Needles and Pens

My last project for the 2011 "Get 'er Done Challenge" is finished just under the wire. Lucky for me, it was an easy one. Here's the panel before: And after, quilted and bound: Approximate size, 34" x 43" I'm still just amazed at how these challenges motivated me this year. Even when I fell way behind over the summer, it just made me even more determined to catch up and finish by the end of the year. I just made it, but I did it! I hope the Better Home Challenge works as well! This is my last post for 2011, so I want to say thank you to all who have taken the time to read my blog, and to those who have left kind and encouraging comments throughout the year. I wish you all a very blessed and prosperous 2012. Happy New Year!!

A lot was accomplished this weekend, but part of it has to wait a bit, so as not to ruin a surprise. I did, however, finish my December "Get 'er Done" project, the Starlight Angels panel, and that I can share. ;o) Here's the panel before: And after borders, quilting and binding: I also discovered I had a matching pillow panel (where was that when I took my "before" picture?) so I made those up, too. There was an extra Santa pillow, too, which I gave to my grandson. I had to steal pillow forms from other pillows, so I'll have to watch for the next sale on those and replenish my supply. They look so cute on the couch here in my office/family room space. It's nice to have a little touch of Christmas in this room! Lots yet to do this week, but first priority is to finish my mom's birthday quilt. I discovered last week that I won't be able to quilt it without destroying some of the decorative blocks, so my sister and I will be...

Made lots of progress on my sewing "to-do's" for this week: Finish shoe blocks for UFO challenge (and the top is ready to quilt!) Add borders, layer and pin my mom's birthday quilt Plan two baby quilts that I need to start on soon! (hopefully cutting/sewing this weekend!) Get started on my November "Get 'er Done" pillow project (Started yesterday and finished today, just in time for Sew & Tell Friday at Amylouwho's!) My November "Get 'er Done Challenge" project was four throw pillows made from this Psalm 23 panel: I was given this panel by a friend who was clearing out some of her stash, and she also gave me some coordinating fabric for the pillow backs. I was particularly happy to see this panel among the rest, because it had special significance to me... but more on that in a bit. On past pillow projects, I sort of muddled my way through on the zippers. This time around, I found a really nice tutorial by Erin at t...

It's time again, for Sew & Tell Friday at Amylouwho's, and with the start of a new month, this week has been more about starting for me (my mom's birthday quilt and my November UFO Challenge project) than finishing, but I do have one small finish to share: This is the "Northwoods Noel" wall hanging that I blogged about on Monday , another of my "Get 'er Done Challenge" panel projects. It's a little early for Christmas decorating, but it looks so perfect hanging at the top of our stairs, might as well leave it there and have a head start this year. LoL I've also finished a few blocks for a special project I just learned about this week. John'aLee from The Scrappy Appleyard is making five quilts for the loved ones of her daughter's fiance, who was killed in Afghanistan in September -- so heartbreaking. If you would like to help out, here is her original post requesting help with blocks . She has since extended her deadline t...

Happy Halloween! I managed to squeeze in one last finish for October today. I did the last few binding stitches on my July "Get 'er Done" challenge, the "Northwoods Noel" wall hanging, made from this panel: And here's the finished product (measuring 36" x 41"), already hanging on the quilt hanger at the top of our stairway. (Wrong holiday, I realize, but I couldn't wait to see it hanging.) It'll go perfectly with the garlands I hang on the stair railing at Christmas time: While finishing this up, I was also supervising pumpkin carving and helping with last-minute touches on Halloween costumes, so I haven't completely mixed up my holidays. It just looks that way. LoL ********************** Just realized, this is my 300th post! There's still time to enter the drawing for my Fall Giveaway , to be held this Friday, November 4th....

... and I only have one actual finish this week, the Quilters Sew Love wall hanging for my sewing room, which I posted about earlier this week. I also dug out my next "Get 'er Done" challenge panel, and have it bordered and ready to pin and quilt. I'm so glad these have been sewing up so fast. Maybe there's still a chance I'll make it through the list this year! (More on this wall hanging in my last post , if you'd like to see the details...) With all the sewing I've been doing this week, it's hard to believe I only have one actual finish to show for it. But I am on the verge of a few more... I'm working on two sets of Bug Jar blocks for a swap. So far, the 20 ladybug blocks are done: And I'm almost finished with the butterfly blocks (ten down, ten to go). These will probably be finished today, so I guess this swap could be considered finished -- for now. lol And what I've spent the most time on this week is the Fresh Frui...

Just finished my June Get 'er Done Challenge project, the Quilters Wallhanging. I'm catching up, little by little... Here's the "before" picture again: This panel was a gift from a quilting friend, and I've always wanted to make it into a wall hanging for my sewing room, but it was one of those "I'll get to it someday" kind of things. It's so nice to finally "get 'er done!" It's a little hard to see all the cute details in the picture, so here are a few closeups of the quilter blocks. My free-motion stippling is definitely smoothing out. These panels are a great way to practice! Isn't it just perfect above my sewing cabinet? I love it!

It's Sew & Tell Friday again... another busy week, sewing up a storm, and a little more progress made in the "catching up on my challenges" challenge. The further I get on these projects, the more motivated I am to get caught up before the year ends, despite being several months behind. I'm so glad to have this burst of sewing energy hit me now. I just hope it lasts awhile... First accomplishment this week, my April "Get 'er Done" challenge project, the Pledge of Allegiance wall hanging. Here's the panel before (after being folded up in a box for far too long): And after, borders added, quilted and bound: I actually had this one ready to quilt back in June, but got stuck on the "how to quilt" question, as usual. Since my attempt at free-motion last month went relatively well, I thought I should give it another shot on this one. With the help of my quilting buddies, I figured out my tension dilemma was due to a loose top t...

I've been sewing like a maniac this week, attempting to catch up on my stacks and stacks of projects. I'm happy to report, I've made a ton of progress... My first finish was this, the October "Get 'er Done" Challenge project. (I joined this challenge back in January, hoping to use up some of the panels I've collected over the years.) The Snowman Draft Stopper is one of the few panels I actually bought for myself. Most of my collection came from other peoples' stashes. He's cute, if not actually useful. (His legs aren't long enough to span the doorway, so not likely to stop many drafts.) I think he'll end up on the mantle or hearth this winter. I was impressed with all the details, especially his little jacket, complete with buttonholes. I also got a few more fruit blocks finished for my October UFO Challenge project; the pineapple, strawberries, lemon and lime. (The lime is actually a filler block, because I somehow forg...

Slowly getting back into the sewing groove now that fall is underway, and here is a picture of my latest finish... A cuddly heart quilt for this little cutie, my newest great-niece, Nora... I thought it would be fun to use leftover pink bits from her cousin Amber's quilt and cousin Zoe's quilt to make all the pink hearts, so they would all tie in a little bit. (Nora's mom is an interior designer and recently shared pics of Nora's nursery on her blog, Decorator in a Box . Check it out... do you think the new quilt will fit in?) And just for fun (and to keep my motivation rolling), I finished this little tote bag the other day for my grandson, made from a panel I won in a "Get 'er Done" Challenge drawing... Just perfect for overnights at Grandmas! :o)