Daily Threads - Week 6

It's done!

Well, at least the embroidery is done.  The table runner will be finished (though maybe only a week or so before Christmas. :)

Here it is, in all it's glory.

And a close-up of some of the stitching for anyone, like me, who enjoys looking at that sort of thing.

This table runner was a embroidery kit I purchased last time I was in Sweden visiting family.  It uses regular embroidery floss over an even weave fabric.  Throughout the entire runner there are only two stitches used - stem stitch and satin stitch.  The saying "God Jul" translates to Merry Christmas.

Doing one thread a day worked out wonderfully.  I started the embroidery on this in January and even though it's only April - it's done!  Now I get the fun of figuring out what the next project will be.

I hope everyone else is having a wonderful week with a chance to play with their projects too.

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

Daily Threads - Week 5

I believe that last week can be summed up best by this little phrase - "Well that didn't go as planned."

However, not only is this a new week, but it's Easter weekend to boot.  Happy Easter everyone!

And now back to Christmas....
As a refresher, this is what the tablerunner looked like last time I posted.

And this is what it looks like now.  It almost done!  I've gotten past the hump of being so close to the finish line that I'm tempted by all the new projects I could start and have moved so close to the finish line that I'm obsessed with finishing and nothing else will be worked on until this is done!

The new plan is to show you a finished embroidery next week. :)

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

Daily Threads - Week 4

Another week has passed and there is more progress to show!

This is what the table runner looked like last week.

And here it is now. 

I'm now so close to the finish line that my attention is beginning to drift towards the next project.  So far I'm staying focused on this project, but I may have a clue as to why I have so many UFOs to choose from. :)

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

Simply Pinwheels Quilt

A while ago (months ago really, but who's counting) one of the ladies in our guild kindly lead a sew along for one of the Schnibbles patterns.  This little quilt is the result.

I made it using a solid I had in my stash along with a Simply Style charm pack.

 Here's a photo of the back.  When I make quilts with charm packs, I usually end up piecing the back out of leftover squares.  This really helps keep all of those random square that I'm not sure how to use from multiplying.

Here is a close-up of the quilting.  I was stalled at this stage for a while - just couldn't figure out what to do!  Finally I realized that I liked the pinwheel feel of this quilt and wanted to emphasize that.  With that inspiration, I went to town.

Linked up at Sew Fresh Quilts - Let's Bee Social.

Daily Threads - Week 3

Have I mentioned lately just how much I'm loving these daily threads?  It has been amazing to see this project grow with just a stitch here and there any moment I can sneak one in.  (Even with a busy week like the last one.)

Here is what things looked like last week.

And now!

Merry Christmas!  (What God Jul translates to) and it's not even July. :)

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

Daily Threads - Week 2

It's funny, one thread a day doesn't seem like much.  Yet I've made more progress on this table runner in the past two weeks than I have since I started it.  It's amazing what a stitch here and there throughout the day can accomplish. 

As a refresher - this is what it looked like last week:

And here it is now!  The letters are in satin stitch, that always takes a little lot more thread than stem stitch does.  Once I get back to the stem stitch part it will probably feel like it's moving at warp speed.

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

Welcome

This table runner was finished last summer.  It says "Welcome".  It was one of several embroidery projects I've picked up when visiting family in Sweden. 

A friend of mine has the most interesting way of counting how long a project has taken to complete.  In the case of this table runner, it took 12 years and 3 months.  The 12 years is how long ago it was started and the 3 months is how long it actually took to finish when I finally picked it up again.

Here are a couple of close-ups.  

The table runner only uses two stitches - stem stitch and satin stitch.  This was my first project with satin stitch; my late grandmother was the one who sat down with me to teach me. My work is still not up to her standards, but it is improving.  (Being honest here - I'm showing you close-ups of the side I finished with and *not* the side I started with for a reason :)  

Now whenever I sit down to do embroidery, I remember that trip with the evenings spent visiting with my grandmother and learning to stitch. 

Where did you learn your crafty skills?  Was it something passed on in your family or are you the role model in your family?

Daily Threads - Week 1

Let's try this again!

TL:DR- Life packed quite the wallop this past year and while I've been getting some stitching in, I was a lousy blogger.  Things still aren't great, but I miss connecting with all of you wonderful people on the interwebs.  So here's to a little more blogging consistency, a better 2017!, and lots more fabulous creations.  If you stuck around through the radio silence - Thanks!

Onto the stitching:
I've been working on this tablerunner since January, slowly stitching away on it here and there.  It's coming along nicely.  However this past week I wondered what it would be like if I was a little more consistent (here's that word again) so Ive challenged myself to do one thread a day.  Here are the results after one week.  (It would have been much more impressive if I'd thought to take a before picture - lousy blogger strikes again.  Next week will be better for comparisons. :)

Linked up at Slow Stitching Sunday.

2016 Quilting Resolutions - Mid Year Review

Back in January, Yvonne of Quilting Jet Girl hosted a link-up for our 2016 Quilting Goals and I couldn't resist joining in.  Well, she has now posted a mid year review to check in and see how we're all doing.

1. End the year with 10 fewer UFOs than I started it with.
   Lots of these half finished projects are holding me back from tackling new projects.  My sewing space would have so much more functional room if they weren't hanging around and they nag when I work on something new.  I'm tired of it.  In 2015 many of the UFOs went out the door to better homes and now I'm left with the ones that I still want to make.  However, I'd like to make them while I still want to make them.  Getting rid of some of the UFOs and fabrics (I also purged the fabric stash) made me sad, it was disheartening to remember how excited I was when I started the projects and to see how much I just did not like them now.  I'd like to spend my time on projects while I sill love them.
   Doing Well!
   Six quilts from the list have been finished!  I also removed a few more projects that I decided would never be finished.
   I started the year off with 32 UFOs on the list and as of today I have 22 remaining.  So the goal has already been met!  Here's to keeping up the momentum and knocking a few more off the list.
2. Start a blog.
   Yes, got an early start on this one. :)  I just couldn't hold off and wait for a date on the calendar.
   Done!
3. Join in the blog fun.
   I started the blog to participate in the blog world; it just looks so fun.  So, I'd like to join in on some of the link-ups and quilt-alongs.  However, I'm hoping to hold off from joining in swaps (see item #1)
   In Progress.
   This one is a bit of a mixed bag.  I've found a few link-ups to participate in but I underestimated a few things going on so the blog went silent for a few months.  Oops.  There are one or two quilt-alongs I've been tempted by and now that I met goal #1, I might just give in...

Wool Candle Mat

This was the UFO that doubled as a brand new start.

I had this kit sitting around for a number of years but never started it.  This year, not only did I start it, but I finished it!  I haven't worked with wool much but it was fun.  It's novel to work with materials that don't fray and don't need seam allowances.

A friend of mine had a little votive holder and electric candle sitting about.  She passed it along and it was perfect to finish off this little mat.

Have you worked much with wool?  What have your experiences been like?  Any recommendations?


Linked up with Sew Fresh Quilts - Let's Bee Social and The Needle and Thread Network - WIP Wednesday. 

Q3 FAL - Goals

While I failed miserably at following up with blog posts sharing all of the finishes (Still catching up but almost done!) it was really helpful to pull my thoughts together and come up with goals for the quarter.  So once again, I'm linking up with the Q3 goal setting festival.  Hopefully this time, not only will I finish things but I'll share them in a timely fashion...

Soaring Complements
This quilt was started way too many years ago.  The top was completed in a weekend and has sat there waiting for quilting ever since.  Actually, this was the quilt that made me realize that my piecing skills had developed quite a bit but my quilting skills hadn't (I pretty much only did stitch in the ditch and a few weak hearted attempts at stippling at this point)  So that weekend became the point where I started learning how to quilt so I could actually finish this one. 

This one is a repeat from Q2.  I started on it but then my machine's tension acted up.  UGH!  I'm hoping I have the tension issues fixed and after a little quality time with the seam ripper, I'll be ready to start again.

Nearly Insane
Another quilt that has been basted for a year or two waiting for quilting inspiration.  I've made a decision! and now it's time to get quilting.

This is another repeat from Q2.  I've started on it, working on the stitch in the ditch between the blocks.  I have a couple of ideas that all require stitch in the ditch between the blocks; I'm hoping that a decision will be made by the time I get to the end of this step.

Teeny Tiny Blue Tuesday
This is another quilt started ages ago.  Though at least this one isn't basted and waiting for quilting. :)  This one needs the borders and then it's ready for quilting...

This is another repeat from Q2.  Nothing was done on it last quarter but hopefully this quarter will see results.

Valkommen
This is another repeat from Q2.  I managed to finish the embroidery on it and have an idea on how to finish it, so this quarter I'm aiming for 100% done.

Tomten Table Runner
A new project for this quarter!  Since the embroidery is finished on Valkommen, I wanted to add another one to the line up.  I figured this one is perfect since nothing says Christmas like 30C weather. :)  I doubt it will be finished this quarter but I have hopes for the end of the year.

If you'd like to see what others are focusing on this quarter - check out the 2016 FAL link-up.

Blue Dancers

Another finish to share!

This quilt is called Blue Dancers - after the fabric used in the stars.  If you look closely you can see Degas inspired ballet dancers in the blue fabric.

I kept the quilting very simple on this one.  I didn't want to obscure the pattern in the blue fabric.  Plus I wanted to keep it a soft cuddly quilt.  (It's crib size)

Here is the back.  Again not pieced!  (What is the world coming to?)  This was a fabric purchased years and years ago on a road trip.  It has little strawberries and ladybirds all over it.  I thought it'd be adorable for the back.

This quilt even made an appearance at the local quilt show.  

Blue, Green, and Red Table Runner

The table runner is finally done!  This one has been basted for more years than I care to admit to.  It's even been partially quilted.  I had done orange peel quilting around the inner border of squares.  Then I got stuck...

I had visions of feathers for this quilt - something I *still* can't do.  (Though my practice pieces are slowly showing signs of improvement.)  In the end I stuck with the circle theme and quilted more orange peel style circles in the outer border.

The centre of the table runner was supposed to have appliqued holly berries but I thought it made the table runner a little too seasonal.  So I went with cross hatching; which turned into more of a diamond design.

Here is the back of the quilt and it's not pieced! <gasp>  This fabric was purchased 10 - 15 years ago for binding a quilt.  Back then I had no clue how much I needed and for whatever reason didn't think to figure it out before buying.  I bought a little *way* too much and have used this fabric in many quilts since.  (Good thing I really like it)  I'm actually getting to the end of this fabric and feeling a little sad - it's been such a loyal contributor to several favourite quilts.

Here is a close-up of the back.  I think it shows the quilting I was attempting to describe a little better.

Do you have quilts that sit partially quilted?  Or once you start the quilting process, does it just flow?

Linked up with Sew Fresh Quilts - Let's Bee Social and The Needle and Thread Network - WIP Wednesday.

The Circle Game

The quilt top is done!

This is The Circle Game by Jen Kingwell.  My friend and I have spent the past few years working on this quilt each time we get together to sew.  It's been so much fun working on this together, seeing the impact such different fabric choices have on the quilt and, on several occasions, being moral support for each other as we ran into difficulties.  This one is hers if you want to check it out.

We both adapted the pattern a bit.  Neither of us stuck with the original border - it just didn't work with our fabric choices.

Plus we changed a few blocks:

This block was intended as a substitute for the simple striped block.  It stuck out a little as it was quite plain in comparison with the other more elaborate blocks. 

This block was created as my friend was adding 4 extra blocks to her quilt and I had one that I just couldn't get to not be a *bowl*.  After my third attempt, I gave up and created this instead.

I had a lovely stack of blues to make use of; so before I lost steam with this quilt (still have no idea how I want to quilt it!) I pulled the back together.

So now everything is ready to go as soon as quilting inspiration strikes.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to quilt it?

Starry Night

I've been working on a few quilts in the background as enders-and-leaders.  Generally these quilts are a wonderful way to use up those leftovers from other projects and prevent a huge unused pile of scraps from growing and taking over the sewing area.  My plan for these quilts is charity quilts.

The call went out for quilts for Fort Mac after so much of the town was destroyed by fire and I wanted to contribute, so I chose the quilt that was the closet to done and got to work.

I've had quite the pile of black fabrics building up so I turned them into a modified jelly roll race.  I was making great progress until I did a few calculations and realized that I was going to run short.  I didn't have enough fabric!  I put out a call to my guild and got a great response.  Thanks to fabric donations from Liz, Jean (of the no-blog crowd), Sherry, Judy, and Janet I had enough black fabric to create this pile you see below.

Above you see the long strip ready to sew.  I sat down at the machine to sew the first seam and sewed and sewed and sewed, then ran out of thread, changed it, and sewed a little more.  Almost TWO hours later, I was finished that first seam.  I *really* didn't expect it to take that long but when I measured that first seam, things made a little more sense.  That first seam was 3.3 km long!

Fortunately that next seam only took an hour.

And here is the finished top!  I love how it turned out.  It actually turned out how I imagined it would in my mind (not something that always happens.)  I threw in yellow squares at random - I was hoping the quilt would resemble the night sky.

And here is a close-up of the quilt top.  I love looking at all the different scraps and remembering the projects they were used in or the friends they came from.

This top is now off to one of the many quilters who have volunteered to quilt tops for Fort Mac.  Then it will be making it's way to someone who has spent so much time displaced from their homes - I hope it will bring them a little joy during such a difficult time.

Q2 FAL - Goals

Since Q1's challenge went so well, I might as well up the ante for Q2. :)

Soaring Complements
This quilt was started way too many years ago.  The top was completed in a weekend and has sat there waiting for quilting ever since.  Actually, this was the quilt that made me realize that my piecing skills had developed quite a bit but my quilting skills hadn't (I pretty much only did stitch in the ditch and a few weak hearted attempts at stippling at this point)  So that weekend became the point where I started learning how to quilt so I could actually finish this one.

Nearly Insane
Another quilt that has been basted for a year or two waiting for quilting inspiration.  I've made a decision! and now it's time to get quilting.

Black, Green, Red Table Runner
This one was a cute little kit that I bought a number of years ago.  Again basted and waiting for quilting inspiration to strike.  This one has orange seed quilting in the squares and I'm trying to figure out what to do in the borders and centre.

Blue Dancers
Another quilt that is basted and ready for quilting.  (Yes, there really are no surprises as to where my quilts get stuck).

Wool Candle Mat
I've been so good with sticking to finishing projects lately, but I really really wanted to start a new project.  This UFO to the rescue!  This kit was purchased years ago but never started.  So I get to take it off the UFO list but it feels like starting a new project.  Double bonus!

Teeny Tiny Blue Tuesday
This is another quilt started ages ago.  Though at least this one isn't basted and waiting for quilting. :)  This one needs the borders and then it's ready for quilting...

The Circle Game
Once again, this one is a bonus project.  I don't expect I'll finish it, so it doesn't count for the FAL.  I would like to get the top pieced and ready for quilting.

Valkommen
And this will be another bonus project.  I'd like to finish the embroidery on this one but I have no idea on framing/finishing, so it won't be 100% done.

If you'd like to see what others are focusing on this quarter - check out the 2016 FAL link-up.

OMG - April

So far for the OMG goals, I've managed a complete finish for each month (even if I didn't blog March's finish - ooops.) and am hoping for the finishing streak to continue.

For April, I'd like to finish this quilt:

It has been a UFO for over a decade and has been basted ready for quilting for a year or two now...  It's time to get this one done!

Now to settle on a quilting design.  I have sketched out several ideas over these last few days trying to settle on a design, but keep changing my mind.

I tend to do fairly dense quilting but would like to keep the quilting on this one light.  It results in a softer quilt which would be nice if this one becomes a baby quilt.  Plus, the blue fabric is pretty cool, it has a subtle pattern and I don't want the quilting to make it impossible to see.

Here's a closeup of the fabric.  Can you see the dancers?

If you want to see what other people are planning to accomplish this month; check out Red Letter Quilts OMG April link-up.

Q1 FAL - Finishes!

Way back in January, I joined the Q1 Finish A-Long and declared a few goals for this quarter.

So, how did I do?

The Solids Quilt - Done!

Circa 1934 charm pack quilt - Done!

French General charm pack quilt - Done!

Apparently I hit save instead of publish on this one.  (bad blogger!)  Thanks to everyone's suggestions to try matchstick and straight-line quilting, I was inspired.  Though I added a bit of a twist to it.  For scale - the back is made from leftover charm squares.


The Circle Game

While it doesn't look like much progress has been made, I'm happy with what's been accomplished.  It's not done, but many of the centres that were waiting on applique are done.  Plus, I've finished the back!

Valkommen

Another one that isn't done, so it doesn't count for the FAL, but I'm thrilled with the progress.  This one has been a UFO for over a decade....

All in all, a successful quarter.


If you'd like to see how everyone did with their Q1 FAL goals, check out the link-up.