UFO Plan

After parading a few of my UFOs all over Blogland and 

doing some serious thinking to come up with a workable plan for me, 

I think I may have something figured out.

I'm testing it out on this UFO.

This is the UFO I am working on and showed in this week's Design Wall Monday post.  

This is the design I had come up with using EQ7.

The blocks were sewn together.

Border 1 was cut and sewn on.

Border 2 was ready to be cut when reality set in.

I don't have enough lime/pink fabric for wide borders.

Back to EQ7.

Play with simple borders so I can still use my lime/pink fabric.

Use what I have.

TaDah!!!

My plan is to pick one project.

Stick with it.

Try to use what I have.

Since most projects are contained with their components,

I shouldn't have much trouble.

We'll see how far that gets me. :0)

I am NOT going to say I won't start any new projects.

What fun would that be?

And I would be a liar because I do plan to start several new projects.

What I am saying is that I am going to focus on those UFOs I showed in the parade.

When those are completed,

I'll have another parade.

I'm linking up with Judy L's UFO Plan.

There are some really good tips from other Planners.

I hope to incorporate some of them into my plan.

Focus on Finishing

I never imagined how hard it would be to for me to stick to one project. I know I can do it but gosh, I have to force myself to not pick up something else to work on. The photo shows the remaining blocks waiting to be sewn into rows for the RRCB mystery. I'm sewing it in sections and I'm on section 2 of 3. I am loving this quilt and cannot wait to use it.


So I have come up with a plan for the week. I have a white/silver board that I use for my Focus on Four lists. These are the projects I want finished this week. I've been using this method to keep myself on track for a while now. But I have never planned the week out like this.

I make my own rules and now I need to follow them. Even if it's just for this week. I am giving myself a choice of projects to work on. Maybe that will keep me on track a little better and I can reduce the height of Mt. ToBeQuilted.

We woke up this morning to a bit of snow on the ground. I haven't listened to the news at all so I have not idea how much is expected. I'm just going to go into my hidie hole and check on it later.

Making The Plan...

...Working The Plan

It's not always easy being me. I joke about my granddaughter being a jumping bean and deep down inside, I know she gets it from me. I can get sidetracked faster than anyone I know! This morning, I made a plan. I need to focus on my plan. I have a couple errands I have to run this afternoon but before I go anywhere, I need to do a couple things. Like laundry and quilt.

This quilt was loaded yesterday. This morning after Ernie left and after a couple cups of coffee and a load into the washer, I went in and warmed up the machine. It is now quilted. Nothing fancy, just a nice meander. There is nothing wrong with a nice meander. It is now laying at the sewing machine waiting for the binding to be sewn on and then finished with the machine. Then to the washer and dryer (after the clothes are done) and then it will await it's new home.
(Edit: The quilt is finished and in the washer.....Yeah for another finish! Next!!!)

I need to do some work in the garden and hopefully the yard will dry out enough to mow. If not, I may have to get a goat. If I have any time later today, I will work on this. I also will work on this tonight while I watch Project Runway and whatever else I have waiting for me.

I will not work on either of these today! No, they are not in the plan. Now I must hurry and put them out of sight so I don't get sidetracked.

Next Focus Project

This is my next focus project. I had been using this for my leader/ender that was started in June. It's now time to put it together. As you can see, I need to make 2 more sets and the fabric is laying by the machine. I like going to my bin and getting out the precut pieces that I need.

I love using the design wall and camera together. I can see a few blocks that need to be moved away from each other. I have a great floral print that will be the outer border and now that the bright star blocks are all done, I am going to use some of the yellow from that for an inner border. EQ7 says that with 6" outer borders, this will measure 48.5" x 59". Perfect for a donation quilt.

Again, diving into the bins, I will piece some flannel for the backing for this. I've been thinking of taking all the flannel out of the bin and cutting it into usable squares instead of putting it back in the bin in hunks. I'm starting to think a bit smarter on some of these things. ;0)

I've been spending a little bit of pre-sewing time cutting from my scrap basket. I don't know how it gets overflowing so darn fast! Maybe because I've been letting it. I keep thinking I'm going to win a GO! Cutter from someone and gosh, I would need to have stuff to cut up...........but that isn't working so I guess I'll just go back to the old way. Darn my rotten luck!

Now I need to set myself up with the next leader/ender project. All I know is that it is going to involve 1 1/2" squares........I need to get out my Bonnie Hunter book and see what jumps out at me.

Friday Focus

Remember way back to August 16, 2010? Neither did I, so I looked it up. I said I was hoping to make one of these paper pieced star blocks a day. Really, I thought it was do-able. I am a dreamer, I had big plans. I'm sure glad there is no real deadline for this quilt top.

The only deadline is the one I have self imposed. I'd really, really like to get this quilted before retreat in October. With only 4 more blocks to make, I am hoping to achieve this goal. I just need to make my focus list and pay attention to it.

Next topic--organizing my stash.........today at Stash Manicure is a very motivating post. Is it possible to create order from my chaos? Of course it is! I just need to set aside some time and get to it. Just like eating an elephant, take one small bite at a time. (When looking for a link for elephant eating, I came across this great post about goal setting.) I will be like the Little Engine That Could. I think I can, I think I can.

So now I will get off the computer, restart the washer, fold that load of laundry, make my list and get busy. On that list will be some sewing time! I only have 4 more blocks to make and they are already cut and ready to sew!!!

Quiltathon Day 2-Morning Break

The best thing about dedicated Quiltathon days is that I can plan my projects and focus on what I plan. I didn't go back into the sewing room last night but I got a super early start this morning and finished the Scrappy Bento Box top. It is now on the to be quilted pile with the scrappy binding. WooHoo for a finish!!!

Next on my project list is the Pat Sloan Meadow Breeze BOM. I'm still working on part 4, with part 6 being published. I'm hoping to be caught up before she posts part 7.

I just noticed that my stripes on the green fabric aren't going in the same direction. I plan to make up the rest of the blocks-you know on my quest to be an overachiever-so I can get them in the right place. I hope I can just move this set to a different spot without it looking funny. I'll have to wait and see.


I think I may have over estimated what I can get done in 2 days. I don't think I'll be working on any paper pieced stars today. With not too much planned for the weekend, I may just keep on Quiltathoning.

Time to get back to it.

Stash Report 7.18.10

I made it my mission this week to get caught up with a couple projects and move them to the to be quilted pile.
First on the list was the hexagon top. It's on the wall sideways so if you look on the left side which is the bottom of the quilt, you will see where I added more triangles to change what will be trimmed off to make the bottom (and top) edge straight.

Friday night about 9, I took the Pinwheels on Parade blocks out of the box, cut the black sashing pieces and started sewing. By 10:30 I couldn't see to sew on the black anymore so I went to bed. A couple hours more on Saturday afternoon and now I have a finished very bright and black pinwheel top. The binding pieces are cut and ready to sew today so this project can be put on the mountain of to be quilted tops.

What's up next? I have no idea but I do have a few things to pick from.

This weeks report includes the fabric for Pinwheels on Parade.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 6 yards
Used Year to Date: 163 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 133 yards
Net Used for 2010: 30

Go to Judy L's and check her new blog design, stash report and the reports of others.

45 Minute Focus

I had to water the garden this morning. I let the sprinkler run for 90 minutes. If I don't set my handy dandy little timer, I forget to turn it off. I clip it to my shirt or put it in my pocket so I will hear it. Then I did a few house chores and when I looked at the timer, I still had 45 minutes before going back outside. I headed to the sewing room.

I put 2 more rows of hexagons together. I pinned them, sewed them, pressed them. Then I had 7 minutes left so I pinned 2 more rows before the timer went off.


I also worked on the 4 blocks of my current leader/ender project that were laid out on my little design frame that stays close to the machine.

I went out and turned off the sprinkler, loaded the washer, then wrote this post. I think if I can keep up with my focus projects, I may be caught up before too long. Ding, ding, the timer went off, computer time is up! I'll set the timer for 45 minutes of more sewing time while the washer is working it's magic.

Design Wall Monday

Would you look at that wall! Not only did I not sew any hexagons this week, I am not caught up with Pat Sloan's Meadow Breeze BOM. I am on part 4, with 5 being posted. I'm hoping to be caught up this week because part 6 will be posted next week.

Why am I stalling on those darn hexagons! Maybe I should get my FOCUS sign back out. I really have no good excuses, I haven't had anything to can-I put the raspberries in the freezer instead of making jam, I haven't spent a bunch of time in the garden. I don't really know what I did, but the hexes have not moved! Therefore, my quest continues to get caught up in July.

Go on over to Judy L's, she doesn't have a design wall photo this week because she has been working her tail off in her kitchen but you can see what others have on their design wall.

Stash Report 6.20.10

Wow. today is not the 20th, it's the 27th! Did I lose a week somewhere.....if I edit the title then I have to have Judy change the link so I'm just going to leave it be and embrace my dorkiness.

This week I focused on my crumb quilt. You would think after this quilt that my crumb bucket would be empty but it isn't. There is a whole lot of room in it but it is no where near empty. I really like the way this one turned out. It's fun to pick a fabric and know what I used it in or where/who I got it from. Too bad I can't say that about all the fabrics.

I managed to finish this top, made the binding and the backing is almost all put together. That makes the stash report look good to me.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 12 yards
Used Year to Date: 151 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 133 yards
Net Used for 2010: 18

If you go to Judy L's page, you can see her report and the report of others.

Marking This One Finished!

I really think binding is my favorite part of the quilting process. I love it when a quilt is finished. Looking back through my blog/journal I see this top shown as my first Design Wall Monday post of 2010 and quilting was finished in May. It had been aging for too long and now it will be folded and put away until it is gifted to it's new owner. I had to explain to Louie that he was not the new owner. He is looking rather sad about that. Don't feel sorry for him, he claims all the quilts. Kind of like another child of mine.

This quilt is one of my new favorites. Everything was from the stash. The thread was the last of a cone with just enough to fill a bobbin for my sewing machine and various bobbins were emptied of 3 different colors within the same color family. I used the very last of the polyester batting-yeah-and tested my new favorite pantograph called Alfresco by Lorien Quilting. (The link will take you to my favorite quilting supply store aka Columbia River Quilting.)

Next up to finish is one of two secret projects I've been working on. One is almost to the quilting stage and one just needs the binding sewn down so it can go in the mail. I have to hurry because sometimes it's really hard for me to keep a fabulous quilt a secret.

Caught Up,,,

...Almost! I still have one BOM to do, it's a paper pieced star. I don't know why I'm putting it off. Maybe it's all the prep work. Cutting all the pieces takes time and thought and I'm not up to that right now. ;-)

These are the C blocks from the Pinwheels On Parade Party.
All caught up and ready for the D blocks and sashing.

These are all of my Jelly Roll Sampler blocks from the Moose on the Porch Quilt Along.
I am using strips from a "scrap" bag that I bought last year. None of the strips are a whole width of fabric so I get to play around with the blocks and make some a bit more scrappy.

This is the finished Care Bear top that will get loaded on the long arm next. This is number 2 on my focus on four list. I can't wait to see Clella's face when she sees this. She does love her Care Bears.

Then there is the hexagon quilt-a-long over at jaybird quilts that I have resisted starting but my resistance is dwindling and I think I will start that soon. I have a bin stuffed full of batik strips and this will be a great place to use them. Stay tuned, you know I'm going to show pictures soon!

But if I'm going to meet my stash usage goal of 100 yards by May 1st, I need to get my buns working. I only have 3 1/2 days left to get 'er done!!!

Design Wall Monday

This is the next quilt on my focus list. I don't think I've written anything about my new focus on four list. I stole the idea from the stashbuster list, where they talk about a fab 4 list. I wrote my projects on a white board and am on project 3.

Elliot's quilt is loaded and quilting is started (couldn't resist the sunshine), so I pulled out the panels for Clella's quilt. I played in EQ5 this morning to come up with some sort of layout. I decided to mix some blocks, not the ones in the diagram. I just needed to see if my plan will work.

Would you believe that after all my shopping Saturday, I have to buy fabric for this quilt! I am out of all my white background fabric. I knew that, but didn't see any at the sale. I'll pick some up next time I'm in town. I'm hoping to find a couple fat quarters to match the green and orange bears. This is going to be so cute and she is going to love it!

Head over to Judy L's and see what everyone else is working on.

Design Wall Monday

It has come to my attention that I have not made grandson Elliot a quilt. He is 4. Do I feel like the worst Gramma in the whole wide world? Yes, yes I do. I have quilted quilts for him, I have put together a quilt for him that friends made blocks for but I never made him one that was strictly from me to him.

So I am making it now. Elliot Express has been designed in EQ5 and is now if full production. Hopefully one day this week there will be a finished picture of Elliot with his quilt. Until then, this is my focus project.

Head over to Judy L's and see what everyone else is focusing on this week.

One More Off the Goal List

I have a notebook where I write my monthly quilting goals. If I don't accomplish a goal within the month, I move it to the top of the next month's list. The list is helping me keep my focus. I am still starting new things but I am also working on my goals. I am happy to mark the deer quilt finished. Hubby will deliver it to his hunting club and it will hopefully raise some money for them. I think he really wants it for himself.

Next project on my list is grandson Elliot's train panel quilt. I learned so much from this quilt about panels that I've got no problem with the next two quilts that both have panels.

We are having some crazy weather here today. Snow, rain, sunshine and cold wind. I'm ready for some warmth. I started my tomato seeds the other day and this morning saw an itty bitty green spot in one seed pot. Exciting! It amazes me how tiny the seeds are and how huge the plants get! I am soooo ready for a good homegrown tomato to put on my bacon sandwich! Yumm Now I will go fix a pb&j sandwich and dream of summer.

Design Wall Monday

I am having a heck of a time with the backing for the deer quilt! It's just me, I think I still have Yuckiness brain or Nyquil brain or OMG my focus has slipped!!! Yip, that's it, my focus has slipped!

Here's the sad, pitiful story! I wanted to use up the last of the deer panels in the backing. So I framed it up to make it 12 1/2". Then I had the little rail blocks left over so I used them to frame up a couple of the bigger leftover chunks of the small deer print. Then I remembered I had cut pieces off another big print so I got those and framed them to size. I laid them all out, carefully calculating to get my filler pieces the right size so my length measured 88". Then I start to sew my block strip to my big piece of fabric, get almost halfway sewn and smack myself right in the middle of the forehead!

I forgot all about my extra fabric needed for the longarm and my careful calculations were now a waste of somewhat good brain matter. I took the block strip off, laid everything out on the bed, laid the top centered against the block strip and mark which pieces have to be moved where. Got that all sewn together and notice the bottom piece on the block strip has a seam was just about where the bottom of the quilt will hit it. So out comes the seam ripper and off comes the bottom 2 pieces. Directional fabric means I have to take the those 2 pieces apart and switch them to keep the seam away from the binding. I was done for the night and this is how I left the back so I will remember this morning how to fix it.

Send me positive vibes, I still have 2 more pieces of fabric to sew together for the final strip of the backing. I think I am getting out the tape measure again just to triple check the numbers. My seam ripper is tired!

Head over to Judy L's to see what others are working on. I love Mondays!

Stash Report 3.28.10

I love Debbie Mumm designs! I haven't made one for a long time and now I want to go in and start one right now but I won't.

I think I'm over the Yuckiness of last week so my numbers this week look darn good. I finished the deer quilt top and have the backing almost complete. Since I wanted this quilt to be finished last week, I think that will be my focus today. That and the laundry.

I've spent the last few days being head babysitter while Crystal and Mike work on their new house. You get so much more done when Gramma has the kiddos and let me tell you after a few hours with them, I sleep like a baby at night!

Here's this weeks stash report. I wonder if I can hit 100 yards used by May 1st!

Used this Week: 12.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 69 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 45.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 23.75

Go over to Judy L's to see how others are doing with their stash.

All Caught Up

I'm all caught up with the March BOMs. I'm working hard to keep current this year. See, the focus sign is working! I have a list and I love crossing things off. Even when I add something, I am still focusing.

Photo 1 is for my small online group where I am using white on white and fabrics from my scrap bin. We have 4 months to go with this one.

Photo 2 is for the BOM-Quiltaddict group, this year's theme is stars, one traditional pieced and one paper pieced with black background and brights. That pink star was a bit of a challenge but I love the way it turned out. I say you can't go wrong with a Carol Doak star.

Photo 3 is the Moose on the Porch Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along. The block on the right is the 2nd one posted. The center was supposed to be a plain block but I have so many small strips from the scrap bag that I'm using, I decided to piece the center. So far these blocks are going together nice and fast.

Now on to the quilt for Hubby's hunting club.