Fresh Friday Finish - Fresh Sewing Day and Friday Finish

Last Fresh Sewing Day, I had mostly blocks to share and had hoped that March would be different.  Well, in a way, it is.  I barely have anything to show.  This seems strange since I feel like I've been working on a lot this month.  My projects just haven't quite gotten to the "finished" stage -  I have a bunch of mini's that are being quilted, a baby quilt that is almost done, and several beginnings to some big quilts.

Here is a new finish to share.  I completed this one just in the nick of time to be counted for my March Lazy Bum UFO challenge.  We recently had another Cyber Retreat, with the quilting stage being the focus.  So, I backed, basted and SID'd this quilt from my One Block Wonder Quilt Along prior to the retreat and stippled it during the retreat.

The ladies without kids enjoyed an entire weekend of cyber retreat quilting; I was jealous.  I got a baby sitter for a few hours and had just enough time to finish this one little quilt.  At least it is done!

March also had another long time UFO completed.  My quilt from the Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery.

I might be running out of UFO's.  I guess I will have to create some new ones.

And last but not least, my entry (and 3rd place win) for the Pantone Quilt Challenge

I was so excited to be a part of the challenge and had so much fun making this quilt.  If you want to make one yourself, check out my tutorial HERE and have a Monet moment of your own!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts:

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the Monkey is off my back - Fresh Sewing Day

Welcome to my Fresh Sewing Day recap of February.

It might not seem like much but I am so happy to have some of these blocks finished.

1. CA poppies for Veena, 2. Cups of Comfort Blocks, 3. EKG Valentine Mug Rug, 4. Houses of San Francisco, 5. scrapitute block for Frances, 6. guitar block with skinny border, 7. finished shams, 8. more NY beauty blocks9. Not available

The 3 Star of Africa bee blocks that I finished this month were a bit of a monkey on my back.  I despise being late with any bees or swaps, and these last 3 blocks were from the summer!  Once I got behind on designing, I got really behind.  Luckily, most of the ladies in the bee completely understood the difficulty in coming up with a design that fit you and the theme for the month, and then executing the design.  I am so relieved to have them done.  Whew!

Those blocks weren't the only thing I was overdue on.  Those pillows were meant to be delivered in January, and as you know, I just finished them up last week!

Hopefully March will see more exciting finishes than just blocks.  Fingers crossed.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen


Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts:

January 2014 finishes - Fresh Sewing Day

Since I'm not really doing any monthly finish-alongs or UFO challenges, etc. this year, I thought I might be nice to resume Fresh Sewing Day.  I love making the little mosaics of my projects, and I think you might notice a few that I haven't shared yet too....

1. Doll quilt turned wall hanging or sewing mat, 2. Doll Quilt Swap 14 finish, 3. tiny log cabin pincushions, 4. Les Amis zip pouch, 5. hello kitty zip pouch, 6. Untitled


I think my favorite project for the month was the rainbow NY Beauty Circle of Flying Geese.  I've heard from Benta that it has arrived safely, and that she likes it.  She isn't alone, my family members have put in orders for 2 more!  I'm not so sure I will be filing those orders, but it is nice to know that they are interested.

Also pictured are the first 2 zip pouches I have ever made.  I tried out the pattern with the Hello Kitty fabric first and my daughter quickly claimed that pouch for herself.  Then, I made the little Les Amis w/linen pouch (#4) for my DQS 14 partner as one of her "extras".

Finally, yes, that is a loaf of bread.  I've been watching the Artisan Bread Making Class on Craftsy, and finally gave it a try.  I've actually made 3 loaves so far and I must say the bread is pretty darn good.  The only trouble is that my family and I can't eat the bread fast enough.  Luckily, the class gives you a formula for figuring things out if you want to double, or in my case, half a recipe.  I will definitely be doing that next time.

So there it is, my Fresh Sewing Day for January finishes.  I can't wait to see what February brings.  I have a lot of WIP's at the moment, hopefully a few of them will get finished.

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts:

June Fresh Sewing Day

Looks like a month of birds, blocks and bees....

1. Jungle Path, a baby boy quilt, 2. Paper Pieced Bluebird, 3. Robin, a McKenna Ryan pattern, 4. We Bee Learning May, 5. Simply Solids May, 6. Make it Modern May - for Sarah, 7. Make it Modern May - for Audrey, 8. Hands2Help 2013 - blue and white Jacob's Ladder, 9. Gram's house block for Fiona

Hey, I didn't say "birds and the bees", get your minds out of the gutter people!

As I mentioned yesterday, I feel pretty good about what I accomplished in May:

• The mom who I gave the Jungle Path quilt to, loved it!  As did some of the other ladies at the shower.
• I had so much fun participating in the "It's for the Birds" Blog Hop
• I made some fun bee blocks
• I finished my Hands2Help quilt (early, I might add!)
• and I took a trip down memory lane creating a block that looks like my grandparents house, for Fiona

It was a good month!  I hope June will be just as fun, productive, and colorful.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:


Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

May Fresh Sewing Day

Nothing profound to say today.  April came and went.  I wish it stayed a little longer.

I had loads of fun this month making bee blocks and little mug rugs.  There is even one quilt in the mix!  And don't you just love the Lucky Stars BOM blocks?  The April one is my favorite so far.  I was so excited by how it turned out that I bought the backing for that quilt - like way ahead of time!

1. Simply Solids April for Licet, 2. Make it Modern April, 3. We Bee Learning April, 4. Daffodil mug rug, 5. Mood mug rugs front, 6. Lucky Stars April, 7. Lucky Stars March, 8. Les Amis top, 9. Bee's Helping Bees blocks for Hayley

I can't wait to see what May brings.  There are some interesting requests from Bee mates, another blog hop, and I am nearly finished with my first finish of the month!  Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading today,

Jen



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Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

April - Fresh Sewing Day

1. Boot for Tina, 2. Cherry Blossoms for Sana, 3. My Rainbow Road table runner, 4. Journal covers 1.1, 5. drunkard's path pot holder, 6. droplet journal covers, 7. Make it Modern March x plus, 8. Now spinning the right way, 9. Divided Baskets for Easter, 10. IMG_2137, 11. Ashley's Tooth Pillow Back, 12. Make it Modern March 1.1

There it is - the mosaic for this month's finishes.  Lots of blocks, lots of curves projects, but no finished quilts - wha, wha, whaaaa!

I guess that just leaves more opportunity for next month!

In other news, the girls really enjoyed going through their Easter baskets.  6 am came a little too early for the rest of us, but they were intent at discovering what was inside.  And despite not putting much candy in them, we had a hard time keeping them from eating what few pieces I did, until after a reasonable breakfast.

Thanks for stopping by today,

Jen


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Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

March Fresh Sewing Day

I frequently get mixed up, calling this "March" Fresh Sewing Day, when it is February's projects.  My mind wants to correlate the word "fresh" with the month ahead but then I am looking at old stuff.  Silly rabbit!



1. February Lucky Star BOM, 2. Blue OBW w/seagull, 3. Simply Solids - February, 4. Make it Modern for Renae, 5. Simply Solids March, 6. For my Valentine, 7. Discontinuity 1, 8. Feb. Make it Modern bee block for Kelleigh, 9. clamshells WIP

So there is February's mosaic.  Not too shabby!  A bunch of bee blocks, but a couple finished quilts too!  And I did finish up that clamshell project, I just haven't taken a pic yet.  I am already looking at the month ahead though.

And since you have already seen pictures of all those projects already.  Here are a few pics you haven't seen:



My 3 angels at the wedding last weekend.



Clearly, Lizzy is the ham of the family!

I hope you will come back on Sunday to see some more cool quilts from the Road to California Quilt show, and again on Tuesday for Building Blocks Tuesday.  I just finished up the stitching on, not one, but 2, blocks for my Star of Africa bee.

Any quilty plans for the weekend?

Thanks for reading today,

Jen


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Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

February Fresh Sewing Day!

February already?


1. MMB January block 1, 2. MMB January Block 2, 3. Winter Mug Rug Swap, 4. HFWYG quilt top 1.2, 5. January Lucky Star BOM, 6. 4 strings together, 7. Star of Africa block, 8. We Bee Learning Jan. block, 9. Lucky Stars BOM practice block

It looks like I've mainly been doing blocks - Yep, lots of blocks.  That's OK, they will, in time, become something else, right?

I also have a couple near finishes, so it looks like I am in a good spot to begin February!  I resolve to have more finished projects next month - I'll post more on that tomorrow!

Have a Super Sparkly Day!  (that was for you Esther)


Jen

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What the heck have I been doing? - Fresh Sewing Day

I know I ask myself every month, "where is the time going?", but this month I am really scratching my head wondering that question.

1. Hurricane Blocks, 2. HFWYG QAL Block 10.1 and 10.2, 3. HFWYG QAL Blocks 13.1 and 13.2, 4. The Grinch, 5. HFWYG QAL block 9, 6. HFWYG QAL block 7, 7. November FMQ Challenge Front, 8. Olivia's Quilt front, 9. More Hurricane Sandy x 5

When I went to put together this month's mosaic, I kept thinking, "Is this it?".  I feel like I sewed A LOT this month, but the mosaic doesn't lie.  I only got a bunch of blocks done, one quilt (that was essentially mostly complete already), and one place mat.  It's a sorry state of affairs considering there is still so much to do.

Well, I guess I can stay here and lament about not getting enough done, or I can get crackin' so next month I am not wondering - what the heck have I been doing!

Thanks for reading today!

Jen


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Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

November Fresh Sewing Day

October is over.  That just blows my mind!

I got quite a bit accomplished this month - some big finishes!  My Batik Stripe/"Sleeping Beauty", and my quilt for the Totally Groovy QAL (yes, technically it still needs to be mended).  I also had some fun blocks this month.

1. sashiko coasters, 2. Leaf table runner, 3. Batik stripe in focus, 4. Totally Groovy, 5. Groovy back, 6. 3 x 6 solids mosaic, 7. mosaicc622aaa0d425fe2aca04436e06c45899b21bb454, 8. Leaf Me Happy block 1.2, 9. Leaf Me Happy block 1.1, 10. HFWYG block 14, 11. October FMQ Challenge, 12. sept star of africa

I am quite satisfied with myself.  Insert pat on my own back here.

Thanks for reading today!

Jen

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Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

October Fresh Sewing Day

I must still be on vacation time.  I didn't fully realize it was already the 6th of the month until late this morning!

Here is a brief recap of my September projects:

1. birthday mug rug, 2. Peak Hour Quilt, 3. Sample Solids block, 4. for May, 5. place mat for Gram.2, 6. place mat for Gram.1, 7. September FMQ Challenge, 8. Vintage Holiday blocks, 9. Beginner QAL - Block 13

I realize the pictures of Gram's place mats are before they were quilted and bound, but I did finish and deliver them.  Gram seemed to really like them too!  I am happy to report that my cousin enjoyed his Peak Hour quilt too!  He quickly tossed it up over his head and giggled.  His mommy then packed it away.  I do hope they will USE the quilt when they get back to Australia.

Now, onto October!  As you know, I have several projects in the works, so provided all the kids stay healthy and with a little luck, I hope to have a fabulous mosaic for October.

Linking up with Lily's Quilts and her fabulous Fresh Sewing Day

Jen

P.S. Tomorrow's Inspirational Sunday post might be a little late.  We are taking a day trip, and I haven't quite finished writing it up yet.  I do hope you check back though, as I am planning to review Elizabeth Hartman's, Practical Guide to Patchwork, a favorite among most of the quilters I know.

Fresh Sewing Day -August Recap

I can't believe it is already September!  Summer, and especially the month of August just flew by!

So here is the recap for August:

1. August Free Motion Challenge
2. Ashley's Teacher Thank you quilt
3. My "Utah" block of Arches National Park for the Star of Africa Bee
4. Urban Nine Patch Table Runner was finally quilted
5. lots of blocks for the How Far Will You Go? QAL
6. 8 blocks to date for the Vintage Holiday QAL
7. a few more blocks for the Beginner QAL at Quilting Gallery
8. another block from the BQAL
9. one more shot of my August Free Motion Challenge, just to round out the mosaic

I'm a little proud of myself.  I actually finished a few projects this month in addition to doing a bunch of blocks!  Here's to hoping the trend continues!  Especially since a few of these quilt alongs will be wrapping up this month (Beginner QAL and Vintage Holiday), and those quilts will need to be quilted.

I still have a few projects languishing in the corner, but they will probably need to wait a little longer as there are two new quilt tops I am starting to work on this coming week (one for my Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop stop, and the other is the Totally Groovy QAL).  So, lots of work ahead.  I hope you come back next month to see what gets done!

What else will next month bring?  Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen


Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

July Fresh Sewing Day

I really love the idea of a monthly recap of what has been done; it makes me feel good.  How brilliant of Lily's Quilts to come up with such a wonderful linky party.

So here is July's Fresh Sewing day goodies:

1) My block for the Red White and Blue Blog Hop
2) Completed quilt top for the medallion quilt from the Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color
3) My applique T-shirt from the Handstitched Class
4) Front of my July Free Motion Challenge
5) A sample of the blocks I have completed for the Beginner's Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery
6) The blocks I made for the 3 x 6 Bee
7) My reverse applique needlebook from the Handstitched class
8) Another look at the embroidery that took so long on the medallion quilt
9) The back of my July Free Motion Challenge

It might be a little too much to expect that I will be able to show you another picture of that medallion quilt next month as a finished piece, but there are a bunch of other projects from the class that I want to return to and give a try.

Also, drum roll please.......I did buy a new sewing machine last weekend and it sews like butter.  No really, like butter!  I can't wait to finally get some of my quilting done on the numerous projects I listed in yesterday's WIP Wednesday post!!!!  Fingers crossed I can find some time even with the kiddos around.  School doesn't start until the 27th of August, and I don't think I can wait that long to say I finished some things.

I know, I know, it's not a race.  I just can't help myself.  My pile of sandwiched quilts has been growing these last few months and I like things to be finished!  Plus, there is nothing like hand sewing some binding on while there is actually something decent to watch on TV (the Olympics, of course).

Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

May's accomplishments - a recap/fresh sewing day

I decided to join the party, the linky party that is, over at Lily's Quilts.  Every month she invites everyone to link up their accomplishments for the prior month.  Here are mine:

Yes, it is a little sparse, isn't it.  I would have even less photos if I didn't include the backs!  Ha! But, there is always this month to get things done!  Oh wait, I have a few trips planned.  Maybe June's mosaic will have a bunch of lovely hand stitched items in it.  Only time will tell!  The Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color started today!  Tomorrow, we get our instructions for our first project.  I am so anxious!

Also, a new feature over at Lily's Quilts is a Small Blog Meet linky party for those of us with less than 50 followers.  Click the button below to check it out, or add your blog to the list.  There are some great bloggers out there that are just getting started.

A couple of my favorites are: Kinda Quilty, Entropy Undone, and Knotted Cotton

What are you hoping to get done this month?

Jen