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Marci Girl Designs

Meet A Finish-A-Long Host - Felicity Quilts

10/15/2017

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Once a month (and two months, twice) I will be featuring one of my co-hosts for the Finish Along so you can get to know them better.   This month is Felicity from Felicity Quilts and I'll wrap up here so you can read about her life directly from her!  Enjoy! 


Helloooo!

I'm Felicity

and this is my family - Husband of 17 years K and our nearly-10-year-old daughter G:

being silly, something we do very well

I am lucky enough to live in Naramata, British Columbia. It's a village of fewer than 2,000 people nestled on the Naramata Bench in one of Canada's fruit- and wine-producing regions, the Okanagan Valley.



As you can see, we're on the side of a lake, and it's a big tourist destination because our summer weather is hot and dry.


We moved to Naramata from Vancouver just over a year ago. After living for nearly 25 years in Vancouver, we grew tired of the traffic and the astronomical cost of living and decided to take a different approach to life. We couldn't be happier.

I quit my job in the financial services industry and now I work part time in a local quilt shop as a designer, teacher and retail associate. I also work from home as a training and development consultant. My husband was a stay at home dad in Vancouver and he also works part time here in the area.

I began quilting in 2000, shortly after I got married. My husband is the one who encouraged me to look for a beginner's class because I spent a lot of time looking at and admiring quilts in museums and at shows but I was too intimidated to try it myself. But boy am I glad I did. I knew from the first minute of that first class that this was going to be my thing.

This is my first quilt - the classic beginner's sampler with one large scale fabric plus some blenders.


I even free motion quilted it all by myself on my tiny Bernina 145.



Yikes, amirite? But you know what? That was the start of something, and you gotta start somewhere.

Baby quilts for nieces and nephews happened in due course, as did a quilt for my husband's 40th birthday (2 years late).


I subscribed to quilting magazines, I read books about quilting, I could spend a whole weekend at a quilt retreat and come home and sew some more. It consumed all of my free time! Eventually, though, I got to the point where I was reading about quilting but becoming overwhelmed by all the projects I wanted to do so I didn't start anything.

Thankfully, I was able to give myself a good talking to, and came to my senses. Every quilt is just a whole bunch of seams that are sewn one at a time, right? Well, I said to myself, just commit to 20 minutes a day of sewing something. Anything. But sew. Eventually you'll get something done.

One of my first modern quilts

I was right! I did get lots done, aided as well by the explosion of the online world of modern quilting. I found Flickr and the myriad active quilt groups it hosted (RIP, old Flickr). I also found quilt blogs and started my own as a way to keep myself accountable by journalling my progress.


It's not an exaggeration to say that blogging and sharing online changed my life! I found Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild online and attended the first meeting in mid-2010. I met dear friends in person and via blogging (and blogging friends became in-person friends too). I participated in Flickr quilt swaps, virtual bees and met many of my online friends at the inaugural QuiltCon in Austin.



These two quilts won honourable mention at QuiltCon 2013.

Though  I don't do many swaps anymore and online bees have fallen a little out of fashion, I still belong to a virtual quilt bee with 9 other incredible quilters, called Bee Sewcial. We work in solids only and we piece improvisationally based on that month's prompt and colour story.

Winter is my first quilt finished with Bee Sewcial blocks. The prompt was "abstract minimalist winter landscapes in shades of grey." Did my bee mates deliver or what? I love this quilt, and I will be submitting it to QuiltCon 2018 show.

Winter, a Bee Sewcial Collaboration

I like to have lots of projects on the go, in varying degrees of complexity because I never know what I want to work on at any given time.

Here's a sampling of some of my favourite quilts from over the years:

In a (Solid) Pickle, 2011 (swap quilt)

Burst of Colour, 2013

Helen Keller Wisdom, 2011


Selfie, 2015


Naramata Summer, 2014 (made after a visit and before we knew we'd be moving here!)


Modern Stripes, 2016 (accepted to QuiltCon 2017)

I'm extremely fortunate to be able to have a completely separate studio to work in - we finished the 450 square foot space over our detached 2-car garage just for my quilting. (Truth be told that space was what sold us on this house. Good thing we like the rest of it!)

 
Before

After

I love participating in the Finish A Long, and I'm so happy to be a host as well. We motivate each other to get our beautiful projects finished so we can move along to the next thing that makes us happy, yes? Yes.

Thanks for visiting with me!
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My 2017 Finish-A-Long Quarter 4 List

10/4/2017

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Here we are at the last quarter of the year, which absolutely blows my mind.  I know I say it all the time but where did the year go, my goodness!  I'm keeping my list short and simple this quarter, so here it is:
1.  Bee Sewcial Triangle Quilt - You can see some of my progress above.  The quilt is in nine sections and I have half of the back done.  I am currently waiting on yardage to arrive so I can finish up the quilt front and back.  Very excited about this one.

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2.  Christmas Pajamas - Surprised this one carried over?  I doubt it, obviously I want to get these made for my kiddos for Christmas this year.

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3.  Women's Waterfall Raglan - I really want to get this pattern made because I really want to have this shirt and hopefully I'll love the fit and want to make lots more.

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4.  Moana Halloween Costume - New this quarter, I started making tassels last month and have the majority of my supplies and I have a plan.  Since this one is for Halloween this year I better get cracking!

That's it folks!  Four projects, hopefully doable so I can finish out the year with a bang.  You still have a few days to make your list and link up, please do, we would love to have you!  Find the link up HERE.
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My Finish-A-Long Quarter 3 List - How Did I Do?

10/2/2017

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I like to check in at the end of each quarter (or at least before I post my next list) to take inventory of how I did that quarter and give thought to what should end up on the next list.  I don't know what to say about this third quarter of the year.  In a way it was somewhat successful but then I also think it was a total fail, I'm not sure, I guess it is all about perspective.  So let's see what happened:

Finished

I did finish two projects, but didn't link them up with the Finish-A-Long for two reasons.  First, I'm not eligible for prizes so it doesn't really matter if I link up and second because I don't have good finished photos yet.

I finished my Little Girl's Waterfall Raglan, it fits and is super cute, so that is a win.

I finished my Take The Plunge Swimsuit for myself.  It is a win for so many reasons it isn't even funny, it fits, it fits GREAT, it is flattering and I wore it on vacation and several swimming excursions that we went on.  I love everything about it and will make more.

I plan to photograph and blog about both, especially my swimsuit, I just need to gather the strength to post a photo of myself in it online.  EEK.

Worked On

I worked on two other projects, worked on them diligently, just didn't finish them.

I had a small stack of quarter yard cuts of knit to make Little Girl Leggings but when it came down to it I had a change of heart of how I wanted to use these fabrics.  I pulled two out that I would make leggings with, and I have made one pair.  The other three fabrics will be used as ruffles or sleeves on other projects because in the end my little one doesn't need so many leggings right now.

I really made an effort to get my Triangle Bee Sewcial Quilt Finished or at least a top.  And I did make a lot of progress.  Right now it is in 9 large pieces and I'm awaiting additional fabrics to arrive for me to finish.  I've also made pretty good progress on the backing but also need more fabric.  Once that fabric arrives I'll get right back to this one.  I'm excited at how it is turning out.

Didn't Even Touch

The title here says it all, didn't even touch or think about these.  I just didn't have the sewing time, which sadly has been the case this year.  Some of these will carry over to next quarter but not all so you will have to stay tuned to see what makes the cut.

Bee Sewcial Floral Mini Quilt
Christmas Pajamas
Take The Plunge Swimsuit Version 2
Women's Waterfall Raglan
Little Girl Simplicity Pattern

There we have it, nine projects, two finished, two worked on and five I didn't touch.  I think my next list will be a short one.  I feel better when it is a short list that actually seems doable for me, so maybe 3-4 projects instead of so many.  I'll post that list in a few days.  The link up is open right now, so go ahead and write up your list and link it up, you can find the linky HERE.

Thanks for joining along with us, I do so enjoy reading all your blogs and link ups, especially all the finished projects.  I may not always leave a comment but I do visit a lot of them and I appreciate you all playing along.

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2017 Finish-A-Long - Quarter 4 Link Up Now Open

10/1/2017

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The fourth quarter of the year is here, oh my dare I say Christmas!  Eek!  Are you ready to link up a new list of WIPs?  I know I am, and I'm ready to get some things finished before the end of the year.  All of the details can be found below, along with the link up.  If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to ask, I'm happy to help.


It's time to link up your list of unfinished projects that you propose to finish in Q4 of the FAL. We are hoping that the FAL community will be finishing a lot of projects as we move into the last quarter of the year.

The FAL is hosted by a community of bloggers across the world. Our hosts are:
  • Rhonda - Rhonda's [Quilt] Ramblings - USA
  • Nicky - Mrs Sew & Sow - Great Britain
  • Abigail - Cut & Alter - Great Britain
  • Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada
  • Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA
  • Lucy - Charm about You - Great Britain
  • Sarah - Sew me - Northern Ireland
  • Judith - Just Jude - Northern Ireland
  • Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada
  • Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA
  • Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA
  • Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada
  • Sandra, Sew of Course - Ireland

For those of you who are new to the FAL, it is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete those unfinished projects that are hanging about becoming UFOs. Every quarter you post a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months, and then at the end of the quarter, you post a link from your blog, Flickr or Instagram of each successful finish from your original list.

Each finish is an entry for wonderful prizes from our sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing a listed project, so feel free to make your list long or short, as you wish. The 2017 Schedule and Rules for the FAL are on my permanent FAL page, let me know if you have any questions.

Here are the fantastic and generous sponsors for Q4 of the FAL - you can see each of their prizes listed under their logo (think about visiting them and saying thank you):

Just Jude Designs - 2 PDF Patterns
Sew Sisters Quilt Shop, $25 gift certificate
Charm About You - 2 PDF Patterns
Fat Quarter Shop, $50 gift certificate
Elven Garden Quilts - 3 PDF Patterns
Tartankiwi - $25 gift certificate
Blossom Heart Quilts - 3 PDF Patterns
Mad About Patchwork - $50 gift certificate
During Quiet Time - 3 PDF Patterns
Happy Quilting - choice of 3 patterns
Cooking Up Quilts - 2 PDF Patterns
Sew Sweetness - 3 PDF Patterns
Knotted Thread, $30 gift certificate
The Littlest Thistle - Camp Bag Pattern Pack
Green Fairy Quilts - $15 gift certificate
Quilting Jet Girl - 2 PDF patterns
Sunny Day Supply - $30 gift certificate
Make Modern Magazine - 3 six month subscriptions
Clover & Violet - $30 gift certificate
Sew me a Song, $20 gift certificate
Imagine Gnats - $40 gift certificate
Studio 39 Fabrics - $25 Gift Certificate
Laurel Bee Designs, 2 pin bowls for 1 winner
Frangipani Fabrics - $25 gift certificate
LinkDeli.com


It's time to round up those projects you want to finish over the next three months, take a photo of each one and make your list. Please ensure that you have at least started your projects - pulled fabric with a pattern is considered a UFO, and remember it is only finished projects that will get you an entry toward the above listed prizes. So while we love to see your bee blocks, the "finish" is when they are a completed, usable project.

It is very helpful if you tag your list as #2017FALQ4yourname when posting on social media: Flickr, Facebook & Instagram. Using the same hashtag over the quarter when sharing progress or finishes before the link, helps the hosts find your original list quickly - especially when this is done over a 3 month period. IMPORTANT: Don't forget to link your finishes up when the quarter closes.

The 2017 Q4 link for your list of proposed finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs. You need only link your list once, on one blog - and that link will show up on all of the blogs. If you are using Facebook, Flickr or Instagram, link a mosaic and put your list in the description. Katy of The Littlest Thistle has a great tutorial on how to link-up if you need it.

We also ask that you become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others - visit and comment on their lists. We all need encouragement to get those finishes done, so please share some of your own too. When creating your list there is one thing to remember....No deductions for not completing something so ..... Aim High! Nothing to lose!!! Well Now..... Get those lists together and get linked up. 

The Q4 proposed finish linky party will stay open until 11 pm EST, October 7, 2017- as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link. Remember: you only need to link up on ONE hosting blog and it will automatically show up on all hosting blogs. 


An InLinkz Link-up
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    Marci Girl

    A feisty mom designing, sewing and blogging her way through everyday life!

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