Finish it Up Friday - Clamshell Quilt

I need to update on my UFO goal for the year.  I have been working on it, but I haven't posted about any progress. Here is one update.  

I've been working on a clamshell quilt for just under four years.  For a while I was posting updates with the Clamshell Club, but I didn't hand piece as fast as those ladies.  This project was always more of a long term project, something I worked on when we traveled and such.

When we went to Nebraska earlier this month, I determined I would finish it on the trip.  I had about five rows left and figured a week in the car would provide ample opportunity.  Well, it didn't get finished on the trip, but I got close.  Since we've been home I neglected my sewing room in favor of the couch and hand-stitching.  Sunday morning before church I put the last stitch in this quilt top.  Huzzah!

I already have the backing and plenty of binding options in my Christmas fabric stash.  My plan is to quilt this as soon as I finish my Farmer's Wife quilt.

The applique is totally not perfect, but I cut, basted, and pieced the entire thing by hand.  The top measures about 54" x 65", so it'll make a good Christmas quilt for our couch.

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts!

Gypsy Wife QAL - May Blocks

It's another month of the Gypsy Wife Quilt Along!  I was busy this month and just finished the filler blocks this week.

This month was Hope from Hartford - I did this one a while ago, and it's about the best inset seams I've done.  (I'm working on a lonestar quilt with the #bucketlistqal on instagram, and those inset seams are not playing as nicely).

Then there were the filler blocks, some square within a square - I did better with contrast on these.

And some hourglass blocks.  The green one (hourglass + square within a square) was a total pain.  The pattern says cut a 3 3/4" square, cut into four triangles, but it really is a 4 3/4" square.  I figured that out on the third try.  Grrr.  I hate ripping and redoing and usually figure it adds to the charm of the quilt, but that one was not possible to leave.  I'm just glad it's done.

I've been trying to finish up a few things that were left undone before our Nebraska trip, and I'm getting there slowly but surely. 

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and our Gypsy Wife monthly linkup!

Sew Together Bag

*Breaking radio silence*

I'd apologize for being gone for a few weeks, but I'm trying the whole blogging without obligation thing.  With a full time job and two young boys, I realized I can't over-schedule and pressure myself with blogging and such.  I can get too wrapped into it to where I get anxious and obsessed. 

In addition to that, I've been busy.  I went to Nebraska at the beginning of the month - first vacation/trip without kids my husband and I have been on in five years.  Since then we've been getting back into the home groove and working on planting our garden and landscaping projects.  But I decided to take a little bit of naptime and get back on the wagon. 

Here is my Sew Together Bag (pattern by Sew Demented), made especially for my week-long car trip. 

Other side.

It is great. 

I broke two needles making it, but aside from that, not bad at all. 

The hardest part was probably whittling down fabric choices. 

I have more to share coming soon.  :)