Evening in the Garden Quilts

Adventures in Fabric Art

Monthly Archives: December 2013


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Wrapping Up 2013

New Year

An interesting year (aren’t they all?), lots of ups and downs, happiness and sadness, laughter and tragedy.  Some of that is documented here in the quilts.

2013 Collage 1

2013 Collage 2

That’s a lot of quilts.  I don’t have one favorite.  The most meaningful was probably the flowers for the Project Hope Online Quilt Show, that Sandy and Sandi organized in the wake of Sandy Hook and the Boston Marathon.  I pushed out of my own comfort zone, and was awed by the variety of responses.

This year the #Twilters on Twitter named themselves and cheered each other on daily during Sew-Ins, give-aways, and project advice, sharing happiness, heartache, and food and pet pictures.  Big moments or small, it’s wonderful to have friends who understand.   There began the Quiltcast FitBitters group and #QHC (Quilter’s Health Check? I forget again!).  Between us we’ve walked millions of miles and lost lots of pounds.  All that while being darned creative!

This is my 201st blog post!  Thank you all for reading, responding, and commenting!  I’ve met some wonderful people from far away places, and it is such a positive community.  I plan to keep it going in 2014.

Getting It Done

I know that I accomplished a lot by focusing on the goals I set as part of Getting It Done with Patchwork Times.  We all had a lot of fun encouraging each other, and the limited number of goals each month was very helpful.  Hopefully, we’ll do it again, but I can also do it myself for 2014.  December’s list is vague, because not everyone has received these yet.  Also, I forgot photograph some before they were wrapped.  😦

December Goals

1. Quilt for DS (Christmas)

2. Placemats (Christmas)  and a table runner!

3. Pillowcases (Christmas)

Here is my list for the year.

 

January Goals

  1. Make ten pillowcases to go with the two I have for donation.
  2. Make HST commission quilt
  3. Make string commission quilt
  4. Scrapitude, step 4

 

 

All of you have a safe and festive New Year’s Eve.  Join us tomorrow for our New Year’s Day Sew In on Twitter, #NYSI .

May 2014 be prosperous, healthy, productive, and peaceful for you.

I’m linking up with Getting It Done at Patchwork Times.


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Sunday Stash Report: the last one for 2013

Absolutely no sewing this week because we were in Washington, DC and Annapolis, MD, to attend the Military Bowl, where my son’s college, Marshall University, was competing (and won!), and where my son was marching and playing trumpet in the Marching Thunder band.

Here are the final numbers for the year:

This week:  +0 yards,  -0 yards
YTD:  +145 yards,  -259.75 yards
Net stash used in 2013:  114.75

I’m very happy to have made my 100 yard goal, while still enjoying acquiring some fabric.  It feels good to lighten the stash for the new year.

 

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Lots of walking around Washington.  The weather was very cold, but sunny.  It was interesting to see the city decorated for Christmas, and at some times nearly deserted because of the holiday.  I did get in one quilty visit.  “Workt by Hand” is worth seeing at the National Museum for Women in the Arts.  No photos were allowed, so it’s hard to remember everything, but they were beautifully preserved and visually dramatic quilts.  Some Amish, lots of crazy quilts, at least one hexi, lots of broderie perse, lone stars, and many more.  One idea I came away with was the use of a boldly patterned fabric for sashing.

 

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The people of Annapolis were very warm and welcoming, and enjoyed the parade through the beautifully decorated town as much as we did.  It was very moving to see the skydivers, the flyover, and the Medal of Honor winners at the game.

 

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Crab

Some crab was consumed during our visit!

I hope you had a good holiday, and that your stash and quiltmaking are flourishing.

I’m linking up to Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

This week on Twitter, we’re finishing up projects and organizing our lives and our studios to get ready for the new year.  It’s the Year End Sew In,  #YESI  !  If you’re looking for me, I’m @Scooquilt .

 

 


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Merry Christmas 2013!

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I’ve spent a most unusual Christmas here, since my DS will be marching with the Marshall University band on Friday at the Military Bowl in Annapolis.  I hope all of you have spent the day just the way you wanted, with family, friends, or maybe some sewing.  Wishing you beauty and peace, now and in the new year.

Valerie


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/22/13

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We’ve been doing a lot of this here, what with lots of snow and Christmas movies and Chex Mix, but there’s been some sewing, too.

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This week:  +0 yards,  -8 yards
YTD:  +145 yards,  -259.75 yards
Net stash used in 2013:  114.75

I’m pleased with that.  My projects are all finished and wrapped, so no last minute panic.  I hope you are finished, or at least enjoying your work.

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merry christmas

I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/15/13

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Lots of yardage used this week!  7.5 yards for the green quilt and 5.5 yards on various Christmas gifts.  I also bought 4 yards for gifts.

This week:  +4 yards,  -13 yards
YTD:  +145 yards,  -251.75 yards
Net stash used in 2013:  106.75

I hope your Christmas sewing is going well, and that you’re not stressing too much.  It will get done.  Or it won’t,  and that will work out, too.

I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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One Gift Finished

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This week I finished the green and white quilt I’ve been working on for my DS, who attends Marshall University.  It’s a nine-patch, so, really, it sewed up fairly quickly.  I just got a bit tired of green.

 

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Marshall has changed their green over the years.  It’s currently a shade brighter than kelly (emerald?), but at a game one sees every shade, from hunter to this current bright green. So I just rummaged through my 3 1/2″ scraps and my green bin to find a variety of greens that don’t go together at all, but seem to get along in this quilt.  These may be my last pieces of the chartreuse and teal Mirror Ball Dot.  The white is mainly Basic Gray Grunge, with some white, snow, and the odd bit of Fairy Frost.

 

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The backing came from Kelly of SewmuchfunWV  on Etsy (and has a different green from any on the front!).

 

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So that’s one of my December goals finished, and I’m making good headway on another (which I won’t be showing before Christmas!)  See what everyone’s finishing over at Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

 


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/8/13

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Winter greetings!  It’s been good weather here to stay in and sew.  I used seven yards in the Chevrons quilt, and bought six yards for Christmas sewing, so still a little ahead for the week.

This week:  +6 yards,  -7 yards
YTD:  +141 yards,  -238.75 yards
Net stash used in 2013:  97.75

How are you doing on your destashing?

I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Chevrons is Finished!

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The snow made a nice backdrop for this quilt.  I seemed to plod along on it, but it was worth it.

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50″ x 66″

Cotton prints, solids, and batiks.

Warm and white batting

Superior Bottom Line, Art Studio, and New Brites threads.

 

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I try to do something more or different every time with my feathers.  These have a double spine and echoing.  That really gives them some definition.

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Today we’re remembering Nelson Mandela, and the difference one person can make in the world.

 

Snow is falling rapidly here.  The schools are closed, so that makes this a Sew Day, doesn’t it?  Time to work on Christmas gifts.  What have you finished?

I’m linking up with Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

 


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/1/13

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I’m writing to you this morning from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  I have been lame and not taken any new photos of this beautiful countryside, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

I also didn’t photograph the new fabric I bought, but it was 4 yards of batik.  You’ll agree that’s necessary, won’t you?

A few Christmas gifts were purchased down here, but this pin is just for me, by local artist Sharon M. Hollar.  Yes, it’s my third pin of hers, but we’re not keeping track of jewelry here, are we?

This week:  +4 yards,  -0.5 yards
YTD:  +135 yards,  -231.75 yards
Net stash used in 2013:  96.75

Just wait till next week!

I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Getting it Done in November and December

I hope Judy does this again for next year.  I suppose I could make my own list, but somehow doing it with all of you makes it matter more, and I really am getting things done!

 

November Goals

1. Finish quilting my throw quilt from the Oh My Stars quiltalong.

2.  Finish piecing and quilting OMS throw for my shop,

3.  Finish piecing scrappy red, blue, gray cabin top (Quilt of Valor?)

4.  Piece aqua and gray chevron throw quilt for shop.

5.  Scrapitude Mystery Quilt, Step 3.

 

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December Goals

1. Quilt for DS (Christmas)

2. Placemats (Christmas)

3. Pillowcases (Christmas)

I can’t add links to these because they’re not started yet.  The quilt is designed and I’ve pulled some scraps for it.  Hopefully you’ll see it soon.

 

How did you do with your goals?  Crazy busy time, if you got anything done you’re doing well!

I’m linking up with Getting it Done at Patchwork Times.