mid-year check in & PhD progress

The beginning of July feels like a good time to do a mid-year check-in on my goals for 2019.  (Yes, I know we're basically in mid-July. Let's pretend, shall we?)

My goals have been going fairly well.  The one with the most tangible yardstick is the goal of 25 quilts to charity.  So far I've donated 8, with another 2 that are completed and ready for donation.

 

I'm also working on my PhD (Projects Half Done) with Gail of Quilting Gail.  She has you make a list of your UFOs and commit to completing at least half before the end of the year.  AND, the hardest part, you have to complete anything started in 2019. 

I started with a list of 25 projects.  One on the list will actually be two quilts, so that brings me to 26 with a requirement to finish 13.  I'm pleased to report that I've finished 11 so far!  So this part of my PhD should be a piece of cake.

Disney Princesses	1	March 17, 2019
Fish pillow for Samantha	2	March 24, 2019
Dandelion Embroidery	3	March 26, 2019
Fall fat quarter quilt	4	March 31, 2019
Horse fat quarter quilt	5	March 31, 2019
Devin’s baby quilt	6	May 6, 2019 (estimate)
Giselle & Mario’s baby quilt	7	May 16, 2019
Hidden Stars/Sherry’s QAL	8	May 19, 2019
Doggone Cute	9	May 20, 2019
Dad’s tea cozy	10	June 5, 2019
Postage Plus	11	June 23, 2019
Giraffe Pillow	12
Laura’s quilt	13
Bookshelf quilt	14
I Spy for our bed	15
Snowmen	16
Magical Forest	17
Food themed picnic blanket	18
Extra for Miren	19
Penguins (Stash Bee)	20
Sail boats (Bee Inspired Charity Quilt)	21
Elizabeth	22
Lion Pillow	23
Smitten Kitten (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)	24
Blue Forest Animals	25

The harder part of the PhD is completing anything started in 2019.  So far, I've started 6 projects not on the original list.  Four have been completed.  One is the hand sewing QAL from earlier this year when I made the first block and stopped.  I'll have to figure out what to do with that block because I'm not sure that more hand piecing is in my immediate future.  I also want to start/get caught up with the Harry Potter QAL with Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts. I'm planning an abbreviated version. I haven't actually cut anything, so it's not technically started or a Project Half Done.  Yet.  Here's the breakdown of what been started in 2019:

Hand quilted QAL
Pillowcases	May 24, 2019
Dress	May 31, 2019
Utility apron	June 9, 2019
June’s repair (turning a damaged quit into 3 smaller projects)	July 11, 2019
Disappearing 9-patch QAL

My list was created before I knew I was chosen as an Island Batik Ambassador this year.  I haven't included them in either list because they weren't started before the year started and since they have deadlines, they will be completed before the end of 2019.  But if you are keeping track, I've completed 6 challenges (one not yet blogged) plus a bonus Quilt of Valor.  I've got a new tab at the top with all my Island Batik projects. 

 

So that's where my year stands.  I'm pleased with 2019 so far.  Let's see how much I can accomplish in the next 6 months!

Quilt of Valor wrap-up

Yesterday was the last day of the Quilts of Valor blog hop hosted by Jennifer of Dizzy Quilter and sponsored by Island Batik featuring their Freedom fabrics.  Jennifer has a great wrap-up post that features pictures of all 14 quilts and there is still some time left in the fabric give-away on her blog.

I loved making my Mega Carpenter's Star.  I took it with me to a cabin in the mountains that my family rents every year and spent some time on the front porch, stitching the binding.  Talk about happy place!  Doing one of my favorite things in one of my favorite places.  Here's a bonus picture of me on the porch, quilt in hand.

Here's the full list of everyone on the hop in case you missed one:

July 1
Becca Fenstermaker — Pretty Piney
Denise Looney — For the Love of Geese
Gail Sheppard — Quilting Gail
July 2
Pamela Boatright — Pamela Quilts
Anne Wiens — Sweetgrass Designs
July 3
Bea Lee —Bea Quilter
Carla Henton — Creatin’ In the Sticks 
July 4
Emily Leachman — The Darling Dogwood That's me!
Joan Kawano — MooseStash Quilting
Jennifer Strauser – Dizzy Quilter
July 5
Steph Jacobson — Steph Jacobsen Designs
Leah Malasky — Quilted Delights
Anja Clyke — Anja Quilts
Maryellen McAuliffe — Mary Mack Made Mine

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!  Happy Birthday, USA!  I'm so excited for it to be my turn on the Quilts of Valor blog hop hosted by Jennifer of Dizzy Quilter and sponsored by Island Batik.  When Jennifer asked who would be interested in a Quilts of Valor blog hop, I jumped at the chance.  I've had making a Quilt of Valor on my quilty bucket list for several years.  Island Batik generously sent me a stack (10" squares) plus yardage of their new Freedom collection.  I chose a mega-sized Carpenter's Star.

A carpenter's star has been my favorite block since I made one for on online quilting bee last year.  It's clearly a popular choice, because so far three of us on the Quilts of Valor blog hop made Carpenter's Star quilts!  There is just something about that lovely, large star and red, white, and blue fabrics.

Here is the center of my star.  I pulled out the two lighter blues for the center.  You can also see my quilting in this picture--I did a large spiral with a 2 inch interval.  I mark the center for the start of the spiral with a Clover water soluble pen and the nearest circle in my sewing space--my bobin keeper!  It's a great size for a center circle!

 

Island Batik's Freedom collection is absolutely perfect for Quits of Valor or other patriotic projects.  Here is the fabric Island Batik sent me to work with:

Freedom Stack and yardage

You can find out more about the Quilts of Valor Foundation on their website, which includes quilt requirements, patterns, how to request a quilt for a veteran, and more.  There is a Carpenter's Star pattern on their site but I used the block I made last year as my guide and just made HSTs with my 10" squares.  This pattern was my original inspiration, though I changed the outside corners to background fabric.  Mine finishes at 72" square.

Be sure to check out everyone on the Quilts of Valor blog hop!  And our hostess, Jennifer, has a giveaway for a stack of Freedom fabric 10" squares!

July 1
Becca Fenstermaker — Pretty Piney
Denise Looney — For the Love of Geese
Gail Sheppard — Quilting Gail
July 2
Pamela Boatright — Pamela Quilts
Anne Wiens — Sweetgrass Designs
July 3
Bea Lee —Bea Quilter
Carla Henton — Creatin’ In the Sticks 
July 4
Emily Leachman — The Darling Dogwood You are here!
Joan Kawano — MooseStash Quilting
Jennifer Strauser – Dizzy Quilter
July 5
Steph Jacobson — Steph Jacobsen Designs
Leah Malasky — Quilted Delights
Anja Clyke — Anja Quilts
Maryellen McAuliffe — Mary Mack Made Mine

July OMG

How is half the year over already?!  I have so many more quilts I want to finish in 2019!  I have been pretty good about not starting a lot of new projects this year, aside from the Island Batik Ambassador challenges, but I am joining in the disappearing 9-patch Quilt Along hosted by Julie of the Crafty Quilter. 

9-patch blocks before being cut up

This QAL seemed perfect for an old charm pack I had of Island Batik Wind and Sea collection.  This is from several years ago, not sure where it came from.  There are a few much darker fabrics, so I pulled those out to use as the centers.  I still needed a few more dark squares, so I went to my local quilt shop, Quilt Patch Fabrics, and found some Seaweed from the Seashore collection--same colors as my Wind and Sea fabrics!  In retrospect, I should have bought a little more so I can use it for binding.  I also bought a background fabric, mini springs in oatmeal from the Lavendula line.  I was then about 14 squares short for the rest of the fabrics, so I cut some squares from scraps and stash builder rolls from my ambassador box.  I love that Island Batiks go together so well even if the collections are several years apart.

I only need to finish the top for the QAL but I am making it my OMG, One Monthly Goal, to complete the quilt.  I'm linking up with Patty of Elm Street Quilts.

Quilts of Valor Blog Hop

Today is the kick-off for the Quilts of Valor blog hop featuring Island Batik's new Freedom collection.

Check out these red, white, and blue beauties!

I've had making a Quilt of Valor on my quilty bucket list for several years.  Before my son was born, Husband and I would watch Fons & Porter For the Love of Quilting and Marianne Fons was frequently featured her Quilts of Valor project.

My day is Thursday, so come back for a 4th of July reveal! In the meantime, check out the fabulous quilts made with this collection.


July 1
Becca Fenstermaker — Pretty Piney
Denise Looney — For the Love of Geese
Gail Sheppard — Quilting Gail
July 2
Pamela Boatright — Pamela Quilts
Anne Wiens — Sweetgrass Designs
July 3
Bea Lee —Bea Quilter
Carla Henton — Creatin’ In the Sticks 
July 4
Emily Leachman — The Darling Dogwood That's me!
Joan Kawano — MooseStash Quilting
Jen Strauser – Dizzy Quilter
July 5
Steph Jacobson — Steph Jacobsen Designs
Leah Malasky — Quilted Delights
Anja Clyke — Anja Quilts
Maryellen McAuliffe — Mary Mack Made Mine

Postage Plus

Last year, I was part of the book tour blog hop for the book Modern Plus Signs by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and Paige of Quilted Blooms.  I made two versions of Message in a Bottle for the hop but knew I would use several other patterns from the book.  Postage Plus calls for lots of 2 1/2" squares and I grabbed my drawer of I Spy 2 1/2" squares and started one as my leader and enders project.  And now it's finished!

This was a fantastic project for scrap squares and I'll make it again.  Mine is slightly shorter than the original pattern; I cut out one repeat of solid stripes.   The greens are Kona Emerald and Kona Lime. I used anything and everything that was in the I Spy scrap pile. 

 

Finishing Postage Plus was my one monthly goal for the motivational link-up with Patty of Elm Street Quilts.  It was also on my list of projects needed for my PhD (Projects Half Done) with Quilting Gail and was #13 on my list of Q2 finish along goals.

This will be a donation quilt.  I have not yet decided where I will start taking kids quilts now that my Project Linus chapter has shut down, but I'll want to gather several before I make a delivery anyway, and this is the first finish since my chapter closed.  I think it just screams "cuddle with me!"

And, since it's Cheryl's pattern, I'll link up with her favorite finish linky party.