Craft Challenge success!

I did it! I managed to finish Emma's quilt by the end of September. A while back I proposed a craft challenge to get people to finish the crafts they were working on or letting lay fallow, before you could start a new one. And finish it by the end of September. Of course, I cheated on that new craft part, but I also managed to finish one other project as well by the end of September.

Here's what I did: I sewed 5 Halloween napkins and 1 full-sized quilt.

See that pile of fabric squares in the picture above? That's what it looked like in mid-August. Here's what it looks like now (don't mind the fabric pen markings - I still need to wash it). It's cotton fabric on the front and flannel on the back and the borders, so it's nice and soft and cuddly. The batting is 100% organic cotton. Not bad for my first quilt, if I don't say so myself. And, did I mention I completely hand sewed the whole thing? A completely electricity-free made quilt?


I was thinking I wouldn't finish it by the end of the month and then figured that I'd finish it by her birthday at the end of October, but I went full steam ahead and got 'er done! Now I can start the pajama pants I bought fabric for when I was cheating.

How did you do? Did you finish what you started?

Craft Challenge update numero dos

Just keep sewing, just keep sewing...

I've been spending so much time working on stitching together the quilt I made for my daughter that my hand is actually sore. It took me some time to figure out why my hand was hurting me but, between the quilt and making napkins with some cute Halloween fabric, I think I'm getting hand-sewer fingeritis from using tiny finger muscles that heretofore haven't gotten as much exercise.

I know, I'm cheating on the Craft Challenge, where you were supposed to pick one of your unfinished craft projects and pledge to finish it by the end of September without starting anything new. But, four out of five napkins are done and at least I'm making serious progress on the quilt.

I'll have some updated pictures posted in my next update. I'm not sure if I'll have completely finished the quilt by the end of the month, but I'll definitely have it done in time for Emma's birthday at the end of October. Just in time to cozy down in cooler weather with a brand new quilt, hand-sewed by Mom!

How is your Craft Challenge coming along?

Craft Challenge update

I thought I'd give you an update on how much progress I've made in my Craft Challenge - where you were supposed to pick one of your unfinished craft projects and pledge to finish it by the end of September.

What started as a huge pile of cut out pieces for Emma's quilt has turned into completed top and bottom quilt pieces. I pinned the batting and the layers together last night and will begin the actual quilting of it this weekend. Once I, uh, figure out how to do it and whatnot.

Did I mention that I hand sewed everything? I have two sewing machines, but I'm finding that if I have to set up the machine and sit down at it, it never happens. The cool thing about hand sewing the quilt is that I can do it anywhere. On the couch, upstairs, downstairs, in bed (my husband makes a great pin-cushion!). In any case, it's very convenient and probably why I have made so much progress.

Emma has been very inspired by all the sewing I'm doing so I cut out pieces from the extra fabric to make a matching pillow for her stuffed critters. I got her started on sewing it together and she got somewhat far before she poked herself one too many times and gave it up. I need to get her a sewing set with a little less poke in it.

My craft challenge was to finish something by the end of September and I'm hoping I can make that happen. I also stated that I had to finish one thing before I bought anything for a new craft, but dang it! Those Halloween fabrics were too nice to pass up. And I'm planning on making some napkins out of them. Just maybe not until October :)

How is this informal Craft Challenge going for you? Are you making any progress?

Crafts - Finishing what you've started

I am notorious for starting up a multitude of craft projects and never finishing them, mostly because I either lose interest, life interferes or both. I know many of you aren't that much different than me when it comes to projects.

I was reminded of this last week when I was noodling through a magazine and saw an article for some craft project or other and thought, "hey! I need to do that!". Then I thought of all those other unfinished craft projects I have waiting for me so I made a resolution. I must finish at least one project before embarking on a new one.

I'm more than midway through finishing that rag rug I started a few months ago. I also never started the quilt I was making for Emma a couple of years ago. So, I decided to start back up on both of them, to keep me from getting too bored with one of them. Plus, I have the golden carrot of a new project dangling out there in the future to keep me motivated.

Of course, I'm failing to mention all the myriad knitting projects I have started and are patiently waiting on knitting needles. And the sewing projects, with the pieces cut out, ready to go, that have never seen the light of my sewing machine. I'm sure there are more.

Although this isn't an official challenge, I'm challenging you to admit to your list of unfinished projects and to pick one and commit to finishing it by the end of September.

So, are you a craft whore? What's your list of projects and which one are you going to tackle?