A Challenge–2013 Finishes

I’ve joined  “A Lovely Year of Finishes” for 2013 hosted by Fiber of All Sorts and Bittersweet Designs.

Maybe with this challenge I can finish at least 12 of my unfinished projects.  I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but I’m going to try.

My goal for January is to finish “The Blue and the Grey: Quilting America’s Great Divide.”

I laid out some thread and glitzy netting to see if that would help my drab and dull start.

I haven’t used the netting yet and I’m not sure that I will. I’m still quilting and quilting and quilting.

Quilt Disaster

This quilt has turned into another disaster for me. It is so dull and drab. I’m looking for ways to give it some zing. Maybe with the quilting thread since it is already pieced.

Here I have already quilted straight lines about 1/8” apart on the dark blue and red strips. But, it hasn’t done a thing for the quilt.“

I’m longing for it to have the pizzaz of something bright and bold. Any ideas out there on what to do?

I’m wondering if all the other contestants in the challenge “The Blue & the Grey: Quilting America’s Great Divide” are struggling with the same thing.

PTQ’s “Square in a Square Pineapple”

Back in May I gave a demonstration to the PTQ on how to make this easy, what I call a “Square in a Square Pineapple” block. We worked on the blocks after our meetings and at workshops and finally got the quilt top finished. I volunteered to take it home to quilt it.

Over the holidays I cranked up my Bernina and went to work.

Now it’s all finished and ready to take back to the PTQ for our inventory of charity quilts

I ironed fabric to freezer paper and sent it through the printer to make the label.

Ashton was such a good sport helping me get a photo of it.

Enough is enough … and away he went!

I love the rainbow colors and I think the bright yellow binding sets it off perfectly for a “happy” quilt.

StaticsName: Square in a Square Pineapple
Size: 52” X 39”
Technique: Machine pieced & machine quilted
Fiber: 100% cotton
Made by the Possum Town Quilters
2012

Merry Christmas

May you each experience the blessings of Christmas.

--Julia

Camera

Paul got me a new camera for Christmas.  I really like the Canon Power Shot but what I had was a heavy old clunker. Georgi loved taking pictures with it so a bequeathed it to her for her 2nd birthday. I showed her how to load the 4 AA batteries and gave her the battery charger with all the extras. It seems like a big heavy camera for a little girl, but she likes it.

Amy helped me pick out a new Canon Power Shot SX260. It has a 20X optical zoom that I think I will really like. This is the first picture I took with it.

This was a shot from way across the room. Ashton has been sick, so he stayed in his pajamas all day today!

Joel, Sheila, Georgi & Talya came for pizza tonight. Really, they brought it with them from Pizza Hut. That was special treat for me.

Talya loves her mom and is growing so fast. She has already learned to craw.

Georgi loves the tickling vibrations on her back from Grampa.

This Christmas week will be fairly quiet around here with Joels going to VA, Quintens to WY, Dustins in NY & PA, and Craigs in OH. And then Gabriel went to GA and Darryl to SC.

AAQI -- Stripped Bare

Ooooh! Yaaaay! I just saw where my little AAQI quilt "Stripped Bare" has a new home!

 

Now I'm wondering who the new owner might be. I wish I would have attached a little more documentation on the back of the quilt where they could get up with me if they liked!

Machine Quilting

I’m doing some machine quilting today.

Talya’s Quilt, Tina’s Birthday, & Christmas at Our House

My quilt that was on the design wall has gone to the floor now.

I have Talya Renee’s quilt all basted and ready now for the quilting part. Since they were here last evening, I couldn’t resist a nice picture with Talya on her quilt.

Design Wall Monday by Judy
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The winner of Another Fabric Giveaway is Julie

89. Julie said...

These would make a cute bag. Thanks

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fabric giveaway.

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Happy Birthday today to little Tina Sue. She is 1 year old. Here Paul is coaxing her to take some steps.

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We had our regular Saturday evening pizza with all the family that was here. We sure missed Dustin & Gina but we gave them a call and all is well with them. After supper we had a small gift exchange and enjoyed being together.

We sang a few Christmas Carols and then the children wanted to sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “Building Up the Temple.”

I wonder what is so entertaining.

I helped Georgi & Stacy with wooden puzzles …

… and then we play a little “Memory.”

A Friday Finish

I haven’t accomplished much on Talya’s quilt this week, but I did finish her name.

Don’t forget to leave a comment or two on this post for a chance to win some fabric. You have until Saturday to enter.

Check out all the other Friday Finishes, Whoop Whoops, and Giveaways.

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Some of you have been wondering what the cake that Amy made looks like.

A cute little Caterpillar Cake

Can we quick get the pictures over with so we can eat the caterpiller?

My sister Emily & Perry are passing through again on their way to Texas. I was glad for Emily’s help to wrap some Christmas gifts.

We had a small show & tell at our PTQ’s Christmas luncheon.

These scrappy stars were made by Sue.

Sue also made this kaleidoscope quilt.

It’s Annettes turn to reach for a surprise.

Magnolia Sewing Circle

It was a very chilly day for us Southerners. I wonder if that had anything to do with our small turn out for our monthly sewing circle.

We still had warm fellowship around the quilting frame. Can you tell that yours truly is left handed?

And the children had fun playing together, both inside and outside.

Here’s Evie binding a comforter.

Cheryl sewed nine patch blocks together for a comforter top.

Veronica cut out alternate squares for the nine patch blocks …

… and then helped with the sewing.

Another Fabric Giveaway

If you are new here, WELCOME to my blog. I'm thrilled you came to visit!

I’m joining the Blog Hop Party with a fabric giveaway.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

I’ve pulled 8 fat quarters from my fabric closet to make this collection.

Here's how to enter:
1.  Leave me a comment telling what you might make with this collection and/or if you would add more colors.

2.  Followers, old and new can add an additional comment. Please specify how you follow me!

This giveaway will remain open until Saturday, December 15, 2012 and a winner will be picked at random and will be notified by email.  I will ship to the USA only. This post will also be updated with the winner's name.

And the winner is

89. Julie said...

These would make a cute bag. Thanks

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fabric giveaway.

 

Visit the participating blogs (over 150 of them) in the blog hop by clicking the image below.

Ashton, Cupcakes, Grandchildren, & AAQI

Ashton turned 4 yesterday.

Amy mixed up some cake mix batter and colored it for cupcakes.

She found a cute cake called “Colorful Caterpillar.”

Gabe, Darryl, and Amy hang out in the kitchen, catching up on the latest.

One day this past week I took care of Ashton, Kirby, and Stacy. They thought it was warm enough to play in the mud puddles.

They had so much fun and wore themselves out by the end of the day.

Talya gets as kiss from Stacy …

… and a hug from Georgi.

Does my breath smell like 7-Up cake?

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And do you remember my little quilt “Stripped Bare?”

It is now for sale on the AAQI site. This is not an auction but a buy it now item.