Farewell 2016

I thought I would pan off to the right of my porch - three days of this!  I quess 2016 wants us to wish her a (not so) fond farewell.  That's the 'farm tenent' house that my brother and SIL live in and the red barn is the wood shop.  And you guys wondered why I hibernate - ha!

   
It was perfect weather though to finish off those last few things for the year.  The Leap Year quilt had it's last circle done and all the sections got sewn together.  360 circles on the front and the last 6 are with the label.  This one is going to take me thru the New Year as I plan to hand quilt this special quilt.

I found the lost backgrounds for my flower baskets!  They were tucked inside my Kona black flat fold -  go figure.  But this project has been totally relocated into it's new tote - ALL THERE - double checked.  Now to make up for lost time.

  
The last Westering Women block.  I made it with units found in the tote.  This was a project to use up some of those Marcus fabrics (with a mix).  I have the sashing and border fabric pulled from the shelf and now with the blocks ready for a finish in 2017.

And the 2nd Winter Solstice (with Pat Sloan) block got made before the next one comes out in the New Year.

And for the last giggle of the year - how about a butt in a bucket?  He insisted he was going to sleep in that little bucket, but just didn't fit - next best thing I guess.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Review of Scrap Management

Being I am a scrap quilter, I have a LOT of scraps and enjoy playing in them.  I don't ever want to use them up, just tame them from time to time.  I was so glad to join SARAH @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (this takes you to her end of year review) and really tackle those bits of goodies.

 The 12 Days of Christmas blocks hosted by Marian @ Seams to be Sew and Janeen @ Quilt Art Design. 

The borders on the Gail Pan stitchery - left over binding bits.

LORNA'S fabulous pattern - Mod Bear Paw - entirely of scraps and left overs from other quilts.  I have to admit this was THE quilt for the year.

The mini key chain purses - free pattern under my tutorial tab.  Between the commission that started the creation for this pattern, those gifted, those sold, and those in the shop - I think I have made 50 of these so far.

Three baby quilts to use up solids, 30 prints and some brights.  

The watercolor large wallhanging using Marti Mitchell's method of using different 'shapes' to acheive the affect.

This cute project with Podunk Pretties was completed with scraps.

Some 'found' pinwheels to use up more solids and left over JR strips.

 

My 'nifty nines' charity quilt with Sarah's pattern during Hands2Help.

Wovens and plaids for a fun little piece.

The 'Amish Nines' used up some left overs nicely.

Another Amish mini to use up those much valued bits of Marcus fabrics.

And as I scrolled thru the year - a lot of blocks!!!  Yes, Sarah's group got a couple of boxes of those - love sending them on.  I have several BOMs and QALs that used all scraps, too - but those aren't finishes.  Work for next year.

Sarah plans some 'starry' quilt patterns to help us along with Hands2Help 2017 and I will use the Scrap Challenge again to play with these because I have a 32 gallon tote filled with new bags of gifted scraps not even looked at yet!

Go play,

Sewingly  Yours,

Sharon

Best of 2016

Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs is again hosting the Best of 2016.  List 5 favorites:  blog posts, finishes, best tutorial, what ever is your favorite.  Since I do way too many projects thru the year to do a 'finale', I thought this would be perfect to wrap up the year.

ONE

I was honored to be selected by Henry Glass Fabrics to be a participant in their Desire To Inspire program.  I was sent some lovely fabric that became dear to me and most of the projects made were gifted on to charity and/or fund raising events.

The rest will be about sharing quilting, fabrics, and fiber arts with others because that was a huge part of my year.

TWO

Our two local quilt guilds and our County Quilt Barn Trail group were once again asked to participate in a  local fiber arts show.  I represented the Schoharie Valley Piecemakers Guild , our local shop VroomansQuilts, and the Catskill Mountains Quilters Hall of Fame.

Sharon (one the left) represented the Quilt Barn Trail and Steff (on the right) represented the Peacable Day Quilters.  We shared our lovely space with the local Sheep and Wool group and rug hooking class.

That was also the weekend (Saturday) of our 'Airing of the Quilts' and special drive about day for the Quilt Barn Trail.  Both local quild's members had quilts out thru-out the county.  Yes, Sharon, Steff (these are hers) and I had our lines full that day as well as busy at the venue.

THREE

I had the pleasure of assisting my Mother in setting up her honorary show in Arkville, NY as part of the Catskill Mountain Quilters Hall of Fame.  Also, drove her to the reception, final class day, and take down of the display.  Her exhibit brought a request for a lecture and a trunk show and we are hoping to keep her going as another venue wishes to have a one women show.  As many know, my momma is in declining health - we have to give her little things to look forward to.

FOUR

I was tickled pink that our quilt guild got to host Sarah  (a blogger I follow) for a class and trunk show.  To share a day with an on-line friend in person was special as well as having my guild get to enjoy her 'hexology'.

FIVE

 

I was asked by one of the local guilds to design a 'quilter's bag' with their specifications and then teach a class to make them.  I had a lovely time with these ladies and although they were working with the same pattern, their choice of fabrics made each so unique to the quilter.

Thank you Cheryl for hosting and thank you all for visiting,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

I Blame Barbara

Do so hope not to offend my dear friend, but Barbara @ Cat Patches has led me down the path to 'NEW' far to many times.  This fun stitch along just tickles me and will be great for those Slow Sunday Stitching days, also.  You can click the button on my side bar to read about this project.  One lady, two ladies, or the whole bunch - what fun.  I plan to do all 12, but working them as single mini quilts for Christmas 2017 gifting. 

A simple, but traditional heritage block - the Churn Dash.  The start of the 182 Days of Solstice QAL with Pat Sloan.  Again, Barbara shared this on her blog and I had to join in.  Guess that happens when you've wrapped up your year and waiting for the New Year goodies to come out on the quilty net.

I have had this FQ bundle (Impressions - Clotheswork) for probably 4 years as well as collecting grays and a few yellows for a gray/yellow quilt.  This is perfect to represent our Solstice here in the NorEast - it has been so gray, cold and dismal that we are all wishing for sunny skies and warmth (my yellow). 

Have you joined in any new starts yet?

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon