Category Archives: Journey

Reflection {2016}

mosaic34da05b3f5d7bb1b0d7da60b2028de0473cd55b4
1.  Square in Square 2. Lunar Lines 3. Spoonflower Sampler 4. Cheri d'Amour 
5. Treehouse Ladders 6. Daughters Love 7. Fly Away 8. Push-me, Pull-me 9. Mad Dash 
10. Rails 11. Sunday Best 12. Fractions (upcoming post) 13. Abstract Triangles I 
14 & 15. Abstract Triangles II & III 16. Denim Blues

I am super excited, taking this time to see what I accomplished this year as I did way more than I thought I did. Above were all my finishes in 2016. I am so pleased to see that 3 of the quilts were old WiPs (~2 years in the making), and 3 were magazine submissions.  I am most excited that 7 of these projects were gifted and that included a quilt to my son and my mum.

This year, definitely has not been without its challenges, especially with my Mum and her struggles. We (myself, husband and son) are happy to be able to see her and the rest of my family at Christmas, and get to spend this time with her before the now inevitable end. Thank to all those who bought a Daughters Love Pattern, all proceeds have been donated to NZ Cancer Society.

Lastly, as we wrapped up on the year, I decided to take a look at goals I set for myself. I have not really looked at these goals until now… and I was curious how I did.

  • Make that quilt for my son and one for my mom.
    Completed (both a quilt for my son and mum)
  • Continue making my designs into reality. My goal is to make 1 quilt a month…12 quilting projects total.
    I have continued to do QDAD but on an intermittent basis and been exploring more improv in that last couple of months. I did accomplish more than 12 quilting projects this year. Thumbs up!!
  • Start a blog or Instagram series, related to design (plans are underway).
    This changed to a Color Blog series which was fun to run, even though schedules were what they were. Thank you to all the folks who helped out during the series and/or sponsored it. Such a great time.
  • Release at least 4 patterns (PDF and in Print).
    Partially completed, I published 4 new patterns via pdf and updated 1 older one. I have my template for print patterns but have not executed further on it.
  • Go to Spring Quilt Market (I was approved/qualified!!)
    Did not get to do this year and it looks like it might be a 2018 thing.
  • Teach at least 4 quilting classes and attend at least 2 quilting classes.
    I taught 4 quilt design classes and attended classes at our guild’s retreat (from @melintheattic) and Sewtopia Atlanta (Elizabeth Hartman and Denyse Schmidt). Great time all round.
  • Submit quilts for consideration to juried quilt shows (definitely QuiltCon 2017)
    For Quiltcon 2017, I submitted 3 new quilts and 3 were accepted. I submitted another one was a repeat submission that had been juried in before but I modified; and rightfully so it was not accepted a second time around. I also got 2 quilts juried in and accepted into the Modern Quilt Showcase at Quilt Festival and 1 quilt juried into the Modern Quilt Category for an AQS show.
  • Submit an application for an art gallery showing.
    Work in process, currently building out a theme (have 8-9 pieces out of 10 ready)
  • Make some decisions about my brand to set up for the future.
    Keeping with what I have, at the moment, but have new logo’s/branding for patterns etc. Thanks to the wonderful Melissa @ meliherboth (IG)

Additionally, I wrote by first published article (fantastic Tech. Editor Ginny @minnowpeck (IG)), and presented my first quilting webinar for the MQG…..with more things coming next year!!

I need to gather my thoughts for my goals next year and take stock in my outstanding WiPs, but I have a couple of big ideas brewing. Check back here in the new year for my 2017 goals.

 

Blogiversary {Giveaway}

Folks, who knew, that after having sinus surgery and deciding that I should start using the sewing machine I bought 6 months ago, I would be here. Welcome to my 4 year blogiversary. Wow!!

Sometimes, I am amazed that I kept with a hobby for 4 years and other times I can’t believe its only been 4 years, its gone by so fast.

This year has been an amazing journey. I want to thank all of you who have joined me and supported me on this journey, both here and on Instagram (IG). Looking at October 2015 through September 2016, these are some of my most memorable projects & WiPs. mosaicdd25f3e4fb290200b7e0c21c02c4d93b5baf4c6d

This year has been a big year. I have loved experimenting and playing with different techniques and color. I have loved teaching my new quilting classes. I hope the year ahead is as good to me…I know it is starting out well.

Giveaway

As a thank you, I would like to give away a $80 gift card to Hawthorne Threads. To win:

  • Leave a comment, about what quilting topics and themes you are interested in at the moment.
  • If you are a follower, leave a second comment letting me know how you follow.

A winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Sunday 9th October at 8pm.

*********CLOSED***********
Winner: Melanie C (email coming your way with the gift certificate).

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In the Works {Update}

Keeping it real…I have made progress since my last post, though not as much as I hoped. At least its moving in the right direction.

So what’s happening…

From the releasing pattern front, I have managed to release the 3 pattern of 4 patterns (Abstract Triangles, Daughters Love and Altitudinal Ecosystem) with Mad Dash coming the first week in October. So overall completed all that I set out to do in September. YAY!!!

From a project perspective, they have all moved forward.

Sew Ready to Play Blog hop – The mastermind project, completed and posted a tutorial on Monday.

Mad Dash – binding is underway. I had some issues, with wonkiness when machine binding so switched to hand stitching it. I think its related to the pressure of the foot while stitching through 2 layers of batting. Only one side to go and this should be finished before the weekend.
maddash-binding
Sunday Best – My favorite project at the moment, and I finally got over the fear of what to do with the quilting and decided to just start. After all, a finished quilt is better than an unfinished one. Right??!! Here’s how I started…
sundaybest_quiltingblock1

I really love this block as a whole:
sundaybestquiltingorangepeel

Orange Creamsicle – all the blocks for the top are now complete. All hand-stitched. I just need to hand-stitch all the straight seams. This is slightly modified from what I posted on Instagram (IG), as I changed one of the blocks backgrounds for more balance (top right).orangecreamsicle_top
Lastly…
Directional Lines – Is a new project start but has a deadline of October 14th. It’s my #whatshadeareyou for RJR fabrics project. It is another improvisation project. Can I say I love this already and I have only done 8 lines.
directional-lines

Overall Project Plan

Here’s my overall project plan and recent changes.

Project Dates Current Status
 Mad Dash  September
(3rd FAL project)
TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND (underway)
 Sunday Best  September October
(4th FAL project)
TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT (underway), BIND
Sew Ready to Play Blog Hop  COMPLETED TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, FRAME
 Orange Creamsicle  October TOP (underway) BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Directional Lines  October TOP (underway), BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Quilt Market Project  October TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Fractions  October November
TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 NY High Line  November TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Ode to Clothes  November December
TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Beating Heart  November December
TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND

How are your projects going??

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