Saturday, December 30, 2017

Ocean Waves in the hoop!

Well, Christmas is over and the cold weather is upon us.  During 2017 I really fell off the wagon when it came to blogging.  I started my blog to keep a record of my quilting journey.  So, today I am featuring the red and white ocean waves quilt that I pieced this year.  I machined pieced it like a hand piecer would piece this pattern. The reason being, I didn't want seams in the white squares.  I found that piecing this way really helped with my accuracy, a constant struggle for me.  Now, I am not saying all my seams are perfect but they are something that I can live with.  When I started quilting trying to achieve perfection often would  take the joy out of my craft, it was suppose to bring me joy!  So, I no longer beat myself up over seams that are not perfect.  I still try to do my best, but a finished quilt made with love is my goal these days. The following are some photos that I did capture in the process of piecing this quilt. It measures approximately 76X76. 







So yesterday, I pulled out this top and got it basted! I am excited about having a quilt in my hoop.  I love finding a few minutes here and there to sit and add a few stitches.  To begin, I am going to outline quilt the white triangles.


 After that, I am really not sure, I am open for suggestions if you have any.  I hope your staying warm and finding time for a few joyous stitches. I know I am looking forward to 2018 and getting my ocean waves quilt quilted!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Christmas Pillow

Last Sunday Tanya shared the tutorial for this Christmas pillow. It will be the perfect gift for a gift exchange we do Christmas Eve with extended family.   What a cute and fun  little project!  Much like hand quilting, embroidery is so calming. I used a simple back stitch and I so enjoyed the sound of the needle and thread going thru the fabric.  A few hand quilting stitches helped to add some texture and before you know it was finished.  I hope you have some time for some slow stitching today!