Goals and Accomplishments

December Accomplishments

• Finish piecing FILs quilt and quilt it
• Quilt Fuschia Chevron Posy quilt
• Quilt Golf quilt
• knit my socks
• Finish RR's on time - they are all done!
• made 3 aprons
• made body pillow case
• pieced 2 backs and pin basted 2 baby quilts

I have been thinking about my goals for 2009. I am going into the New Year with 6 unfinished quilts. I am calling 3 UFOs and 3 WIPs as I have been working on 3 of them actively. The 3 UFOs were created with the intent to use them for free motion practice.

So what do I want to accomplish in 2009?

• make and donate a QOV
• make a scrappy quilt
• make a blooming 9 patch for ds
• make one of dd's quilts
• finish what I start within a reasonable timeframe
• low buy. I accumulated too much this year
• organize and cull my sewing room/supplies
• continue kitting fabric and patterns. This is really eye opening.

Nothing earth shattering. Just a guide for me.

Busily Working Away

Since I finished FILs quilt last week I have been busily working on some small items. I finished loom knitting a pair of spa socks for myself. Remember the "free" apron pattern? I have all three made now. I also made a pillowcase for my hubby's body pillow. Nice to have those finishes!

With no other fast finishes I went back to my cutting items from my last sew in. I sewed the backings together for the 2 OU baby quilts and have added the borders on my chevron posey quilt. I still have to miter the corners on that one and then make the back. The batting for the 2 baby quilts is "resting" now. The weather is nice today so I plan to go outside and pin baste them today. If I have the energy I may whip the back together and baste the chevron posey quilt too.

Yes I owe you pictures. Will work on that.

Mom and Dad's Quilts

Hope you can see the quilting.

Mother's First Quilt

I did not grow up in a quilter family. In fact, I don't think there were really any other craftiness other than garment sewing. I learned to crochet from the lady across the street when I was young. My mom learned later. I learned to quilt. Mom didn't express much interest until a few years ago. When I was visiting her a few summers ago I made a few tote bags. She was interested and she later made several of her own.

Earlier this year we were talking about what I was working on. She said something to the effect that she was doing something but didn't want to tell me. She relented and let me know she was making a quilt. I was so proud of her. She had quilted the center and was talking about stippling and that she didn't like how it looked so she was picking out the stitches. I haven't even stippled anything yet myself!

I present to you mom's first quilt. She did a great job and I am so proud of her!

Out of Swaps

I sewed my step on two RRs today and went straight to the post office with them. They are on their way to LA and I am done with swaps for now.

There are a few mystery quilts scheduled over the next week or so. I was going to do one but I think I will just stick to my list of things and work on those. Otherwise how will I ever get that list knocked down? And of course there is more queued up behind that list!

Finished!

I just talked to Mom and Dad. Their presents arrived today. Yeah! Plenty of time to spare.

FILs quilt is in the wash now.

It's Coming Along!

I went to my sew in and met up with the usual suspects tirane, Babs, mimi and tirans mother Nancy. There was some gif giving. A calendar and pen from Nancy, a FQ and candy cane from mimi and a tin of homemade cookies from tirane.

I cut backings for the two OU quilts, borders for the daisy quilt and 3 aprons. I didn't even think about taking the backing to cut for the daisy quilt. Oh well. I have plenty to keep me busy in the coming days.

I picked up FIL's quilt. As of last night two sides are bound. I will be ready by Christmas Eve to deliver it. Pictures later today.

Goal!!!!!!!!

I dropped my parents quilts in the mail. Mom reads my blog so she knows what she is getting. I will ask her to take and send pics. My timing never worked where I could take them myself in good light. So I feel like the pressure is off a little bit.

My LAer tells me that my FILs quilt is coming along nicely. On target for me to pick it up tomorrow. As soon as I get home I will start binding it. I can easily have this bound by Christmas eve day. Did you know I am cooking at his house again? At least I know what he has in his kitchen now!

Tonight I am going to see if I can put together something to take to my sew in tomorrow. I probably should take the quilts that need borders and backs and get those together. I also have two small purses I could cut out. I will be set for my vacation with quilting to do. Shoot, I honestly think I am set for a few years!

Christmas Sewing Progress

The golf quilt and fuschia quilt both got the extra quilting I wanted to do. They are both bound and sitting in the washer right now awaiting their turn in the dryer. I will package them all up this morning and have them in the mail first thing tomorrow a.m. I am so excited to have these done.

I dropped FIL's quilt off at the LAer yesterday. I can't wait to see what she does to it. She sent her proposed quilting design and it is right up my alley! I will be picking it up Saturday and then start binding it. This one will be hand delivered Christmas eve.

To Tell or Not To Tell

Some things I just do not need to be shared. I have been sitting on this for a few days trying to decide if I blog this or not. I will share since help tends to come from the must unexpected places.

This past Friday (I knew last Tuesday) I was given a 60 day notice. That means I have until 2/10/09 to find another job within the company or I am layed off. Me and several hundred other folks are looking so there will be a lot of competiion for the few jobs currently open.

On a Quilty Note. I finished binding the golf quilt. Now to bind the fuschia quilt.

House Keeping

Well my ticker for my UFO's has "expired". I haven't updated it in several months so it gives me an error. It is time to clean up my blog and remove some of these things. Thanks for cheering me along on my progress.

Stashbuster Retreat Progress - Day Two

I have been busily working on the Fuschia quilt today.

As of 2:00 p.m.

- stitch in the ditch done (may go back and add a little more)
- stitch around inside of border

I am going to free motion on the border after a short break. I will be making and attaching bindings next and go back to add a little more quilting on both later.

As of 3:00 p.m.

- I have the border quilted. A simple meander along the vine of the fuschia
- selected the fabric for the bindings. I started cutting but think 2" is too narrow

As of 6:30 p.m.

- binding is attached to the golf quilt
- binding is in progress of being attached to the fuschia quilt

As of 9:00 p.m.

- binding is attached to both quilts now. Let the hand sewing begin!

Stashbuster Virtual Retreat Progress

as of 3:00 p.m. Saturday

- golf quilt back made
- golf quilt basted
- backing fabric for FILs quilt washed

as of 9:00 p.m. Saturday

- fuschia quilt is basted
- golf quilt is about half way quilted. Working on stitch in the ditch. Will have to decide what to quilt in the big blocks.

as of 11:00 p.m. Saturday

- stitch in the ditch is done.
- have selected two possible motifs for the big blocks

I am done for the night. See you tomorrow.

Christmas Sewing Progress

- Fuschia quilt borders are now mitered. The backing is sewn and ready for the basting step.
- Golf quilt is measured and the plan for the backing is stirring in my head. I will put it together tonight.
- I have 50% off coupons for JoAnns and will be buying the battings today and opening them in the car so they can start to "relax". If I get home in time I will start basting the Fuschia quilt.

The yahoogroup Stashbuster is having their stay at home retreat this weekend. I plan to sew until I can't see straight! My goal is two quilted lap size quilts by Sunday night with bindings made and hopefully attached!

Busily Working Away

I am quilting. I just haven't taken pictures. Boooriiiiiiiiing.

I have FILs quilt topped. I have my eye out for a backing. I am going to try to find an appropriate 108" wide back if possible. It is 90" square and I don't want to buy 9 yards of fabric if I can just have 1 solid back.

I sewed the borders onto my Mother's quilt last night. In fact I did it twice. They are mitered and when I sewed the first two sides it didn't dawn on me that the length wasn't right. When I sewed the third side on and it was way, way too long it made me take a second look. Grrrr... I ripped those puppies off and sewed them back on immediately. I had procrastinated long enough and I was not about to put it off again. I did leave the mitering of the corners for another time. I hope that will be tonight. I am going to google instructions to see if I can find some tips and tricks.

Now that these tops are together I will be getting backings made and plan to be basting and quilting this weekend. I think I can make it!

Another Smackeral of Fabric

A little washing and drying. Some cutting. A little pinning and sewing. Some more pinning. I just have to sew the pinned on borders to FILs quilt top and it is ready to be quilted! I will try to post a pic tonight if I still have light when I get home.

Quiltathon Day 2

The bit of fabric I bought is in the dryer as we speak. Turns out I underestimated and have to buy another half yard. I just have to add the border on the last two sides of FIL's quilt. I consider this mission accomplished. I will be able to add one side tomorrow and will get the other side later this week. Now to make backings and start quilting on Mom and Dad's quilts.

Hope you had a quilty weekend too!

Quiltathon Progress

Judy is hosting a quiltathon this weekend.

My main goal is to get FIL's quilt topped. I am not there yet. I am still putting together sub units. I did have to buy a little more fabric for borders. I got that done today. As of this posting I have to add the subunits to either side of the blocks. Unfortunately I am still piecing those subunits. Before I go to bed I plan to finish piecing those and may pin them to the block for sewing first thing in the a.m.

Non-Quilty UFOs and FILs Quilt

I made a committment to find and complete my non-quilty UFOs and WIPs. I finished the spa socks for both dd and dh and I finished my plastic bag holder last night. I now have all my grocery store sacks stored safely in it. So much neater. I use these bags for pooper scooper duty. Fun stuff eh!

I spent time on my spa socks (toe up) and turned the heel on the first one. I need to decide how high a cuff I want. When my favorite t.v. viewing ended last night I worked on FILs quilt a little. I would like to get it finished by Friday night, or as far as my fabric will take me as I am afraid I will need a little more of one of my fabrics and that store is closed on Sunday. I have to cut out 4 more squares of that dark blue on the center of the block I showed. I will try to get that done tonight and then get all those side pieces sewn into the two piece sets tonight. If I still have the time and energy I will sew the corner triangles on the center blocks as well.

Diamond and Nosegays

Here is a sneak peek of FIL's quilt. One block down, 15 to go.



Here is what happens when Gorgeous George hair meets his sisters flat iron. I think I prefer the wavy myself.

Quilter's Gift Wish List

Many of you already have a sizeable stash so I ask this question with the intent of not getting a fabric answer. What is on your wish list gift wise? Is your wish different if it is coming from a quilty friend? That is even though you know how and are able to make quilts, etc for yourself, would you still like to get quilty items from quilty friends?

This is a hard question even for me. I don't know what my gift wish list is. I have so many of the items that I desire(d) that I think my favorite gift is spending time with my family and friends and using some of that quilty stockpile with my quilty friends. A sewing date to be specific.

What are your thoughts? Your gifty desires?

November Accomplishments

• piece another OU quilt - DONE
• finish piecing the fuschia and daisy quilt - need borders
• quilt the 2 OU quilts, golf quilt and fuschia quilt - not done. I gotta get busy!
• finish the RRs I receive - I got one off. Have another here.
• knit dd's socks - not on original list
• knit dh's socks - not on original list
• cut out and began piecing FILs quilt - not on original list

December Goals

• Finish piecing FILs quilt and quilt it
• Quilt Fuschia Chevron Posy quilt
• Quilt Golf quilt
• knit my socks
• Finish RR's on time

I will also have to try not to stress out about the quilting even though they are Christmas gifts. Yikes!!