Top 7 Articles of 2016

#7 – The Gift to Give

....Instead of asking her [my sister] last Christmas, I simply prepared and gave her “Blessing Bags” for her to pass along to those in need. I don’t think I’ve ever given her anything she liked and appreciated better – ever!

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#6 - Introducing the Wings Quilt Block!

...Have you ever created a quilt block and didn’t like the way it looked? Maybe the color scheme used or the size of individual pieces within the block just didn’t look like the way you envisioned?

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#5 – Just Shy of a full blown addiction

…finding free “Block of the Month” (or bi-weekly) (BOM) websites and the Facebook support groups that go along with them! I’m a happy camper that they are out there by the droves!

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#4 – Crumb Quilts

...Those itty bitty tiny scraps are not just for stuffing pillows or pet beds any longer!

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#3 – When Sisters Work Together

…a story I want to share…

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#2 – Whispers in the Wind

 …each time I feel the wind on my face, I will be absorbing the prayer from a Prayer Flag someone, somewhere in this world, has made. Because, now I know about the whispers in the wind!

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And, the Number One article for 2016:

#1 - Labor Day - Labor of Love

 …There are a multitude of those giving from the heart ~ a labor of love ~ their creativeness, expertise, and devotion through making quilts, dresses, shorts, pillowcases, bags, and on and on for whatever the need may be! 

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Which is your favorite?

How do you work?

Recently, “How do you work?” was asked on the Lone Star of Texas Quilts for Others Facebook group. Michelle asked if we have several work-in-progress (WIP) going at once, or do we totally start to finish before going to the next project. The discussion had mixed results. Some do several at a time – like me! Others must complete before starting something new!

Bottom line, it is whatever works! Either way, you are not alone!

I decided to share my WIP list before the world, get it out into the universe. I need to set goals and get them done! There are so many more projects I want to do!

Besides the following major WIP, there are “minor” projects I want to do, like Blessing Bags, Action Quilts (aka Fidget Quilts), Kennel Quilts, more Prayer Flags, and any Pocket Prayer Quilts when the need arises.

It will be interesting to see at the end of the year what I’ve accomplished…

Carry Over from 2016 WIP:

1.     Camp Quilt – top is ready, need to quilt and bind and label.

2.     Butterflies and Dragonflies Quilt – ordered fabric arrived, need to finish border, then quilt, bind and label.

3.     Nancy’s Quilts – design and create at least 3 more

4.     Charm (Beggar) Quilt – two rows pieced, need total of 6 rows. Cut more 2” squares and stitch together, join rows, quilt, bind, and label. Will be a *Veteran’s Quilt

Block of the Month (BOM):

5.     Secret Garden – catch up on the bi-weekly blocks, add sashing, stitch together, quilt, bind, and label – Will be a *Veteran’s Quilt

6.     Splendid Sampler – half way through creating the blocks. Add sashing, stitch together, quilt, bind, label – Will be a *Veteran’s Quilt

7.     Starry Night – bunches of blocks to make, join together, quilt, bind, label – Will be a *Veteran’s Quilt

  

*DEADLINE on the Veteran’s Quilts – July 1, 2017

Totally NEW Must-Do projects:

THEN: Create at least 6 more Veteran’s quilts by July – to cover veterans that attend the American Legion Post’s Cowboy Breakfast!!!

THEN: replace those quilts for the September’s Cowboy Breakfast

THEN replace those for the Veteran’s Day program at the local school!!!

Projects I want to start for Me, our Home:

The Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt

Where Forever Begins, ASimple Love Story Quilt

And, two wall hangings for my NEW dedicated sewing room!

Yes. I have various projects going at one time. I love it! I don’t get bored for a lack of something to do!

How do you work?

One project at a time?

or

Several on-going?

The Seventh Day of Christmas

The end of 2016 is upon us! I hope it’s been a blessed year for everyone!

I wish sewing machines and longarm quilting machines came with something like a vehicle’s trip odometer! I know tractors have hours run time, so why not the machines? I may look into adapting something like this in the coming year! I know I could use a stop watch and write down the time spent, but I’ve been there, done that. It doesn’t work out very well for me!

Sometimes I look around my sewing room, and various fabric and material stash places I have throughout the house and my garden house, and I don’t think I’ve accomplished anything through the year. But, because I’ve kept a daily journal for almost two years now (such a huge help), I can go back and at least indicate the projects I’ve worked on in 2016!

Progress Report for 2016:

27 quilts created –

            10 were for Veterans!

            3 are still WIP (work in progress)!

NOTE:  Only one quilt created and finished was put up for sale in my Artfire shop. At this time, it’s still available.

The others have either been donated,

offered as a raffle fundraiser, 

or in the holding stage waiting for the perfect donation.

11 quilts quilted for others –

8 were for Veterans

2 were for Cancer Patients

1 was to wrap in love and hugs

8 Action Quilts (aka Fidget Quilts)

5 Prayer Flags

3 Pocket Prayer Quilts

An Apron donation for silent auction fundraiser

8 Blessing Bags

4 Kennel Quilts

It has been a busy year!

So much yet to do!

So many more Veterans to cover!

So many things to create!