A Peek Over My Shoulder...at 2012

While not being a reflective kind of person, it is kinda fun to look back at sewing accomplishment over the last year.

One thing I have realized is that I seriously need to organize my photos better!

So 2013 will be the start of that project :-)

One the most enjoyable things for me this past year was making bags...completely surprised me how many I made,  from totes to coin purses. 

I will be making more next year considering the pile of purse frames I have!

 My crazy, mad crush on foundation paper piecing continued throughout 2012!

Had such a great time doing the Sew Out Loud QAL.

Of course, quilts continue to be the bulk of my sewing, but I think that will slow down in the future......ya right!

My actual favourite was Off The Grid (2nd row, right side)

I do love solids, which is why I am already in new bee starting in the New Year!

Star of Africa was my first bee, and it has been full of new friends, new sewing methods and no small amount of anxiety of my own making! LOL!

Do. good stitches warms my heart, and I am so pleased that I was accepted as a stitcher this year in the Happiness Circle. I really love the quilts we made!

I haven't made too many definitive plans for sewing in 2013. I'll just take it as it comes.

You know, join things when it feels right...or not!

When I look at my list for 2012, I accomplished about half, but then I added things that weren't planned.

So, it all works out!

My biggest plan is to improve my photography skills, and I am hoping that my brand new 50mm prime lens will go a long way to help that out! Woo! Hoo!

 

So here is wishing you all much love, happiness and health as we bring a new year in.

 

It's Boxing Day!

 

Oh yeah.....I feel great!

how about you?

WIP Wednesday!

Not a whole lot happening here!
Trying to do up a few last minute things before Christmas.

I finished 2 blocks for the Happiness Circle @ do. Good Stitches.

Ursi asked us to make shattered chevron blocks, and  I sure liked doing them.

This quilt will be gorgeous!

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I also made a little fabric basket using a tutorial from Elnora on Flickr.

This was so quick to do, just using a dinner plate as a template. It is reversible, so I used two fabrics that I liked!

I rushed the sewing job on the binding, so the next one will be much better.

I plan to use them as hostess gifts, and fill them with chocolates!

Then they can be reused for just about anything!

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I tested one more block for Kristy @ quietplay.

No photo, but it's a doozy!

Kristy is planning a paper pieced BOM called "And Sew On" starting in the New Year!

Doesn't that sound like so much fun!

Check out her post here for the details.

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Last month I was a host blogger for Blogathon Canada which was sponsored by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

They provided amazing prizes to our giveaway winners, and then, surprised the hosts with a wonderful treat of our own!

A t-shirt, a pin, and a nice selection of fabric to add to our stash!

Thank you so much Sew Sisters!

That's all for me this week.
Hope everyone has a great sewing week!

Linking up @ Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday

Channeling my inner Warhol!

and...opening my Colourbox of Oakshott!!

eek!

It all started with a fabulous pattern by Amy @ duringquiettime

Seriously, she comes up with the most amazing paper pieced patterns, and I find them hard to resist!!

So here is my version of her latest pattern of a Reindeer....I made 4!!!!!

 I love these reindeer, and the antlers are so majestic!
I did some angled straight line quilting in each block, and some hand stitching with perle cotton in the antlers.

The bottom left looks a little yellow, but is actually lime green!

Love inside photography, right!

Should have done pink on lime!

Krista thinks I should go ahead and  do it anyway! Maybe in the New Year I will.

This wall hanging measures 16.5"x24"

I love it madly!

I wanted to dig into the Oakshott because I am planning on doing a quilt using it, so I needed to get the jitters out of the way!

Not sure why it is such a big deal for me, but this Colourbox is such a treasure and I don't want to waste even a one inch square of it! LOL!

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I also finished my block for Nicky in the Star Of Africa bee.

She wanted to blocks to look like "books" to line up on a shelf..

Anne of Green Gable it is....

 Luckily for me, my bee mates know that any kind of applique isn't my specialty!!

They are very kind and forgiving!

Although, I think I might be getting a little better at it!

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For the Curve It Up QAL we are already into our 4th block!

This one is the 4 patch.

I sewed my curves wrong (totally my own fault), and my points didn't match. After multiple sessions with my ripper, I got the centre to be reasonably acceptable, but the outside points are out by at least half an inch.

So, I actually chucked it in the garbage! Then pulled it out to use for something else someday. Couldn't bring myself to waste this gorgeous Bella fabric!

I will wait until the end of the QAL and see what fabric I have left, then do the block again!

Here it is fresh out of the trash....:-)

 My wonky sewing aside, can you believe this is a 4 patch block!

The Quick Curve Ruler is just so amazing!

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I'm not working on any other quilts at the moment. My WIP's are all in the cupboard waiting for the New Year.

Other than a few potholders etc., I'm being quite lazy on the sewing front.

Good thing we get snow almost daily, so I have something to do!! :-(

Stupid winter!

Linking up @ Freshly Pieced - love Lee's blog makeover and WIP button!

and The Needle and Thread Network.

Have a great sewing week!

Pattern testing...

I was lucky enough to be able to test a new paper pieced pattern for Kristy @ Quietplay

She has some really cute blocks for free on her blog,  and some amazing patterns for sale in her store on Craftsy.

So, here is the block I tested.

Really sweet scissors and thread.

This pattern came together really easily, even with several small pieces in the handle.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

The block measures 10"x10"

Wouldn't it look amazing on a tote to carry sewing supplies!

Maybe when I finally learn to do EPP!

Thank you Kristy, and I hope you like my interpretation of your wonderful block!

I Remember November!

I guess I did  few things in November!

Oops!

The Mouthy Stitches2 tote on top left was done in October!

My bad!