Q2 Finish Along

Q1 sewing didn't go as planned, so my Q2 goals are pretty much a repeat of my Q1 goals.

This lovely pile of fabric will become pillow shams.

This lovely pile of fabric will become a baby quilt.

And this lovely winter design will become a Christmas tree skirt.

Here's hoping Q2 goes better than Q1.

A Finish - A Snake Suit

I joined the Finish Along this year again and I've completed my first UFO.

This is a snake suit for my oldest niece. She wanted one that matched a snake stuffy she has - she picked out the fabric, zipper, and cuff fabrics. She wanted me to sew with silver metallic thread but I managed to talk her out of that. Our trip to the fabric store was fun - the kid has taste, because I couldn't talk her into some very ugly Xmas sombrero/cactus fabric.

The pattern is this one:

My younger niece got a dalmatian costume for Hallowe'en using this same pattern last October. I had to lengthen the torso, arms, and legs for both girls - I don't know if that is a reflection of their body proportions or the pattern design. Either way, the alterations were simple enough and the pattern easy to follow.

Here's my finished product:

And a close up of the hot pink zipper (which coordinates to something on the snake stuffie).

E will get the costume next weekend when she and her sister are over for a crafternoon and sleep-over.

Q3 Finish

One of my 4 projects on the Q3 Finish Along is a pair of mitts for myself.  I finished them and I'm very happy with my results.

This is my first major foray into colourwork and these mitts had a lot of it. None of my stitches are too loose or too tight, which is good. I can definitely use more practice to improve. They fit perfectly, which is awesome (since most of the mitts I've knit to date don't quite fit the way I'd like). And the pattern was free so that's a bonus as well.

The pattern is on ravelry: bird mittens. I used Koigu wool, size 3.0mm needles. And the coral ran when I blocked them, but not into the white, which I can live with. I may add a bit of elastic to the bottoms to pull them in a bit. My knitting is looser where there is little or no colourwork, and that is giving these a bit of a gauntlet look.

Q3 Finish Along

I found this Finish Along in March and joined for Q2 - April to June. I only got one of my goals completed - and I'm good with that since there is no penalty for not meeting a goal (other than those we impose on ourselves). There are great prizes available for those who finish and are lucky enough to get chosen as a winner.

This quarter (July - September) I'm entering a few more things for finishes.

In no particular order:

Mittens for me - 1 is 3/4 finished

A cardigan for my oldest niece:

The dresden quilt I was supposed to do in Q2:

And Christmas pillowcases for my nieces (in this adorable Pixie Noel fabric):

I feel like I've given myself a good variety of projects to finish - the pillowcases will be quick - the rest will take more time. A deadline will help (I hope).

I'm linking to the Q3 Finish Along.

Q2 Finish Along Finish

In early April I joined a finish along - hoping to win some prizes - and get motivated too.
My goal was 2 quilts - 1 for a baby and 1 for me.
I made some progress - the baby one is finished.
Here's my progress:

The baby isn't born yet - the shower was the end of May and the Mommy-to-be loved it. I'm very happy with it, and glad I got it finished.

The quilt for myself didn't go as planned. I just got busy doing other things. The baby quilt was baby sized (about 40"x45") and easy to do - my quilt will be queen sized and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the size (at least I think that's what my problem is). I'll continue to work on it - maybe for Q3 Finish Along?

I'm linking up here - go check out what every one else has finished.

Q2 Finish ALong Finish

In early April I joined a finish along - hoping to win some prizes - and get motivated too.
My goal was 2 quilts - 1 for a baby and 1 for me.
I made some progress - the baby one is finished.
Here's my progress:

The baby isn't born yet - the shower was the end of May and the Mommy-to-be loved it. I'm very happy with it, and glad I got it finished.

The quilt for myself didn't go as planned. I just got busy doing other things. The baby quilt was baby sized (about 40"x45") and easy to do - my quilt will be queen sized and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the size (at least I think that's what my problem is). I'll continue to work on it - maybe for Q3 Finish Along?

I'm linking up here - go check out what every one else has finished.

I`m Playing Too

Sometime in the last month or so I found a hashtag on Instagram that took me to a blogger who is hosting a Finish A Long, with a bunch of other bloggers.

The idea is you make public the finishes you want to accomplish in the next 3 months. For every finish, there are a lot of great prizes to be won. You are entered for a prize for each item you finish - there is no penalty for not finishing an item on your list.

I need a little motivation sometimes, so I decided to play along and now the 2nd quarter (Q2) entries are open.

Here are my plans:

1.  This lovely charm square stack of Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille will become a dresden quilt for my bed. I`ve had this idea in the works for ages but haven`t taken the leap. I`m leaping. There is no pattern, I`m going to make a bunch of dresdens, then scatter them all over the white background and stitch them down.

2. This pile of fabric on the left, along with some from the right, and some from Buttons, will make a quilt for a young woman who is having a child.

The pattern is this one from a magazine (also borrowed from Buttons). I used this pattern last year for another baby quilt and it turned out great and was quick and easy.

I`m only setting two goals. That`s it. That`s all I have in the works that I think I can finish by the end of June, and my goal is to finish.

I think I`ve convinced Buttons and The Edgy Perfectionist to join too.  We`ll see.

I`m linking up, planning for finishes, and hoping for a win.