My Last Completed Quilt of 2012...

or am I selling myself short? 

I gathered these flannels some time in the middle of the summer, of all things! I had just spent too much time drooling over the absolutely gorgeous Westminster/Rowan/FreeSpirit flannels that Marie carries over at good ol' Cool Cottons. At the time I was feeling purely selfish and had no particular design or goal in mind besides a comfy, cozy throw quilt that in no way will match any of my current decor! But I just don't care! This one's not for company, but for my own enjoyment!

Though I got it pieced not TOO long after finding all of the fabrics, I wasn't feeling terribly rushed to quilt and finish this puppy up back in September. But now that we are most definitely into our winter season here and I have successfully gotten most of my Christmas gifts off to their proper recipients, I felt I could take some time on a personal project. Plus, it was a good project to get reacquainted with free-motion quilting.

It has been a while since I have played around with some FMQ (free-motion quilting), and I think that definitely shows, but when better to get some practice in than while working on a little project for oneself?? I'm looking at this as a warm-up for the baby quilt that is next in the queue and will hopefully be hitting my Etsy shop at the beginning of the year.

That being said, I actually do have 2 more quilts basted and partially quilted, but not going to pressure myself to finish in the next day and a half (though I won't put aside the possibility of surprising myself!).

All in all it's been a productive year, I think. Still working on building bonds and growing the business side of this venture, but I can confidently say that's moving forward. I just have to learn how to be a better office manager!

A pile of PJs

More than you all ever wanted to know about my journey of the Christmas PJ pants

not-so-neatly folded, awaiting their drawstrings.

I tried to keep it relatively simple with the drawstrings. However, this process did make me aware that I have NO magenta thread. Improvise, improvise!

The one pair from a child's pattern... hopefully won't be TOO small.

*almost* the whole family of PJs, minus the NYC contingent of crosswords and pirates!

Now, I did have to learn to go with my gut as far as sizes are concerned. Hoping I don't cause any offense, nor have ended up with any capris! Got these wrapped, packed up and off to the post office around 9pm Thursday the 20th! Yippee!

A do. Good Celebration

Rachel Hauser, who blogs at Stitched in Color, began an amazing group over 2 years ago. She created a group on Flickr for modern quilters who are interested in lending their talent, time and resources toward making quilts to be donated to a variety of charities. There are now 21 "circles" of 10 stitchers and quilters each contributing blocks and finished quilts monthly to the selected organizations. I have been fortunate to be part of the Bliss Circle of do. good stitches since the beginning of 2011. 

About a month or so ago Rachel announced on her blog that she would be hosting a celebration for all of the people who have participated in the efforts of do. Good Stitches throughout the year. Her generous sponsors will be providing gifts and giveaways for dozens of lucky and talented quilters. For the details of the celebration and the prizes, please visit Rachel's blog posts, beginning here.

Within each of the circles there are a number of designated "quilters" who are responsible in a particular month for choosing block designs, collecting the blocks from the other members of the circle and piecing them together to make the quilt top, then must quilt and bind it all before sending it along to the chosen charity for that group. Those of us who are not "quilters" per se, are considered "stitchers," piecing blocks each month to send to the quilter. I am a "stitcher" where this group is concerned, however I did get ONE opportunity to be at the helm, just over a year ago when our circle needed a substitute quilter to step in for the month of November. And the quilt pictured above is the result of that venture.

It was finished this past March and sent along to our circle's designated charity, Wrap Them in Love. What Rachel and her sponsors are doing is super sweet and thoughtful, but I am sure that most of the other members of this group would agree with me that just getting to take part and give such a little bit of time and inspiration toward something that can offer so much to so many others is celebration enough. 

Most of the blocks I've made for the group over the last year or so... Those of you who have been following my blog had no doubt seen these in various stages of completion over time, but as the year draws to a close it's kind of nice to throw it all together in one eyeful. Thanks to all who have helped provide me with inspiration and motivation throughout this year. These celebrate you all as well!

The Back is where it's at!

It's recently come to my attention just how many quilt TOPS have accumulated in my studio over the last year or so that have yet to be truly finished. In some cases I've been itching to get them quilted and see how they really turn out, but have just not been able to find the right backing fabric.

So, this past week I was on a mission.

And thanks to the help of some wonderful gals, namely Marie at Cool Cottons, and Linda and Michelle at Pioneer Quilts, I was able to come up with some stunners!

As in most of these cases, it was evident that I'll have to piece the backing, and that little taupe fabric fit perfectly with the vine stripes in the other piece. A combo about which I am most excited!

A top started in a class nigh on 7 years ago, taught by Portland quilt artist Lee Fowler. It took me until this past year to finish the top, but hopefully won't be nearly as long to see it quilted!

And then we get to the white whale(s)... I've made a couple of these 60° diamond quilt tops in the last couple of years, HOPING that they'll turn out as well as the twin crib quilts I did originally. But it seems there's no good way of knowing until I get them quilted. But look at this combo that Marie helped me find...

And how could I doubt that ultimately it would be Philip Jacobs to come through with the winning number here?  Courtesy of Pioneer Quilts.

Is anyone else out there scrambling to bring some of their UFOs a step closer to completion as the calendar year is winding down? What's at the top of your "unquilted top" list?

Just getting started... again.

Trying a little experiment transferring to a new platform. Now, I have no problems to speak of with Blogger, but am hoping to have my blog, portfolio and basic company info all together on one site. How novel, right??

And so we venture into new territory. Hopefully soon there will be fun, exciting things to share from the sewing room and the quilting world. Thanks for bearing with me!