Blowing off the dust

A finish!  And an old one at that.



I have had this one loaded on the longarm for months, just sitting there.  Waiting.  Waiting for me to feel like it. It's not even like I had to decide what to quilt.  I had already decided to try to do my first pantograph.  I just needed to find my sewing mojo again.

I am happy to report that I have found it!  After months of only going in my sewing room to find stuff that I put in there during the remodel, I have been sewing again.  I literally had to blow the dust off my machines and cutting table.  My first order of business was to finish up this Batik Tile quilt that was one of my oldest UFO's.  The pattern was "Tile Style" by Cheryl Rose Creations and was published in American Patchwork & Quilting back in 2010.  2010!!

One big boost to my sewing mojo was being asked if I wanted to be the featured quilter at our guild's annual quilt show in September.  While I am not sure yet if I have been chosen, I realized that if it happens, I better have some stuff to feature!  So, it has really lit a fire under me!  Now that my longarm is free, I've pulled out a few other finished or close to finished tops to do next.  I've also started piecing my Aviatrix Medallion quilt.  AND......I took a class on a technique that I am so excited to try out!!!  I don't want to tell you about it just yet (in case I fail miserably at it).

In other news, I finished the Whole 30 diet and am right in the middle of reintroducing different problematic foods.  I am still not 100% sure what was causing my issues, but I am feeling so much better.  I've also lost 9 pounds!  The diet was hard!!!  I didn't realize how much I eat to comfort myself or because I was bored.  Identifying these things has helped me though, and I can now recognize cravings vs. real hunger.  I do plan on trying to eat similarly to the diet going forward.

Yes, despite the difficulty, I recommend the diet.  I feel better, look better and I know I ate better.  I never starved myself.  In fact, I stuffed myself the entire time - but only with foods from the plan (meat, veggies, and fruit).  If you want to check it out, the book is It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig (Affiliate Link***).  If you have any questions, you can also email me.

Thanks for reading today!  Now back to work.....

Jen


***This post may contain affiliate links.  If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links, I may be compensated, but at no additional cost to you!

Batik tile progress - Building Blocks Tuesday

I finished up all my Batik tile blocks this week!



One good thing about the wet weather we have been having is that it has kept me inside, which has given me time to put the flimsy together.



I must admit that this is nothing like I pictured it when I chose these fabrics years ago.  I really don't know what I was thinking.  The original pattern had a lot of teal, and some copper in it.  But, at the time I couldn't find exact matches so I went with what I could find and it looks like I made some interesting choices.  For me, the yellow just doesn't belong, and worse it totally drowns out the navy with copper fabric that is my favorite of this group.  BUT....it is finished.  And finished is better than perfect!

Now to piece a backing together, and start quilting it.  It looks like I might have a chance of getting at least one of my 100 Day Challenge items done.  Speaking of....we are only about 10 days away from our first check in.  I hope you have all been working hard, and I can't wait to see your progress.

What blocks have you been working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page on your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr and Instagram pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jennie


***This post may contain affiliate links.  If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links, I may be compensated, but at no additional cost to you!

More Batik tile blocks - Building Blocks Tuesday

I made a few more of these Batik tile blocks this week, in between packing up my kitchen into boxes and squirreling away plates and glassware anywhere I could fit them.  We are remodeling our kitchen and the current one had to be cleared out for demo yesterday.  I thought I had eliminated most of the junk when we moved last year, but I found myself packing up plenty of items that I haven't used at all in the last year and a half.

This brings my blocks up to:



Man, is this not my style at all!  I've got one more color way to go, and I may need to repeat one of the color combos to finish up the corner.  At least it is farther along now than it was a couple of weeks ago.

I also need to start on those Sawtooth Star blocks this week, and I have a TON of gardening chores to do while the contractors are busy making a disaster of my house.  It will be raining dust for weeks, no doubt.  But, I am sure it will all be worth it in the end.

What blocks have you been working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page on your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr and Instagram pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jennie


***This post may contain affiliate links.  If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links, I may be compensated, but at no additional cost to you!

Batik tile blocks - Building Blocks Tuesday

Wow!  The 100 Day Challenge has really kicked off with a bang!  So many people have jumped right on their challenges.  It inspired me to get out my old Batik Tile UFO and try to assess where I was in regards to completion of the project....I've got to tell you, it wasn't easy!



(I am not sure why the block above looks so bright and colorful on the floor, must be the lighting on the floor compared to the lighting on the wall. It really is more drab.)

I pulled this project out of the closet a few months ago and put the blocks up on the wall for a few days, but I really didn't stop to see how many more blocks I needed to make, and if I had enough fabric.  To make things a little more complicated, I discovered that I must have chosen some different colors than the pattern called for because I got some weird stuff that looks nothing like the pattern.  Basically, I spent the morning asking myself, "What was I thinking?".

I got as far as figuring out where I was in the completion process and how many blocks I needed to make to finish the rows I was working on.  So today, I went from this:



to this:



I still have quite a few more blocks to make.  In making the block up at the top today, I realized it isn't the blocks that I don't like about this project.  They actually come together rather easily.  It is the fabric - gasp!  I think of Batiks like I think about the color, Orange.  I don't particularly like it.  I can appreciate it, and find beauty in select oranges, but in general I don't like working with it.  Just the way I am!

So there they are, the first blocks of the New Year and part of my 100 Day Challenge.

What blocks have you been working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page on your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr and Instagram pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jennie


***This post may contain affiliate links.  If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links, I may be compensated, but at no additional cost to you!

the List - UFO Sunday

If you feel overwhelmed by reading other people's to do lists, avert your eyes, this one is a doozie!  Like when you open a closet door at a friends house expecting to hang up your coat, but the darn thing is so stuffed with junk it falls out all over you -- that kind of doozie!

A few weeks ago, Leah Day over at Free Motion Quilting Project, started a new weekly link up called UFO Sunday.  One of the things I like best about Leah's blog is that it is deeply introspective.  She really probes into the emotions and thoughts behind why we do what we do with our projects and our lives.  She makes me think (heaven forbid)!  This new link up was sparked by a bunch of feelings - the need to practice on real quilts, the desire to feel less oppressed by the pile of UFOs lying around and the hope that getting some things done might make one feel, well, happy.

Now, I know I have been participating somewhat sporadically in Patchwork Times UFO Challenge.  But unlike that challenge that assumes you will finish a UFO each month, Leah's premise was rather simple.  Just work on a languishing UFO for one day, even if it was only for 15 minutes.  Progress is progress.

She also explored some thoughts on why some UFOs end up languishing in the first place.  I can totally relate to some of the reasons.  Like the quilts for my mom that took forever because I didn't really enjoy the fabrics.  At the moment, I feel like I have too many other pressing projects that need my time and attention more.  Leah suggests making a list and really determining which projects deserve your time and which should be trashed.  Yes, trashed.  "Time is a precious resource", it shouldn't be wasted!

So, here is my list of languishing UFO's:

The Handstitched projects:

• the stitched headband - actually I wanted to make a band for a hat I have.  Still want to do this.
• Sashiko coasters - the bases are actually made.  I need to transfer a few more designs and get stitching.  I still want to do this.
• the Hexagon tote bag - I have my hexies all basted.  I have the linen to make the bag.  I have someone I would like to give it to.  But I am hesitant.  This one needs to go into a different category, a wait until you are jazzed about getting stuff done and then finish this one category.
• The star blossom wall art - I have everything I need for this one, but I am having trouble choosing fabrics.  I am just having a hard time imagining those little pieces working together.  Plus, EPP just seems to take forever!  I need another trip to Hawaii to get it started and done.
• The flower applique pillow - this is adorable, but I don't know that I really need a pillow right now, nor do the kids.  I mean shouldn't we actually have quilts for our beds first?  Maybe not, but at the moment, I am leaning toward trash.  Thankfully, I didn't get very far on this project before setting it down, so only 4 scraps of fabric would be trashed.
• The Medallion quilt top - I love this quilt, but the last step put a bit of a funk on it.  I need to rip out all the seams for the last border and redo them.  Seam ripping is not much fun even when it is only a few inches.  I probably have about 250 inches to rip out.  Not fun.  I need to just do it one day, then back and sandwich it.  The hand quilting will take a while, no doubt.  Perhaps this will be my holiday project while the kids are home and I can't sneak off to my sewing "studio".

Other projects:

• Hawaiian applique pillow - from the class I took 2 years ago!  The darn applique is nearly finished.  I think I have 2 more small circles to go.  But, I don't need a green and yellow pillow.  Although, now that I know how to make these things into wall art, that could be an option.  Undecided which category this goes in.
• The fusible rose project - this one is partially "pieced".  I need to add it to the background fabric and then thread paint it.  The thread painting aspect is why I took a class last January.  I'm not sure I know enough to make it look nice enough.  It WOULD be an excellent practice piece though!  Leaning toward Trash, but perhaps it makes more sense for it to languish a little more.
• The thread painting wall art - this was what we worked on in class.  I only have a few more steps until it is done.  I had hoped to finish it up and give it to my grandmother for a gift.  But, my excitement level for this project is null.  Trash.
• The Batik Tile quilt - fabric is cut, some blocks put together, basically "piecing in progress".  The problem is that I am just not in love with these fabrics anymore.  I really appreciated the picture of the pattern and thought it was beautiful, but once I got into making one myself, my interest dwindled.  It is quite possible, I am just not a Batik person.  A shame really, considering I have a whole box of them. I am leaning toward Trash.
• Blue and White One Block Wonder top - I actually like this one.  I think it would make a great charity quilt.  I was hoping to send one more this year to the woman collecting for Happy Chemo.  She said in a post that she is always looking for more "manly" quilts for the patients.  This would be a good one for that.  If I allowed myself to just quilt it with a simple all-over design, it could even be done relatively quickly.
• Brown and Blue Land of Lincoln Quilt - I like this one too.  It is a little too dark for our home here, but I think it would be a perfect addition to our family's vacation home up in the mountains.  It needs the final border added and then quilted.  The drawback - it is BIG.  Yes, I have a new machine that should make this easier with its large throat space, but it is BIG.  I think I am balking at finishing it just because of the size.  Solution: send it out.  I don't know why I am so hesitant to do that.  I really want to finish my own projects!  But it really boils down to this one sitting in a box for another 6-9 months or getting done by someone else.
• Star Circles (a New York Beauty quilt) - piecing in progress.  I love the look of this quilt and when I am in the mood to paper piece, I try to do a few more blocks here and there.  I think this one will get done, eventually.
• Olivia's applique quilt (the copy of my niece's quilt from last Christmas) - The darn blocks are all done, applique and all.  I literally just need to put the top together and quilt it!  Olivia is just getting to the age too, where she might want a special blankie of her own.  This Christmas?
• The Batik Stripe Quilt - it is one of my FAVORITES, why can't I get this done???  It is sandwiched and ready.  Why don't I just start it?  Fear.  I am at the point where the quilting happens, and I want it to stand out and be seen, but I am terrified that I will mess it up.  And, I am having difficulty choosing a thread, but that is really just a secondary excuse.  This one needs to be done, like yesterday!
• Paper-pieced block pillows - I have several paper-pieced blocks with no homes.  I can't really see them going into a quilt, but they would make pretty pillows.  Did I mention, I don't really need any pillows.  These may need to just be trashed or given away to unsuspecting bee mates.

My New-FO's (these really haven't been languishing, YET):

• The Beginner Quilt Along Top - I don't have a lot of emotions invested in this one and plan to give it to my guild to either auction off or give to their charity causes.
• The Vintage Holiday Quilt Along top - I love this one and want to keep it for myself.  Excitement level is still high on this one, an excellent time to keep going and get it done.
• The How Far Will You Go Quilt Along - the top is not yet completed and the quilt along is still going. I have had to put this one aside for a while to finish up some other items, like bee blocks, which puts it in the danger zone of being forgotten.  The design is lovely, and the quilt along has been a great experience, but I have no plans yet for the quilt itself.
• The Totally Groovy Quilt Along top - I would really like to give this one as a gift to someone special.  I need to get it done.

Seems like I don't have many for the Trash category.  I guess I need to get to work then!

I am not actually linking up this post at Leah's blog today, because I haven't actually worked on any of these projects.  I just feel writing them down was the first step and publishing it might help me be more accountable.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.  I'm leaving town tomorrow and will have a whole week to decide which of these projects to spend some time on first.  Also, I plan on trimming down this list to fit with Kelsey Sews 100 Day Hustle, which I will post in a few days.

What do you have languishing around that spending 15 minutes on might make you feel better?

Jen

Pray for poop! Yes, you read that right.

Yesterday, I was down with the flu so I didn't get anything done.  I don't get it.  My kids won't share their toys, they won't share their snacks, but they are really good at sharing germs.

I did feel much better today and was able to make a little progress on my Batik tile UFO during the baby's nap.  Just a few more blocks:

I'm hoping that everyone feels better tomorrow and can return to school.  I have a training class for our next art project that I volunteer to teach the kids.  If I miss tomorrow, I'll be in BIG trouble as two classes fo kids are counting on me.  It sounds terrible, but...pray for solid poop!  That's what we are waiting for in order to return to school, and we've been waiting since Monday.  I know some of you other moms can relate!

On another note, I have less than a week to go before the Road to California quilt show.  I can't wait to get there and put the last few days behind me!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes you have to just dive in!

Today, I finally pulled out my alternate fabrics I bought for the Batik tile quilt.  I began to audition each one, and I realized I could literally do it for hours and not be any closer to choosing.  Part of the problem is that so many of the fabrics look nice together, and part of the problem is that my fabrics are obviously a little different than the picture the pattern used (at some point I also realized that the fabrics in the picture varied from how the pattern was written too).  So of course, my quilt isn't going to turn out exactly like the pattern.  It was downright silly of me to think so in the first place!

So after a few pictures, and wavering, I decided that sometimes you just have to dive right in!  I chose, and started to piece.  The end.  Only time will tell how it will turn out, so stay tuned!

Here are the first two blocks:

2 blocks DONE - sorry about the poor picture

The Blind leading the Seeing

Sorry, no post yesterday.  I had quite a busy day!  No sewing, unfortunately.  I spent a solid chunk of time teaching 3rd graders an art project.  Due to budget cuts, etc., many of the local schools have taken formal art classes out of the curriculum.  In our district there is a non-profit group that with the help of parent volunteers teaches each class 6 projects throughout the school year.  Even though I am absolutely not good with any of the mediums they use, I volunteered to teach my daughter's kindergarten class and a 3rd grade class that had no parent volunteer.  Yesterday's project was a watercolor landscape.  My own attempt at least resembled a landscape!  Thus, the blind leading the seeing.  Some of these students are truly exceptional artists. It is a great experience working with them.

I also managed to swing by my local Viking dealer to order an open toed free motion foot for my machine.  I have been getting by just fine with my darning foot, but the open toe was on the supply list for one of the classes I am taking in only 12 short days!!!  I figured it was important to be properly prepared!  I only hope it comes quickly enough for me to get to play with it a little before my class.

I cannot emphasis how excited I am to be going to the quilt show.  My 3 year old has been driving me nuts the last few weeks, and I am ready for a couple days break!!!

I also popped into Joann's just to check their Batik selection to see if any of them would fill my need for the tile quilt.  I bought a couple of fabrics to try, but I haven't had a chance to audition them yet.  Perhaps tonight after the kids go to bed.

Uhh-oh, a problem that may require retail therapy

I started cutting fabric for my Batik tile UFO yesterday, but didn't really get a chance to audition these fabrics on my design wall (aka living room carpet) until today.  All the fabrics looked fine together before I cut them, but I was looking at one blending to the other.  The pattern is a mix of blending colors and highly contrasting colors, and mine just didn't seem to want to cooperate, especially the contrasting ones.  When I laid them out in the blocks, it was obvious that there were a couple that just didn't seem right.  I did have a few "backups" that when I was cutting, I thought for sure wouldn't fit in, but I ended up liking them better when laid out in the pattern.  There is one color combination though, that still isn't right, and I can't live with the possibilities in my stash.  I think I am going to have to go shopping.  I think until I have the right mix, I think it might be best to put it aside.  Don't worry!  I won't be idle.  I have loads of other things to work on.

This is what the pattern calls for, though not this orientation.  This is only two blocks of each color combo. That bright green is definitely out

Now the "copper" seams too orange, and that block is supposed to have a light green contrasting fabric in it.

This is how I left it, but I still hate the combo in the lower left, and the orange still seems a little much to me.  What do you think?