UFO Busting

I've been in a closet cleaning and organizing mode lately. As I was cleaning, I pulled out a couple of trash bags of quilts from the top of my closet. These quilts had been in the top of my closet for probably 15 years and they just needed binding attached. Now, you know how much I hate binding!

Anyway, in one of the bags was a huge Irish chain quilt that needed binding and a finished quilt I had made as a shop sample that I total forgot completely about. In the other bag were two matching (one blue and one pink) rail fence baby quilts and a larger rail fence made with the left over fabrics from the baby quilts. The baby quilts I had started for a friend who had twins but never finished in time so ended up giving something different. Several years later, I finished the baby quilts and made the extra quilt but never finished hand sewing the binding down. 

So, even more years later, those twins are now freshmen in college. I decided to give the baby quilts to their mother as 'grandma quilts' for when she has her first grandbabies. Better late than never, right? And I finished the binding on the extra quilt, pictured above, and will donate it.

One interesting thing about finishing a quilt that has been in the UFO stage for 15 years is that you get to see how you've progressed in your quilting skills. I was appalled at how I made binding back then! So much happier with my binding skills now - even though I still hate to sew binding.

I also hate that I am such a procrastinator with finishing my UFOs but it feels good to get these off the list. And I have more closet space to fill with other UFOs! LOL!!

Anyone else want to admit their UFO procrastination?

Happy quilting!

~Sharla

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2019 Q4 Finish-A-Long Goals

This quarter I'm only posting two goals because of travel, holidays and, well, life! Maybe less is more, as they say, and I'll get both of my goals completed! Here goes.....

1. Rail Fence QOV - I have all the blocks made for this quilt, they just need to be sewn together, bordered, quilted, bound, labeled and washed. Not much left to do - Ha!

2. Our Hearts Will Go On Quilt - this is a very special make for my son and his soon-to-be wife. They threw me a curve a week ago and decided to forgo all the wedding planning and expense and just go to the courthouse and get married. We're going to celebrate their marriage during our Thanksgiving weekend when we're all together. Since I haven't even started this one, it probably won't be completed by Thanksgiving but a girl can always hope. This quilt is a storm at sea pattern that features two intertwined hearts in the center. I'm making it all in neutral colors from light cream to black Moda Grunge fabrics. The fabric placement will be the complicated part, I think.

That's it! Short and sweet! I'll be linking this post up to the Q4 FAL Linkup. Want to join me? Check out the details of the Finish-A-Long here.

Happy Quilting!
~Sharla

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A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along - Month 10 Reveal!

I'm so excited to share my finished ''A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along" quilts with you today! So excited, in fact, that I'm posting a few days earlier than normal, but I just couldn't wait any longer!

Here is the first quilt, without the added embellishments. I tried taking this photo outside and I was losing light quickly but it was so calm outside - which is rare - that I had to try a few shots. Unfortunately, the lighting isn't the greatest. This quilt measures 54" x 54".

And here is the back. I used one length of fabric for the backing (1 2/3 yards), cut down the center, then added leftover strips of scraps to make the backing wide enough. Oh, and see that cute stocking block? That's the label! It's just a sneak peak for a bonus pattern you'll get next month!

Since I lost daylight, I moved inside to take photos of my second quilt. The lighting wasn't much better. This quilt has a few embellishments on it - buttons, bows & a gift tag!

I selected a few vintage buttons from my button jars to add as ornaments on the "Oh 'Lil Christmas Tree" block.

And grosgrain ribbon bows at the top of the "Baubles" block.

Then how cute is this? A gift tag for one of the packages on the "Gifts of Joy" block! This is a bonus pattern this month in the mystery sew along. (Sorry, it's too late to join the mystery sew along as we're almost finished.)

I truly had a wonderful time sharing my designs for this quilt over the past few months and I hope all those who joined in had a wonderful time too! As we wrap up our 'scrappy happy holiday' year, don't forget there are a couple of extra bonuses coming next month - bonus borders to make the quilt larger (72" x 72") and the bonus label block. I'll share my finished flannel version with the bonus borders next month too! 

Have a Scrappy Happy Day!
~Sharla

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2019 Q4 Finish-A-Long Link Up

Hello everyone! It is time for Quarter 4 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 earlier in the year, you can join us now for a brand new start. Those of you who did join us for any of the first three quarters, thank you and I do hope you finished some things and plan to continue on with us for Q4.

So let's start!
You can now link up your list of projects that you want to finish in Quarter 4 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 before the end of the year!

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 Q4 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

$25 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

1 Six Month Subscription

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Fabric Voucher

Make your Q4 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 Q4 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 #2019FALQ4yourname (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 Q4 List

The 2019 Q4 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

Quilter's Emergency Kit Pillow Box Printable

This weekend is our quilt guild's annual Fall Quilt Retreat and, as President, I wanted to have a little fun treat or gift to leave at each quilter's place. And so, the brainstorming began.

I found this cute box of sewing-themed bandages at a quilt shop on a recent shop hop trip and decided to make a quilter's first aid kit. Of course, every first aid kit needs chocolate, so I decided to include some chocolate kisses because, as a kid, a kiss on your 'ouchie' always made it feel better.

I then concentrated on a container for my first aid kit. A box? A sack? I settled on a pillow box and set out to design a pattern. I wanted it to have a 'quilty' look and chose to feature my Lena fabric collection in the fall colorway in a patchwork design on the cover. And lastly, I decided to share it as a printable with all of you! I hope you like it! Click here to download my Quilter's Emergency Kit Pillow Box Printable, print it on card stock and follow the directions on the printable to assemble.

I hope you have fun sharing my Quilter's Emergency Kit with your fellow quilters!

~Sharla

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A Ribbon Runs Through It - Awaken Wonder

What!?! Three finishes this quarter for the Finish-A-Long! I'm always thrilled to get anything finished, so I'm super excited to get three things finished from my Q3 goal list (click here to see). 

This is my challenge quilt for our quilt guild. The challenge is called "A Ribbon Runs Through It" and the rules are (1) that the finished quilt should measure 18" wide and 36" long; and (2) that each member would be provided with a fat quarter of turquoise fabric which must enter on the left side of the quilt at 3" wide and exit on the right side of the quilt at 3" wide. Everything else from fabrics, colors, design, embellishments, etc. was up to the quilter.

My first entry is called "Awaken Wonder" because the quilt pattern is called a "One Block Wonder" technique and the panel I used to create the kaleidoscope blocks is called "Awaken" from Timeless Treasures Fabrics. As you can see, I used one of the butterfly panels for the backing of the quilt. Too bad the quilt is so narrow that the whole butterfly didn't fit.

I have a couple of other ideas for this challenge so I'm hoping to get them made before the end of the year. All of the challenge quilts will be hung side by side, connecting the 'ribbons' to create one long running ribbon, at our guild's 15th anniversary celebration in January.

I'll be linking this post up to the Q3 Finish-A-Long link up here, if you'd like to check out everyone's finishes. 

~Sharla

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Rail Fence QOV Quilt

Is it called Rail Fence or Fence Rail? I've seen and heard it both ways. Either way, this one is finished and one I can check off my Q3 Finish-A-Long list! Although I listed this quilt on my goals list here, it really was the work of many hands. 

Earlier this year, our QOV coordinator gave a presentation to our quilt guild and I challenged the quilt guild members to make red, (off) white and blue rail fence blocks for a quilt to donate to our local QOV organization. Once the blocks were turned in, four or five of us quickly sewed them in rows at one of the guild's Sewcial Hours. I then took it home and finished sewing the blocks into a top and added the border. Another guild member quilted it and added the binding by machine, and finally last night I hand sewed the binding down. Today I'll wash it and attach the label. As I said, it was the work of many hands but on my list of things to make sure they got done.

I'll be linking this up to my previous post - 2019 Q3 Finish-A-Long Link Up. There is still three days to finish up some of your projects on your FAL goals list and link them up. Can't wait to see all the finishes!

~Sharla

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2019 Q3 Finish-A-Long Link Up

We have reached the end of Quarter 3 of the 2019 Finish-A-Long!!  Of course, this means it is now time to link up those finishes from the list you linked up in July. We hope that you have been able to complete a lot of the UFOs from your list and if you haven't, we'll do it all over again for Quarter 4...

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

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA Louisiana
• Sandra - Sew of Course - Ireland
• 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

Each finish you link up will be in the draw for great prizes, so let's give a huge thank you to our fantastic sponsors:

Winner's Choice of 1 Large 12 Spool Collection

$80 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

The 2019 Quarter 3 link for your finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs - you only need to link on one blog for your finish to appear on all host blogs.

Link-up "Rules":

Add one link for each finish.  If you want to link a round up post of all your finishes, use that link to enter one of your finishes and then link the rest of your finishes separately.  Please, only one link per finish, as your link is an entry into the randomly drawn prize draws. 

Please ensure that the photo (Instagram or Flickr) or blog post you link up contains a link or reference back to your original list so that we can verify your entry (make sure it is from the right quarter, too). On Instagram the best way to do that is to tag your photos with #2019FALQ3yourname (where yourname is unique to you), this makes it easier for us to match your finishes with your list, which also should have this tag.

Please become part of the FAL community.  Check out the links of others and leave a comment. We all need encouragement so let's applaud each other.  The 2019 FAL Facebook page is HERE and you can follow us on Instagram @finishalong.

Our hosts will also link up their finishes to share in the community but they are not eligible for any of the prizes.

The Q3 Finishes link will stay open from now thru 11 pm, EST, Wednesday, October 9, 2019 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link. You can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right.  It is best to link up your finishes early and if you have a last minute one, add that one later so you don't miss out.  The prizes will be awarded as soon as we can verify all the entries and do the drawings.  We will post the winners on each host's blog.

Lastly, don't forget to start making your Q4 list as the next LIST link opens on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

2019 Q3 Finishes Link Up:

An InLinkz Link-up