Today's UFO progress

Today I have been bee bopping here there and everywhere on projects and tasks I wanted to do.
I did some organizing in my sewing area. Sorted a basket of scraps.
Made a couple Pineapple blocks and a couple more Crumb blocks. The 9inch Crumb block will be turned into a hotpad. All this was made from the above scrap basket and it is still kind a full but everything has been sorted and pressed, nice and neat again. Tomorrow I will make some more pineapple blocks and might throw in some crumb blocks too.

Cut backing and batting for this table runner I found while sorting the other day. I have it pinned and ready to quilt it tomorrow. This will be a new runner to use on the old Singer Cabinet in my living room.

I have enjoyed this first day of 2010. I hope you had a good day too. I am happy with the progress that I made on my UFO projects and my chores around the house. I need to tackle taking the Christmas tree down tomorrow (bummer ... I love Christmas and when the tree comes down the magic will be gone)

until next time ... happy quilting

been busy swapping

I've had a busy couple weeks and thought I'd share what I have been working on other than the large amount of leaves in my yard.

As you know if you have been viewing my blog that on a quilting site I am a part of we did a blocks into tops swap (HERE is the one I did). I sent my swap mate a BOB and this is what she made me isn't it so pretty? I am going to hopefully complete it for a gift for my mother soon. And ... this will help me complete another UFO when I do so. Gotta love swaps to help you complete those stack of UFOs/BOBs we all have.

here are a couple set of blocks I made for two swappers for a friendship swap

This swapper wanted any Christmas fabric and white. I use the same green and red fabrics in both blocks cause I just love it. These are the blocks I made for her.

This swapper wanted dark green and mauve so these are the blocks I made for her.

I have also been working on the Christmas Wreath tablerunner that I posted a photo of the pattern of. I am almost done with that - just need to do the binding and then I'll snap a photo.

until next time ... happy quilting

Finally a Finish!!!

Here's a picture of the Bears in the Farmhouse from Judy's Quilt Along I did the beginning of the year. I am happy to say it is finished. I haven't been able to post a photo due to all the rain we've been having.

Hope you can see the great quilting Tirane did on it.

She is a terrific quilter.

until next time ... happy quilting ... work on those UFOs ;o)

UFO Challenge/Contest Week 3 Progress

As I posted about earlier - we are doing a UFO Challenge/Contest for September and I am working away on three different UFOs this month. Depending on the number that is chosen I get to work on a different one each day.

UFO List for September's Challenge/Contest
1. crumb blocks -- began with 35 total blocks (6inch blocks and 6.5 inch blocks mixed)
2. string blocks - began with 16 string blocks blocks and 16 TN blocks- this one will be called TN Strings (combined TN blocks and my String blocks together.)
3. red split nine patch blocks - began with 24 blocks

Day 15 --- chose wild card (I am choosing to work on number 3) got those pieced blocks pressed and tried a couple different layouts. Made my layout choice and now need to make another 16 blocks
Day 16 -- chose UFO #2 - I was able to sew the borders on my TN Strings top
Day 17 -- chose wild card (I am choosing to work on my number 3) cut and sewed enough HSTs to make the last 16 blocks
Day 18 --- chose UFO #1 - chain pieced several block parts
Day 19 -- chose wild card - no progress on any UFO on the list today - worked on double nine patch blocks instead
Day 20 -- chose UFO #2 - I washed, pressed and laid out the backing for this one only to find it was not large enough to do what I need it to do so I will have to piece the backing :o(
Day 21 -- chose wild card - I didn't work on a UFO today - I started and almost finished a baby quilt for my neice.
Not too bad for another week of progress. Any progress is better than none right? I am so hoping to complete at least one of these by the end of the challenge. I won't have pictures to share for this one but might sneak some in next week.
until next time ... happy quilting

UFO Challenge/Contest Week 2 Progress

As I posted about earlier - we are doing a UFO Challenge/Contest for September and I am working away on three different UFOs this month. Depending on the number that is chosen I get to work on a different one each day. It's been fun so far!
UFO List for September's Challenge/Contest
1. crumb blocks -- began with 35 total blocks (6inch blocks and 6.5 inch blocks mixed)
2. string blocks - began with 16 string blocks blocks and 16 TN blocks- this one will be called TN Strings (combined TN blocks and my String blocks together.)
3. red split nine patch blocks - began with 24 blocks
Here's my weekly progress at a quick glance with some pictures thrown in ....



Day 8 -- chose UFO number 1 ... got the sashing put between all the blocks I have made, made one more block and started chain piecing several more. Decided to put the larger (6.5 inch blocks) in a baggie to use for another project.
Day 9 -- chose UFO number 1 ... made 3 completed blocks, added sashing to them and started several more blocks by chain piecing .. my scrap bin doesn't seem to be getting any lower though. Now have 31 of the 6 inch blocks sewn and sashed.
Day 10 -- chose wild card and I chose to work on UFO number 2 ... made the last four string blocks for this top, sewed them into a row and pinned them into place on the bottom of the quilt top.
Day 11-- chose wild card ... I chose to work on UFO number 2 again today - got the row attached and all the extra strings picked up and put away. Now to find a outter border and get to working on piecing the backing for this one. This top now measures 74 inches square.
Day 12 -- chose UFO number 3 ... have twelve split nine blocks sewn into sections now to press and piece those blocks
Day 13 -- chose UFO number 1 ... didn't get to work on this at all today but that's okay.
Day 14 -- chose UFO number 2 ... pressed and cut the final border fabric, cut into strips, sewed the strips together until next time ... happy quilting

UFO Challenge/ Contest Week 1 Progress

UFO List for September's Challenge/Contest
1. crumb blocks -- began with 35 mixed 6inch blocks and 6.5 inch blocks
2. string blocks - began with 16 blocks - this one will be called TN Strings (combined TN blocks and my String blocks together.)
3. red split nine patch blocks - began with 24 blocks

Weekly progress at a glance with some pictures ....

Day 1 -- chose UFO number 3 ... made enough HSTs to make 13 more blocks

Day 2 -- chose UFO number 1 ... made two more crumb blocks and several partial blocks to start off the next round of chain piecing

Day 3 -- chose wild card so I chose UFO number 3 ... cut enough red squares out to make lots more blocks

Day 4 -- chose UFO number 1 ... no update ... didn't work on it ;o(

Day 5

-- chose wild card ... chose to work on UFO number 2 ... pieced the center of the top

Day 6 -- chose UFO number 2 ... I added a thin sashing around the center, joined the blocks I had to go around three sides of the top. Need to make four more blocks to complete that last side. I'm liking the way this is coming together.

Day 7 -- chose UFO number 1 - worked on adding sashing to the blocks I have made so far. Found out I have some blocks that are 6 inches and some that are 6 1/2 inches. I need to pull out the larger blocks to do something else with 'em

until next time ... happy quilting

Black, White and Red Rows are now a quilt top

I finished this one tonight and have it packaged up to send back to the owner, my friend Kimberly. I am happy to mark this one off my UFO list. I felt guilty for having it so long and not being able to return it to her sooner.

My DD loves this quilt and said if the owner didn't want it she had a place for it ... her bed! I do hope Kimberly likes this one as much as DD does ;O)

It is not the same layout as Tirane did for me .. I just didn't have the extra time to do all those tiny squares. I like the way it turned out.

I can now mark goal #2 as COMPLETED!!! YEAH!!!

until next time ... happy quilting!

September UFO list

I am on an online quilting site and have decided to join a UFO busting challenge game ... each day the hostess will draw a UFO for us to work on from our list of three, there is a day that she may let us choose any one from our list too. This should be a fun way to work on our UFO list. Would be wonderful to complete the three on my list for this month but we shall see. You have seen how poorly I have kept to sticking to my monthly goals ;o)

1. crumb blocks

2. string blocks

3. red split nine patch blocks

until next time ... happy quilting!

working on the borders

I know ... I know ... I didn't follow Tirane's layout exactly but I wanted to make it simplier to piece - so I used bricks instead of all those squares. I like the way it is coming along - now to work on the next set of borders.

until next time ... happy quilting

Blocks pieced

Here is what I was able to get done yesterday morning before the kiddos got up ... well ... I pieced them into three square sections and pinned them and then this morning I joined the rows together and pressed them. I made up eighteen blocks (but the picture only shows 16) all from my scrap bins. These will help me finish up a UFO on my list. (((HAPPY DANCE!!!)))

Brenda asked for the pattern and here is where I got it form ... http://www.quilterscache.com/S/SplitNinePatchBlock.html is the pattern I used for these - I grouped four together to form the larger block. Love this simple block. I also have blocks in scrappy and beige/white to post later on.
until next time ... happy quilting

Just how old is your oldest UFO??

I just went through my list of UFOs to the left there and listed the dates I started making these UFOs and I am curious to see who might have the oldest UFO out there?
I have a couple more that are not on the list that I might never complete so I didn't add them to the list to complete. I know there is one or more from the first part of 2001 but other than that I don't have one older than that. I didn't really start quilting until 2001 and was a good girl and completed my projects as I went but that was when I first began quilting and didn't know any better. But that changed once I got bit really good by the quilting bug ... now I can't stay focused on one project at a time and therefore have created my lengthy UFO list ;o)
I have a goal list there to the left also to work on a UFO before starting a new project and another to reduce my UFOs by half (?) by the end of the year. I would like to try and really do this as I feel kinda guilty to have so many projects started waiting to be finished. They are getting left to the side while I keep dreaming of new projects to create. (shame on me!) So along with stash-bustin and using thread on hand I will be striving to work on these UFOs this year too. Anyone else committed to doing the same this year? would love to hear from you.
would also love to hear who has the oldest UFO? and will you complete it?
until next time ...

Quilting Bee today ...

on a quilting site I am a member of we are doing a virtual quilting bee today to help motivate us to get those UFOs worked on. I will be posting my updates throughout the day. I hope to complete this project SCRAPPY HSTs it just needs outter borders. I also would like to piece the backing so I can send it to be quilted next week.

It's almost 8AM and ... off I go to sew ... sew ... sew ... (if you want to join in you can. no admission fee or anything. just blog about your progress and let me know what you are able to get done. you can be a part of the quilting bee too.)
9AM Update ... I decided to add another round of HSTs to the center before adding the borders. It only measured 60x60 now. I need it to be a full/queen size when it is finished. I have gotten 74 HSTs sewn and pressed. Now to get them trimmed. I have to do some other stuff before I get back to sewing to move around a bit. My back bothers me if I sit too long now. Guess I am getting old ... (from this .... to ....)

11:30 Update .. HSTs are all trimmed and I have one row of HSTs pinned in pairs to start sewing after I get a bite to eat. Slowly but surely I am getting. I keep getting distracted by housework. blah! (this nice pile of trimmed HSTs)

3PM Update ... Added another row all the way around the top. Have the fabric pulled for the outter borders and will start on that after I get offa here. I haven't been just sewing today but am happy with the progress I have been able to make so far today both sewing and otherwise.
4:30PM update ... cut the inner border fabric and have two sides attached. Have to run some errands. I might be able to get more done later on though
11PM update ... finally update I might add ... inner borders are on. top is now about 74x72 and will work on outter borders in the morning. I am happy with my progress for the day. Doesn't look much different but it is larger and has one border added. Sorry this isn't the best picture I am tired and laid it out quickly to get an updated photo before I head to bed.

until next time ...

Quiltathon Sunday Edition

Day two of Judy's QUILTATHON is off to a good start.
Just after 8:30AM here ... I am working on my second cup of Vanilla Coffee ready as I sit here and post my update. I have already added two rows to the top and have all those HSTs waiting to be sew together and add as rows. I'll post an updated photo later on today.
9:40AM Another two rows have been added and pressed nice and neat into place. I am going to take a break from the quiltathon and will be back after church with my updates. Hope to get the top all done today but we will see. I don't have enough HSTs made up as of yet to do another row to any side of the top so I will work on more HSTs when I get back at it.
3:20ish here ... made up another 56 HSTs, got them sewn, pressed and trimmed. Taking a short break to post my update and stretch a bit. Those HSTs should be all I need to complete the center of the quilt, then it's onto the borders.

almost 10PM here ... here is what the top looks like now. I am done for the weekend. I added the last rows around the top a bit ago. Between company, the kiddos and all the phone calls I didn't get done what I wanted to but I am glad to have made some progress on this UFO. This ends my quiltathon updates. Nite ya'll!

Good luck to all those participating ... with accomplishing your goals. Anything we get done is better than nothing remember that. Some have may more time and work a bit faster than I do but I am enjoying my sewing time and that is what counts. I chose to work on a UFO instead of starting another project so I will be happy with whatever I can add to it to make it closer to being done.
until next time ...

Quiltathon now in progress!!!!

here we go .... this is where I will be posting and updating my progress during the quiltathon ... I'll post photos along the way too. QUILTATHON

5:27AM First cup of coffeee is in my hand and I am off ....

6:50AM half of cup of coffee later ... this one is done!!! I used up some of the extra pieces of a FQ someone sent for a Secret Santa swap -- this is the second project I made the lady. Hope she likes it. Have one more idea to finish her fabric bits.

8:30AM taking a break and got myself dressed now that the sun is finally up. Been sewing away on my BowTie quilt. Making some serious progress and hope to have this one done by lunch. Gonna go grab some breakfast and get back to my machine.

1:28PM taking a break and fixing myself some lunch. Got several more blocks made and added to the BowTie quilt. Now for the borders. Gonna check the net and get back at it.

6:39PM After several detours I am back on track and have made some more progress on my BowTie quilt. I have the first border attached and the outter borders pieced. I am going to eat some supper and get that done and work on those two blocks I owe swapper before tackling the backing.

7:55PM BowTie top is now done!!! I am so happy!!! Now to get a backing pieced so I can get this off to Tirane on Monday. (man I should've re-ironed this before I took the picture)


9:32PM the two Birthday blocks are done - one wanted purple and cream and the other Fall colors and cream (doesn't the green plaid remind you of a flannel shirt?) now onto cutting squares for that backing.


11:02PM Last post of the night - I am beat! I got the 90 - 10.5 inch squares all cut and pressed. They are waiting for me to sew them together in the morning. Amazing with all those I cut you can't tell I took anything from my stash. Wonder if it restocks itself for us? :o)

Thoughts and blessing for the day ... I am so thankful for Judy who thought up the quiltathon - very motivating idea! I am so thankful for this day of sewing and the progress I have been able to make with my UFOs, my swap blocks and the non-quilty things I did like the yardwork and the housework. I am so thankful for the nicer weather we had today - the sunshine was a welcome sight and the slightly warmer temps allowed me to work in the yard like I needed to without freezing my tail off :o)
until then ...

Jacob's Ladder quilt is completed

Oh my - the mailman made my day I can tell ya!! He brought me a package and in it was this wonderful quilt (my scrappy Jacob's Ladder Quilt) my friend Tirane quilted for me ... isn't it lovely. She did a fabulous job on the quilting. I am so happy with it.

Update .... The binding is now completed and I can mark this one as completed!!!

I have been pulling fabrics today to cut some charms for a swap I am doing and while cutting charms I decided to go ahead and cut 10.5 inch squares to piece the backing for my scrappy sampler I am working on. I think I have enough cut to piece the backing. Need to be in there sewing instead of playing on the computer but I needed a break. I plan on sewing some more tonight and finishing up the sampler over the weekend and hopefully the binding on the Jacob's Ladder quilt too. Am I ambitious or what??
I have been cleaning up my sewing area today to get ready for my company that is coming on Wednesday. This means to clean up and put everything away that is normally sitting on the breakfast room table and under the table and on the bar to the left of it. I have claimed this area as my sewing area. While cleaning it has come to my attention that I am totally addicted to scraps (as if you didn't know). I found lots of great scrap pieces to add to a scrap box to make blocks later. I also found lots of pieced blocks I totally forgot I had made. I took advantage of the cleaning mode and put all the made blocks along with the fabric I had been using into large baggies with directions if I had them. I have found enough BOBs and UFOs to keep me sewing throughout all next year - even without starting another project. Which you know will happen. I have quilter's ADHD - I can't stay focused on one project for long if I see something else I'd like to try then I wander off and start that one. I know I have got to work on this. My plan for 2009 will be to work on my BOBs and UFOs before starting another project. Let's see if I can stick to this.

I am so thankful for my quilty friends who inspire me when I need a kick in the tail! I am so thankful for all the fabric I have been playing with today. I have enough fabric in my stash to make several more scrappy quilts. I am so thankful for Saturday's to play catchup and some downtime. I am so thankful for my Father in-law who is so supportive and encouraging even with the loss of his dear loved one.

until next time.

I'm gonna keep rolling right along ...

I am feeling a bit sappy today so forgive me. I lost a old friend of mine over the weekend and am having a hard time accepting it is real. He was there for me alot and will be missed that is for sure. Amazing how losing a friend makes you take a look at your life and what is really important. Make sure you give your kids/family an extra squeeze tonight and tell them how much you love them. I was up really early this morning since I couldn't sleep with everything on my mind. I had cut 42 --15 inch squares from fabric I pulled from my stash in an effort not to buy any new fabric. I pulled out the squares I had cut to make the backing of my scrappy Jacobs Ladder quilt. I got them all sewn together and will be shipping this top and backing to my quilter today all things willing. Feels good to have another UFO closer to being done and to use up another 5.5 yards of fabric strictly from my stash. I need to start keeping up with how much fabric I use on each project ... hmmm .... how to do that ???

While I was in my sewing area this morning, I looked around and realized just how messy it has become. I am terrible about pulling fabric and stacking it here and there after I cut it for a project. Now I have all these piles and pieces and patterns all over the place. I should be ashamed of myself for letting it get so messy but what is it they say about a messy house ??? lol
One goal for this week will be to slowly clean up this area and get ready for the next quilt that I need to work on for my Christmas gifts. Another is that I also have to sort through the kids' clothes for the upcoming yard sale. I will be so happy after I get those outta their closets/rooms they will have neater rooms and will be able to find what really fits them. Amazing how much the kiddos grow in a season. Another is to take more time for me. Since my divorce I have not taken any time for me to deal with everything that has happened and then more things are being piled on my plate as the days pass. I need to find some down time each evening to journal or read or study the Bible. Gotta learn how to destress at the end of each day.

until next time ....

just an update

I have been super busy with life in general and trying to keep up around the house and the kids changed schools this week so we are all adjusting to the new schedule too. They really are liking the new school and making lots of new friends. DD said that she is so glad they changed schools. It is so rough being a teenager, I wanted to ensure that she had a good group of friends and enjoyed going to school. Where she was she said she didn't fit in and the kids were really mean to her. I couldn't and wouldn't accept that. Changing schools is proving to be a positive change all the way around. I am so glad too :)
I have made some progress on decluttering. I am going through stages of trying to go through stuff for awhile and then working on keeping the rest of the house clean too. It is a work in progress and I will continue as I find the extra time and energy to do so. The house is looking so much nicer and is easier to clean.
I have made some progress on my UFOs as well. I have a top at my friend's house to be quilted. It is the Tennesse Quilt. I am leaving it up to her to quilt - she did my Four Patch Ladder and I love it. She is so talented and creative. I trust her to do what will look best. Here is the preview of the top. Gonna do a scrappy strip binding.



Got to figure out how to add pictures soon to show you what I have been working on. Lately I have been making string blocks to make another scrappy quilt with. They are turning out nicely if I do say so myself. I got part of them from a swap and the rest I made. I have lots more to make to have a full size top but it is a great way to use up those strips and strings. Here are the blocks I have made so far. Whatcha think? Neat for just strips and strings.


I have gotten all the Bow-Tie blocks into a top only to find that I am in need of lots more of those blocks too. That will have to wait until I get another top together though. Here are the blocks I have done - I sewed them together to see what they would look like. I like the way it is coming along.


I have the Jacobs Ladder blocks sewn together in pairs so that one will be my next one to get together and off to my friend to be quilted. I still lack FIVE quilts to complete by Christmas. One is at my friend's house ready to be quilted, the rest are in various stages. I am just trying to do them as I can. I have quilter's ADHD - I can't stay focused on one project for that long anymore. I know I am terrible.

so goes on the life and times of a mother and scrap quilter .... until next time ...

making progress

I did it! I finished the backing for my Four Patch Ladder quilt. I pieced it using 10.5 inch squares all from my stash. That helped me used up almost 6 yards if I figured right. I am trying to use just fabric from my stash and make up enough quilts to give my brothers and sisters for Christmas presents. That means I will need to make a total of SIX quilts. So with the Four Patch sent off yesterday to be quilted, that means I have just FIVE to go in SIX months. Think I can do it?
I have been trying to follow the Flylady program a bit to help remove the clutter from my house. I have made great progress with this and this week I am working in my DS room. I have just about everything out of the room and I am painting it now. He picked grey and blue. Lower part will be medium blue and upper will be a light grey. I have a cool sports themed border I got and both colors are in the border so it will look great. He will be so happy to have his room done. DD had her room repainted for her birthday earlier this year and he asked "when is my room getting done?"
So will keep you updated on the decluttering progress and room redo progress as well as the quilts on my UFO list too.