Sunday, December 31, 2017

Goodbye, 2017

It's been a mixed bag this year for the blog in 2017.  I thank all the faithful readers and welcome new followers, who continue to visit my little corner of blogland, despite its diminished light!  There were a number of stressors in Real Life that made it hard to have a lot to talk about if I didn't have something crafty or quilty to show, and which sapped my energy to do the crafty or quilty things.  My sister Kathy continues to push me along, out of my rut, and I'm grateful she does.   I'm taking a step back from some time commitments/activities in 2018 and hope to channel more energy to what I love best--besides my family--spending time with needle and thread.    

There were finishes in 2017, nearly every month, including:
Star Crossed, for DD Erica, from APQ mag April 2016 but simplified design.  Made with a Ricky Tims' hand-dyed fabric aged in the stash for many years, and a Dimples print in green.


 Flying baby geese quilt, March 2017.  Made from leftovers from multiple projects including grandson Cove's baby quilt.  Setting I saw on Pinterest.


DD Erica's friend received this as a baby shower gift.  I just got a photo of her 3 week old baby James on it.  So cute.
 Doll quilt swap in April had me cutting Tri-recs with a V-trimmer tool. All these fabrics came from the scrap bins and stash. 
In May, a guild scrap box swap resulted in some string play.
A very time consuming play but I liked the end product, and so did the scrap owner, Judy. 

July was spent readying quilts for the County Fair.  I finished a modern Row Robin, a star pillow, and a mini flag quilt.  Click on each for a larger pic.


August finishes included a boomeranged charity quilt top I had sewn but handed off for quilting, lol, as well as a top I'd helped design but hadn't stitched.  I made backings, quilted simply and bound them both. 

I have another of the Houndstooth quilts awaiting additional cutting and sewing since I sewed the wrong pairs of squares together and have a design opportunity. Cough.

Son Nick's Cross Reference quilt was finally finished in September.  Pattern from APQ mag April 2017.  I made my version smaller and, of course, scrappy. 

 October was partly spent readying for SewTopia in New Orleans.  I made a swap gift of house blocks and also a tablerunner for the Michael Miller fabric challenge.  For some reason I don't have a photo of the finished challenge runner.  My mom tried to swipe it when she was over at Thanksgiving, lol.


November saw the finish of another baby quilt,; this is Signed, Sealed Delivered from APQ mag April 2017, I left off the two borders.   (You saw baby Grace with her quilt recently :)
I also made my grandsons stockings (last post), a bunch of charity block guild challenges, and finished a cross-stitch or two.  

There were also a great number of starts this year, and dearth of finished UFOs from the challenge I joined.  But overall, many happy hours were spent with needle and thread, fun Shop hop and fabric shopping with my sister, guild meetings and sew ins, SewTopia and my word quilt top, and a million ideas yet to appear on the blog.  For 2018, I have plans to finish more UFOs, devote additional hours to charity quilt projects for guild, and sew up a lot more fabric from stash.  

I appreciate all who comment on my work, and invite you back to see what I'm up to. 

Happy New Year!


7 comments:

Sherrill said...

I always have to pick a fave or two and out of all your pretties, I love the baby flying geese quilt and your son's. You got a lot done this year!

Janet O. said...

I am sorry you have had those real life stressors. That kind of stuff has made my blogging spotty these past few months.
I am definitely hoping for a calmer 2018.
You have so many great finishes. I agree with Sherrill as to may favorites, and I will throw in the little patriotic mini for good measure. :)
Looking forward to following your progress as the year unfolds.

Louise said...

I enjoyed seeing some of your beautiful quilts again, Annie! Especially the update showing little James on his special quilt. Nothing better than seeing quilts being used in their Forever Homes :)

Here's to a better new year!

Stephanie D said...

Sorry you had lots of stressors, but you sure seemed to get a lot done in spite of them! I love that Cross Reference quilt!

Preeti said...

It was a tough year, Annie. But you have been so productive. Love all your finishes. Wishing you lots of creativity and quilty joys in the new year!!!

Quilter Kathy said...

Happy New Year! Hope your 2018 is filled with lots of relaxing sewing!

Kate said...

You had a pretty productive 2017. I'd forgotten about a couple of those baby quilts you finished. Hope 2018 has gotten off to a great start!

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