Summer Sewing Finale

Several months ago I joined Fairy Face Designs Summer Sewing linky and listed my summer sewing goals.  As the summer is coming to a close, it's interesting to see where I am now vs. where I had hoped to go.  Some projected worked through just fine, while others were completely sidetracked by swaps, etc.  Still, it has been an adventure, this summer.  I would not change a thing.

Finish my Quilting Guild of Ireland Mystery Quilt  The top was finished donated to Project Linus in May.  It was just not my thing - buying fabric for an unknown quilt, using a pattern that I normally wouldn't choose, etc.  I do not think I would do a Mystery Quilt again, unless it was run by someone in whose taste I trust.  Anti-climax, but true.

Finish my Sampler Quilt It is done and sent to Boston!  My friends received the quilt in June and absolutely love it.  I am so happy its in a good home. It was also recently showcased in a Sew Mama Sew column, which made my day. 

Complete the Top of Lattice Illusions Not only did I finish the top, but I finished the whole thing!  Whew!  This was a small struggle at times due to the design changing several times over.  In the end, though, I am completely happy with the final quilt.  That's all that matters, right?

Sign Up For and Finish 5 Birdie Stitches Blocks This stitch-a-long has become a small obsession!  I am sure you are tired of hearing about it.  Anyway, I did indeed sign up and I have finished 9 blocks.  I have not stitched June's yet as I want to design that myself.  October will be released soon enough and I can hardly wait :) 

Begin Piecing the Batik Irish Chain I abandoned ship here.  I love the fabric, but plan to use it in a scrappy star quilt starting in the next few months.  With the Community quilt really being an Irish Chain-ish pattern, I did not fancy doing another one.  So it goes...we evolve, don't we?

Start and Finish a Bag I am not close to starting or finishing this project.  Can this be a Christmas gift instead of a birthday gift as originally thought?  I say yes.  It does indeed need to be a Christmas gift as this is just silly taking nearly a year to make one bag.

Take a Precision Quilting Class  Boy, did I try!  I looked high and low for a class, but was not successful in finding one online or in person in Ireland.  So, I bought a DVD.  I did watch it and was a bit let down as it was very elementary and I wanted more detail.  I will watch it again - maybe I was just in a bad mood that afternoon. 

So, what did I do with my summer then?  I bailed on projects, projects were side tracked, etc.  How did I spend my day? 


I hosted the Japanese Fabric Swap involving 28 lovelies where we each contributed one yard of fabric and received a varied charm pack with 56 charms.  I am still pulling from this pile of happiness for projects. 

I was also swap mama for Goodie Swap 2011 here at Fluffy Sheep Quilting where each participant made a mug rug and a handmade goodie of their choice for two partners, then received the same from a surprise crafter.  We are just now opening our surprise packages and it is very exciting.  Thanks, ladies, for making that so much fun for me!

And the Community Quilt!  My love.  So many of you donated fabric to this project over the summer, and for that I am completely grateful.  I have finished the top and the back and wanted to layer it today, but the LQS has closed for a holiday.  Argh!  It will be layered next Friday, so I will be quilting in no time!

I also finished the top and piecing the back for Mod Logs.  This was a great fulfilling, satisfying project that was just for fun.  It too will be layered next week, then I'm off quilting! 

This summer I also discovered quilting bees!  What was I doing before they came around!?!?  What a great source of inspiration to try something new.  Some are for specific charity events, others will continue year round.  No matter where they are going, I really enjoy making these blocks!  I've joined Judith's Bee Blessed, Jenna's Sew Bee Blissful, Karen's Kind Stitches and Caroline's Have A Heart Appeal. 

 



Finally, the Start Your Own series of blog posts has officially kicked off.  With a guest blogging entrepreneur every Thursday, the series covers all sorts of topics from fabric shops to selling crafts locally to pattern designing.  Thanks again to the following who have participated so far:

Modern Quilt Relish - Pattern Designers

Saffron Craig - Fabric Design

Patchworkdelights - Entrepreneurial Crafter

Pippablue - Fabric Shop Owners

Making a list like this has been a great way to keep me focused and a really nice way to look back at the summer's achievements.  Thank, Sarah, for keeping us motivated!