2011: A Year in Review

 

Year in review posts are kind of like holiday posts--required blogging, as it were. I've thought a lot about 2011 lately (cross country flights are a good time for this, in between coloring and wrestling toddlers), and 1 thing has become clear. I need to read more. I've become a bit unbalanced in my life. My friend Brian told me that if I had ridden my bike as much as I had sewn, I could have ridden to California by now. True.

And yet, I am intensely proud of some of the things I have been involved in this year--State Day of Service projects, 100 Quilts for Kids, 12 Days of Christmas (food) for 50 kids at a local elementary school & the Summer Sampler Series with Lee & Faith. I'm curious to see what 2012 brings...

Top 10 lessons learned from 2011

1. Practice might not make perfect, but man, I am a much more precise and intuitive seamstress than I was 2 years ago.

2. I like learning new techniques. Zippers, linen, voile, paper piecing, bags, etc. seemed so scary and hard a year ago. Next on my sewing to do list--curves & clothing. And finishing projects that. are. so. close.

3.Quilt Market is pretty incredible the first time. Without an explicit reason to be there, I think once is enough.

4. Sewing for others (for commission or publication or bees) can be kind of stressful. I don't do very well under deadlines.

5. I need to travel less in 2012. See next line and laugh.

6. I loved the Sewing Summit. I hope to go in 2012. There is something really wonderful about meeting so many online friends who share the same passion for sewing. It's even better if you go with a few people you already know--it takes away some of the "where am I going to sit on the bus" anxiety. I really love the online community, and I feel like I have many friends there. See next line and laugh.

7. I need to work harder to make local friends, or at least get together with friends more. If they would just stop moving, it would be so much easier.

8. I have participated in a gazillion flickr swaps and virtual sewing bees. I have tried things I wouldn't have otherwise, and I have certainly become a neater sewer. I have made friends and received amazing things in return. I wish I could remake a lot of things I made in the beginning. Bees and swaps take a LOT of time, and I feel like I should make something amazing every single time, and so I procrastinate, because I'm worried it won't be perfect. And of course it never is. I'm going to gracefully decline or bow out of most swaps in 2012 (see next line)

9. I have a quilt I started for my husband 18 months ago that I haven't "had time" to finish. I have a collaborative quilt for a good friend that was started 10 months ago that isn't finished. I gathered fabric for a quilt for my son's "new" twin bed 11 months ago and it is still sitting there... my daughter has a twin bed with no quilt on it (the shame, I know!) I would like to make quilts for my family, including a Neptune string quilt and a Good Folks mosaic quilt for my bed. And finish my quilt from A Notion or 2, and, well, you get the idea! I'd like a few more projects to stay at my house.

10. I love to sew. Which is a relief. Because I have a house full of fabric :) And a lot of ideas for 2012...

 

Holiday Wrap-Up

I am currently baking more cookies than I would care to count, so I thought I'd write a bit between batches. Thank goodness for a convection oven.

We had a marvelous holiday in Salt Lake, and got to have two Christmas parties, one with each family. My husband and I are both the oldest of 5; we were lucky to visit with our parents, my grandparents, and 6 of our siblings & their families. We also had a blast with my husband's cousins and their kids. Wild. Crazy. Fun. I miss that, living so far away. Thanks, everyone, for a happy, mostly healthy, relaxing trip filled with visits to the Lights at Temple Square, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (reminded me of White House decorations, it was exquisite. The live pianist didn't hurt), skiing lessons for my son, too many good meals to count, gingerbread houses, decorating sugar cookies, gift exchanges, raucous games, snuggling of new babies, and lots of love. We have even had a few days around here to unpack, straighten, and plan for the new year (ha!)

I did a lot more holiday sewing than I thought I had. Drumroll. I even finished one of my oldest projects, Christmas stockings! Or rather, I finished 3 of 4. Hm. Better get on that. Christmas sewing by the numbers...It looks like a lot more than it felt like. My family and I also received some killer handmade gifts, but that is a post for another day.

1. Ruby Star Spring, 2. Ruby Star Spring Thread Catchers, 3. Apron 1, 4. Apron 2 Front, 5. Christmas Stockings!!!, 6. Birthday sewing, 7. treasure pouches, 8. pouches, 9. Voile + Flannel = love, 10. Army Men + Lush, 11. Single Girl Wreath, 12. SG Wreath

 2 Aprons (with 2 cut out for my kids that didn't get finished. Or started)
3 pouches (made more exciting with ruffle fabric, chocolate, or gift cards inside)
1 voile/flannel blanket (& 1 more that is currently lost somewhere "special" in my house)
A gazillion of Jeni's bags
My Single Girl Wreath
4 thread catchers (2 photographed)
5 bike tool rolls

My FQS Blogger's Bundle...

1. Lark-PWAB068-PERSIMMON-200, 2. Weekend-CX4840-NAVY-D-200, 3. Ruby-55031-23-200, 4. PeacockLane-DC5084-TURQ-D-200, 5. OrchidandGray-4835-GRAY-D-200, 6. Flutter-8224-AQUA-200, 7. Lark-PWAB069-MIDNIGHT-200, 8. Ruby-55037-14-200, 9. PuttinOnTheRitz-2810-32-200, 10. SecretGarden-SH5233-CORA-D-200, 11. Sophie-32505-11-200, 12. Lark-PWAB081-CHARCOAL-200, 13. SecretGardenSolids-SC5333-CORA-D-200, 14. CottonCouture-SC533-CHAR-D-200, 15. BellaSolids-9900-83-200

My favorite part of quilting is putting together color combinations... there are a lot of fabric stacks that get rearranged but not made into quilts. If only there were more hours in the day. Quokka Quilts is hosting a Fat Quarter Shop Blogger's Bundle contest--put together 12 prints and 3 coordinating solids, make a photo mosaic, link up, and you have the chance to win a half yard set of your hand picked fabrics. It's been fun to see all of the different bundles out there. Here is mine. It was a lot harder to put together than I thought it would be, because I had a number of current-ish fabrics in my head that weren't on the site. I like the finished product, a few navy Echo prints would have made it just about perfect.  I started with the Amy Butler ikat and Sandi Henderson coral ironwork prints, and went from there. Fun stuff! Back to Friday Night Movie night... Madagascar 2.

Geese in Winter

Three words:

Accuquilt studio quilter
die cut machine
gazillion flying geese
too much fun
super lightning fast

If only Santa had left this under my tree. Thanks for sharing your new toy, ladies. I can't wait to start stitching up this quilt!

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

Two years later, the stockings are finally done! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Holiday Sightseeing

This December, I resolved to take time for my family and myself. The last few months have been a bit crazy around here, and I wanted to enjoy the season with my little ones, especially. So, I have let Mrs. Costco do my baking (although J and I plan to make lemon cookies for neighbor gifts tonight) for all holiday parties, we have made sure to spend time at the park after school in this unseasonably warm weather (although it still feels freezing to me). We made gingerbread houses and snowflakes, and I have spent most of my normal sewing time at the gym instead. Which explains why my body hurts, and I have been sleeping instead of sewing, for the most part. All these posts about last-minute sewing make me smile--I figure it isn't last minute until it is December 24 and the kids are in bed.  (This is the National Christmas Tree, on the White House's Ellipse. I have it on good authority that it doesn't look any better at night.  Union Station is also under construction, which means no larger than life Christmas trees or wreaths, but the miniature trains are still there, as is excellent hot chocolate and slightly crazy-kids-mixed-with-big-crowds. My friend Kristen and I were glad we know each other so well, we had many a meltdown that day...)

We have also gone on a few adventures, some more successful than others from the adult point of view, but the kids have had a great time. On a good day, it takes no longer for me to drive to DC than it does the soft playroom, so I figure museums and the Botanic Gardens are the perfect rainy day option.The Botanic Gardens are a perennial favorite--their winter poinsettia, train, and miniature display is incredible. 

 

Have a great weekend!

Prince Charming: Finished!

SMS Giveaway Days Here

Guess what? This quilt only took me 2 days to make. One of them just happened to be in July, and the other was in December.  For whatever reason, I've felt bashful giving this quilt to its intended recipient. I decided to get over it and deliver the quilt (I have to walk about 30 feet to do so!) I stippled it using a light aqua thread--I haven't stippled a quilt since January. I need a bit of practice, but I think it turned out good. I did learn something important: If you are fussy cutting things, and you fussy cut off-center on purpose, it just looks like you made a mistake.  I do love the Prince Charming by Tula Pink with the Free Spirit Solids.  The quilt measures about 34'' squared.

One thing out of my works in progress pile--hurrah! Elizabeth and I have been emailing a bit. I think we are going to do some sort of "Finish Those Projects" fun in January. Heaven knows I need a bit of inspiration in that department.

Linked to Quiltstory

Giveaway Days

This week is Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Days! Welcome to Swim, Bike, Quilt and have fun entering all of the giveaways!

 (images from Such Designs--your patterns are still in the plastic)

I am giving away 4 patterns. I bought the first two at Fall Market from Such Designs--a set for myself, a set to giveaway. I am also giving away 2 Amy Butler patterns--the High Street Messenger Bag and the Cabo Halter. Something for everyone, I hope!

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite holiday treat (to make or buy)... a link to a recipe would be even better! I'll draw a random winner after 8pm (ET) on 12/16/11.  Make sure your email address is available in your profile, or leave one here so I have a way to contact you.

Some of my favorite projects:


100 Quilts for Kids     Summer Sampler Series


Pillow Talk Swap Pillow          All Voile: The Summer Quilt


Doll Quilt Swap 10

Single Girl Christmas Wreath

Eons ago (last January) Megan, Katy, & Nova hosted a Single Girl Quilt Along, based on the popular pattern by Denyse Schmidt. I had wanted to make a Single Girl quilt for ages--apparently, so had everyone else. I knew I wasn't going to make a whole quilt, so I decided to make just two rings, one for me, and one for my sister-in-law, Amber. I thought I would make her a pillow for her new place. I chose a variety of greens with just a hint of blue, and dutifully cut out templates, cut fabric, and sewed the quarter arcs together. I realized (too late) that the colors were all wrong for her new place.  So, into my "in progress" bin they went. And sat. For months.

Last week, I was looking everywhere for fabric for some bee blocks (located and completed) and found the arcs. I haven't put Christmas decorations up yet, and thought, "Aha! This would make the perfect wreath for my entry way."  I finished sewing the arc together, raw edge appliqued it onto a white background, and there you have it. It is the perfect size for my entryway! Now what to do with the other arc... baby blanket, perhaps.

I'm not sure about the binding. The color is right, but the pattern, not so much. I think the pearl bracelet is too large scale for the binding. Chalk it up to starting to bind a quilt at 11 at night. I HAD to finish it, for some reason or another. I'm guessing it will stay like this, because really, who has time to re-bind a small quilt at this time of year!

Linked up to Finish It Up Friday and Sew & Tell

Holidays at the White House

My husband and I were able to attend Holidays at the White House  this week. We laughed--when we got there, we weren't on the list.  After some awkward waiting around in the rain with the Secret Service (and a super-fast background check, I suppose), they let us in (no gatecrashing for us!).   I have to say it was a bit magical. I haven't seen any pictures that do the decorations justice. I have been before, and for whatever reason, this year it was just perfect. The live music was a nice touch, too. This year's theme was "Give, Shine, Share" and focused on servicemen and women and their families. You can read more about it here--there is even a Christmas tree make and take (which is kind of funny because when I saw one of the trees, I thought, "Someone has been spending some time on pinterest...) My final thought: once you have seen these decorations, putting up your own tree/decorations seems almost pointless. Almost :)

 

There are more pictures in my flickr photostream if you are interested!

Notethreads: A Giveaway!

Update: Thanks to everyone who entered! The winners are:

#2 Tara June said...

Wow, those are awesome looking...the VW bus one is great. My go to stocking stuffer is definitely candy...easy and takes up a lot of room!

 

 #16 Maxine said...

Wow! Really cute notecards. I like the ones that look like fabric, of course.

# 28 Pat said...

what a wonderful shop! i like the vintage spools.

Are you looking for stocking stuffers for friends and family? What about small gifts for sewing buddies, teachers, and neighbors? Would you like to include something handmade but might not have the time (or energy) to make it yourself? 

I have a giveaway today that I think you are going to love (and will solve this dilemma!) Notethreads is a new shop that sells handmade notepads and notecards.  Notethreads is run by my sister-in-law Samantha Blakesley (maker of beautiful & Salt Lake MQG award-winning quilts)--she sent me a few vintage spool notepads for my birthday last year, and they have been one of my all-time favorite gifts. If we have swapped bee blocks or fabric, you probably received a note on one J

Now for the giveaway! 3 winners will receive their favorite notepad and notecard set. Just visit Notethreads and leave a comment here for a chance to win. If you want, let me know what your go-to stocking stuffer is! I’ll pick three winners on Friday night (December 9).

Can't wait? Notethreads is offering a special coupon code—use SWIMBIKEQUILT for free shipping until December 31, 2011. As a bonus, with the coupon, you get a free sample size notepad when you order notecards, or two free notecards if you order a notepad (using the code). Did you see the golfer & baseball player notepads? Perfect for that hard to buy for man in your life. What are you waiting for?!  Happy shopping :)

Note: I received no compensation for this post, unless a fluffier air mattress the next time we visit counts :) I have been telling Sam she should sell her notepads for months, so I'm thrilled to see her shop up and running! I hope patterns are next :)

Texture: Flannel & Voile

I am sure that somewhere, someone is able to capture the luxury of a flannel and voile receiving blanket. That someone is not me, so take my word for it--if you make one of these, you are going to want to make one for everyone you know, starting with a throw sized one for yourself.  Delray Fabrics is going to start selling flannel and voile receiving blanket kits, so Pam gave me some fabric to try it out.  The flannel shows through the light colored voile a bit, so I would probably choose a print or a darker voile if I were to do this again, but I love it! The colors are unexpected, but fun, I think. I followed the simple directions on Anna's site, rounded the corners and used bias (voile) binding. And, I pinned it like crazy before sewing the binding on by machine.

Note: Karen has some beautiful flannel on sale for $5 a yard in her shop, if you would like to make one.  HT: Katy

Linked to Finish it Up Friday and Sew & Tell.

Happy: A Giant Stack of 100 Quilts For Kids Quilts

First, Happy December! How did that happen? I need to think about getting my Christmas tree up. At least I have an advent calendar ready to go (thank you, Trader Joe's)

My next door neighbor always seems to walk by when I'm photographing quilts, which is sometimes a bit embarrassing. I was more than happy to tell him about this lovely stack of quilts a while back. These are (many of) the quilts made by DC Modern members and my local sewing friends as part of 100 Quilts for Kids. The donation site was so happy to receive them, which made me happy.

A special thanks to everyone who participated this year, who donated prizes, who blogged or tweeted or talked to their friends about making quilts. For those of you who still have WIP quilts out there (I may have one in my living room right now), it is always a good time to donate a quilt. And January is a perfect time to finish up projects!

I have been thinking of doing a smaller charity drive in September/October 2012... maybe something associated with the Sewing Summit, pillowcases perhaps?  I would then move the 100 Quilts for Kids drive to January/February 2013, hoping that it will be a better time of year for people, schedule wise. Any thoughts on this?