My December QAL blocks

December and the year are quickly coming to a close.  I'm pleased to share my latest blocks for two mystery QALs.

The first is one sponsored by American Made Brand called My Land.  Block 8 is called Leaves of Change.  

I've downsized my blocks to be 6'' finished and paper pieced this one.  Here are the other 7 blocks.  (It's been too yucky outside to get a group shot.)

I won some fabric in last month's linkup including a cute little charm pack - happy dance!  I immediately opened up and cut into that FQ stack as it had PERFECT colors for the gift I'm making my son for Christmas.  More on that once it is done - busy quilting it now.

Next up with the Meadow Mystery QAL from Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.   For this mystery QAL, all I had to get started were really excellent directions on which fabric should be light / medium / dark and some advise on what fabrics would sit next to another fabric so you could validate contrast.

I've downsized such that these HST are 2 1/2 '' unfinished.  (The pattern calls for 4 1/2 ''.)   Here are my December blocks.

I love seeing how others are playing with these blocks and the other's we've made to try and guess the final design!

All the Bag It winners have been notified about their prizes.  I'm just waiting for one last person to acknowledge the email and then I'll be share on the blog!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Reflecting and welcoming 2017

The end of a calendar year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the year behind us and set our focus for the year ahead.

I choose the word Discover to frame my 2016.  My goals were to:

• Discover a balance for my day of friends, family, exercise and my writing
• Discover whether I have what it takes to become a published author
• Discover how to grow the community around my blog

Discover was a good word for me.  I am very happy with the progress I made on the first and third goal. Both will continue to be areas of focus in 2017.  

I stayed away from the second goal.  I did make progress on my writing but I was also very good at finding reasons not to focus on it.

As a result, my word and focus for 2017 is to be brave.

Fortune cookie message from January 2016

Brave to really focus on my writing with some serious goals to make a book draft real this year.   Brave enough to sit and stare at my keyboard even if no words are flowing.  Brave enough to seriously edit what I have already written.  Brave enough to seek feedback on what I've done.

Ok, it's out there.  Saying it out loud makes it harder to ignore, right?

Besides the writing, my quilting and my blog will be big parts of my day.

My blog goals for 2017 are -

• Motivate others to participate in the One Monthly Goal  linkup event
• Inspire others to try new things with two QALs. 
• Encourage handmade for the holidays with the annual Bag It event.  
• Share what I've learned by publishing tutorials monthly

My quliting and design goals for 2017 are - 

• Explore paper piece block pattern design
• Improve my FMQ skills and make a mini each month
• Challenge myself to explore color
• Improve my skills with Inkscape 

Finally, I want to be 'needle ready'.  Whether it is knitting, binding or an applique project, I'd like to always have a bit of handwork waiting for me at the end of the evening.  I find it a wonderful way to relieve stress and rest my mind after a long day.

What about you?  What are your goals for 2017?  Have you chosen your word for the year?

I will be joining the linkup at Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

The clock is ticking - Bag It ends today

Today is your last chance to link up your bags as part of this three month long Bag It event.

This weekend, I will pool all the entries and invite Mr. Random to help me choose the winners.

Please watch for emails from elmstreetquilts at gmail dot com this weekend.  If you are lucky enough to find one in your mailbox, make sure you respond back.   If I don't hear from you in a few days, I will pick a new winner.

I thank each of you who entered bags, commented on my tutorials and cheered others on.  You've made the event enjoyable.

I also thank our FABULOUS sponsors who cheered us on and supported us with so many fabulous prizes.

These sponsors are just awesome!   

American Made Brand
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Aurifil
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Bagmaker Supply
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

   

By Annie
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Fat Quarter Shop 

 (Website  \  Facebook  \  Instagram)

Green Fairy Quilts

(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

 Island Batik
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Warm Company
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Zip It
(Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram)

Linkup below!  Check out the FAQ post to understand just how easy it is to participate in Bag It!

If you've shared your photo in the Elm Street Quilts QAL Facebook group, you can also enter here instead of uploading your photo.

If you are having difficulty linking up a photo from Instagram, you can enter this way instead of linking up.

If you don't want to post them because they are gifts then send them to me as an email!  Just fill in this form and instead of pasting your link just put a message that you sent them by email!!  I'll keep your secret, promise!

Please review Bag It Participant Guidelines before linking.  

An InLinkz Link-up

Have a wonderful day! Patty