Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Welcome 2024!

I've been spending some time these last couple of days trying to organize myself around what I've got going on in my sewing room and figuring out what I want (or need!) to work on as the new year begins.   Since sewing is my hobby, and not my job, I try not to make too big of a List and have it weighing me down!  But I do want to move quilt projects forward while still feeling like I have room to start new things.

Two finished quilt tops have been hanging in the to-be-quilted closet for quite awhile, and it's really time to get them finished up!  You might recognize these as previous years' Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects.  Rainbow Jungle - top completed in 2020 and Masala Box (a Sew Preeti Quilts design) - top finished at the end of 2022.  They've aged long enough!

I have enough batting and backing for at least one quilt finish,
so I think I will start by getting those cut and ready for Rainbow Jungle.

More recent projects include the hand-pieced bowties which are still under construction.  I made 80 of them throughout 2023, and have been working on sewing the small blocks into bigger blocks.  I've made more progress on these since this photo was taken in early December, but no new photos yet.


Also,  throughout last year I made 30 zipper blocks.  I'm planning to make more of these this year - I'm thinking I'd like 42 total, for a 7 x 6 layout.  Since these are taller than they are wide, you have to set more side to side than top to bottom!


New projects for 2024 include Patchwork Hearts, inspired by a quilt I saw on Quilting is More Fun than Housework.  Just for fun, in December I made a red one, and earlier this week, got all the pieces ready for a blue one.   I saw that Angela of SoScrappy announced that green is the January color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, so it's time to pull out my green scraps for the next heart!


Although the majority of my quilts are scrappy and made through the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I do enjoy other projects during the year.   I'm looking forward to the 2024 Stay at Home Round Robin, and have a center block chosen for it already.  I also plan to participate in Sandra's Spring QAL at mmmquilts.  I'll continue to work on smaller projects, too, by participating in the Table Scraps Challenge over at the Joyful Quilter, and those that include embroidery and cross-stitch. 


Tiny stitches - but lots of fun!

Sharing at Quiltfabrication for Midweek Makers.
















18 comments:

  1. For someone who accomplishes so much and posts so frequently, making it almost impossible to keep up with you, you would be absolutely lethal if you made lists/goals too :-D Happy to see Masala Box. The trees are so colorful and the bow-ties so festive. RSC24 has already started. I will be playing along too. Time to rummage through my green scraps. Have a sew joyful year, Diann.

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  2. Sounds like a fun year ahead in the sewing department! I still have to figure out what I am going to do for the RSC this year. First, I need to tidy up my sewing room…. Gail at the Cozy Quilter.

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  3. I agree with Preeti! Love that Masala Box quilt. I think I have 2 things on my RSC list so far. You know, until I read what everyone else is making and want to do them all!
    Have a good week.

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  4. such pretty quilts you have a lot to keep you busy this year for sure.

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  5. Love your snowman embroidery, Nann. makes me want to start one.

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  6. Such inspiration! Masala Box was one of my favorite finishes; time to get it quilted. I skipped RSC last year but plan to get back to it, thanks to you.

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  7. So fun to see Rainbow Jungle again - one of my favorites. I'm considering doing the RSC scrap challenge and spent part of yesterday looking at things and getting a few "administrative" things done in my room. Like it's an office - LOL! Is the embroidery on felt? Wool?

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  8. I love that I'm not the only one with RSC tops to finish up. I know what you mean about blocks that are longer than wide. My pineapple blocks are like that also. You've got a lot of FUN things to look forward to this year. What size/kind of thread are you using for the Kathy Schmitz wreaths? Love it!

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  9. What a wonderful plan you have in mind for 2024. . .here is to reducing scraps and making more finishes while having fun!

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  10. Looks like great plans for 2024! I watched Kathy’s video yesterday, but didn’t put a stitch in. I will though. I think east small design will go pretty quickly. I cut a few zipper block pieces and some split nines too! See you at RSC’s post! That scrappy heart loos like great fun.

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  11. Wonderful, colorful goals, Diann!!! Looking forward to seeing your 2024 makes!!!

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  12. Thank you for the reminder about the RSC! I meant to take a look at what the colour for January is, as well as spend some time looking at my Pinterest board for what block I want to make this year, and haven't done that yet. Your lineup of projects sounds just perfect. I'm looking forward to my second year in the SAHRR, but haven't picked my centre block yet, another good reminder!

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  13. Happy New Year! Looks like it will be a fun one for you!!

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  14. All the best for 2024, I really admire all those hand sewn bow ties, the quilt will be amazing. I love the red and blue hearts. I really need to do something with all my scraps!

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  15. I remember the Rainbow Forest, it definitely needs to be finished. It's a really fun quilt. Sounds like you've got a reasonable list to start the year with. Looking forward to seeing your starts and finishes this year. Good luck!

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  16. Hi Diann, those are great plans for 2024. I love all of your scrappy quilts and your embroidered block is so cute. See you at the Table Scraps Challenge link up!

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  17. Scrappy quilts are so much fun to make. I find the RSC is just the right mix of easy pace and gentle motivation to keep me making blocks through the year. It's good to have projects that can be picked up and then put aside for a while without creating pressure.

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