In November of 2016, I stumbled upon Soma of Whims and Fancies, who had the brilliant idea of hosting an online trunk show so bloggers can virtually display their quilts and other sewn items. I love the idea so I put together a trunk show of my 2016 finishes and 2017 finishes. And eventually I will go back and post trunk shows for 2013, 2014, and 2015. In the meantime, here's what I've been created in 2018.
EDITED:: It's officially 2019 so I am reposting this as my first post of the year.
Quilt #96 | Project Linus Mystery Quilt
I kicked off the year with a goal of finishing all the social quilting projects I started in 2017. I love the idea behind this mystery quilt. If you aren't aware, Project Linus is an organization that gives blankets and quilts to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. The Project Linus mystery quilt is an annual fundraiser for the organization that helps in a couple of ways. The $15 entry fee raises money, and the resulting quilts are then donated to local chapters of Project Linus to be distributed to kids. The theme this year was Exploring the World with Ethan.
Quilt #116 | Carolina Jewel BoxI kicked off the year with a goal of finishing all the social quilting projects I started in 2017. I love the idea behind this mystery quilt. If you aren't aware, Project Linus is an organization that gives blankets and quilts to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. The Project Linus mystery quilt is an annual fundraiser for the organization that helps in a couple of ways. The $15 entry fee raises money, and the resulting quilts are then donated to local chapters of Project Linus to be distributed to kids. The theme this year was Exploring the World with Ethan.
Quilt #97 | Harry Potter Weighted Wheelchair
When one of D's friends found herself in a wheelchair for a few months, I took the opportunity to try out a few items on my "someday" list. I combined patterns for both wheelchair quilts and weighted blankets to keep C warm this Ohio winter.
Quilt #98 | Wayward Transparency
Not long after I gave the Harry Potter Weighted Wheelchair quilt to C, we learned that her family would be moving to Houston. I couldn't let one of our favorite families leave without a quilt, so I sent them off with my newly completed Wayward Transparency quilt.
Quilt #99 | Good Night Irene
After nearly 100 quilts, I have a fair amount of scraps just begging to be made into scrappy quilts. I think that may be my goal for 2018! In the meantime, I made this Good Night Irene quilt as part of a collection of quilts my quilt group made for a local class of kindergartners.
Quilt #100, #101, #102, #103, #104, and #105 | Gramma Ann Memory
For the last year or so, I knew that reaching 100 quilts would be a milestone. What I didn't realize until more recently that 100 would be a very special project. Quilt #100 (as well as quilts 101-105) are all quilts made in memory of my Gramma Ann, who passed away in 2014. I started the one quilt as part of Pat Sloan's sew along, "Grandma's Kitchen." As I shared the blocks and learned new stories from my mom and four aunts, I knew that I had to make quilts for each of them, too. Each quilt tells a story about Gramma, using fabric from her clothes and prints featuring her favorite things.
Quilt #106 | Good Morning Eileen
So, my 99th quilt, Good Night Irene was made from scraps of all the quilts I've made before. Good Morning Eileen is made from scraps from Good Night Irene! I decided I had gone a little too scrappy with the teal pieces so I set them aside and used them in this quilt, which I donated to the same class of kindergartners as Good Night Irene.
Quilt #107 | VV Improv
At this point, I'm still working with my scraps. The quilt came together when I decided to make a wall hanging for my friend Jen VV's exam room. Jen is a world-class pelvic floor specialist who does life-changing work with her patients. I wanted something colorful and a little cheeky for her patients to look at during their exams.
Quilt #108 | On Ringeis Lake
Another social quilting finish! On Ringeis Lake is my take on Bonnie Hunter's 2017 mystery quilt, On Ringo Lake. This is my second year doing Bonnie's mystery and the first year I decided to use my own colorway. I love the movement of the "circles." This quilt was gifted to D's very special teacher, who will be moving up with him for the third year this fall.
Quilt #109 | Blair 2000
I don't generally do commissions because part of what I love about quilting is the freedom to express myself creatively. However, when our good friend and neighbor asked if I could help his mom finish a graduation quilt, I was happy to say yes.
Quilt #110 | Murphy's Oops & Orphans Quilt
One challenge I have noticed as I continue to quilt is that there is a temptation to stick with what you know. For me, I love straight line quilting and spiral quilting because it comes easily to me now. But in order to grow, I need to learn free motion. The problem is, that when I'm done with a quilt, I want to do what is easy and I know will look good. Free motion takes practice. So for this quilt, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to try free motion. I used quilt as you go so that I was only working on small blocks at a time. I was also able to use some of the scraps in my oops and orphans bin. But to whom should I gift this crazy scrappy practice quilt? My mom's dog, Murphy, who is spending the summer with us. He loves it!
Quilt #111 | Dutch Canuck
If ever I doubt the love in my life, I only have to look at the mile-long list of quilts I want to make for friends and family. There is no rhyme or reason to the order my quilts take. I quilt as inspiration hits me. That said, some of my favorite people are still waiting for a quilt! One quilt I started back in 2014 was this Dutch Canuck quilt for our best man, Joel and his family. I made the first block when I made my 21st quilt, then it got set aside. This spring, the Vriend family made plans to visit us over the summer, so I got out that block and made a whole new quilt.
Quilt #112 | Lots of Love Wedding Quilt
When someone who truly embodies love gets married, her wedding quilt gets filled with lots of love.
When someone who truly embodies love gets married, her wedding quilt gets filled with lots of love.
Quilt #113 | Cosmic Cross
I've wanted to make this quilt for our pastor ever since I made my 38th quilt four years ago (!). That quilt has the same general design, but with a plus in the center instead of the cross. I also experimented with using four colors instead of three. All of the prints have a space or science theme, just right for our NASA scientist-turned-pastor.
I've wanted to make this quilt for our pastor ever since I made my 38th quilt four years ago (!). That quilt has the same general design, but with a plus in the center instead of the cross. I also experimented with using four colors instead of three. All of the prints have a space or science theme, just right for our NASA scientist-turned-pastor.
Quilt #114 | Kindred Spirits
This quilt was started as part the Prince Edward Island Modern Quilt Guild's 2017 Mystery quilt. I had some Anne of Green Gables fabric in my stash so it seemed meant to be. I knew right away that this quilt would go to my former guild member Lorilee, who wrote a wonderful book about Anne called Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me About Grace, Belonging, and the Orphan in Us All.
This quilt was started as part the Prince Edward Island Modern Quilt Guild's 2017 Mystery quilt. I had some Anne of Green Gables fabric in my stash so it seemed meant to be. I knew right away that this quilt would go to my former guild member Lorilee, who wrote a wonderful book about Anne called Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me About Grace, Belonging, and the Orphan in Us All.
Quilt #115 | Mrs. Knoch's Labyrinth Walk
I have wanted to make this amazing pattern for quite a while. I hesitated, in part because I was intimidated, and in part because I wasn't sure to whom I would gift it. As my son D started his last year in the fantastic school he has attended for the last five years, I felt the pressure to complete quilts for the last of the staff who have been such a big part of his academic and emotional growth. Two years ago, he started working with a school counselor to help with his asynchronous development. This quilt puts into physical print my appreciation for the woman who helps learners like my son navigate the labyrinth of their emotions and find their way to sparkle and shine.
I have wanted to make this amazing pattern for quite a while. I hesitated, in part because I was intimidated, and in part because I wasn't sure to whom I would gift it. As my son D started his last year in the fantastic school he has attended for the last five years, I felt the pressure to complete quilts for the last of the staff who have been such a big part of his academic and emotional growth. Two years ago, he started working with a school counselor to help with his asynchronous development. This quilt puts into physical print my appreciation for the woman who helps learners like my son navigate the labyrinth of their emotions and find their way to sparkle and shine.
This quilt was extra special for two reasons. First, it was made while my Dutch daughter/former exchange student Marissa was back for a visit. While I was making it, I was teaching Marissa how to make her own version of it. Check out the blog post to see her awesome first quilt. Second, this quilt was donated to Quilts of Compassion for the Quilts for the Carolinas hurricane disaster response team.
Quilt #118 | Max's Robot
When D's friend Max moved to Texas, I knew I would make him a quilt. I have loved Boo Davis' pattern "Does Not Compute" for ages, but it wasn't until now that I had the perfect reason to make it. Max and D made a robot together in Destination Imagination and the background reminds me of the maze their robot was made to navigate.
When D's friend Max moved to Texas, I knew I would make him a quilt. I have loved Boo Davis' pattern "Does Not Compute" for ages, but it wasn't until now that I had the perfect reason to make it. Max and D made a robot together in Destination Imagination and the background reminds me of the maze their robot was made to navigate.
Quilt #119 :: One Giant Stitch for D
The last time I made a quilt for our son, he was 4 and starting preschool. We had just returned from a trip to Florida that included a trip to Kennedy Space Center where the train stage left the station and the space age began. Six years later, D is about to start his last semester at the same school and he is still obsessed with space. The quilt pattern is called "One Giant Stitch" by Kelli Fannin, and I was lucky enough to be a pattern tester.
Quilt #120 :: Baby Burd Quilt
My youngest sister is due with her first baby in a few days. I spent the last day of 2018 finishing up baby's quilt. With the last name of Burd, it's no surprise that birds are a popular theme in their family. I'm looking forward to shipping this when the post office opens and knowing that a little bit of my love will be in Minnesota to welcome my new niece into the family.
My youngest sister is due with her first baby in a few days. I spent the last day of 2018 finishing up baby's quilt. With the last name of Burd, it's no surprise that birds are a popular theme in their family. I'm looking forward to shipping this when the post office opens and knowing that a little bit of my love will be in Minnesota to welcome my new niece into the family.
Linked to:
Tuesday
Tuesday
Best of 2018 @ Meadow Mist Designs
Inspiration Tuesday @ The Clever Chameleon
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Linky Tuesday @ Free Motion by the River
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All the Things
Wednesday
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter
WIP Link Up @ Silly Mama Quilts
Inspiration Tuesday @ The Clever Chameleon
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Linky Tuesday @ Free Motion by the River
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All the Things
Wednesday
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter
WIP Link Up @ Silly Mama Quilts
WIPs on Wednesday @ Esther's Blog
Thursday
Needle & Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Throwback Thursday @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon
Thursday
Needle & Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Throwback Thursday @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon
Friday
Saturday:
Sunday
Monday
