Friday, May 10, 2013

Just another baby quilt


I had no progress to report for April and apparently someone was checking my blog and noticed.  I started feeling guilty so thought I better get something done.

I was sorting through my fabric and came across some pieces that were left over after making Andrew's quilt almost three years ago.  There was just enough left to put together a small quilt.


After using a few scraps to dress up the back, I think I had less than 10 square inches left - I had no guilt about pitching it.


The weather cooperated so I could get a picture outdoors before I gave it away.


Monday, April 1, 2013

March Progress Report


I only finished one of my stitching goals for March (goals which had been moved forward from February).  My goal was to quilt and bind this one.  I sort of exceeded that goal by making it larger before I did the quilting and binding - maybe that excuses me for not meeting the rest of my goals.


I had a difficult time getting a decent picture.  I'll be glad when the snow is gone and I can get back to my clothes lines!


In keeping with the scrappiness, I backed it with a sheet I found at a garage sale last spring;


and I managed to find a large enough piece of a favorite fabric to use for binding.



Although I don't have a photo of this second one completely finished - it was another finish for March.  A cooperative effort with my sister - she did the final steps and sent it off.





For April, my hope is to empty my sewing room and have new flooring installed.  That just might mean I don't get any sewing done - it'll be a big project.  I'll concentrate on my hand stitching projects in my down time, but those are long term goals - nothing that will be completed in April.  Obviously a new floor is more important than any stitching I would do.


If I manage to get my sewing room organized in order to do this - it's a bonus!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

What Did You Do on National Quilting Day?

Which was yesterday - in case you didn't know.

It dawned on me in the morning that half of the month was gone and I hadn't even started on the quilting goals that I had already moved from February to March.  I decided National Quilting Day would be a good time to make an effort.

This scrappy log cabin quilt, which I put together last August, was one that I had hoped to quilt and bind.


Then I realized the reason I kept avoiding it was because I really wanted it to be bigger.  At 42x56 it might be nice enough for a child's napping quilt but I'd rather have it large enough for me - or someone closer to my size at least.

So yesterday I set about to add another column and another row to it.   It's now 56 x 70 - good enough.


I'll put the quilting and binding on my list of April goals while I decide what would work as a backing.  Til then I need to spend some time cleaning up the mess I made of my sewing room on National Quilting Day.

Friday, March 1, 2013

February's Lack of Progress


I didn't meet any of the sewing goals I posted for February -- didn't do a stitch.  For two of the weeks, I was busy helping to care for my mom after she had a fall.  We finally got her settled into a nursing home on Friday to get some therapy.  I don't know what my excuse could be for the rest of the month - I just kept procrastinating.  And it was a short month.

But the month wasn't a total loss.  I did manage to finish two small weaving projects.  My first attempts at weaving - and I really enjoyed it.

 I used a blue and white striped sheet for this one - strips cut on the bias.  I like the design that was created from the stripes.  The gold/white part was also a striped sheet, but was cut on the straight grain.


 They're both about the same size - perfect for a small table runner.




I'll shove the February goals into March and see if I have better luck.  It is a longer month.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

February Photo Hunt Day 2 - Entrance






The entrance to  my basement doesn't get used very often - it's unusual to have it shoveled out.  I cringe if I have to go through here - spiders and cobwebs take over from lack of use.  This week I had a flood in my basement so I had to sweep out the cobwebs for the guy who grinds roots out of sewer lines.  Actually I swept it out a few days earlier when I purchased a new washing machine -- thinking my old one had caused the flood.  Next week has to be better.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Getting it Done in January



Here are my completed quilting goals for January - I managed to finish all of them.  Wouldn't it be nice if the rest of 2013 would be that productive.

I finished quilting the blue quilt in the middle - and got all three bound.  The two on the right are waiting to see if the February grandbaby will be a boy or a girl.



I also made another baby boy quilt - and passed it on to a new great nephew to snuggle.



I even managed to get started on what may be a QOV.


Even more fun than meeting my goals was the opportunity to take a weaving class at the Calumet Art Center.  It's always fun to learn a new craft.  Many years ago my dad made a table loom and it's been sitting in my attic waiting for me to retire.


It may sit there a bit longer.  Apparently it went to the attic via the old stairway that has since been made into a closet.  It's a bit too wide to fit through my newer drop down stairway.

Fortunately I was able to rent a loom at the art center to work with.  Here's what I have done so far - what a fun way to use up some of my quilting scraps!


 My goals for February:

  1. Finish my weaving project.
  2. Baste and quilt low value log cabin quilt
  3. Baste and quilt one more baby quilt.
  4. Baste one more quilt top - not sure yet which one I'll pick.
I think its doable!