Last July Finish

I know technically, this really isn't finished, but lets not get technical.  I had several other July finishes here.

This is one of my oldest UFOs.  It was the very first scrap quilt I ever started.  For those that haven't tried scrappy, the first one is the hardest.  I had a really hard time putting these colors together.  In the beginning I was trying to match the colors in each block.  I did a lot of complaining and doubting along the way.

Now that I understand value a little better (keep in mind I started this about 10 years ago), I would have done better on my red selection. I am pleased to have this one quilted an ready to bind.  It is a pattern from Love of Quilting magazine.

These are my August Goals.

August Goals

I have already exceeded my goal for finishes this year. August will be an adjustment month for both my family and myself since we will be easing back into the school schedule.  I hope to have just finishes for August.  As I look through my picture parade of unfinished projects, I notice lots of completions.  I did not find a lot of projects that were exciting me for this month.  I hope this won't end my desire to finish things.

1. Quilt my bright Christmas Star quilt
   
   
2. Quilt something for fall
3. Sew the blocks together for my bright scrap quilt
4. Sew the blocks together for my bright log cabin

Feeling Lost

I am feeling a little lost, like I should be camping at the ball park tonight.  I have come to my senses.  I am giddy with excitement!  I remembered we are having a sew-in on Sunday.  Very few things are better than a day away with friends!  Now for the hard part - what should I bring to sew?

Have a great weekend.

Food for Thought today - Jelly Roll vs. Layer Cake

Did you ever think about how much fabric was in a Jelly Roll vs. a Layer Cake?  Which one give you more fabric?  They are exactly the same!

2 1/2" X 40" X 40 pieces = 4,000 Square Inches

10" x 10" x 40 pieces = 4,000 Square Inches

In terms of body shape, I wish I was more like a jelly roll (long and skinny), but in reality, I am more layer cake shaped

Since they are the same amount of fabric, It is best to evaluate the pattern you want to use and determine which will give you the least amount of scrap.

July Progress

I working away on my July list.  I am working hard to get 1/3 of my list done by the end of the year.  Just one more week until school starts.  I think the kids are ready to go.

This first runner was a class sample a few years ago.  It was very loosely based on a quilt from American Patchwork & Quilting.  It is all trimmed and ready for binding.

 This is the same pattern with different colors.  Since these were small projects, I tried some new to me quilting designs.  I tried to just relax and have some fun with them.
This was a simple stripe table runner.  I quilted  a simple stipple on the blue and red quilt, and I quilted the nutcracker runner a little more detail

This runner sat forever because I was puzzled how to quilt it.

 I selected a swirling design in the neutrals and a loopy designer in the darker colors.  This is a Bonnie Hunter pattern from her book Scraps and Shirttails.

 I am excited to mark off these 5 UFOs.  Yes, I know there isn't binding on them, but it is close enough for me.

Chevron Quilt Photo Session

I wanted to share some photos of my chevron quilt with the binding on.  I had perfect weather to take the photos.  I love the contrast of the garden behind the quilt.  I went a little heavy on the photos.

This quilt is on its way to Colorado in time for the new addition to the family.  This was a new start for 2013, but the good news is that I finished it in the same year.

Finishes from 2012

I just remembered to update my finishes page tab on the right side of my blog.  I was extremely excited to go through my UFO parade and look at all the quilts that have been completed.  I am up to 22 finishes!!  My goal for the year was 20 finishes from the list.  I have finished 1/4 of my UFOs in the first 7 months of the year.  I still have a long way to go, but this is encouraging.  I hope to have 1/3 of my UFOs done by the end of the year.  

At this rate....It will only take me 3 years to get caught up.   Come to think of it, that seems like a long time.