End of Month Reports: September 2013

This month was not quite as successful as last month for getting things done, but all in all, I'm satisfied with what was accomplished - especially considering that I spent a week at retreat and a week getting ready for it.  All that cutting and washing fabrics - ugh!  It takes so much work to get ready to start new projects now that I have to wash everything first!!!

September 2013 NewFO Challenge project:  linking up with Cat Patches

Summertime Wool Applique - remember this new project?

Vintage Valentine Table Topper gift for Mom....

I got a great start on this project by having all the fusible pieces drawn out and cut in advance!  I had prepared them for this block in the Vintage Valentine quilt quite some time ago - another of my UFO's.   So when Mom requested one of these blocks for her next tabletopper frame quilt, it was easy to just choose a block that had all the fusible papers traced and cut, but not yet fused to fabrics for the quit.  I chose all the fabrics and fused the pieces down on the background before retreat.  All I had to do at Runaway was stitch them all down with a buttonhole stitch - Done!!!  Now I just need to take an afternoon to quilt and bind it, adding a little hanging sleeve for the table topper frame.  This will go to Carolina with me at Thanksgiving :*)

Christmas QAL - Bargello Tree Skirt.... linking up with Needle-Thread-Happiness

Another new start for the NewFO Challenge is this Christmas QAL project that I have been wanting to dig into for the longest time now!!!  My goals list for September listed quilting my Blue & White "The First Tree of Life" quilt..... BUT, I am already quilting a much larger quilt right now which ties up my machine, and I didn't want to quilt at retreat - I much prefer to do my quilting at home where I have plenty of room and lots of tables around me to catch the quilts.  So I decided to start work on the Bargello Tree Skirt at Runaway.  This was a much more complicated project than I thought it would be - which is really saying something since I expected it to be a challenge! - so I didn't finish it, but I'm happy with the progress.  And since it is on my list of Christmas proejcts I want to complete for the holidays this year, I really just substituted one project for another on my Christmas QAL goals :*)

This will go on my October Get It Done list for finishing up!

September 2013 Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks:  BABY BLUE - linking up with SoScrappy

Lone Starburst

Fantasia

Yes, they are pastels!!!  But they were fun to play with, and I'm crossing my fingers for something brighter in October LOL!!!

September Quilting Project:  Moonglow!!!

I'm adding a section to my End of Month goals.  I really NEED to get some of my projects quilted, so I'm scheduling those into my To Do list.  This month I've chosen one of the hardest projects on the shelf - start with the biggest challenge and it's all downhill from there, right???  LOL!!!

This is a Queen-size quit, so I will have to wrestle with it to get it done!  But I've done several queens before, so I know I can do it.  As you can see, this was basted on my friend Joanne's long-arm machine, so I didn't have to get down on the floor to sandwich and pin it - SO MUCH EASIER!!!  I will say though that my fingers keep getting caught in those huge basting stitches :*)

My first task was to stabilize the quilt, so I QID - quilted in the ditch - around the edges
between the center blocks and the borders - my Janome QID Walking foot makes this a breeze!!!
Or, at least it would be if it weren't black on black - so hard to see.....

Another problem with black - it picks up every piece of lint or cat hair in my universe!!!
I surely don't want to quilt those suckers down on my quilt, so....

I keep my lint roller handy and use it on each section before I quilt it.

Pebbling around the star points - VERY time consuming, but I'm liking the results so far....

One Star block DONE!!!
Only 12 more to go LOL!!!
Now if I can just decide how I want to quilt the log cabin alternating blocks.....

***********************

Get it Done - September/October 2013:  linking up with Patchwork Times

September 2013 Goals:

• Finish prep-work on all materials for Runaway class - DONE!
• Continue washing Stash - Continuing.... lots washed for retreat projects, but not much since then.
• RSC Challenge blocks- DONE!
• Complete Genevieve's baby quilt - Top is DONE but it still needs to be sandwiched and quilted.  I had to talk to the Mom before I made a final decision on the backing.  All ready to go now!
• New Tabletop quilt for Mom (NewFO Challenge project)- Top is DONE!  Still needs to be quilted, but it doesn't have to be done until the week of Thanksgiving, so I'm happy! :*)
• Quilt The First Tree of Life - Didn't touch this!  However, I substituted starting my Bargello Tree Skirt for my Christmas project this month, and I got quite a lot of that done at Runaway :*)
• Start quilting Moonglow- DONE!  The quilting on this is going to take a LONG time!!!
• Make flying geese for Talkin' Turkey - Not done!  Joanne and Mary would not let me work on them at Runaway - they insisted that we only work on this project during our sit-n-sew times together!  So I will get started on these this coming Friday :*)
• Finish Dreambird Shawl - I suppose I was way too ambitious on this one considering I had a week-long retreat to go to and days of preparation.  I do have 13 of the 21 feathers done though :)  Look for a picture on Friday when I'll link up with Judy's On the Needles.
• Plan and prepare Runaway projects that I think I can accomplish in 4 days- DONE!

All in all, I don't think I did too very bad this month!  Retreats usually throw me for a loop as far as momentum - do they do that to you too?  I always think I'm going to get SO MUCH done, and then I don't.... but much fun was had, so that's what counts, right?

October 2013 Goals:

• RSC Challenge Blocks
• NewFO project - ?????? - I want to do a pumpkin project - will I have time???
• Quilting - Moonglow, Genevieve's Banners, Mom's Valentine table-topper
• Finish prepping and begin stitching on the next Summertime block
• Yarn Projects - start Wingspan knitted shawl so I'll have an easy take-along, no-brainer yarn project
• Christmas QAL - Finish Bargello Tree Skirt; start on Jovial if I have time
• Make at least half of the Talkin' Turkey flying geese
• Continue washing stash

Well, that's it for me!  I hope you have some really fun projects planned for October!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

December 2013 End-of-Month Report

December is such a short month!!!  

Don't you think so?  If you figure the time you lose for all the Christmas-related activities - traveling, visitors, shopping, cooking, wrapping, decorating, gifting, parties - there's just not a lot of time in there to Get It Done!  Add to that the two weeks I was sick with bronchitis, and it's a wonder I got anything done, right?  I do love Christmas, but the older I get, the more of a hassle it gets!!!

Soooooo, let's see, how did I do on my Get It Done list for December?

December 2013 Goals:

Blog:  Prepare and post about TWO Giveaway Blog Hops!!  DONE!!!

Quilting (domestic sewing machine DSM): - Mom's Valentine table-topper.  DONE!!!  All that's left for this project is to sew down the binding, which I will finish up today :)

Quilting (longarm) - UFO - Indian Summer - Still in the bag - way too much going on this month for me and Joanne to find a day for just play.  It will continue to be next on the list :)

Bind Christmas Geese - DONE!!!  Picture below of this wonderful quilt on its frame, decorating our home this Christmas season! :)

Finish piecing the Bargello Tree Skirt - Never even got a chance to touch this project :(

Make a couple of Christmas gifts, mainly small gifts for stockings - DONE!!!  :*)  A few are still not yet gifted so I can't show them.

Yarn Projects: - continue Wingspan; cast on new Red Socks for ME!!! DONE!!!  I also managed a few knitted Christmas gifts :)

Guild Prep (new category):  I have agreed to head up a "Bees" Group sit-n-sew after our meetings each month, and I need to have all my ducks in a row for the announcement and roll-out in January.  DONE!!!

Christmas Geese on its frame - I SO enjoyed its cheerful presence this Christmas!!!

Details of quilting and binding for Christmas Geese

Not too bad, I suppose.  I'm cutting my January list a little short too, because I already know I will be traveling one week of that month.

January 2014 Goals:

• January Dinosaur - The Blue Collection!
• NewFO Project
• Rainbow Scrap Challenge Project
• Bertie's Year BOM for February
• EQ7 - begin getting re-famliarized with the software and start playing with it!
• Continue washing the Stash :(  UGH!!!

For 2014, I'm planning to FOCUS on some of my Dinosaur UFO's..... you know the ones....  they're so ancient, their dust has dust!  They've been around so long, they've reached "fable" status!  People are beginning to believe you never even started such a quilt!  You're not even sure where they are anymore!  And they have become big bullies - growling and taunting you, daring you to finish them off......   Right?  Am I all alone in this, my friends?  I don't think so!!!

Photo courtesy of Cruzine.com

In 2014, I'm declaring all-out WAR on these Dinosaurs!  I'm going to put a "Most Wanted" List on my blog so I can shoot them down one by one!  Each Dinosaur has been assigned a month on my calendar where it will be hunted down and shot given my main focus that month.  I may switch them around according to any timing changes each month, but I think the projects themselves will remain the same on the list.  I'm hoping to finish each one during the month, but of course I need to be realistic and accept that it's not always possible :*D  I'll be disappointed if I don't finish it, but I'll survive and come back another day to attack that monster!  (Aren't you glad?)

January's Dinosaur will be The Blue Collection.

Photo & Quilt by Maggie Walker

You can click on the name to see more about it if you are new to the blog.  If you're not, then you KNOW how long I have been working on this Dinosaur!!!  I actually obtained most of the patterns at least 7 years ago from a friend who was moving out of the state and didn't want to move her entire sewing room.  She sold off a lot of stuff, and three-quarters of these patterns were in the set that I bought.  I got the rest from the designer, Maggie Walker.  It's been a long road, but I'm finally rounding the home turn on this project - wish me luck!!!

As for my other normal monthly projects in December - some I got to, and some I didn't.  Of course, I did manage to start a NewFO to meet the December 2013 Challenge - Barbara at Cat Patches is hostessing this fun party again in 2014, so be sure to check it out & join in!!!  You can see some of my potential NewFO's for 2014 by clicking HERE.

This linky party is too much fun to miss!  You get PRIZES for starting something new - what's not to love?  AND you don't even have to finish it!  Yep, my kind of party LOL!!!

Bertie's Year - January BOM block
This is coming along quite nicely :)

I started the Bertie's Year BOM this month for my NewFO, and of course since it is a BOM it will be added to my Get It Done goals each month in 2014.  I think you'll enjoy seeing these fun and colorful wall quilts each month :)  So far, Gypsy is giving this project a Two Thumbs Up ..... um, I think I better keep my eye on her around Bertie!

I didn't have time to do anything in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for December, but Angela at SoScrappy is hosting this rainbow-a-licious party again in 2014 - and there will be PRIZES!!!!  Come and join in on the fun!  

This will be my third year in the RSC, and it is always one of my favorite things to do during the month :)  This year I think I am going to have to do at least one block made from crumbs - my crumb jars runneth over!!!   Here are the last two blocks I made during the 2013 Challenge.....Baby Blue!

Lone Starburst

Fantasia

Be sure to hop over to Patchwork Times to share what's on your Get It Done list!!!

(Inquiring minds want to know ☺)

I would like to wish each and every one of you 

a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous NEW YEAR!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Getting it Done - February 2013

For February, my Get It Done list looked like this:
1.    Complete Easy Street and have it ready for quilting, including the backing.  DONE!
                                    Go HERE to see the completed quilt!

2.    Complete instructions for Stitchery Keeper and have it ready for sale.

3.    Catch up on all Curve It Up QAL blocks.  Blocks 3-6 DONE!  (see note HERE)

4.    Prepare and stitch next block in The Blue Collection.  DONE!
                                     See progress HERE .....

5.    Complete and assemble the 2012 RSC quilt - Rainbow Pineapples.  DONE!
                                     See the finished quilt top HERE!

All of these goals were completed except #2 - the Stitchery Keeper instructions.   I added a few new elements to it the last time I made a sample - see HERE - like a zippered pocket in place of the former velcro pocket.  So what I have already done will need some more tweaking.

Plus, I am reading a lot on the Web about protecting myself and the potential for getting sued if I put it up for sale and someone has created something similar before me!  .... at this point I'm pretty much too nervous to try to sell this as a pattern!  More research will need to be done on that.  Any wise words from my designer followers would be lovely!!!

During February I also finished up one of my Winter Wonderland stitchery blocks, made lots of yummy PURPLE blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and started Cool Cats, my February NewFO Challenge project.  I have to share the next block with you that I completed yesterday!!!

This is the arched-back cat I talked about HERE with the spiky fabric!  I'm so glad I saved this fabric for this cat!  I almost wish I had cut a few spikes into the back instead of keeping it round like the pattern.  But overall I'm happy with the effect the fabric gives it.  What I wasn't happy with was the way its legs blended too much into the bottom background.  So I put little purple paws on it to give them some definition :*D

Here it is all stitched down and bordered..... =^..^=

I love the happy purple border around it. That little block border will end up at 1/2 inch.   And those eyes!  My goodness, they are WILD!!!  My friend Linda does not like the eyes on these cats at all - she says they follow her around the room LOL!!!  I'll link this little kitty up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday!

In a couple of weeks, I'm going to Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN with some really fun friends!  WhooHoo!!!!  We'll do lots of sewing while we're there, so I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished.

For March, my Get It Done list will look like this:
1.   Finish instructions for the Stitchery Keeper
2.   Finish the next 3 blocks in the Curve It Up QAL
3.   Finish the 4 remaining star blocks for Starry Night (UFO #1)
4.   Quilt and bind Rainbow Pineapples
5.   Prepare for Bonnie Hunter's visit to our Guild the first week in April - whoohoo!!!!

Go to Patchwork Times to see how others are Getting It Done!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Works in Progress - 2/13/2013

Since finishing up Easy Street, I've been working on catching up on some of my other projects, and whittling away at my Get It Done list for February.

But first I thought I'd share this SO CUTE little Heart Basket I made for Valentine's Day!

Isn't it just the sweetest little basket?  

I gave this to my husband filled with his favorite candies for Valentine's Day.  

No, I couldn't wait!!!  He got it early :*D

Here are a progression of pictures as I put it together.  It was a lot of fun!
(And yes, that is a Pocahontas beach towel under there LOL!!!)

The base is sometimes the hardest part, getting it square and the right size. 
It's especially hard when you have these odd angles!!!
Then getting the strips to stand up straight - I learned that this process is called "upsetting".
Yes, it was definitely upsetting to me at times LOL!!!

You have to clip the corners together until it is far enough along to begin keeping the correct shape.

It's beginning to look like a basket!!!  Don't you just love that deep pink reed?!?

The finishing touch!

This basket took me about 2-1/2 hours to make.  The other girls in the class finished up much more quickly than I did because they make baskets every month.  I also got there late :)  So they were halfway finished by the time I got there.  By the time I left, they had finished their basket, as well as a miniature one just like it!  Donna Christian teaches these classes, and she is such a great teacher!  If you're local to Nashville and would like to learn basket weaving, Donna's your girl!  Thanks again Donna!!!

Basket making is something I enjoy as a totally different hobby than quilting.  Sometimes I tend to get in too deep with quilting, too intense, too obsessed, so that I eat, sleep, breathe quilting!  I'm sure that never happens to any of you LOL!!!  It's nice to totally switch off the quilting button once in a while and take a breather.

Knitting/crocheting is another way I like to switch it up and relax with something different.  As I shared in my last post, I am working on this scarf which is a free pattern from Red Heart called Shore Thing.

And this is how far I've gotten on it.  

It took a little bit to get started because I couldn't get the instructions right to save me!  But it finally came together and it's coming along nicely now.  It's not an easy pattern though, so it won't be one of those I just pick up and work on without thinking about it.  I'm loving the colors, especially since they are not colors that I've worked with recently - another nice change!

As I expected, I was able to get quite a lot done on my next blocks for The Blue Collection at sit-n-sew on Monday!  This first block is completed except for leaving an opening at the mouth of the vase for flowers to come later after the blocks are assembled.

This was a really easy block to do because I basically let the fabric do the work of embellishment.  All the fabrics have lovely goldwork in them.

Then, I began working on the second vase, which will require quite a bit more work because it is assembled with lots of layers...

I noticed when posting this picture that the brown section seems woppy at the bottom, but I went back to check the pattern and it is that way too.  I may have to go back and smooth that out anyway.  We'll see.

And last, but certainly not least, I need to decide on a back for Easy Street.  I have this wonderful wide-back piece of aqua that I just love with it...

The problem however, as you can see here, is that it is not long enough....  

I must have bought the end of a bolt in a sale when I got this, because I always buy at least 3 yards of a wide-back - this is only a little over 2 yards.  I thought about keeping it for a lap-size quilt, and I may still do that.  But if I decide to use it, I either need to find a similar or complementary piece to make up the difference or make more Easy Street blocks to carry the design over to the back.  Ugh!!!  Not sure I could handle making more ES blocks right now!  Having this quilt and the backing ready for quilting is one of my February Get It Done items, so I want to get it done quickly and not just put it on a shelf until later.

So that's what I'm up to this week - busy, busy, busy!!!

And what does Gypsy think of all my hard work?  

Something tells me she is NOT impressed LOL!!!

I'll be linking up here with these fun blogs - come join in the fun!!!

************************

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

November 2013 End-of-Month Report

Be sure to get in on the GIVEAWAY!!!!!

My post for the Holiday Hullabaloo Blog Hop is HERE!!!!

Getting it Done!!!

I was amazed at how well I did in November, getting things done!  

If I can just do that well in December, I'll be very pleased :*)  

Hubby always carves the Thanksgiving turkey at Mom's house
Hudson had fun taste testing this year !!!

Finished projects - Wow!!!!

November 2013 Goals:

• Finish and post about Paws in the Garden project - DONE - post is HERE
• Quilting (domestic sewing machine DSM) - G's Banners, Mom's Valentine table-topper - G's Banners is DONE and gifted to that sweet baby girl (see posts HERE and HERE), but Mom's table-topper is still sitting forlorn on my sewing table :(
• Quilting (longarm) - UFO - Christmas Geese (Christmas QAL) - thanks to Joanne, this quilt is DONE - post is HERE.  I also quilted my Pumpkin Sampler quilt - bonus!!!
• Make a baby quilt for newest grandson for shower the week before Thanksgiving - DONE!!!  This has to be the fastest I've ever made a quilt from start to finish!  See Tranquility post HERE.
• Make several receiving blankets, etc., for shower also - DONE!!!  I also made a couple of pacifier keepers to include in the shower gift bag :*)
• Yarn Projects - continue Wingspan; cast on new socks for working on over the holidays :) - also DONE!!!  I got a lot of progress done on Wingspan during our road trip at Thanksgiving.  And not only did I cast on the new socks, but I actually FINISHED them and gifted them to my daughter!  See them HERE - Whoohoo!!!!  They were supposed to go in her stocking, but she insisted she couldn't wait :*)  I also finished up my aqua Surf Socks in November - Post HERE =^..^=
• Enjoy time with family for the Thanksgiving season!!!!!  - This was the easiest "task" on my list LOL!!! - DONE!!!  

So, basically, the only thing on my list that I didn't get done was my Mom's table-topper.  Not bad!  However, I've also decided to make one of these for my sister as well, which I haven't even started, so double that task now for December! :*)

December 2013 Goals:
It's not looking very promising for me to get a lot done this month.  There's that whole thing of Christmas and its many parties and time consuming activities.  Then of course we have a baby due in NC around Christmas time so I'll be trotting off there when Cooper decides to make his sweet appearance :*)  In addition, my stepfather in NC is not doing very well and they put him in the hospital with pneumonia this morning.  He's mid-80's with lots of health issues, so that's not good.  And as if all that's not enough, I've been fighting off the flu for the past few days - ugh!!!

However, I am ever the optimist and incurable list-maker, so I am determined to at least have a To Do list for the month, whether I get any of it done or not!

• Blog:  Prepare and post about TWO Giveaway Blog Hops!!  The first was yesterday - see link at top of this post; and the second will be Terri Stegmiller's Blog Hop next Monday (12/9) - come back for the fun!!!
• Quilting (domestic sewing machine DSM): - Mom's Valentine table-topper, and any other projects I manage to finish up this month.
• Quilting (longarm) - UFO - Indian Summer - This is only if Joanne has a day free for me to come play on the longarm :*)  This is maybe my oldest UFO, or at least one of the very first for sure.  It is a Judy Niemeyer pattern that I fell in love with when I first started sewing.  It's been folded up on my To-Be-Quilted shelf since 2006!!!!
• Bind Christmas Geese - yes, it is still sitting on my table waiting to have it's binding sewn on!  Poor beautiful quilt ♥♥♥
• Finish piecing the Bargello Tree Skirt - I'd love to have this under the tree this year, but it's not looking too favorable for that right now.
• Make a couple of Christmas gifts, mainly small gifts for stockings :*)
• Yarn Projects: - continue Wingspan; cast on new Red Socks for ME!!! (Actually I had already done that - see photo below - but forgot I wanted to do these in a pattern, not just "plain jane" and had to rip back to do that, got lost and ended up just totally ripping out to start new.)
• Guild Prep (new category):  I have agreed to head up a "Bees" Group sit-n-sew after our meetings each month, and I need to have all my ducks in a row for the announcement and roll-out in January.  Much planning still to be done!

Projects to finish up in December - I hope!!!

A few small gifts to whip up for loved ones :*)

I haven't done any Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks in either October or November - things have been just too hectic!!!  But SoScrappy will be hostessing this again in 2014, so click on the button below to go on over and check it out.  We'd love to see your Rainbow blocks there next year!!!

Linking up with -

Cat Patches - 2013 NewFO Challenge

Patchwork Times - Get It Done!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Get It Done - January 2013

We got a little snow here in Nashville last night, but not enough to write home to mom about.  Still, it was snow and I was happy to see it sprinkled on the ground this morning :*)  Snow, I like.  But I admit I'm not so crazy about the cold temps!!!  I'm so glad to say goodbye to January!  I know, wishing my life away and all that, but I am just NOT a winter person!  February means it's at least halfway over LOL!!!

I know a lot of quilters like to snuggle up in a warm spot and stitch during the winter - I have a hard time doing anything in cold weather.  I think I have a lot of bear in me!  All I want to do is curl up somewhere and hibernate until it gets warmer :*D

The cold did inspire me to pick up the knitting needles for the first time in a long while though.  I've been drooling over some of the cute hand warmers I've seen lately.  Having an iPhone means I need to have my fingers uncovered to use it, so I finally decided to find a fairly easy pattern and try to make some of my own.  This is my first one and I'm tickled to say it fits perfectly - it's exactly what I wanted!!!

If you look VERY closely, you can see the little bit of sparkle in the yarn - 

and you all know how I love sparkle, right?  :*D

 The opening for the thumb area was larger in the pattern, but I wanted my thumb pad to be kept warm too, so I closed it up a little more and I'm very happy with the result!

Here is a picture from the book and the yarn I used - you can see more of the sparkle here!
The pattern is from Expand Your Knitting Skills by Leisure Arts  

I knitted this one in just one evening and did the stitching together the next night.  

I think I'll be making a couple more pairs of these :*D

I'm linking this finish up with Judy's On The Needles!

Considering all the cold weather I had to suffer through in January (LOL!), I think I did pretty well with my Get It Done list.  Since this list is just to keep me focused, I'm not going to be upset with myself when I don't finish everything up!  I'll simply carry the unfinished items over to the next month.

1.     Binding on Pineapple Blossoms - DONE!  (see picture HERE)

2.     Complete piecing Easy Street mystery top - almost, but not quite .....

I finished up piecing all the blocks last night, but I still need to piece them all together into a top and apply the borders.  I'm still trying to decide on the fabrics for borders too.

I wish I could get a better picture of the whole quilt from indoors :(

3.     Complete writing up the pattern for my Stitchery Keeper - again, almost but not quite.

I still have a few tweaks to make to the pattern, especially since I added a zipper pocket to the design that was not in my original.  I will then need to work on packaging & marketing. 

4.     Dresden Blog Hop project - DONE!  You can see pictures of the Big Reveal HERE!

So for February, my Get It Done list will look like this:
1.    Complete Easy Street and have it ready for quilting, including the backing.
2.    Complete instructions for Stitchery Keeper and have it ready for sale.
3.    Catch up on all Curve It Up QAL blocks.
4.    Prepare and stitch next block in The Blue Collection.
5.    Complete and assemble the 2012 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt - Rainbow Pineapples.

I added a fifth item since two of the items on the list are simply finishes from January and shouldn't take too terribly long.  Plus, I really want to finish that Pineapple quilt!  Go over to Judy's Patchwork Times HERE to see how others have done on their January goals!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

And the Oscar for Most Fun Design Wall goes to....

Well, we'll need to go over to Patchwork Times to find that out won't we?  But I thought you might like to see some of the fun projects on my design wall now that Easy Street and the Rainbow Pineapples have finally abdicated their place on the wall.

Since I'm linking up with Barbara at Cat Patches for her 2013 NewFO Challenge this year, that means 12 new projects started this year - yikes!!!  I have no illusions that all 12 will get finished either LOL!!!  So, I thought it might be a smart idea to make some effort to finish up a few UFO's - right?  I learned from last year that it's just not possible for me to complete one UFO a month, especially since most of them are less than halfway done - some barely started.  I decided to set a more reasonable goal of finishing up no less than 6 UFO's this year.  Of course, my happy Rainbow Pineapples will count as the first completion.



For my next UFO, I decided to pick something that would serve as a great sit-n-sew project.  For me, a sit-n-sew project needs to be portable - not too many different fabrics, complicated techniques, or exotic tools! - and it needs to be machine pieced.  I chose Starry Night, a quilt I began as a BOM from a LQS back in 2007.  This is what the quilt should look like when I complete it.....

Photo from Starr Design Fabrics, Inc

This wonderful quilt by Starr Designs is made with all hand-dyed fabrics - luscious, deep, rich colorful fabrics!!!  The large paper-pieced star blocks are set in a floating background filled with tiny friendship stars.....

This is my Block #1 completed

I have six blocks completed - here are few more of them, just for eye candy :*)

I'll keep this box ready to grab whenever I go to a sit-n-sew or retreat and work on it until it is completely assembled.  I managed to get half of another block done at our Guild Sit-n-Sew last Thursday!



I'm also working on the Curve it Up QAL with Jenny Pedigo of Sew Kind of Wonderful and her sister, Helen from HGMR Deco Quilting blog.  One of my Get It Done objectives was to catch up on these QAL blocks.  Here are the two most current completed blocks, #5 & #6....

The Curved 9-Patch

Curvy Geese

They've released 3 more new blocks in the QAL since then - Yikes!!!  And Jenny's had a baby too - which really makes me a slacker LOL!!!  But I was so far behind on these when I set that goal last month - 4 blocks behind.  Since I've done those 4 blocks this month, I'm going to count that goal as DONE!!!  Then I'll put getting the next 3 done on my March Get It Done list.

These blocks are a lot of fun to make.  They challenge me to pay attention and to think differently about how I piece.  They are so original!  I never feel as if I'm making a block I've ever made before, and I really like that.  I'm just hoping my fabrics will end up playing well together and making a beautiful quilt overall.  I'm going to have concerns about that until they are all together I'm afraid.

Of course, these projects join my newest NewFO, Cool Cats, and my current applique project, The Blue Collection, as well as a couple of embroidery projects for times when hand stitching is the perfect activity!  You can click on their names to see what they are all about if you like :*D

So what's cooking on your Design Wall?

Is it Ocsar worthy LOL???  

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

=^..^=

Linking up with.....