September 15, 2016

Very little sewing happening

I'm sure I'm not the only one that isn't a happy camper when there's no time to sew.  That is what my life has been like over the past 3 or 4 weeks.  Between a family vacation, the kids starting school and activities, my own Girl Scout troop meetings beginning for the year and my responsibilities as the area troop organizer, the only sewing I've been able to get in lately is some patches on Girl Scout vests.
My Christmas Tree wall hanging has been languishing on my frame.  I started the quilting on it in early August but my shoulders were aching then and so I took a break from it.  I haven't been able to get back to finish it since.  Hopefully very soon.
Not so patiently, I'm waiting for some pretty fabrics to arrive. I'm excited to get started remaking my Merry Jingle quilt and get the pattern written.  I've received lots of emails from quilters are waiting for it's release.  This is what the new version will be made with.
I think the new version will be gorgeous and can't wait to see it all put together.  Stay tuned for some sneak peaks.
 
The weather is starting to get cooler and that means more time indoors.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that it will also mean lots of time at the sewing machine is coming.
 
 
 

September 4, 2016

A 100 Good Wishes Quilt for Alana

Our summer fun is winding down and the kids start school on Wednesday.  I'm sure many of you are wondering if I fell off the face of the earth recently but be assured that I'm alive and well and have just been very busy with summer activities such as Girl Scout Cookie Camp and a family vacation.

I'm excited to get back to having some sewing time but I have managed to finish another quilt during the summer.  This one had been waiting to have the binding finished for a while and I'm glad that it is now complete.  I present:

100 Good Wishes for Alana
 This quilt is for a little Alana, a friend of the family since the beginning of our adoption journey (not to be confused with big Alana who is an adult friend of the family).  Hubs and I met her and her mom a couple of months after she came home from China and we ended up using the same adoption agency as they did.  Her mom knew nothing about the 100 Good Wishes Quilt tradition and I've always wanted to make one for her.
I chose the Garden Frills panto and it suited this quilt perfectly, giving it just enough swirly interest for a 12 year old girl.
 As her mom never collected fabrics from their friends and family, I was able to make this quilt through the generosity of another adoptive mom who had tons of extra squares that she sent to me to use.  Most of them are darker colors so I think this layout with all the white helped to lighten up the overall look well.
For the backing I decided to use up a bunch of FQ and half yard cuts from my Asian fabric stash. 
 The Red thread on the back doesn't overpower the light fabric and blends in well with the others.

Thankfully we've had some really nice weather days recently so I was able to get the photos of this before it is delivered.
I can't wait to give it to her.  She has always held a special place in our hearts and at times we think of her as our 3rd child.  May she always know that she is loved and cherished.