Good bye 2017, welcome 2018!

I don't do New Years resolutions anymore, I dont allocate a word for the year coming and I don't pick a colour.  But I do make lists.  

Lists of quilts I would love to make and lists of what I have completed.  Then more lists, of projects half done and what I have to do to finish them.  I love lists so much, a friend gifted me a beautiful weekly organiser and to do list in matching stationary!

So here we go, the wish list for 2018; 

• A Plus quilt - I took a photo of at our quilt show last May.  As much as I would like to make it in scrappy backgrounds, I am lacking modern neutrals so I was going to make it in three colours, using the flannel I have in my stash. BUT I am hoping to get a roadtrip in to some patchwork shops soon, so I might come home with some modern prints that would suit this pattern.  We will see what takes my fancy!

• I have oodles of novelty fabric which I would like to use up.  I would like to buy a gender neutral bright print to use as the corners, like this photo I pinched off the web.

• I recently downloaded this pattern Moda Love LayerCake quilt.  A friend gave me a layer cake (partially used) which would make a nice bright quilt for a child/teenager and I like this easy but interesting pattern. 

• Tic Tac Toe quilt was on the list to make for 2017 and never got a look in.  Be nice to start it this year...finishing is another thing! 

• Sew Kind of Wonderful's pattern Urban Abacus was also on last years list to make, because I want to use my curved ruler again.  But again I would like to make this in modern prints, not my beloved reproductions.  So that shopping trip list is getting longer and longer!  

• Simply Friendships quilt book by Jo Morton and Kim Diehl was one of my birthday gifts and I have already started this quilt!  So it needs to go on the wish list - because I wanted to make it as soon as I saw it....and the starting happened before this post, so it still deserves to be on the list!

So that is plenty of dreaming about NEW projects I would like to start making, if I get just one started in 2018 I will be really happy! I know that I am setting the bar very low, but I do have two exciting holidays coming up this year, and it will impact my time for sewing.  So going to keep the list long, to give myself interesting options to choose from, but being realistic at the same time!

Happy quilting Sue. 

Round up of my finishes for 2017

Finishes for 2017 = 10 quilts, 1 wall hanging, 9 mini quilts, 2 table runners and 2 bags!

 Red and white pieced Dresden (double bed)

Midwinter churn dash (double bed)

 Meet me in Barcelona (single bed)

 Scrappy red/green Log Cabin (single bed)

  Vivid Grid (single bed)

Snowball quilt

Photo quilt (commission)

 

I Spy kids quilt

 Cot quilt

Log cabin neonatal quilt

Wool wall hanging (Linen Closet design)

Star mini quilt (x 3)

Mini churn dash by Red Button Quilt Co.

Jo Morton mini (nine patch)

Jo Morton mini (framed toile)

Jo Morton mini (cabin corners)

Spools mini (Thimble Blossom pattern)

Mini rainbow repro Dresden

Spring table runner (Jacquelynne Steves pattern)

Applique table runner (Norma Whaley pattern)

Green sheep cot quilt

Makers tote bag

Sew Together bag

Out of sight, out of mind?!

Serious brain fade happening here.  I did mention a couple of finishes in a recent blog but only showed off one!

Scratching my head for something of interest to show you this week, I was pleased I had forgotten to brag about finally completely the Snowball quilt.  What started as a stack of free fabric (mainly strips), morphed into this top.

 And finally looked decent with the bargain of the year, this Jo Morton print that I found on sale at Spotlight.  Now I am not a huge fan of brown, but my love of reproduction and traditional quilting styles seems to lean in favor of murk pallette.

But a nice dark red binding saved the day.  Not so obvious in this shot, but lightened up the border fabric and gave it a final kick of colour.

Very lucky that Mum happened to visit at the right time to act as quilt hanger - otherwise I wouldnt have any photos, as this baby is now gone, gifted last weekend.

So its definitely a finish now, one to tick off the list before the year ends!

Happy quilting Sue.

New books and a finished flimsy

DH brought me this book for Mothers Day.  He is a gem, as I was in awe of this exhibition, but the photos online where never enough.  The book records each quilt from the exhibition and the clarity is perfect if you are game to try and reproduce one!

Gifted to me by good friend Ann from Periwinkle Patchwork, this book focuses on patterns that use pre cut fabrics ranges like charms and fat quarter bundles.  These patterns are perfect for me as I have a few in the cupboard begging to be used.  Now I just have to pick one and get started!

I had a little win with one UFO.  This snowball lap size quilt top finally got a border.

I found this print in the sale rack at Spotlight, and its a Jo Morton!  I dont love brown, but the red and gold save it from being dull and all the colours pick up what is in the quilt and just make it work.

I have sorted out the backing, now just need to find the time to pin this quilt.  Not my favorite stage of the process, but now winter has well and truly arrived I am happy to do some quilting on my domestic machine.

Happy quilting Sue.