Wednesday, October 31, 2012

WIP Wednesday!!!

So, I have a lot of projects.  It's daunting.  However, I have been getting a lot accomplished lately.  I'm nearly done with my mom's quilt and sham project, I've been getting some old WIPs quilted, and I am working through stuff slowly.

















I posted about this quilt earlier, but it was my most recent top completed.  Now I just need to get it quilted and it's one more off the list!

Projects that are being pieced:

Civil War Sampler (still needs it's last border)
Classic Strippy Quilt
Kaffe Fassett Postcard Quilt
Scrappy Friendship Braid
Giant Granny Panties

Tops awaiting quilting:
Gabe and Renee's Wedding Quilt
Garden Party Shadowbox
Plume Quilt
Kaffe Fassett Wall hanging
1974 Quilt
Meadowsweet 2 Quilt
Amy Butler Picnic Quilt
Happy Hour Quilts (x2) (Hanging in the store)
Patches and Pinwheels (scrappy)
Stack and Whack (Parrots)
Vintage Floral Quilt
Make it You! Log Cabin
Batik Scrap Quilt
Deer Valley Girls Best Friend
Sparkle Quilt-Along
Christmas Wall Hanging
Charlevoix
Mom's Quilt

Projects that I have not started (but have the fabric):
Neptune quilt
Parisville quilt (still not sure what pattern)
Solid flying geese
Bella Medallion Quilt
Grinchmas Quilt
DS Quilts
Total Projects: 29
New Projects this week: 1

Total finished this week: 1

So, this list doesn't show how much sewing I have actually been doing, haha!  Still, I am making progress on stuff.  It seems that most of my projects are hanging in limbo awaiting quilting.  I am hoping that I can find a new job that will allow more wiggle room in the budget for such things.  The good news is that I haven't had to buy ANY fabric in nearly a year.  I am making stuff disappear!

On a serious note, I hope everyone on the east coast affected by Sandy are safe and healthy.  We experienced some snow and high winds here in The Mitten, but nothing compared to NYC and New Jersey!  You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!

ALSO HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Cristina

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Shadowbox in the Shadows.

A week or so ago, I finished this quilt top.  I used the pattern "Shadowbox" pattern by Mountainpeek Creations.  To be honest, I did not enjoy piecing this quilt.  It's super quick and easy, but the directions are often vague, and there is A LOT of fabric waste.  I had a lot of fabric to cut into scrap strips after finishing this one, and normally I would much prefer having very little left over.

This past weekend I was in Lansing to babysit our family parrot, and I decided to take this to the park to get some photos taken.  It was kinda gloomy out, but the overcast light was perfect for taking pictures.

 The fabric that I used in this quilt is mostly "Garden Party" by Anna Maria Horner.  I had been hoarding this fabric for quite some time, and it was about time that it got pulled off the shelf.  I had the "shadow" fabric and background in my stash, so I didn't have to buy any fabric to complete this project!  Score!  The rose print in the picture above is my favorite from this line.



 I had a super fun sewing day with my friend this weekend, and I have some other fun projects in the works.  I am still waiting for a special project to come back from the quilter, and so I'm hoping to have some things to reveal soon!

With hurricane Sandy bringing freezing rain to my area, I am looking forward to a week snuggling in the indoors and getting some quilt projects sorted out.  It feels great being so productive!

Happy Tuesday!

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

Monday, October 22, 2012

Charlevoix the Beautiful

This past weekend I got the opportunity to hang out in Charlevoix.  It was absolutely beautiful this weekend as the sun was shining, and the trees were in full color.  I took some time on Saturday to go out to the nature reserve near Mt. McSauba and take some photos.  I am a total amateur photographer, but they almost capture how beautiful it was that day. 








I don't know that there is any other place in the world that is as much a part of who I am.  Being in Charlevoix feels like coming home, like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Overall I had a pretty lonely weekend, as I went by myself.  Still the land around me felt like a trusted friend and advisor, reminding me of all the moments spent here that changed and shaped my life.  I can't wait until I can go back!

Cristina

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

My Picnic With Fiona on WIP Wednesday

I finally have a finish to share with you!  This quilt was a long time WIP that I finally got back from the quilter and got the binding on!

This fabric is "Fiona" by Anna Griffith, and I found it at the cutest little shop in Battle Creek called Sew Unique Threads.  They had a couple 5" design rolls on display, and I couldn't pass one up!  I had no idea what I was going to do with the fabric, but it was calling to me (I'm sure we all know how that goes).  Anyway, it sat in my stash for a long time because I didn't know what to do with 5" strips.  Eventually it hit me that if I cut the strips in half (length-wise) that I would essentially have a jelly roll.  Eureka!


The pattern I used is "Picnic" from the book Scrap Basket Sensations by Kim Brackett.  It was super fun to make, and almost worked like instant gratification.  This top waited a long time to get finished due to a lot life changes getting in the way.  Finally I found a shop in Okemos, MI that has amazing quilting prices (Cutom Quilts).  They had a long turn around time, but you can't beat the price!



I finally bound this quilt a few weekends ago when I was in Charlevoix, MI.  These pictures were taken right outside our family condo downtown, isn't it beautiful!  It is truly one of my favorite places on Earth.  I am excited because I will be able to make another trip in the very near future!!! :)



Because I was so happy with the quilting, I decided to charge them with the quilting for a very special quilt that will hopefully be revealed soon! :)


Cheers!

Cristina