Weekly Finish #39-#40 and the End of a Decade

-
A year ago, just before Thanksgiving, my DGD#1 moved to California from Tennessee. I had not seen her in over three years so it was a joy to have her and DGD#2 (her sister) with us, especially since my youngest DGD#3 had moved out-of-state with her family.  

But sadly, nothing lasts forever.  In June my middle DGD#2 moved out-of-state to be with her family, and now my oldest DGD#1 is moving back east, where she found a great job opportunity and living expenses are much more affordable.  She and her roommate/friend are driving there next month and will be getting their own place.  They are very excited to start their new adventure.

Ombre HST Quilt Pattern - free online pattern from Sarah Goer Quilts

Of course, I told them I would make each a quilt to take to their new home.  This was in October; and since they weren't leaving until mid-January, I thought I had plenty of time to finish both quilts before they left.

This free pattern is 4-Patch Slice by Inspiring Creations.

My DGD#1 picked the pattern and colors for her quilt.  Her friend also picked her colors but the quilt pattern was selected by DGD#1 and was a surprise. Once I had this information, I started purchasing the fabrics.

Before I knew it, the Thanksgiving holiday was upon us, and DH and I were leaving for the Philipines the following Saturday.  Somehow, I managed to pack for the trip and sew the 4-Patch quilt top by the holiday.  We were on vacation for almost two weeks; and when we returned just before Christmas, DGD#1 told me they were now planning to leave right after New Year's Day.  


Oh no! I still had one more top to sew; then I'd have two tops to quilt and bind.  Somehow I managed to get it all done by Christmas day.  We spent the holiday at my sister's home and I was able to gift the two quilts.  Both DGD#1 and her friend were completely surprised as they didn't think the quilts would be done before they left.



The smiles on their face and the hugs I received were priceless.  It was all well worth the time and effort to get these done for Christmas.  Two more quilts for the finish!


 In the blink of an eye, another ten years have come and gone.  I've now been retired 11 years and the years have FLOWN by.  I remember how the months, weeks and days before I retired seem to drag forever.  I also remember thinking about all the quilting I was going to get done when I retired.  Boy, how wrong I was!  I found that there were so many other things that needed my attention.  Even so, I still managed to finish 50 quilting projects in the past 10 years:  37 projects were done in 2010 (12 are finished flimsy tops), 9 were done in 2015, and the last 4 were completed this year.

 I hope the next 10 years will be more productive, as I have a whole lot of quilting projects to get to.  Just look at my sidebar!
Remember, the best things in life are quilted!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tutorial: Fold and Turn Coasters

-
Image
These fold-and-turn coasters are SO easy and fun to make!  I first saw this pattern in 2002 at a guild meeting, and the instructions were handwritten.  There were no pictures … only hand drawings.  Well, we’ve come a long way in 8 years! I made this set of 4 coasters to include with the potholders I made for Amy’s Potholder Pass #2 . These coasters were made with five 5-inch cotton squares and one 5-inch flannel square.  These can also be made in other sizes so long as the squares are equal-size.  Suggested square sizes range from 4-1/2” to 6” … your choice.  You may also use one 5-inch batting square, but I found batting was a tad too thick.  But, again, your choice. Instructions: (1) Y ou will choose three different fabrics.  Two fabrics will be used for the top of the coaster and one will be used for the bottom (backing).  I chose the light blue for the bottom: (2) Cut fabric to the desired square size.  I used 5” squares. (3) Lay flannel (or batting) s
Read more

Weekly Finish #13: Halloween No Point Stars 2020

-
Image
  I previously posted about my Halloween No Point Stars top and I am happy to say that I finally finished the quilt ... just in time for Halloween! I used a polyester snow blanket remnant for the batting.  Yes, a snow blanket used for Christmas villages.  This was not originally intentional.  I didn't want to use Warm & Natural as I was not going to use this as a "blanket" but rather as a display/decoration.  I wanted a lightweight batting so I looked through my bin of batting remnants and found what I thought was just right. As I was basting the quilt, I noticed some glitter - not much - just a tiny bit on the "batting".  It finally dawned on me why it felt a little different!  How did this snow blanket get mixed in with my regular batting remnants?  Anyway, I was already halfway done so I decided to go with it. I didn't have any Halloween fabric large enough for a backing but I found this black-and-white toile fabric, which is  actually a curtain made
Read more

Weekly Finish...Or Not: Shoo Fly & Vintage Inspired Churn Dash Tops

-
Image
This Shoo Fly top is a re-do of the very first quilt I made on my own way back in 1999. This is my darling granddaughter who decided the quilt was hers.  She was only 3 years old at the time.  The quilt is long gone as it was very much loved. This is the magazine pattern I used to make both quilts.  I wanted to use a similar floral print with white daisies and red background as my original but couldn't find anything I liked.  I'm happy with my re-creation and I think I'll give it to her for her birthday. I don't know what possessed me to recreate an old damaged quilt top I found in the wild.  Maybe I was influenced by other quilters who have been inspired by vintage quilts and have created beautiful quilts from them. This is the original top I found a few years ago, probably in the clearance bins at the thrift store.  I'm sure I only paid a couple of dollars because it was badly damaged.  There are burned edges are the big hole.  I knew if I didn't save it that
Read more