Two Santa Redwork Finishes!

It has taken far longer than expected, but I finally finished the two redwork Santa embroideries that were started more than a year and a half ago. The first was finished off in a 5" hoop.

It had been many years since I had done any kind of embroidery, and it was fun to revisit this form of needlework. For the back of the piece, I applied a circle of stiff fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the red poinsettia fabric, then turned the edges and stitched it down.

The second embroidered piece is a small wallhanging that finished at 14.5" square. 

There is echo quilting around Santa and all his goodies. The border has holly leaves stitched end to end along with little clusters of berries. You can see a closer view of the border quilting below.

The embroidery was done on a piece of linen purchased at JoAnn Fabrics, and my stitching was done with #8 perle cotton. The silly Santa fabric shown below is on the back. 

The embroidery designs were from the book Just Be Claus by Robin Kingsley. I'm trying to decide which design to make next.

Linking up with:

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 3/22/2022

Good morning and welcome to another To-Do Tuesday! It's time to review how I did on my previous list, then come up with a new set of goals for the week ahead. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

My last Tuesday To-Do List was from two weeks ago. Despite having a short list, I still didn't manage to complete all of my tasks (but I did work on several other projects!) 

To-Do List for 3/8/22 - 3/14/22

1. Charm Baskets--begin making yellow/gold blocks   ✔done

I ended up with 26 cute little basket blocks this month.

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least two yellow/gold blocks   ✔done

Four yellow and gold appliqued hearts have been stitched.

3. Rail Fence--cut yellow/gold pieces            not done

Are you wondering what I was doing instead of finishing off my list? Well, I spent four days in Wisconsin visiting family, and had a wonderful time. While there, I finished the stitching on a redwork Santa piece that I started last spring. The embroidered area measures about 7" square.

I also made an entry for the last Project Quilting Challenge of 2022 (read more about that HERE) and I added the final border to my Feathered Star quilt for the Stay at Home Round Robin (posted HERE.) I've spent some time over the past couple of days trying out some samples for a new quilt pattern/kit that I bought recently.

My most important goal for the next week involves taking photos and submitting my entries for a local quilt show by Friday. Before that can happen, I need to finish basting the binding to the back of one quilt that I'm planning to enter. My other plans for the week are more flexible.

 

To-Do List for 3/22/22 - 3/28/22

1. Boston Fiesta--finish basting binding

2. Quilt show--take photos, submit entries by Friday

3. Hearts Applique--stitch at least two yellow/gold blocks 

4. Rail Fence--make yellow/gold blocks

5. Stella Nova kit--more samples

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA 

To-Do Tuesday 11/16/2021

Welcome to Tuesday and a new weekly to-do list. Today we will review how I did with last week's list. then come up with a new set of goals for the week ahead. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

I got through my entire list for last week and also started one new project which will be a Christmas gift. I am making two pillows from old neckties using a Dresden Plate pattern. You can read more about this in yesterday's post. Here are the pieces for one pillow.

To-Do List for 11/9 - 11/15

1. Sew Colorful Stars--finish joining all parts together.   ✔done

This quilt top is finished and waiting to be photographed.

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block per week   ✔done

I finished a couple more green hearts and also figured out how I am going to set them in a quilt. Read more in my blog post HERE.

3. Bowties 365--make one bowtie block per day     ✔done

I made 12 yellow/gold bowtie blocks, plus one orange block.

4. Redwork embroidery--prep for finishing      ✔done

I pressed up my embroidery and found a mini hoop to use as a frame.

My main goals for the next week will be to finish off the Christmas gifts, then I will continue making progress on the other on-going projects.

To-Do List for 11/16 - 11/22

1. Dresden Ties pillows--finish both pillows

2. Redwork embroidery--finish

3. Bowties 365--make one bowtie block per day

4. Hearts Applique--make at least one block per week

5. Sew Colorful Stars--take photos, write blog post

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

Tuesday To-Do List 11/9/2021

Welcome to Tuesday and another Tuesday To-Do list. Today we will review how I did with last week's list. then come up with a new set of goals for the week ahead. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

I completed three of my four goals from last week's list, and substituted a different set of blocks for the bowties as my leader/ender project.

To-Do List for 11/2 - 11/8

1. RWB Rectangles--write blog post      ✔done

This quilt is now called "Stepping Stones QOV". You can see it HERE.

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block per week     ✔done

I finished four green hearts this week.

3. Bowties 365--make one bowtie block per day       not done

Instead of bowties, I made 9-patch blocks that were already cut out and sitting by my machine.

4. Sew Colorful Stars--make pieced sashing units, start joining blocks    ✔done

I am making good progress with the assembly of this quilt.

The next week will find me attempting to finish the Sew Colorful Stars quilt top, plus continuing work on a couple of on-going projects and maybe finishing a Christmas piece.

To-Do List for 11/9 - 11/15

1. Sew Colorful Stars--finish joining all parts together. This is my One Monthly Goal for November.  

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block per week   

3. Bowties 365--make one bowtie block per day

4. Redwork embroidery--prep for finishing 

I stitched this little piece back in May, and it has been waiting for finishing ever since. I hope I have an extra embroidery hoop that can be used to frame it.

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

To-Do Tuesday 7/20/2021

Another Tuesday morning means another Tuesday To-Do List. It's time to look back at my list from last week, see how I did on accomplishing those goals, then post a new list for the week ahead. I'm linking up with the  To-Do Tuesday Weekly Link-up hosted by Chris at Chris Knits. 

I surprised myself by actually getting through the whole list from last week. I hope I can do the same again next week.

To-Do List for 7/13 - 7/19

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done 

I made 12 more bowtie blocks in medium and dark blues last week.

2. Redwork embroidery--make progress    ✔done 

I finished all the stitching on the sack of toys and gifts. All that's left is finishing up Santa!

3. 30's Kaleidoscopes--make blue blocks   ✔done

I finished these blocks and shared them in Saturday's post.

4. Sew Colorful Stars--make dark blue and black/grey blocks   ✔done

Also done and shared on Saturday.

5. Positivity QAL--make more blocks for version #1   ✔done

I made six more blocks for my Positivity quilt #1. They are the bottom row in this photo.

We have a lot going on around here over the next week, so I am going to keep my list a little shorter.

To-Do List for 7/20 - 7/26

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--prep and stitch blocks

    This is a new project that was started a few days ago.

3. Positivity QAL--start joining blocks together

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

To-Do Tuesday 6/29/2021

Happy To-Do Tuesday once again! It's time to look back at my to-do list from last week, see how I did on accomplishing my goals, then post a new list for the week ahead. I'm linking up with the  To-Do Tuesday Weekly Link-up hosted by Chris at Chris Knits. 

Much of my quilting time last week was spent catching up on my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (goals #1,4 & 5), but I also found time to keep my other projects moving forward.

To-Do List for 6/22 - 6/28

1. Bowties 365--make one bowtie block per day   ✔done 

I switched over from the 5" pastel bowties that I shared in last week's post to 4" bowties made with darker purples. 8 blocks done so far. 

2. Redwork embroidery--make progress     ✔done

Progress is slow, but I have moved forward from the last photo I shared three weeks ago.

3. Sewcialites QAL--start framing more blocks   ✔done

I have the framing done on three rows of blocks, and there are four rows left to do.

4. Sew Colorful Stars--make 1 purple block     ✔done

5. 30's Kaleidoscope--finish purple blocks      ✔done

6. Positivity QAL--make more blocks      ✔done

A total of thirty blocks are done for my tan and blue version of the Positivity quilt.

Over the next week, I hope to continue to move forward on a few projects, plus start making blocks with a new Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for July. Since we will be celebrating July 4th over the weekend, it also seems like a good time to finish the borders on my red, white & blue Moda Blockheads quilt

To-Do List for 6/29 - 7/5

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Redwork embroidery--make progress

3. Sewcialites QAL--continue framing blocks

4. Positivity QAL--make last set of blocks for tan/blue version 

5. Homespun--make 2 blocks in new RSC color 

6. Moda Blockheads--add borders

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

To-Do Tuesday 6/8/2021

Happy To-Do Tuesday once again! It's time to look back at my to-do list from last week, see how I did on accomplishing my goals, then post a new list for the week ahead. I'm linking up with the  To-Do Tuesday Weekly Link-up hosted by Chris at Chris Knits. 

I wasn't feeling so good about last week's to-do list, mostly because I was having trouble with item #6, but it turned to be better than I thought. I checked off all the items from my list except one. I hope the next week goes just as well.

To-Do List for 6/1 - 6/7

1. Bowties 365--make at least 1 bowtie block every day   ✔done

14 Bowtie blocks done

2. Sewcialites QAL--make blocks #33 and #34.  not done

3. Redwork embroidery--make progress   ✔done

There hasn't been much change, but a little bit got done.

4. Sewcialites QAL--start framing blocks   ✔done

5. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make one set of blocks   ✔done

Two Homespun blocks made. I love these blocks!!

6. Positivity QAL--choose fabrics   ✔done

Fabrics chosen and eight blocks made.

The focus for the next week will be on making blocks for multiple projects. I would especially like to get caught up again on the Sewcialites blocks.

To-Do List for 6/8 - 6/14

1. Bowties 365--make at least 1 bowtie block every day   

2. Sewcialites QAL--make blocks #33, #34 & #35. 

3. Redwork embroidery--make progress

4. Sewcialites QAL--cut framing fabric

5. Scrap Magnet--make two purple blocks

6. Positivity QAL--make eight blocks

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday 5/24/2021

Both of my design walls are completely empty at the moment, but it doesn't mean I'm not quilting. I've been making individual blocks for a variety of projects, sharing them as I go, then stashing them away with the rest of the set of blocks.

Besides my regular piecing projects, I have continued stitching on the redwork Santa embroidery that has become my current hand-stitching project. It has been many years since I did any embroidery, but I am enjoying this project very much. Check out the adorable teddy bear!

The Santa design is from the book Just Be Claus by Robin Kingsley. My version is reversed from the one in the book because I used a Sulky transfer pen to get the markings on the fabric. The fabric is 100% linen that I got at JoAnn's, and I'm stitching with #8 perle cotton.

 

Linking up with:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stitching and Stashing--Week 20, 2021

I have been enjoying such a wonderful week! I flew to Wisconsin on Tuesday, visiting family that I haven't seen since November of 2019. It is such a joy to spend time with my mother, my sister and brother-in-law, their two daughters and their families. Best of all, I got to meet the two newest members of the family. This is Mariella and Rolan, who were both born last summer. (That is Mariella's big sister Clara in the background.)

As usual, a visit with my sister Karen meant an opportunity to visit some quilt shops. We went to three shops in two days, but I didn't go crazy buying fabric. I mostly stuck to light neutrals, with a total of 3.25 yards to add to the stash. I used 1.125 yards for the 30's Kaleidoscope blocks that I shared in yesterday's post.

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                            1.125 yards

Used year to date:                       97.875 yards

Added last week:                             3.25 yards

Added year to date:                         44.0 yards

Net used year to date               53.875 yards

Since I was going to be away from home for a week, I knew I needed a hand stitching project to bring along. I didn't have any hand applique or English paper piecing in the works, so I decided to start something new. I have been working on this little redwork embroidery project all week. Santa measures about 3.5" top to bottom. I finished him last night and have already started a new, larger piece.

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. For the first time all year, I did not get stitching time every day. There was one night of just watching TV and no energy to pull out the embroidery. My perfect record is over!

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

5/9 - 5/15                  6 of 7 days

2021 Total           134 of 135 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA