Last Finish of 2019 – Looking Forward for 2020

     I finished quilting and binding the last giant rainbow star quilt. If it looks familiar that is because using Leah Day's construction plan creates the HSTs for 2 rainbow quilts. Check out my tutorial if you want to make 2. 

I quilted a different mofit in each color diamond and 

Angela Walters flower motif in the background. 

I got tired of quilting it but made it to the end.  I will probably not use it again background even though it creates and interesting texture.

      As I review the year's quilting projects, I finished 22 and worked on parts of a few more. Five were given to charity organizations and 11 for church comfort quilts. Four were gifted to family and friends which leaves 2 added to my supply at home.

No other projects are close to being finished in 2019 such as the leader/ender Jewel Box quilt in progress.

I still have one UFO that has been a finished top for at least 7 years. It will be a priority to quilt in 2020. A couple of QOVs have been requested and I want to make them. The rest of my list for 2020 is still developing.  If I look very hard, I'm sure I will find several WIPs that have been hidden away.  Several projects in progress have adopted blocks and one the whole kit. I plan to work on some but they will not be a priority.

Hope you are happy with what you accomplished in 2019 and look forward to a creative 2020.

Have a Happy New Year!

Enjoying the Holiday Season – Mostly

     Not a lot of sewing or quilting has taken place in the past week because I was enjoying time with family. The granddaughters and I spent an afternoon decorating small gingerbread houses as is our annual tradition.

 

    

       

I also went along for their visit with Santa.

Will cooked a great lunch and we celebrated out Christmas Sunday.  

     Monday I arrived back home to find that the deluge of rain had caused problems and I spent several hours of worry until it was resolved.  I am especially thankful for quick responding plumber who installed a new sump pump.

    This morning I was able to relax and actually finish the quilting and binding on this comfort quilt that was started before knee surgery so it was delayed by more than one issue.  I used a poly batting with some loft so it does not lay very flat. 

I chose red binding because I thought it went well with the front and backing.

This may be my last finish for 2019.

Hope you enjoy some special time with friends and family for the holiday season.     Merry Christmas !

Busy Week of Finishes

    My life is getting back to normal after knee surgery as I have done some quilting. Today  I have several wonderful finishes to share with one being mine. Wednesday was the last meeting of the year for my church quilt group. 

    Mary Ann brought 2 fabulous finishes.  Here is her Trip Around the World. She chose the colors from the border fabric.

She also finished this cowboy quilt from a kit which was pulled together to use some orphan blocks.

    I finished this lap size giant star quilt. The black background floral fabric came from a deconstructed unfinished skirt a member donated.

I'm linking up with Finished or Not Friday and Whoop Whoop Friday.     Hope you see some inspiration. 

 I hope all your holiday projects are nearly finished. Happy Holidays!

Moving from Thanks to Advent

      As I put away some of the fall Thanksgiving décor and prepared for Christmas decorating, I thought it was good timing to put the Thanksgiving holiday just before the Christmas season. It is a good transition of remembering all for which we have to be thankful to preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

We enjoyed beautiful weather here for Thanksgiving Day and I was blessed to enjoy it with a couple of friends and one son. I have much to be thankful for. My leg is healing well and I have been able to spend time at the sewing machine and cutting mat. No quilting yet.

     I worked on Jewel Box Star blocks. 14 blocks are finished and more 4 patches have been pieced.

I plan to make 80 blocks for an 8 by 10 setting twin size quilt. I pulled squares from my nickel stash for all the HST units needed.

The block was the 2018 leader/ender challenge block by Bonnie Hunter. You can find her free pattern here.

    The weather continues to be cool and lovely. I cut units for step 3 of the Seeing StarsSew Along and now the quarter square triangle units are finished.

     I am enjoying my cacti blooms in my garden window. Three colors all blooming at once is beautiful.

     As we move toward Christmas, I continue to be thankful for my many blessings and look forward to spending time with family and friends. Hopefully there will also be time to enjoy some sewing and quilting without stressing on finishing projects.

Wishing you all the joy of the wonderful holiday season.