2019 Year End Review

Most years previously I haven't done a year-end review to look at what I accomplished over the year, but this year because I did so many things that were commissioned or for sale it has seemed like I didn't manage to get anything accomplished for myself.

So here goes -

Commissions and for sale:

Christmas Stockings - 50
Pillows (14", 16", 18" and custom sized) - 27
Totes - 7
T-Shirt Quilts - 1 King, 1 Twin/queen
Purse - 1
Quilted Postcards - 11 commissioned, lots for sale
Teddy Bears - 22
Assorted Stuffed Animals - 3
Ornaments - 18
Garment Alterations - 18
Bowl Cozies - 15
Potholders - 4

total Commissioned - 164 individual items

Gifts -
2 Kitchen Towels
1 mini wallhanging
3 cross-body purses
2 sets of pillow cases
2 pincushions
6 bowl cozies

For myself:
3 UFO's quilted (supposed to go to someone who lost their home in a wildfire, but after a yr may not sigh) - still need binding
Finished the Hankies Wallhanging made from my grandmother's hankies - woohoo
Finished the top for my snail quilt
three wool Ornaments in preparation for writing up patterns for them

Not a lot for myself.....but the extra income sure helped a lot this year.

Next year is shaping up to be just about as busy with a bunch of commissioned stuff already ordered and on hand.  I do hope to do a bit more for myself next year....but time will tell if that happens since one of the things I need to do is find a job that provides a stable, consistent income.

Gratitudes:
1. For the safe, and speedy travels today.
2. For the beautiful weather on today's drive.

Phoenix Trip, final part

There was one final stop by one of the the second hand stores here to see what was on the 75% off Christmas rack.

Final scores were a mini Santa candle holder, a snowmen tea light holder missing the shade (will remove the metal form) and this divided dish.

 This mini wall-hanging was quilted.  A matching green thread was used on the green, and a sulky invisible thread on the rest of it (which I happened to find in the bag of thread I had with me, and don't remember putting in there!).

Two fabrics on the left I found in a final quilt shop stop.   Part of the snails have been used as the backing on the wall-hanging above, and the fabric on the right will be used as the binding for it.

 My friends know me well.....these were three ornaments that I received as gifts from a  couple of friends here.

Love them all, and the gnome riding the snail is so cute.  =)  and that bottom left one so appropriate...lol

This panel had been bought when I was row hopping this past summer with a gift in mind.   It was quilted while out here and is ready for binding.

 Backing used for the coffee wall-hanging.   Cross-hatch quilting done from the back following the lines on the fabric.

 One more elephant stuffed animal was completed using the material from the grey plaid shirt.   My dapper little gentleman now has a girl friend.....now if I could only think of names for them.

 Gratitudes:
1. Being able to relax and visit with as many friends as I was able to (rain and cooler/cold weather not withstanding).

2. For the drive back and what will hopefully be a good drive.

Phoenix Trip, part 3

So I did a wee (a very wee bit) of quilt shop hopping out here.....I've got expensive tastes so couldn't afford to do more....lol.

I found these two wonderful row-by-row kits at Mulqueen's in Phoenix (well actually it could be Glendale).   Both are from this year's row-by-row and will go into the AZ themed quilt I'm going to make for myself.

The one on the left I just got the pattern/fabric kit because those pieces won't be too hard to cut.

the one on the right is laser cut because there's lots of itsy-bitsy cuts that I didn't feel like doing.

And at 35th Ave Sew n'Vac I picked up this selection of wools for the ornaments I've been designing and making.

And at both stores I found a several fabrics for my shoebox for next year.  =)


Gratitudes:
1. For what I'm hoping will be good weather as I head back home

2. For the visits yet to come this trip with friends and family.

Phoenix Trip, part 2

this trip I stayed at the same AirBnB that I did last year.   And love it here, and love being able to bring my sewing machine with me and get stuff done during my down time here. 

As it happens I needed to get a number of things done -

I've been able to get a couple of stuffed critters made to test the new pattern I picked up.  First up was this giraffe.  He's 10" tall.
 This guy was putzy to stuff  so he'll be custom orders only in all likelihood.

 Some of the fringe I bought this trip has already been used for his mane.

 Close up of the fabric I used for him....it has giraffes on it.  =)






















I finished off the basketball quilt that my cousin had commissioned.  Her grandson attending college in OK on a basketball scholarship.

 Label on the basketball quilt.

 I put together this little mini wallhanging top.   It is from a quilt kit that I received in the shoebox swap this Christmas.





















And I made this little elephant from the new pattern as well.

Gratitudes:

1. the beautiful weather, even yesterdays rain, out here in Phx

2. For the leads on job possibilities out here

Phoenix Trip, part 1

I'm on vacation in Phoenix and visiting lots of friends and family.  And I've also had a wee bit of fun visiting some of the second shops and fabric stores that I used to visit while living out here. 

Some of the "loot" I've found while here includes laces and fringes for the stuffed animals and bears that i'm making to sell.   Also stocked up on the ribbon I use for bows on the animals after finding for 75% off at Joann's while out here as well.   No pic of that tho. 















The multi-colored fringe has already been used on one stuffed giraffe.

 Lots of glassware and other items for pincushions at good prices found their way into my hands at the second hand stores.   And yes, one of them is actually for me.

Loved these two....the one on the right is by Current and I've always loved their little animals.









Found this dresser scarf in perfect shape.   Bought it for resale.

Also found some winter tops for myself and a couple of shirts for bears/animals.

Gratitudes:

1.  For being able to be here to visit one last time with a very, very dear friend before he passed away yesterday.  The cost of the trip is well worth that blessing.

2. For the visits I've had with friends and family so far and the ones that are remaining.

Stretching Art Challenge for 2020......frustrations

The theme of the 2020 challenge is "Community" and what it means to us.   I've been thinking about the theme and when I found this batik panel in my stash back in November I thought I might use it as the basis for my quilt.

The thought being I would embellish the quilt,  and extend it with piecing to reach the challenge size.

 My thoughts were to embellish the tail feathers of the two birds with embroidery and then bead the center of the flowers in the panel.   However, I've tried two different methods of embroidering the feathers and don't like the results on either one.

In addition, because the fabric is heavier than i normally work with it is very slow going and it took about 20 minutes to do just the little bit that is done.  Definitely don't have enough time to do this with everything else.

So I think this one is going to have to wait.

The hotel that I stayed in over night Friday had this motif in it and it struck a cord with me.   So I might use this as a starting point for something or go in a totally different direction.

Gratitudes:

1. Seeing lots of friends at church today

2. Beautiful weather here in phx

Goals and To-do's for week of Dec. 15th

Last week was a whirlwind as I worked to get things finished up and then me on the road.

Completions for the last week -

1. Apple Pie potholder for AR - Ended up making bowl cozies for her, and both are finished.  Potholders for next year....lol
2. Complete commissioned set of 4 postcards. - Done and delivered!
3. Finish Christmas stocking for Customer - Finished and delivered
4. Make Bears #2 and #3 for IG customer, need to ship out on Saturday 12/7 - Finished, but IG customer decided to not respond to multiple msgs, so he's been blocked and these will be sold elsewhere.
5. Start quilting on the Commissioned Basketball quilt - Quilting has been completed
6. Donate garbage bag of fabric, and two boxes of misc stuff as well  - Done!

Goals thru the end of December -

1. Sew the binding down and label on the Commissioned Basketball quilt
2. Ship BB quilt out before end of month
3. Start sewing more stuffed animal shells = teddy bears
4. Make test stuffed animal(s) from new pattern 
5. Sew blocks together for the FQ quilt for Sunshine quilts
6. Make test block of airplane block.

Current For Sale projects & Commissions-

1. Add Zipper panel to top of Zebra tote (sample)
2. Postcards for sale as I can make them - Valentine, Easter, and spring ones need to be started
3. Commissioned tote w/pockets for KM - cats - Fabrics pulled, ready to start cutting/sewing
4. Commissioned tote w/pockets for KM - dachshunds - Fabrics pulled, ready to start cutting/sewing

Christmas gifts -

1. Pillowcase(s) for triangle support pillow for PN - Got measurements off a pillow in the store, will make pillowcase and pattern for it after I get back home. 
2. Embellished blouse for MM - didn't get done....will do for BD
3. Mini wall-hanging for RD (Coffee panel) - Found the panel and backing fabric for it....now to decide whether to give it to RD or her sister JD

Coming Commissions-

1. T-shirt Quilt for friend in an online group (no due date, waiting for shirts and specs)
2. T-shirt quilt for a friend at church (no due date, waiting for shirts, specs)
3. Men's Shirt alterations (multiple, not sure how many at this point) 
4. Hem dress for wife of #3
5. Alter back of denim jacket for wife of #3
6. Owl print quilt for sister of TK - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates and order focus print and quote a price to the one buying it.

Possible Commissions -

1. Airplane quilt - need to make sample blocks before getting back with friend to see if she's interested (most likely for Christmas if she decides to do it)
2. Music Quilt - long time possibility....rumblings about it happening again - Designed, waiting on down payment

Other projects that need to be done -

1. Ship snail quilt out for quilting - Ready to ship, but have to wait till I get paid again 
2. Go thru the two boxes of books that need to go to the second hand store and document what is there before donating
3. Additional work for the PT job - Ongoing work......thankfully
4. Finish 4 UFO's that will be headed to the kids of a family who lost everything in a forest fire in CA - three of four quilted and ready for binding, backing pulled for the remaining one
5. Prep t-shirts for my own t-shirt quilt - t-shirts are all together (and have been for several yrs) but need to back with interfacing and get ready for quilting (doing quilt as you go).
6. Downsize clothing fabrics - get rid of most if not all of the woven blouse weight ones, decide what to do with the others
7. Downsize patterns (Simplicity, etc) (If I'm not sewing clothes, I don't need to keep all of the patterns I have....)

Gratitudes:

1. For safety in driving to Phx, esp with the very high winds that were blowing most of the way. (It's a little nerve wracking to watch how some of the semi's were being moved about)

2. For being able to attend church at my home church here in Phx.

ScrapHappy December 15th

Not much sewing with scraps this past month and I really had to go back look at the pics to see what I had made since most of my work has been on the umpteen commissioned items that were not made from scraps.

However, I did make a set of four commissioned quilted postcards that I used scraps for.  My friend is a speech therapist and wanted some made with the logo of her business.  This is what her logo looks like.

 And this is what the postcards finished up looking like.   Not a exact duplicate because I would not have been able get all the teeny tiny work done since I don't have an embroidery machine.   But she was happy with them.  =)

Cards finished at 5" by 7" in size and scraps were used for all of them.


Gratitudes:

1. For friends who think I do work good enough for projects like this (even tho I mutter while cutting out teeny pieces)

2. For almost being caught up on pay.

Completed Commission

I finished this Christmas Stocking for a customer this weekend....and it turned into more of an ordeal than they normally are.  Tried finding the cording/piping needed for the edge at two different stores (Joann's and Hobby Lobby) to no avail, ended up making my own as a result.

Stats:

Black Velveteen used for the back (from stash)

Navy blue cotton with gold fleck used to make piping from stash (fabric from stash)

Cream/tan/gold metallic Christmas print from stash used for the lining

Royal blue grosgrain ribbon for hanging loop (from stash)

Finished in a couple of hrs.

Gratitudes:

1. Vacation starts tomorrow!!!!!!!!

2. Beautiful weather is forecast all along the way for the drive.

Goals' and To-do's - Week of 12/09

This week's list and goals will actually go thru the end of the year because I'm headed out on vacation....but taking my machine and a number of projects with me.

Completions for the last couple of weeks -

1. The three panels of the Basketball quilt have been quilted as far as they can be individually - Finished!
2. Complete commissioned set of 4 postcards - Finished and Delivered!
3. Make Bears #2 and #3 for IG customer - Finished, however customer is not responding to msgs and has not paid.  Has thru Tuesday to pay otherwise I'll sell the bears to someone else.
4. One set of Bowl Warmers for a Christmas gift - Finished!
5. Donate garbage bag of fabric and boxes of misc stuff  - Done!

Goals for through December -

1. Finish Christmas stocking for Customer
2. Assemble the three sections of the Commissioned Basketball quilt
3. Finish the quilting of the B'ball quilt
4. Make binding for the B'ball quilt and bind it.
5. Prep Commissioned tote w/pockets - cats - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates
6. Prep Commissioned tote w/pockets - dachshunds - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates
7. Finish final set of Bowl cozies needed for a Christmas gift
8. Pack and get everything ready for Vacation - including prepping projects as needed.  =)
9. Make sample block for Airplane quilt
10. Get embellishment of batik panel for Stretching Art challenge completed - embroidery, beading, and ?

Current For Sale projects & Commissions-

1. Add Zipper panel to top of Zebra tote (sample)
2. Postcards for sale as I can make them - Valentine, Easter, and spring ones need to be started

Christmas gifts -

1. Pillowcase(s) for triangle support pillow for PN - Found a pillow in Wally that I got measurements off of....so now I can make the pillowcase....after Christmas....lol
2. Embellished blouse for MM
3. Mini wall-hanging for RD (Coffee panel) - Now where did I put that panel?

Coming Commissions-

1. T-shirt Quilt for friend in an online group (no due date, waiting for shirts and specs)
2. T-shirt quilt for a friend at church (no due date, waiting for shirts, specs)
3. Men's Shirt alterations (multiple, not sure how many at this point) 
4. Hem dress for wife of #3
5. Owl print quilt for sister of TK - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates and order focus print and quote a price to the one buying it.
6. Memory Pillows and stuffed pigs (2 each) (customer = friend of my realtor friend) to be done after Christmas

Possible Commissions -

1. Airplane quilt - need to make sample blocks before getting back with friend to see if she's interested (most likely for Christmas if she decides to do it)
2. Music Quilt - long time possibility....rumblings about it happening again - Designed, waiting on down payment

Other projects that need to be done -

1. Ship snail quilt out for quilting - Ready to ship, but have to wait till I get paid again 
2. Go thru the two boxes of books that need to go to second hand store and document what is there before donating
3. Additional work for the PT job - Ongoing work......thankfully
4. Finish 4 UFO's that will be headed to the kids of a family who lost everything in a forest fire in CA - three of four quilted and ready for binding, backing pulled for the remaining one
5. Prep t-shirts for my own t-shirt quilt - t-shirts are all together (and have been for several yrs) but need to back with interfacing and get ready for quilting (doing quilt as you go).
6. Downsize clothing fabric stash
7. Find place to donate clothing fabric 

Gratitudes:

1. For the coming time off!

2. For getting to visit with friends who I haven't seen in a while.

1000th Post, Wool Ornaments and a Giveaway

I've needed to do a little something for myself in October and November because I've been so busy with commissioned sewing.    I've been designing and making some wool ornaments the last couple of weeks and have several more that I want to design - a nativity, the wisemen, a cardinal, a Christmas puppy....and who knows what else I'll decide to do. 

I'm having a lot of fun doing them and love that the felt doesn't ravel.  =)  Now mind I don't have a tree anymore so I might have to actually buy one or figure out how to hang them if I keep them all....lol.....

Two questions for you, my readers -

1. Would any of you be interested in patterns for them? (If free/or for a price I still need to figure out where to upload them to....)

2. Any other ideas for possible ornaments that you'd be interested in?

And this is my 1000th post, and to celebrate I'm holding a small giveaway featuring this pincushion.   To enter leave a comment answering question #2 from above.   And make sure that I have a way to contact you in case you're a winner.

This giveaway will end on December 15th. 



Gratitudes:

1. For having a wool stash that let's me do things like this (altho I have bought more colors from J's)

2. For the possibility of commissioned work through the posts that my friend has put on FB.

Blessings

The Ladies Ministry at church is trying something new this fall/winter season - Secret Prayer Sisters.   This is a secret swap where those that sign up get a little something ($5 or under) and write a note at least once a month for whoever is their "sister".   The big unveiling will be in February of who was paired with who and will be a bigger gift.

I'm having fun finding little things for my person and am planning for the "big day". 

Meanwhile my first pkg was chock full of goodies.  The ornament is already hanging on a hook, and I'm using the pen.   The chocolate will be going with me when I head to Phx.   Need treats for the road!

Gratitudes:

1. For the opportunity to be able to bless someone else as I've been blessed by others over the years.

2. For a sweet friend (and realtor) who is listing some of my things on FB Marketplace to see if she can help get them sold for me.

Raw Materials and Second Hand Stores.

After getting a couple of pay checks on Friday, I treated myself to going by a thrift store I hadn't been too for a couple of years. 

Found a bunch of shirts in nice colors and great shape.  All of these will end up in critters for sale.

And found a few pieces for pin cushions....altho the at the bottom center of the pic I didn't realize that a couple of the flower petals were broken till after I got home.  =( 


Have fabric picked out for the creamer, and the candle-holder at the bottom right is already finished. 

These will be listed for sale once i'm finished making them.

Gratitudes:

1. Vacation is coming and Phx is calling my name.

2. I'll soon see friends that I haven't seen for a year.

Goals & To-Do's - December 2

Been busy so it has been a couple of weeks since I updated this list.

Completions for the last couple of weeks -

1. Complete memory bears #9-12 - Finished!
2. Center panel of Basketball quilt finished and center section of quilt is together - Finished!
3. Vend at the Richardson Farmer's Market - Done, Made one sale in last 5 minutes of sale, need to reevaluate participating because it was over 8 hrs of my day
4. Complete repairs on pants & comforter for KA, still need to deliver - Done
5. Complete remaining bowl warmers (4 to be sold to JD) - Finished and delivered!
6. Complete bowl warmers for JD - Finished and delivered!
   

Goals for through first two weeks of December -

1. Complete commissioned set of 4 postcards.
2. Finish Christmas stocking for Customer
3. Make Bears #2 and #3 for IG customer, need to ship out on Saturday 12/7
4. Start quilting on the Commissioned Basketball quilt
5. Start totes for KM
6. Commissioned tote w/pockets - cats - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates
7. Commissioned tote w/pockets - dachshunds - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates

Current For Sale projects & Commissions-

1. Add Zipper panel to top of Zebra tote (sample)
2. Postcards for sale as I can make them - Valentine, Easter, and spring ones need to be started

Christmas gifts -

1. Pillowcase(s) for triangle support pillow for PN - Drat it, where did those dimensions go...again?
2. Embellished blouse for MM
3. Mini wall-hanging for RD (Coffee panel) - Now where did I put that panel?
4. Apple Pie potholder for AR

Coming Commissions-

1. T-shirt Quilt for friend in an online group (no due date, waiting for shirts and specs)
2. T-shirt quilt for a friend at church (no due date, waiting for shirts, specs)
3. Men's Shirt alterations (multiple, not sure how many at this point) 
4. Hem dress for wife of #3
5. Owl print quilt for sister of TK - Designed, fabric approved, need to pull coordinates and order focus print and quote a price to the one buying it.

Possible Commissions -

1. Airplane quilt - need to make sample blocks before getting back with friend to see if she's interested (most likely for Christmas if she decides to do it)
2. Music Quilt - long time possibility....rumblings about it happening again - Designed, waiting on down payment

Other projects that need to be done -

1. Ship snail quilt out for quilting - Ready to ship, but have to wait till I get paid again 
2. Donate garbage bag of fabric  - Done!
3. Go thru the two boxes of books that need to go to second hand store and document what is there before donating
4. Additional work for the PT job - Ongoing work......thankfully
5. Finish 4 UFO's that will be headed to the kids of a family who lost everything in a forest fire in CA - three of four quilted and ready for binding, backing pulled for the remaining one
6. Prep t-shirts for my own t-shirt quilt - t-shirts are all together (and have been for several yrs) but need to back with interfacing and get ready for quilting (doing quilt as you go).

Gratitudes:

1. For safety on Saturday while driving to/from the market

2. For the gift of friends who buy lunch for me when funds are tight.

Recent Finishes from the last two weeks

Lots of things have been being finished up lately.....  the 12 memory bears have been finished up and mailed off.   Hopefully to be delivered by the end of this week.

Bear 9 has a spiffy tie.

Bear #11

 Bear #12

 Progress was made on the commissioned quilt.   All letters sewn down.   And although not shown here, the center third of the quilt has been assembled and is ready for quilting.

 This wool ornament was made when I needed a quick project to do.

 Pincushion made from a divided glass dish.   Used one of my batik scraps for the cushion.


















Pincushion made from a candle holder.

 This bear was sewn up for a commission and will be headed to a little granddaughter of a friend at church.

Gratitudes:

1. For protection on the drive over to the farmer's market on a rainy morning.

2. Delivered (or mailed off) 3 different commissions this weekend.