Review of 2010

At the beginning of 2010 I decided that I was going to post every day on my blog.  I missed one day when Comcast was having problems and I was too lazy to go to the library or coffee shop to send my post.  I kept thinking that the internet would come up at home and it didn’t until the next day.  I do feel good that I almost accomplished my goal.

I made several quilts during 2010, several purses/tote bags and many little projects like pillowcases, Kindle covers, Candle Mat, Mug Rug, and a few small quilt projects.  I also made a bunch of Click-It bags.

I taught a lot of classes.  I had more than 40 new quilters complete my beginning machine piecing class and really feel good about helping create that many new quilters.  I taught a purse class every month and for the first time taught at the Georgia Quilt Show.  I also taught at a seminar in Las Vegas – teaching a quilt that I designed.

It would be hard to pick my favorite project of the year so here are a few of them.  First is my Gone With the Wind quilt that I made for shop hop.  I have had offers to purchase this quilt but since I made it in my mother’s memory, I have decided not to sell it.

Next is the quilt that I designed and taught in Las Vegas.  It is called Nine Patch Surprise.

Here are some of the tote bags I made.

As you can tell, I love the Letty’s Bag pattern by my sister Robin.

Here is my favorite Christmas quilt I made this year.  Because of Christmas in July I make one or two Christmas quilts a year. The second one is another favorite.

I almost forgot – I finished the dog quilt this year.  It is another favorite.

I am looking forward to finishing up a lot of UFO’s in 2011.  Happy New Year to all of you.

Melinda

A Year of Socks

My sister Robin sent me a Year of Socks – there are 13 pair.  One for each month and one for my birthday.  Isn’t this a fun present!

Melinda

Fat Quarter Swap Sent

Carla received her swap I sent to her on Monday.  I am glad she got it.  I forgot to take photos before I sent it so I stole her photo from her blog.

I love swaps and this was a fun one.

Melinda

Another UFO Challenge

I participated in Nancy’s UFO challenge last year but only managed to complete 4 3 of the 10 projects. This year I have decided to concentrate on tops that are ready for quilting. They even have the backing made and have been stacked in a couple of bins in the Longarm studio. Since I always have a customer quilt to quilt, I just don’t get around to quilting my own, unless it is due in the shop as a sample. This year I hope to fit some of mine into the schedule.

I am going to list all 14 quilt tops, even though only the first 10 will be on the UFO list.

1 – 2010 Mystery Quilt

2 – 2009 Allatoona BOM

3 – Watermelon Quilt

4 – Wake the Dead Magical Slice and Dice

5 – Thimbleberries Quilt

6 – 2009 Kaffe Mystery Quilt

7 – 1930’s Repro Quilt

8 – Bright Bullseye Quilt

9 – Christmas Quilt

10 – Table Runner

11 – Pink Log Cabin Heart Quilt

12 – Winter Scene

13 – Thimbleberries Tote Bag

14 – Bright Mexican Food Quilt

I am sure I have more that are ready to quilt but they haven’t made it down to the longarm studio.

Melinda

Beyond Beginners Class

Last night was the second class of the beyond beginners series.  This class focuses on putting a quilt on point.  There were three students and each got the corner of the quilt put together.  First here is Sue’s quilt.

Here is Lisa’s quilt.

Here is Joan’s quilt – look at her wonderful blocks.

These are stack and whack Dresden blocks – look at how nice they are.

Wonderful quilts and wonderful women.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–December 27, 2010

On my design wall today are blocks for the Block Lotto.  I have been following the blog for several months but this is the first time that I actually joined in.  I made 5 sets of blocks for the lotto.  I made two more sets but they didn’t turn out the right size so I have more blocks to join my other orphan blocks.

I am going to work at the quilt shop today – one of the employees lives up in the North Georgia mountains and is snowed it.  There is still snow on the ground here but the streets appear clear – wish me luck.

For more design walls, go to Judy’s blog.

Melinda

Customer Quilt–Mary Jo

I delivered a quilt to Mary Jo on Christmas eve.  She made it for her sister.  It is beautiful.

I echo quilted around the applique.

The rest of the quilt was quilted with my freehand echoed swirls.

Here is the backing.

She was happy with it so I am happy.

Melinda

Still Snow in Atlanta

Here is the view from my front door.  There is so much snow and ice that we decided to not open the quilt shop this afternoon – at least I have time to sew and even make bread.

Here is the driveway – it is a couple of hours later and the snow has disappeared from the street and driveway but it looks like there is still some ice out there.

We live on a corner so here is the view from of the side yard – or perhaps I should say side ditch.

Here is Bill’s truck from the front porch.

Lastly, here is the view from the kitchen window of the deck and back yard.

During the summer, the trees are full and we can hardly see the neighbor in back but during the winter we can see their house.  I can see the lights from three Christmas trees in their back windows.

Hopefully the streets will clear up and life will be back to normal tomorrow.  In the meantime, I am baking bread – Yum!

Melinda

SSCS Gifts Received (and Sent)

I opened my SSCS gift yesterday and was pleased to see that it was from Fee.  You can find her here. This is what she sent.

Her stitching is wonderful and I love what it says.  She also included these -

Love the photo.  The needle case is beautiful and I will save the koala fabric for something special to remind me of Australia.

Thank you Fee!

Here is what I sent to Fiona.  I received a wonderful thank you note from her and she blogged about it here.

Here is what I sent her.

Here is the ornament I made for her.

and here is a little extra gift.  This was made by Ruth.  Ruth was a dear guild member who lost her battle with cancer this last year.  She loved to make these bags and I purchased this one from her shortly before she died.

Another wonderful swap – thank you Chookyblue!

Melinda