A YEAR OF FINISHES 2014 & GIVEAWAY

It didn't seam like I accomplished much in 2014.  It seemed like I spent all my time running up and down the road from Texas to Missouri...  and I certainly did do that a lot!  However I apparently stayed home or at least sat in front a sewing machine long enough to finish a few things.  Maybe it didn't seem like much was accomplished because I didn't finish one single UFO that I had on my list for 2014.  I did manage to add several more to the list though!  Guess there's always 2015!

Here's a recap of some things finished in 2014...

 JANUARY 2014

A small Christmas wall hanging

A sweet baby quilt for Hollie to give one of her friends

Another Texas Quilt

An Easter Egg wall hanging and Kona Blog hop project

Brownwood Quilters Guild Donation quilt

Geese Circling New York wall hanging and Kona Blog Hop project

FEBRUARY 2014

Hearts A Flutter wall hanging and applique teaching class project

Hugs and Kisses blog hop

Ruffles Blog hop

MARCH 2014

A spring table runner for my sister

APRIL 2014

Labrynth Quilt made from baby dresses that was commissioned 

And another Labrynth commissioned quilt

Wall hanging for What is your stitching super power blog hop

MAY 2014

a UFO finally quilted and bound

Not exactly a quilty finish but a huge finish for everyone!

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Magazine Volume 9

JUNE 2014

The Five and Dime BOM from B&B Quilt Shop in Buda TX

3 Cheers For The Red White and Blue Table Runner for my sister

JULY 2014

Quilted Angels Online BOM Challenge

AUGUST 2014

One of 3 commissioned denim quilts

2 of 3 commissioned denim quilts

SEPTEMBER 2014

See You in September Blog Hop (and free pattern)

See You in September Blog Hop wall hanging

See You in September Blog Hop wall hanging

Traffic Jam Quilt and pattern (your last chance to get it FREE) for the Rush Hour Blog Hop

My painted barn block outside my studio

A pattern I tested

OCTOBER 2014

Quilt 3 of 3 of the denim quilts I was commissioned to make

A small wall hanging quilted from the Lil Jo's Club

A small wall hanging quilted from the Lil Jo's Club

A small wall hanging quilted from the Lil Jo's Club

Black Cat Crossing Blog Hop

NOVEMBER 2014

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Volume 10 Magazine

Same quilt pattern, different colors

Twas The Night Blog Hop projects

Whew!  That was more than I thought was finished but not as many as I had hoped!    I'm linking up with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts on her Let's Bee Social post.  Did you accomplish as much in 2014 as you had intended?  Leave me a comment by 1/5/15 and tell me and you'll be entered in a chance to win a giveaway.  The giveaway is a fat quarter pack of Essential Stripes.  It is open to everyone as long as you're not a "no-reply blogger"  I can't give you something if I don't have your email to contact you that you won!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

A BRAND NEW HAND

I feel like I have a brand new hand after today.  I had my 1 week follow up appointment today on my hand that I had surgery on last week.  The therapist was very pleased so far.  I didn't actually see the doctor, just the therapist and to get fitted for a new splint for my hand.

I went in with this

Ahh sweet relief, no more soft cast.

I know it looks pretty nasty here, but according to the therapist, it looks really good.  The green markings on my hand and middle finger were made by a green sharpie by the doctor to indicate the correct finger and hand to do surgery on.  My left one had a red 'NO' on it.  I got to keep the Sharpies as a souvenir!  Now wasn't that nice of them!  I bet they were expensive souvenirs too!  I was also surprised, only 3 stitches.  And did you know if you massage your stitches, it reduces the chance of an ugly thick scar?  Well I didn't!

Also, who knew there are compression socks for your fingers! Yep, I learned a lot of new things today!

This is what I ended up with for a splint.  It's still questionable whether or not I can sew or quilt with this apparatus and I still have to cover it with a plastic bag when I shower but it's better than the cast!  And even though my freedom was short lived, it still felt good to be free for a little while.  

I'll update you tomorrow on the sewing quilting status!  And my stash purchases while I was out!  

ART SATCHEL

I made these cute little art satchels for my niece and nephew for Christmas.  They loved them!  Both are only 3 years old.  Ryelyn loves the outdoors and loves to go hunting wit her daddy.  Some pink camo deer fabric was just the perfect choice.

This is her with her daddy.  She sat in the deer stand with him many times watching this deer and waiting for the right moment to shoot it.  Who is more proud; Daddy or Ryelyn?

Funny story about Ryelyn...  her momma was reading her the story about Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer....  stay with me here....  it's not going to end like I think you think it is....  here is what momma posted on Facebook:

"So read Rudolph to Ryelyn tonight, didn't go quite like I expected.... but I should have known better. 

R: those are elk
Me: no, reindeer they pull Santa's sleigh
R: They are deer, we shoot them! 
Me: no reindeer, we can't shoot them. Santa needs them to bring you presents. 
R: No he doesn't. Shoot them! This should be interesting."

The art satchel will be perfect for church to keep them busy.  There are 2 clear zippered pockets on the right and a mesh pocket.  Under those is a pocket to hold a coloring book or art pad.  On the left is  a chalkboard and another pocket under the chalkboard for another art pad or coloring book.

My nephew Paytin loves "heavy equipment", just like his pappa has.  Here is Paytin's satchel.

They were really very easy to make and only took a couple of hours.  I used this pattern I got at www.byannie.com 

 

The pattern suggested to round the corners.  But if I did that, I would have to make bias binding and that takes longer.  I was under the gun with a deadline for Christmas.  But even without the deadline. I don't think I'd do the bias binding.  The other modification I made was to omit the "hardware" to hold the handles on and the carrying strap.  I just sewed them directly to the satchel.  They would give it a more professional finished look but it would also add more time and expense.