New FO Challenge

So now is the time that I show you what I started in January for the New FO Challenge. I have 3 starts so let's go!

First is Jeni's Giant Vintage Star Quilt. Mine isn't vintage but I am excited about it anyway.

I am enjoying making this quilt except for trying to cut 18" blocks... my cutting mat is 18x24 so there isn't a lot of wiggle room.

Next up is an embroidery project I have started. I made my own Sashiko pattern and then drew it on with my Frixion pen. Now everybody thinks I have perfect stitches when really I am just a cheat LOL

And last but not least, I started a quilt using my Echino blocks that I received in two different swaps. I am only one block in but can hardly wait to see it grow!

I will be linking up to Barbara's linky party... come join the fun!

Sewing Ha Ha Part Deux!

A sewing machine works into a bar and ask a lady sewing machine "Are you a Singer?" And she responds "Why? Janome?"

Sewing ha-ha

I just heard this joke and had to share it...

What's the difference between a sewing machine and a bra-less woman?

...

The sewing machine only has one bobbin.

 

HA!

First finish of 2013!

So glad to say that I managed to finish my first goal of the year!!

If you remember I made it my goal to finish my two-sided table runner for the Sew Sew Modern Swap. I had hoped to make this my FMQ debut (HA!) but that did not happen... nor did my attempt at wavy quilting... apparently my zig-zag doesn't lend itself to that. So I went with "organic straight lines" which is quilter language for "artistic license". It also replaces the language I was using as I seam-ripped SEVEN times... wowza!

organic straight lines

I used a varigated thread for the first time and I love the look! I will have to pick up some more when I see it again.

bound and ready to send!

I really enjoyed making this runner and I hope my partner likes it.

I am linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes!

Asterix and Obelix

Just kidding... although I do love those two crazies :)

I am in a year-long, all solids bee where my group is all Canadian. I have to say it is kind of fun to have Canuck love :)

I took the first month since I knew pretty quickly what block I wanted made... the asterix.

I have sent out a whole bunch of different colours to the 11 people in my bee and they will be sending me back a 4-pack.

 

It won't be a huge quilt so I am going to be doing a border of some kind around it... looking forward to seeing what I receive!

 

In addition, I fell in love with an Echino quilt on Flickr by Mermaid Sews. Since I participated in 2 Echino 10" swaps I realised she had provided me with the perfect idea! Here is my first block... it ends at 18.5 unfinished.









 

I hope to have some more finishes to show you soon... a table runner and a doll quilt.

A goal to finish

Happy New Year!

Not only am I committing to starting new projects this year but I am committing to finishing projects as well. Seems to make sense to me... therefore couldn't have been me that came up with that.

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew Bittersweet Designs are running a linky party to share a goal of a finish each month. At the beginning of the month you choose a project to complete and at the end of the month you show you completed it. Your goal can be just for the quilt top... it doesn't have to be one King-sized quilt top complete and ready to send lol.

For January I am entering my two-sided table runner I am making for a swap. I am committing to having it finished and in the mail by the 27th of January. Yikes!

This is the front (the stem) and the back (the leaves). I really wanted to make it double sided. I of course didn't think about the issues with this.

1) I have decided that the only quilting that will work with both sides is a meander. I have never FMQ'd before. Challenge number one.

2) I am having problems figuring out how to sandwich and baste this as I won't be able to have a bigger back or batting. Challenge number two.

Any help or suggestions in the comments will be *very* welcome :)

What will you be committing to finishing this month?