Sunday, January 9, 2011

2011: Projects, Resolutions and a Giveaway!

I thought I'd take a little break from showing you the Christmas gifts that I made, and tell you what I hope to accomplish in 2011!

There are lots of sew-alongs popping up, and I've really had to use restraint to not join every single one. I'm hoping that bloggers will continue with them throughout the year, because it's just silly if everyone starts at the same time!

If you find yourself with gobs of free time now that the holiday frenzy is past, here are a few that I've seen:
Postage Stamp Quilt Along @ p.s. I quilt (I really wanted to join this one, but my plate is already full!)
Sliced Coin Quilt Along @ Don't Call Me Betsy (Another fun one, I'll be bookmarking this to try out later in the year!)
One Yard Wonders Sew Along @ Pink Chalk Fabrics (I have this book, it's got a lot of great projects in it!)
Ticker Tape Quilt Along @ deeroo designs/Old Red Barn Quilt Co. (Great scrap buster!)
Lots of Apron Tutorials @ Sewing in No Man's Land (Check out her freebies, all of her patterns are free and they are adorable!)
Blogger's Pillow Party is a fun little contest going on over at Stitched in Color. I'm hoping to enter something!

And the last one I'll share with you is the Birdie Stitches Hand Embroidery BOM @ Little Miss Shabby. I'm not sure why I didn't see the Little Miss Shabby blog before now, but she's got tons of inspiration over there! This is the only sew along/quilt along that I've committed to for this year. I have my first block pieced and embroidered, and while I was at it I pieced the other 11 blocks.
(Ignore the blue marks, my marker lines haven't dissolved yet.)
The piecing is from the Sunkissed line by Sweetwater (LOVE them!!). Solid is kona in ash. Floss is DMC.

So, that was my first 2011 commitment. What else is keeping me busy?
Quilt up 1 quilt for my Mom
Quilt up a wallhanging that my Mom made Addy for Christmas, and didn't get a chance to finish.
Finish Start this coat. I'm giving up on the hair canvas b/c my wool is very thin. But I need to rework the front panels b/c it's huge in the bust. Did I mention that I already cut the wool AND finished the bound button holes? So yeah, I shoved that one in a closet to start on Christmas gifts.

Use the City Weekends line by Oliver + S to make a baby quilt for one of Matt's coworkers.
I picked up this fat quarter pack from my soon-to-be lqs, Quilting Loft in Seattle, WA. To say that I love this shop is an understatement. I've never seen so many modern fabrics, patterns, books, and samples all in 1 location. The prices were a bit higher than I'm used to, but about equivalent to those at the 1 shop in Chicago. As soon as I saw this fq pack I thought of the woman at Matt's work who is having a boy, so I had to pick it up! I also picked up a charm pack of City Weekend (which I already used), a yard of some fun boy/car fabric, and another charm pack of Fandango. This quilt is first new project on the list after I quilt the two projects above.

The last part of my sewing/quilting new year is to sew more from my stash and be grateful for the amazing things that I have. I go through waves of spending lots and feeling guilty about what I have, so this year I'm really trying to stick to it! And to share what I do have with others, I pulled out a pile of quilts to donate.
I found Margaret's Hope Chest, and they are the first group that I'm going to contact. I still need to dig through my plastic totes in the basement because I know that I have more to share!
I've also joined a group of crafters on Facebook who are going to "Pay it Forward in 2011". I'm sending a handmade gift to the first 5 people who commented on my Facebook status, and in turn they have to do the same!
My non-quilting resolution is to spend more time playing with my daughter and less time interneting during the day. That meant that I had to whittle down my blog reader list. In lieu of following so many blogs, I've started adding contacts in Flickr. It's a great way to keep up on what others are doing! Here's my photostream, if you'd like to add me as a contact. :)

Just one more thing before the giveaway details. ;) For the central IL locals (or visitors!), I have to share my recent visit at the Treadle II in Bloomington, IL. I was in this shop years ago for a shop hop, before there was much modern fabric out there. The owner is a really sweet woman, and the shop is FULL-floor to ceiling bolts of fabric, and racks of craft and sewing notions and supplies. I don't usually stop in there, because honestly I expected it to be full of calicos like I remembered it. But last week after we dropped Matt off at the airport I decided to take another look at the shop, and Oh.My.Goodness. There are no samples (or room for them!), but she has more modern fabric than my 3 local shops combined! She orders charm packs of EVERY line that Moda puts out, and from many of them she also gets jelly rolls, layer cakes, and yardage! I was hoping to find some old FMF or Heather Ross in there somewhere, but she must have a really great client base because most of her fabric is from the last 3 years, I'd guess. So, what did I pick up? Well, I had some charm packs in my hand as I waited in line to pay: Plume, 12 Days of Christmas, Hideaway, Sugar POP, and It's a Hoot. While I was waiting, I picked up a copy of Elizabeth Hartman's new book. I've seen it before, but I thought I'd flip through it once more. This time I started reading some of her tips, and couldn't put the book down. She has a lot of great techniques, and I was surprised by how much I learned from just reading a few paragraphs while waiting in line. So into my pile of goodies it went!
I've already read the entire book, and I have plans for a few of the charm packs. So although I bought more than I should have, I'm feeling pretty good about my purchases.

And now, the giveaway! My 100th post came and went, and then my blog anniversary came and went. I had plans to do a Halloween giveaway, and then I ran out of time. So, here we go!
I joined the Sweetwater Label Crew when they started it up a few months back. The January labels included a pattern to make covers for the little "brag book" photo albums, but those aren't really my thing. So I added the labels to the fronts of a few moleskine journals! I kept one to stick in my purse, and I have the other two to give away!
All I ask is that the winner "pay it forward" and share one of the journals with a friend.
And because everyone likes a little fabric, I'm going to throw in this charm pack:
The charm pack you can keep for yourself. :)

To enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment.
Tell me what projects you have in mind for 2011, any resolutions that you've made, what you'd like to see here in the new year...whatever is on your mind!
One comment per person, and if you don't have your email in your profile, please leave it in your comment so that I can contact you. Don't know if your email is in your profile? Here's how to check.
If you need to leave a new comment, please delete your first comment.
You don't have to be a follower, although I do love my followers!
The giveaway will be open for one week. I'll pick a random winner sometime Saturday night, January 15.
Good luck!

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to everyone who joined me in my first giveaway! I'm going to do monthly giveaways through 2011, so stop by again to see what's going on!

28 comments:

Elvy Crafts said...

I can't resist charm packs either, but my LQS doesn't have all the new Moda yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they'll be here soon (and I won't miss them). Thanks for sharing!

Kristie said...

I am also hooked on many of the quilt-a-longs...I love the Birdy Stitches! Great job on your first block! I was tempted by that one, but I already am likely going to do Elizabeth's and Rachel's, but use up scraps instead of buying more fabric for them. I, too, resolve to use up some stash this year! Crazy what I have accumulated in just 9 months or so of quilting! And thanks for tunring me on to Sewing in No Man's Land, that site looks awesome! My resolutions, aside from using up stash, are to make quilts for all my kids and for my hubby and I before I make any more to give away. It's cold, I need something to snuggle with! :-)

Thanks for the giveaway! I have added you to my Flickr...but hope I make the "cut" on your Google reader ;)

Kelly said...

I adore charm packs! And those journals will go great with my resolution to start a prayer journal - one for me, one for my pastor's wife! I definitely have on my list to complete a picnic quilt for my daughter - blocks are being sewn...and a few little things she has asked for. I have to get it all done early in the year with a new little one coming in May!

kellyjo.haines(at)gmail(dot)com

Michele T said...

This is a fun giveaway - pay it forward is something that feels soooo good to do! My plans this year are to take another stab at the applique lap quilt that I am making for myself and I do want to make a lap quilt for my cousin who turns 50 in June! Thanks for the chance!
micheletimms at gmail dot com

Sarah said...

Congratulations on your 100th post and anniversary! Happy New year. My crafting resolutions are to finish projects I start and clean up after myself more. I like the idea of paying it forward. Thanks for sharing

Lee said...

Great giveaway! I love the "pay it forward" thing. C

Wow, I have sooooo many projects in mind for 2011 - couple of baby quilts, a quilt for my mom, a quilt for my niece, I'm doing Elizabeth's sliced-coin quilt along ... the list goes on. : )

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

I think 2011 is going to be the year of overcommitment for me! I have a ton of goals and zero patience and have tried to start everything at once. I just finished my king size quilt (a goal) and I'm doing Elizabeth and Rachel's quilt-a longs. A big goal of mine is to make it through the swaps and bee's that I've joined. That's new to me and I'm nervous!
Congrats on your milestones!

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

Hi there, I have just poped over from the Freshly Pieced blog! Thanks so much for your giveaway! My goals for 2011???? Well......I started off saying that I was going to finish some of my projects before I started anything new.......which only lasted about a week. I had to buy a fun layer cake , and start working with a jelly roll that I got for Christmas ....so I guess I have a few more things to finish now!

Amber said...

Hello! Found your blog from freshly pieced :)

I'm currently taking part in the postage stamp quilt along. I bought "Dare To Be Square" by Boo Davis and I plan to make at least a couple of the quilts from t this year. Her wiener dog quilt is so awesome!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Anita said...

Hi and happy New Year. I'm mostly finished with a Dr Seuss quilt top for my daughter. I'm waiting for some fabric to arrive at my LQS. I'm hoping to use more of my stash this year either for quilts or other projects. I'm also going to start the little birdie quilt along from Little Miss Shabby and oh I'm participating in the 3 x 6 quilting bees.

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts said...

Oh I can't wait to see what you come up with. . . I'm a new follower. As for things for me this year, I'm tracking. I'm tracking the fabrics I buy. Nothing silly by trying to limit myself (maybe next year).

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

I'm a fairly new follower too! Your creations are amazing! I adore your blog :)
Things for this year for me, to finally get to sewing! To create my first quilt! Some curtains, pillows! and more :)
Thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing more of your inspiring work!
hugs, margie

Unknown said...

Thanks for such an inspirational post. My 2001 resolutions include donating more quilts (I did Quilts for Kids at the end of last year and loved it) and I joined Flickr's Stashpact11 in the hopes of buying less and using more from my stash.

chicken julie at yahoo dot com
Happy New Year!

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Thanks for the chance to win your give away. I am hoping for 2011 to finish my UOF's and really start to push the creative envelope on every new thing I take on.

Quiltjane said...

I hope to create more designs for people to enjoy and increase my stash by at least 25%. Thank you for the great giveaway.

Theresa said...

I love charm packs. I'm having trouble joining too many sewalongs this year, but so far I'm having fun. I just wnat to keep up with the swaps :)

Neoma said...

I just got my first charm pack and I'm eager to start sewing! I just found your tutorial for the baby quilt and that's my next project.
I've some more projecte too but this one seems more fun!
/Mari

Digital Misfit said...

I love your resolutions.
I also have a couple of crafty resolutions this year: 1: learn to crochet 2: learn more quilting techniques
and 3: learn to sew a purse.
I do not have a huge stash of fabrics, but I always try to work with what I have, and plan projects around it.

hugs & happy new year!

Heidi
heidig@gmail.com

Kathleen W. said...

Just visiting your blog via a search for charm pack quilts. I'm attempting my first real quilt this year, for my upcoming second child. I bought the It's a Hoot layer cake and hope to make a simple quilt. We'll see if I finish before July, when the baby is due!

I'd like to keep a record of my quilt making, maybe in one of those cute journals? :)

katydidandkid at gmail dot com

Following your blog now, so I can keep up with your updates.

Megan said...

Great giveaway! :) The "pay it forward" thing is a great idea!

As far as what's on my list for 2011, more stash busting and finish more WiPs. Pretty simple. :)

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Kimberly said...

Oh, I would love a chance to share one of those journals! My girlfriend and I always try to sew together on Tuesdays and have decided that the first Tuesday of each month will be set aside to plan and cook some meals together. That way, once the meals are in the freezer, we'll have more time for sewing! I'm sure she'd love one as much as I would. (IBut if I won and shared with her, would I have to tell her about the charm pack? ;)

Seriously though, I plan on getting caught up on my finishing over the next couple of months, and I'm also starting the birdie BOM as well.

Thanks for the chance at your lovely goodies, and also for getting me thinking about what should be on my agenda for the next little while!

Patty said...

There are going to be 3 weddings in the family this coming year so I'm making them Christmas quilts. I don't know what colors they prefer so I thought...everyone can use a Christmas quilt. Also in the works is a baby quilt for a nephew who will arrive in April and a baby quilt for a nephew who is already here! It's almost finished and I know the baby won't be upset if it's late.LOL I also want to finish some of my UFOs. I hate to even think about how many of those there are lurking in the dark shadows of my fabric closet! Thanks for the great giveaway.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I found you through That Girl. I'm trying to use more of my stash and do less fabric purchasing. Not sure how that is going to work for me yet...

Julie S said...

Congrats on winning over at That Girl...That Quilt...!! I have lots of UFOs to work on this year; I joined the "Little Green Quilters" UFO bust over at Blackberry Creek blog. I have to finish some, but oh, I have so many ideas for new projects! This year I shall learn restraint...

Catherine said...

This is fun! I've got big pans for quilts this year and am hoping to make 2 for wedding presents. I also did the Pay it Forward on Facebook, although I only had 2 people comment! But that gives me more time to think of something special for them.
cmentillo(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jacqueline said...

I am so excited that I found you!! I have NO clue whose blog I was on when they suggested hopping over here - but here I am and I am greatful! <3 Thank you for the stellar giveaway!!

Shirley said...

I just found your blog through That Girl That Quilt and I am so glad I did! I am not good at keeping resolutions, so I don't usually make them. This year mine is similar to yours . . . "try" to stitch more from stash. We are only through week two of the New Year and I have already broken it! I really like what you did with the Sweetwater labels. What an awesome giveaway. Thanks for a chance.

Marcia W. said...

I just happened upon your blog today. If win, I know exactly the friend who will receive the second journal. You are so fortunate to be able to visit a wide variety of "real" quilt shops. Now, want to read more of your blog.