New Year's Eve 2016

Oh my, the last day of this year.  Tomorrow will be a "Fresh Start" for all who choose to take it.  Even though I have two photo transfer quilts on my UFO List for 2017, I decided to start early, so I could get these surprise gifts finished up and mailed off no later than the middle of January.  Not to worry, I have plenty more UFO's to take their place on the list.

Yesterday evening, I ordered several "wide" backings from Hancock's of Paducah to help in finishing up some UFO's.  The machine quilting was done with my "walking foot", by simply quilting around each photo.  Since I had enough fabric left over after cutting the border, I chose to make the binding with the same fabric.
Just need to finish hand sewing the binding-make a sleeve for hanging and sew on a label.  Then on to the next Photo Transfer quilt.  Since I don't want to wait on the fabric to arrive, I will probably piece the back for the 2nd quilt.

Looking forward to the New Year and making progress on many projects "old and new".

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!

Pillowcases to be made next Tuesday at Sewing

Our Tuesday Sewing Group usually meets today but with everyone's family gatherings, we decided to wait and meet next Tuesday, Jan. 3rd., 2017.  Our Group was notified by the The Cherry Pit Quilt Shop that several different sewing and quilting groups planned to make pillowcases for the people affected by the fires in Gatlinburg in East Tennessee.  I thought it would be nice to make a couple of pillowcases here at home.  
The dimensions that I used were:
3/4 yd. for the pillowcase body:  27"
1/3 yd. for the border cuff:  12"
2 inch strip for the accent:    2"

Pillowcase on Left is finished-Pillowcase fabric on right needs to be sewn

There are many different Pillowcase Tutorials on-line but this one from Shabby Fabrics is my favorite. Magic Pillowcase Tutorial from Shabby Fabrics

Merry Christmas 2016

It is sunny and warm in middle Tennessee this beautiful Christmas Day.
It was wonderful to be able to attend Christmas Day Worship Service this morning and we had close to a full house.

Poinsettias decorated the Worship Fellowship Hall.  I was able to bring one of the poinsettias home, so I thought a little history about the beautiful bright red flowers might be nice to know.  The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ.

Poinsettia from Church

 

My 2017 UFO List

Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times.com has challenged her Blog Readers to join her in another UFO Challenge for next year, 2017.  I love this type of challenge because "sometimes" I have a difficult time focusing on projects that should be finished.  If it is a gift, I make an extra effort to finish in a timely fashion, but not always "on time".  So, here it goes......

UFO List for 2017
1.  365 Quilty Circle Project (1st 6 months of 2016)-needs backing, quilting & binding
2.  365 Quilty Circle Project (2nd 6 months of 2016)-needs backing, quilting & binding
3.  Photo Transfer Top#1--GIFT-completed  Jan. 2017 and shipped --January's pick
4.  Photo Transfer Top#2--GIFT-completed  Jan. 2017 and shipped
5.  Selvage Top-needs back, quilting & binding
6.  Scraps & fabric strips need to be organized
7.  Fabric Journal-continue adding fabric pages & details of techniques
8.  Sort scraps by color
9.  Organize Sewing Room --February's pick
10. Make a 1930's Aunt Gracie quilt
11.  Make (1) QOV in 2017
12.  Make (1) QOV in 2017

The above list should keep me busy.....
Click here to link up with Judy's UFO Challenge for 2017 at Patchwork Times.com

   

Design Wall Monday

Does everyone have one of these little Clover Threaders?
It is called a "Clover Desk Needle Threader" and yes it does thread a size 12 quilt needle.  Before I hand stitched the binding down on this QOV, I happened to find this little help-mate among all my papers, fabrics, tools and other items that need to find their permanent homes instead of sitting out on my worktables.  Too much clutter to be able to find things and sew and finish my UFO's.

Clover Desk Needle Threader

This afternoon, my husband took a couple of pictures of the QOV that I just finished, except for sewing on the label.  However, the pictures he took are in "his camera".  Then the sun set, so the lighting is poor at the moment, so here is one shot that shows some detail of the stitching that Marie from Summerville, SC stitched.

Close-up of machine stitching by Marie

I am linking up with other quilters at Patchwork Times.com
Check out what they have been working on this last week.

Design Wall Monday

Is it Monday already?  It's amazing how fast the days fly by once the calendar hits Thanksgiving.  I'm still working on my 365 Quilty Circle project.  This past week-end, I got caught up to Dec. 1st and then made 9 more HST blocks to get a little ahead.  Now it's Dec. 5th and I haven't done anything since Dec. 1st.

I decided it would be fun to have all the little blocks for December created with Christmas fabrics.  Tomorrow is my "Tuesday Sewing Group", so preparing for what projects to take.  Friday, the 2nd, I received the Quilt of Valor back from Marie, who did the long arm quilting.  Her quilting is beautiful with lots of stars, quilted with a multicolored thread on top and a dark blue on the back.

It took a little searching to find the fabric in my stash, for the binding, but I was thrilled when I found it. I had used this fabric in the quilt but was not sure if I still had some or if I had enough for the binding. It is 100% cotton, called Rustic Weave Pattern #32955, color is red, made in Japan by Moda Fabrics.
I do have the binding made but still must trim the quilt, sew on the binding and then hand stitch it down.
Since I took my time on making the quilt, I don't want to rush to complete it.  Also, when the quilt is complete, I will take a picture and I wash it "with a Dye Catcher" before presenting it to a Veteran.

So, I decided to show something that I did complete.  The (2) stockings were cut from a fabric panel and then I sewed fleece on the back of each stocking.  I remember making (2) other stockings quite some time ago, but I think I already turned them in at Sewing.

2 stockings ready for Christmas

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 Be sure to check out all the wonderful projects shown at:   Patchwork Times.com

365 Quilty Project

Many thanks to Audrey from Quilty Folk for challenging me to continue the 365 Quilty Circle Project.  In my entire life, I have never kept a journal or diary for more than a few weeks.  The thrill of the fabric and all the choices available kept me going, along with Audrey posting each month as to her progress and encouraging each one of us, to keep going.  Early on, I realized that it didn't really matter if all my blocks were the same, in fact, it added to the challenge of making many of the little 4" blocks different and it was exciting to see how many different styles that others had created.

Only 30 more days to go.....

365 Quilty Project  062816-120116

Today, I tried to get a little ahead by making 9 HST blocks, which should get me through until the 10th of December.  I also thought it would be fun to use
all Christmas fabrics during this month.  It will be fun to see if I can round up 21 additional Christmas fabrics to use the rest of this month.

I believe this was the most enjoyable project that I have ever done and it lasted all year long.

I'll be linking up with Quilty Folk.Blogspot.com to see all the blocks created by other quilters this year.