17/17 in July

I'm going strong with the July sewing challenge, sewing 17/17 days this month. I've really enjoyed getting so much accomplished and getting myself motivated to work on projects that do not have deadlines and simply are in the to do pile.
I finished the binding on the Easy as 4,5,6 baby quilt and it is ready to gift when the right baby comes along. I have one in mind, but not sure if I'll end up giving it away to the mom or just making a blanket.

I finished Pie and Ice Cream, Ahhhh #17. I need to get moving on these as I have a lot of them and not nearly enough finished. I have 3 more cut out and prepped to do and 1 is in progress.

Saturday we went to Spearfish with daddy and Mikaela insisted on wearing her purple UGG boots from Hannah. She looks so cute, but it was mighty warm.

Monday in our Hexie group we were talking about how fast Jen and I bind quilts. I wanted to really find out, so I took this Unity top out and quilted it Monday  night and put the binding on. I'm working on it during my breaks at work with a stop watch, so when it is completed, probably this afternoon, I'll know how many inches per hour or minute or something like that.

After I got the binding on Monday night I worked on this diaper clutch. It's for my dad's wife to gift to a relative, so I wanted to get it done soon. The baby is already 6 weeks old or so. I finished up the hand sewing and made the changing pad to match on Tues. night.

Last night I also worked on this carseat canopy for Mathew. I made the ties moveable, so when Mathew goes into a different carseat cover in a few months we can tie it on to that too. I'm not sure it's perfect, but he's always loosing his blanket so we'll see. He has a fitted one that we love, but then he's always missing his blanket. This one has lime green minkee on the back.

All in all it's been a very productive week. We spent the weekend in Spearfish and I finished up my first paper for my graduate class. We'll be going back to Spearfish this weekend and get to spend time with my friend Emilee and her family. I'm sure the girls will have lots of fun playing and the moms will chat it up while the dad's work.

Hannah's Summer Tote

Hannah's mom, my friend Angie, is coming to visit this week and I'm so excited to see her. Since I've been collecting pink John Deere cottons for the past year to make this bag for Hannah, I decided there was no time like the present. Hannah's 1st birthday is coming up in Aug. Since it will be so much easier to send it home with Angie, then to mail it. I pulled out my summer tote pattern and set to work yesterday. I wasn't sure how all the fabrics were going to work together, but in the end I think it turned out pretty cute.  The front shows more of the I love JD saying on it.

The back pocket covers up more, but still has lots of room in it.

I love the size/shape of this bag, but hate using the Steam a Seam 2 to make it, so sometime I need to just make it as I would any other bag with a lining and see if I still like it. I think it would be just as cute and so much cheaper to make without those 2 big pieces of SS2. Has anyone altered this pattern to know how it would turn out?

Hannah's Baby Quilt

My friend Angie and her husband Cory had a little girl Hannah back in August. I had been planning to make this cute barnyard themed quilt for her since before she was born. After she was born I embroidered her name on it and quilted it. I just finished putting the label on it and it's ready to go to her home. It's a real lightweight quilt for carrying around since I used a thermore batting in it. I'm taking it in a couple weeks to give to her parents when we all get together for a fun couples weekend.






100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 221 Blocks/ Day 71

October Quilting Accomplishments

My Goals for October included:
Crown Royal Quilt - 4 1/2 rows done, 1/2 blocks done
Professional Tote - Done
Purse/Wallet/Checkbook Cover - Done
Gobble Gobble Wall Hanging & Tablerunner - Tops done
One Block Wonder - 1/2 done

I feel like I accomplished a lot, because I worked on each of my goals and was able to make significant progress on each goal.
In addition:
I quilted and bound Hannah's quilt, Carter's quilt, and Jacob's quilt. I just have to put labels on this month.
I made the Baby Sign Language quilt blocks.
I revealed the Super Secret Project and new book the pattern is in.
I had an awesome sewing night with Jenn.
The Quilt Corral Too closed in Rapid City.
I started working at The Sewing Center on Saturdays and teaching classes.
I went to Walt Disney World for a week! It was awesome and I have lots of great memories.

My goals this month are:
Crown Royal Quilt - Finish Top
One Block Wonder - Finish Top
Gobble Gobble Wall hanging and Tablerunner - Quilt
QuiltPink - Quilt
Label Baby Quilts

Since I have several commission quilts before Christmas to do, I'm keeping my own goals to a minimum. I'm hoping to finish several Christmas projects for family too, but we'll see.




100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 221 Blocks/ Day 53

Productive Weekend

I feel like I had one of the most productive weekends! I actually got to spend several hours each day quilting which I always enjoy. Last night I made this Tag-a-long bag for my Disney trip. I made it in a little over 3 hours starr to finish. It has a zipper in in which will be great for carrying my camera and wallet.



Today I had grand plans to quilt, but first I started by doing a thorough cleaning of my sewing studio. I re-organized my books and magazines, dusted, swiffered, and mopped. It feels great to be able to start quilting in a clean room. I started by quilting this Noah's Ark quilt. I had put the borders on it earlier in the week, so it was ready to be quilted. I was able to get it done in a couple hours.

It's for a very close friend who just had a little boy. I hope they like it. I still have binding to put on, but the quilting is done.

Then I loaded this baby quilt for my friend Angie's little girl Hannah. I quilted green in the borders and a multi all over the center. This one still needs binding, but it's completely quilted.

I used a light thermore batting, so it will be more snuggly.


Yesterday was my last day to work at the quilt shop. This week it will be moving. While I've really enjoyed it for the last year, it was so nice to have today off. On my last day I picked up some of the baby sign language fabric. I have a quilt planned and I think I may even start it this week. I'm sewing with Jenn this week, so it should be a fun, easy quilt to make while we catch up. I'm really looking forward to all the projects I can complete now.

100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 27

September Quilting Accomplishments

My September Goals Included:
Carters Speedway quilt - Quilt & Bind
Hannah's Barnyard Quilt - Quilt & Bind
Mason's Animal Wall hanging - Quilt & Bind
Zoo Animals baby quilt - Piece, Quilt & Bind

I didn't do so well on my goals. I did get the embroidery done on Carter and Hannah's quilts, but still need to quilt and bind them. My quilting machine was serviced this month, so I should be able to get them done soon. I won't say I'll get them done in Oct, because I have a lot going on! I did finish Mason's wall hanging and sent it to Nich this week. The zoo baby quilt didn't go anywhere, so I'll have to do that later.
I did accomplish a lot of things, they just weren't on my goals list.

Made Darlene's Vest
Finished Mason's Animals Wall Hanging
Embroidered Names on Hannah & Carter's quilt tops
Pattern Tested for a NEW book coming out in a few weeks - All in Pinks
All 85 blocks for a Koi One Block Wonder for my MIL in 4 days!
Designed pattern for Crown Royal quilts & started making blocks - my OLDEST UFO!
Made a Purse/Wonder Wallet/Checkbook cover for my MIL
Quilted my mom's 5 yard quilt

Also in September:

Congrats to my friend Amy and Joe on the birth of Jacob Paul!

Won two rulers 6x24 & 6x12 from C&T Publishing
Finished up Waun-a-Finish Summer Challenge 18 UFO's Completed 25 Start to Finish Projects
Attended the Hill City Outdoor Quilt Show - Lots of awesome vendors!
Started 100 Blocks in 100 Days in Prolific Online Quilters Group - 110 blocks in 17 days so far!
Found out I am going to Disney World October 27-31 for work! We are doing the leadership training at Disney Institute!
We bought a new CAR!

My October goals are slim because of my work trip:
Professional Tote for my trip
New purse/wonder wallet for trip
Thanksgiving Gobble Gobble wall hanging
Crown Royal Quilt - 1 top
One Block Wonder - top

I've made it to 600 posts! I love blogging and can't believe it's been almost 5 years ago that I started blogging. I was teaching high school and I had my students do it too. I don't think any continued, but at that time it was a really new medium to express yourself. I've learned so much and found some great friends. As in everything there are always some bad apples, but for the last 4 years I can't believe how many awesome people I've met on the internet. I have really enjoyed documenting my quilting and seeing how I've grown over the years.
Thanks to all my blog followers/friends! You are AWESOME!



100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 17