A Year in Review

What a year! It's fun to look back at 2015 and see all the wonderful things I was able to do and create. I made lofty goals--I didn't accomplish them all, but was able to achieve a lot of them. Woot! Woot!

I made this warm denim rag quilt.

MK wrapped in the Denim Rag Quilt

I still fight my daughter over this pink flower pillow.

MK Stole my Pillow!

I had a sew day with my mom and aunt where I started this "A Little Bit Shorter Tall Tree."

A Little Bit Shorter Tall Tree

I completed my Wheel of Fortune Quilt. (And it somehow ended up on my daughter's bed--sneaky little girl!)

Wheel of Fortune Quilt

I crossed "Cathedral Window Quilt" off my Quilty Bucket List by making this Cathedral Window Pillow. It sits on a bench in our front entry way.

Cathedral Window Quilt Pillow

My original quilt "Painting the Roses Red" was hung at the AQS National Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, MI. It also won 1st Place at the Utah Quilt Guild's annual quilt show.

Painting the Roses Red Quilt

I finished a Mystery Quilt for my aunt. This was my first foray into all solids. And I'm loving solids!

Blue Mystery Quilt

I FINALLY finished the top for my Fractured Flower Quilt.


Fractured Flower Quilt Top

Once again, I helped organize and plan the Utah Quilt Festival--a 4 day quilting retreat full of quilting and sewing classes, luncheons, vendors, giveaways, and more.

Off to Quilt Fest 2015

I started my Red & White quilt for the Utah State Quilt Guild's Ruby Jubilee. I just want to add boarders to it to make it a bit bigger.

Red & White Quilt

For a Christmas gift exchange at work, I made a personalized bag for my friend.

And I ended the year by making a Perry the Platypus Christmas stocking for my son's stuffed Perry.


Christmas Morning with Perry the Platypus Stocking

I find it so helpful to look over the year and see all I have accomplished. Plus, it's fun to look over all the things I've done and relive the memories. It makes me eager to set my goals for next year. 

A Perry Stocking

My 10 year-old son asked me to make a Christmas Stocking that looks like Perry the Platypus. (Have you ever watched "Phineas & Ferb?" Possibly the greatest kid's show ever!) He designed the stocking himself.

We used my Kona Cotton Color Card to find just the right colors and ordered the fabric. He was so not happy with the wait for the fabric. But, it finally came.

Perry the Platypus and S

My mother-in-law makes lots of custom Christmas stockings she sells through her Etsy site. She pointed me to an easy pattern on pintrest.

Word to the wise: Being a Quilter doesn't make you a Seamstress. This "pattern" is just a stocking shape and words that basically say "print to actual size; cut 2 lining and cut 2 outside fabrics; sew and you are done!"

I had NO idea what I was doing and made it up as I went along.  My son LOVED it, but I'm so tempted to scrap it and start all over again. I was happy with it until I made the LAST seam, but was so tired I just wanted to be done.



Christmas Morning

  

Christmas Eve, my son put out Perry's stocking with a note asking Santa for chocolate for Perry because Perry has never tasted chocolate before. He was beyond ecstatic when he saw that Santa brought Perry his very own fedora.

It turned out to be a great Christmas. 

Secret Santa Gift - Personalized Bags

We are doing a small gift exchange in our little department at work. I was struggling with what to gift my co-worker and friend who's name I pulled out of the Santa hat. Should I just buy a generic store-bought gift? Or should I try to make her something? And if I do make her something, what to make that doesn't take a huge amount of time and money?

After talking with another co-worker and my mom, I decided on a personalized bag.

Emily spent 1-1/2 years in Peru as a missionary and has a strong love and connection to Peru. So, we embroidered her name on one side of the bag and the Peru flag on the other side.

I was so surprised on how fast and easy this bag was to make. I am very afraid of zippers and avoid them whenever I can. However, it was so incredibly easy to do! I need to rethink my aversion to zippers.

My mom has made several of these bags in the past. These bags are so useful and can be made in any size you like.

• My 2 children with peanut allergies keep their medicines and epi-pens in their personalized bags that go everywhere with them. The strap on the bag makes it easy to carry on your wrist.
• One son uses his to keep all his contact items together in one place.
• We have a few large ones made out of mesh we use as clothing/lingerie bags while traveling. 
• I have one I keep all my cords and plugs for my electronics when I travel.
• I keep mine personalized bag by my bed, which holds my sleep mask, ear plugs, etc.
• A niece uses hers as her make-up bag.

I'm excited for the gift exchange. I hope she likes it. 

Linked up with Show Off Saturday here.

Updated Picture - Red & White Quilt

As promised. Here is a picture of my completed top for my Red & White Quilt. I had to get 2 little helpers to hold this one up for me.



 

Red & White Quilt

My boys are used to this request: Will you hold a quilt for me? They know the drill and are good sports about it.

I'm having moments of panic about the size. I intended this to be a Queen sized quilt. Technically, it is. However, it is on the small side of Queen size. After taking measurements of this top (76" x 96") and my Queen sized mattress, I realize it will work. But, I want it just a tad bit wider for comfort.

So, it's been decided to add a boarder. I'm thinking a red and white striped border. Well, it would actually be white, red, white stripes with a red binding. This would add another 6" (3" on each side) making the quilt 82" x 102".

My goal for December is to add a border to this quilt.

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.
Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.

Quilt Top Done

Just in the nick of time, I completed my November Goal: Complete the top for my Red & White Quilt. And because it is 11:30 pm, I can't get a good picture of it, so I'll use this almost completed picture for now until I can get a good picture to post and still be able to link up to the linky party.



Red & White Quilt Top

I did want to have this done for my Quilt Guild's meeting a week and a half ago, but it didn't happen. Oh well! Just happy to have it done.

I do think I will add borders to it to make it just a bit bigger. We'll see.

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Almost Done

I am so close to finishing the top for my Red & White Quilt. Only thing left is to sew the rows together. 

Red & White Carpenters Block

I have had so many good intentions of posting pictures of my progress, but life gets away from me and I would forget. So sorry!

I am very happy with how this is turning out. And I love having a design wall I can lay out my blocks on.

Nine more passes on my sewing machine and this is done! Yahoo!

November Goal: Finish top for Red & White Quilt

My crazy goal for November: Finish the top for my Red & White Quilt.

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

This is what I get for starting my challenge so late. I really should have the top completed by my November meeting in 2 weeks...but I'm not holding my breath on that one. I just need to be able to bring a completed top by then.

Wish me luck!

Linked up with a Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Red & White Quilt Progress

I can't believe I almost forgot to post about meeting my October goal: to have all my strip sets sewn for my Red & White Quilt. I am happy to report I accomplished my goal and surpassed it! Yahoo! I sewed all my strip sets and sewed all my mini blocks. (88 of Block A and 64 of Block B)

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

Sorry for the dark picture. It has been cloudy and rainy in Utah all week. I meant to take a picture this afternoon, but soccer and Halloween and weekend cleaning happened.

I now have all the pieces I need. It's so fun to watch this quilt come together.

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

WIP Wednesday # 41 - Sample of Red & White Quilt

I wanted to do a small sample block of what my quilt will ultimately look like.

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

I kept looking at that LARGE pile of fabric strips I cut previously and hoping I didn't just cut up yards and yards of fabric for something that wouldn't work.

I have to say it: I'm very excited now.

Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.
Linked up with WIP Wednesday here.

WIP Wednesday # 40 - At the Cutting Table

I've been busy at my cutting table.

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

I turned yards of fabric into the following:
Red Fabric: 109 strips (WOF x 1-1/2")
White Fabric: 50 strips (WOF x 1-1/2")
White Fabric: 5 strips (WOF x 3-1/2")
White Fabric: 8 strips (WOF x 5-1/5")

And I will still need more cut for borders and bindings....but will do that once my blocks are all done.
This will give me what I need to get my top done.

Now, I'm off to sew strips together.

Challenge Quilt--Red & White Quilt

The UVQG challenge this year is to make a Red & White Quilt. There are no size requirements, nor design restrictions. It just has to be red and white ONLY. We can work all the different shades and hues of Red, but no other color is allowed.

I've been hemming and hawing over what to make. There are so many possibilities! This is the same problem I had last year with the "I looked out the Window" Challenge. It took me so long to settle on an idea that I ended up starting only a month before the deadline. I can't complain too much because I did end up with a quilt I absolutely love and hung in the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, MI. and it won 1st Place, Art Innovative at the Utah State Quilt Fest.

(And this year, I'm starting 1-1/2 months before the deadline instead of 1 month like last year.  Giving myself so much extra time!)

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

After months of searching for the "right" pattern, I finally drew up my own pattern based on a classic Carpenter's Square. I'm sure there are patterns out there, but why bother when I can just draw it up myself? And I can make sure it's how *I* want it to be.

I even took the time to figure out exactly how much fabric I needed so I knew how much to purchase. Nothing worse than running out of fabric mid-project. And as much as I love having a fabric stash, I didn't want to end up with TOO much leftover fabric.

Babco Unlimited - Red & White Quilt in Progress

I settled on this beautiful Kona Cotton in Chinese Red and Snow.  I am really starting to get excited about this project.

My goal for the month of October is to have all my strip sets sewn for this quilt. Yikes! I've got lots and lots of cutting and sewing ahead of me.

Linked up with Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Mystery Quilt - Day 4

Mystery Solved!

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt Completed Top

And I have a completed top--YAY!

I've never worked exclusively with solids before. I know I'm late to this trend, but I think I really like it. In fact, I just did a large fabric order of solid fabrics for my next project.

And just like that, I completed my September Goal.

Linked up with Lovely Year of Finishes here.

First Place Finish

My "Painting the Roses Red" quilt won 1st place, Art Innovative at the Utah Quilt Fest Show last week. The Utah Quilt Guild covers all of Utah, parts of Nevada, and parts of Idaho. Plus, many quilters from other states come with family who are part of this state guild. 

First Place Ribbon, Art Innovative, Utah Quilt Festival Quilt Show

I was so surprised when my name was announced as a winner, but so so happy.

My quilt came back from the AQS Show just in time for me to send it off to this show.  At the AQS Show, my quilt was part of a group showing. We made it to the semifinals, but didn't place. That is okay--I'm was just so excited my quilt was going to a national show.

Disclaimer: My quilt was competing in the beginner category as I had never won a blue ribbon before. From now on, I'll have to compete at the champion level. So, this might be my first and last blue ribbon. Gotta enjoy it while I can.

Off to Quilt Fest 2015

It's that time of year again--I'm off to QuiltFest 2015.

My machine and bags are packed. I've got my name badge. I've kissed my husband and kids and promised I would indeed return on Saturday.

I've got my name badge--I'm off to Quilt Fest 2015

I tired to pair down my class schedule this year. In years past I cram every hour with classes and wear myself out. Then I don't have time or energy to do any shopping, or volunteering at the hand quilting booth, or socialize.

This year I'm taking the following classes:

• Colorado National Monument--a class on landscape quilts using freezer paper patterns
• Pieced Borders
• Designing & Organizing Your Quilting Space
• Quilted Journal or Sketchbook

I'm looking forward to time with my mom, my aunt, and my quilting friends I've made, and to creative time. 

Mystery Quilt - Day 3

I made a lot of 8-pointed Stars for Day 3 of my Mystery Quilt.

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

I've always called these stars "Martha Washington Stars," but when I googled the name I found out the Martha Washington Star usually has a pinwheel center instead of a solid one. So maybe I'm wrong.

Image found at Quilt Around the World

I'm only doing a table topper sized project, so I am almost done. I have all my major blocks done, just have to wait for day 4 to see the layout.

Overall, I'm happy with the color choices. I was a little nervous at the start that the 2 lighter blues were too similar without enough contrast. Still true--not a lot of contrast--but I'm ok with it and rather like it.

Mystery Quilt - Day 2

Lots and lots of flying geese make up the majority of my sewing for Day 2 of the Mystery Quilt. 

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

Have you ever tried the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese Ruler? It is awesome! I've never been a fan of flying geese because they are so tiring to make. However, this ruler makes sewing flying geese so easy and simple. They come out perfect every time.

Flying Geese Ruler

This ruler comes in several sizes with clear and easy instructions to follow. I used this ruler to make a ton of 1-1/2" x 3" flying geese and a few 3" x 6" flying geese for this Mystery Quilt. Now, I'm even thinking of making a flying geese quilt after this--that's a huge step toward loving flying geese for me.

Mystery Quilt - Day 1

As I mentioned before, I'm testing out a pattern for my aunt. She's doing a Mystery Quilt at this year's Utah Quilt Fest and wanted a guinea pig to help catch any errors and make sure instructions are clear.

The Mystery Quilt is set up to be revealed over 4 days. Here is my Mystery Quilt Day 1 sewing.

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

I'm a little concerned about my 2 lighter fabrics not having enough contrast between them. Oh well. This is just a tester.

I'm really glad she's had me test this pattern out. First, I found several typos--one of them a little profane (which made me giggle.) Second, I found missing steps. When she transposed everything from her word document to her publisher document with pictures, a few steps got left out. Oops!

My Goal this month is to finish the top of this project.

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Seeing the World in Color

Do you dream in Black and White? Or in Color?

I realized I see the world in fabric. I look out around me and think about which fabrics I would choose to represent that color. Or what a great fabric palette that view would make.

I came to this realization as my husband and I spent 10 fun filled days in Maui to celebrate our 15th Anniversary. Wa-Hoo!  

Lahaina Beach

The colors there are so vibrant. Brilliant. Stunning. I was constantly looking around me at all the beautiful colors. Look at this blue, blue water I was lucky enough to snuba in!

Molokini, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And this stunning bamboo forest I hiked!

Bamboo Forrest in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

Everywhere were stunning views with saturated colors.

North Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And as I looked around at all the beauty around me I thought "This would make a beautiful quilt."

Iao Valley, Maui, Photo Credit Russ Babcock

And my husband just laughed at me.

Friday Finish -- Fractured Flower Quilt Top Done

**Updated photo:

Fractured Flower Quilt Top

Yes, I know I should put this photo AFTER my original post last night, but I like this picture SO much better that I want this one to be the one seen on my feed. Colors so much better! And, a handsome little boy who wanted to hold it for me and be in the picture. 

______________________________________________________________________________

*Original Post:

July Goal DONE! With an hour to spare.

Late Night Picture of Fractured Flowers

I know this picture is just awful. It's now 11:02 pm and the lighting is horrible. I will add better pictures tomorrow when I can take better pictures with natural light.

It is so fun to see this quilt top all done. Woo-Hoo!

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.
Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.
Linked up to Show Off Saturday here.

WIP Wednesday #39 -- Fractured Flower Top ALMOST Done

My Fractured Flower Quilt top is almost done. All the rows are sewed together and pressed. The flange is sewn to the edges. Next up--the border. And this top will be D-O-N-E. Done! 

Fractured Flower Qulit

I have two more days to get it done for my monthly goal. I'm so excited to be so close to finishing this top.

Mystery Quilt Update

All my pieces are cut for the Mystery Quilt.

Babco Unlimited - Mystery Quilt in Progress

All this blue fabric is making me happy. I find myself very curious as to what this will turn out to be.

Sunday Sewing

This isn't what I wanted to sew today. But I love my son....

Scout Uniform

....even when he tells me 2 days before he leaves for scout camp that he needs certain badges sewn onto his uniform.

....even when he tells me he doesn't have those specific badges, and I have an hour to run to the scout office before they close.

And because I'm a quilter, not a tailor, I have no idea how to do this. I will admit to watching a YouTube video for tips. I ended up using monofilament (clear) thread to sew it all on by machine.

He so owes me.

Mystery Quilt

I'm not usually a fan of mystery quilts. I like to SEE the pattern I am making so I can make color choices as well as decide if I want to make it or not. However, I'm testing out a mystery pattern for my aunt.

 

At Quilt Fest this year, my aunt is in charge of the mystery quilt project. She wanted to have a tester for the pattern before the big event to catch any mistakes. Apparently, at last years event the mystery quilt was a complete disaster--the pattern was riddled with mistakes. There were incorrect instructions; the fabric requirement was inadequate; the wording was confusing; and the ladies running it weren't very helpful in explaining their pattern. Many quilters just threw the whole project away. 

 

I finally picked up fabric for my project. At first, I was going to just use fabric from my stash. However, the pattern called for 1 yard of fabric for each color. I normally buy 1/2 yard cuts for my stash. I couldn't find anything over 1 yard that isn't already earmarked for a different project. 

I made sure to keep track of the fabric name. (See Tip on Organizing Solid Fabrics.) No more trying to color match months from now if I need more fabric! 

While I was having this fabric cut, a lady came in with a small swatch of solid green fabric she was trying to match. She couldn't find the correct color and wanted to know if they by chance had a bolt behind the cutting table that matched. Unfortunately, they didn't. If she had written down the make and color, she could have easily ordered it online or phoned ahead to see if they carried it. Poor quilter! 

WIP Wednesday #38 -- Fractured Flower Progress

Summertime is a slow-sewing time for me. Life gets pretty hectic with the kids out of school and all the fun activities we plan. Even with all the soccer camps, swim lessons, scout camps, waterparks, play dates, etc. I still try to find some sew time because sew time is me time.

I've been working on my Fractured Flower quilt. I'm determined to finish the top this month as part of my July goals. 

Fractured Flower Quilt on Sewing Table

I have the top mostly done. I just need to sew 3 more sections together and add the border.

Fractured Flower Quilt

So close to being done with the top!

I have such a love/hate relationship with this project that I just want it done. I'm sure I'll begin to love it again once it's completed. *fingers crossed*

Linked up with WIP Wednesday here.
Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.

**EDIT--Link to the pattern can be found here.