Around the World Blog Hop!

I was tagged for the Around the World Blog Hop by Anna at Woolie Mammoth. Thanks for the tag Anna! If you haven't already visited her spot, be sure to do so.

The Around the World Blog Hop is kind of like a chain letter except it's w/blogs on the internet.  It's a great opportunity to meet and learn about other bloggers.  When tagged, the tagee has to acknowledge who tagged them, answer 4 questions and then tag 3 different bloggers. If you can't find 3, one will do! And they don't have to be quilting bloggers neither.

So here goes...

What am I working on?
I am currently working on several projects, all of which I'd like to get completed by Christmas or sooner. 

The 1st is a gift for mom's birthday which is November 3rd. It's a quilt top I finished quite sometime ago that was intended to be for my bed, but in order to make it big enough I added very generous borders  and hated the way it turned out.  FFWD 8 months and now it's a large lap quilt top waiting to be quilted.

A quilt for my kid sister. 4 blocks down, 38 more to go.

Diamonds and Purples I'm keeping all the points and making it a quilt w/o binding. I'm excited to see how it turns out! 

Plus, I want to make several small quilted gifts, approximately 40 of them, for coworkers, family and friends.

So yeah, I have my work cut out for me. 


How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My work isn't all that different from others. I make quilts just like the lot of you. I would say that 99% of my quilts are made from patterns since I have not yet had the desire to design my own quilt.  But what does differ is the fabric I use. I cannot afford to buy the latest and greatest lines or collections and am not super picky about color/print.  I believe all of my fabric is 100% cotton though; the majority of it has come as donations from friends or was purchased at Goodwill.  I'm very fond of scrap quilts but I think I do a great job of coordinating colors/prints from my 2nd hand stash for the quilts I've made that aren't so scrappy.  With that being said, I have purchased brand new fabric, either on sale or clearance...and usually at Joann.   I also adore pieced backings and I don't think they have to match the front of the quilt at all.   


Why do I write/create what I do?
Truth be told I started writing this blog because I think my family, friends and coworkers were getting tired of hearing all my “quilty” talk.  And...I wanted to share my incredible, God-given, quilting passion with others who love and appreciate it as much as I do. I have a few friends who quilt, but they are not nearly as obsessed passionate as I am. The funny thing is, I absolutely LOATHED writing in school. During my senior year, I elected to take a general English class to avoid having to write a senior paper in British Literature. However, when I start or finish a new project, find a new pattern or tool, or make a great fabric score, I just have to write about it and share it with the world!


How does my writing/creative process work?
As for my writing/creating process, it's a simple 4-step process.

1. I see a quilt/pattern I like. It's usually something already in my queue.
2. I pick out my fabric and start cutting. (I already had most of the fabric picked out in my head AND have 1-3 other projects already going)
3. I write about it and post pics of my progress
4. Write about it and post pics again after completion.

I'm working at establishing my blog and increasing my follower base. After 1 year of blogging I'm pleased w/the number of followers and the amount of interaction I've had.  My 3 kids are grown but I work full time and don't have a ton of time to dedicate to it.  Several months ago I committed to writing 1x/week and I have been meeting this commitment. 

I follow a bunch quilters via Blogger, G+ and Instagram, many who are mothers of young and/or multiple children and it seems like they quilt and post constantly! I have no idea how the heck they do it!  I think many of them are stay-at-home moms. But even then...how they juggle motherhood, homeschooling, quilting/crafting, AND still have time to blog and post so often, truly AMAZES me! KUDOS to you ALL!

I like to end each post w/something encouraging; be it scripture, song lyrics or just words of wisdom from devotions or other quotes.  

I call it A Thread for Life.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Feel free to look around and leave lots of comments.

Now, hop on over to visit these other fabulous women on their blogspots.

Greta at Material Detachment
Stephanie at Imperfectly perfect quilts and more...
Bellezza Squillace at Every Stitch a Prayer


A Thread for Life
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col 4:6

Linking up with

Someone's Been Bitten by the Quilting Bug!

My sis came to quilting w/me last Saturday. The sisters from church get together every 3rd Saturday to quilt, sew and crochet.  We work on charity and personal projects.  She'd been before, years ago, but didn't like the experience. She's a lefty who tries to do everything w/her right hand and cutting w/the rotary cutter was very awkward for her and she just didn't want to do it again. So I brought her a charm pack to work with.

My Sis

She had a several rows finished by the afternoon but wasn't thrilled w/the idea of waiting a month to work on it again.
I assured her she could come to my house anytime to sew w/me.  Well, she came over the very next day and said she wanted to take everything home to work on by herself!! I sent her home w/a machine, the manual and most importantly, a seam ripper.

Four days later her very first quilt top was completed!!







She ran into some bobbin issues, but when I wasn't available when she called, she referred to the manual and YouTube and figured it out! I'm so proud of her! Today she offered to take apart anything I had that needed seam ripping as she's become very intimate w/the seam ripper. =)

Tonight, I brought her 10" squares (Layer Cakes) to work on,and already she's put a another small quilt top together. Yay Sis!!

Next month I'll show her how to baste a quilt and get her started on stitching in the ditch.

Me and my sis

A Thread for Life
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thes 5:16-18

Happy Quilting!

WIPs

I'm officially on a fabric fast. I've taken a challenge not to buy fabric from Jan 1 -  Jun 30.  So far, so good.  I even went to Goodwill last weekend and looked at (and touched)  fabric and didn't buy any! There is a 2nd part to the challenge and that is to use up all the fabric I have on hand. My stash isn't as big as some...but I am proud of it.

I get so anxious when I think about the WIPs I have and all the works I want to have in progress...and I've got myself all stressed out. So, I'm going to try to do just 1 project at a time for awhile.  I'm supposed to be participating in 2 quilt-alongs:  a mystery quilt w/QA and a crazy quilt along...so I may allow myself to do these in addition to my 1-at-a-time projects...but I might not.



Currently I have 6 WIPs.  I'm really close to finishing 2 of them . I should have some pics posted this weekend.  Then I have 3 small quilt tops (2 pictured below) that need to be quilted and listed on Etsy...and lastly, I still have my Spring/Summer 1BW that I just really want to keep folded up at the top of my closet.

4-Step Flagstone

quilt top #1

                                     Cuttin' Corners

quilt top #2

I sold my Quilt Frame this past weekend to a Snowbird here from Iowa.  It was really just a catch-all in my sewing room and a dust collector. I'd only used it twice in the last 2 years, plus I'm raising money for my trip to Canada in May.   

I also have other WIPs besides quilting.  A few weeks ago I transplanted some Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear. Someone told me all you have to do is stick it in the ground and water it occasionally.  So far, so good.   I also planted 2 Mesquite trees in my backyard.  Thankfully the weather is mild enough to plant year round  here in AZ and everything seems to be doing well. 

Last week at Goodwill, I by-passed the fabric...like a good girl...but look at this treasure I found, that I couldn't resist! I paid $4 for it.  I sanded it, threw some ebony stain and a coat of poly on it and, voila! it's a lovely little side table! =)

Before

After

A Thread for Life

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

-Oceans by Hillsong 

Happy New Year!

I'm so excited for the new year! I plan to do a lot of quilting and hopefully make some money in the process. I'm doing two "firsts" this year. I'm participating in a mystery quilt along and a crazy quilt along. I also just finished another "first". Sometime in November I signed up to test a pattern for a quilting magazine. Last night I finished the quilt and it is so cute!! I cannot post any pics until the pattern is actually published in the magazine, which I believe will be in April, but I'm sure you'll agree that it is adorable!  I am so excited w/how it turned out. Stay tuned for pics.  Along with all the new quilts I plan to make this year, I have a few UFO's I'll be concentrating on as well.

Wall Hanging - it's currently basted and awaiting quilting.

Mia's Quilt - This is a quilt for my granddaughter which is still waiting for borders.

Summer/Spring Quilt - I really would like to have this done by May...but it's on the back burner because it's so big and I'm not liking where I'm at with it.

 After taking these pics tonight I'm thinking about doing a complete overhaul and it makes me ill to think about all the seam ripping I'll have to do. = (

Check Mate! - top done, needs to be basted and quilted. This is one I plan to sell on Etsy.  If anyone has pointers or tips about selling on Etsy, please send them my way.

4-Step Flagstone - got fabrics picked out and 10" squares cut.

 Oh yeah I almost forgot! Last night was our 1st Quilters Anonymous meeting of the year. I won this basket o' goodies in the raffle!

A Thread for Life

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26

'Tis the Season...

to overeat, overspend, etc. I cannot say "no" to any goody that is in the immediate vicinity. If I can see it, I'm going to eat it.  This is not a healthy way to be.  Combine the stress of training new staff at work with the usual holiday stress, no time for the gym AND a nonstop barrage of cookies, cakes, donuts, potlucks, parties etc. and what do you get? A BIG big ole muffin top! I feel...and look like a busted can of biscuits!

The boss says we get to wear jeans for the rest of the year (we usually only get to on Friday) and I'm ashamed to say that only 1 of 15 pair fit me! So today I went to the 50% off sale at Goodwill and bought some bigger jeans to wear for the rest of the year.    Now before you judge me, please understand this is only a temporary solution. I will not buy anymore clothes to accommodate my fluffier, busted figure.  Come the new year...there will definitely be changes.  I don't usually make resolutions but I am going to have already for 2014.  I simply cannot go on like this. I understand sacrifices will have to be made,  and because I'm so uncomfortable the way I am, I am willing to make them!

Here are my resolutions. 

• Get back on a regular workout schedule. I've been slipping for a few months now. 
• Go to bed earlier. I definitely need more rest, especially if I have to be at the gym for that 515a class.
• Incorporate better eating habits; less sugar, more veggies. I'm shooting for 6 small meals/day. 
• Spend quality time in God's word. I read the bible regularly but I'm usually rushing it. 
• And last but not least...Stop spending money! I mostly spend $ on fabric, so the biggest challenge I'm taking is to NOT purchase any fabric, 2nd hand or otherwise, for 6 mos (Jan 1-June 30). 

Please pray for me. I need it and appreciate it!

A Thread for Life
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37


Linking up at:
Tuesday Archives at Val's Quilting Studio

Blogging vs Sewing

When I started this blog I planned on posting once a week but I haven't been living up to it.  Blogging isn't easy and it takes a lot of time. Writing, editing, editing/posting pics, links, labels, hashtags, sharing...aghhh!! When I get home from work it's shall I sew or shall I blog? It's not always an easy decision but sewing usually  wins. Blogging is great though and I'm excited to say I made a new friend! Meet +Greta Anderson from Material Detachment. A marvelous seamstress/quilter and a remarkable writer. I had the pleasure of talking w/ her on the phone yesterday. She's an admirable person w/a huge heart for kids and humanity! Make sure to stop by her blog.

As you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress on the Kaleido-Hex quilt, officially known as a One Block Wonder (I'll be referring to it as 1BW going forward). It still isn't the only thing I've been working on (see distractions below:  origami bag and applique).  Once I have all of strips sewn together it will measure approx 56 x 90.  I'm planning this for a king size bed so the side borders will have to be substantial.  I picked out border fabric yesterday. What do you think?

Border Fabric

1st Audition

This coming Saturday I'll be heading out for a week long quilting retreat to Colorado w/a couple of friends. I'm so excited! I'm also very ambitious and will be taking at least 4 projects to work on, one of which will be the 1st quilt I'm getting paid $$ to make (A Rag Quilt). I'll also be taking the 1BW, the applique wall hanging and a Quilts w/o Corners quilt that I'm turning into a tree skirt.


For the Rag quilt I bought some charm packs, but I have the backing and fleece already cut.

I whipped up another cute Origami bag over the weekend for a friend's birthday.

The wall hanging is ready to be appliqued which I plan on doing while I'm in Colorado.

This is the Quilts w/o Corners quilt that will become a tree skirt. You can't really tell from this pic...or maybe you can...but the edge of this quilt is all jacked up. I'm going to cut a slit in it, cut the middle circle out AND attempt to add a ruffle of Christmas fabric to the edge.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

A Thread for Life
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. 
1 Chron 16:34

I'm linking up on Val's Tuesday Archives.

Challenge Pressure and those Darn Distractions!

At a Quilters Anonymous meeting in May 2013, one of the gals presented a UFO Groupie Challenge: Unfinished Objects(projects). The idea was to encourage and challenge members to complete unfinished projects by a particular date.  At our June meeting, anyone who wanted to participate brought a realistic list (sealed in an envelope) of unfinished projects they wanted to complete by December 2013.  Each month you check in to track your progress and at the end in December, read your goal and reveal your projects. At the time of the challenge I had no UFOs, so I made a list of projects I thought I could realistically complete by December.

Here's my list:
• Hoffman Challenge Quilt
• At least 1 Mondo Bag
• 2 Christmas Tree Skirts
• King-size Spring/Summer quilt for my bed

I sew/quilt for at least 15 minutes every day (usually longer), so this list seemed very doable. Definitely something I could do in 6 months!  Had I stuck to the list it would've been smooth sailing.  Fast forward 4 months, and I'm starting to feel the pressure.The problem is, I've allowed myself to get distracted w/other quilt projects. I've completed most of the projects on my list but I haven't been diligently working on my biggest, most labor intensive project. Now I have to finish my king size quilt and 1 more tree skirt w/less than 2 months left in the challenge!  Thankfully, I did start working on the spring/summer quilt in August and have done a little here & there, but after our October meeting last week, I realized I've got to get serious about it!

Here are some pics of things on my list AND those darn distractions! Most of these pics are on my previous post.

Hoffman Challenge Quilt

Christmas Tree Skirt #1

Distraction#1(wip - only top done)

Distraction #2

Distraction #3 (wip - only top done)

Distraction #4

Spring/Summer Quilt Progress  

I worked on this Friday and Saturday nights and finished sewing the triangles together. 

This pile will yield about 50 hexagons. I now have to press all the the seems open and then pin the 2 halves together before I can put them on the design wall.  

This stack is pressed and pinned and waiting to be put up on the design wall.

I've got about 80 up on the design wall so far. Now this part may seem easy...but it's not. Here you've got to get all the hexagons to blend or flow together. I'm sure I'll be on this step for a couple of weeks, changing, rearranging and all that jazz. Once I get them all up the way I want them, I can start sewing strips together. It's going to be beautiful!!!

More progress to come.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Thread for Life
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.  We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 
Eph. 1:3-8 HCSB