and see. :)

I have a few things to look forward to this coming year.  My son will graduate from high school and he has been accepted to the UW-Milwaukee.  I am so excited to see where he goes and what he does.  I also have an opportunity to buy my parents home and may be doing that next summer.

So here is my list for next year:

Goals 2015

Quilt and bind the following quilts-Cherries Jubilee, Ragged Squares Quilt and Nordika.
Try to use at least 75% of my stash on more stash quilts
Finish all started projects.

New quilts I would like to make-Granny Squares Quilt, Spools Quilt and a new Christmas quilt.

It's a short list this year because a lot is happening.  I did finish 6 quilts and participated in a doll quilt swap in which I made 6 minis.  I have also signed up for the January swap and have the top already made.

I want to wish all my friends a blessed new year!  Happy 2015.  May it bring you peace and love.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
Lots of Love,
Amy

I will leave you with this picture from a few months ago.  I am a huge fan of the show Hoarders.  Actually I don't watch tv but found myself addicted to this show.  Dorothy Breninger is one of the organizers on the show and is originally from Richland Center WI.  She did a talk and book signing at the high school.  I just had to go and meet her.  She is the most wonderful person.  Everyone got a hug and she is just so interested in people.  I felt like we were long lost friends.  I met her fiance too and they are getting married tonight. :)  Best Wishes Dorothy and Marty!

A few shares

Hello Friends!

I have a few things to share today.  I have been busy still with family illness but have found some me time too!

We had a baby shower at work for a woman who didn't know she was pregnant until right before the baby came.  He is healthy and happy and we just love him.  Here is a picture of the diaper cake that I made for them:

Then of course I had to make a quilt.  I found a bundle of baby fabric at JoAnn's and just added some Kona solids.  The backing is yellow flannel.

We have another shower for a coworker on Halloween.  His name will be Hunter so we are going with a hunting theme.  My friend Marilyn made a very cute banner and I am going to use camo tissue paper and orange ribbon for the diaper cake.  I'll post pictures when I am done.  I need to go and do the quilting on her quilt.

I am also working on my Doll Quilt swap and I am making some taggie Dinosaurs.  I'll post pictures of those soon.

Hope you are all doing great and are working hard on Christmas gifts.  That will be here before you know it!  I haven't decided what to make yet this year for my coworkers.  I have a few ideas though.  What do you make for Christmas gifts? 

Blessings

Amy

September-National Sewing Month that wasn't

Hello Friends!

I hope you have had a great September.  Things here are not so creative.  I really wanted a month of sewing, you know 10-15 minutes a day.  But alas, I have not much to report.  With illness for me and my family it was hard to find the time to sew.  Too much of a mess and too much to do.  Have you ever wanted to do so much that it gets overwhelming?  You don't know where to start?  I am at a cross-roads right now.  I have the urge to pack it all away and forget I ever sewed.  Mainly because there is just too much.  I know I should take it a project at a time and I am really going to try to do just that.

My son is a Senior this year and we just booked our first college tour.  It is scary and exciting. :)  This year is going to go so fast I just want to take in all of the days and cherish each of them.  But I can still find time to be creative right?

So new goal for myself is this.  When I am in the mood to sew or even play with fabric I will do it.  I am going to force myself to cut out projects so I can just grab something and sew.  Besides the Doll Quilt Swap on Facebook I am going to make at least one project on my list.  Now my list is large and there are some big things on it.  But I also have some smaller projects that just need to get done.

Also I will blog more.  I will use this blog as my place to show and share my progress.  Good or bad.  I really do have a great support system at home and work but I can always use more cheerleaders.  How do you stay motivated?  Is it harder for you to find the time when the weather is amazing?

So I will leave you with this little finish.  It was for my swap partner this month.  I just love the Lil Twister tool! If you haven't used it yet you should!  I love what it does to charms.

Blessings 

Amy

WI Quilt Expo 2014

Hello!

Starting Thursday 9/4 is the Wisconsin Quilt Expo.  I have gone a few times.  Sometimes there is a lot to see and sometimes there isn't.  This year will be different for me.  I have been reading a blog-Freshly Pieced fpr a while now.  Lee has some great ideas and I have made a few of her patterns.  I was so excited to get my flyer in the mail for the expo and see that Lee is giving a lecture on Thursday.  I immediately bought my tickets.  My friend Marilyn is coming up and we are going to this together.
Lee is from Wisconsin also.  I can't wait to meet her.  She has a new book out and I am excited to get a copy.



You can find a link to purchase her book here-Vintage Quilt Revival.  Just click on the right side of the page on the picture.

I just love all of the modern colors and cannot wait to make something from this book!  I will be posting pictures and more from the expo after Thursday.

Do you have a Quilt Expo in your area?  What do you get excited for?  Do you like the quilt show part or the shopping or the lectures?  I love spending the day with a quilting bestie!

Happy National Sewing Month!  I challenge you and myself to sew or at least touch fabric everyday for 10 minutes this month.  Can we do it?  I have already played with fabric and sewed for about 30 minutes today.  I am making a Christmas tree skirt for a tree at work.

Blessings!
Amy

A finish

Hello!

I hope you all are having a great end of summer weekend.  School starts for my son on Wednesday.  His Senior year.  Yikes!  I will be posting a picture of him soon.

The quilt show at the local library was a success!  Lots of great comments.  Can't wait to put some new ones up in the Spring.  I have not done a lot of sewing lately as I have been dealing with an ill parent.  I think some things are settling down now and I can pick up the sewing again.  I do have a finish to show you.  I was gifted a puzzle of buttons last Christmas.  I don't have room or time for that but my friend's niece loves to do them and is putting it together for me.  I will pay her of course because we are going to frame it, but I wanted to make her something too.  I found this pattern- Lined-drawstring bag by Jeni Baker.  It was so easy to do I can't wait to make more.

That's all I have to show for today.  Look for another post in the next day or two.  I am going to the Quilt Expo and will have the honor of meeting a fellow blogger.  I will post that information and a little more about her in my next post.

Blessings

Amy

Goals

Hi friends!

Hope you are all enjoying the last few weeks of summer break.  My friends in Arizona have already sent their kids back to school.  My son doesn't start until September 3.  His senior year! Yikes!

I have decided that I need to get some WIPs done.  I have too many things and I need to finish them up and sell them.  My crafting area is too small to hold on to so much.  I guess a picture of my craft area would look pretty good on here so you all can see it.  But until I can organize and clean a little that is not going to happen.

So here is my to do list in no particular order:

Quilt tops to quilt, bind, label and wash:
           Cherries Jubilee
           Ragged Squares Quilt
           Baby Boy Scrappy Trip Quilt
           Nordika Quilt

Finish all started tablerunners

Empty craft bin of items to make-potholder/towels, santa hat purses, misc.

Well I am going to stop there for now until I can go through and make a complete list.  It may not look like a lot now but it is and it's overwhelming sometimes.  I just need to clean my sewing area and start tackling some of these.

Wish me luck!

What are you working on?

Blessings
Amy

Summer is going too fast once again

Hello Friends!

Can I just say how addicted I am to making doll quilts?  I never really thought about doll quilts.  Who has the time for something so small?  Well I joined the facebook group-Doll Quilt Swap.  Please join us if you are interested.  I am having so much fun.  I am a little too motivated.  I don't even have a partner for next month but my quilt is done.  The theme is summer.  Here is a picture of my inspiration:
                                                 

and here is my version:

 

I love this swap!  I can't wait to see my two quilts that I get back for this month.  Names are going to be drawn today for next month so if you want to join do it now.  You can always join and prepare for September too.  I am using new skills and I love it.  I am free motion quilting more and this has some applique.  The back is a textured pink and white gingham.

I am currently making a couple of cross body bags for my mom and a friend.  I will post again when those are done.  What are you working on?

Thanks for following along in my little sewing world!

Blessings

Amy

Doll Quilt Swap

Hello Friends!

A follow-up to my last post-three of my quilts are hanging in the local library.  A group of us and my son went on Friday night to hang them.  They are all beautiful!  I will post some pictures when I get over there again.

So my friend Charisma decided to do a Doll Quilt Swap on Facebook.  You are all invited to check it out.  This month was Christmas in July.  For my partner I made this little quilt with scraps I had around.  I love buttons!!!

This swap has been so fun!  I have been making things that I have always wanted to try but was too nervous to tackle.  Like free motion quilting and tying a quilt.  Next month we are doing a summer theme.  I already have an idea and it will involve applique.  Wish me luck!

I has lucky enough to make two doll quilts this month.  There were some late sign ups and I was given another name.  This quilt is a play on Christmas in July.  I am posting two pictures so you can see the back.  There is Christmas fabric there!  I am so happy that I could use up some scraps for both little quilts!

They both need the labels sewed on.  They were so fun to make.  I can't wait to start on next months quilt.  Please consider joining us!

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Amy

Swoon Finish!!!!

After only 1 year of working on this I can finally say I am done with my Swoon.  If you remember my post from last summer, this was made from my Amy Butler Lark fabric.  I absolutely love this quilt.  Everything about it!  My dear friend Charisma quilted this for me.  I wish my camera took better pictures and you could see the detail.  It is beautiful!  The Madison Modern Quilt Guild was invited to do a quilt show at a local library.  We have a meeting tomorrow night and I am hoping they like this enough for the show.

The back and binding are the blue from the top right block.  Hope you like this as much as I do.

I have labeled all but two of my quilts.  I need to finish two doll quilts for this months swap then I think I will either quilt a baby blanket that is due in November or I may start something new.  What are you working on?

Sharing on Finish it up Friday on crazymomquilts.blogspot.com

Blessings
Amy

A couple of finishes...well almost.

Hello friends!

Thank you for your concern and well wishes during my recent health scare.  I am eating and feeling so much better.  I will see the doctor on Tuesday and find out exactly what I can and can't eat.
We have had a few busy weekends here.  With father's day and my sister's birthday and a Brewer game June went fast!  When I wasn't feeling very good I was still able to bind a couple of quilts.  I have 1 of the 3 completed with label and washing.  The other one is bound just needs a label and washing.  The third one is my big Swoon and needs binding, label and washing.  Here are a few pictures of the finished ones.

This is the Merry Mayhem Mystery Quilt from January 2014.  I can't believe I have this all finished!  I love it!  It is made from scraps but I did buy the border and backing fabric.  You can't really tell in the picture but the backing is a lime green with white flowers. Love!

This is a quilt I put together from a fat 8th bundle last summer.  The pattern is called Cobblestone Path and I believe it's from Moda.  The fabric is Cheep Talk from Connecting Threads and I backed it in this fun green with white dots.  My dear friend Charisma quilted both of these quilts for me.  She does such a wonderful job.  She sure does have a gift for creativity.  I am blessed by her.

Today will be a low key day.  Going to a graduation party and then I'm going to do some sewing.  My local guild is doing a block lotto for July and I think I might have the colors to join in.

Hope you all are enjoying these last days of June!

Blessings

Amy

Not much sewing going on...ill

Well I really wish I had some things done to show but I have been out of commission.  June 12 I was in so much pain in my lower left stomach I actually had to go to the doctor.  For those that know me I am very rarely sick so it had to be bad.  I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis.  It's an infection and inflammation of the colon.  I was given 2 antibiotics and have to go back July 1.  I have been eating very little but now that the meds are done I feel like I have to eat more.  It's just scary to know what I can and can not eat.  I will probably never again eat popcorn, berries and corn.  Popcorn was my favorite food.  Now prunes are. :(  I am actually starting to feel like my old self again.  I really think the medicine did a number on my system.

As you read in a previous post I am doing a doll swap from facebook.  My partner loved what I sent and today I received mine from her.

I love it all.  A doll quilt and a grocery bag!  I love it!  I am so glad I decided to join this little swap.  I am trying things I have never done before.  I don't do a lot with batiks and I have never done a label before.  And I free motion quilted for the first time.  July's swap is Christmas in July.  I can't wait!

I do have 1 of 3 tops bound and labeled.  I need to finish the other two.  But first I am going to do some cleaning and organizing.  I am tired of not finding things when I need them.

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Amy

June and a finish!

Hello!

Happy June!  Most of the schools are out already but my son is still in school until 10am on Thursday.  He is frantically studying for finals.  He starts his first job on Monday so he was in need of a car.  My friend found this on craigslist and we couldn't pass it up.

It's a 2000 Subaru Outback.  He was totally surprised. :)

I have not done too much sewing lately.  I am going to try and spend some of the summer with out my son home to organize and work again on UFOs.  I did join a Doll Quilt Swap on facebook that was organized by my friend Charisma.  My partner was Donna and she asked for purple and batiks.  Two of the things I do not have much of.  But that was no problem as my local quilt store has a wide variety of things.  I have a book with patterns for charm packs called 3 Times the Charm by Me and My Sister Designs.  I chose the Amanda pattern.

We were able to show them already and she loves it.  I actually do too.  I am so proud of this piece.  It is my first time free motion quilting.  There are places that may look like I was drinking and sewing but overall I am very happy with this!  I can't wait until next month to get another partner and make another one. 

This week I am going to work on bindings.  My dear friend Charisma has finished my three quilts and sent them back.  I need to get the bindings made and get them done.  I hope to put my Swoon quilt in our guilds quilt show that we have been asked to attend.  I have a meeting Thursday so we will see what they say.

Other than that I am going to work on cleaning up my sewing area and finishing more projects from years ago.  I do have a few new patterns to try but I have to finish at least three things first!

Blessings

Amy

Nordika

I am back to sewing!  I have had a few very busy weeks.  With all of the funerals and visits and then throw in my birthday on Monday, it's been busy.  I have celebrated now for 6 days straight.  I have some of the best friends in the world.  I am one lucky girl.  Ok, back to sewing.

I bought a fat quarter bundle of Nordika by Jeni Baker last year.  They had fabric launch party for her at my local quilt store and I went to check it out.  The colors are so rich and the fabric is so soft I just had to have some.  So I bought a bundle and the next day I had an email that I had won a bundle too!

I found a pattern in a British magazine called Popular Quilting.  The pattern is called Helsinki Square Dance and was easy to cut and sew.  It has over 400 pieces in it and measures 53x72.  I added the white and grey.

I am going to back it in the grey, black and white circles.  Not sure of the binding yet.

Tonight was the launch party for Jeni's new line-Dreamin' Vintage.

It totally looks like vintage sheets.  Tonight she was telling us about the daisies and how she photographed them in Madison and then computerized them.  So the daisies you see are Madison grown! I love that.  I bought a few fat quarters to make some small projects with.  This fabric is so soft!

Other than that I have made a few little coin purses.  I do have some aprons on my list.  And, when I get the 3 back from my long-armer I will have to bind them.  But other than that I don't have anything big on my list.  There are a few quilts I would like to try but I think I am going to try to finish some small things first.  I will update my 'to finish' list soon.

Blessings

Amy

Cancer sucks!

This is a personal post and I will not be offended if you don't read it.

The last two weeks have been awful.  My dear friend lost her husband.  He was diagnosed with melanoma the second week in March.  Had surgery to remove a tumor and went through radiation.  Last Friday, a blood clot formed in his leg and went to his heart.  They did everything they could for him but God has other plans.  This has really broken my heart.  They are good people and do not deserve this.  I had gone down to see my friend on Sunday.  It was very hard.  Then on Tuesday was the wake so my sister, son and I went to that.  They live near Rockford, Il and that is about and hour and a half away from me.  I was glad to be able to pay my respects.
On Wednesday my mom called to say that my cousin Heidi passed away too.  She had sarcoma.  They found a tumor in her leg about 16 months ago.  She was only 26.  So on Tuesday we are going to say good bye to her.  They live about 2 hours north of us.  She always had a smile on her face.  She would remember your name even if you hadn't seen her in years.  I had only seen her once many years ago and did not remember her name when we saw her at the zoo in Madison.  She knew us though!  She is my cousin's step daughter.  He took care of her when she got ill.
Also that night my sister learned that her high school biology partner also has melanoma.  He is 32 years old.  He has gone through as much treatment as he can.  He is married with a young daughter.
As I write this I am aware that today is Good Friday.  I never feel worthy of God's love on this day.  I am blessed to know that he does love me though. If you are a prayer warrior we really could use some prayers.  I know I will be praying for all of the families affected by this awful disease.
May you feel God's blessings today and always!
Happy Easter
Amy

Sewing break

Hello Friends

I have been taking a break from sewing for about a week now.  I have picked up crocheting Sashay scarves.  You can just search for it on Pinterest or You Tube.  I do not crochet very much.  I really only know how to chain stitch.  But these scarves are super easy.  If you can count to 10 you can make a scarf.  I have made 6 in the last 2 days.  I can usually make 2 in 1 hour and 45 minutes.  I recommend if you need a break to try this easy, fast and fun project.

I am glad that I have something new to work on as I need an easy project right now.  Tonight I learned of the passing of my friends husband.  On my last post I asked for prayers as they had just discovered his cancer.  He was home and doing well but had shortness of breath.  They found he had blood clots in his legs today.  His passing was sudden and very unexpected.  I am in shock.  So please pray for this family and hug your loved ones.

Blessings

Amy

I'm still here!

So sorry for the delay.  I have been sewing and not sewing for a while.  Thought I would bring you up to speed on what I have been doing.  My dear friend Charisma sent me her Amy Butler fabric to make a Swoon quilt.  After 20 hours the top is done!

I just love the colors in this!  I am sending her my Swoon to quilt and two others.  I can't wait to see what she does with them.  I will be posting them when I get them back.
I am also using some of her scraps to make two extra things.  Can't tell you what they are yet because she may be a reader here.  Other than that I have been doing a lot of quilt magazine reading.  I am addicted to Quilty and Love Patchwork and Quilting.  The LPQ mag is from the UK and I can get it at my local book store.  The Quilty mag I have on pre order and it gets delivered every two months.
I have had to do a lot of things with my son lately.  College prep things and wisdom teeth removal.  Not all fun. :(  I am going to finally get my labels on my finished quilts and get those washed and ready for selling or gifting.

My next project which is my continuing project is cutting up more fabric into scrappy sizes. I don't have a vision yet on what to do with them but I want them ready when I do.  Hope to be back here soon with some more finishes.

I am also asking for prayers for a dear friend of mine.  I met her on a quilt blog and we have become very close.  The beginning of this month her husband was diagnosed with Melanoma in his brain.  They are currently going through treatment in Chicago.  If any of you have the time and pray please say a few for my friends.  Thank you!

Blessings
Amy

Where did my mojo go?

Hello Friends!

I have lost my sewing mojo.  I think it's because I need to clean the sewing area.  It is a disaster!  I will not be posting pictures of that. :)
I thought I would post some pictures of two quilts that just need labels and washing.  January was a pretty productive month.  I don't think that is going to happen this month.

Here are my 'Awesome' quilt which can be found on the Moda website.  And my Scrappy Trip Around the World from Quiltville.

These were quilted by my dear friend Charisma.  She does such beautiful work!

Let's look at my to do lists- 

Finishes for 2014

~'Awesome' quilt (Moda)-bind-Label
~Christmas quilt (Yellow Brick Road)-bind
~Scrappy Trip Around the World (Quiltville) quilt-bind-label
~Swoon! 2013-buy backing fabric, send to long-armer, bind
~Cobblestone Path quilt (Moda)-buy backing fabric, send to long-armer, bind
~Cherries Jubilee quilt (Quilt Alamanac 2012)-quilt, bind


Goals and new projects 2014

~iron caddy
~Spool quilt-already have most of the fabric
~Nordika fabric-make something
~continue to use up scraps and stash
~baby blanket using up flannel from stash-started cutting quilt, bind

I think I am off to a pretty good start.  I am working on cutting out fabric for a Swoon I am making for Charisma.  I also want to make some pillows too.

What are you working on?  

Blessings

Amy

Have to do and want to do list 2014

I have a problem shutting off my brain some times.  It can be overwhelming.  I do put too much on myself and don't take the time for me as I should.  I think all mothers are like that.  My son is going to be 17 in less than a month.  Prom and senior pictures this year.  And then the start of his senior year.  Wow!  My baby is all grown up!  I hope I have given him all the tools and knowledge I can.  Luckily I have had my sister and parents to help mold him into a wonderful person.  But before I tear up let's get to quilty business!

Finishes for 2014

~'Awesome' quilt (Moda)-bind
~Christmas quilt (Yellow Brick Road)-bind
~Scrappy Trip Around the World (Quiltville) quilt-bind
~Swoon! 2013-buy backing fabric, send to long-armer, bind
~Cobblestone Path quilt (Moda)-buy backing fabric, send to long-armer, bind
~Cherries Jubilee quilt (Quilt Alamanac 2012)-quilt, bind


Goals and new projects 2014

~iron caddy
~Spool quilt-already have most of the fabric
~Nordika fabric-make something
~continue to use up scraps and stash
~baby blanket using up flannel from stash-started cutting


These are just partial lists.  I know if I search I will find lots of unfinished projects.  I will be going through those soon and documenting them on here to hopefully motivate me to finish them.  I do know that I have some projects that are at least 4 years old.  How old is your oldest project?  I know I am not alone. :)

Hope you all have a blessed week!
Amy

Happy New Year!

Well, the new year is starting off pretty good!  I am still using scraps and stash to make quilts. :)  I hope to use up at least 80% of my stash and scraps until I can purchase new fabric!
I did the Planet Patchwork-Merry Mayhem's Mystery Quilt on New Year's day.  There was a lot of cutting and pre work in step one that I did not start until the day off.  Every hour on the hour they give you a new hint.  At the end you will have a quilt! This year was all about stash busting!
I think it looks great.  I do have to do some adjusting of my blocks as I look at the picture there are a few matching blocks that need to be moved.

 

I can't wait to finish this one.  I think I will add a border or two also.

I am going to make a new list of quilts and projects that I would like to accomplish this year.

Here's to a great year of sewing!

Blessings

Amy