Simple Cross Wall Hanging - Finish Q1

Well, I accomplished my first goal for the quarter.  I think I should always make quilting goals -- they are so much more fun to accomplish than other goals.  :)

In our stairwell there is a space where I have decided to hang small quilts.  So far I only have summer and fall quilts -- well, now I have a January/Spring/whatever-I-want-to-call-it quilt.  After all the Christmas decor came down, I was craving something clean and simple.

I used all fabric from my stash, which is always a good thing.  And I attempted Spiral quilting for the second time.  It looks great from the front, but all that turning of the quilt caused the backing to get some folds that I didn't notice until it was too late.  Well, not too late, but late enough that I wasn't going to pick them out of a wall hanging!  They are on the back after all.  I have got to do a better job of basting -- my least favorite quilt task!  I usually use basting spray, this one I used fusible batting.  I have been avoiding pin basting, but it would probably work better.  

Finish-Along Goals 1

I've decided to join in on a "Finish-Along."  Basically, the idea is that at the beginning of each quarter (January-March being the 1st) quilters make goals on what they hope to finish during those months.  Then for each finish they write a blog post and link up to the Linky Party.  I decided to try this out so I can focus on finishing projects, rather than starting them!  New projects are such a temptation and I could use a little motivation to finish a few things.  So here's my list of things I want to finish:

1.  Kaleidoscope Quilt -- made this quilt, but it's too small.  Want to add a border and hope that the quilting will distract from all the non-matching points.

2.  Cross Mini Quilt -- just started this and hope to be finished soon!

3.  Pine Sugar Quilt -- it's on my design wall and I'm almost finished with the blocks.

4.  Grandma's Quilt -- need to finish the border, quilt, and bind.

5.  Bluebird Park Quilt -- started this a while back, set it aside having only sewn one column together.

6.  Ombre Pinwheel quilt -- not loving this one and not sure what to do about it.  I'll put it on this list and hope I get some inspiration to finish it!

7.  Quilt Sampler from Vintage Modern Sew Along -- I just want to straight line quilt this one, but it's so big!  Ugh.

8.  Jewel Tone Sawtooth Quilt -- I have the fabric pulled and ready to cut.  Pretty excited about this one.

9.  Solids Charm quilt with Essex Linen -- I have the fabric, want to try out the Essex Linen.  Hope I like working with it because I love the look of it!

The nice thing about this Finish-Along is that you can make lofty goals and then just roll uncompleted ones to the next Quarter.  I'm sure I'll be doing some of that.  I don't usually manage to finish several quilts in one year, let alone three months....we'll see how it goes!  You can check out all the other quilters making goals at the Finish Along Linky Party.

Small Gifts

I made a few small gifts for friends this year.  I wish I would have taken better pictures -- but I only took pics with my phone I guess.  I'll share them anyway.  I'm linking up to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and to Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation.

My favorite of these projects is my "Here We Have Idaho" pillow.  I made it for my best friend -- we grew up in a small town in Idaho and I will forever love that quiet, beautiful, super-cold-right-now, but rarely-too-hot town!  When we were in the 4th grade we had "Idaho History."  Here are a few of the highlights from that fine history Unit:

1. Potato Pillows -- one of the projects we could choose to do was make a potato shaped pillow -- I don't think I made one, but remember seeing other's.  Whatever project I did, I did not keep it.  
2. County song -- My best friend also memorized the county song....I didn't have to, but I do enjoy asking her to sing it for me once in a while.  ;)  
3. State song -- We both learned the State song -- part of which is "And here we have Idaho, Winning her way to fame."  That line always cracked us up so i wrote it on the backside of the pillow (just along the edge of the envelope closure.)  I wanted to stitch it to the front, but I'm not that experienced in hand-stitching and wasn't sure anyone would get it anyway.  :)  

I got the idea for this Idaho pillow from another blog -- but I cannot find the source!  It's been a while.  

Another pillow I made using the same reverse-applique technique was this heart pillow I made for a friend who was having a birthday.  The fabric is a mini charm pack from the Moda Wishes line.  I used corduroy for off-white the background.  

Lastly, I made my first attempt at zipper pouches.  I used a couple of online tutorials.  My first attempt was on the blue owl pouch -- I didn't have interfacing so I used some batting instead.  Not sure this was a great idea because I struggled with those bulky box corners.  My second and third attempt were more successful -- the octagon bag is made with fusible fleece, and the tan corduroy/owl one is made with medium weight interfacing.  These were gift-able.  Phew.  I gave the pink one to our babysitter.  I really debated one what a teenager would like.....I don't have teenagers and wasn't sure which one to give her.  Hope she liked it!