I am hosting TGIFF - a finish Friday

I am hosting TGIFF today!  I am so happy to share my most recent finish - a quilt I have been working on for over a year.  My Handstitched Medallion quilt!

I took the Handstitched" from Rachel at Stitched in Color so long ago that her encore class from this summer has already finished their quilts.  I loved Rachel's approach to all the hand work - if you are going to take the time to do it, you should be able to see it.

I finished up the top on schedule with the class, but all that hand quilting took me a while.

It was a labor of love, though.

I am so happy to be able to say it is finished!  I'm keeping this beauty all to myself; I already have plans to curl up with it on the couch.

The obligatory "back" shot.  And no finish would be complete without a picture of my trusty assistant..

I had to answer the phone mid-photo shoot and Tookie had climbed into the chair for a sprawl.  Upon my return to take her picture, she became a little photo shy.

I can't wait to see what fun finishes you have!  Remember, this is OctoberQuest TGIFF!  Not sure what I am talking about?  Well, let me tell you......

OctoberQuest details... Your quest is to finish up those quilty projects and link up at any of our fab four hosts throughout the month of October. The rules remain the same as last year:

1. Your quilty project must be completely finished (As much as we love celebrating quilt tops or completed blocks, they will not be eligible for the prizes).
2. You may enter more than one finish and even more than one finish each week. Just add a link for each finish to one of the linky parties. The linky parties will stay open until the end of the month.
3. Your blog post or photo on Flickr/Picasa must have a link back to the TGIFF! site and the particular party you are participating in. Posts without links will be deleted.
4. Link up your quilty finish in any of the TGIFF! linky parties this month:
   • October 4 - Laura @ Quokka Quilts
   • October 11 - M-R @ Quilt Matters
   • October 18 - Julia @ Julia's Spitzenkiste
   • October 25 - Jen @ Quilter In The Closet
5. OctoberQuest will be open until October 31st at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be picked via Ms. Random Number Generator on November 1st and notified via email. Please make sure we can contact you via email or we will blow the gift certificates on ourselves need to run Ms. Random again.

1) Mad About Patchwork is giving a $50 gift certificate to two lucky participants! There's something for everyone too - Pam's offering a 10% off purchases for the month of October to all OctoberQuest participants -- just use TGIFF10 at checkout.
2) Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is giving a $50 gift certificate to two lucky participants! They too are offering 10% off purchases (excluding classes, clubs and block of the month programs) for the month of October to all OctoberQuest participants -- TGIFF10 at checkout!
3) Christa Quilts is giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant! Christa is having a special fall blowout clearance sale - take an extra 10% off her clearance section when you use the code 13CLEARANCE at checkout.
Just think of what deliciousness you could get with one of these prizes?! So exciting! Thank you to our sponsors for offering these goodies! So to help us celebrate OctoberQuest 2 and be in the running for these amazing goodies, start linking! Here's the linkup:



Thanks for reading today!

Jen

September progress report and October goal setting

I have felt behind this month since it started.  But looking at my list, it looks like I got most of what I hoped to finish completed.  October is already proving to be a difficult month.  It seems like every email and phone call I receive is adding one more thing to the calendar.  I guess I will really have to focus on my tasks instead of just working on what I want to like the free spirit I was in early September.

September UFO's:

• Summerville DP blocks - My Lazy Bum secret partner chose this as my project for September's UFO challenge.  I am happy to report that they went from these plain Drunkard's Path blocks to 2 table toppers and a potholder.  I literally finished them up this morning, the last day of the month!

• Swoon - I wanted to get 6 more blocks done. Well I fell a little short, I only got 4 done.

September NewFO's

• Commission quilt - I've took on a commission quilt for a friend and hoped to get the top completed and I did! I now need to piece the backing and get it basted and quilted.  
• 60 degree ruler mini quilt - I finished my candy corn table runner.  The tutorial is HERE.

Now for October

October UFO's:

• Handstitched Medallion - My Lazy Bums group has decided that this month's challenge item should be blue or aqua.  I have several quilts on my UFO list that would fall into this category, but I decided to take a little liberty and choose the one I most want done before Christmas, my Handstitched Medallion quilt.  It has a little blue and some aqua, and I hope that the group won't consider me a cheat for choosing it.  Honestly, it has a lot of work left to be done, and other than attaching the binding, all of it is handwork and time consuming.

• Swoon -since I didn't finish up the blocks in September, I hope to finish them up and get to the flimsy stage this month.
• Commission quilt - get it backed and at least basted.

October NewFO's

• Wicked Blog Hop - I seriously have a problem signing up for things.  I actually tend to binge-commit.  I say no to half a dozen things, then all of sudden I feel like I must reward myself by saying Yes to something and I may continue and go a little crazy. (I buy fabric the same way.) I signed up for the Wicked Blog Hop at the end of the month, so I will be creating something with a Halloween theme to it.
• Pattern testing quilt for a dear friend
• Sewing mat for another dear friend
• One Block Wonder QAL quilt - I almost forgot to add this one!  I can't host a QAL without making one myself, right?

Wow, that's a lot!  Wish me luck this month, looks like I will need it.

Thanks for reading today as I list myself into a frenzy,

Jen

Linking up with:

May progress report and June goal setting

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you are SUPER busy, you are also more productive in general?  I feel like I have had a lot fewer sewing days this month, yet I am very satisfied with what I've accomplished.

And the best part is that I'm not just talking about my sewing list.  I've also made a few dinners and even exercised a couple of times!  GASP!  Yep it is true.  Esther at Threads on the Floor, who I find inspiring in so many ways, once mentioned that she had started a Couch to 5K program on her new phone.  I have had the app for a while and even made it through the program about a year ago before I promptly stopped exercising completely.  Well, I started it up again and it feels good.  But, this is a quilting blog so let's get back to that sewing list....

May  UFO's

I was determined to do something with my fusible rose project - a project that started back in, oh the beginning of 2011.  Now that I have the blue and white OBW done, this was probably the oldest UFO I had.  I am happy to report that it just needs the binding sewn on!  I would love to show it to you, but I have to save it as a surprise for my day on the "Say it with Flowers" blog hop  - June 4th will be here soon!

May New FO's

I wanted to start and finish my quilt for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Drive and hooray!  It is done!

It just needs a label and it is off to Happy Chemo.


Now for June.....I'm declaring June for Jen!  I've made a few charity quilts and quilts for others the last few months, and as good as that feels, I plan on being a bit selfish in June.  Since I haven't actually started any projects for myself in a while, June is going to be heavily weighted on the NewFO side.

June UFO's

I will continue to work on piecing the backing for my Beginner QAL quilt.  I am using this is a leader/ender type project so a little gets done every week, but I fully admit that this one isn't really striking my fancy these days.

I have also decided to go back and machine SID some of my Handstitched Medallion Quilt.  After reading some blog posts about hand quilting not keeping the quilt layers together forever under some circumstances, I felt I needed a little reassurance.  I don't know yet what I am going to use the quilt for, but just in case it gets more wear and tear than is meant, I would at least like the layers to stay together, especially since my quilting is not 10 stitches per inch quality.

June New FO's

I was glancing around my sewing space (AKA the dungeon) the other day and I noticed a few areas of need.  For example, I have completely worn holes into my ironing pad cover and what isn't holey is somewhat scorched.  I desperately need a new one.   I could buy one, true, but I want to make myself one.  I've got tons of fabric, even some home dec weight stuff.  Surely, I can figure it out, right?

I also need a sewing machine mat with pockets and it would be really nice if it had a thread catcher component.  I keep shoving all kinds of stuff underneath my machine's quilting table, but it looks terrible and sometimes it isn't even convenient to go digging under there.  I should also make myself a machine cover while I am at it.  My machine came with one, but it is pretty plain.

I am also going to get started on some of those bucket list quilts that I've been putting off way too long.  The Swoon craze is nearly over and I haven't even started mine.  I'm going to get started this month if it kills me.

I've also shown interest in the Impromptu QAL at I'm a Ginger Monkey.  My interest generally comes from having at least 2 layer cakes languishing around with absolutely no plans for them.  The Impromptu pattern is cute, looks easy, uses a layer cake, and would be perfect for the big girl bed I ordered for Olivia's room!

So here's a quick summary of New FO's I hope to tackle in June:

• new ironing board cover
• sewing machine mat and cover
• Swoon
• Impromptu

A quick look ahead to July.....we are going on vacation!  I hope to have made enough bee blocks, etc. to pre-schedule posts for Building Blocks Tuesdays, but other than that posts are going to be rather sparse.  I want to take a hand sewing project with me, but I doubt I will post any progress until we return at the end of the month.  

Thanks for reading today,

Jen

Linking up with:

100 Day Hustle finale

Time for a 100 Day Hustle recap!

1. Lizzy teacher gift, 2. Ashley teacher gift, 3. Vintage Holiday front, 4. IMG_1673, 5. Olivia's Quilt front, 6. The Grinch, 7. Totally Groovy, 8. Groovy back, 9. mosaicc622aaa0d425fe2aca04436e06c45899b21bb454, 10. Hurricane Blocks, 11. Leaf table runner, 12. sashiko coasters, 13. 3 x 6 solids mosaic, 14. preschool pillowcases, 15. sept star of africa, 16. Batik stripe in focus

Here is my list:

• 12  Bee blocks for the 3 x 6 Bee DONE 
• 3 blocks for the Star of Africa bee - 1 1/2 DONE - The Grinch needs a little more work, and I now have 2 more to do to get me through January.
• At least 1 block for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop - DONE
• Pillowcases for my daughter's preschool - DONE
• Finish Totally Groovy - DONE
• Quilt the Batik Stripe quilt - DONE
• small gifties for a few of my bee mates 
• Another small gift for my daughters' teachers (2) - DONE
• The Sashiko coasters - DONE 
• finish the Vintage Holiday QAL top- DONE
• Finish Olivia's applique quilt - DONE

Added:

• Hurricane Sandy Blocks - DONE
• Christmas decorations - DONE

So, not too shabby, right?  I really wish I had gotten some little gifties out for my bee mates, not to mention finished up the blocks that are due.  I suppose that not getting them done gives me the opportunity to send little surprises to them randomly in the New Year.

I really enjoyed doing the "Hustle" this year.  Just making a list and trying to figure out what was realistically going to get done, really helped me focus.  And of course, having others sharing their lists and triumphs motivated me to do the same.  I will definitely be participating again next year.

How did you do with your 2012 finale?

Jen

Things bee happening out there - Building Blocks Tuesday

Wow, Tuesday just sneaked up on me.  Sadly, I have no blocks to share this Tuesday as I have been working on other things, but I would love to see yours!  And I thought I would share a few things I came across this last week that bee happening:

There are several sign ups going on in Blogland if you are looking for something to do in the new year:

Simply Solids (A Modern Bee) at Sew At Home Mummy.  This is a bee where only solids will be used, and you will be paired into a hive in your geographical area.  Erin is especially looking for more members in Europe and Australia/New Zealand.  I'm all signed up and looking forward to it.

Mrs. Pickles Garden has 4 new bees starting up, but only 2 have spaces left.  Check them out  HERE.  I've participated in a few things with Mrs. Pickles. Let me tell you, Mrs. Pickles is on top of things, I know these bees will be fun and well run.  So if you are Canadian, or like Modern blocks, see if you can get a spot!  I landed one in the We Bee Learning group and can't wait.

Rachel at Stitched in Color will be offering both her Handstitched Online Class and her Curves Online Class starting on January 1st.  I plan on signing up for the Curves Class, but I can tell hands down the Handstitched  Class is worth it.  I believe if you sign up the first week, you get $10 off, and do opt for the Premium Class - the Ebook you get with all the lessons is well worth the extra dough!  You can read more about the class descriptions here.

I'm still working on quilting the Medallion Quilt from the Handstitched Class, but it has really come a long way since this picture.  This is just one of the projects we worked on, and I learned so many skills in the class.  Like those reverse applique wall art items? - never would have tried them if it hadn't been for this class!  Hand embroidering things for my Star of Africa blocks - again, wouldn't have attempted them.

And no, Rachel hasn't asked me to plug her class.  When I find a good deal on a great learning experience, I just like to share!

OK, enough of me babbling.  So what have you been working on?  I want to see those lovely blocks of yours!

Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  And, don't forget, you have all week to add them if you like.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr 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 consider grabbing my button and posting it in your blog post
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading today!

Jen

Tiny stitches, tiny finish - Finish Friday

Why does it seem so long since I have posted a finish Friday?  Oh wait, it is because I haven't had many finishes other than blocks recently!  Well, as I mentioned on Wednesday, I did manage to finish up my Sashiko coasters.

This was one of the projects from the Handstitched class at Stitched in Color.  I am really ashamed that it took me so long to actually do this project, because once I started them I really enjoyed making them.  They were fun!  So much so, that I want to make another set.  I think they would look amazing in red and gray.  Hmm, things to ponder.

I also managed to finish my Leaf Table Runner with the blocks I made for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop back on the 10th.  I think it turned out rather nicely.  What do you think?

Do you know that I don't think I have actually ever stippled an entire quilt before?  I always seem to opt for something more complex, but stippling is fun (and fast!).  I may have to do more of it, especially for some of those UFO's that I have lying around.

This is the backing fabric.  Pretty, huh?  Ironically, it is this fabric that made me sign up for the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop, yet it is the only fall fabric from my stash that I didn't use!  I guess it was destined for this post instead.

For now, that's two more things to cross of my lists.  Whoop, Whoop!

Jen


Linking up with:

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

Quick trips and Idle times - WIP Wednesday

This is what I am working on for the next three days:

No, you are right, that is NOT a quilt.  It is a picture I took of Yosemite Valley in 2005.  Today Ashley and I are headed back there for a quick trip.  It is such a beautiful place, full of surprises...

I really can't wait to share the experience with my eldest.

But, I won't be completely idle.  The car ride is at least 6 hours, so I will have plenty of time to work on these:

My little hexies for my "Christmas" table runner.

And, I did have time to start working on my backing for the medallion quilt.  Here is a sneak peak:

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:  Basically all my blocks from yesterday's post.

• Beginner's Quilt Along Block 9
• How Far Will You Go? QAL Blocks 1
• June Star of Africa Block

On-going Projects:

• Handstitched goodies - there are so many projects I want to return to, and I still need to complete my backing for the medallion quilt.
• Design something for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - I have my idea, I have my fabric, I need to put it in motion
• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - actually started August 6th.  I already need to catch up, luckily the cutting is all really similar for each block.
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - the sewing starts soon!
• Star of Africa Bee -I need to do the July block in PINK
• "Tree" themed quilt for the guild - the guild is having a quilt show in October and each member is asked to make a small quilt with a "tree" theme.  I am going to make something similar to Ashley's teacher's Thank you quilt below.

Back Burner:

I am determined not to forget these projects!  Keeping them in this category reminds me of them on a weekly basis.

• Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!

• Thank you quilt for Ashley's teacher - awaiting quilting

• Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress
• Urban Nine Patch Tablerunner - I actually started quilting this one this week, but then I hated everything and ripped it out!
• June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" - English paper piecing in progress.  It will be a table runner of hexagons.  This is the hand project I keep in the car, so I will do a little at a time, but progress is slow.
• July UFO - tile batik quilt - piecing in progress
• Charity quilt for the guild - I'm going to miss the next meeting, but need to bring it to September's

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3, blocks that is.
New projects - 0
Currently in Progress - 6-ish

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and Handmade Parade at There and Back on Friday
 

July Fresh Sewing Day

I really love the idea of a monthly recap of what has been done; it makes me feel good.  How brilliant of Lily's Quilts to come up with such a wonderful linky party.

So here is July's Fresh Sewing day goodies:

1) My block for the Red White and Blue Blog Hop
2) Completed quilt top for the medallion quilt from the Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color
3) My applique T-shirt from the Handstitched Class
4) Front of my July Free Motion Challenge
5) A sample of the blocks I have completed for the Beginner's Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery
6) The blocks I made for the 3 x 6 Bee
7) My reverse applique needlebook from the Handstitched class
8) Another look at the embroidery that took so long on the medallion quilt
9) The back of my July Free Motion Challenge

It might be a little too much to expect that I will be able to show you another picture of that medallion quilt next month as a finished piece, but there are a bunch of other projects from the class that I want to return to and give a try.

Also, drum roll please.......I did buy a new sewing machine last weekend and it sews like butter.  No really, like butter!  I can't wait to finally get some of my quilting done on the numerous projects I listed in yesterday's WIP Wednesday post!!!!  Fingers crossed I can find some time even with the kiddos around.  School doesn't start until the 27th of August, and I don't think I can wait that long to say I finished some things.

I know, I know, it's not a race.  I just can't help myself.  My pile of sandwiched quilts has been growing these last few months and I like things to be finished!  Plus, there is nothing like hand sewing some binding on while there is actually something decent to watch on TV (the Olympics, of course).

Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

Top that! - WIP Wednesday

Wow, Wednesday really sneaked up on me!

I am still working on my Medallion quilt for the Handstitched class.  I know what you are probably thinking - "Will she just finish it already, I am tired of hearing about it!"

Well, the top is done.  Sort of.  I had trouble with the last border.  After I added the solid gray section, I went to put on that last strip pieced border and they didn't fit.  Of course, I made those border as I stitched along, and I made them to the size specified.  My quilt at the storm at sea stage was to size, so I guess somewhere between the on point border and solid border, it got big.  I was worried that if I trimmed anything, the quilting motif that Rachel had in store for us, wouldn't look right.  At first I tried easing in the excess, but it was a lot of excess and didn't look nice.  So, I added a bit more strips and tried to miter those corner to "cover up" the additions.  Unfortunately I am not that good at mitering borders and it doesn't look great.  I have to decide today if I am going to just leave them or rip the whole thing apart and try something else.

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:

• Handstitched Medallion quilt top
• Beginner's Quilt Along Block 8
• July Free Motion Challenge  I blogged about it last Friday here.

On-going Projects:

• Handstitched goodies, including the class quilt.  These are my top priority as I am still behind in the class, and there are so many neat projects to choose from.
• Design something for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - my stop is in September, but at my pace, I better get started soon.
• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - actually starts August 6th.  I have fabrics picked out, and the blocks look REALLY easy.  Two blocks a week shouldn't be too hard.
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - I bought fabric for this one, so I might as well attempt to do it!  It also starts in August, with the sewing beginning mid-August.
• I joined the Star of Africa Bee last week and need to do 2 blocks for my Bee-mates
• "Tree" themed quilt for the guild - the guild is having a quilt show in October and each member is asked to make a small quilt with a "tree" theme.

Back Burner:

I am determined not to forget these projects!  Keeping them in this category reminds me of them on a weekly basis.

• Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!

• Thank you quilt for Ashley's teacher - awaiting quilting

• Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress
• Urban Nine Patch Tablerunner - sandwiched and awaiting quilting
• June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" - English paper piecing in progress.  It will be a table runner of hexagons.  This is the hand project I keep in the car, so I will do a little at a time, but progress is slow.
• July UFO - tile batik quilt - piecing in progress
• Charity quilt for the guild - I'm going to miss the next meeting, but need to bring it to September's

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3
New projects - 2
Currently in Progress - 6-ish

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and Handmade Parade at There and Back on Friday
 

I'm Diggin' It - Finish Friday

I have a few finishes this week.  It is nice to have a few small projects in the works - I might even have something to show you next week too!

As promised, here is a picture of my reverse applique T-shirt.  It's really hard to get a picture of a shirt you are wearing, while you are wearing it!  I did not follow the pattern given in the Handstitched class, but instead tried to make my own.  It didn't quite turn out like I imagined.  Seems more like a showcase of stitches rather than the fabric underneath, but I will still wear it proudly!

Also - Tada!!  The latest installment of the Medallion quilt for the Handstitched class, complete with the storm at sea blocks.  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I am diggin' this quilt and the journey.  The next step has some applique and a few on point squares in the border.  Can't wait!

I'm not sure whether I am pleased to show you my latest Free Motion Challenge piece or not.  It seems vacation has taken a toll on me, and my work has suffered a bit.  Well, here it is anyway.

I really liked the idea behind this month's motif, and drawing it didn't seem to be too difficult.....but when I started doing little tiles on my practice sandwiches, everything didn't come together as I hoped.

You see, I have made a whole bunch of practice sandwiches from the "trimmings" of my quilts.  They are typically 4 inches wide by 6 or 7 inches long.  Just big enough to practice something, pick up my free motion groove, and check my tension levels.  For a little while there, I even got into the habit of every time I changed my bobbin, I would load up my darning foot and do a little practice sandwich before continuing with whatever I was working on.  It kept free motion a little fresher in my mind.  Well, some time last month THAT habit went out the window!  And I could tell based on my first couple of practice sandwiches when I sat down to do this month's challenge.  My hands were jerky, my foot unsteady, and I swear I was seeing double a few times!  The results weren't great.

Now a smart woman would have said to herself, "Jen, you seem a little out of sorts today.  Perhaps you should save your challenge piece for another day."  Evidently I am not a smart woman!  After 2 1/2 practice sandwiches, I thought to myself, "maybe these sandwiches are just too small and it will work out better on a slightly bigger piece".  HA!

Oh well, these placemats are showcasing my journey through the challenge.  It probably wouldn't be realistic to think that I wouldn't have a month of backsliding.  I should eat my breakfast on it and just think how much better I am going to do next month!  Which brings me to a short list of things I am going to work on before next month's challenge: free motion quilting straight lines, and travel stitching.  Seems I really need some more practice on those two things in particular.

Tomorrow I am off to the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach!!!!  I cannot wait!!!  I plan on getting some inspirational pics to show off and share on Tuesday's post.  So, make sure you stop by for some eye candy.  I'm just sayin'!

Linking up this week with Handmade Parade at There and Back, TGIFF (this week at Stop that Owl), and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.