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
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
cluttered caos
As I was looking around my sewing area I realized something. My area could be considered cluttered caos to someone who didn't have the quilting bug. I have stacks of shoe boxes on top of both my cabinets of UFOs and BOBs, I have bins, baskets and tubs of fabrics and scraps scattered here and there. I have patterns either printed out from the web or bought ones just laying here and there on top of one cabinet in a stack on the floor and then on my sewing table. It just seems that my sewing area is about ready to burst with unfinished projects and fabrics. I am going to vow to work more on UFOs and BOBs from here out and to use soley from my stash and swap out fabrics when I am need of a certain color or prints. I feel so guilty as I look around at how much stuff my sewing area holds and some of it is unused and unfinished.
About my closet ... well I've been meaning to clean it out and something always comes up and I've been putting it off. Guess what happened?? I come in from work and find the rod holder thingy has BROKEN!! Now that means I have too many clothes on the rod. Funny though it seems I always wind up wearing the same clothes every week. With the rod holder thingy broken I have to remove all the clothes from the rod lying on the floor. What a heavy bunch of clothes it is. I am working on it steadily and finding lots to put into the next yard sale pile. Why was I keeping things that I know I will never wear? Not my size? Not my style? Not my color? I have gone through half of them so far and plan on slowly getting through the rest of them. My closet is getting organized and I will only have the clothes in there that I will actually wear when it's all done. So the rod holder thingy breaking is a POSITIVE thing!
I've been slowly doing some decluttering and cleaning a bit at a time, a small area at a time and finding it easier to keep the house clean by doing so. I look around at all we have and am amazed. Why do we have so much STUFF?!? going to continue to work on sorting, tossing, and selling things from around the house that we don't use or need. Next on the list are the old computers sashed behind the TV stand out of sight but collecting dust. Computer resale shoppe here they come!
until next time ... continue working on those goals .. take small steps of progress every chance you can
About my closet ... well I've been meaning to clean it out and something always comes up and I've been putting it off. Guess what happened?? I come in from work and find the rod holder thingy has BROKEN!! Now that means I have too many clothes on the rod. Funny though it seems I always wind up wearing the same clothes every week. With the rod holder thingy broken I have to remove all the clothes from the rod lying on the floor. What a heavy bunch of clothes it is. I am working on it steadily and finding lots to put into the next yard sale pile. Why was I keeping things that I know I will never wear? Not my size? Not my style? Not my color? I have gone through half of them so far and plan on slowly getting through the rest of them. My closet is getting organized and I will only have the clothes in there that I will actually wear when it's all done. So the rod holder thingy breaking is a POSITIVE thing!
I've been slowly doing some decluttering and cleaning a bit at a time, a small area at a time and finding it easier to keep the house clean by doing so. I look around at all we have and am amazed. Why do we have so much STUFF?!? going to continue to work on sorting, tossing, and selling things from around the house that we don't use or need. Next on the list are the old computers sashed behind the TV stand out of sight but collecting dust. Computer resale shoppe here they come!
until next time ... continue working on those goals .. take small steps of progress every chance you can
Friday, September 18, 2009
Pieced Pumpkins
Here's what I have been sewing on today .... cute pieced pumpkins. 
until next time .. happy quilting
until next time .. happy quilting
Monday, September 14, 2009
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 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
Monday, September 7, 2009
beautiful morning
just wanted to share some picture of the view about my place here ... it's a beautiful morning
you can't see it in the picture but the sunlight is filtering through the trees and it's just so pretty. I love cooler weather and the changing scenery.
this rose is growing beneath my kitchen window and since it's grow so tall this year I can enjoy the fragrance when I get to open the window like I have them this morning
This is the view from my drive - it's so peaceful here. At night you can here the crickets, frogs and catfish in the pond.
you can't see it in the picture but the sunlight is filtering through the trees and it's just so pretty. I love cooler weather and the changing scenery.
this rose is growing beneath my kitchen window and since it's grow so tall this year I can enjoy the fragrance when I get to open the window like I have them this morning
This is the view from my drive - it's so peaceful here. At night you can here the crickets, frogs and catfish in the pond.
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 ....
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
Friday, September 4, 2009
Judy's at it again
JUDY is at it again ... making us stay on our toes and work on those goals from January. Ain't she just great!
here's my list from January ... let's see how I've been doing so far and what I need to work harder on ...
My goals for this challenge will be ...
to REDUCE my scrap bins in half - I think I have four now -- have been cutting and sliming these down but no where near half 'cause they keep multipling like rabbits in there!
to USE UP those 2.5 inch strips I have cut - two oversized shoe boxes located up on the top on that cabinet I posted a photo of before - I believe they are like rabbits and mulitiply quickly! haven't even touched these yet - shame on me!
to COMPLETE half of the UFOs/ BOBs I have on hand - I think I have 10-15 that come to mind - nope I found more and I am afraid more are lurking in the cabinets. let's see I have completed 3 UFOs from the list ... still have lots to do but working on three this month at least for a contest/challenge I am a part of and hope to complete all three if not more.
to NOT buy unless it is absolutely necessary to complete a project - I have been really good on this one - have only bought 6yds of Kona White the whole entire year
to CONTINUE to piece the backings of my quilts to use up those uglies and what was I thinking fabrics -- I have been good on this one too and have pieced the backing on two of the one's I've completed so far this year. The third completion was just a top - I am sending it back to the owner for her to finish it off completely. I plan on using the pieced backings for all my scrappy quilts that I can.
to NOT print another pattern from the internet without using at least two that I have already printed. I have binders of patterns that I have not even made yet. Also have a stack of patterns that need to be put into binders. Those were shown in a photo I posted earlier too. I've been working on organizing these patterns putting them into binders and tossing the duplicates I find along the way and thinning these down a bit more too.
to SORT through and organize my stash so I can find what I need - getting there - see my newly cleaned up sewing area photos. still working on this - organizing as I go thru and swapping out fabrics I find but will not use. Need to show an updated photo soon.
to NOT join a swap that requires me to buy fabric failed at this one .. had to buy the Kona for a 30s block swap I am doing
to ONLY join swaps that help me complete a UFO/BOB or allows me to use from my stash. {I love to swap and don't want to give that up just yet :o) } not done too bad I have only joined one swap so far that has not been to complete a UFO
to COMPLETE one UFOs/BOBs before starting a new project (kinda like a reward system) completing three so far this year and starting only two I have done better than expected.
now ... for the rest of this year I am going to continue to work on these goals and my other goals I post along the way too. thanks Judy for the reminder. need to start posting my stashbusting updates again too.
here's my list from January ... let's see how I've been doing so far and what I need to work harder on ...
My goals for this challenge will be ...
to REDUCE my scrap bins in half - I think I have four now -- have been cutting and sliming these down but no where near half 'cause they keep multipling like rabbits in there!
to USE UP those 2.5 inch strips I have cut - two oversized shoe boxes located up on the top on that cabinet I posted a photo of before - I believe they are like rabbits and mulitiply quickly! haven't even touched these yet - shame on me!
to COMPLETE half of the UFOs/ BOBs I have on hand - I think I have 10-15 that come to mind - nope I found more and I am afraid more are lurking in the cabinets. let's see I have completed 3 UFOs from the list ... still have lots to do but working on three this month at least for a contest/challenge I am a part of and hope to complete all three if not more.
to NOT buy unless it is absolutely necessary to complete a project - I have been really good on this one - have only bought 6yds of Kona White the whole entire year
to CONTINUE to piece the backings of my quilts to use up those uglies and what was I thinking fabrics -- I have been good on this one too and have pieced the backing on two of the one's I've completed so far this year. The third completion was just a top - I am sending it back to the owner for her to finish it off completely. I plan on using the pieced backings for all my scrappy quilts that I can.
to NOT print another pattern from the internet without using at least two that I have already printed. I have binders of patterns that I have not even made yet. Also have a stack of patterns that need to be put into binders. Those were shown in a photo I posted earlier too. I've been working on organizing these patterns putting them into binders and tossing the duplicates I find along the way and thinning these down a bit more too.
to SORT through and organize my stash so I can find what I need - getting there - see my newly cleaned up sewing area photos. still working on this - organizing as I go thru and swapping out fabrics I find but will not use. Need to show an updated photo soon.
to NOT join a swap that requires me to buy fabric failed at this one .. had to buy the Kona for a 30s block swap I am doing
to ONLY join swaps that help me complete a UFO/BOB or allows me to use from my stash. {I love to swap and don't want to give that up just yet :o) } not done too bad I have only joined one swap so far that has not been to complete a UFO
to COMPLETE one UFOs/BOBs before starting a new project (kinda like a reward system) completing three so far this year and starting only two I have done better than expected.
now ... for the rest of this year I am going to continue to work on these goals and my other goals I post along the way too. thanks Judy for the reminder. need to start posting my stashbusting updates again too.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ongoing Goals List
Here are only the goals with updates ... not too shabby of a progress update
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt - need to get this one quilted and bound. Backing is here need to package up and ship to Tirane to do her magic on it shortly! Hope to complete this one by the 8th of October for their 49th Anniversary!
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - top is so close to being done I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now .. seriously though ... lack three sides of what I think will be the last border. hope to complete it shortly.
3. Finish String Quilt - blocks are here just waiting to be used; I thinking of combining them with the TN blocks to make my little man a large quilt for his bed. this one is now on my September of UFOs for a challenge/game I am a part of - should be able to make some progress on it this coming month.
4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom - looking better with every chance I get to go through more stuff.
5. Continue to sort and organize my stash for better access - I am making some nice progress here. Slowly but surely I am getting there - will take some updated pictures soon. Went through some more fabrics and folded and organized them and they all fit into their baskets better so more fit in there. The sewing area is looking neater with every decluttering/organizing spurt I give it.
6. Continue to sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily - I have started putting these into four binders and will keep at it as I find the time to do so. Gonna thin as I go. -- I have been working on this on and off - almost done with this one - hope to complete it over the weekend while watching a good movie! Didn't happen - maybe this month??
7. Continue to thin out my scraps - I haven't thinned out any scraps but I have been organizing them. Will try and make some crumb blocks this month and some pineapple blocks too. crumb blocks are on my UFO list too - gonna reduce that scrap drawer yet.
8. Lose 6 more pounds and more - still need to lose the 6 pounds but am at a standstill. Need to try harder and exercise more. hmmm ... haven't weighed myself lately .. need to and then update my total loss or gain ;o(
9. Work on decluttering my house more - do small tasks as I can. If I don't love it, need it, use it or can wear it - it needs to go. This will be a never ending goal of mine. lol -- I have been doing good with this one ... have been trying to clean a small area a day and toss, sort, give away, put away and so on. The house is looking neater and less cluttered every day. Now to find a way NOT to bring more back into the house!
10. Finish the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt to use as a raffle quilt for my friend who was diagnose with ovarian cancer. It is quilted just needs to be bound. The raffle quilt has not been completed. My neighbor friend had her surgery and they are saying they think they got it all and that she will not have to have radiation or chemo but with no insurance her hospital bills will be out of this world so I hope they get lots of items donated for the benefit that is coming up.
11. Rework DDs room to fit in the bigger bed - we will see how this one goes - she has been going through her stuff and getting rid of things she feels she has outgrown and has made great progress on this, hope she continues and we can move her new bed in soon.
until next time ... happy quilting and take steps and work on those goals
1. Finish Mother's 30s Quilt - need to get this one quilted and bound. Backing is here need to package up and ship to Tirane to do her magic on it shortly! Hope to complete this one by the 8th of October for their 49th Anniversary!
2. Finish reworking Kimberly's Black and White RR - top is so close to being done I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now .. seriously though ... lack three sides of what I think will be the last border. hope to complete it shortly.
3. Finish String Quilt - blocks are here just waiting to be used; I thinking of combining them with the TN blocks to make my little man a large quilt for his bed. this one is now on my September of UFOs for a challenge/game I am a part of - should be able to make some progress on it this coming month.
4. Clean out my closet and redo my bedroom - looking better with every chance I get to go through more stuff.
5. Continue to sort and organize my stash for better access - I am making some nice progress here. Slowly but surely I am getting there - will take some updated pictures soon. Went through some more fabrics and folded and organized them and they all fit into their baskets better so more fit in there. The sewing area is looking neater with every decluttering/organizing spurt I give it.
6. Continue to sort and organize my patterns so I can find them more easily - I have started putting these into four binders and will keep at it as I find the time to do so. Gonna thin as I go. -- I have been working on this on and off - almost done with this one - hope to complete it over the weekend while watching a good movie! Didn't happen - maybe this month??
7. Continue to thin out my scraps - I haven't thinned out any scraps but I have been organizing them. Will try and make some crumb blocks this month and some pineapple blocks too. crumb blocks are on my UFO list too - gonna reduce that scrap drawer yet.
8. Lose 6 more pounds and more - still need to lose the 6 pounds but am at a standstill. Need to try harder and exercise more. hmmm ... haven't weighed myself lately .. need to and then update my total loss or gain ;o(
9. Work on decluttering my house more - do small tasks as I can. If I don't love it, need it, use it or can wear it - it needs to go. This will be a never ending goal of mine. lol -- I have been doing good with this one ... have been trying to clean a small area a day and toss, sort, give away, put away and so on. The house is looking neater and less cluttered every day. Now to find a way NOT to bring more back into the house!
10. Finish the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt to use as a raffle quilt for my friend who was diagnose with ovarian cancer. It is quilted just needs to be bound. The raffle quilt has not been completed. My neighbor friend had her surgery and they are saying they think they got it all and that she will not have to have radiation or chemo but with no insurance her hospital bills will be out of this world so I hope they get lots of items donated for the benefit that is coming up.
11. Rework DDs room to fit in the bigger bed - we will see how this one goes - she has been going through her stuff and getting rid of things she feels she has outgrown and has made great progress on this, hope she continues and we can move her new bed in soon.
until next time ... happy quilting and take steps and work on those goals
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!
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