WIP 2017

Completions from Prior Years (Goal 3 per month!)  ....well I got a total of 7 from the old list completed. But many more new got started and finished too. Links to more details and photos are included where applicable.

January

#1 - Sea Bubbles a Spring Market 2017 release with Island Batik (Seas the Day Fabric Collection)
Patterns available via PDF at Craftsy or printed (KQ24) via my shop.

February
#2-5 Placemats (from 2015) - Jinny Beyer border print, yielded these 4 unique placemats. Love working with these prints and these in particular are my colors!!

June
#6 Irish Clock ( 2016 IB Mini Challenge) - this is intended to be more than a quilted item, you'll have to wait!

New Completions 2017
* Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog - Inspired by Elvis, but mindful of its origin --watch for it this Spring when published as part of a new book from Schiffer Publishing.
* Medieval Times - New Beginnings Blog Hop - Crossings Quilt (design source- Wendy Sheppard) - Island Batik Twilight Blush Fabric Collection

*Postcard - IBA February Challenge















*Winter Night Sky - IBA March Challenge--Paper or English Paper Piecing Mini


*Fresh Pickins Kennel Quilt - IBA April Emergency Project ready for Market Rep Sample

*Beginning Paper Piecing Sample w/JB Border in anticipation of AQS Class - Des Moines, IA 2017

*IBA Applique Adventure -- paper pieced heart 

*IBA Applique Adventure - orange peels

*On the Go (Mail) for 2017 Row by Row Experience - kits available and similar binding fabric.

*IBA Modern Challenge - Glowing Embers 

*IBA Oh Baby! Challenge - Legend of Lake Roosevelt
Fabrics available in my shop.



*Fall Festival -- full post in January 2018

*Alpine Nights -- full post in January 2018


*IBA Challenge - Oh Baby! - Baby Bubbles using Seas the Day fabrics

*IBA Challenge - Quilt as you Go - Love Thistle

*Christmas Caroling RAL - Ornament Song

*Poppy Celebration Placemats (2)
*Poppy Celebration Placemats (6)

*IBA Challenge - Inca inspired placemats

*USC T-shirt Quilt 

*Autumn's Grace IBA Challenge - "Fall in the City" w/free tutorial -- watch for this late Jan. 2018

*Hollow Star - QOV

*Cusco Alley (SECRET UNTIL 5/2018)
*Spirit Butterfly (SECRET UNTIL 5/2018)

*Anchored to the Cross, mug rug and wall hanging for PJ

*Skill Builder Table Scraps - IBA Dec Challenge, Blocks from Chapters 1-3

*Commission of Tree Skirt and skinny runner for Rani

 

*Commission for Shanni - Pieces of our Past

*Skinny runner for me ;-)

Joint Projects Completed
finish Eggers Commission --client's daughter to add skirt.

quilt/bind Flyover...joint project w/Quilt of Valor Stars Admin - Carol Cricenti

quilt/bind Flag...joint project w/Quilt of Valor Stars Admin - Carol Cricenti

Lights! Camera! Qu-action! -- a Donald Duck feature - Donna Entze and Betty Baerg  --pattern in the works and kit is available--let me know if you're interested!

Mom's Star quilt -- she quilted most of it



modify/quilt/bind Memory Garden....joint project w/QOV Stars Member - Becky Covey

#7 (from 2016) --but it became a Joint Project: Puddle Jumpers Take 1 - w/Kathy Pike (she did the binding)  -- an adapted design from Tricia Cribbs/Turning Twenty/Friendfolks pattern Gimme 5. It is smaller than any on her pattern and I put a border print in the border and coordinating fabrics in the corners. All fabrics are available in my shop.

Line Dance- a joint project of Judy Miles and myself (quilted and bound) on behalf of Coulee Creators and donated to the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce for their annual fundraiser.

Progress
January
quilt Clock
quilt Placemats

February
bind Placemats
Pine Needles --another "OWN" block

Row by Row 2016 patriotic row (Quilter's Crossing, TX) - sent to QOV Stars

finish "In Memory" re-work piecing
started Eggers Commission
Paper Pieced Heart (IBA)

March
*Eggers Commission progress
*USC T-shirt quilt shirt stabilizing
*Row by Row 2017 design
-->Quilt 'til you Wilt -- 2 IB designs - block assembly
  *Lake Life -border 2 adjoining sides of block w/cream
  *Glowing Embers - 8HSTs at a time
*Ribbon Box Quilt (v2) top made

Electric City - (envisioned originally in 2014, started in 2015) Rondure version from several years ago started as a class sample but hadn't made much progress. Hosted an intensive in GC and got all through Round 2 blocks made.

April
*On the Go (Mail) for 2017 Row by Row Experience
* Eggers Commission progress
*Lake Life top assembly complete
*Glowing Embers top assembly complete
*IBA Applique Adventure -- paper pieced heart
*IBA Applique Adventure - orange peels
North Central WA Shop Hop 2015 (take to fix @ retreat) - consider adding grass border
re-do of JB borders on Nancy's Inverted Rondure

-scrap block for joint project gift to hospitality host at Lutherhaven

piecing progress - Labyrinth Walk
punched hole in clock

May
*quilt/bind - Glowing Embers - IBA Challenge

June
FINISH-- Eggers Commission
quilt/bind  Flyover...joint project
quilt/bind Flag...joint project

July
*Quilt iba challenge - lake life ..legend of lake Roosevelt
*Rowalong Christmas Carols - Ornament Song pieced
*2017 RxR - It's all about the Journey Row from Colorado Springs, CO

quilt - Donald Duck; photograph/finish pattern - joint project
*2017 RxR - Quilted Posies, Spokane, WA

2015 Row by Row - progress on Spokane Quilting Bee Row prep

August
quilt Puddle Jumpers take 1 - SOLD to Kathy Pike (she did the binding)
*Snowflake block - Wishing you a Merry QAL
*Forest block - Wishing you a Merry QAL
quilted In Memory-joint project
quilted and bound Line Dance-joint project

Sept
*santa's belt block - wishing you a merry QAL

*snowman - wishing you a merry QAL

Oct
*TEACHING AT AQS, Des Moines, IA  --this post shows a few other milestones from this year

Piecing:
*Spirit Butterfly --- secret until 5/2018
*ornaments - wishing you a merry QAL

*angel - wishing you a merry QAL

*poinsettia - wishing you a merry QAL

*presents - wishing you a merry QAL
*Reindeer Games - wishing you a merry QAL

*Autumn's Grace - Fall in the City  --full post coming in late January

*GRAFIC sample - Turning Twenty

*"B" sample center - Turning Twenty Again!

added kites and grass border to 2015 Shop Hop quilt

*I know the plans....a joint project inspired at Camp MiVoden, KISSed Quilts' retreat 

IBA - Creative Borders/Bindings --recap of this year's applicable projects

Nov
*I Wish you a Merry blocks - Lantern/Lamp Post and North Star
*Sub (joint project w/Katya) - QOV - cut and started sewing

FRIEND: blog about Island Batik rayon toddler dress project
corrected a 2007 Alaska Shop Hop block
*Skill Builder Blocks  ...we're starting Chapter 3 now
*Bonnie Hunter - Quiltville.com Mystery Step 1 tests
*Alletaire --2005 BHQuiltville mystery Step 1

December
finish Labyrinth Walk piecing

finish Lone Star piecing (note : resurrected from a 2009 class w/Eddie Walker)

finish I Wish you a Merry QAL piecing

FRIEND: Blog about Island Batik Rayon top
*Bonnie Hunter Quiltville On Ringo Lake Steps 2-6 tests (I want to make a different size, so am waiting to know enough to decide how many to make).  This is just a guess.

*Alletaire --2015 BHQuiltville mystery Step 2 progress

Ready to Quilt from 2016 list

• A Ticket in Hand - with borders added. Panel fabric still available and a few of the other fillers. Let me know if you'd like this fun fabric --great if you're traveled to Europe and want to create a great memory or perhaps you have a young person who will head to Europe for university studies or summer travels.

• Road trip 2016 - my version of this year's Row by Row Experience horizontal and verticals combined. There will be topically applied elements both during the quilting process and after to complete this.

• 2016 North Central Washington Shop Hop - Come Fall into Love

 

Fall Wallhanging (from 2014 list!)


from 2015 list:

• Dogwood Limb (EQ Seasons RAL)
  --to quilt or expand ??
• Lucky Pot of Gold or Ode to Ireland (a Mi Amore shamrock version) applique still to add.
• Baskets - WW Valley Quilt Guild 2006 BOM (pictured years ago! and my quilting designs for it continue to evolve)

Joint Projects

• Lights! Camera! Qu-action! - a Donald Duck Action! cartoon inspired design (pieced by Donna E. and Betty B). Pattern available soon!
• Flag - a boondoggle sample (bonus pattern in Dangling Diamonds) pieced by Carol C. DONE 6.2017 -- presented to Ken Lockenwitz 11/11/17
• Flyover - a boondoggle sample (bonus pattern in Dangling Diamonds) pieced by Carol C...DONE 6.2017
• In Memory - a boondoggle sample (bonus pattern in Dangling Diamonds) - outer edges and border still needed-- DONE 9.2017 - presented 10/17 to Dick Jarrett
• Cool Penguin, partly pieced by Julie Tapley - Country Register Pattern Sample
• Joint Secret Project w/Verlie Ward - Kaffe Fassett fabric, my Boondoggle Butterfly design
• Quilter's Fruit Loop --2015 Shop Hop sample (pieced by Nancy Cargo -- re-did grass/fencing sections due to a pattern difference from the original image; consider bordering with grass); finished applique of kites 10/17
• Inverted Rondure - Nancy Cargo

Joint WIPs:

• Camouflage Canopy (from tester);

2016 UFOs:

Train set - with IB Sea Salt Sandy and some other background -- an IBA challenge that I want to incorporate into something bigger. #Accuquilt dies (rentable in the classroom) were used to cut these.

Little cars - with IB Fire Island -- an IBA challenge that I want to incorporate into something bigger. #Accuquilt die (rentable in the classroom) was used to cut these.

Umbrellas -- an IBA challenge that I want to incorporate into something bigger. #Accuquilt die (rentable in the classroom) was used to cut these.

Raindrops --an IBA challenge that I want to incorporate into something bigger.



2015 Row by Row - my own Columbia River story version --several rows have been made, but alas they are sitting waiting for more attention!

Stalled:

2007 Alaska Shop Hop --got them out and thought, 10 years --I need to finish this and realized one block was stitched wrong, so I fixed it, got something done! Still several more blocks to make and decisions on ultimate placement and size, etc.

Out of the Darkness - Pam Bono --maybe one more block, then center and borders

OLD LIST, once upon a time was publicly listed as 'next items' but never got started and there are too many piles of fabric destined as possible projects to list here ;-)...ha!:

• Peace Park
• Snowflake/blizzard --except that I used some of the snowflakes as inspiration for the Cool Penguin design and in my "Protection from the Storm" several years ago
• 2007 Shop Hop the Blues - bow ties?
• 2009 Shop Hop the Blues - fall leaves?

2014 list

• Electric City - a new 1892 Rondure version, stalled in 2015 but imminent--I hope--in 2016--most got going in March 2017, still need to do 3rd round
• OWN -  did Pine Needles in early 2017; next up are 2 large blocks

2015 list

• Metro Rings --I was able to make a decision on the QSTs, so they will be different.
• Four Patch Flip- a spring result, but has been sitting there waiting for me to work on it.
• French Braid

Totals: 
Completed: 47 + 1 non quilted item + 8 joint projects
Started the year (2017) with WIP: 24 + 8 joint projects
New end of year 2017 WIP: 8 + 1 joint projects
Ended 2017 with WIP: 30 + 5 joint projects

So less 'joint projects' to end the year but added more WIPs ...ah well. We can try again in 2018 to whittle that down a bit better.

Note: projects for others, I quilted 53 edge to edge (pantograph designs or freehand) and 25 Custom. All were hand guided. Included in these numbers are joint projects that included 6 for charity and 8 group projects.

TOTAL: 125!! quiltings (an average of 6.5 customer projects and almost 4 personal project completions/mo)

crazy!!  I'm thinking less will be more next year ...just for my own sanity ;-) HA!!

I posted a PLANS for 2018, so if you're curious, enjoy my musings and what I'm considering.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  (out takes of my Asterisk block from You Can Quilt!)

Plans for 2018

I haven't even finished writing my wrap up for 2017, but there is a linkup for 2018 goals ending TODAY, so I decided to put some thoughts together and see what materializes.

Sometimes I'd like to just create a list of quilts I want to make, but I'm always looking at my business and wondering how to better serve the needs of my clients and still maintain my health! So, here goes my transparent sharing of what is going on in my passion of quilting that manifests in the concept of a business -- KISSed Quilts and as therapy for my personal health.

New online website -- yes, you'll have better access to what I have in my quilt shop! (it started as my quilting studio about 5 years ago and as people stopped in they asked if I had fabric) So, for the last several years I've been investing in inventory and now want to share that inventory with more than the approx 4,000 people who live in this rural community of Grand Coulee, WA and any visitor who happens to come through town (we do get 250,000 annually to visit the Grand Coulee Dam and take in the multitude of recreational opportunities available here). I generally keep my prices at a bare minimum retail to begin with and want to be an "I'll try here first" source for locals when they need something. I'm willing to place orders or help you source just what you're looking for. I look forward to sharing it with you when it comes online.

Country Register Articles -- This started as a way to get my ideas and designs out to a larger audience early on in my business that was started in 2009. Do you pick up a Country Register wherever you're at in North America? Most editors include my articles now, so I hope you enjoy them. Let me know if there are things you'd like me to talk about or share, design inspirations, patterns, etc. ??

Quilt Shop vs. Quilting Studio vs. Row by Row Participant -- how many of you will be participating in the Sew Musical Row by Row Experience (tm) event this year?  Have you tired of the idea? or are you still excited about shopping during your summer travels, specifically Grand Coulee? Are you turned off when there are no posted hours for a rural shop but a phone# to call if you'd like to patronize the business? I've maintained 10am-5pm Monday-Friday summer hours the last two years but this past summer in particular, I could go for days without anyone coming in the shop. Trying to figure out if it is worth it.

Patterns - I do enjoy designing a unique treasure for you, so writing patterns cryptic (EQ8 assisted) or full details is an enjoyable process if I know the intent and desire for something special. I'd like to see more of my patterns picked up by distributors or large retailers and am always happy to assist a local quilt shop by providing patterns to them on a wholesale basis. If there are any in particular you'd like, you can purchase them as PDF downloads at Craftsy or printed copies via mail on my website. Did you see my Winter Bright Kit at Keepsake Quilting?

Customer Quilting -- will continue. Thanks for entrusting your treasures to me. I feel good about the balance this past year.

Teaching locally and beyond -- I enjoy seeing the light bulbs come on in students when sharing my knowledge with them.

Personal Projects -- I can't help it!!! I want to get some long sitting quilts quilted. I'll list these for now (:-))

Verlie's KF Butterfly - joint project

Nancy Cargo’s Inverted Rondure - joint project

Tahoe w/Kahona fabrics - joint project/shop sample

GRAFIC Fabric - Turning Twenty - shop sample

Log-Cabin Retreat - Lake Rules - retreat result

Labyrinth Walk - class sample
Ticket in Hand - class sample

Home Sweet Home – Row by Row 2016

2015 NCWa Shop Hop–Quilter’s Fruit Loop

Fall Wallhanging - orphan blocks made into something!

2016 NCWa Shop hop–Come Fall In Love

I Wish you a Merry QAL - Stars of the Season

Lone Star Runner --it might be hand quilted, oy vey!! ??

(2) QOV-joint projects --awaiting arrival from piecers

Piecing in Progress
Bonnie Hunter - 2017 Mystery - On Ringo Lake
Bonnie Hunter - 2015 Mystery - Alletaire
"B" Fabric
Four Patch Flip
Metro Rings
Rondure - Electric City version

2015 Road Trip RxR - hydropower story

2017 RxR - whimsy/paper airplanes/mail themed

French Braid 

New
City Culture II idea
Aves  -- join me on this weekly block release from downunder (small fee)
365 Challenge -- did you do this already? (free) I'm going to finally get on board this year and use my Island Batik stash! Since it is from down under the first block has been issued already (time zone differences)!

I know there are others, but this is what it is and for now, that's plenty!

Other Activities Scheduled
Final Island Batik Blog Hop as an Island Batik Ambassador will happen in January. I've got four posts planned, including details of my quilting on a new BOM project by Bella Nonna Design studio,  two of my own new BOMs that I am considering doing an online progressive tutorial for others to follow along, and a free pattern for another project. So, I hope you'll stop back in January several different times for all the great inspiration. I will continue to pitch ideas to Island Batik for market catalogs.

Attend a Retreat in April and have a pop-up shop for one day

Host a 5 day Retreat in October -- want to join us? -- consider taking Rondure or 'work on your own' projects.

With the new EQ8 version out, I've been going through it to make sure I can update my EQ class with the latest version 'user friendly' changes.

BIGGEST GOAL

Continue on my journey to better health. After being diagnosed with a 4th disease classified as autoimmune, I decided I needed more than traditional medicine wisdom. Gratefully I found new research being published for autoimmune conditions by several traditional medicine educated professionals who have gone back for additional schooling in functional/integrative medicine and/or have documented thousands of cases in their own practice and determined that food is medicine and your gut needs to be healed in order to address your autoimmune conditions.  One of the most important findings was a book by Izabella Wentz, PharmD. I've taken it all in and have worked on healing my gut by identifying trigger foods that were causing this situation. Each person's triggers may be different, so it is a journey to figure it out, but well worth it. So, for the past year I have not eaten gluten or dairy intentionally and lost weight. I feel so much better from an 'inflammation of joints and muscles' perspective and all of my autoimmune symptoms are greatly reduced. I've started working on reducing medication that I've been on for many years and hope to continue the weight loss in a natural sort of way. I'd also like to increase my regular exercise during days that the weather prevents outdoor opportunities. A special thanks to those who have gone before and have been willing to share their personal testimonies and inspire others. Some of you reached out when stopping by the shop during Row by Row or emailed me and I know my willingness to share opened your own eyes to more information or you were able to pass it on to a loved one and it has made a difference--this truly inspires me and keeps me going. Thanks for reading and Cheers to a Happy New Year!!

instagram: marlene.kissedquilts

Island Batik Rayon Result

A few weeks ago I shared a rayon project using Island Batik’s beautiful handed fabrics. Another friend of mine used this beautiful Island Batik Rayon, combined it with a rayon/linen maroon fabric to pull out the deep burgundy in the batik and made up this great top. 

Pattern: McCall’s M7325

#islandbatikrayon #islandbatik

I Wish you a Merry Season of the Stars

My participation in the #iwishyouamerryqal is complete. Here is my final post as part of the QAL and I’m linking up to other finished tops. I’ll get it quilted at some point, but as the season is done for now, it will just be nice to get it done in time before next year.

When I was about 2/3rds through I was able to more carefully select backgrounds that would work to make a setting that I felt provided contrast and visual aesthetic.

Adding a 1" finished sashing and friendship star cornerstones added to the 'lights' in some of the blocks. The beautiful #islandbatik fabrics used just made everything pop, so, I'm going to call it Stars of the Season.

Linkup: http://www.snowydaysquilting.com/blog/2017/12/4/i-wish-you-a-merry-quilt-a-long-setting-tutorial

It has been fun! Thank you Designers!!

On Ringo Lake - Part 5

After being gone for the Christmas holidays and thinking I might raid my mother's stash to make Clue #5, our family has been dealing with my dad in the hospital, so it was a rather different Christmas this year.  Alas, I got home last night and made up my tests with Island Batik fabrics and quilting cotton fabrics.

Love using the magic method that is included in my You Can Quilt! Co-authored book.

Linking up with others at http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2017/12/mystery-tuesday-link-up-part-5.html

#onringolakequilt

#quiltvillemysteryquilt

Here is an idea for how the block might go together, looks like we need at least 2 parts and some setting info to finish this up --just my guess ;-)

...and now until tomorrow #6 !!

Island Batik Ambassador – Final 2017 Challenge

Last challenge of the calendar year, but not the last of our IBA challenges for this season.

This month we were given the idea of Table Scraps  --something with a scrappy look, any technique or size. (Thanks Bea for the correction!)

I had one idea, that might still get made, but other ideas have surfaced and are in the works for that intended purpose, so I took something else that was going on and completed it into a ‘table scraps’ result.

My co-authored book, You Can Quilt! Building Skills for Beginners is the basis for a class I am currently teaching in Grand Coulee, WA. I know other shops use this book for instruction and the first 3 chapters are perfect for learning your basic quarter inch seam, a bit about color placement and values, and half and quarter square triangles. If you know someone who might like to learn how to piece a quilt top, this is a great way to get started. Consider purchasing one as a gift or an opportunity to start a new year with something to learn.

While I’ve been teaching, I’ve been using scraps of Island batik fabrics and a bit of extra yardage for background – from the basics Sprinkles!

some student results along the way

and mine in progress:

Once I had 9 blocks finished (the 1st three chapters of the book), I started playing with their placement on  my design wall.

 Settled....and a small border with some leftover half square triangles in the corners from another project that work with this one.

Then  I got to play on my long-arm, quilting each block uniquely to show different densities and styles of quilting. I used thermore batting which I really like to use when intended for a table top. Shows the quilting great, but holds a glass too. I used So Fine! 401 thread in the background and Superior Threads Lava variegated thread in the color.

I thought  it would be great for a card table, well we don't even have a card table! But I did have a little kidde table (adult chair left in the shot to show size)

Next month is our big finale as IBAs for this season and for me personally. I’ll have 4 posts, including new patterns, so I hope you’ll keep up with all the inspiration that will be going on all month long. Although I may still have projects that will be released with Island Batik fabrics in the future—yes, some coming in May at Spring Market for sure, I’m not going to be continuing as an IBA. I’ve got lots of projects queued up in my stash and want to work on them. I hope you’ve been inspired the last 3 years with my challenge results and will continue to follow me on my journey.

Whatever you celebrate, may you have peace, love and joy in your life at this special time of year.