Creative Expressions 2014: My Crafting Year in Review

2014 has come to an end, and I decided it would be a great opportunity to review all of the craft projects I completed this year. As I perused my blog for the past year, I was pleased by what I was able to accomplish in my hobbies in spite of working full time. 

Way back in January, I finished the Dreamweaver quilt for my daughter:

Dreamweaver Quilt

Following that, I completed Scrappy Shine:

Scrappy Shine

This one hasn't found a home yet, but I have a new great niece or nephew due in February. If it's a niece, this will be hers.

Bearly Hockey was finished in February and just recently I sent it to my great nephew, Leo.

Bearly Hockey

I had actually finished the quilt top in 2013, but didn't get it into the longarm studio right away.

In May I finished Florence Nightingale in time for Nursing Week:

Florence Nightingale Quilt

and used her as the backdrop for the nursing display:

Nursing Week 2014

In August, the Go Wild! quilt was completed:

Go Wild!

In September, I started my acrylic painting class and did this painting on my own:

Painted Trillium

Most of the class paintings are not worth sharing again, but there are a couple that I haven't completed yet that might be worth sharing eventually. 

In October I finished Wild Mustangs of the Painted Desert and gave it to friends who were moving away:

Wild Mustangs of the Painted Desert

I also finished the Law School quilt for the granddaughter of friends:

Law School

a perspective painting that I'm not ashamed to share:

Perspective Painting

and the Lace Enchantment Afghan:

Lace Enchantment Afghan

In November, my machine quilting classes gave me the courage to finish "So You Think You Can Quilt" on my domestic machine:

So You Think You Can Quilt

And a machine quilting sampler I started months before in an online class:

Machine Quilting Sampler

In December I completed Far Above Rubies for the daughter of friends:

Far Above Rubies

and shared my first Tunisian crochet project:

Tunisian Crochet Tote Bag

In the months when I didn't actually complete any projects, I was still busy: working on projects that I haven't finished yet, cooking and reviewing cookbooks, reading and reviewing other books as well, and adding to my stash of fabric and thread, of course. Throughout the year, I have been working on the Bluenose II Pixel quilt for my youngest sister, Cindy. Hopefully I will be able to share the finished project with you soon. I've got numerous other quilting, crocheting and painting projects either in progress or "on the drawing board." Unbroken is ready for the long arm and the Australian Tailor's Quilt just needs another border before it too is ready for quilting. There are at least two more bed size quilts to be produced: a Swoon quilt for my sister Judy and probably a mosaic quilt for my sister Nancy. And there are some new books from Net Galley that will need to be reviewed. It looks like 2015 will be another productive year.
Wishing everyone the best of the New Year.

Laura

Tunisian Crochet Tote Bag

I actually finished this tote bag quite a while ago. I was just waiting to post it until after I got it lined. Alas, I haven't had the time to line it yet, but I wanted to include it in my 2014 posts, so here it is:

This is my very first Tunisian crochet (afghan stitch) project. It turned out bigger than the directions said, probably because I used a different yarn. The instructions don't call for it to be lined, but if I were to throw a set of keys or something similar into this bag, I would be concerned about it poking through the stitches. I have bought the fabric already, but I was waiting until I got my serger back from servicing so that I could serge the seams. By the time that happened, it was time to start getting ready for Christmas and I haven't had the opportunity to sew the lining. I would like to add a zippered pocket in the lining as well, to put car keys and maybe my cell phone in. 
The project came from this book:


I bought a second Tunisian crochet hook during one shopping trip to Michael's, so I can pursue further projects in this book. Eventually, I'd like to get a full set of hooks with the extension cords for doing wider projects.

My Martingale Prize

Hey everybody. I entered a couple of quilts in the Bloggers Quilt Festival held by Amy Ellis at Amy's Creative Side. While my quilts didn't win anything, I did win a "door prize," or rather a "comment" prize - anyone who posted a comment was entered to win. And I won a $50 gift certificate from Martingale. That was pretty exciting, especially since they have free shipping in Canada and the US if your order totals $40 or more. 
Wow, it was hard to decide, but here's what I finally chose:

I've been wanting to try Tunisian Crochet for some time, so what better time than when I could get the book free! I've already started on my first project. I also like to try out vintage quilt ideas, so it was a toss up between this 30s one and a Civil War one, and the 30s won out. Finally, I ordered the Ruby Beholder, used to help determine fabric value. Using something transparent red was mentioned in a couple of places I've read recently and I thought I'd give it a try. Especially since I was getting it basically free. I think Martingale has a new customer.