Delivered Quilts

In my last post (YIKES - that was over a month ago!), I shared pictures of a quilt I was making and my struggle with determining the borders. The quilt is done and delivered and I figured that I should share pictures. You can read more about this quilt and the smaller version I made HERE. In that post, I described the story behind my fabric choices and why I chose this pattern.

This is the quilt that will be auctioned this weekend, with the proceeds going to Lexi who is struggling with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

The quilt measures 70" x 84" and will fit nicely on a twin bed. The pattern is called In a Flash and it's from the Quick as a Wink - 3 yard Quilt booklet. I quilted random loops throughout this quilt and I like how it looks on both the front and back.

I made a lap size version of this quilt because I want Lexi to have a quilt to take with her to treatments and snuggle with while she is at home. If you have not done so already, please take a couple of minutes and read about the making of this quilt HERE and I think you will have a good understanding of why I felt the need to make this quilt. I want Lexi to know and feel how much she is loved by her family and friends. 

Lexi's quilt measures 50" x 68" and I think that is a perfect lap size. 

Please keep Lexi and her family in your thoughts. She can use all the good vibes you can send.

I have been working on other projects and spending time with family. I'll share more on that soon. 

Hands2Help 2020

It's time for the annual Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge!

I've participated in this challenge for a number of years now and have enjoyed it every time. Sarah, over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is just wonderful and tremendously organized. She has secured prizes for participants and even has guest bloggers post during the challenge. I not only get to make quilts for someone, I get to learn a lot too.  :-) 

This year, there are six charities from which to choose, so I'm sure there is at least one that speaks to you. If you sign up now through the 28th, you'll be entered into a giveaway that will be announced on Sunday, the 29th. 

I'll post my progress and pictures as I make my quilts, and I hope to see yours as well. Sarah has check in dates where you can link up and show your progress. These link ups are one of my favorite things about being a part of this. I always get inspired by the quilts I see posted. 

Check out Sarah's post to sign up and get all the specifics.  

Finished!

As promised, here is a picture of the finished quilt that I made for Maggie's charity auction. I know it's very simple, but I sure do like these fabrics and the end result. Sometimes, simplicity is the best option. For the background on this quilt, click HERE. 

Of course it was snowing the morning I was taking the picture, but I couldn't wait because I had to get this baby in the mail and on it's way to Maggie.

While we were hanging this up, Jack asked if I had named the quilt yet.  I hadn't even thought of that, but figured he had an idea. For those of you who don't know, Jack is not only my wonderful husband, but he is also my official quilt namer, quilt holder, and binding fabric chooser. :-)  

I asked his thoughts and he said, "Blue Lagoon, because it is so peaceful and calming." Wow! That is exactly what I was hoping for when I chose these fabrics. Yay! I nailed it!  

I did decide to use this fabric for the binding, and I'm very happy with that decision. (I made that decision on my own, but Jack approved. lol)

I think it looks good on the front and back.

Speaking of the back, I had this wide backing from Wilmington Prints planned for another quilt, but decided to use it because it was perfect for this quilt. I'm sure I will find something else for the other quilt, which isn't even started yet.  

I've got a lot of irons in the fire, included that 2020 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen at Patterns by Jen.  She's introduced the bloggers for next year and I'm one of them. Not only will there be monthly blocks with instructions, there will also be prizes. Oh, how we all love prizes! 

I have finished my two 2019 Color Challenge quilt tops and have already made the bindings. I just need to finish the actual quilting; and I hope to do that by the weekend. Be sure to check back for those pictures. 

Design Wall Monday

It's been a hectic couple of weeks here and I'm finally catching up. I'll share what's on my design wall today; and for the next couple of days, I'll share some of what I've been working while I've been away from blogging.

I'm in the process of quilting this project and then it will be donated to Jack's granddaughter who is organizing a charity auction for a co-worker's mother who is suffering from cancer. I needed something quick and a decent size, and I think this fits the bill. It measures about 70" x 85". I debated on whether or not to add a border, but I decided against it because I really didn't have enough of any fabric that I thought looked good, and I am kind of in a hurry to get it done. 

The woman who will benefit from the auction (I don't know her.), likes all shades of blue. I found some very pretty blue fabrics in my stash and since some of them include a touch of green, I decided to use green for the small squares. I am happy with the result. It's difficult to see in the picture, but the background fabric is a very light shade of blue.

Last year, I made this quilt for a similar auction that Maggie organized.

  

That quilt was larger (90" x 98") and I chose that one because I thought it fit perfectly for the person in whose honor the auction was being held - our son-in-law Jim. Jim loved the outdoors, whether he was hunting, fishing, or gardening. This quilt reminded me of serene waters and it made me smile. Unfortunately, Jim passed away a week before the auction, but it was held anyway. 

The winner of this quilt was one Maggie's work partner and she surprised us all when she gave the quilt to Maggie. It still makes me smile to know that this quilt is with Maggie and giving her comfort every day. I hope that the winner of this year's quilt feels the same way.

I'm thinking of this fabric for the binding, but I won't decide that until it's all quilted. It's got the right colors and is part of the same line as some of the fabrics I used. I'll decide and then post pictures later.

What are you working on today?

Check out some quilters eye candy at 

Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

and

Beth's Monday Making

2018 Planning Party

I've decided to join the 2018 Planning Party Linkup hosted by Yvonne - Quilting JetGirl

Yes, I waited until the last day of the year to decide to do this. Of course I've been thinking about it, but I just wasn't sure that I was ready to commit. You know, once you put something in writing, especially on a blog, there are a number of people who find pleasure in reminding you that you forgot to do something or that you are late in posting something. 

Nevertheless, I've decided to do it and not stress out about it. 

In terms of quilting, I am not going to do what I have in the past and pick particular UFOs to complete. Although it would be nice to do that and get them all done, I'm being realistic and purposely not forcing myself to work on something that just doesn't "fit" my mood. I'm purposely going to be a bit vague on other quilting goals as well, but they will be quantifiable and attainable.

I will do the following, in no particular order:

1) Complete at least six UFOs in the next 12 months. That's one every two months and I think that's realistic.

2) Complete at least 12 donation quilts in the next 12 months. These will include quilts for Hands2Help and Quilts of Valor. There may be more, but I'm not sure. If all goes well, some of the UFOs will be used for donations. 

3) I plan to participate in at least one Quilt Along. I enjoyed the Wayward Transparency QAL and learned a lot doing it. Since I always want to learn something in each of my projects, this Quilt Along surpassed my expectations and has encouraged me to participate in others. I'll be kind of picky in terms of which one(s) I chose to participate, but there will be at least one.

4) I am involved in a pattern testing right now and have been enjoying that. I have already found ways that I can write better patterns myself as well as be a better teacher, so I would like to participate in at least one pattern testing during 2018. 

5) Since I mentioned bettering my pattern writing and becoming a better quilt teacher, I want to revisit at least six of my patterns during 2018 and make updates and changes as needed. 

6) Write at least two blog posts per week. Included in this will be learning to take better photos so they enhance my posts. With that enhancement, I hope to offer much better tutorials, especially for when I participate in blog hops, etc. 

7) I want to actively help spread the joy of quilting. I've been involved with Scott Fortunoff, President of Jaftex, in helping to secure sewing machines for people who have lost theirs due to disasters, etc., but I want to do more. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do, but I'll do something. If you are interested, check out Scott's Facebook page or his blog on the Studio e website.  

8) And finally, as many of us always say, I want to be more organized in my quilting adventure. This is not limited to just cleaning up my space, but includes being better prepared for classes I offer, not procrastinating when making class samples or completing custom orders, and also be careful to not overbook myself, which creates chaos and tension.  

Personally, I would like to do the following:

1) Travel a little with Jack. There are a number of places that we've talked about, but just never seem to get around to organizing the trips. These are not necessarily BIG travel plans, but just some short trips that could last anywhere from one to five days. 

2) Read more for pleasure - not just quilting related books. You'd think that belonging to a book club would help that, but I think I missed at least five meeting nights in 2017. I don't want to do that again. 

3) Get more sleep. Because of my lack of organization, I often find myself not sleeping well. Hopefully this goal will be easily accomplished because of better organization.

4) Write more letters. While e-mail and texting are fine, I want to send actual cards and letters.

5) Enjoy family time more frequently. This not only includes my immediate family, but extended as well.

Ok, I think that's enough for now. Many of these goals overlap and working on one will affect the success of another.

What are your goals for 2018? If you choose to set goals, good luck with achieving them and Happy New Year!