Monthly Archives: December 2018

2019 Planning

Being the list maker I am, it is a strong part of my nature to plan. Of course plans don’t always go the way I hope but still, I try! Last year I set a list of a few goals I wanted to achieve with my business and I think it is helpful to take a look at those to see what was achieved before creating a plan for 2019. Here goes! I set five goals for 2018.

Continue to grow both of my shops.
Work on my free motion and long arm quilting skills.
I have three quilts in process right now and I want to finish them.
I want to set a goal to send birthday cards to my family and friends.
Most importantly, I need to work on acceptance of the limitations I experience due to my health.

Looking at these I think I did well for the most part. First one was so rewarding! I worked very hard to expand both my fabric and my pattern shops. I am very happy to see the growth that has happened this year. I achieved 33% growth in sales for the fabric shop. Also, the average order value increased from $21 to $27. Looking at the increase in average order value is pleasing – it doesn’t look like a huge increase but considering the number of $10-$12 orders I ship, it really is. There have been many more large orders which is great for the health of my shop. The pattern shop did well too. However I only have 6 months of numbers from 2017 to compare to 2018 so I didn’t get exact numbers. But I feel like I have a solid base of customers for that shop and the orders are quite steady.

The second goal was not achieved. Not even close!! I did almost no free motion quilting and didn’t get to the long arm shop more than a couple of times. So, that one still needs work!!

Goal number 3 – I finished two of the three quilts I had on the list. Both my Twisted and my Scrappy HST quilt are done. However, I didn’t touch the Ring Me project. I do love this pattern and hope to finish it this year.

Number 4 seemed so easy. But it fell off the radar by summer time. I have such a huge family and really hoped to stay in touch more by doing this. I will try again. I sent off a card just yesterday. Sending and receiving ‘real’ mail is becoming less and less common so I want to try this one again!

Number 5 – by far the most important goal of all. I think I knocked this one out of the park. I really tried to stay in the moment and not sink into that dark misery that chronic illness often causes. My neurologist and I worked diligently together and adjusted meds a few times. The migraines are still constant (2-3 each week) but they are far less intense and I am able to deal with them better. I am also much better about working within the limitations my health sets for me. I missed a quilt show that I was supposed to vend at (huge expense there but I just couldn’t do it). Also missed my sister’s 60th birthday party and was incredibly sad about that. However, this is life. And so many people out there have it much worse than I. Keeping things in perspective has been really helpful. So, yes – I rocked this one!

OK – Now to look forward!

Continue to grow my shops. I have a some fun things in store for you, my loyal customers and friends. I have some great giveaways coming your way, quilt kits that will be created and offered to you, and the occasional blogger bundle planned. I will give details to you soon but it will be such a fun year!!
Stay involved with charitable projects. These make me feel satisfied and provide the perspective I need to always appreciate the blessings I receive. Last year I loved working on my Spread the Love campaign with Amy at A Doll Like Me. Now I am working with Mercy Hospital on the #MercyfulQuilts project. Both of these are near and dear to my heart. Again, you will continue to hear about these wonderful organizations in 2019.
Finish UFO’s. I have four at the moment (hmm…. I had three at the end of last year and here I am again!). I need to quilt and bind my Postage Plus quilt top (remember the hop for the Modern Plus Quilts book? I have not yet finished my project!!). Also, I need to finish the Fireburst Mystery quilt. The top is done and basted, so just quilting and binding remain. Then I need to finish the Ring Me quilt. Finally I have a quilt top I had made for #MercyfulQuilts which I need to finish up. Also, since clearly this isn’t enough… I am adding two projects to the quilting list this year. I plan to make a whole cloth quilt for my bed and also want to make a Quilt of Valor for the #MercyfulQuilts project. I have never made a QOV so I am looking forward to that one!
Practice garment sewing. I made a number of things to wear this year. Some were successes and others, not so much!! But I have a couple of patterns lined up and will keep on sewing. I love making clothes so this is a fun one to plan!
Same as last year…. strive to accept my limitations caused by chronic illness. One big adjustment for this year is I will not be vending at quilt shows (with the exception of possibly our local quilt guild’s show in May.) I cannot reliably plan to feel well on any given day. In 2017 I had to forfeit my booth at one show and the same happened in 2018. Between the two shows there was a loss of $300. This is too much for a small shop like mine. The work involved in these shows is quite a lot. I have had to look hard at this and accept that it isn’t the right thing for me. Kind of disappointing because I enjoy the shows and talking with all the wonderful quilters but such is life. Making the decision has actually been a relief which tells me it is the right thing to do.

OK – that is it for this year. How about you? Do you have something you hope to work on or work toward? Tell me in the comments! Let’s encourage each other along the way. Happy New Year friends!

Linking to Quilting Jetgirl’s 2019 Planning Party! Be sure to visit this link up. It is quite inspiring to see what everyone is working on.

Christmas Patchwork Quilt

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My newest daughter-in-law has a December birthday, just a few days before Christmas actually. This year I decided to make her a quilt. Some time back, I had given Ian a lap quilt for their couch but thought it would be fun to make a Christmasy quilt for Shar to use in winter months.

The cute white square is from the Pixie Noel line.

The plan was built around the need for a quick quilt and this cute package of Pixie Noel charms I won in a giveaway several years ago over at Silly Mama Quilts. It was not the complete set so I think I had about 20 or so charms.

I hunted through my holiday scraps and cut about 200 charms so I would have plenty to play with. (I have soooo many holiday scraps!). I wanted to make it a bit less traditional in color so I used a lot of blue and white.

Being a simple patchwork, the top came together quickly. Then it sat for a while because I had a flurry of holiday orders to sew for my shop.

I decided to back it with a soft flannel to make it really cozy. I think this is the first time I backed a quilt with flannel but I like how soft it is. Julia really liked it too and requested the next quilt I make for her be flannel backed too. The wintry blue color worked well with the front.

It has been a long while since I free motion quilted anything and jeez, I was so rusty. This simple stipple was so awkward. Definitely showed me the need to practice more – my hands were not at all cooperative!! Now that it is washed and crinkled, it looks better but still…. I intentionally used a very large stipple so it would stay very soft.

Given the choice, I will often opt for a bias stripe binding. I love this one!! It looks just like a candy peppermint stick.

At this point in the year, I suspect this will be my last quilt finish. There is a slim chance I will get my Fireburst quilt top finished but not for sure. We shall see! I am working on a few things for my grand daughter that I hope to bring her when we go to Vermont the last week of December. So it just depends on how much time there is…… December’s days require more than the 24 hours we are given. There is always so much to do!!

Linking up at Brag About Your Beauties and a few other spots. Check them out at the top of the page under Link Ups.

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2018 Blogger Bundles-Reader’s Choice & Giveaway

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I have been so excited for this last Blogger Bundle event of 2018! Throughout the year it has been such fun to share specially curated bundles of fabric with you. This has allowed me to work closely with eleven different bloggers as they created a collection and then made something special with it. Many of you have bought them and enjoyed these unique bundles too. As the year progressed, I knew I wanted to do something special to wrap it all up at the end of the year. That is exactly what is going to happen today! Warning, this post is a bit on the long side. Sit back, have some tea and enjoy!

Each blogger’s collection was available for a limited time only so they are no longer listed in the shop. Now it is your turn to take another look good look at each of them. I would love for each of you to review the bundles that were curated and sold each month. Then I want to ask you to vote using the form at the end of this post and tell me which bundle is your favorite. This is only for fun. Although, really, just think of the amazing bragging rights it will provide the winning blogger with!! She will have this new feather in her cap – winning the incredibly prestigious honor of having been voted curator of the favorite Needle & Foot 2018 Blogger Bundle! Yikes, it will be life changing for her. Haha – not really. But it will be fun to see which bundle, of all of these gorgeous collections, is the most well received.

Wait – there is more!!! Each month as these bundles were promoted, I held one back, resulting in this lovely array of amazing fabric!

As a special way to wrap up the year, I will be giving away the full collection of eleven fat quarter bundles to one very lucky reader. There will be a random drawing from all who vote and one person will win the entire set of blogger bundles! What a great way to add some fantastic bundles to your stash. Think of all you could create in 2019 with these!

To vote, you will need to take a look at each bundle. (Please vote only one time!) International readers, I am happy to have you vote but you won’t be eligible for the giveaway. The package will be too heavy, and thus costly, for me to mail out of the country.

So here we go – 2018 Blogger Bundles on parade! You have seen these photos before but it may help you to see them all in one place to jog your memory.

January was the first bundle and it was designed by Sarah Goer of Sarah Goer Quilts. Did you know Sarah is now available to teach at your guild? Check out her info here if you are interested!

The second bundle (February) was created by Kitty of NightQuilter.com. Be sure to check out Kitty’s Craftsy site to see her selection of paper pieced patterns!

In March I worked with Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl for the monthly collection. You might enjoy taking a peek at the collection of modern patterns designed by Yvonne. They are stunning and many use her color transparency methods with excellent results.

Cheryl curated the April bundle. She blogs at Meadow Mist Designs. You may have heard Cheryl co-authored her first book, Modern Pus Sign Quilts, this year. It is a great book and you can take a look at it here.

The whimsical bundle for May was chosen by Jayne of Twiggy & Opal. Jayne is the queen of truly incredible improv and a constant inspiration to me. Check out her shop here. You will be happy you did!

Summer came along with this lovely bundle fo June, curated by Paige of Quilted Blooms. Paige is the other author of Modern Plus Sign Quilts book. It is available here (no affiliate link).

Working on the July Blogger Bundle was a delight and it gave me the opportunity to get to know Kim Soper of Leland Ave Studios. She is an amazing artist and her curated bundle did not disappoint! Kim just finished the In Our Own Words quilt which is truly spectacular. Please take a look1

Carole, of From My Carolina Home, did an outstanding job with the bundle for September! She was just a pleasure to work with as well. Have you seen her series of Scrap Dance patterns? I just love each one of them!

September came along and there was a pretty bundle curated by Mari of Academic Quilter. Mari has been such a contributor to our quilting community with her wonderful block of the month events each year. Her tutorials are so well written and all are available other blog!

October brought a unique bundle created by Kim of Persimon Dreams. You probably know of Kim from her popular Project Quilting event that happens annually. Will you be participating this year? I love the event and happily sponsor a prize or two for it.

Last, but certainly not least, is the November bundle. This stunner was created by Sandra of MMM! Quilts. Most of you know Sandra and what a bundle of energy she is. It shows in this great collection. Sandra has been designing patterns for a bit (On the Plus Side is my favorite) and has them available here.

I hope this jogged your memory of the bundles we enjoyed this year. Now it is your turn. Please use the form below to cast just ONE vote for your favorite bundle!! Voting is open all week, through the end of the day on Saturday, December 15th. One vote per person please! I can’t wait to see the results!! Good luck everyone.

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Dress A Girl Around the World – Finish

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I have a quick, cute, feel-good finish to share today. I know I am a bit late to the party but I (finally) made a little dress to donate to the Dress a Girl Around the World program. I have read lots of posts over the years about others making these sweet dresses. I am happy to finally have joined in and made one too!

Dress a Girl Around the World is a campaign under the non-profit called Hope 4 Women International. They hope to bring dignity to girls and women throughout the world. It is such a simple thing – wanting a girl to have a dress to wear. They are sent to many different third world countries. While this organization has many goals they are trying to fulfill with the program, it is their basic mission to make girls and women of all ages feel worthy that moves me the most. In so many of these countries, females are undervalued or even not valued at all. While one dress isn’t going to correct the problem, it will bring a smile to the sweet face of a girl who has never had her own dress. Also, many of the people working in these countries and delivering the dresses have said that dressing a girl in a clean dress with the Dress a Girl label attached on the outside, shows this child is being cared for. Sometimes this is enough to ward of predators (criminals involved in human trafficking.) If these little dresses can have this sort of impact even a couple of times over, that is enough reason for me to make one.

Finished seams are a requirement for making these dresses.

There are lots of guidelines for making these dresses. While they originally began by making the dressed with pillow cases, this is no longer the method. Quality cotton fabric is longer lasting and this is what they ask be used in the dresses. If you are interested, you can read about this requirement and others here. The biggest thing is coordinating with an ambassador in your area. There are many available and their contact info can be found here.

This label is sewn to the outside of each dress.

As for me, our local Soroptomist club held a drive to have dresses made by locals who enjoy sewing. I was referred to them and happily made a dress. It was a very simple project and took maybe a couple of hours at most. The little dress looks to be about a size three so for a little one. I hope she loves the fun pink and purple colors and the little heart on the pocket. As you likely already know, I love these sorts of projects – they just have satisfaction and purpose written all over them.

Linking up for the last time with Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts. Sniff, sniff. I will surely miss reading Amanda Jean’s blog posts and wish her well in her next adventure. Other links ups are found at the top of the page under Link Ups.

Did you happen to read about the series of Quilting Cozy mystery novels in yesterday’s post? If not, go and take a peek. You can enter to win the books in a giveaway too!

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Quilting Cozy Series, Book Review & Giveaway

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It has been quite a while since I have done a book review. When I saw an email from C&T Pubs in my in-box a couple of months ago, I was delighted. I really enjoy working with them as they publish so many high quality books. This set of books is a bit different though.

When I read that these books, the Quilting Cozy series, were described by the author, Carol Dean Jones, as a Cozy series of books, I didn’t know what that referred to. Of course Wikipedia answered all my questions. Per Wikipedia, ‘Cozy mysteries, also referred to as “cozies”, are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.’ This is new to me. (I don’t generally read mysteries). C&T Pubs provided me with a copy of a book in the series. Titled Tie Died, it is the first book in the series. About a woman who has recently moved into a senior living village, she takes up quilting (among other hobbies) to meet other people. The story is sweet and short and of course there is both a love interest and a murder mystery to be solved. I will say the twist at the end took me by surprise.

Each book includes the full pattern for the quilt shown on the cover.

There is a reader’s guide available too. Ms. Jones put together a collection of discussion points and questions that go with the books. Some of the questions do contain spoilers so you may want to read the book before looking through the reader’s guide.

I found it interesting to learn that the author, Carol Dean Jones, wrote her first book at the age of 73. She was a geriatric social worker prior to retiring. This gives her a realistic perspective on the issues with aging and all that comes with this stage of life. This insight adds a very genuine touch to her books. Carol is also an experienced quilter which adds greatly to the stories. Having the stories built around the lives of several women in this retirement village, Carol brings up thought-provoking questions about friendship, crime, responsibility, aging, and marriage. The books would be fun to read and chat about at your next small group quilt club meeting. You can read more about this author on her website.

These books were actually self published at first. C&T Pubs is releasing the second edition now. They are available as both hard copy and e-books. The first six books in the series (Tie Died, Running Stitches, Sea Bound, Patchwork Connections, Stitched Together, and Moon Over the Mountain) are already out; the next four books (The Rescue Quilt, Missing Memories, Tattered & Torn, and Left Holding the Bag) are coming out in December and January.

The release of the Quilting Cozy series is being celebrated this week with a blog hop. There is a very generous giveaway on each blog in the hop. C&T Pubs has given each of us one full e-book set to give to a lucky reader.

Check out these posts for more on this set of books as well as more chances to win.

Monday 12/3: C&T Publishing

Tuesday 12/4: Bonnie K. Hunter at Quiltville

Wednesday 12/5: Barbara Chojnacki at Six Gables Designs

Thursday 12/6: You are here!! Bernie Kringel at Needle & Foot

Friday 12/7: Carol Dean Jones

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.

~~To enter the giveaway for the series of Quilting cozy e-books, leave me a comment.~~ Tell me if you are a reader and what genres do you enjoy? Do you like mysteries? Did you know what a cozy was?? Have you read any of the books in this series? I love to read and would love to chat with you about what you enjoy! Good luck everyone! Giveaway is open until Sunday. I will announce the winner Monday.

November Wrap Up

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I have been thinking of all of you and keep thinking I should sit down and write a post. However, this week was spent entirely on making custom orders I received over the Thanksgiving weekend. This time of year always means lots of orders for Chemex and French Press cozies. I don’t mind making them but it certainly takes away from any time to quilt or make other fun items. Over the holiday weekend I had eight orders for these sorts of items and I finished up the last two yesterday. That means this weekend I get to work on other projects!

The other project I am currently working on is a Christmas gift and I don’t want to post it just in case the recipient should see the post (though the person is not a regular reader of my always-exciting blog posts!) Anyway, since I don’t have sewing to share, let’s just chat!

A big group but certainly not everyone.

How was Thanksgiving (for my US readers anyway)? Ours was pretty nice. Each year we alternate between what our family calls “Big Thanksgiving” and “Little Thanksgiving”. On the big years, my sisters and their children and grandchildren all come up here to have Thanksgiving at my parent’s house. The alternating years are quiet and each family celebrates at their own house with a smaller group. This year there were 38 people at mom and dad’s house. For us, that is a relatively ‘small’ crowd for Big Thanksgiving. The picture above was taken Friday morning with the people who came for breakfast. My parents are in the front row. Isn’t this a great picture – four generations amongst the people in the picture! I wasn’t there but it looks like it was a fun morning.

Me and my favorite guy.

As luck would have it, I was dealing with lots of migraine activity that weekend so I didn’t participate nearly as much as I would have liked. Ray and I made a second turkey at our house because my mother was nervous one turkey wouldn’t be enough. So we had a quiet afternoon and then met everyone up at Mom’s house for dinner, bringing the second turkey, stuffing and gravy. It was sort of an eat and run thing for us. When all those kids are there, it gets loud and I wasn’t really up for a lot of noise. Food was great and Mom needn’t have worried because there was enough for everyone and tons of leftovers!

Playing Sequence with Ian, Shar and Julia. Do you play that game??

My son and his new wife were at our house for the whole weekend which was so nice.

This guy can bake!

There were lazy mornings, lots of coffee and cinnamon rolls courtesy of my husband! They were so good and it was no time before they were all gone. I love this recipe from Lovely Little Kitchen because you make the rolls, refrigerate overnight and take them out for an hour in the morning before baking. Easy and so yummy.

His happy place.

My husband spent much of the weekend in his shop. He was on a tear, making rolling pins. Last year he made them for our kids and his mom for Christmas gifts. This year he made them because I asked him to! I had a lot of really nice comments on them last year when I posted about them. I thought it would be fun if he made a few pretty ones and we made them available for purchase as holiday gifts! So, he made four and they are stunning.

He collects wood like I stash fabric.

Ray has enough wood to make nine billion rolling pins but who am I to say anything? I could probably make as many quilts with what I have in my sewing room. So let’s just not go there, ok?

Rectangles of oak and walnut laminated and ready for the lathe.

Sort of like strip piecing, Ray glues strips of wood together in various widths and clamps it tight. Once it is dry, he puts it on the lathe and starts carving it. Chips fly and it is noisy but when all that is going on, my husband is one happy guy.

The very beginning, it is just starting to round.

It takes quite a bit of time to shape it, sand it and finish it. But the results are lovely. Take a look.

So smooth and glossy.

They look similar to each other but the subtle differences are there. Each one is solid, no bearings in the handles (meaning the handles don’t turn or swivel).

One of my favorites because of the light and dark contrast.

This one has some maple in it which gives great contrast with the walnut. Each one has a ‘work space’ of about ten inches.

Love the ovals of color on the handles.

Pretty stripes!

So pretty! What do you think?

This morning I am posting these on Instagram for sale. If you are interested, hop over there and grab one. There are just the four. I think they make a lovely and unique homemade gift. Pricing is $75 plus shipping. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments.

Hopefully next week I will have a sewing project or two to share. Well, actually I am to entirely sure – it depends on if I am working on secret gift sewing or other projects. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. We plan to get our tree and hope to get the lights up outside. This is such a fun time of year.