Off to a good start

I had a day off last week and actually used it to sew.  I am a part of a Doll Quilt Swap on Facebook.  I have been making them each month since it started except for December.  Not much got done in December.
So here is my swap quilt for this month.  My partner likes red and white.  Valentine's day is next month so I thought this was fitting.  She is also a fan of Modern quilting.  I have never made anything 'Modern' so this is a first.

This is also a first with applique too!  The quilting is a zigzag with small and large zigs.  It looks like a heart beat.

I also decided to make a little bag for my partner too.  This is the Drawstring bag by Jeni Baker.

I helped a friend make items for her store she is starting in March.  We made zippered coin purses all day long. :)  It was a fun day.

I need to finish some projects before I start anything new.  Hopefully I will have something to share with you before next month.

Blessings

Amy

New year but some old things...

Hello Friends!

Today I want to post about some things I made last year.  I made a tree skirt for the tree at work.  This was my first commissioned piece.  I also made an apron and pot holders for a coworker and a purse for a work customer.  I am using the money earned to by myself a Kindle.  I ordered it Christmas day and it will be here this month. :)  I could have just bought the Kindle but I really wanted to earn it.  So here are a few pictures of what I did in December.

This tree skirt was made with fabric that had vegetables.  The tree was in the Farm Campus and the ornaments are seed packets and garden related.

Looks like I didn't take a picture of the apron so this is a picture of the purse.  I actually made two but she didn't care for the first one.  We found this fabric and she liked this one.  I have another purse in black and pink to sell. :)

I also made 4 other aprons for my neighbors.  Usually we just swap cookies but this may be our last Christmas here so I wanted to do something special.  They have two younger girls so I thought aprons would be fun.  I just received the cutest thank you cards from them.

Regarding the last Christmas here.  My parents are struggling to stay in their home.  There is a chance that I may buy their house.  It needs a lot of work and I am excited to maybe get the chance to do this.  I will post more about that when I know more.  The quilting and sewing may have to wait while I do this.  But until I know for sure I am going to keep creating!

Happy New Year!

Blessings

Amy

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