The Post in which I Discuss 2014 and Welcome 2015

I went through my photos to catalogue my makes from 2014 and I have to say my 2014 finishes were impressive. Both in quantity and quality. I am PROUD of this mosaic. My goal was two make more than 10 quilts, judging from this mosaic I made 13. That is 13 (!)  quilts. It is actually 16 quilts, because there is one I am waiting to share until after Quilt Con and two I just do not have good photos of (oops!). Some of the quilts in this mosaic have not been blogged about yet. Sorry!

Another goal was to donate two quilts to charity. I totally nailed that goal, two of these quilts were made for kids in need. I am trying to do my part to cover the world in quilts. Most importantly, I love both of these charity quilts. I always want to love my charity quilts, because I think everyone deserves to have something of beauty. Don't you?

I think I did stretch myself a little more as a quilter in 2104. I made things I love and tried new techniques. It made me feel like a rock star when I mastered a new technique or saw my creative ideas turn into something real.



I have serious regrets about 2014. I am just going to put it out here my friends, because I know that you will understand. I participated in a swap that made me feel used and a little unloved (don't I sound dramatic?). It is hard knowing that you have given a piece of yourself and your time to others and they did not care to fulfill their end of the commitment. The majority of my swap mates were not those people (and were amazing talented friends!), but it is hard sometimes to not let those few drag you down. Anyway, I am entering 2015 commitment free!

Exactly one year ago today I wrote this post. I just read it again and I think it was pretty great. The girl who wrote that post had her stuff together. I bet she would know what to write in this new years blog post. I bet she would not have writers block. She seems optimistic and fearless and full of goals. That girl does not seem to be with us today.

I still love lists, but this year the only sewing goal I can think of hardly warrants a list, but here it is.

1. Sew Joy.

That is it. Two words

Sure, I love finishing old works in progress. Yes, I want to expand and refine my skills in 2015. I am sure I would love to blog more and put myself out there more frequently. BUT, all of that is secondary to the real purpose of this all. All of this sewing, quilting, blogging, and creating is about joy. It is about fulfillment and happiness. It is about the part of me that wants needs to create and make. That needs to see the tactile made out of the theoretical.

Maybe at some point I will feel inspired to write a detailed list of tangible goals. For today, I am going to enter 2015 quietly and with one peaceful goal.

2015. You are going to be my year of joyful living. Please and thank you.

Happy new year friends! May it be full of health, happiness, and prosperity.

May it be full of joy.

Winter Blues. Notes from the road.

Hey there! How are you doing?

Are you warm, cold.... so sick of winter you want to scream, wrap yourself in a quilt and hibernate? I am in Atlanta right now, sitting on my hotel room bed. Tomorrow is a new exciting day of work.

I am feeling pretty dang good right now. I just got back from Florida. I have a tan/sunburn, I slept about 10 hours every night in Florida. We also had an ice storm in North Carolina this morning.

Lest you hate me, I will tell you I left for my first of three work trips starting today and I will likely be home for no more than two nights in a row for the next month. Those trips are not vacations and they typically involve driving long distances, eating gross fast food, and time away from my sewing machine (and husband and cat)...

No sense in worrying about things you can't change!

I am feeling a titch overwhelmed with sewing projects, so I thought I would write out a list. It is aspirational, somewhat deadlined, some sort of pie in the sky projects. In no particular order.

1.) Finish the binding on my cousin's quilt. This was a group project with some of my Aunts and cousins, and it is going to another cousin. My job was quilting and binding. Now I need to finish it, I have had this way too long! This needs to get done, like next week.

2.) Finish secret bag project. This super tote is all cut out and ready to piece, which is good because it needs to be gifted next weekend. It should wrap up quickly though.

3.) Handmade Birthday Club March Gifts. I have two to make for this month. No biggie, these will be fun and quick finishes.

4.) Quilt Boy Quilt. This is a charity quilt for my dear friend Val. The top is all pieced and pressed. It just needs to be quilted and bound. It will be super fast once I get it basted. I need to get it done because there is an orphan out there who will be stoked to receive this!

5.) Derek Quilt. The dearest husband in the whole wide world is getting his very own quilt as soon as I can get time to piece it. It is all cut and waiting. I am pretty excited about this (Derek's quilt is actually to the left, ignore the cranes and text).

6.) Parent's Anniversary Quilt. Parent's wedding anniversary is in June. I want to make them a queen sized bed quilt. They have been warned it will be late.

7.) Hop Skip Jump BOM. I am two blocks behind on this BOM, but that is no biggie. This will take but a tiny bit of time to catch up on.

8.) Club Medallion. I am a million borders behind (slight exaggeration). Working on this would be a dream.

9.) Sparkly love Tangelo. I so want to work on this. Realistically, this is not a priority, but because I want to I will move it up on my list.

10.) Backbone quilt. I want to make one, so I suspect I will.

That is super long. I think I will stop there, although I can already think of things to add. I will be focusing on the first couple of items this weekend and then begin to tackle the rest. I think I will be traveling with my machine a bit this spring, which is a prime piecing opportunity. It is also possible that I will travel with a cutting mat and get some piecing set up.

I love you all! Thanks for being there. Thanks for being awesome.

Entertaining the Bacon

When bacon sews she does not like to sew in silence. She also likes to include random photos in blog posts. Apparently she blogs in third person occasionally.

I like to listen to podcasts and music. Sometimes I watch movies and TV shows. This thing is, when you are sewing, measuring, or reading directions you really can't be watching something serious. Nothing important, nothing intense. You can't be hanging on every word or looking at a screen. We can not talk about the time I sewed through my finger while watching West Wing.

I thought I would list some of my preferred sewing listening/watching. I have a new finish to show you soon, I just didn't feel like editing photos tonight (real life).

Just to note, I have terrible taste. I really like mindless entertainment, so don't judge me. I promise I know I have terrible taste and I chose to watch these shows because they make me happy.

I subscribe to Netflix and Amazon Prime. I listen to a lot of Spotify and watch Hulu. I also subscribe to podcasts on iTunes. The one thing I do not have is broadcast television or cable…. I am reliably not up on what is happening in that world. I am also approximately one season behind on all shows. These are all in no particular order.

What do you watch/listen to while sewing? I love to discover new things! Please share, please.

Things I watch:
1.) 19 Kids and Counting (Netflix) - I am fascinated by the Duggars. I literally love this family and this show and I could not tell you why.
2.) My Cat from Hell (Netflix) - I love cats. I want Jackson Galaxy to come meet my cat.
3.) Scandal (Netflix) - Oh Olivia… I wish I dressed like you, and acted like you, and, just watch this.
4.) Sister Wives (Netflix) - Like a train wreck?
5.) Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares, British version is best (Netflix) - I have terrible taste.
6.) Extreme Couponing (Netflix) - This show makes me want to clip coupons and eat more processed foods.
7.) Murder She Wrote (Netflix) - Just assume Jessica Fletcher is always the murderer. It makes it more fun. Also, if Cabot Cove were a real place it would have the highest murder rate, like ever.
8.) What Not to Wear (Netflix) - I find this show empowering and uplifting.
9.) Project Runway (Hulu) - It is about sewing. Do I need to say anything else?
10.) America's Next Top Model (Hulu and Amazon Prime) - I am not sure why this show fascinates me. I like watching skinny people obsess about how hard it is to take a good picture?
11.) The Batchelor/ette  (Hulu) - Well, I should not have to explain this.
12.) How I Met Your Mother (Netflix) - I just want to know how! How did he meet their mother?

Podcasts:
1.) Stuff Mom Never Told You - It is sort of a feminist history/how stuff works show. I come away feeling smart and slightly empowered. Don't listen if you hate feminism.
2.) Amy's Creative Side - This is about quilting. It makes me feel happy.
3.) NPR: Pop Culture Happy Hour - This is a show about pop culture. It is irreverent and funny. It makes me feel like I know what is going on in the world of pop culture even though I have not set foot in a movie theater since 2012.
4.) Joy the Baker Podcast - It is not about baking. I feel like I am listening to my girlfriends chat.
5.) The Because Show - If you consider yourself conservative or slightly prudish, you might not enjoy this show. It is like listening to the girls you wish you were cool enough to be friends with chat. There is an episode where the ladies interview a former harem girl that I would like to particularly recommend.
6.) Radiolab from WNYC - Science!
7.) Welcome to Nightvale - Creepy, fictional NPR in a dark place.

Music (I am just going to list band or artist names, no descriptions, I like moody music with a beat):
1.) Jagwar Maw
2.) Camera Obscura
3.) Rosanne Cash
4.) Carolina Chocolate Drops
5.) Neko Case
6.) Best Coast
7.) Alabama Shakes
8.) The Secret Sisters
9.) Yo-Yo Ma

New List for the Girl with the Procrastination Problem

Hello Wednesday. Hello friends.

I am not sure you have noticed, but time has sped up. Now, I know everyone says that... but this time it is true. I know this.

Seriously. I have not even been traveling for work (Yay!), but somehow time is zooming. It is all I can do to grip on and hope I don't get dizzy.

Some non-quilty things (in no particular order):

• My bestie returned home from Germany! 
• We made soft-shelled crab.
• I spilled a glass of wine on about two yards of Kona Snow (well, I guess that is quilty)
• I laughed harder than I thought was possible with my friends in the group we are now calling SSU (mountain sewing weekend before last).
• My cat vomited 4 times. 
• My peer reviews came in from my journal article [spoiler alert: they recommended it for publication]

My list makes me sane. 

The list is, however, prone to fluctuations. Things move on, things get finished, things stop getting care and attention. 

This is where it stands as of July 31st, 2013.

1. Label, photograph and mail Confetti Stars quilt. This quilt is boss. it is pretty much done. I am actually laying on it right now. I know my cousin is going to love it. FYI, this is a pattern I have been testing for Elizabeth Dackson. I am going to photo bomb you with the quilt soon. For now, know you too can make this quilt when the pattern is released soon. 

2. Fix binding, label, and photograph scrappy baby quilt. This is heading to another cousin. It is also pretty ridiculous.

3. Finish rainbow houses baby quilt. This one needs a bit of work. Enough with the babies. 

4. Make backing and quilt my star quilt. This is a wedding present and it could be done soon, but I am not feeling it and it is HUGE, so we will see.

5. Make myself a super tote. 'Cause I want one. 

6. August bee block. Just a churn dash, easy enough. 

7. August Hop, Skip, Jump block and Lucky Star block. Can you believe I am all caught up with my blocks of the month? Exciting, right!

8. Finish my Mother-in-Law's Saint Louis 16 patch. This is fun. I predict a fast conclusion, but then again, I could get distracted. What's that a shiny object?

9. Coworker quit. A friend/coworker asked me to make her a quilt and I could not resist. I got particularly excited when she went onto Design Seed (at my request) and chose some color schemes right at the edge of my comfort zone. I think she is going to get a crazy star quilt with some awesome colors. More on this later.

10. Guild Challenge. More on this later too, it exhausts me to even think about what I am going to do with this. We randomly chose one color fabric from a bag and we have to stay in that color family. I picked brown! Can you imagine someone who is less of a brown person? I have an idea, but I am not sure if I want to waste it on BROWN. Le sigh. 

11. Center of another medallion. I just love traveling quilts. I think the theme for this medallion is going to be summer and winter. Is that crazy sounding?

That's all folks. This list may seem insane, but it is not a firm deadline thing. It fluctuates with the moods and the seasons. I am certainly not trying to do this all in a month (hey, maybe not even a year).

Love you. I love your hair. 

Sarah out.

Posting this to WIP Wednesday.

And I Will Use All of the Colors [now in technicolor]

The inspiration for this quilt came to me suddenly. I was trying to think of a block to assign for my month of the Simply Solids Bee (Gamboge group, woot!) and this just HAD to happen. Prepare yourself for some serious photos.

I wanted to use all of the colors. I wanted to not care about complementary or contrasting, to just let it go. It is unbelievably freeing to just improv the color selection.

I wrote a tutorial on how to make this block, which I call the wonky diamond. The finished blocks all came back beautiful, like little rainbow envelopes from my bee mates.

Then I made a quilt top (posted about here). There is not a whole lot else to say, except I love it. Incidentally, my husband informed me from the start that this is his least favorite quilt I have ever made.   He is not being mean, but the colors are just not his speed (honestly, not everyone has to like everything right?).

The back is pieced from more bright strips, an extra block, and one little Umbrella print heart. 'Cause I heart this quilt.

Happy Rainbow friends (I have to add a photo of myself, quilters have to get in front of the camera sometime).

These photos were taken in an alleyway near my house. This little gopher (?) is known as Saxapahaw Sam and he is a favorite of some unknown (to me at least) graffiti artist. The photos were taken by me or my loving husband.

This wall happens to have a bar on the other side. Therefore, we adjourned to the bar for some refreshments following the shoot. Boom.

I have a lot of projects wrapping up right now, so I am hoping to show off some more finished quilts soon. Stay tuned!

Quilt Stats:
Size: 50" x 60"
Fabrics: Assorted Kona Solids (I did not actually use all of the colors, just some of them) on a Kona Snow background. I think the solid diamond and binding are Steel. Back is from Ikea. There is one tiny little umbrella print on the back too.
Pieced: with help from the Gamboge group of the Simply Solids bee
Quilting: Infinity symbol quilted by me on my home machine with my trusty Aurifil thread.
Finished: July 6, 2013

PS - Be sure to come back for my Christmas in July post on Wednesday!

A New List.

Guess what friends? I am back in another hotel room.

Shocking.

This time I am in Charlotte, North Carolina and it is a quick trip. I think I am going to be at home all week next week. A whole week (maybe longer?).

Do you think my husband will get sick of me?

I am updating my list, it has totally been awhile. Maybe I will get some sewing done while I am in town?

June/July List: 

1. Bee Blocks. I have finished my bee blocks for June.

For Make it Modern, I had a churn dash and a patchwork wheel. They were super fun to make. This wraps up the Make it Modern Bee.

For Simply Solids Gamboge group, we made stepping stones blocks. Hope this is not TOO bright. I just love color.

Still have July's bee block.

2. Meredith and Eric's wedding quilt. The blocks are sashed and now I just need to put it all together, make a backing (buy some fabric?), and quilt it. No biggie. They only got married a couple of months ago.

I love the way it looks so far!

3. Whitewashed Quilt. Remember this? I barely do... I have not even touched this! Ha!

4. Wonky Rainbow Quilt. This one needs to be quilted and bound. I can do it! This quilt is for me and I can't wait to snuggle under it.

5. Drunkard's Medallion Along. I am working on Christen's top right now and I think I get Paige's next. I love getting into the spirit of each medallion and playing with new techniques. I can't show pictures here because we decided these were going to be a secret, so I will just tell you that we will all need shades for Christen's quilt!

6. Baby Quilts. In my crazy world I decided I have three baby quilts to make this summer. No big deal right? I need to pick some easier patterns I think.

7. Block of the Month Blocks. I have June's Lucky Star to make and then June and July's Lucky Star and Hop, Skip, and Jump block. I am loving these block of the month's I can not wait to make them into gorgeous quilts.

8. MIL Quilt (better name to come). I decided to make my Mother-in-law a quilt. Here is my fabric pull so far, it feels so soothing. I think I am going to do some simple patchwork.

There will be other projects. I just can't say no to starting something fun and I love it! No complaining here!

I know I need to make some pillows with animals on them for our couch. Derek is getting a new laptop, so he is naturally going to need a case, he is currently trying to decide what animal he wants on his case (right now raptor is winning, who knows how to paper piece a raptor? oh dear...)

I am linking up to WiP Wednesday. Happy Day Friends! You are all beautiful! Sorry for the epic post.