Horizons

I finished my Horizon quilt last night!

Today is a very windy day here, so indoor shots will have to do.

I started quilting this 236 days ago.  For most of that time it was stuffed someplace out of sight.

I am so glad I pulled it out and finished it!

It's a favorite of mine.

The colors are bright and cheerful.

Makes me look forward to summer!

I realized last night while I was finishing it, I started hand quilting last spring because my husband was deployed and I was not looking forward to lonely evenings watching tv by myself.

Hand quilting did keep me company.

(so did the dogs- as soon as I bring this quilt out Bonnie comes to cuddle)

Right now my husband at training in another state for a couple of weeks, and it was comforting to have the quilting this past week.

Also I started it while he was gone, and finished it while he was gone.

Not my favorite part of our lifestyle.

But boy do I love this quilt!

By Hand

Eight squares left to quilt.

Tonight might be the night since The Blacklist is on!

After Horizons is done I have many many more hours of tv hand sewing to do!

I think I can start patchwork on a baby quilt now.

It will be a fast project.

Right now I feel really great about my chances of meeting all of my goals for this quarter!  

Snapshot

 She's home!

On to bindings!

p.s. the monster commented that the quilting looks like the WiFi symbol.

Of course.

Quilting All the Quilts

I haven't checked in lately, but there has been progress!

 Even after running out of thread mid borders!  How annoying!

Our springer Bonnie loves quilts, and she really really wanted to lay on the new top.

She couldn't because we need to get a top mattress for this twin that is in the guest/sewing room.

So she stood there for fifteen minutes like this.

I almost died.

She was so sad.

With an upcoming period of single parenting approaching I spray basted right away.

I think I am a convert.

It is so fast and easy.

And better for my back..... terrible for my lungs no doubt.

I got a great deal of it quilted last night.

I am trying something new!

Can you believe it?

Stranger things have happened.

Probably.

I feel good about my chances to finish the quilting of my Kiss Kiss quilt in the next couple of days.

I got a call that my Snapshot quilt is done and I will pick it up tomorrow.

I continue to hand quilt in the evenings on my Horizon quilt, I have made a lot of progress.

So soon there will be bindings!

And finishes!

Then new projects!

 On another note I made these two fun heart blocks last week. And I wanted to tell you why.  

Online three and a half years ago I invited friends from my real life to an online quilt along that I hosted via a Facebook group.  Over the years we have done eleven quilt alongs, and made ten group baby quilts.  The group also made me an amazing birthday gift a couple years ago, and another group quilt to commemorate Erica hiking the Appalachian Trail.  We've done rainbow swaps, and Secret Santa swaps, had giveaways, and some of us gathered for The Sewing Symposium.  These ladies have become this amazing group of women that cheer each other on and support each other.  

Pretty incredible eh?  We are a lucky bunch!

Last week my hubby got a text from his sister ( a member of this quilting community) that she would have a procedure done, that I consider a big deal.  I had heard of a guild that when a member is going through a loss or illness or a tough time the other members would send heart blocks to show support and just to send a little love.  It was the first thing I thought of when I heard about my sister in law's upcoming thing. 

I was nervous to ask the group to give this a try without being able to tell them what was going on.  But I didn't think it was my news to share.  So I just went for it, and wouldn't you know it they were all game!  Without knowing what was going on they jumped in and made their hearts right away and most had them mailed within a day or two!  Isn't that amazing?  These ladies are just an amazing group of gals! 

Anyways, I just wanted to share this wonderful thing!

(also, the tutorial for the hearts is super great, and FREE!)

Setting Goals

I am not sure if you have heard of the 2016 Finish Along.  

I'm following along on IG.

I didn't actually 'join' because I didn't feel like it.

But I am going to set goals for my first quarter.

So that would be January, February, and March.

Here they are.

 1.  Finish hand quilting my Horizon.

2.  Binding on my Snapshot once it returns from the long arm.

3.  Kiss Kiss- I'm in the middle of patchwork with it now.

4.  Vintage Picnic- I'll have to buy backing once it comes out in Feb.

5.  Two baby quilts- I have patterns in mind for both. Fabric pulled for one.

I hope this list of goals is doable.

If I get these five done in time I might have an optional sixth project I would like to attack.

It's a secret wip I brought into the new year from last year.

If I were a responsible quilter I would rate my secret wip as number four, and have my Vintage Picnic as an optional sixth.

But I'm not.

Love Overload

Things have been very sweet in my sewing room.

I cracked open my Kiss Kiss charm packs the other day and got started. 

The pinks and reds were just so cheerful.

I also streamed When Calls the Heart, so it felt like I was surrounded by love. 

It felt like I should have a bowl of conversation hearts, or cinnamon lip candies while I sewed.

I finished sewing my HSTs.

On to pressing and trimming.

Luckily, I have lots of episodes of When Calls the Heart left.

In other news, I decided on a pattern for my Vintage Picnic.

I am really excited about this! 

As far as my 2015 wips go, I finally remembered to drop off my Snapshot!

I also pulled out my Horizon and got stitching!

Hallmark had a Murder She Baked marathon on Sunday night so I got a lot done!

Things are good!

Farmgirl Finish

My first finish of the year!

I'm happy to have this quilt finished!

Next up is my Kiss Kiss quilt. 

 I have thirty five days until Valentine's Day.

I can do it!

New Year Quilting Goals

I feel really good about my 2015 WIPS that followed me into the new year.

My Snapshot is going to the long arm next week.

My Farmgirl is being quilted.

My Horizon just needs me to finish hand quilting it.

I don't know why I keep putting it off.

Now for new stuff!

I have lots of projects planned for this year.

Kiss Kiss

I have everything I need for this one and it is the quilt I plan to start right after my Farmgirl.

I want it finished before Valentine's Day.

Terrain

I have a pattern picked out, I just need to get supplies.

Paradiso

I have a pattern picked out, I just need to get supplies.

Canyon

I know what I am planning to do with this one.

It should be quick and easy, I just need to steal an afternoon away from my life.

Vintage Picnic

I have a pattern picked out, I just need to get supplies.

Aria
I need to decide on a pattern.

Fresh Air
I have supplies and a pattern picked out.

Snail Trail
This was on my to do list last year.

Simple Abundance
I have this one ready to go.

Cotton Blossoms
I have hope that a pattern will inspire me this year.

My Batik Project
I have a plan.

Vintage Sheets
I have a plan and a shopping list to make this one finally happen this year.


You may have noticed I have a lot of Kate Spain planned.

It's because I made that rule in 2015 that I wasn't allowed to buy new fabric unless it was for finishing a project or if it was a Kate Spain or Bonnie and Camille fabric line.

I did really well following that rule, but now I have four Kate Spain and three Bonnie and Camille projects planned.

That doesn't include the new fabric they release in 2016!

I am excited about this, and hopeful I will sew up the other projects I have on my list.

A couple of baby quilts will pop up in my year too!

I am going to be strict with myself again this year about buying fabric.
After I get control of the projects waiting to be sewn I have a scrap busting plan.
Maybe it will happen this year.