Still finishing things

Back in January, I declared 2013 as the Year of Completion.  Well, I've been chugging along on my quilting UFO's (unfinished objects) and have made great progress.  I've been pretty good about not starting new quilt projects, too.  There have been a few garments and a couple of baby quilts for gifts, but I have really held back in starting new epic projects.  (Beware, I have two big ones in mind that I will probably start in January 2014--maybe even when the clock strikes 12:01am....)

So, all of this is to say that I've been a very good girl.  And, earlier this month, when I was so sick of staring at the same sewing projects that I had to wander off, I picked up some old knitting WIP's (works in progress).

I finished mittens that I started 21 months ago.

I finished a charity baby knit that I started 11 months ago.

And then I tried to finish a sweater that I started over five years ago.

Well, my knitting gauge is much smaller than it was five years ago, and I'm (ahem) not smaller than I was five years ago.  So, the size I had cast on for was incorrect at this time and then I knit one front of a cardigan that was 2 inches narrower than the other side.

So, I had to rip out all of this delicious texture. (sad face)

I have another plan for the yarn and I'm already 11 rows into it.  I'm cheating on my old quilting projects, but the fall winds demand that I knit, so I'm listening.

My other work from retreat

These photos aren't great since I'm in process on both of these today.  But I did promise to show you what else I worked on over my retreat weekend. 

I hope to have some finished tops to show very very soon.

Starting and finishing

This quilt started as a first attempt at a quilt tutorial.  It was my very first jelly roll I ever bought and my first precut quilt.   It also was planned to be a throw quilt for my mom.  (This picture is from February of last year at our old house in Wisconsin.)

Now we live in Maryland.  I made a much better tutorial for the Four Corners Quilt and it looked even better after it was quilted.  (Both posts have more photos in our old backyard.)  And, after discussing it with my mom, we both decided that this quilt was meant to go live with my aunt instead. 

I did simple diagonal lines quilting and marked the lines with my Hera marker (I love that tool). 

I used a thrifted sheet for the backing so it has a nice smooth hand.

And, I have another UFO from last year done!  Four finished projects since the beginning of the year is a pretty good start (but I did start with a goal of 19 old projects from the last two years...)

Been Busy

I've been working on my 2013 pledge to finish some old projects.  This first quilt qualifies since I started it last May. 

It is a quilt as you go project trying various free motion and walking foot techniques from Amanda's workshop.  Practicing quilting on smaller areas was very helpful in learning techniques and testing ideas. 

The back is linen and adds a nice cozy weight to it. 

I'm so used to making complicated Farmer's Wife blocks or intricate hexie projects that it was tough to motivate myself to put together these simple squares, but I'm so glad it is done. 

This is not an old project but it is a very satisfying finish.  I love mixing vintage sheets and modern fabrics.  I especially like how the pastels and vintage florals really shine against the grass green.

I (ever so) briefly considered having another baby just so I could use this quilt.  Instead I'll just have to be patient until one of my friends has a baby. 

The back is another favorite vintage sheet.  It will be super soft against baby's skin.  The quilting is all walking foot zigzag parallel lines.  They look a little crooked after washing the quilt, but I still love the crinkly goodness of a freshly washed quilt.

Here are both quilts on the hill in my backyard for their photography session.

I'm off to enjoy some sunshine with my little guy.  I hope you are well and happy.

Trying my best to finish some UFO's

I've been working for hours every single day this week to finish some old UnFinshed Objects. 

I finally have some ideas for how to finish the edges on my 1" hexies quilt.

I'm excited to pass this on to one special girl with the biggest smile in the universe.

And my mom saw this on her last visit and now the batiks will have a home instead of gathering dust in the back of my craft closet. 

I'm so excited to finish all three of these that I'm flitting from one to the other very happily.  My house is a disaster with piles of supplies for three projects spread out everywhere, but I'm a happy, happy crafter.