New FO Jan 2012

I LOVE this idea.  Stop over at Cat patches to see what this is all about  Here's a brief intro  from Cat Patches today:

"This being the last day of January, it's time to show off your NewFO projects.  Remember, you don't have to finish your NewFO's this month, this year, or EVER, if you're feeling so bold.  The idea with the NewFO Challenge is to have fun and to start something new.  And honestly, who wrote the rule that every project has to be completed, no matter how ugly, boring, challenging, frightening, tedious, or distasteful?  So shake off those old sewing projects that bind and be audacious!"

I don't have a  lot of UFOs so I don't get to participate in all the UFO challenges.  But I do LOVE to start a new project.  Sometime it will take me a while to finish, sometimes they get done very quickly.  But this is a great way to track what's been done a monthly basis.  I think I may actually combine this with my stash report and do that on a monthly basis as well. 

Here's the Jan new projects started (not necessarily finished).  Jan and Feb are generally my most productive months.  I think I get like 50% of my sewing for the entire year completed in Dec - Feb :)

Labyrinth - needs to be quilted - Wedding quilt for Steve and Lindsey

Center of my universe - curved piecing project for cyber quiters

Sea Glass - all scraps - yead

Modern Mirrors - house warming gift for JR and Jeanette

Swoon-along

Donation / practice quilt

donation practice quilt

Practice quilt for Miles

Apple Crate - bday gift for Megan

Design Wall Monday

 Lots of sewing this weekend.  I quilted Modern Mirrors - my first "real" quilt with a pantograph!!   I used a leaf pattern, it went well with the apple trees and the fabrics that have little leaves. I'm still a bit rough around some of the curves but in time that will improve.  I used a light to med grey thread, looks grey on the white and white on the grey, I liked it.  I've used Hobbs 80/20 on this one and after washing you can see how it really puffs up a bit more than Warm and Natural - love a wrinkled washed quilt!  Lots of textures on this one.  This quilt went to the happy home owners this weekend.  The quilt, a bottle of sparkling grape juice for the kids, a bottle of wine for the parents, a movie for all to enjoy and popcorn!  The quilt is big enough for all for of them to snuggle up when it's movie night :)

I did have a bit of trouble quilting Modern Mirrors, tension issue, backing issue, etc, so when it was done I really wanted to work on something easy, not much thinking required.  I worked on beach glass.  Just sewing those scraps together.  I have all 20 strips needed and still can't believe how many scraps I have left.  Guess what's going on the back of this one - I'm not putting those back again.  I got a few rows together  before heading into the city. 

And finally I started my Swoon blocks - just couldn't resist.  I'm using the Prince Charming fabrics.  Here's the first two.   Can ya see the gray theme throughout my projects this week?  I'm having a love affair with gray right now.  Just can't get enough of it.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday and with Canoe Ridge Creations for Sew Modern Monday. And Work in Progress Wed at Freshly Pieced

Sunday Stash Report - Jelly Roll Binge - not good

Oh man, I've been doing this for a month and man, (me hanging my head in shame). What can I say, I really like fabric.  Ok the numbers

Total purchased - it's wayyyy to easy to hit the "add to cart button"

• 5 Jelly Rolls - 14 yds - Green Fairy Quilts has a great sale going on - check it out, new arrivals on sale too (one was sent by Craftsy in error and they told me to keep it - yeah)
• Prince Charming Fat Quarter - on sale at Craftsy - bad bad bad  - they keep having things on sale  - 7.5 yds
• 4 charm packs - Craftsy again 3 yds
• 15 yds Kona Gray - I'm having a love affair with Grey
• 2 yds of clearance fabric
• 7 yds backing for Modern Mirrors
• 6 yds backing for Labyrinth
• Amy Ellis Fat Quarter selection - 3.75

Total used

• Donation Quilt #2 = 6 yards
• Labyrinth - 19 yards

Previous Report Total: -21
This Report Purchased: 58.25 - really???? yikes

This Report Used:  25

Year to date Purchased:  99.7 (I need to go on a fabric diet!)

Year to date Used: 87.5

Year to date Total:   12.2 - uh oh I need to get sewing!

Almost a Friday Finish

back of quilt, - I can do a panto!!

Donation quilt 2

All that's left is the binding on donation quilt number 3 - actually it's donation quilt number 2 cuz daughter number 3 made me give donation quilt number 2 to Miles.  She didn't have to try too hard for that :)  Ok so here's the quilt and easy donation quilt number 2 - needed to make this so that I could do the pantograph for the modern mirrors.  And guess what????  I think I'm actually getting it. There are some parts of the leaves that are actually smooth.  The trick for me was that April (my long arm) likes a little close dancing.  Yep I put my arm around her neck, pull her in close grab her handle of we go, swaying back and forth. Add  Pandora and we are off !!  I just need to get the binding on this one and it's done. 

free panto at Urban Elementz

Oh and I also found out that Urban Elementz has free pantos!  Someday when I get better at this I'll do a little boy quilt and use this lizard pattern, just way tooo cute. And the price is definitely right!

Swoon Fabrics

I"ve finally caved in and I'm gonna join the swooning that's all over.  I"m using Prince Charming fabrics, have them all doubled up,  just waiting to finish up Modern Mirrors and then I'll be cutting these beauties up.  I"m usng grey for the solid.  I just ordered 15 yards!  So not on a fabric diet this year yet. 

Here's my fabrics for made in cherry (again issues with the fabric diet, I have to make something with all this).  I just can't resist that one either.   I love starting new projects.  

Fabrics for Made in Cherry QAL

Linking up with Sarah to see what everyone else is whooping about this Friday

Scrap Challenge at Confession of a Fabric Addict

Yep that's right, Sarah's having a scrap challenge so go check it out - and there's prizes....good ones too!!

You know you have an over abundance of scraps, here's your chance to do something with them.  You've got two weeks go check it out here 

Now for those of you who aren't familiar with Sarah, she's a quilting angel (don't be mislead by the whole sweatshop thing ).  She has a group of quilters who make quilts for the ministry and people in need.  Just a little something to show there's someone that cares and tries to warm their hearts.  I know she's warmed mine. Sharon at Vrooman's quilts (another quilting angel) had a great idea to donate your blocks to Sarah's cause.  That is definitely not required, it's just one angel thinking like another and a great idea.