Design Wall Monday

While I'm waiting for the Quiltville mystery to start,

I'm quilting July's UFO from Judy L's Challenge.

 Finally!

My #11 is Grandmother's Choice-Votes For Women Sampler.

I don't know why I was so scared to quilt this. 

I was super excited to get a ruler foot that finally I can use on my machine.

It's a Juki foot but it fits several high shank machines.

Well I did ok for a while but there is a learning curve and I want to get this done.

So I switched back over to my darning foot and got busy.

I sewed and sewed and sewed!

Sunday evening I was done!

Or I thought. 

See the sashing rows above Miss Polly?

I was showing it off and looked down and dang!

I skipped quilting the sashing on 3 rows!

I'll go back in the in the morning and quilt those.

Binding is sewn on so I'll have this finished this week.

Yeah

Check all the great design walls at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts-Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

After finishing the tumbler quilt last week,

I am in the mood to quilt!

Problem was I need to cut batting and make a couple backs.

During the week, I made 2 backs so

yesterday was the day to cut batting. 

I lugged out the big roll of batting and dropped it on my bed.

Before too long, I had 4 quilts cuddling with their batting and backs.

Most of the binding is already made,

I just have 1 that has the strips cut but not sewn or pressed.

This quilt is big. and will use up most of the 98" width of the backing.

I used a sharpie to mark the top of each piece.

I don't want to get it almost all pinned and notice that something is turned wrong.

Been there, done that, don't want to do it again.

Funny thing about basting Millifiore is that she was the August UFO.

I did nothing to her except get her off Mt. ToBeQuilted.

Same with Grandmother's Choice Sampler -she was July's UFO.

That sweet little 30's sampler, she was included in my grand plan

with these other 2 on August 1!

Sometimes my grand plans go south on me! 

So what if it takes me 2 months to get my plans back home,

they are here now and each has taken a step forward.

They are all off Mr ToBeQuilted and ready for the finish line.

Judy L chose #9 for this month's UFO.

I thought that was last month but her list says #4.

So I guess mine for this month will be #4 which is my On The Road Quilt.

Check out all the fabulous design walls that are shared today at

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday on Sunday Afternoon

Design Wall Monday may not happen for me. 

I've got myself in a pickle.

 Or a giant mess that I like to call the beginning of some organization
and cleaning and clearing out. 

OMG! 

My sewing room has turned into my own private dumping ground. 

I will not share too many pictures as it's a huge embarrassment. 

HUGE!

It all started after I finished this quilt. 

You can read all about it here if you want to.

All I wanted to do was pull out the UFO for July and make my plan.

First I decided to take care of the backing and batting from the quilt.

I'm trying to do that with each project I finish.

The really big pieces were folded up and put back on the shelf to use on another backing.

Then the smaller strips were cut and put away.

I cut the batting pieces into 14" hunks to use on my quilt as you go string blocks.

These are stored away in a box, ready to use.

So after taking care of that,

I decided to cut a bag of scraps and make a dent in that mess.

I was on a roll so I grabbed another bag.

I have my sewing machine table covered in pile of strips and squares and containers.

It's still like that today. 

I may have created a bigger mess than I started with.

I admit it, I have a scrap problem.

I cannot say no.

Oh Jeez Judy!!

I called it quits for the night, planning to start again in the morning. 

This morning instead of going back in, 

I decided to take care of some paper clutter.

Oh yes, I am a procrastinator! 

I love pdf downloaded patters and have lots.

After reading about Connie's use of the ProClick binding system,

 and stewing about it for a few months, I finally ordered one for myself.

Now my pattern instructions for my clothes are all taken care of.

I have lots more that just these 3. 

I'm going to purchase a couple of these magazine holders to store them in.

One of these days, I'll start on my quilt patterns that I've printed off the internet.

But not today,

I've chased enough squirrels this weekend.

So through all this chaos I found my July UFO.

Really, I knew right where it was.

Grandmother's Choice Sampler that started in October of 2012. 

I finished the top February 2014.

Backing and binding were ready in the bag.

I just need to cut the batting and give everything a good press 

and get basting.

Or call my friend Jane and have her long arm it for me. 

I did find a few more UFOs I've forgotten about.

Why do I do this to myself. 

No more whining,

I'm going to go clean up my sewing machine table so I can sew. 

Or cut a few more scraps.

😀😉😎

Check out the fabulous posts linked up to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday. 

Design Wall Monday

Grandmother's Choice Sampler is now a finished quilt top.

I love it! And so does Jessie.

And I'm quite happy to have it on top of Mt. ToBeQuilted.

The backing is cut to size,

the binding is sewn, pressed and ready!

Next step is to get the longarm table cleared off and get that baby warmed up!!

The instructions called for mitered borders and since that is the size I had precut,

mitered corners we will make.

I've done it several times before and every single time,

I sew it wrong.

And then I sew it right and its perfect.

I am so happy to have this top complete.

Next I pulled out Sanctuary.

This quilt design is from Kim Brackett's Scrap-Basket Beauties. 

I haven't worked on this since I posted this picture in October.

Borders are now on and this too has found a spot on Mt. ToBeQuilted.

It was a great sewing week.

See other great design walls today at Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday-UFO Edition

I'm embarrassed to say it's been one year ago today since I joined anything to my Grandmother's Choice Sampler.  After finishing some BOMs last week, I needed to pull something to work on. This is what I chose, I needed to make 12 more blocks. I'm really glad I added sashing to the rows and sewed the rows together. Otherwise I would have a big box of blocks and possibly I would have found it too overwhelming to think about.

I also stated right in the beginning that I would not make all of the chosen blocks. If it was something I didn't want to make, I would choose something different. After all, it is called Grandmother's Choice and I am a Grandmother and I choose not to be frustrated with my quilting. :-)  So I sat down at EQ7 and found my substitutions and printed out my blocks, pulled fabric and have these final 3 blocks to make. A good rainy day project for today.

I'm getting down to the last of my fabrics. The borders and binding are all cut and the backing is cut to size. Hmm, is there possibly a finished quilt in my near future???

Check out other fabulous design walls at Patchwork Times.  I see Kathy is working on her sampler also. This makes me happy.....and maybe a little competitive but I like the idea of sewing with a friend.

Design Wall Monday

The sewing machine has been busy this week.

The needle and thread have also made an appearance.

Not a steady busy, just a few minutes here and there.

I've been using my timer, sew, move, sew, move.

I added the 2 blocks above to my Grandmother's Choice BOW Sampler.

Yes, I am way behind because the last block was revealed Saturday.

But it is now out where I can see is 

so I've been working on it. 

I don't even know how many blocks I have left to work on,

but they are all printed and ready to go.

The log cabin blocks are starting to really come alive.

I am so glad I jumped into this project.

The new leader/ender project is taking shape.

I love these blocks.

And my hexies! 

The ones I wasn't going to do.

Yesterday 2 of the grands helped me work on these

while we sat outside around the table and chatted.

It was great fun to punch papers while Gramma stitched.

I love times like those!

See other fabulous design walls at

Patchwork Times.

Retreat Day, Yeah!

Thank you Bonnie Hunter, this is the perfect.  Today I will surround myself with quilters at our annual spring retreat!  Let the Shenanigans begin!!!

My bag and rolling cart are packed.  I have all my tools in the green handled bin, under the frogs is my beloved featherweight with the foot/cord, iron,power strip and my much needed lamp. And some other very important things.  In the bag is my ironing pad and towel, can't live without Kleenex, strips for the swap, cutting mat, greedy gift and Chinese auction item.

I've spent time organizing my projects so I don't pack everything I own. On the left is project 1, the Batik UFO I have been working on-today it will become a finished top!!!  In the pink box is my Carol Doak BOM ready to make into a top.  In the green, a new project with all the flannel cut (strips from previous retreat swaps) and ready to sew. and the blue box holds step 5 of Judy L's mystery, along with 9-- yes 9!, cut and ready to sew Grandmother's Choice blocks (these are projects 2 and 3).

If I run out of things to do, I can always grab something more when I come home to check on things during the day.  I have 2 more projects ready just in case. I love retreating so close to home and being able to sleep in my own bed.  I will miss the shenanigans of the cabin life but I will not miss those Army bunks-I have a hard enough time sleeping in my own bed.  And I must check on my babies.

Don't worry about me, I'll be having fun.

Sunday Sewing

Today I sewed blocks!

I had fun.

I'm up to date with the Grandmother's Choice Sampler blocks.  

This makes me happy.

Now I am going to start putting Easy Street together.

Working my way through my Getting It Done Challenge list,

one project at at time.

Design Wall Monday

Saturday and Sunday of this past Quiltathon, 

I worked on catching up with my Grandmother's Choice Sampler.

I was too far behind and a bit of panic set in.

I'm a happy quilter once again.

This is block 20.

When it's done today, I'll be caught up.

I ran out of bobbin thread and then someone wanted dinner.

I never went back in to the sewing room.

Instead, at 6 pm, I put on my pajamas and with my knitting and my blankie, 

I parked myself in the recliner.

I'm going to finish block 20 then I have to attack this.

Ernie's favorite work sweatshirt with a broken zipper.

Ugh.

But needing to stockpile good wife points,

(when did I start to do this??? LOL)

I pulled out the bag full of zippers and I'll find one that will work.

He will be a happy husband.

Check out all the fabulous design walls here at Patchwork Times.

I love Monday in Blogland.

January Quiltathon-Day 2

I was reading Judy L's blog post about her Quiltathon Day and I know exactly what she is saying.  My day was full of if it can go wrong it will.

Midget block 18 called New Album turned out pretty cute. 

Midget block 22 call Kaleidoscope.

This one was a little tricky with it's partial seams.

I'm happy with it.  

Then I made another star block and a couple 4 patches for the Scrap Challenge quilt

I worked on this block for the Grandmother's Choice Sampler.

Oh Boy!  That pink thingie, that's my new seam ripper along 

side my favorite reversible tweezers.

I'll be taking the block apart and

checking my quarter inch seam allowance.  

I cleaned the machine and move my guide.

I should have checked but I didn't.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

January Quiltathon-Day 1

Judy L is hosting another Quiltathon. You can see the dates on the left sidebar of her blog.   After not spending much time in the sewing room this week, I really looked forward to this weekend Quiltathon.

I made a list of goals for today.

• sew 16 Easy Street A blocks  
• do step 1 for Judy L's BOM
• make 2 Midget blocks
• make 2 Grandmother's Choice blocks
• cut batting for Ultimate Scrap Quilt

I think I can do it.  I took a spaghetti casserole out of the freezer--part of my clean out the freezer plan--so dinner will be whenever Ernie wants to eat.  Easy Peezy.  I'll check in at lunch time.........

Afternoon Update.........Easy Street A Blocks are DONE!!

Judy L's JAN BOM steps DONE!!

Ernie has been getting up at 0 dark thirty to plow snow for the log truckers so that means he's home just after noon...... Messes with Quiltathon.  He has a craving for fish and chips instead of the casserole I took out of the freezer that turned out to really be taco soup instead of spaghetti.....so we'll have soup tomorrow and go to town for fish and chips.  I'm hoping to be able to sew after he goes to bed tonight.

January 2013 Getting It Done

Judy L at Patchwork Times is changing the UFO Challenge to Getting It Done.  I failed miserable at the 2012 UFO Challenge so I'm hoping with small monthly goals I can mark things off my list.

Here is my January List.

1--Keep current with ongoing weekly/monthly projects.

(Grandmother's Choice, Rainbow Challenge, Carol Doak's BOM, Judy L's mystery, Midget Blocks)

2--Finish adding the border to Hawaiian Sunset.

3--Quilt and bind last year's Carol Doak Mystery.

4--Quilt and bind Ultimate Scrap Quilt Like Julie's.

Go to Patchwork Times and see what others hope to accomplish is January. 

Quilty Thoughts for 2013

I've spent a few nights not getting much sleep.  I've been thinking and sometimes I can't turn off my brain.  I've been thinking of long term projects that I have started, projects I want to start and my word for 2013.

Long term projects include my Pineapple Crazy quilt, 

Grandmother's Choice Sampler, 

Carol Doak's BOM

Then there are all the fabulous new projects that I won't be able to resist starting. Like Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I've already played in EQ7.

  I know I want to do either a row quilt like this.

Or maybe like this. 

I don't know.  I also think using Quiltville's Chunky Churndash (my personal favorite) set with black and white quarter square triangles would be fun.  I'll think about it some more.  Probably between the hours of 1 am and 4 am.  

As if I didn't have enough projects already, there is Mt. To Be Quilted that needs to be lowered. OhBoy! The choices I have to make.........that's it!  My word for 2013:  Choices!  Wow, that was easy! 

October Quiltathon Final Report

I can't believe how much I accomplished in the last 4 days.

Day 1--I made 1 block and cut all the sashings and border fabrics for the Grandmother's Choice Sampler.

Day 2--Baking, knitting and 3 more GCS blocks.

Day 3--2 more GCS blocks and a Carol Doak paper pieced BOM and time spent laying out the Sow-A-Long pink and brown blocks, sewed a few of them together.  More time spent knitting.

Day 4--today......I baked more zucchini bread and a really good apple crisp.  Then about 11, I headed to the sewing room and worked on sewing more blocks into rows.  I've got the top half sewn together. I don't know how much longer I'm going to work on this today. I'm tired and thinking about taking a nap...or knitting.  Maybe I'll sew later tonight or maybe not.

Thanks Judy L for another fun Quiltathon.  Can we do it again next month?? You can see how others spent their Quiltathon time here.