Monday, January 31, 2011

February FINISH Challenge

Monday Confession Time.  I have a serious WIP problem happening here.  I have started a gazillion projects in the last few months and need to get some good solid finishes behind me.  Or as my husband would say, I need to get these monkeys off my back.

Here is a list of the quilt tops or partial quilt tops:
1) Glace' Squares Quilt (top is done, still need to make backing)
2) Fig Tree Cherry Delight Quilt (top is done and backing made)
3) Old Red Barn Co Quilt Along Quilt or as I call it The Christmas Quilt (needs sashing and backing)

Here are quilts that are cut and in various stages of piecing:
4) Luna Notte Nesting Circles Quilt
5) Mill House Inn HST Table Topper
6) Oh Fransson Mod Quilt Along Quilt
7) Wee Play Merry Go Round Hexagon Quilt

Yes, people.  It is THAT bad.  The only quilt that I'm not still excited about is the Oh Fransson one only because it uses super-traditional fabric that I don't love.  I originally picked it out thinking it was perfect for my mom but she has since told me she's "meh" about it.  Meanwhile, she purchased all different fabric for me to use in a quilt for her but I can't even bear to add that to the list.  It's not even a WIP yet!

All of the other quilts on this list are actual quilts that I am still excited about.  That's the good news :-)

So my challenge to myself is to finish a quilt per week for the month of February.  By the end of the month I should have at least half of my list knocked out.  My challenge is to also NOT START A NEW QUILT for the month of February.  I have stacks of gorgeous fabric staring me down begging to be made into something.  I need to ignore their Siren Songs for now.

Now, lest you think me a complete non-finisher, I have completed quite a few projects in the last six weeks.  These are: my Mom's Verna Quilt, my own Verna Quilt, my Scrappy Mug Rug, the Memory Quilt and the Jane Market Bag.  All of these projects can be seen on my Flickr page.

I have also been working on changing my domain name and Thomas from WayCoolKid is helping me with the design.  His talent as a designer is obvious and his help has been invaluable.  He is an exciting new talent in the fabric design industry.  Check him out if you haven't already!

So, are you ready to take the February Finish Challenge?  Do you have some WIPs that need a good kick in the pants to get them completed?  Please join me!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Embroidery: Take One

In an attempt to make a Babushka doll for my DQS10 partner, I tried my hand at embroidering for the first time.  Here she is in all her monk-hairdo glory:
I like her.  But I'm still not sure of the total quilt plan.  I tried putting a second one next to her or even a set of three.  Nah, didn't look right.  Some of it is fear of clashing fabrics.  Funny problem for a quilter to have.  I need to stretch out of my color comfort zone!

So of course, in true WIP schizophrenia mode, I started a completely different one.  This one is a quilt I've been wanting to start for a while.  A doll quilt with an applique scene.  A tree, a house, and a clothesline.  Yes, it's been done before.  But I LOVE IT.  So we'll see.  I'll show you that when I make more progress on it.

In other news, I've become a Twitterholic.  Like, my iPhone gets more action than any teenage boy under the bleachers.  It's a sickness really.  I'm going to need an intervention (no, Mom, that doesn't mean I actually want an intervention.  You can pry this phone from my cold, dead hands.)

Speaking of cold, dead hands, I have been hired on to be an official assistant to The Carrie Ryan.  You know how we all wish we had minions? (John/QuiltDad, I'm talkin to you)  Well, I just became one.  Apparently when you become a New York Times Bestselling Author, you get to put a The in front of your name and have People.  So now Their People can call Her People and Her People is me.  This cracks me up to no end.  I figure my first and foremost job will always be staking my claim as her big sister which means giving her a hard time whenever possible ;-)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wonky Rainbow Mug Rug

I made a colorful Mug Rug for a swap partner and am pleased with how it turned out:

My 8 year old made an interesting observation about the purple Tufted Tweets fabric.  He said you can look at it two ways, one way is the bird sitting on a chair and the other way is the bird sitting on a stool in front of the window.  I never saw it that way!

The color goodness is 100% credited to Fabricworm.com for putting together their "Prism Bundle".  I LOVE this rainbow selection but never would have put it together myself.  It also has the green Quilter's Linen by Robert Kaufman (not used in Mug Rug) which I adore.  Must get some more of that!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Color!

I have been playing with the most vibrant, delicious pile of fabrics from Fabricworm.com.  Check out the colory goodness:


Don't you just LOVE THEM?  Don't they just make you smile?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Memory Quilt

A friend hired me to make a memory quilt for his wife using the baby clothes from their three boys.  He gave it to her this week so I can share the pics now with you all!  I love how it turned out and I had a ball making it.



The clothes they had saved included monogrammed baby blankets, sleepers, burp cloths, gorgeous smocked jumpers, etc.  What a treat to work with!
I couldn't find the source for the border fabric but it's a small white flower on blue background.   The backing is a light pink ticking stripe from Joann's and the binding is a gray Ta Dot by Michael Miller.

If you or anyone you know would like a memory quilt like this one, please don't hesitate to contact me for a quote.  I loved working on it and making it unique.

In other exciting news, I lucked into a great deal on a Singer Futura embroidering sewing machine.  Drool...

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Bovine Gangsta Edition

Thursday, January 13, 2011

I'm IN! I'm IN! DQS10!

I was lucky enough to get a spot in the Doll Quilt Swap 10!  I'm so excited!  For more information check out the Flickr Group.

I am also participating in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.  Since I've never participated in a swap before, I'm trying really hard not to get overwhelmed.

So far I have ideas for both but the DQS ideas will have to wait until I find out who my partner is.  Meanwhile, I am finishing a commissioned quilt before I can get started on either swap qulit.  Whew!

Oh, BTW, Day FOUR of being snowed in with three kids, husband, cat, dog, etc.  Can we say CALGON?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Fig Tree Flowers

Fig Tree Fresh Cottons
Cherry Delight Kit
Project Update

I took a little detour from the applique cherries on the original Cherry Delight pattern.  I cut some circles and did raw edge applique of flowers in the enter block.  I prepared the backing and now I need to baste it all together.  Am waiting for kids to return to school before tackling that job!



Monday, January 3, 2011

I love you but...

I'm ready for school to begin again.




(no, he doesn't have a head injury, he takes eye drops for vision improvement)

I hope you have had a wonderful vacation like we have.  If you're anything like me though, you're silently chanting "school, school, School, SCHOOL!!!!"  Only one more day left before my world goes back to it's nice routine.  I have loved all of the laughs, cuddles, new movies and toys, and time spent with sisters, cousins, parents.  I haven't loved the MINE, HE HIT ME, and FART that have been flowing willynilly around the house.  May your new year be happy, bright and fart free.  That's a special wish from me to you ;-)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Coming Soon - Nesting Circles Quilt

Just a quick snapshot of a new WIP to tease you.  Yes, that is my beloved Accuquilt Go cutter using the circles die.  The fabric line is Luna Notte by 3 Sisters for Moda.  Stay tuned for a tutorial of this quilt coming soon!