Modern HST blocks 7-12

Alright!! Dusting off the blog so I can upload a picture!! Been a long time since I've been here. Pardon the mess :) So I originally posted to Instagram and Facebook, but the linky won't let us link from Instagram. So I had to take a screenshot of my facebook post... uhg. Anyhow. I got it here!

Pretty Princess Sew Along

So I promised myself I would not job in on any quilt alongs this year, as tempting as they are, in favour of working on UFOs for the year.

I failed. Well, sort of. Angela at Cut to Pieces put out this idea of making these pretty dresses. And seeing as my girl loves to wear dresses, I couldn't resist.

So I popped out to the fabric store today (nearest one is like 30 min away, so not something I do often) and 1st goal was to see if they had the pattern I needed. Yep! And what I found out is that for some reason in Canada Simplicity is  cheaper than in the US, and if you bought the fabric at the store there they would give you another 50% off. So I got the pattern for just over $3! The fabric on the other hand. Ouch! No wonder people don't handmake clothes as much any more, it's just not cost effective.

I dragged my husband along - bless him. He's such a wonderful Quilters Husband, and even helped pick out the fabrics.

I decided to get the fabric for two dresses while I was at it. Might as well!

If you want to follow along, check out Angela's blog.

Happy New Year! 2013 Crafty Goals

Happy New Year! I'll be honest with you. I am not a big New Years person. To me it really is like any other night, and any other day, but it is fun to walk around and think "it's 2013". Do you remember being little and thinking "how old will I be when it becomes the year 2000"? And now that was 13 years ago! LOL. Yeah it means I'm getting old.

As I catch up with my Google Reader blog roll, I see everyone is doing these 2013 goals posts. I'm not a resolutions girl - things like exercise more or eat better - well I made great strides in 2012 and pretty much plan on keeping with that into this year - no major changes needed!

But crafty/quilty goals - those I could use! Like many people I work full time, I'm a Mom, busy with other stuff, but admit while I want to do more in Sewrenity (my sewing room), I don't do near enough.

So here are my goals for 2013:
1. Finish the music quilt I started on for my husband in 2012. Poor fellow always wonders why everyone gets a quilt but him.
2. Finish the Strip Twist Quilt along I'm doing with my online quilting group.
3. Finish two Washington Quilt Shop Hop quilts. I go almost every year and now have about 5 or 6 unfinished quilts from blocks I've rec'd and I'd like to get them done!
4. I want to make some doll clothes for my daughter's dolls. I have patterns, I just don't do clothes sewing and pattern reading very well. I am sure you tube has a tutorial on everything!

I think those are good goals! If I focus I could be done mid-year. I am trying to avoid all quilt alongs and such that I see on my google reader because there are so many wonderful looking ones, but they would distract me from my own personal goals I think.

Allons-y!

2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge

We are at the end of our year of learning! Wow! I have certainly learned a lot this year. I think I kind of entered into this with no expectations, but I was certain that I did want to see this all through, and I did.

So I think the most useful lesson I received was the one from Don, I think the tracing the design is brilliant, and I certainly see using that in the future. In fact I have used it several times since, including in my December challenge piece.

I will admit feathers - NOT MY THING. Despite trying and trying I just never rec'd the rhythm of doing them, and to be honest, give a look I don't generally go for on my quilts. I have all respect for people who do beautiful feathers, but not for me!

I want to thank Darlene - SewCalGal for hosting this. I know it has been a lot of work for her, and appreciate what she put into it. And so here we go - the year in review:

January:


February:


March:


April:


May:


June:


July:


August:


September:


October:


November:


December:

December 2012 FMQ Challenge

And we're done! 12 months of free motion quilting, and here is my last one.
The green side is the front, the pink is the back. Honestly, I think the back looks better! The feathers - not my forte, but all in all, I've certainly accomplished something I never thought I would. I will put my year in review in another post.

November FMQ

And because I am on a roll today, I got November's done too (just didn't October's today). Yay!
Not much else to say!

October FMQ

Oh, a little late but I got it done! So close to the end of the year, don't want to stop now!

So, super quick, I ended up having a lot more fun with this one than I thought I would. It turned out alright, although I did have to use normal cotton, as I had to go with what was on hand.

I can tell I am getting the hang of this because the back looks as good as the front with no pulling or skipped stitches or anything. Yay! See the wee dragonfly in the right corner?