2011 -- The Year of Finish That Old Quilt! -- August 7, 2011 Update

[StiinaQT]

Aug 7, 2011,

Only been about 6 mo since the last update.  Here is where I am with my projects:

#2 Patti's:  Her's had more to tear out than I thought and I didn't finish the tear out until July 4th.  I was on vacation with all phone service taken out by a tornado where we were staying and I was sitting in the porch area of the lodge of the resort we were at.  A lady joined me while her family went for a round of golf.  We traded quilt stories and I got my tear out done!  It is finished and at the Indiana State Fair with a beautiful red ribbon on it:

Thank you CM Quilting Moms for helping me to name it:  Trig This!

#8  Pumpkin Patch #3 & 4:  I almost have #3 put together, just need to add the borders now.  #4 is still in block form.

#11:  Terri's Baby Quilt is done, but I have it back to add a sleeve and the birth info onto the center block.  I guess I never took a picture when I finished, so I will post that when the center block is embroidered.

New to the list:

#18:  2011 BOM (Signed up for this before I decided to start no new ones) - Here's what I have so far:

#19 Is another BOM, only this year there are 2 blocks per month, each a photographic negative of the other (in the center portion).  I am making each block with a different fabric to give it a scrappy look.  As of today, I have 16 blocks:

#20 Is the "Shhh, the one I wasn't supposed to start.." but most of you have already seen it in another posting.  I have been working on the next round which is 112 2 1/2" square paper pieced blocks:

(These are not to scale!)  You would think that 20 active projects would be enough for me, but nooooo....I am also making a quilt for my son for his boot camp graduation.

#21  Josh's All American..

First, here he is on the right with his bunk mate.  He's at Ft Leonard Wood, just South of St. Louis, MO:

So far, I have 18 blocks finished.  I think I'm going to either make it with 24 or 30 blocks.

Is that all of them?  Not really, but enough to show now.  I wish I could focus on one and get it done, but I'm the type that gets bored with one and has to move around onto different things.  Eventually they bubble up from the pile and get done, but it's hard to get your mind around having so many undone.  Probably even a bit stressful.  I'm working on whittling it down.

Happy quilting!

Jan 28, 2011

Got home late Monday night from 4 glorious days at Road to California.  And yes, the Volunteer Coordinators did remember me and put up front and center with all the award winners.  After 2 - 2 hr stints at showing them, I completely lost my voice and had to go to the back side of the show and rove around.  I just today sound normal again.

The quilts were inspiring, as usual, and I hope one day to make a show stopper.  I will continue to dream because it isn't happening any time soon.

So, what did I come home with?  Information is the best.  I found out that many of the scrapbooking cutters like Sissix and the others not only cut paper, but fabric too, up to 8 layers.  How cool is that?  I also found a wholesale source of batting who sells partial rolls as in 9 or 10 yd "boards" so you can have many different types without having to buy a full roll.  Little easier on the pocketbook too.  I learned some techniques to make some very narrow stems, found some fab stencils for painting on fabric, fab paint to use with the stencils...Now I have something to use with the fab glitter and fabric glue I got last year.

I picked up several patterns, used up some scraps and generally had a good time.  Enough for now.

Jan 16, 2011

I was able to finish the top for #11 today and now have a photo of it.  Unfortunately, I fiddled around all afternoon on my phone software for my computer trying to send it to the lady who asked me to make it.  Picture is below.  Beyond that, I am picking up my projects and getting them put away and finalizing my packing for the trip to CA on Wed.

Jan 15, 2011

I've made more progress this week.  I got my Baltimore Mach Applique trimmed, but I clipped some of the rayon thread on one and will now have to remake it, not way to undo that.  I tried fray check, but it didn't work.  Look at #10 and #11 for this week's updates.

Jan 8, 2011

Now my focus is mainly on getting ready to go to Road to CA in 10 days!  Woot! Woot!  I meet my wonderful Cafemom Quilting Mom friends Megan, Lori and Suzie.  We are gonna have a blast.  We have a fifth Mom coming, but sorry I can't remember who it was...will add her when I figure it out.  Been too long since we last spoke.

I pulled out another project:

It looks fab, just need to start back working on it again.  It is an embroidered version of Baltimore Album, and the pieces are still appliqued, but placed using my embroidery machine.  Much faster than by hand.  I trimmed the stabilizer on one block today and decided I may need to try to use a light poly batting between the fabric and stabilizer so it isn't quite so stiff, but gives it a bit more umph.  So this is finish that old quilt project #17 and will place it below in order...dang...will be a long year.

Jan 2, 2011

I have been putzing around in my sewing room for most of the afternoon.  I have mainly worked on quilting my 2009 BOM.  The pattern is called Hoosier Connections and was designed by a local designer many people have heard of:  Kaye England.  She used to own 3 quilt shops in the Indianapolis area, but divested them in the mid 2000's.

I decided to use my Feathered Leaf panto for the outer edge, but found that it is 10" while my border is only 8" so I improvised and am doing it free motion after some practice and lots of drawing.  I decided to use the Signature Sapphire color on the border and Mother Goose on the back and remainder of the quilt.  Mother Goose is a Khaki color with a hint of olive in it and it tends to fall to the background with most country colors.  It blends nicely with these Kansas City Troubles fabrics and scrappy design.

My setting squares, which are really triangles that meet up to make squares, are getting a double circle in the center with long feathers on the outer side and 45° cross-hatching on the center.  Why a double circle?  I JUST felt like it.  Actually I wondered how it would look to put a 1/2" separation and I like it.  The actual blocks are getting my free motion paislies.  I'd take pictures, but they are really hard to see.  I might try to later.

I do have a major boo-boo, I got my batting bunched in one place and when I was trying to ease it back flat, I pulled a hole into the middle of it.  It will have to be put back together and once it's quilted, should not show.

My 2010 BOM quilt has all the blocks made and all but the corner setting triangles are made.  I've laid it out and now just need to sew it into one top!  It looks really, really yummie.

I was a good girl today.  I was supposed to go to the quilt shop and pick up some stuff, but I felt weak and decided not to go.  With only 3 weeks to Road to CA, I would have been impulsive and bought,then felt extremely guilty during my entire trip.  I have saved some cash for the trip and hope to accumulate just a bit more before we leave so I can pay cash for most of the trip.

Now, I really need to get onto a few other late projects.... 

Jan 1, 2011

Today I received my last 2010 BOM block and the first of several BOM's began.  I am now making setting triangles for my 2010 BOM in 30's Reproduction fabrics and will soon be assembling the top.  I put my 2009 BOM quilt on the quilting machine yesterday and am ready to begin quilting it.  I actually finished the binding on one of my NICU donations as well.

Dec 31, 2010

I am already struggling with this because I found this really, really awesome quilt that I want to make and everyone keeps feeding the bad side of me and saying that if I start it by today, then it won't be a new project in 2010.  Dang, true, but talk about abiding by the spirit of the intent...that is so way not.

So, I have a few more pictures, and will flag them with stars next to the numbers so you know which are new, like anybody but me cares!  I'm doing this to keep me honest.

I have far too many UFO's.  Some were started as quilts for people who wanted a quilt when they were ready to buy, not as a commissioned, but as one to select from inventory.  Some were started for donations and not yet finished, and some are commissioned that I haven't gotten done yet because my customers are very undemanding or I'm not sure of how to go next.  Some are because I wanted to make them then got bored with them or had other things that needed to be taken care of or who knows why I start and never finish them?

I'm only starting with the ones I really would like to see off my list, then by quilts that just are ready to go on my machine and get quilted.  Then others just need to be done with.

1.  First, Rick's.  He is my first customer and I ran into a huge snag fixing his 30 year old quilt.  I set it aside and have not finished it.  I need to get it back to him!  I'm sure once I start I will wonder why I never finished.

3.  Linda's -- Poor Linda has been waiting almost as long as Rick, but I'm determined it will be done before Spring Break...Should I actually say that?  I'm probably going to miss that, but still she should also get her's done.

4.  Fleur de Rouge -- This is a floral redwork quilt.  I have no idea how to quilt this puppy.  Any ideas?  It needs a backing and sleeve to finish it once I decide what to do with it.  And what color thread should I use?  Red?  Beige?  No clue...

5.  Summer Wreath -- This is a quilt that needs some work.  I have some tearing out to do and some requilting.  It is an exercise in heirloom style quilting...I started it before I got my Gammill.

6.  Barb's Sham -- I already have one and almost a second, but dang it, I made a duplicate of the first not the mirror image I wanted.  I have to remake the top and also the cording.  Of course, it got sewed onto the front piece....I'm not tearing all that mess out!

7.  Barb's Bolster -- Haven't even started this one, but not sure why, it should be a snap.

8.  Pumpkin Patch #3 & #4 -- Spec quilts because so many people loved the design and quilting.  When I went to work full time, they went into a bin and haven't been heard from since.  I need to finish putting the tops together.  I have them all ready to sew, just should do it.  Also will need backings for both.  Here is a photo of PP #2

These will look very similar, but the setting triangles are rust and the resting strip is something else.  Not even sure if I cut one to tell the truth.

**9.  Mountain Top -- I made this as part of a HST exchange when the designer, Edyta Sitar, came to visit out quilt shop.  I need to finish the border then find a backing and quilt it.  I should have stopped at the center but I wanted it bigger.

Here it is with a piece of the border:

10.  Hoosier Connections, 2009 BOM -- Just need to quilt this one, but I'm not sure yet how I want to do it.

January 15, 2011--I have completed some of the quilting and like what I came up with. I'm doing a double circle in the setting squares with cross hatching in the center and long feathers on the outside.

In the Blocks, I am doing long paisley's, free motion.  I am outlining all of the blocks to stabilize it.

11.  Terri's Baby Quilt -- A heart & 9-patch I started last week and is nearly ready to assemble the top!  I have about 7 more heart patches to finish and I will be nearly done.

Jan 16, 2011  Here's the top:

Jan 15, 2011--The quilt top just now needs the final borders!  I'd be putting them on if I wasn't chatting with my wonderful friend Megan...

I love being this close to done with the top!

12.  QOV's--I have many that need to be quilted:
    a.  3 - Disappearing 9-patch designs
   b.  Stars & Stripes cheater
   c.  Several "Bits & Pieces" style tops that are not quite finished.

13.  Donations, NICU -- Again, several on the way:
  a.  Scrap Patch baby sized with matching isolette Done as of 1/1/11
  b.  9 for 9 months that needs to be torn out badly (I just can't give this horrid quilting job to anyone)

14.  Donations -- General
  a.  Galaxy space fabrics, just need to quilt it.

That's all for today.  I plan to update this at least weekly and try to push myself to get these done.

So now for the next set of UFO's

**15.  2010 BOM -- I get the last block on New Year's Day and here is a mock up of how I'll put it together:  As of 1/1/110, I am making the setting triangles, all of the blocks and setting squares are made and the white borders cut. 

Aren't those fabrics so yummy you just want to eat them up?  I am in love with these fabrics and I used to think they were so ugly!  Love, love, love how this is turning out.

Jan 8, 2011

I have made progress this week.  My 2010 BOM is looking fab!  See what you think: