Q3 Finish Along Goals

Well now that Chemo is done, I hope as my energy level returns, I will begin sewing again. It has been about a month since I was able to do any work in the sewing room. But I have lots of projects and a whole 3 months to make progress on them. Here we go:

 This little sweetie needs a back and to be quilted. Shouldn't take long, once I can get going on it. It would be a sweet baby quilt.

 This pretty little one actually has borders on it now, and so it just needs a back and to be quilted. Another candidate for a baby quilt.

 This one is all together and the back has been assembled as well, so it's just baste and quilt. Need to think of how to quilt it.

 This one is partially quilted now, but I was fast losing my sewing steam and just didn't get it done. Shouldn't take too long to finish, once I get going again.  Soon I hope.

This one has so many components. The poinsettias are done, the trees are done. i am working on he checkerboard and zigzag rows . The reindeer will be last and I still may be able to get this one done in time for Christmas this year.

All this getting done is contingent on two things: my energy level going up and not finding other projects to distract me, although lack of motivation has kept that one in check lately. Here's to a successful Q3. I hope to see you here more often now.

5-6 Years in the Making

In an effort to spur myself on to finish some long languishing WIPs, and because I knew that fatigue would also hold me back this year, I joined up with Adrianne at On the Windy Side for her quarterly Finish Along this year. In trotting out the WIPs, I found this one and I am delighted to be able to share it as finished.

 There is a story here. You knew there would be, right? The fabric is the very first pre-cut I ever bought. A Jelly Roll of Fig Tree Quilts Gypsy Rose. The soft, beautiful colors called to me at that time. I pulled the jelly roll apart and played with the strips. I grouped them in color family order. I counted them to see how many there were. There were 7 groups of 5 strips, with 5 leftover that were grouped by default. I sewed the groups together and measured, divided and cut them into squares and set them on point, a first for me too. I played with them on my design wall and finally settled on this arrangement and sewed them together. I bought a border fabric, since back then every quilt still had a border in my world. And the top was done.

 And I was stumped as to what to do next. It hung on my design wall for a while. And then, I gave up and took it down. I folded it and put it away and moved on to other quilts...for almost 6 years.

I began looking at some of my older, unquilted tops about a year or so ago. I began with the smaller ones, so still, this one waited. I finally pressed the wrinkles out and hung it on a hanger to keep it better. I was waiting for inspiration on how to finish it. I finally got it. I have started making notes when the inspiration hits, because I will surely forget later on. I started quilting it in the first quarter, after finally piecing a back. It's hard to tell here, but each square is quilted with a large Mum type flower.

 The half squares along the edges are a back and forth loop in each strip of the square and the border is a wavy sort of zigzag that I have done before.

 One of the hard things was choosing the binding. These colors are so soft, and have a tone to them that is very much a Fig Tree Quilts specialty, in my opinion. I had to work from stash, so I went through everything, looking for a more subdued option.

 And I found one, confirmed by my daughter when I sent her a photo of the two options I thought might work. This beautiful pale green Dear Stella Confetti Dots. I had exactly a half yard and only one little 1.5 inch strip is now left. I love it so much more than I even thought I would.

And the back? Here it is. A big chunk of an Amy Butler print in pale blue, and bright borders of Birds and Berries by Lauren and Jessie Jung pulled from a layer cake that has been hanging around for about 3 years. I have used bits of it before. Now that I see it again, I wish I had more of it.

 Just look at all that crinkly goodness just out of the dryer. My favorite part of every quilt I make.

And so now, a mere 6 years after I bought it, I love this finally finished quilt so much more than I would have thought. Is it time that does that? This beauty is going to live at my middle daughter's house. Being the only female in the house means she needs some feminine touches and this one fits the bill perfectly. A happy ending.

Quarter 2 Finish Along Goals

Can't believe it's time for the Q2 FAL goals. I did pretty good for Q1. I posted 7 goals and was able to finish 3. I feel good about that. A couple of the others moved forward a wee bit too. So here are my Q2 goals:

This poor little guy never even made it out of the cabinet. Gotta rectify that so I can figure out how to quilt it.

This one is all put together up to the first border. got to piece one more border and the top will be done.

 These are all put together. The bottom two will go on the back, which needs to be made still. Then I need to figure out how to quilt it.

This one, made about 5 years ago I have started quilting on. I hope to be able to finish it soon.

This guy is on the machine and I just started quilting it today. I have a kind of a plan so just dove right in.

And, for my biggest challenge, another Fair Isle quilt. This one in greys red and Kona snow. No green this time, or pink. I have until Christmas, but I know me so I am getting started now. Cutting the tons of pieces has commenced.
Well, that  should keep me busy this quarter. Linking up with Adrianne On the Windy Side.

New Year, New Challenges

Note: Giveaway post is here.

Good Morning! I am always on the lookout for ways to push myself to creativity. Yes, I love to sew and quilt, but I have discovered that if I look at lots of other quilters works, it inspires me to keep going on my own projects, as well as to come up with new projects. This year, I have decided to try and join up with Adrianne at On the Windy Side for her 2015 Finish Along. You will see the button on my right sidebar. This is my first quarter list of proposed finishes.

 This first is a bunch of pennant flags, made from the book Modern Bee. I made it two years ago, but never finished it because I didn't really like the way it turned out. Need to quilt it and bind it.

 This is one I put together with a couple of charm packs and the scraps left over from my Petals quilt. It too needs quilting and binding...for the last couple of years.

 This is my Cat Weave quilt. I am trying to decide how I want to quilt this. Needs quilting and binding.

 This is my X plus quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts Bee. Finally have the blocks together (my month was August last year) and need to figure out a backing, quilting and binding.

 I pulled these for either a quilt of pillow. I have made a couple of blocks and I like it so far. I just need to decide what it will become so I can move on with it.

This beauty needs quilting and binding. I made it along with Lee at Freshly Pieced and I want to finish it now, so it will be ready for next year's holiday season.

This quilt top is maybe 5 or so years old? I made it from the first jelly roll I ever bought. It is a Fig Tree line called Gypsy Rose. I just wanted to see what I could create with a jelly roll. Never did it before. Now, I want to finally quilt it. I have a quilting plan, and a backing (finally) so I want it done. It will be going to live at my middle daughter's house whe I get it done.

And I think that is enough for one quarter, don't you?  I will be excited to see how I do in the personal challenge. If you are interested, join up with us!