Winter/Christmas Crazy Quilt July 2020 Update

One of my goals for the year is to finally finish this crazy quilted wall quilt. Way, way back in 2014, I completed a round robin with 5 very talented crazy quilters through the Crazy Quilt International Group.

After embellishing the final block, I pieced all six blocks together to create a small wall quilt. Then I came up with the brilliant idea of quilting the borders with hand embroidered and beaded snowflakes. 

I love the look, but began to dread stitching the snowflakes after a while. As a result, this has been sitting in a bag for years. I made a tiny bit of progress in February, and set it aside again. 

This month, I worked on it a few days during my lunch break at work and actually made some visible progress. In August, I hope to be much closer to a finish! 

To push me along, this is my current project for the 1 Xmas Item a Month Blog and it is #9 on my 2020 UFO list.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are all enjoying some relaxing crafting time.

Renee

March 2020

Hello March!

February Goals in Review and March Goals:

My March Goals:

1. Complete the race I signed up for in March.
2. Add 300 stitches to Fractal White Tiger cross-stitch and share progress on Stitchy Start Blog.
3. Make progress on Twilight Duel cross-stitch to share in my March 8th and March 29th SAL updates.
4. Make progress on Winter/Christmas Wall Quilt to share with the 1 X-mas Item a Month Blog.
5. Make progress on my UFO list. #7 was selected for March - quilting my Sun, Sand, and Sea Block of the Month Quilt, but I need to swap that with #5 - finishing the last block.

February in review:
1. February: Train to run in March.  I am a bit frustrated with a knee issue that I hope is only shoe related.

2. February: Add 300 stitches to Charting Creations Fractal White Tiger and share progress on the Stitchy Start Blog.

Done! 723 stitches were added and the update is here. 

3. February: Add at least 30 stitches/day to HAED Storykeep Effects of Caffeine for 100 Days of HAED Challenge and share progress with the 3 week SAL.

Done! This piece was finished, as seen here.

1,756 stitches were added in February.
450 stitches counted toward the 100 Days of HAED Challenge.
1,306 additional stitches were added and 1,215 of those counted toward the Road Trip Around the USA Challenge - reaching  Campobello Island in the challenge.

4. February: Make progress on HAED Twilight Duel.

On February 16th, I switched to Twilight Duel for the 100 Days of HAED Challenge after finishing the Storykeep Effects of Caffeine. 

On February 28th, I spent time with a visitor rather than stitching. I only made it through 58 of the 100 Days for this challenge, but I am thrilled with my progress.

829 stitches were added to Twilight Duel in February.
360 stitches counted toward the 100 Days of HAED Challenge.
469 stitches counted toward the Road Trip Around the USA Challenge - reaching Old Port, Maine in the challenge.

5. February: Make progress on #2 and #9 on my American Patchwork Quilting (APQ) UFO Challenge.

#2 - Crazy Quilted Valentine Fabric Postcard - added a stem-stitched heart.

#9 - Winter/Christmas Wall Quilt - added a few more snowflakes.

6. February: Finish Snowman Ornament and make progress on Winter/Christmas Crazy Quilt to share on the 1 X-mas Item a Month blog.

Done! I finished this ornament yesterday and shared it here. I also added a few more snowflakes to the Winter/Christmas Crazy Quilt, as seen above.

7. InCoWriMo - Write a letter, card or postcard every day in February.

I knew InCoWriMo would be a stretch with everything else I hoped to accomplish this month. I only managed 5 of 29 this year - it was 4 more than I would have sent, though! 


Thanks for stopping by! 
Renee

Another Snowman Mug Rug

While having my tires rotated today, I finished sewing the binding onto this mug rug. 

I printed the "Snowman" digital stamp from The Paper Shelter onto fabric and colored it at the same time I printed the mug rug I finished last month. And I am happy to say that the black ink from the inkjet printer washed beautifully. 

As part of the 1 X-mas Item a Month Blog, I am striving to complete at least 12 Christmas items this year. You may see what others are creating here.

Pink Snowman Mug Rug

Today, I finished hand sewing the binding on this mug rug. 

The "Snowman" is a digital stamp from The Paper Shelter. After reading on-line that the black ink in most inkjet printers is permanent, I printed the stamp onto a sheet of cotton fabric. Then I colored the design with crayons and heat set the color (using the same process described with these Valentine fabric postcards.) 

I do plan to wash this mug rug before adding it to my Christmas gift stash for December, just to make sure the printer ink is colorfast. I hope so, as I plan to finish a similar mug rug next month. I will let you know how well it washes with that post in February!


Thank you for visiting!
-Renee

This is my 4th year participating with the 1 X-mas Item a Month Blog. You may see what others are working on here.

Snowman Zipper Pouch

This month, I created a zipper pouch using a bit of glittery snowman fabric I had in my stash.

Above is the front of the pouch and below is the back.

The bag was very fun and easy to make following this video tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.

You may see more items that other bloggers 

created at the 1 X-mas Item a Month blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Renee

Updated 9/1/17
I did an on-line search and discovered the fabric is 
Keepsake Calico Holiday Cotton "Snow Celebration".
I purchased mine at JoAnn Fabric a few years ago.

CQJP 2013 January Block Zipper Pouch Completed

This zipper pouch was created with my very first Crazy Quilt Journal Project (CQJP) block in January of 2013. 

I have added credits on the photo as well, but would like to point out that I used waste canvas to stitch one of the houses from a cross stitch chart called, "Cozy Winter Twilight" that is in the Stoney Creek Country Living Collection booklet. And the birch tree and snowflake flowers in front of the mailbox were some of my first attempts using tutorials in Diana Lampe's book, Embroidery for all Seasons. 

This is the back of the pouch.

For the lining, I used a snowy print found in my fabric stash.

My attempts to capture the lining in a photo with my camera blurred around the edges. I thought the affect was kind of fun, but used the camera on my phone for the clearer view in the photo above.

This block was #1 on my UFO Challenge list for 2017. This was the project selected for July.

Thanks to the motivation this challenge provides, I have completed 4 UFOs (unfinished objects) this year and made progress on 3 others.

(If you click on this image for a larger view the text will clear. I am not sure why the Picasa program's text seems to blur when photos are added to my blog.)

A photo of this pouch may be found on my Instagram account, on this Pinterest board, and on my Hand Stitched Treasure Facebook page.

This zipper pouch is also part of my 1 X-mas Item a Month goals. You may see what others are making here.

Notes:

The Crazy Quilt Journal Project (CQJP) is a personal challenge to complete one crazy quilt block each month. Sign ups generally open in November and close in December the year before the challenge. You may see more of the work others completed during CQJP 2013 here. If you might be interested in participating in 2018, watch for the sign up information on this year's CQJP 2017 blog here. 

You may find more information about the 2017 UFO Challenge here at allpeoplequilt.com. 

Tutorials I found helpful in making this bag include the Missouri Star Quilt Company Zipper Pouch Tutorial on YouTube, found here, and part of this tutorial at Emmaline Bags.

I am not affiliated with any of these sites, links were added for your convenience.

Related posts:

CQJP 2013 January block complete - here

My 2017 UFO Challenge List - here

January UFO Challenge #6: CQJP 2014 Wristlet - here.

March UFO Challenge #12: CQI UTS RR Blocks Set 1 - here

April UFO Challenge #11: CQI UTS RR Blocks Set 2 - here



Thank you for stopping by!
-Renee

A Magical Ride!

Several years ago, I purchased Stoney Creek Collection: Cool Friends Book 211. I loved the snowmen and this darling chart for "Magical Ride" was an instant favorite.

Imagine my delight when I discovered stitching a mirror image of the pattern (and omitting the snowy hills) would allow it to fit perfectly onto a patch of the crazy quilt stocking I am making for my eldest son!

This was my first time using Kreinik Blending Filament (which reminded me of tinsel for the Christmas tree that my mom used to buy every year) and I loved the extra sparkle it added to the metal parts of the sleigh. The fringes of the scarf used the Turkey Stitch, which was another first for me.

(If you are on Instagram, you may find all of my "Magical Ride" update photos here.)

This Christmas stocking is #10 on my list for the All People Quilt UFO Challenge 2017, which was the project selected for June. I will not finish it this month, but am very happy with this darling snowman addition!

My progress on this stocking will also be shared on the 1 X-mas Item a Month blog. (There are some darling creations being shared again this year if you want to check them out here.)

I am also linking with Monday Stitchery Link Party #116 at Super Mom - No Cape! (If you do any hand stitching and have a blog, please join the party!)

New Crazy Quilting Books:

For those of you that Crazy Quilt (or want to learn to Crazy Quilt), you may be interested in knowing Kathy Shaw has published another book. If you order a copy from her Etsy Shop by July 3rd, you may take advantage of a discounted price. You may learn more about it here and there is more info and a few sneak peeks here.

Sharon Boggon also released a great embroidery book. You may find it here. (At the time of this post, Amazon lists it as the #1 New Release in Patchwork.)

Please note: I am not affiliated with either book or shop. Links are added for your convenience.

2020 Challenge

Have you heard about the 2020 Challenge? If you crazy quilt (or want to begin) I encourage you to check it out here at Pintangle. You may also see Sharon B.'s first block for her 2020 Challenge here. 

If you are going to participate, please let me know! I really want to join the fun, but am determined to continue marking UFO's off of my list. So, I would love to follow your progress and cheer you on!

Thanks for stopping by!

Renee

Sun, Sand & Sea BOM Block 2

Last night, I shared this sneak peek on Instagram.

Last year some of my blogging friends participated in the Sew Incredibly Crazy & Friends In Our Garden Block of the Month. The blocks were so cute, I frequently wished I had made the time to participate. (You may see one of the completed quilts here.) 

In late February, I learned there was a Sun, Sand and Sea Block of the Month and decided I would try to make the time this year.

If I understand correctly, each block pattern is free the month it is introduced and there is a linky party at the end of the month with a drawing for those that participate. 

Block 1 is Hello Sunshine designed by Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy. I have picked out my fabrics, but have yet to attempt my first dresden plate pattern.

You may find the information here and find the pattern here.

Block 2 is Time to Surf designed by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt.

You may find the information about the block here and find the pattern here. It is free in March.

I was able to use fabrics from my stash to create this block. There was even a roll of Therm O Web Heat N Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive in my stash that came in handy. 

I did not have any silver or gray fabrics for the fender or the dolphins, so I colored fabric with Crayola crayons and ironed the wax out, as shared in this post for Valentines I made. (Speaking of Crayola... I did not even know there were Crayola Fabrics by Riley Blake until I read about this block at Just Let Me Quilt, here. How fun!)

This quilt will be a Christmas gift (possibly in 2018?) for an Oregon State University fan in my life. I made them a quilt years ago that is now threadbare and I have been told several times they need a new one. 

I have not filled in the license plate yet, as I might personalize it. 

This was my first time using a buttonhole stitch to secure applique. I tried my sewing machine for the first cloud I completed and then opted to just hand stitch around the remaining pieces. (Embroidery is in my comfort zone. When it comes to my sewing machine, I still feel like a novice!)

Block 3 will be designed by Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks. I saw a sneak peek of it on the Sew Incredibly Crazy and Friends Block of the Month Facebook Group. It looks like another fun block! You may find the group here.

As this will be a Christmas gift, I will also be sharing my blocks on the 1 X-mas Item a Month Blog.

Thank you for stopping by!
Renee

Note: I am not affiliated with any of the products shared within this post.

1 Christmas Item a Month - December 2016

Wow! I do not know about all of you, but Christmas felt like it whipped right by. I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or a happy holiday season!

Last Friday, a relative went into the hospital for the 2nd time in two months. (They are home again now and doing well.) It was only two days after another relative had surgery (which went really well) and I found myself with too much nervous energy to get to sleep Friday night. So, instead of going to bed at 9:30 p.m., I started making these two little zipper pouches. :)

I thought they would be a fun way to gift a couple of gift cards we had purchased. 

Thanks to this tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Company on YouTube and this tutorial on making a wristlet, these were easy and fun to create. (I am not affiliated with either website, but found the information helpful.)

Both gifts were well received. Another last minute gift was one I made back in January. I intended to sell it in my Etsy shop when I made it... (Have you noticed a pattern there? 2017 is a new year, right?! I really will stock the Etsy shop...) 

I embroidered a snowman on the bottom of the tissue-pack. It was made with upcycled denim.

Once again, I want to thank Narelle for hosting the 1 X-mas Item a Month blog. Without that extra push of motivation each month, I would not have had as many handmade gifts to share this year. 

I do plan to participate again next year, if the workshop is open in 2017!

A dear friend of mine from Little Orphan Stitch let me know about another challenge that I have decided to participate with in 2017. If you have 12 or more UFOs, you may be interested! (UFO = UnFinished Object.)

I decided to participate in the 2017 UFO Challenge at allpeoplequilt.com. You may find the full details here. Projects do not have to be quilts. They may include embroidery, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, and painting. Participants are to post photos of finishes with the hashtag #APQResolution on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

I told my husband I was making another commitment next year and I could almost hear him groan. (Every now and then he'll tease me by asking, "How many projects do you have going now?!") When I told him I joined a challenge to complete 12 unfinished projects in 2017, I think it left him a little bit stunned. (I am giggling as I type this. He is incredibly supportive!)

Today is also the last day to register for the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2017. 

Tomorrow, I hope to share my list of 12 projects for the 2017 UFO Challenge. 

Friday, I will share my update on the Fractal White Tiger.

Saturday, I will share a review of my 2016 goals and progress.

Wow! 2017 is really close. I wish you all a fantastic week.  Thank you for stopping by!

Renee
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1 Christmas Item a Month October 2016

If you are stopping by for the Eerie Nights Blog Hop, you will find my creations here. Today is the last day of the hop. The full schedule may be found here.

Can you believe November will be here next week?! I really wish I knew where the time went!

I apologize for the photo quality. My camera did not want to cooperate with the gray daylight we have had recently.

Using the "Christmas Spirit" fabric by Geoff Allen I had in my stash, I made a second fabric postcard. 

I just love this fabric!

Making fabric postcards is so much fun! 

My backs backs and edges still need some practice...

I had one more finish this month, but I mailed it out early and it has not reached its destination. I will share it with you next month!

If you are interested in making a fabric postcard the links below may be helpful.

Earlier this year, I shared a tutorial on how to make crazy quilted fabric postcards on the Crazy Quilting International Blog.

My 2 favorite fabric postcard tutorials are found at Patchwork Posse (this post has loads of great information and ideas) and at Quilted Delights (I love to use the finishing method shared in this tutorial to finish the edges of my postcards.)

I do hope you will stop by the 1 X-mas Item a Month blog to see what others have made this year.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Renee

1 Christmas Item a Month September 2016

I have a partial finish to share this month. I finished embellishing this Christmas fabric postcard. 

Many of the seams were embellished with TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) stitches. 

The gift boxes were created using Sharon B.'s Crazy Quilt Template Set 2. (Please note: I received a complimentary set in exchange for an honest review, and I LOVE my set. This seam was also featured in my formal product review published in the Summer 2016 Edition of the Crazy Quilt Quarterly. I am not affiliated with the magazine or the templates. I just love both.)

I want to thank Narelle at 1Xmasitemamonth.blogspot.com for keeping me motivated to work on Christmas items. Can you believe there are only 13 weekends until Christmas? (Including this weekend.) Yikes! Time does fly.

Next month, I will share a photo of the assembled postcard.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Renee

1 X-mas Item a Month August 2016

I was not sure I would have a finish this month, but I managed one!

Last December my son and I saw this no-sew fleece blanket kit at JoAnn Fabric and it was marked down 75%. We bought it with plans of completing it before Christmas. In February, we found it in the "safe place" we stored it in and realized we both completely forgot. Oops!

This was my first no-sew fleece blanket. The panels were not quite the same size, but almost.

About 2 hours later it was done. Now, my son and I just need to remember it is hiding in its "safe place" this Christmas.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I do hope you will visit the 1 Xmas Item a Month blog to see what the other elves have accomplished.

Renee