Finish Along 2016 Quarter 2 roundup and Q3 Goals

The days are flying by and it's time once again to look back at the previous quarter and look ahead toward what I hope to accomplish by the end of the next quarter.   I did get a few things done this time, but there's so much left to do!

Quarter 2:

1. Pillowcase - finished!

2. Doggie quilt - finished!

3. Basket - finished!

4. (2) gift place mats - not yet started.. thinking of moving to Q4 just in time for Christmas

5. Pouches -finished!

6. Playhouses Doll Quilt - not yet started
7. Baby girl quilt gift - started and changed theme
8. Succulents wall hanging - not yet started
9. Picnic quilt - not yet started

10. Easter baskets - not yet started. I think this would fit better in my Q1 2017 list!

Quarter 3 Goals:

1. Laptop sleeve - I've been searching for a simple sleeve for my laptop and my husband suggested I just make one... why didn't I think of that? 

2. Baby girl quilt - This was to be a water or beach themed quilt, but will be from the Halfhearted Pattern. I've made about 20 blocks and have about 20 more cut out. 

3. Zippered pouches - at least 5, but hope to make more. I designed some fabric depicting the city symbols, so this will be fun to experiment with.

4. Shopping totes - I hope to make 2 using the same fabric.

5. Bee quilt - this is a throwback to last year. I think it needs one additional row. I put it aside because it's slightly too small for my current bed and because it's going to be a beast to quilt on my small machine. It is so easy to put off projects that will made for myself!

6. Commission quilt - I need to make a lap-sized quilt in jewel tones to be used as a couch throw.

7. Playhouses doll quilt - Now that she's finally started summer break, my daughter is happily choosing fabrics from my scrap baskets...and spreading them all over the floor. I have no idea where she learned that.

8. Supernova - I only need to make 2 more blocks before I can sew up this top. They take FOREVER but it would be nice to get this one finished for myself as well. Plus, maybe then my partner will be inspired to finish hers too!

9. Picnic Quilt - this bundle is still waiting patiently!

10. Another bee quilt - I'm being ambitious, but this is a pile of blocks just begging to be rescued from the cabinet and sewn together!

There are so many more things I'd like to put on this list, but I will stop here for now! Linking up to 

Doggy Basket

Whoops, I was trying to link up this finish to the 2016 Finish Along through IG, but I had no luck, so I'm writing up a quick post to get it in.

This basket was made to go with the Doggie Quilt

I recently made for my nephew. I'm happy to say that they've received their package and were very surprised and happy. My brother had no idea that this was a basket though, and he was trying to figure out how to attach it to their stroller before he wised up and sent me a message. What a nut!

a peek at the inside

Just the right size to hold a baby quilt!

from the back..

This is #3 on my Q2 FAL list.

Finish Along 2016 Quarter 1 Results and Q2 list

Time sure flies and it's already time to report on the end of Quarter 1 in the Finish Along!

I have exactly 2 things complete (only 1 from my list,) but it's been a pretty busy year already. In the past few months, my family has visited Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland so I haven't gotten much sewing done, but things are settling down now I hope!

1. Commission - comfort quilt for girlfriend - Finished!

2. Baby quilt for nephew due in March - Started the Dog Gone Cute quilt with a pattern from Sew Fresh Fabrics. She hosted a sew-along at the end of last summer. 

 3. 2 gift place mats for niece and nephew - not yet started

4. Succulents wall hanging (Love & Patchwork Mag Issue 19) - fabric chosen

5. Playhouses Doll Quilt (Fat Quarterly Issue Issue 9) - partner project for me & little Bean - not yet started
6. Purple Zippered pouch birthday gift - not yet started

Q2

1. Pillowcase - My friend brought back some beautiful silk fabric from her recent trip to Dubai and asked me to make her a pillowcase. Apparently sleeping on silk is rumored to help prevent wrinkles - I'm on it! I want to make a double sided case I think, but I haven't worked it out yet. 

2. Doggie Quilt for nephew - I have 3 more doggies that are already cut out and just need to be put together. I'm hoping to get this one done pretty quickly.

3.  1 hour basket - this will be baby themed and go along with quilted gifts.

4. (2) gift place mats - still for my niece and nephew

5. Pouches - need to make 2

6. Playhouses Doll Quilt - hope to make time for this one too as my little one is pretty excited.
7. Baby girl quilt gift - I am looking at an underwater theme for a certain beach baby.
8. Succulents wall hanging
9. Picnic quilt - I would love to use this cute bundle that has been in my stash for years!

10. Easter baskets - probably will use the 1 hour basket pattern as well and this cute bunny from Sugaridoo!

I imagine that many of these will be rolling over to Q3, but a girl can dream!


Linking up just under the wire with

FMT

One hour (or so) baskets

After my practice/gift basket a week or so ago, I felt ready to tackle 3 more "1 hour baskets"assembly-line style as thank you gifts for my daughter's preschool/kindergarten teachers. These will be the last handmade teacher gifts for awhile because apparently in German public schools, holiday gifts are given as a class and not individually and end-of-year gifts are not given. phooey!

Honestly, while I was frantically stitching away late last night, I did wonder about my tendency to pressure myself  with making a handmade gift just because I can make something. When I finished, my already sore back and neck were throbbing in protest. According to my math, I calculated that I could make 3 simultaneous baskets in an hour since I had taken the 3 previous days to get everything ready. Nope... took me like 3 hours.

Kaufman Quilter's Linen in Charcoal w/ Juggling Summer

Kaufman Quilter's Linen in Raffia w/ Simply Style

Quilter's Linen in Silver w/ Simply Color/Simply Style

 If I'm really honest (which I will be for a moment,) I don't think the teachers fully realized the value of these handmade gifts. How do I know? Not one of them sobbed at the beauty and perfect marriage of these fabrics - hmph!  Generally speaking, I know people here are not the most emotive (unless you do something wrong in traffic- then you'll be told off immediately,) but dang! Can I get a hearty "Thank you!?" Can't you see that I've shared my precious stash of Quilter's Linen with you? Can't you appreciate how beautiful it looks with Simply Style, Simply Color and Juggling Summer? Don't you know how long I've been holding onto these and looking for the perfect project? Can't you give me one tear or at least a joyful moan? Just kidding..sorta. I am grateful that they've loved, taught and nurtured my daughter for the last 2 years, which is why I haven't gone and snatched them back.

In the lining seam, I put my new label from Ikaprint. I'll take some pics and share for next time! 

My daughter loved stuffing the baskets with flowers, hand cream, tea, pencils, chocolate and a little Prosecco! 

Proud little Wildchild and Kindergarten graduate

FAL Q2 goal list

Linking up to:

Quokka Quilts

New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop

Hello friends and welcome to my stop on the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop! I am happy to be among new friends as we discover a new wave of awesome quilt bloggers/blogs. Mine is not as new as some, but I wanted to take part and learn some new ways to have a more successful and rewarding blog experience. 

A little about me - I'm Francine - an American expat living in Germany with my pilot hubby and younger 2 of 4 kiddos. We have a couple of years left here and have absolutely loved the experience! When I think of some of the historic places I've visited in the US, Europe makes them seem brand new! In my pre-Germany life, I was a soccer coach and then teacher, but these days I get to spend my time exploring, meeting new friends, sharing a cocktail, and sewing - lucky girl!

The last week or so I've had a couple of finishes which is unusual. Considering how little German homework I've gotten done, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised heh heh.

First, I finished an improv rainbow quilt. This was started as a sample for an improv class I'll be teaching later this year. In fact, you are welcome to join me at Peaks! It's a long weekend full of fun, pampering, relaxation, gourmet meals, amazing scenery and oh yeah - quilting!

Confetti Stars Rainbow

Next up is a quilt that has taken at least 4 years to put together! It is made up of blocks from several Flickr bees. I would've finished much sooner if it wasn't so much fun to choose color schemes. As a result, I ended up after 5 or 6 rounds with 3 separate stacks of blocks in very different colors lol. It's all ready for quilting now.

I have a blogging tip to share with you! This week I discovered a great YouTube video for adding the cute string of social media icons to your blog. First, check out this resource for cute social media icons and then then visit Blogaholic Designs for super easy instructions to add them to your blog! They also have several other helpful tutorials and videos to check out.

I also have a quilting tip/naughty confession. I am ashamed/proud to admit that I use my husband to practice new things. I lovingly made him a practice apron last year and then made this for myself.

reversible apron

Today I decided to try the 1 Hour Basket from Hearts and Bees. Naturally and selflessly, I made the hubs one for his bedside table first. Isn't it cute? Tomorrow I"ll make one for me.

Do you have any quilty naughty confessions?

I do hope you'll visit my hive mates this week! 

Jayne of Twiggy and Opal 

Robyn of Hoops & Thimbles

Shayna of Wife. Mom Creator

Francine