Wrapping up 2022 with 13 Finishes

It has been a good year for finishes. 13 quilts were completed and a total of 168.75 yards of my stash was used up. My best year for sure. 

Last month I mentioned I was almost done with my Christmas Colonial. I only had a few more inches to sew on the binding and attach the label. Here she is completed.

And here is her label. I used 1/2" hexagons and arranged into a diamond shape to fill in the corner of the label. And then I quilted it down with a brick red thread.

And my final finish was Mistletoe Lane made from various leftover scraps from previous Christmas projects. This was such a fun and easy quilt to make. Honestly I was a bit embarrassed to take it to the long-armer to be quilted because some of the fabrics were not great in quality. BUT when I picked it up I was so very pleased with the end result. Isn't it amazing how a quilt can really "come together" once the quilting is done? The texture from the quilting and the fabrics all work together splendidly!

I used Fairfield's Warm and Toasty cotton batting. I had two large pieces that I made into a frankenbatt. For some reason, this batting is hard to find. Sadly, because it feels thicker, is soooo much softer, and it washes well. I really like this batting. I found 2 lonely bags at Joannes and swiped them up for future use.

The quilting design is Christmas Light Strands weaving throughout the top in a cream color thread. These are my only pictures and record of this quilt as it was gifted to dear friends for Christmas. ♥

So there are my 13 finishes!

And here are my empty spools from this year. I counted 20 (both large and small).

It has been a happy, healthy, and productive year. I am hoping for your new year to be that same.

Micah 6:8

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

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Bosco is growing and always getting into mischief. He is such an active dog for a pug but such a joy to watch chase leaves, throw his toys in the air, and get the zoomies in the house. Next week he will be 5 months and no hints that he is slowing down. We are thinking of setting up an agility course for him in the backyard. Surely that will burn off some of his energy. If nothing else, he will be a happy dog!

It's The Talk of the Town

Amy Ellis's Talk of the Town, that is. This was a sew along a year or two ago. I had a bundle of fabrics that I used to make this quilt and was not really that excited about the finished top.

 

Then I took it to the Long-Armer, thinking I'll just get it done and pass it on. I even directed her to pick the quilting design as I was coming up blank. My heart just wasn't into this quilt at all. 

 

But how very pleased I was when it came home quilted. Tina used a leaf design to quilt it. I will have to remember to ask her the name of the design in case I want to use it again. But her choice of quilting really "made" this quilt. I could not wait to get the binding on and lay it over the couch in the front room. It is now my new favorite throw! I wish photos would capture it's colors better.

 

It finished at 62" x  75". I pieced the back so I busted through a total of 8 yards of stash. This makes my #11 finish this year.

And the label is ready for signing

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My "Colonial Christmas" quilt was a block of the month project at one of our local quilt shops from years and years ago. The pattern was a Moda University Postcard Quilt pattern and has the date of 2006 printed on the back to help me remember. Those were the days when you purchased each month's pattern and fabric bundle for $5!

 

Because it has so much red in it, I will likely need an entire box of Color Catcher sheets for when I wash it. It is a sampler/medallion, and that is why I named it "A Colonial Christmas". It will be on our bed this holiday season.

I pieced the back with some yardage I had stored away. I love the red toile type fabric but there was not quite enough so I had to use the red stripe fabric in the center.  More reds for the Color Catchers. 

 

This Colonial Christmas Sampler finished at 79" x 79" and I used up 11.5 yards of fabrics. I have kind of cheated in the reporting of this quilt. If you notice, the binding is still not finished on the lower right hand corner. The label is on so I only need an hour or two this evening to finish. I will post a second picture to make me an honest woman.

This makes my 12th finish for this year with a grand total of 158.5 yards. I made the 150 yard challenge but I am doubtful I will make it to 200 yards by December 31. I pick up another Christmas quilt at the Long Arm Quilter's tomorrow but it will not push me up to the 200 yard mark.

Over all, I am happy with this year's finishes. I have several on my Santa list so a few will be going to live with friends and family.

Time to get busy preparing for Christmas. I need my helper again this year to put the tree up. 

Little Bosco is a real time killer. And my vocabulary has decreased to the words, "No!", "Off!", and "No bite!". Sheesh, he's such a bundle of energy.

And hopefully between all the preps for Christmas, sewing binding on the Christmas Jingles quilt I'll be picking up tomorrow, and dealing with a curious puppy, I can make some headway on this quilt I have been working on.

I have 6 more blocks to complete. Then the setting triangle blocks around the edges. I still have a way to go but am putting a nice dent in the 2" squares box. 

What do I name this quilt? Suggestions? I would love to hear yours. This was a project by Jo's Country Junction.

Happy stitching!