A Picture Story of October UFO

What I started with (this was from my first quilt - which was part of a swap that didn't happen).  I ended with 24-25 BORING 12" blocks that I didn't like and that were NOT all the same size, nor all going the same direction - NO idea what all to do with them, and a mountain of fabric - most of which was from messups I had made.  Half was hand sewn (at that time I thought ALL quilts had to be handsewn!  Not Machine sewn!  And we are talking about a hand-sewing challenged person here!) and the other half machine sewn - sometimes in the same block!

First I went through and determined what HAD to be re-done for sure!  And in the process discovered one whole rown needed to come off!

Next step...

Well, lopsided is NOT the answer!  Wasn't before - and it still isn't!  So off comes the one purple block and use the slicer to hack off the other two so that I can even things up a bit!

That's better!  Actually I think THIS block is a variation of the 9 patch - uneven though it is!  Maybe called the Greek Cross or some such?  I don't want to research the name at this point!

 

Colors in the center square (which WILL have something done to it) include not only the purple, but also yellow (too light for what I want), pink and green.  Of course the color choice depends on who the quilt is for - adults, teens or littles!

I love the block against the pink! Makes what would otherwise be a ho-hum quilt into something with verve!  Exciting!  So now I have my sashing - essentially.....

Maybe with green diamonds between blocks???  Hmm - have to think on this - I think it could be really cute and quite effective - sort of like dressing it up!

But - before then - have to think in terms of setting - straight or diagonal like above?

Usually I really like the straight setting (alright - I'm lazy! and straight involves fewer steps, etc. etc.!)  However a straight setting on THIS quilt only emphasizes the SQUARENESS of it all!

So - I think I will go with Diagonal setting!

Besides - Diagonal will look so much more fun to a little!  Not sure why - but it will!  At least in THIS instance!

Now - Green "diamonds" or not?  And how wide should the sashing be?  Since this is diagonal - AND since I am trying to break up some of the squareness - I am thinking maybe 1.5" unfinished. 

Hmmm - Found ANOTHER anomaly - these rectangles are NOT 2.5 Unfinished (though they COULD be) - nor are they 3.0 unfinished but end up something like 1.75 unfinished!  Wonder where my measuring tape was!

And the center is 5". 

Easiest (hah!) thing to do is to trim the purple borders down to a solid 2.5 inches all the way around (which means the blocks will be smaller yet!  Hmmmm!!!!  I'll lose 0.5" a block across and the same down!)

Sashing can then be either 2.5" or 2.0" or 1.5"  or even 1.0" (sigh!)  Ugh!  Have to think on this for a bit!

Once I have the Sashing width figured out - then figure out whether or not I went cornerstones - and whether they will be purple or the polka dot fabric (probably the dotty stuff!) - and then whether or not I will put in the "gems" (which I'll do a la square in a square!) - 2 - 3 should be enough for that!

So - decision time - and while I'm thinking -  I have all this lovely Halloween stuff and a machine that I need to learn to Zig Zag on!

So - at least for now - until my daughter calls - I'll work on the Change purse, grab bag (to hold Halloween stuff to give out), Halloween Hanging 1 and 2, and a Halloween apron!  (My son wants to know when did I start celebrating Halloween!  Answer is - when I "inherited" some Halloween fabrics!)

More later!

Wow! And a SECOND Flimsy!!!!!

This one doesn't really get borders.  It DOES still have 1 leftover row - but the directions shorted me out on the scrap pieces for the border - I'm close but no cigar!

At any rate - I'm looking for 6 - 12 more pieces that will fit with the theme - then I may add the sashing plus the other border (actually there are TWO sashing rows missing - but one would do it!)

However it is plenty big enough as it is - especially since it is supposed to be MY couch quilt!

Oh - and the reason the bed is so lumpy is because there are 2 kitties hidden beneath the flimsy!  They are sooooooooo patient with me!

Yee haw! Another Flimsy Finish!!!!

This is a quilt I began when I first moved to Westfield.  My daughter saw it in its infancy and really wanted it.  She still wants something that I made - but she has made so many beautiful and gorgeous quilts by now that this one would get lost in the shuffle!

About a year or so ago, I realized this was NOT getting done - so I moved it to Leader-Ender Status - and only a few small weeks ago (before I got distracted!) I realized that I just might be able to finish it this month!  So - guess what!

Presenting.....

Stash Report for Week 42 10-24-12

It's a bunch!  And that's a HUGE tub!!!!  Unfortunately NONE of it counts towards stash removal - of the quilting fabrics that is!  This is all fabrics that are NOT for quilts - a lot of yardage, some scraps - but a lot of yardage in there!  And all of it stuff I DON'T like!  Most of which was "wished off" on me - by friends, some given me by family, some I purchased eons ago and didn't like even then!

This is what I spent most of my last week working on.  Very little actual sewing done - in part because my sewing table (also machine table and every flat surface in there) was covered with fabrics! 

But now that is done - and while I still DO have to go through the rest of the quilting scraps, and the patterns - at least I can see my sewing shelves and quilting fabrics again!

In the process I realized that my NEXT quilts are already chosen for me =- at least the colors are - I have a LOT of blues!  And greens - but mostly Blues (the reds are non-quilting clothing fabrics).  Which is just fine - blue is like snow, winter skies, ice - all that stuff!

Now - this report is as of Sunday!  Not today - not after I completed another flimsy (picture later) and nearly done with another and purchased some fabric!  THAT information goes on next weeks!

Used This Week: 0
Used This Month: 0 yards for October
Used Year to Date: 98.015 yards
Added This Week: 0 yards
Added This Month: 0 yards for October
Added Year to Date: 44.43 yards
Net Used for 2012: 43.45 yards

Design Wall for Week 41, 10-15-12

I'm re-submitting my Design Wall for last week since I didn't finish anything - except for the triangle project for October - and that one doesn't count until I get ALL my triangles back and work them into the project I have in mind!

 

Also - I've added to the entire mess, the newest of the Halloween projects (which I MUST MUST finish this week!  And will re-home the REST of that fabric - does it count if that is gone from my stash even though I re-homed it?)

 

Also - have a "new" L-E project (actually one I've used before in this regard - and expect to elevate it to a regular project either later this week - or next) - my Lilacs!

 

STILL no truly firm idea about the October project - although I'm gathering together the stuff I intend to use with it.  Will be working on THAT one by the weekend!  Debating whether it will be a charity quilt or a baby blanket (very possible - except I have sooooooooooo many squares!) - with the idea I have a glimmer of - it could be a terrific baby blanket!

...........................................................................

 

First - the machine quilting (right after I complete the other two I worked on the quiltathon - and the triangles, of course!)

Quilting Sampler - walking foot - and no, definitely needs more!!!

Threadhead Sampler - Stitch in the Ditch with just a little FMQ in the borders (which I will save for next week!)

Baby quilt - THOUGHT I was done with the walking foot!

Boy was I mistaken! Anyway - walking foot until all done to the borders which will be FMQ

next week!

Baby quilt - Walking foot - am thinking all the way - making Octagons out of the Squares and grid in the borders??? Am thinking this. Probably will change my mind!

...............................................

 

And now for the piecing.....

And here are the Granny Squares!

Actually - only 4 rows worth! And the sashing and granny square strips are NOT sewn together as yet! Plus I need to make more sashing! It wasn't enough! Drat it! So - I have approximately several days work ahead of me - BUT I'm doing other things FIRST!

And this was the surprise (to me, anyway!) This is the Sweet and Sassy quilt designed by Evelyn Sloppy - the one my dd calls her Apple Cider quilt!

Here is another picture of it! Yup - the top row isn't attached to the rest - and for that matter, the bottom row has to be sewn into a strip then attached. Then a good press and trimming and LOTS of big wide borders!

It is a little smaller than what Evelyn called for (one of the first ones I ever did - and I couldn't slice and dice worth a dern! Still have problems, ftm! So I sized everything down 1/2 inch.)

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[Note here: my dd Wendy suggested that I set this up as a lap quilt - with fair to middling sized borders - I am thinking several borders - first one to be maybe that green - about 1.5 in wide (finished) and then 3" wide burgundy brown on the next with a narrow strip of something or other and another 3" wide of the burgundy brown.  Although I think that the 2nd border will probably bew 2" wide - then the narrow about an inch finished (I don't really want the green but think that is probably what I will use - since at THAT point the gold may detract rather than add!) and then maybe the last border at 3.5 inches finished.  Maybe (or not) one of the large pinwheels in each of the corners!   Thinking on that!]

 

CTS Sampler! This is the Manor House (by Denise) - as you can see - I am NOT caught up on this Sampler. So I want to spend part of each day working on these. First is the Manor House!

Then the 3 Trees!

I haven't figured out the color schemes completely for the pretty little bird in a heart, and need to pull together Judy's lovely block! Will decide on these later!

 

Applique -

In my spare moments (the ones I'm supposed to be sleeping - and can't!) I'm also working on

A Halloween themed change Bag (purse) - to be zigzagged

Haunted House peekaboo mini wall hanging - which is STILL hanging about!

 

A big ol' grab bag (will have bats and other things on it flying across the pumpkin back - zigzag foot!)

Halloween Apron with black patch pocket

 

Halloween mini hanging

 

Sewing clothing -

 

 

I'm thinking of cutting out the rest of the dark brown items - and hopefully finishing up the already started trousers!  Hopefully!

..............................

 

And now that I've outlined my stuff for the week (along with teaching, mind you!), I also intend to do away with World Hunger, Create worldwide peace and other such pipe dreams!  LOL

Stash Report for week 41, 10-14-12

Like some other folk - I didn't get a whole lot done.  I DID get some sewing done - and had some machine difficulties which wiped out a whole day - but hopefully that is now resolved!  I DID do some applique work - but - uh - either I need a LOT more practice (as in YEARS!) or it just plain isn't my thing! 

Which doesn't really surprise me since I've had a hand-eye coordination problem since I was knee high to a grasshopper! And it doesn't help that now I need both a microscope to see a needle and something to place it far enough away so that I can see what I'm stitching! (and, no, bifocals do NOT help!)

Mostly I cleaned, taught, de-cluttered my sewing room (have re-homed 2 machines and seriously thinking of re-homing a third - only I need the cabinet it is in!) as well as a LOT (we are talking boxes here!) of fabrics that will benefit Boys and Girls Club kids who are doing sewing and/or craft projects - and of which I'm not overly fond!  The QUILTING fabrics, however I'm keeping!  Still and all - it looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo much better in my sewing room!  Almost looks like I am an organized person (and my kids are now rolling on the floor laughing fit to kill!)

All of which excuses mean that I didn't finish anything!  Didn't exactly start anything either  (except kinda sorta maybe on the Halloween stuff I've had hanging around like an albatross around my neck!)

Used This Week: 0
Used This Month: 0 yards for October
Used Year to Date: 98.015 yards
Added This Week: 0 yards
Added This Month: 0 yards for October
Added Year to Date: 44.43 yards
Net Used for 2012: 43.45 yards

The Trouble with....

Naaah - NOT going to say Tribbles....

Today was a somewhat kinda/kinda not frustrating day!

I wanted to sew like crazy - couldn't - machine wouldn't work.  Does NOW - but that is NOW when I'm just about to head to bed!  Hmmm!!!

Anyway - I found my Halloween wall hanging stuff - that is, it isn't a wall hanging YET - but it will be - and it'll be cute!!! I tried hand stitching the applique - and... well - let's just say that from now on the machine will be used exclusively! As in - I don't think bats are ever shaped like this one is!

Anyway - tomorrow (now that my machine is working) I plan on zigzagging the applique shapes all on. Hopefully! Provided, of course, I figure out which is the zig zag foot!

Along the way I discovered that in SOME moment - or combination of moments I ended up with 10 FQ and some yardage - everything totalling about 5.0 yards all told! So - while I won't use up ALL of my fabric - I will have 2 lovely wall hangings - one for the outside of my downstairs door and one for inside!

And an apron

a grab bag for candy junk

 



 

and a cute little drawstring change purse!

(First, however - that poor bat needs to be UNSEWN - then zig-zagged! Most defnitely!)

 

Maybe!  All provided, however, that I figure out how to do all the zig zagging for appliques that I need!

I did accomplish something though - I took the triangles AND the 2 overly stuffed containers (Nestle containers) with scraps in it to the quilt shop (a lady collects all the too small scraps and sews them into dog pillows for rescue dogs and kennels).  LOL - Nancy commented that I must be the lady who drinks Nestle Quik!  Yup! I add it to my coffee for cafe mocha almost daily!  Fortunately she did save my little Nestle quik boxes for me for re-use!  My poor old oatmeal box keeps getting dumped!

Tuesday evening.....

The October Triangles are DONE!!!!!  I really don't mind doing them EXCEPT that there are the 50 pins plus or minus 100 that I invariably jab into my fingers, under the nails, etc.  THAT I DO mind!

Actually though - they are QUITE cute - although I did change the colors on one set of triangles - instead of the blue and white snowflake one, I substituted a pretty blue with tiny flowers in it and paired that one with one that had a white background and little blue birdhouses and other gardening stuff on it.  VERY cute!

I also did a bit of stitching and even more dithering, debating what the other 7 manor houses will look like!  Colors chosen - and now I'm too tired to slice and dice. 

Sure wish dinner would jump in a pan (after the pan washed itself, btw) and cook itself - then serve it to me nice and hot and delicious!  Of course _I_ would have to wash the pan.  And when it comes to what to cook - the early on decision to fix baked cheese and rice ring and serve with a veggie salad has now been de-railed.  The salad is now no more!  The NEXT time I buy salad, I need to remember to eat it a lot more quickly!  Ugh!

 The baking part of the cheese and rice ring - ummmm - I want to eat it all NOW!  Preferably before I figure out Where I left the cookies (which I seldom get for obvious reasons!)

What I can't figure out is WHAT I did today!!!! Other than sew, dither, blog and take pix!  I mean - that leaves most of the rest of the day!!!! and it's all a mystery to me!

Design Wall for Week 40, October 8, 2012

First - the machine quilting (right after I complete the other two I worked on the quiltathon - and the triangles, of course!)

 

 

Quilting Sampler - walking foot - and no, definitely needs more!!!

Threadhead Sampler - Stitch in the Ditch with just a little FMQ in the borders (which I will save for next week!)

Baby quilt - THOUGHT I was done with the walking foot! 

Boy was I mistaken!  Anyway - walking foot until all done to the borders which will be FMQ

next week!

Baby quilt - Walking foot - am thinking all the way - making Octagons out of the Squares and grid in the borders???  Am thinking this.  Probably will change my mind!

...............................................

And now for the piecing.....

 

October Triangles (about an hour - a little more actually)

And here are the Granny Squares! 

Actually - only 4 rows worth!  And the sashing and granny square strips are NOT sewn together as yet!  Plus I need to make more sashing!  It wasn't enough!  Drat it!  So - I have approximately several days work ahead of me - BUT I'm doing other things FIRST!

 

 

And this was the surprise (to me, anyway!)  This is the Sweet and Sassy quilt designed by Evelyn Sloppy - the one my dd calls her Apple Cider quilt! 

Here is another picture of it!  Yup - the top row isn't attached to the rest - and for that matter, the bottom row has to be sewn into a strip then attached.  Then a good press and trimming and LOTS of big wide borders! 

It is a little smaller than what Evelyn called for (one of the first ones I ever did - and I couldn't slice and dice worth a dern!  Still have problems, ftm! So I sized everything down 1/2 inch.)

 

Re borders - I would love (and don't think I have enough) to use that dark burgundy/brown on the outside - maybe a 6" border, an inch wide - up to 2/5 inches wide strip of something - maybe a gold? - or the middle tone green? - and an inside border - something dark again?  for contrast and to kind of tone down all the business of the pattern or at least to settle the large pinwheels as primary. (please pretend you are on a galloping horse going 90 miles an hour past this and ignore all point NOT meeting that should!) Beige?  Green?  Just not sure!  Want to finish the flimsy this week if possible!

CTS Sampler!  This is the Manor House (by Denise) - as you can see - I am NOT caught up on this Sampler.  So I want to spend part of each day working on these.  First is the Manor House!

Then the 3 Trees!

I haven't figured out the color schemes completely for the pretty little bird in a heart, and need to pull together Judy's lovely block!  Will decide on these later!

 

 

Stash Report for week 40 for SUNDAY, October 7 (even though it's Tuesday)

Aargh!  Have you ever been THIS close to getting finished with something but just not quite close enough????  Yup - that's me - at the end of the Quiltathon!  And not with just the ONE quilt I expected - BUT with TWO (one was my LE!!!!)

However, that much aside - I didn't get the flimsy's finished by Sunday.  And although I seriously considered - and was going to wait until they WERE done - no, I'm not.

As far as my net used - ummmm - I started late - and will go for 150 yards GROSS (not net - sorry about that!) used!

This report is as of Sunday, October 7.

Used This Week: 0
Used This Month: 0 yards for October
Used Year to Date: 98.015 yards
Added This Week: 0 yards
Added This Month: 0 yards for October
Added Year to Date: 44.43 yards
Net Used for 2012: 43.45 yards

Quiltathon - the Last Day (sob!)

 Am I crying?  Nyet!

It is somewhat frustrating though, to see that I am ALMOST done with ..... not ONE... but TWO!!!! beautiful quilts!  However - ALMOST is the keyword here!

Yes - Granny's Scrap quilt is one - and I love it!  But perhaps even more I love the one I'm giving to my daughter and her dh (daughter also quilts - like a dream!!!!!) - which, of course, is why I'm giving it to her!  And that's the  Apple Cider quilt!

Am I going to put the pictures in of the current quilt?  Umm..... probably not tonight!  Why?  because I have high hopes of finishing up the Apple Cider quilt tomorrow (or maybe even later tonight!)

What about reporting STASH????  Uhhhhhhh - it is SOOOOOoooo tempting to NOT report stash until I'm done with these two - which I should be by tomorrow evening at the latest (done as in FLIMSY done!) and that way I can report NEXT week on a whole week of WALKING FOOT marathon (interspersed by other things!)   Hmmmm - what to do - what to do!!?????!!!!

OK - pix TOMORROW (sorry - would have probably finished the AC quilt flimsy today - but was falling asleep at 2 PM - has something to do with waking up at 4 AM - not to quilt then - sound carries and all - but to play Treasure Madness, my other addiction!)  AND I'll report on the Stash for week number 40 tomorrow!