Friday, December 27, 2013

End of year finish

End of year finish

Well it is a few days until the end of the year and what a year it has been.  This year has been one of the best yet.  I think one of the biggest changes in this past year has been discovering I am good at quilting, well mostly free motion quilting.  I am still working on everything else but I love the quilting part.  

Before I go into my finish for my last link up of the year I wanted to talk about the goals that I've been working on for the next year.  I am hoping for big things this coming year so I had to be super specific in how I would accomplish them.  I feel that this year I can actually accomplish them. In general they are what most peoples goals are, lose weight, eat better, pray more, and to not worry. 

 Losing weight is my biggest one for this year.  I am joining Weight Watchers (again) next week.  Hopefully this will help the food aspect.  In my last couple of posts I spoke about Cross fit.  I love Cross fit but my husband injured his shoulder so we are taking a leave and going back to our former gym.  I am also going to start running in the morning before H wakes up.  Next year I am going to be adding more posts about new recipes, workouts and my progress on my weight loss and my quilting.  I am hoping to lose enough weight to my satisfaction so that I can have another baby.  I know, I know why lose weight to put it back on but oh well.

Finishes....finally. Well I have been busy this last part of the year.  When I last left you I was working on a centerpiece for my aunt and boy what a beauty.  I got the pattern from the winter issue of Love of quilting.  Pretty easy pattern and I love the different shape! 
Everything is ironed on. 

Close up of designs
Finished product.
Appliqued shapes.
Back side.  Love those hearts!
Such a fun project and she loved it! The current quilt that I am working on is one of my own creation.  I wanted to make a quilt or rather a wall hanging for a dear friend that is currently in and out of the hospital.  I wanted something for her to remember that she is loved and needed by her son and family. 


Piecing is complete.  Loving the choices of colors. 

Appliquéd pieces on the quilt and quilt is ready to be basted. 
Trying out different stitching designs around the applique.
For the filler I am sing Star flower flow.  Such a fun design!

Next week this quilt should be finished and in the arms of my friend.  Hope every one has a fun and safe new year! So excited for next year! 

See you next year,
Holly

Friday, December 6, 2013

Busy!

Busy!

Has a month really gone by since I last blogged?!? What happened to the time? I find myself saying that a lot lately, especially since my daughter is turning two tomorrow.  How time flies! 
November was a busy month, obviously.  In my last post I was getting ready to run a 5k.  My goal was to be faster than my time last year.  This time I ran it in 36.  I felt pretty good and hopefully next year I can run it even faster! 

I also joined a cross fit gym and boy what a workout.  I am sore everyday but I can see changes in my body and my strength.  I am very thankful and blessed that we have family nearby because they are always willing to watch my daughter.  

So onto quilting.  In this month I have been working on a couple of things.  The first is the quilt/wall hanging for my husbands grandmother.  I have made her a couple of country themed wall hangings and it wasn't really her style.  I hope now I nailed it.  


Close up of light area.
Echoed lines complete the look for this spiral. 
I love quilting concentric circles! 
All three designs.
One of the main things that I learned with this quilt was that outlining an area doesn't always necessarily work.  I had a lot less puckers in this quilt since I didn't outline.  

Finished product!

I enjoyed quilting this quilt.  It took about three weeks and was finished the afternoon of her birthday! Talk about cutting it close.

One of my projects that I was supposed to finish in November was the place mats for Thanksgiving.  I wasn't able to finish these and hopefully will have them made for next year.  Nothing like a WIP for the rest of the year.

This week I am working on a fun table center mat for my aunt. 
 
This will be finished hopefully tonight after I run to Joann's for some more thread.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Until next time, 
Holly