My Son is Married!

 Hello Friends

How is the weather treating you?  It's been a mix here.  Monday was 71f and next Monday is 21f.  We are expecting some snow today and over the weekend.  That just means more sewing time! Today I want to share a little bit about my family.  My son has been dating this wonderful girl named Tracy.  They met online and I think the connection was instant. They moved in together last July and were engaged by August.  They wanted a simple wedding with no fuss.  They decided to get married at the courthouse.  In the county where they live, they do weddings on the second Thursday of each month.  It was decided to do it on January 8th.  It was a very simple service that only took 2 1/2 minutes.  Just what they wanted. With the couple there were only 11 of us there.  Her dad and step mom, my sister and her husband, me and Sam's best friend and his fiancé, and 2 of Tracy's coworkers. We then all went to a nice supper club for supper. Unfortunately for me, I was sick.  I was there, but I was coughing so badly and just didn't feel good.  I had post nasal drip that turned into Bronchitis. I really wish I would have felt better.  But I am grateful that I could be there.  Here is a picture of the happy couple:

They have 3 dogs and I was able to stay with them overnight while the kids went to a hotel.  Of course, they missed the dogs so much they were home by 10am.  I had hoped to stay the whole weekend but ended up going home soon after they arrived.  We will be having a party at the end of May so other family and friends can celebrate the newlyweds.

Thanks for reading!

Blessings

Amy

Word for 2026

 Hello Friends

I have making my word of the year since 2017. I often think about stopping but then people will ask me what my word is.  It motivates them to pick a word also.  So I keep doing it.  I also think it helps me maintain my skills in paper piecing the letters.  I enjoy that so much but don't do it often.

Here is my word:

This word was chosen back in November.  I have been grieving the loss of my mom and it's been a very hard year.  I just miss her so much and don't really know my purpose anymore. It is also fitting for what is happening in our country currently.  

I have been finding my sewing groove again.  I was able to finish 2 quilts, a table runner, pillowcase and 2 bowl cozies.  I also finished the applique on a quilt and got it sewn together.  Next is border, binding and sewing on the cute buttons.

With so many UFOs around, I have come up with a system that works for me to finish some things.  Those 2 quilts the table runner and the appliqued quilt were all UFOs.  I am trying to do some organizing in my craft room and when I find something that needs finishing, I put it in this plastic laundry basket type container I bought at IKEA.  When I am in the mood to sew, I grab the tote and see what needs to be finished.  There are currently only 2 things in the tote to work on.  I will go through my room again and add some more until I can't find anything to finish.  This is a yearly challenge and so far I think I am making good progress.

I will have more finished items to share soon.  And a post about my son getting married. <3 

How do you manage your UFOs?  Or do you start and complete projects all at once?

Blessings

Amy

Could it be?...Finishes 2026

 Hello Friends

Hope you were able to get through the longest month of the year.  January never ends it seems.  But welcome to February.  It has been cold here and I found myself with a free weekend to just sew.  It was lovely.  I have so many new quilts I would like to start but I need to finish some things up first.  Here is what I was able to do this weekend:

A pillowcase for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  I have a goal to make at least 12 this year.  Hopefully more.  I am trying to use up my stash but alas, I don't have a lot of kids fabrics.

Made a couple of bowl cozies for a friend's birthday.

Finished a quilt for same friend.  She had to retire early due to an injury.  I sure miss her.  Luckily, we get together as often as we can. Cathy, if you are reading this, no you didn't. :)  I had this top made for almost a year now.  I found backing in my stash and got it basted on Sunday morning.  Quilted, bound and washed in the same day.

This table runner has been in my 'to finish' pile for far too long.  It was a kit that I started about 10 years ago.  It was basted and ready for quilting.  Feels so good to have that finished.

I also finished the applique on a quilt and got that all pieced together.  It still needs a border and backing fabric. But I am so happy that I have these things finished.  Why do I wait so long when it really doesn't take that long. My tote is almost empty with things that need finishing.  I have family coming to town this weekend for my son's birthday.  When they leave on Sunday I will probably head to the sewing room to see what else I can finish.  I am heading to my guild's retreat in April and would like to work on some new things then.  Stay tuned!

Blessings

Amy

2025 a year in review

 Hello Friends

Hope the year has started out well for you.  I am finding my sewing mojo again.  Last year brought many challenges with the passing of my mom.  It has taken a while to feel like myself again.  And of course now I have a head cold.

I wanted to share pictures of everything I made last year.  It's not much but here it is:

This was a panel and made at my retreat in April.

Baby quilt for coworker in February.

Baby quilt for coworker in March.

Retirement quilt for friend at work in October.

Word of the year for a friend at work.  Funny story.

My word for the year 2025.

Lisa the Unicorn pillow made in January before mom got sick and passed.

Well, it's not much but it's something.  I have big plans for this year.  My quilt guild has a retreat in April that I have signed up for.  We are also doing a WIP (work in progress) challenge and a sewing room declutter challenge.  Stay tuned for more sewing adventures!  

Oh, and my son got married on Jan 8th.  More to come on that soon.

Blessings

Amy

Sewing Goals 2026

 Hello Friends

Hope you are all getting into the holiday spirit.  Christmas is fast approaching.  Did you make any gifts this year?  I am making my daughter to be a felt stocking.  Old family tradition. I may try to get a jelly roll rug made for my sister but we will see.

This year I did have some goals that I did not share because the year started on such a traumatic note with the death of my mom. There are a few quilts that need finishing.  And I will put my reading goals here too.  This year my goal was to read 6 books.  I started the year reading the first book of the ACOTAR series.  That is a big book and I finished it in the hospital while being with mom.  I listened to some audio books too.  In July I bought myself a kindle.  So far this year I have read 15 books.  My goal for next year is 10.  I think that is doable but I would like to do more sewing next year so that will take up some reading time.

So my sewing goals for 2026 are:

-make and quilt my word of the year (I think I know it, what would yours be?)

-finish John Wayne quilt (needs quilting and binding)

-finish Plus quilt (needs quilting and binding)

-finish Nautical quilt (may need borders also quilting and binding)

-finish 2 scrap quilts (needs quilting and binding)

-start Legendary quilt for my son

-start Paw print quilt for daughter to be

-possibly start double wedding ring quilt-my son is getting married Jan 8 of next year.

-finish all small projects (table runners that need quilting)

I am going to leave my list here for now.  I may add to it as the year progresses.

If you would like to see a reading list of books I have finished, please let me know.  I am doing a reading journal this year.

That is all I have for you today.  No pictures.

I hope you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanks for reading!

Blessings

Amy

Quilt for a friend

 Hi Friends

Hope you are well and gearing up for the holiday season.  I do appreciate and understand those that have a hard time with this season.  I am struggling a little myself.  We lost my Aunt Sue a year ago yesterday.  And that started the worst year of my life.  I was just starting to feel a little lighter but with the holidays, it's been hard.  All of these firsts without them.

Let's not be dragged down by emotion.  Let's celebrate life and crafting!  A friend recently retired from my work.  He was on the facilities team and a great guy.  He still stops in for lunch occasionally so we still see him.  He is a big fan of the Green Bay Packers.  I decided on the week of his retirement to make him a quilt.  I do work best under pressure. :) Monday night I decided to make the quilt.  After work I found my fabric, cut out what I needed and sewed it into a quilt top.  Tuesday after work I was auditioning backing fabric and didn't like any of it.  I ran to the local quilt shop with only 10 minutes to spare before they closed.  I found a pretty, light green Lori Holt plaid.  Went home and basted the quilt.  Wednesday after work I quilted it and bound it. And gifted it on Thursday. I don't know why I don't do that more often.  I would get through my scrap pile more quickly.  I could probably make a quilt for everyone on my team with all of the scraps I have.

Here he is with his quilt.  He loved it!

I included all the Wisconsin sports teams, Bucks, Brewers, Packers and Badgers. It was a great way to use up my scraps. I just did straight line quilting to finish it.

How fast have you made a quilt?  Actually, this wasn't my fastest finish.  I made a baby quilt in one night a few years ago.

The weather has been in the 40s so I am working on the stocking for my daughter to be.  That is almost done.  My sister asked me to make some bowl cozies.  I have my reasons why I have hesitated to make them.  I will share that in another post.  I am also working on my word of the year and my list of goals for 2026.

Do you make gifts for friends and family or do you just purchase items?  I do a little of both.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Amy

Reading

 Hello Friends

Hope you are all doing well.  I can't believe how fast summer has gone.  But when you are grieving, there is no such thing as time.  At least for me anyway.  The past almost 8 months have been a blur.  But I feel like I am coming out of the fog.  For those of you who have lost someone close, you may understand.  Since mom passed in January, I have not done much in the crafting area.  I am hoping to change that as the weather changes.  We had a taste of fall last week and I found myself at the sewing machine.  I am currently working on a jelly roll rug.  I am also making a felt stocking for my daughter to be.  Yes, my son is engaged!  We absolutely love her.  She came with 2 dogs and recently got a third.  They are the best!

I do have some quilting that I need to work on.  I need to bind a quilt and I need to get backing together for 5 other quilt tops.  I found a long armer in a neighboring town and they did great work on my latest quilt.  I would like to take more to them, but I am not sure I will have anything ready before the Christmas rush.  I don't need these done that fast. I have Legendary by Elizabeth Hartman cut out and ready to sew.  This will be for my son.  I also found a pattern to make a quilt for my daughter to be.  Those will have to wait until next year. I also have 2 scrap quilts that need backing.  Those I may quilt myself.

But let's talk about reading.  I made a goal this year to read 6 books. I have just started book 14.  I can't believe I have read that much.  In January when mom was in the hospital, I finished the first book in the ACOTAR series. I have read consistently since then.  I bought myself a kindle in July and have been using Libby.  I am reading a quilt murder mystery series.  There are 20 books in the series but I am only on book 4.  I will probably take a break from that after this one.  I have other books I would like to read.  I try to keep my reading light and not read anything too heavy. I have 8 paperbacks that are pilling up that I need to dig into. Earlier this summer I was reading 3 books at one time.  It got a little confusing so I have stopped that and just stick to one.  How many do you read at a time? Do you enjoy audio books?  Four of the books I have 'read' were audio books while I was sewing.  Do you think audio books count as reading?  I do.

I will leave you with this picture.  I made this a few years ago.  My bestie Marilyn and I did a block swap. Fall is my favorite season. 

Blessings

Amy