Finish it Up- The Finale!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!

2. Inset Clutch- Finished!
3. Coaster Set- Finished!
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done!
 8. 9 Patch Quilt- Finished!
9. Pinwheel Blocks- Donated!
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks- Top in Progress
11. PJ Bottoms- Scrapped!
12. Men's Shirt-  Scrapped!

Out of my twelve projects I finished six, scrapped two, and donated another.  So I am left with three unfinished projects out of twelve! Not so bad!  I could have done better.  However, I am really pleased that my really old projects (over a year old) have all had decisions made about them.  It wasn't easy letting go and deciding that some of these projects just weren't worth holding on to.  Out of the three that are still around I made progress on all of them except the Sienna dress (I want to try freezer paper stenciling on this dress and can't settle on a design for it.)

In the meantime, I did add two extra quilts to my list- the Kaleidoscope quilt and the Summer Sample quilt.

So my current list now looks like this:

1. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks-  Top in Progress

2. Modern Meadow Quilt-  Waiting to be basted and quilted.

3. Sienna Dress

4. Kaleidoscope Quilt- Top in Progress

5. Summer Sampler- Blocks Finished. Deciding on sashing. 

My Favorite Finish- I am so excited that I finally finished my nine patch quilt.  It turned out so pretty, and it was my oldest project ever.  It feels so good not to see it hanging around in my "to finish" basket.

The Quickest Finish-  The little coaster set.  Why did it take me so long to just add a few stitches?  Plus, we use them everyday now!

My new goal is now not to have my list bigger than five!  Smaller would even be better, but I have to be realistic, right?  ;0)I think I will try to have a little list going on the side of my blog to help keep me on track. 

So how did your summer of finishing go?  Are you pleased with what you finished?  I was really amazed at some of the finishes you all had.  I really appreciate everyone who joined in with me for this challenge.  It was so much more fun to do it with other people.  Check out the Flickr pool to see some of the different projects!  

Finish It Up- Week 7

We are on vacation this week, and it was much needed! 

Here is a little iPhone photo of the embroidery I have been working on this past week.  This is a pattern by Cathy Gaubert.  She has such a sweet style.  I love it!  There are three little girls in this pattern, and I stitched one little girl last year for s swap.  This time I stitched these two to resemble my two little girls.  I added some length and slight curls to make the little one look more like my Felicity.

So, I haven't been working on any of my projects this week...surprise!  We still have a week and half left in the challenge though, and I am hoping for at least two more projects to get finished.  Our computer access is slow here. So, I am just going to ask everyone to link up in the comments!  I can't wait to see what you are working on.  I check everyone's projects!  There are a number of you who have made some serious progress.  So impressive!  I am sorry that I don't get the chance to comment every time on your progress, but really I appreciate everyone who has joined me in this endeavor to clean up just a bit!

The winner of the Fishsticks patterns giveaway is Jen B!  Jen, I will be giving your e-mail to Bonnie!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

The Nine Patch- Wow! Finally!

I just finished putting the binding just a few minutes ago!  I did it! *jumps with joy*  My nine patch quilt is (at last) complete!  I finished this quilt top two years ago!  7-20-2009 to be exact.  You can find my original post here.  I was so excited when I finished this top.  This was my first quilt-a-long with Crazy Mom Quilts and was only my second attempt at quilting.  My first quilt was just a simple strip quilt, so this was my first time making any sort of block and sashing them.  It is a little wonky in places, but whose second quilt isn't a little wonky?

  

 Poppy thinks I am taking pictures of her and is concerned about the flapping quilt.

The reason I didn't finish this quilt at the time was because I was waiting to take a free motion quilting class.    However, we then ended up moving the next month across country.  So this beauty got put away.  I pulled it out a number of times over the past two years with the intent to finish it, but for some reason it kept getting bumped down the list.  However, I did end up free motion quilting it.  I decided to break out of stippling and try a more "loopy" pattern.  It turned out alright, but I think stippling would have been faster.  This took me about six hours to quilt!    

(*yawn*  Poppy is finding this tiring.)

This is going to be our picnic quilt, so I wanted something a little darker for the back.  I went stash shopping and picked out this solid Kona green and this little floral.  Perfect for hiding grass and dirt spots!

Poppy insists on some play time after that awfully boring "taking pictures of a quilt" session.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for two great patterns by Fishsticks Designs!

I am linking this quilt up to Gen X Quilters Summer Fair!

and Amylouwho's Show and Tell!

Finish It Up- Week Six and a Giveaway!

Week Six!  *whew*  I really knocked a lot of things off my list the first few weeks, and my progress then slowed waaayyy down.  I blame the two awesome quilt-a-longs that I couldn't helping joining.  However, I am soooo close to finishing my nine patch quilt.  I am hoping to come back later today and show you how it turned out!  This is my oldest and biggest unfinished project, so I can't wait to say it is officially done!

Also, I do have an awesome giveaway for you all today!  Bonnie of Fishsticks Designs is offering one reader a chance to win TWO of her PDF patterns! I first came across Bonnie's blog through Made By Rae's first Spring Top Week.  She made beautiful tops, and I have been a regular reader ever since.  

Bonnie is also a talented pattern designer.  Go check out her etsy shop!  She offers several different patterns for both big and little kids.  Lots of fun, comfy knit patterns!  Her blog also has a number of great free tutorials and tips with how to sew with knits!

She offers several patterns for boys! (and good ones can be hard to come by!)

I love this sweet little top pattern for girls.  It just looks so comfy.  It comes in both little and big girls sizes!

A baby layette pattern! (Who could resist this picture?  So sweet.) 

To enter to win two Fishsticks Designs patterns, you have two different chances.  You can choose to do just one or both

1.  Leave a comment letting me know what two patterns you would like!  You can find them here.

2.  Leave a comment letting me know if you finished or made any progress on a project this week!

Please do not forget to leave an email address!  

I will leave this giveaway open until Thursday, August 4th!

Good luck everyone!

So to all you Finish It Uppers? Link up and lets see what progress everyone has made!

Finish It Up- Week Five

1. Quilt Block Keeper, 2. Finished! Table Runner, 3. Sewing Machine Cover, 4. [Arcadian Meadow] Finished, 5. Yelena pants, 6. WIPs Finished!, 7. Jane Market Bag for PP8, 8. Pinwheel Quilt and Pillow Shams, 9. Flea Market Fancy Complete!

I am ashamed to say I still have not finished my nine patch quilt!  I blame it all on my obsession with finishing my little doll quilt top.  It is now about 1/3 of the way quilted, so *fingers crossed* for this weekend.  Instead, I thought I would share some of the wonderful projects finished that were added to the Flickr group!  Those little pants in the center?  Aren't those the cutest you have ever seen?

Also, the winner of the giveaway from last week was #32- Lucia!  I will be sending you an e-mail, Lucia!  Thank you to all who entered!

So here is my list again even though it hasn't changed.  Now with only three weeks left I am starting to be more realistic with what is going to get finished.  I really want to finish up my bigger projects, so I am hoping to finish both the nine patch and my Fussy Cut Bee quilt.  I also think I can finish the little Sienna dress I already have cut out.  So that is three weeks to finish three things.  It sounds doable, right?

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!
2. Inset Clutch- Finished!
3. Coaster Set- Finished!
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done! Waiting to go to the long arm quilter.
8. 9 Patch Quilt- Basted!
9. Pinwheel Blocks
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks- Top in Progress!
11. PJ Bottoms- Scrapped!
12. Men's Shirt

So, how have you been doing?  I hope better than me! ;0p

  

Finish It Up- Week Four

Can you believe it?  We are about half way done with this challenge!  Thank you to all who have joined!  I know I would have lost motivation very quickly, if I didn't have to report back to you all!  Sadly, I don't have any finishes this week.  I did get my nine patch quilt basted last night, so I am ready to start quilting.  This is my oldest unfinished project, and I am pumped to finally finish this off!  I am also working on getting my Fussy Cut Bee Blocks sashed.  Hopefully, I will have something pretty to show you next week!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!
2. Inset Clutch- Finished!
3. Coaster Set- Finished!
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done! Waiting to go to the long arm quilter.
8. 9 Patch Quilt- Basted!
9. Pinwheel Blocks
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks- Top in Progress!
11. PJ Bottoms- Scrapped!
12. Men's Shirt

So how about a little Christmas in July picture instead?  My ruffle clutch was featured in Pink Chalk Fabrics newsletter.  If Kathy decides to feature your project, she sends you a $20 gift certificate to her shop!  Isn't that nice?!  So I picked out these two charm packs to make some Christmas pillows and maybe a table runner later in the fall.

So, this week I am offering a little giveaway!  Two patterns!

This sweet little dog pincushion pattern...

and this fun satchel pattern!

To Enter: 

(I will give you three different ways to enter, feel free to do one or all of them!)

1. Let me know if you finished a project this week.  What was it?

2. Become a follower or let me know if you already are.

3. Link up to the linky party with your Finish It Up! projects.

I will leave this giveaway open through Thursday, July 21st. Don't forget to also give me your e-mail, if it isn't linked to your profile!

So did you finish anything this week?  Lets see those projects!

Giveaway is now closed!

Finish It Up- Week Three

Happy Friday to you all you Finish It Uppers! How are you all doing?  You can see a couple of my finishes from earlier this week at this blog post. 

When I was organizing my sewing area, I ran into these last few Dream On charms leftover from this quilt.  I know it wasn't on my list, but they were sitting there in my basket taunting me.  So I whipped up a little doll quilt.  I just love this line of fabric.  I love the fresh bright, spring colors.  I think I will save this little quilt and give it to one of my girls for their birthday.

I also made some headway on my Fussy Cut Bee blocks.  A couple of the blocks needed a little more to make them 12.5", and I needed two more to give me twenty.  So I now have all the blocks I need.  On to sashing and finishing the top!  I am hoping to get that done this coming week!

I also put together a backing for my 9 patch quilt.  I have to say if there is a part of quilting I just don't like it is making a backing and basting.  I hate basting!  I love quilting though, and I am eager to finish this one.  I would love it to be a picnic quilt, and no better time for a picnic quilt then the summer, right?

So, I made another decision.  I was looking at my granny pj pants that I wanted to fix, and I just had to admit they were a failure, and I didn't even want to fix them.  So I cut them up and now have some pretty scraps.  It was hard to admit to defeat, but I didn't want to waste any more time thinking about those granny panty pjs! ;0p

So here is how my list is looking!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!
2. Inset Clutch- Finished!
3. Coaster Set- Finished!
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done!
8. 9 Patch Quilt- Backing Done!
9. Pinwheel Blocks
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks- Blocks Finished!
11. PJ Bottoms- Scrapped!
12. Men's Shirt

So how are you doing?  Are you staying focused?  I was reading Pat Sloan's blog, and she says to pick three projects and have a finish date.  So, if you feel like you are losing focus or getting discouraged, maybe that is the right approach for you!  I know some of you are doing that already!

Next week I have a little giveaway planned!  Finish up a project whether it be big or small and leave a comment next Friday letting me know what you finished to enter!

This n' That

Okay, I am admitting to getting distracted!  Have you seen the Summer Sampler Series quilt-a-long?  I think I am in love with Faith's idea of doing it all in solids.  I just love the mock up.  I want to use what I already have though.  So I am thinking of doing this one in girly colorway of Hope Valley with a few added solids.  

I also caught up this week on the Kaleidoscope quilt-a-long over at Don't Call Me Betsy.  I chose the pink colorway from Modern Meadow, and I can't wait to put these blocks together and see how it comes out.  I was inspired by this version that I saw in the Flickr pool, and so I will be using solids for my triangles.  

Here is what one of the blocks should look like!  

I did finish a couple of my smaller projects on my Finish It Up! list as well.  This a little coaster set from the book "I Love Patchwork".  I used some French General for this little set, and it took me all of ten minutes to finish!

I also finished this Inset Clutch. (You can find the pattern at Keyka Lou.)  I started this one at the same time as the one I made for my partner in The Pretty Little Pouch Swap.  However, when I finished hers I just not motivated to finish this one.  I don't know why I put off things that only take a little bit more effort! Shameful. ;0)

I am in the quilt-y mood, and I am determined to get working on more of the quilts on my list!

Hope everyone has a very happy 4th of July!

God bless America!

Finish It Up- Two Weeks In!

I finished my Modern Meadow quilt top!  Yay!  I have been planning this quilt for two years ever since I saw this beautiful quilt here.  This is the Turning Twenty pattern (although I used thirty fat quarters for mine to make a queen size).

I originally wanted to use Good Folks just like the quilt I was inspired by, but I decided it just was too bright for my bedroom.  I received the entire Modern Meadow collection for my birthday last year from my wonderful family, and I knew that it was the perfect fabric.

Now over a whole year later the top is done, and I love it!  It is so big it was hard to get a good picture of it! I am thinking of getting this one long arm quilted by my friend, Lynn.  It is just so huge and the thought of quilting this beast makes me groan a bit.  However, maybe if I quilted it lattice style?  Still debating!

Right now I will just rejoice in its completion!

I can not believe the second week of the challenge is already over!  I have a feeling this summer is going to go by way too fast.  I finished my maxi dress as well last weekend, but I have to say that it was a bit of a fail.  The neckline is just soooo low.  I could probably go back and fix it, but I think I am just going to use it as a swim suit cover up and call it good for now.  

So here is how my list is looking!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!
2. Inset Clutch
3. Coaster Set
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done!
8. 9 Patch Quilt
9. Pinwheel Blocks
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks
11. PJ Bottoms
12. Men's Shirt

I think I am going to try and finish up my nine patch quilt this week and maybe the other clutch on my list depending on my motivation!

So how was your second week?  Make good progress?  I can already feel my motivation lagging a bit, but when I finish something off and cross it off the list it feels so good!

Finish It Up- How was your first week?

So how did this week go?  Did you have any finishes? Make progress on any of those quilts?  This has been such a busy week and a HOT one as well!  We have had temperatures over 100 almost all week, and the girls have been at Vacation Bible School.  I have been running around in the heat, and by the end of the day I have been sooo tired!

So here is my second finish of the week!  A ruffle clutch!

This is what I had started with!  

Now I have this super cute clutch that is just perfect for a gift I need!  I used this pattern by Sweet Pea Totes.  It went together well, except I somehow sewed the pocket wrong side up.  I ended up just taking it off since the thought of having to rip this all apart just wasn't doing it for me!

Didn't it turn out cute?

Here is my list again!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!
2. Inset Clutch
3. Coaster Set
4. Maxi Dress
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- PROGRESS!
8. 9 Patch Quilt
9. Pinwheel Blocks
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks
11. PJ Bottoms
12. Men's Shirt


So I finished a clutch, a mini quilt, and all of my blocks for my queen sized Modern Meadow Quilt are now cut out!  I had really hoped to have my maxi dress finished by today as well, so I am hoping to get to it tonight!

So how did YOU do?  Link up with any finishes or progress that you have made! (I will leave the linky open all week, so that you can all have some time!)  If you don't have a blog, then check in at the Flickr group or comments! It has been so much fun to see people getting excited about finishing up some of their projects!  Remember:  one project at a time!  You can do it!

//Swoon Mini Quilt//

So I finished my first project!  I thought with every finish I would show the picture of what I started with at the beginning of the challenge.  So this is what I had last week.  Some squares and rectangles of some Good Folks.

This is what I have today!  Yay!  This is a mini quilt I made for a friend who really likes Anna Maria Horner.

The pattern is from Camille Roskelly's Swoon pattern, which was all over Pinterest a few weeks ago.  I really liked the pattern, but I wasn't too tempted to buy it until I saw Tracey's super sweet baby girl version.

I looked at the pattern and saw that you only needed two fat quarters, and I had just found these two fat quarters behind the baby's changing table.  How they got there...I know not.  I do have suspicions though. ;0)  I kept the quilting simple since this was such a bold block, especially with these fabric choices.  I would love to make a whole quilt out of this pattern.  However, I would definitely choose smaller prints as I think it would look better.  I couldn't get one of diamond prints to go in the right direction, and it drives me nuts that it is facing the wrong way!

For the back I used my favorite print from this line.  I just love how delicate and intricate this print is.  For the binding I used an orange and pink dot from Heather Bailey's Bijoux line.  I had a yard of this fabric that I bought a couple of years ago, and I can't tell you how many different projects it has ended up in.  It is amazing how far you can stretch a yard!

I added a little tag with my initials stamped on the bottom.

Hopefully, the new owner will love it!

Here is to many more finishes!

Linking up to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for the wonderful response to the Finish It Up!  Challenge.  I have already found lots of new blogs to follow, and it is fun to see what everyone is working on!  Here are some of the projects in the Flickr group.  If you haven't joined in the challenge yet, please feel free to do so at anytime over the summer!

1. WIP, 2. Hex Quilt for Finish it up!, 3. DSCN1939, 4. Scrappy Spider Web, 5. rainbow WIP, 6. Final Block for Embroider Bee, 7. Jane Market Bag, 8. Murph and the blocks, 9. Completed "Dream Big" top, 10. HR Munki Munki log cabin - for me!, 11. I'm stuck and need quilting ideas, 12. Climbling Jacob's Ladder

I also received my bag from The Goodie Bag Swap this weekend.  I received this big, lovely bag from Amanda over at A Crafty Fox!  I asked for something neutral and large, and she did just that!  Plus, she sent me some amazing scraps and a charm pack!

I love this side detail of the bag!

I also received this pouch from the Pretty Little Pouch Swap last month, but never posted about it here on the blog.  My partner for this swap was Chickenjulie, who was actually my partner last year in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.  She was the one I made this mug rug for.  So funny how what comes around, goes around!      She made this zakka inspired pouch that has a laminate lining!  It has such lovely details and right now I am using it store my embroidery floss.

Finish It Up- What's your plan?

Welcome to our first check in for the Finish It Up Challenge!  Find more info about this challenge here and feel free to jump in at any time this summer!

So here are all of my half way or (barely started) projects!  Lately I have found that they have really grown!  Yikes!  I often will cut things out while the kids are awake and sew at night.  However, with summer starting I haven't had much time for any sewing and have to catch up with my cutting and dreaming and planning.  I wish I could always keep up with all my sewing day dreams!

  

 1.  Two cut out clutches!   One I started this past Christmas for a teacher gift and changed my mind.  The other I started sewing at the same time as my pouch for the Pretty Pouch Swap.

 2.  Coaster set- I started this for a swap about six months ago and decided it wasn't my partner's style.  All I need to do is finish the bottom!

3.  One Sienna dress started for Juliana and one maxi dress started for me!  The Sienna dress I messed up on the applique and then lost interest.  The maxi dress I needed navy blue thread to finish it off.  I now have some!

4.  Some Good Folks I cut out for a mini quilt or pillow (haven't decided yet!) for a friend who is a big Anna Maria Horner fan.

5.  Modern Meadow!  This is the very beginning of a quilt for my bed.  This is going to be a Turning Twenty quilt, and I am hoping to get it long arm quilted.

6.  9 patch quilt-  This one is shameful!  This is my nine patch quilt from Crazy Mom Quilts two years ago!  I couldn't decide what to do for the back and have been stalled out ever since.  This was my second quilt top I ever made!

7.  Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Blocks-  I finished the blocks P.S. I Quilt's Pinwheel Sampler, and while I liked each individual block...I made it too scrappy.  They just didn't go together well.  So I hope to donate some, and use some for mini projects!

8.  Blocks from the Fussy Cut Bee-  I love these blocks!  I need to make a quilt from them!

9.  PJ Bottoms-  These turned out so weird!  I don't know what I did wrong, but the waist is so gigantic, and they look like giant granny panties.  These need to be reworked!

10. Men's Shirt-  I started this shirt for my husband two years ago right before we moved back to California.  I lost interest and was going to just ditch this project.  However, when I mentioned this challenge to him, he brought up this shirt being finished!  Woops.

So, here is my plan.  I don't think I can finish these all this summer.  I do hope to get most of them done though.  Some should only take an hour to finish and others will take a week or longer.  Next week my girls are going to Vacation Bible School, and I am hoping to crank through some of the smaller projects during that time to help me feel pumped up about crossing things off the list!  Then it is on to the bigger, more involved projects!


So what unfinished projects are you planning on completing?  Do you have one big project in mind to complete?  Some?  All?!?!   

Link up and share!  I will be leaving this linky open throughout the weekend to give people time to come up with their plan of attack.  If you don't have a blog, please feel free to let us know in the comments or in the thread in the Flickr group!