It's been too long!

I haven't really fallen off the face of the earth..... I've been lurking, but not posting... seems I haven't been as prolific this year as I had hoped.....

I have actually finished 3 items since January... and have a few more working......

It seems that swaps and exchanges are fun... but I have found myself rushing to meet deadlines..... and not getting much accomplished on projects that are stacked in the corner.  I'm re-evaluating that.... I'm on a temporary hiatus from signing up for anything new, except QOV and baby quilts....

School starts up again soon, and I'm in the planning stages of getting ready for a new year..... hoping to get slightly ahead of the curve.... (if that's possible)..... I'm excited about the changes we are looking forward to, but know that it will mean staying on top of the paperwork.

The wedding quilts are still unfinished..... tops are done, but I need to get them pin basted and ready to quilt.
Seems the newlyweds are expecting a baby in February... so I have a baby quilt to plan and finish as well.

I best be getting something done... so this post is finished.. but I do promise that I'll be back soon.

April ... May... June.. July and August! - get it Done!

This is my April  "Get it Done! List.... this is a spin off from the UFO challenge that Judy Laquidera at Patchwork Times sponsored previously.   This year, we are listing some things we want to accomplish each month... they don't have to be UFO's necessarily.....  all my progress noted in red... 

My April  List..... and May... and June... and July... and AUGUST!   

Swap and exchange items:
1.   make 7 and send off 6  "Sunlight and shadow" blocks for swap (March             leftover)  Mailed 5/12/2013 
2.   make 7 and send off 6   "Lover's Knots" blocks for swap (March leftover)         - Mailed 5/12/2013  
3.   QOV flying geese for borders of project - completed August 11, 2013
4.   Paint chip challenge #1 for yahoo group (March leftover)
      Decided Not to Enter - too much on my plate...
5.   Paint chip challenge #2 for Q&N challenge Decided Not to Enter - 
      too much on my plate...
6.   stitch 6 polka dot happy blocks for swap - completed and Mailed April 30
7.   Birthday block for Lynn - birthday swap (March leftover) - Mailed 
     5/12/2013
8.   4 green and pastel and White quilt auntie blocks (March leftover)                  Completed and Mailed April 15, 2013
9.   Stocking stuffer exchange gift
10.  finalize paper piece star to test block for QOV - completed August 8,2013
     

 Charity  projects:

1. mini quilt for guild raffle project finished just before our quilt show in May! 
2.  stitch backing for QOV
3.  stitch backing for lodge block quilt

 Personal projects: 
1.  Tiramisu and French silk Pie quilt for Katy's  and Chris' wedding gift Top completed ready for pin basting and quilting 05/25/2013
2.  Triple Irish Chain quilt for Katy's and Chris' wedding gift  - Top done!  ready for pin basting and quilting....  07/01/2013
3.   Quilt  deer panel quilt for travel trailer - completely finished and on the bed  (before our vacation) 07/10/2013

Handwork project: 
1.  Work on antique wool string blocks  -I 've got more done... getting close to finishing this one... 08/13/2013

I didn't make much headway in March .... it was a crazy month.... it proved to be crazier than February! LOL 

March 2013 "Get it Done !!!! "

This is my March "Get it Done! List.... this is a spin off from the UFO challenge that Judy Laquidera at Patchwork Times sponsored previously.   This year, we are listing some things we want to accomplish each month... they don't have to be UFO's necessarily.....  all my progress noted in red... 

My March List..... 

Swap and exchange items:
1.  make  7 and send off 6 "Weathervane"   Blocks for swap (leftover from February list)  = stitched and mailed 
2.  make 7 and send off 6  "Sunlight and shadow" blocks for swap  
3.   make 7 and send off 6   "Lover's Knots" blocks for swap
4.   Paint chip challenge #1 for yahoo group
5.   Paint chip challenge #2 for Q&N challenge
6.   Birthday block for Tiffany birthday swap = stitched and ready to mail 3/2
7.   Birthday block for Lynn - birthday swap 
8.   4 green and pastel and White quilt auntie blocks 
9.   red and white strip swap fabrics  =  mailed 
10.  finalize paper piece star to test block for QOV
11,  QOV flying geese for borders of project
12,    Stocking stuffer exchange gift  =  mailed 

 Charity  projects:

1. mini quilt for guild raffle project

2. make something for silent auction 


 Personal projects: 
1.  Tiramisu and French silk Pie quilt for Katy's  and Chris' wedding gift  = started.... 3 of 7 rows complete... all block components stitched 
2.  Triple Irish Chain quilt for Katy's and Chris' wedding gift 
3.   Quilt  deer panel quilt for motorhome

Handwork project: 
1.  Work on antique wool string blocks   = stitched most of the border!  

I didn't make much headway in February.... it was a crazy month.... I'm hoping that I can make great strides in March... I have a quilting retreat and spring break, so I can always think positive, right? 

I started a new project!

It wasn't on my February List...

We purchased a new travel trailer this month.... which has a lovely color pallete in it's interior....
but the designer really took a short cut when they planned the comforter for the bed.....  they used a "reversible" solid dark brown and solid cream comforter, which the company could use in all their models this year....  great for the company... but the walls are a dark grey/brown color, and the bedroom is very small, and the dark brown was too dark.... and the light side was too light.... (and not practical)....
so I had to make something "JUST RIGHT"..... lol  I'm beginning to feel like Goldilocks.

Dear hubby wanted something with wildlife.   I would have liked a simple leafy design, but I aim to please... so we went panel hunting together.  

Loved the panel... but not  so much the writing at the bottom.....   so I decided to inset a little series of flying geese where the writing is...

This is after I've added the first "coping" border strips.... but it looks pretty good! 

Then a set of  "leafy themed"  four patches....  (I knew I'd get my way somehow!) 

Next came another coping border in a goldish tone of Stonehenge....  and then some flying geese. 

 I used a different Stonehenge fabric that is dark brown, black and small spots of white around the outside edge.   It finishes at 83 x 83...   

It looks so nice in there... that I hate to bring it in to quilt it!   

February "Get it Done!" list

This is my February "Get it Done! List.... this is a spin off from the UFO challenge that Judy Laquidera at Patchwork Times sponsored previously.   This year, we are listing some things we want to accomplish each month... they don't have to be UFO's necessarily.....  since I participate in several swaps and group projects... I am listing the group an swap projects separately from the list of personal goals I want to meet.   Here is a link to my January list.... with all my progress noted in red... 

My February List..... 
 
Swap and exchange items:
1.  make  7 and send off 6 Baby Bunting  Blocks for swap stitched & ready to mail
2.  make 7 and send off 6 weathervane blocks for swap ready to start stitching... all fabric cut... 2/28... I'm running late!  AARGG, 
3.  send  strips for  strip swap -  last set mailed 2/15   
4.   QOV flying geese for borders of project
5.   finalize paper piece star to test block for QOV
6.   Birthday block for birthday swap = stitched and ready to mail - 2/16
7.   Stocking stuffer exchange gift = stitched and ready to mail - 2/16
8.   pink and White quilt auntie blocks = stitched and ready to mail - 2/16
9.   gray, green and purple quilt auntie blocks = stitched & ready to mail - 2/16


 Charity  projects:

1. mini quilt for guild raffle project

2. make something for silent auction


 Personal projects:

1.  finish top of wolf quilt... (needs borders)  sandwich, pin baste and quilt.
2.  quilt mystery top from the quilt and needle... (A quilt for all seasons)
3.  work on paper pieced table runner UFO.
4.  Design wedding quilt tops for Katy and Chris. done with the design process.... and fabric selection and purchase is complete!  Ready to start stitching 2/28. 

 Handwork project:

1.  Work on antique wool string blocks  Quilting nearly done on border and sashing areas. 2/28

I did pretty well with my swap / exchange list in January... but didn't finish any of my personal projects on the list.... hopefully this month will be a better month for finishes. 

Wool scrappy blocks..... a work in progress

This is one of my latest works in progress.... this will be a long-term type project, as I will be doing hand work, and had quilting. 

About a year ago, my step-daughter  JoAnn, called to say that they had found a box of old quilting stuff in her grandma's things as they sorted through them to move her to new living arrangements.   The box simply said.... "Ada's quilts".   Ada was  her grandpa's mother.... I think I have that right... I have JoAnn doing some research for me.     JoAnn, said I could have the box, which had some old fabrics,  some misc. quilt blocks, etc.... she only asked that I might make something for her mom. 

The box arrived in June.... and I spent several days looking at all the goodies inside....some patchwork blocks, some  tiny cotton scraps and bits.... some old upholstery bits,  some vintage fabrics, a couple of old dresses that were cut out, started, but not finished (lots of yardage there, you know?)..... and then there were these....

       32 of them!   wool and wool blend suiting...   and they had great stitching on them. 

They look pretty awesome, all laid out next to each other, and there would be enough for a large lap quilt,  but I've looked at them several times now,  and I've decided that they have family history to them.  They are antique, yet look contemporary and cool at the same time.   I'm going to make some table runners,  enough so that JoAnn's mom can have one... JoAnn will get one,  and there will still be enough blocks left to make each of our three grand kids one that will be gifted to them when they are ready to set up their own homes.  Since they are 17, 18, and 21.... I don't have decades to do this... so figured I should get working on them. 

I will need to finish the embroidery on several of the blocks...  so have gone hunting for wool blend thread and have found similar colors and weight to what Ada used originally.  Since these blocks will not all be together in the same project, I think what I found will pass. 

Ada was not a great patchwork sewer,  (most of the finished blocks in the box are not of great quality or consistency).  She was, however, very precise and consistent in her herringbone stitch!    I  will most likely have to use some Tiger tape to be halfway close to being able to match her handiwork.

I love to look at how folks used what they had on hand.... look at the back of this block.... there is a pocket in the middle of it, with the bulky part cut off,  must have been a shirt or blouse. 

 This one is completely different....

 I'll post my progress here.... 

January 2013 "Get it Done !" Challenge

This is my January "Get it Done! List.... this is a spin off from the UFO challenge that Judy Laquidera at Patchwork Times sponsored previously.   This year, we are listing some things we want to accomplish each month... they don't have to be UFO's necessarily.....  since I participate in several swaps and group projects... I am listing the group an swap projects separately from the list of personal goals I want to meet. 

My January List..... 
 
Swap and exchange items:
1.  make and send off 7 Streak of Lightning Blocks for swap  --  stitched 1/13
2.  make and send off 7  Dutchmen's Puzzle blocks for swap  --  stitched 1/13
3.  cut and send black and white strips for swap - fabric washed... 1/13 = cut   
      and addressed 1/15  mailed 1/16
4.  cut and send January strip swap strips. (lavendar and purple) cut   
     and addressed 1/15 (early returners)second batch mailed 1/28
5.  1 navy blue star and four flying geese units for QOV project stitched 
6.  QOV flying geese for borders of project
7.  paper piece star to test block for QOV. made first mock-up 1/8.... tweaked
     pattern 1/9
8.  make 10 Lodge blocks then piece top for Pine Ridge Reservation.  completed top 1/17
9.  Christmas gift bag for swap... need to mail by 1/30 completed and mailed 1/29

 Personal projects:
1.  finish top of wolf quilt... (needs borders)  sandwich, pin baste and quilt.
2.  quilt mystery top from the quilt and needle... (A quilt for all seasons)
3.  work on paper pieced table runner UFO.
4.  Design wedding quilt tops for Katy and Chris. sample EQ designs sent to
      Katy 1/7 for feedback

 Handwork project:
1.  Work on antique wool string blocks= sorted, and started table runner #1