Finish-A-Long Q1 Winners Announced

The time has come to officially wrap up Quarter 1 of the Finish-A-Long by announcing the winners and awarding some wonderful prizes from our fantastic sponsors.  We had a whopping 553 finishes for the first quarter of 2019, which is really impressive you guys, keep it up!

Without further ado, here are the winners picked by Random Number Generator for Q1 of the 2019 Finish-A-Long:

The winner's choice of One Large 12 Spool Collection from Aurifil goes to Ann who blogs at Brown Paws Quilting and she finished this gorgeous Summer Sampler quilt that she custom quilted:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The $80 Gift Certificate from Sew Sweetness goes to Michelle who blogs at From Bolt to Beauty and she finished 11 Jane Market Bags for her children's teachers (here is just one of them):

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The $50 Gift Certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Sandra who blogs at Musings of a Menopausal Melon - mmm! Quilts and she finished this lovely cushion/pillow cover:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The $50 Gift Certificate from Fat Quarter Shop goes to Melinda on IG @mamasan_gerber and she finished this large hexagon pouf:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The $25 Gift Certificate from Sew Me A Song goes to Melinda who blogs at Quiltn in Wilton and she finished this bright and cheerful child sized quilt:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 3 PDF Patterns from Happy Quilting goes to Liz who blogs at Yorkshire Quilter and she finished this beautiful scrappy charity string quilt:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 2 PDF Patterns from Charm About You goes to Gretchen who blogs at 120 Blocks and she finished this fantastic Jelly Roll Rug:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 2 PDF Patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts go to Janice on IG @tangibleculture and she finished this lovely cross stitch ornament:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 6 Month Subscription to Make Modern Magazine goes to Anja who blogs at Anja Quilts and she finished this really fun quilt:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 2 PDF Patterns from Bonjour Quilts goes to Jennie who blogs at Jennie's Threads and she finished this gorgeous sampler quilt:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The $30 Fabric Voucher from Hillstitches goes to Pippa on IG @pippaspatch and she finished this wonderful duel sided table runner:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There you have it folks, quarter one of the year is officially wrapped up!  Congratulations to all of our winners and a big thanks to everyone that played along so far this year.

~Sharla

Leave A Comment

Quilter's "Would You Rather" Game

Last week our quilt guild had their annual spring quilt retreat so I was looking for ideas to add some fun to our sewing weekend. I ran across the game "Would You Rather" and thought it would be easy to adapt to quilting. 

"Would You Rather" is a simple game of choice, selecting either one option or the other. There is no right or wrong answer, just whichever you prefer and is a great way to get to know people in a group better. 

I used the game for the roll call of our meeting, drawing a question and asking it of each member present, but it could be played in other ways - just google for ideas. Our members enjoyed the game so I thought I'd share it with all of you.....

Click Here To Print The Quilter's "Would You Rather" Game

I'm always looking for ideas for activities at our quilt guild meetings and would love to hear what you have done at your meetings so please share! I would also love to hear if you play my quilter's version and how it went!

~Sharla

Leave A Comment

~Sharla

Leave A Comment

Oh My Stars QOV Quilt

I finished putting the binding on my second Quilts of Valor quilt this past weekend at our quilt guild retreat. I saw this free pattern from Pat Sloan called Oh My Stars and thought it would be perfect for a QOV. The pattern uses charm squares but I enlarged the pattern using 8.5" squares instead. The quilt will probably be one that is given at the next QOV presentation the first weekend of May. 

Quilt Stats:

• Fabric for Top: I forgot to record the fabrics before I cut them up so here's what I know: Several (3 red, 1 beige, and 1 red stripe) Northcott Fabrics Metallic Stonehenge prints, a print by Liz Goodrick-Dillon for Quilting Treasures, Timeless Treasures Harvest CM-2085, Blank Quilting Small Stars 6383-Royal. 
• Backing Fabric: Blue diamond print by Liz Goodrick-Dillon for Quilting Treasures.
• Binding Fabric: Red & metallic gold stripe Stonehenge fabric from Northcott Fabrics.
• Quilt Pattern: Oh My Stars! free pattern by Pat Sloan
• Thread, Piecing: Aurifil 2310
• Quilt Size: 68" x 80"
• Quilting Pattern: Stars and Stripes by Anne Bright Designs
• Thread, Quilting: Signature 100% Cotton thread in Mother Goose
• Batting: Hobbs 80/20
• Longarm: Gammill Statler Stitcher

~Sharla

Leave A Comment

2019 Finish-A-Long Q2 Goals

It's time to link up your goals for the second quarter of the Finish-A-Long! I didn't complete one thing on my list last quarter so now I have two 'must finish' projects this quarter. I also threw in a few other projects in case I finish up my 'must finish' projects. If you don't know what the Finish-A-Long is, check out my page here.

1. Our Hearts Will Go On Quilt: This stack of Moda Grunge fabrics will hopefully be transformed into this Storm At Sea quilt.....

It will be a wedding gift for my son and his fiancé. Their house is all in neutrals so hoping this color palette will fit in nicely.

2. Quilts Of Valor Quilt: I said this was a must finish project last quarter, but now it really is! I need to get this one finished because it is for a very special Korean War vet - my uncle.

3. Just the Atoms Quilt: I started this one with the scrap fabrics from my Molecules of Moda quilt as a keepsake of that quilt which was sold to Moda's Mark Dunn. It would be nice to get this one done.

4. Modern Marks Quilt: I haven't touched this since arriving home from our winter travels last year. This is a simple design and shouldn't take too long to make if I just put my mind to it. Maybe if I use it as a leaders & enders project I could get this done.

5. Frivols Kindred Quilt: I haven't worked on this one for more than a year, but I have more than half of the blocks completed so after I get my 'must finish' projects done I could knock this one out.

There it is - Five Goals. But I'd be happy if I just get my two 'must finish' quilts completed. I always add a few extra because there's no harm in setting goals and working towards them and that's the whole point of the Finish-A-Long. What doesn't get done this quarter can always be moved to the next quarter - no penalties! And what does get done can be eligible for some great prizes (well, for you if you join in but not for me since I'm one of the hosts). There's only a few more days to get your Q2 goals posted so don't dally! Deadline is Thursday, April 18, 2019. I'll be linking this post up with the FAL Q2 Link Up here. 

~Sharla

Leave A Comment

A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along - Block 4

Yay!! It's time for the reveal of another block in 'A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along"! Of course, no Christmas quilt would be complete without a Christmas Tree so here is my version. I originally designed my 'Oh Lil' Christmas Tree' block for a Moda Bake Shop Christmas sew along a couple of years ago, but I love it so much I had to include it here.

Of course, I'm still working on three different versions of the quilt, so here is my block in flannel.

And here it is with a scrappy white background.

Mark the alternate blocks at 5.75" and 6.75".

This is a pretty straight forward block to sew. There are a few flip and sew corners to create the star and some sewing of rectangles together to create strips then it's simple starting at the top and sewing the strips together. My tip to keep the trunk lined up down the middle of the block is to mark the adjacent strips where the trunk should be, then line up the trunk seams with the marks and pin to keep them in place to sew.

Happy Sewing!

~Sharla

NOTE: The pattern is not included in the post. The pattern is provided by email to those participants registered for 'A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along'. Registration for this sew along has closed. 

Leave A Comment

2019 Finish-A-Long Quarter 2 Goals Link Up

Hello everyone! It is time for Quarter 2 of the Finish-A-Long (FAL)!

As you can see, a new quarter of the Finish-A-Long is starting today.  If you missed participating at the beginning of the year, you can join us now for a brand new start. Those of you who did join us for the first quarter, thank you and I do hope you finished some things and plan to continue on with us for Q2.

So let's get to it!
You can now link up your list of projects that you want to finish in Quarter 2 of 2019. We are hoping that the FAL community will inspire you to work on your unfinished projects this quarter, and to get them finished!

Our 2019 Finish-A-Long Hosts

The 2019 FAL is hosted by a great community of bloggers. This year our hosts are:

• Sandra - Sew of Course - Ireland
• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA Louisiana
• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada
• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA Georgia
• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA California
• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA Maryland
• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada
• Sarah G - Sarah Goer Quilts - USA California
• Sarah Z - Cedar Fork Stitches - USA Montana
• Julie - That’s Sew Julie - USA Iowa
• Sharla - Thistle Thicket Studio - USA Kansas
• Nicole - Handwrought Quilts - Canada

For those of you who are new to the FAL, here is an explanation: The Finish-A-Long is a community aiming to motivate and encourage each other to complete those unfinished projects that are hanging around, sometimes for far too long. At the start of the quarter you post and link up a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months. Then, at the end of the quarter, you link up each successful finish from your original list.

Each linked up finish is an entry into the draw for wonderful prizes from our sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing a listed project, so feel free to make your list as long or as short as you wish. The 2019 Schedule and Rules for the FAL are on my permanent 2019 FAL page, let me know if you have any questions.

Our 2019 Finish-A-Long Sponsors

Here are the fantastic and generous sponsors for Q2 of the Finish-A-Long. you can see each of their prizes listed under their logo. Please think about visiting them and saying thank you for their their support of the FAL.

Winner's Choice of 1 Large 12 Spool Collection

$80 Gift Certificate

$50 Gift Certificate

$50 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

1 Six Month Subscription

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Fabric Voucher

Make your Q2 List of Unfinished Projects

So now it is time to sort out the projects/UFOs/WIPs that you want to finish over the next three months. Take a photo of each one and make your list. If you like you can use our Finish-A-Long Planner to list your projects and keep track of progress. It also has all link-up dates for the year, and the hashtags that we would use. Or use any method that works for you. Please ensure that you have at least STARTED your projects - pulled fabric with a pattern is considered a project started - and remember it is only a FINISHED project that will get you an entry toward the above listed prizes. So while we love to see your bee blocks, the "finish" is when they are a completed, usable project.

Post Your Q2 List

Post your list either on your blog, on Instagram, or on Flickr if you prefer. If posting on social media (Flickr, Instagram), it will be very helpful if you tag your list with #2019FALQ2yourname (where yourname is unique to you). Using the same hashtag over the quarter when sharing project progress or finishes helps the host to make the connection to your original list quickly and easily.
IMPORTANT: Don't forget to link up your finishes at the end of the quarter! We will be posting a reminder on the blog and on Instagram, but do keep an eye out...

Link-up Your Q2 List

The 2019 Q2 link for your list of proposed finishes is now open below, on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs. You need only link your list once, on ONE host blog, and the link will show up on all the host blogs. If you are using Flickr or Instagram, post a mosaic of your projects and put your list in the description. Don't forget to include your unique hashtag.
If you need a little help, Katy of The Littlest Thistle has a great tutorial on how to link up if you need it, and Marci has a post on how to link up from Instagram.

Join the FAL Community

We also ask that you become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others - visit and comment on their lists. We all need encouragement to get those finishes done, so please share some of your own too.

If you want you can follow us on Facebook: Finish-A-Long and/or on Instagram: @finishalong, too. We'll post encouragement during the quarter and reminders when the finishes link up opens at the end of the quarter.

When creating your list there is one thing to remember - No deductions for not completing something so - Aim High! Nothing to lose!! Well now, get that list together and get linked up.

LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Feel free to use and share the FAL button at the top and this one too:

Remember: you only need to link up at ONE hosting blog and it will automatically show up on all hosting blogs.

An InLinkz Link-up

~Sharla

Leave A Comment