Another Les Amis baby quilt - Design Wall Monday

Last week, I mentioned that Cath over at Bits N' Bobs hosts a linky about what is on your design wall.  Well, I figured I better link up!

Of course, to do that, I needed a design wall.  So I got out a bit of batting and hung it on the wall.  It's not glamorous, but it works!  So what is on my design wall?

I making another Les Amis baby quilt.  I need to get a baby quilt done very quickly and I had a bunch of HST's left over from the last Les Amis quilt I made for my cousin.  I figured with the work half done, I shouldn't fight it.  I only had to make 6 more HST's to finish this layout.

I'm hoping to sew the rows together later this week.  My real dilemma is whether I should load it on the longarm that was delivered late last week.  I've been practicing, but I still don't have the complete hang of it yet.  However, I recognize that my free motion skills on the domestic exponentially improved when I stopped fearing quilting on real quilts.  Practicing on scraps can only get you so far, at some point you have to bite the bullet and "Just do it!" (as Kate was saying on her blog recently).  So do I just do it?  I think the answer might be "Yes!".

Thanks for reading today,

Jen


Linking up with:

Time to check in - Day 30 of the 100 day challenge!

Welcome to first check in for the 100 Day Challenge!  So how are you doing with those goals?

I was amazed by the range of goals that you posted 30 days ago!  Here are a few to share:

Carole at CaroleLyleShaw.com wants to finish writing a BOOK!!!  Here I thought I was adventurous trying to finish one quilt from start to finish.  Please go cheer on Carole, and help her choose a title.

Judy at Knotty Needle was working on the Bonnie Hunter mystery and wanted to finish some fabulous purple socks.  I think Judy will be reporting on the later, right Judy?  Pop on over to Judy's blog and tell her "good job"!

Marci at Marci Girl Designs was hoping to quilt a gorgeous quilt and blog more frequently.  Please go tell Marci that we want to hear from her!

Lyndsey at Sew Many Yarns wanted to blog more and finish up a truly magnificent cross stitch project.  I know she has been slowly stitching the later.  Visit her to give her a virtual high five!

Cath at Bits 'n Bobs wanted to blog more and finish up a baby quilt.  I know she has been stitching up a storm on another project and a bit distracted by fires, a wedding and baby cows!  I thought my kids were distracting!  Go give her a cheer for keeping on track, and check out her linky about what is on your design wall.

Fiona at Celtic Thistle Stitches had some lovely embroidery projects to work on and a quilt to finish up.  Jump on over there to learn more about her strategy to find more time to meet these goals.

Celine at Esprit Patch needs a cheer!  She wanted to catch up on bee blocks, but that is hard when you are in a bunch of bees!  Go give her a pat on the back for working toward her goals!

Leanne at Daisy and Jack had some fun and gorgeous projects she is working on.  I'm seeing a lot of blocks getting done, but I'm wondering where Minnie and Mickey are??  Go give Leanne some love.

Kate at Smiles From Kate has started a blog as one of her goals!  Go check it out!  I loved reading how she got started with quilting.

Katie at Karma Willow Designs has been working through a few injuries, but is still making progress on her goals.  Go tell her how awesome she is!

Janine at Rainbow Hare Quilts has so many colorful projects to choose from, but she wanted to finish up a Dresden, crochet a blanket, and make an art quilt.  Go find out which of these she has been working on!

We also want to give cheers for Diane, Lisa, Anne, Brita, Gi, Jamie, Kelly, and Sarah!  I hope you will update us to your progress in the comments!



So how am I doing on my 3 goals?

1) Finish Lazy Bums blocks - 15 in total -- I'm DONE!!!  Once I got those Geese in the Forest blocks going, there was no stopping me.



2) Blog - get back to blogging twice a week - I think I missed one week, but I am doing better!

3) Finish (including starting) Technicolor Galaxy - I've started!  Block one is almost complete.  I may need to put the 2nd part aside for a week as I finish up 2 other projects that have jumped ahead on the priority list, but then I will get straight back to it.




Just stumbled upon the 100 Day Challenge today?  You can still join in, but it will only be the 70 day challenge for you!  To recap the requirements, check out the Kick Off post HERE.


30 Day Check in Link up:  you can link up a blog post, Flickr picture, even Instagram photos (Sarah!).  I'll keep the linky open for a week so you can show off your progress and visit each other for a show of group support.

An InLinkz Link-up

Don't forget, you may also just leave your progress in a comment on this post.




Thanks for reading,

Jen

Lights and Darks - Building Blocks Tuesday

Here are the last two Lazy Bum Flying Geese blocks for Gi.



She wanted light colored stars with dark backgrounds.



Sometimes I have trouble performing such instructions.  I get a little too caught up in the value of the fabrics.  For example, I don't think the yellow above is very light.  It is actually a very medium valued yellow.  I have very few truly "light" colored fabrics, a handful of pale pinks and a couple of lavenders; but very few light blues, greens, etc.  I need to get better about the way I shop for stash builders.

I tend to look at my stash and think "what color am I particularly low on".  For example at the moment, I have limited yellows, oranges and browns.  Luckily, these aren't colors I use often, but there have been a few times when bee mates have asked for things and I don't have them.  Perhaps I should start reminding myself that I need more lights and darks in general too.

Anyhow, I hope that these contrasting stars are enough light and dark for Gi.

What blocks have you 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 in 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,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up