Tuesday, January 15, 2019

First Finishes for 2019

No one was more surprised than me when I looked at the last date that I blogged, October 25th!  I don't think I've ever skipped an entire month since I started blogging, let alone nearly 3! All is well at my house, just busy with the holidays, some traveling, and some company.  Happy times.

Thanks to all who checked on me, I should have posted a quick blog update that all was well and to check back in, I just kept thinking I would sit down and write up posts on my latest finishes.  I do have some catching up to do but to just get things rolling I decided to blog about my first finishes for the year, I"ll go back and update the last of my  2018 finishes another day.


This is Lifetime quilt # 240 and my first finish for 2019
The pattern is from the Christmas Figs Book and I used the Christmas Figs fabric too.
This quilt finished at 79" x 79" and has approximately 1,753 pieces.
Those blocks finish at 16" and were fun to piece, the pattern instructions were wonderful.

I started this project early December with hopes of finishing up before the end of the year, but when  January rolled round and I still had Christmas decorations to pack up plus this quilt to finish I was tempted to put it in a project box, I had had enough of Christmas.   Instead I stuck with it, finished it up and am now so happy that I did.  I'm not one to have UFO's hanging around and I didn't want to start the new year with two.  Two?  Yes, I thought this pattern would make a nice quilt for the Christmas festival that auctions one of my quilts each year.  I loved the pattern and thought it would make a great quilt for the event but knew it would be a hard one to giveaway, so I made two of most of the blocks as I progressed through the book, one for me, one to donate.

The pattern calls for 5 rows of 4 blocks, for a quilt that finishes at 79" x 97", that's a little big for my taste, so for my quilt I just went with 16 of my favorite blocks.


This is Lifetime Quilt Number 241, the quilt I plan to donate to my local hospital and that has 20 blocks, like the pattern. 
It finished at 79" x 97" and has approximately 1,980 pieces.
I swapped out a couple blocks and changed one but for the most part it's like the pattern.

I'm so happy to have it done so I can get it quilted before my deadline this fall.

Both quilts use the same background fabric, the difference in colors must be the filters I used on my phone.



I think this book is great, if you didn't buy any of the Christmas Figs fabric this pattern would work for any fabric, I don't think it has to be Christmas themed fabric.  The book also has about a dozen small project patterns that are just as cute as the quilt.  If you've not bought the book it's available here.

Next up is to finish my Fig Tree Autumn Splendor BOM, I just received the last month in the mail.  This top is the quilt I plan to donate to my hometown library for their annual raffle, which is in June, I need to hustle.  But then my sewing obligations for 2019 will be met and it will feel great.

More frequent blogging to come, I promise.


8 comments:

  1. I’m so glad that you’re back to blogging and that everything has been okay with you and your family. I did wonder. I hope 2019 is a wonderful year for you.

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  2. WOW....both are beautiful and love them. This will be a classic and someone is going to be very happy when they win this one Thelma. Good to see you back blogging and look forward to your catch-up. Did you happen to see Bonnie & Cammilies new "Autumn" in their "Snippit" fabrics yet???

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  3. I love them both! I am also making this quilt. Most likely a bit bigger for my bed. I’m doing it as a bom...and I’m already way behind. Lol. Seeing your quilts is i spring me to catch back up!

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  4. Thelma, I've eyed this quilt too several times. It is so fresh looking in those fabrics and of course, your piecing is immaculate. Way to go!

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  5. Both quilts are sensational, Thelma! So glad you are still blogging. I know people don't comment on blogs like they used to but there is no doubt blog posts -- especially yours -- are read and savored.

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  6. Great job on your quilt! I have the book but just didn't start before Christmas working on it. Now I might make it a Christmas in July project!
    I can surely understand how you get behind in blogging. Same here. My last post had been Nov 1st!!! And I finally updated and now have some catch up to do like you mentioned. Welcome back.

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  7. I, too, am glad to be reading your blog today. Instagram was helpful in keeping up with your quilting projects. The Christmas Figs book is definitely worth it. I'm just starting my quilt and enjoyed reading about yours. Happy New Year, Thelma.

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