New year, old projects.

It seems that each new year we take stock of life and evaluate our accomplishments and failures. Some decide to try to make changes with lists of resolutions. And the crafters? We have piles of unfinished projects that we look around at and realize it's been another YEAR and we still haven't gotten them out of the UFO pile. STILL!

Well, that list seems to be ever evolving but some of my projects have been on it for multiple years. Don't worry, I won't list them for you. Or even show them to you. That would take a LOT of photos.

So I'll start this year's blogging by sharing one project that I've been working on for the better part of a year already that hopefully will see a completion in the next few months. 

Hopefully. 

At this point in life you'd think I'd know better than to be hopeful about quilting projects getting finished. 

But I thought it deserved a share at the completion of over 200 blocks. 201 to be exact. Just need 41 more and I'll have enough for a king size quilt. It's all scrappy and happy and is the "rainbow rows" from the #apqquiltalong2015 pattern. So close to finishing. 

So close. So far. Still a lot of work before this one is ON MY BED! Can you imagine? I've never made myself a bed quilt. My kids all have quilts. But a king still seemed like a lot of work and time and commitment. Good thing I picked a super quick project. HA! not. 

Wish me luck finding some time to finish this one! 
I love it even from this picture. :) 

Striped Diamonds

See, I had a LOT of fun with that fabric.

Strip heaven.

I made paper pieced diamond strip blocks out of them.

And I used the same fabric for the backing as the giraffe applique quilt. 

Look at all those happy strips. :)

It is also in the shop.

Scrap Baby Lovey Quilt

Someone (other than me) is having a baby boy... so before I end up "out of commission" I thought it would be a good idea to get a baby gift ready... 

Now I'm debating mailing it or snuggling it for a few months until they are done "incubating" out of my typical selfish tendencies.

I'm not entire sure how it happened, but "baby gift" to me now implies something with fabric - preferably designer quilting fabric, of course. ;)

Long gone are the days of quick and easy purchases at the store. 

I almost feel guilty buying something cute at Gymboree...

like I short changed them... 

It's a funny little predicament because a couple of outfits are a lot cheaper and easier but not near as special, personal, loving, heirloom-y, etc. as a baby quilt. 

So a simple scrappy (not pink, purple, or floral) patchwork quilt was in order.

And for babies minkee (minky) makes one heavenly substitute for batting and backing.

I would dare say easy to quilt even. 

Hopefully the person this is intended for doesn't ever check this blog and this stays a surprise as I have a few pictures for your viewing today... 

Windows Patchwork Pillow

So now that Christmas is long gone I can show you one of the things I made for my little brother who works for Microsoft. 

He's a programmer. 

Total geek.

So he needed some geekery.

Have you noticed the new Windows logo?

It looks a little something like this pillow. 

:) 

These scrappy log cabin blocks could be a really really really addictive way to use up scraps too. 

My goodness they were fun. 

"Twas the night before Christmas..."

"The stockings were (FINALLY) hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there..."

These 6 quilted stockings were made modifying (okay, lots of modifying) the pattern on the Moda Bakeshop in Crazy 8 by Sandy Gervais.

My little 3 year old daughter has been quoting this book and even this line for days now.

We've never actually spent Christmas at home and probably wouldn't have if I were not 2.5 weeks from due on Christmas day.

That's just not a risk I'm willing to take.

And I know there are only 3 of us at present...

but coordinating stockings would be hard to come by in the future if I didn't just hoard the fabric for years waiting for children-to-be...

My little "who" is expecting a baby in her stocking from Santa this year.

Specifically, a pretend baby.

So I still have shopping to do!

This afternoon I hope to be able to get some good things for it and somehow buy them right in front of her without her knowing.

She's ridiculously intelligent and NEVER forgets anything - even from over a year ago - things no one else even thinks about!

Makes my mom job just a little extra difficult at times.

She knows exactly what presents (at least the ones I bought in front of her) are in which boxes under the tree already even though she didn't see me wrap them.

Grrr...

The only surprises are the ones I bought while she was reading a book (she reads very well - books like How the Grinch Stole Christmas). NERD! Eh, so am I...

Next year there will definitely be "Mom only Christmas shopping."

Wonky Scrappy Coaster Tutorial and Giveaway!

So the promised coaster tutorial is ready for your creating!

**this means something got finished and I am a very happy me**

These make awesome gifts and let you use up all the delicious bits of your favorite fabrics.

These instructions are for 1 coaster (gotta simply for me, and you can multiply right?). So for each coaster you will need...

2 (5" x 5") squares of fabric for back and front (not the patches)

2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting

5 (1.5" x 1.5") square fabric scrap **mine are from Moda's Objects of Desire**

And the usual: scissors, sewing machine, coordinating thread, ruler, cutting mat, rotary cutter, and something to poke out corners.

Sew 5 (1.5" x 1.5") into a strip and press seams open.

Lay strip over one (5" x 5") block such that it overhangs both sides but is not horizontal - we're going for wonky here people. Line up your ruler so that the edge is in the middle of the block strip. Then, without moving the cream fabric, pull the block strip out and cut the (5" x 5") block on the diagonal.

Align the strip block (right sides together) with the edge that was just cut (making sure that when you open it you will be able to square the sides) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim off the excess from both sides of the strip block.

Align the other cream top piece with the strip block (notice the overlaps on each end match so when it is sewn and opened it will be square) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim to (5" x 5") square.

Place 2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting on the back of your coaster top.

Quilt as desired to hold the batting in place for turning.

Line up the (5"x 5") backing square with the quilted coaster top. Sew around leaving a 2.5-3" gap on one side for turning.

Clip corners. I do a 45 and two 30 degree clips on each one so that the corners are a little pointier. Of course, it's up to you.

Turn coasters right side out, tuck the opening in and top stitch around the edge, very closely! Sometimes I like to do this twice for decorative effect.

Admire the coasters you have made!! Please post links to pictures of your projects in the comments!

And... my blog's first giveaway.

This set of coasters can be yours if you just follow my blog and leave a comment telling me.

Drawing will be held Feb. 14th so you might just earn yourself a little Valentine's present! Thanks and good luck!

-F.N.