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