2011 UFO challenge

Ok, here is a short recap of my 2011 UFO accomplishments:

I finished 5 out of 12 UFOS!

Not the best result ever, but every UFO done, is one less!

#1 : Simply a Bloom: DONE, binding and all!

#2: Jelly Roll QA: quilting done - needs binding

#3: Batik Whirl - not touched...

#4: Cowboy Wave: DONE & donated

#5: Fishing Circles: not touched...

#6: Cathedral Stars: quilting done, needs binding

#7: Bears in the forest - not touched...
#8: Tropical Twist - ...
#9: Double Delight - ....

#10: Anita's Arrowhead: DONE & donated

#11: Quilting of 1 big quilt - didn't happen
#12: Irish Chain -.... need to pull it out and use as leader/ ender project

I see a pattern here: I seem to have issues with borders. Lots of projects stop once I reahc a border decision stage.
Hm, I see lots of borderless quilts in my future ;-) maybe that will help my finish-it-up mode!

Ooh, and have a look at the socks I just finished this week:
4 pairs done - and 1 new one (the 2nd sock is already half done):

Well, that's it for today,

Barb

Stash Report week 13 / 2011

Another week went by and there is not much going on in my stash department. I finished quilting my March UFO "Simply A Bloom", but everything was already accounted for.
Then I got some "Just one Star" blocks sewn, prepared some more binding strips and that was about it. If I could repeat the 36 yards for each of the next quarters of 2011, I'd be well over my 100 yards net used goal! Got to keep the stash moving!
Ok, after 4 trials I am giving up: blogger is not cooperating in posting pics today.

Stash Report Week 13 / 2011:
Used this Week: 0.5 yards
Used year to Date: 45.3 yards
Added this Week: 0 yrds
Added Year to Date: 8.75 yrds
Net Used for 2011: 36.55 yards

Now I have to choose my next quilt for loading on the frame: and that means some backing usage for next weeks report! And I just need another project to keep me entertained and as a reward for 3 of 3 UFO's done! So many possibilities...
Please check out Judy's blog for other stash busting reports!

My fitness week looks much better though: 3 visits to the fitness center and a walk! Not too bad, considering the cold spell that has been going on here in SE Michigan.

Have a great Sunday,
Barb

March UFO - DONE!

Wahoooo: It's done!

I just pulled "Simply A Bloom" from my quilting frame -

it's the 3rd UFO this year ( 1 per month)

that I have finished.

This time with a few days still left in March.

 It sure feels great!

Doing a happy dance,

Barb

Design Wall Monday

I have seen so many "Just One Star" blog posts out there and it was also mentioned at the quilt guild, so I finally got started on mine.

Not quite finished yet, but 2 red and 2 blue ones are all cut and partially sewn.
Hopefully they (United Notions with Minick & Simpson) will get 1000 blocks together - and make a difference!
Once those are done I am looking at some blocks for Japan - details here on Beth's blog.

And here once more are the strip sets I have sewn for a strip block exchange - I need many more, but the start is made.
There are some house blocks to be made for another project - will try to get them into my schedule as well...





And last but not least - I got several rows quilted on my UFO "Simply A Bloom". It's a new panto for me called " Asian Clouds" by Willow Leaf Studio and I am slowly getting the hang of it.

Please go and check out other design walls listed at Judy's place!
Barb

One step at a time

Latest news from my short arm quilt frame:

"Simply a Bloom" is loaded!

Yep, I just finished putting it on -

some 2 hours +

Will call it a day now

and start quilting later this week.

I picked a new panto " Asian Clouds"

and have to do some 'dry runs' first,

Barb

Design Wall Monday

With beautiful sunny weather on Sunday

my quilting plans got changed

and I just had to go out for a walk.

So for DWM I'll show you the latest stage of my UFO # 1:

Simply a Bloom (MBS project) 

in Gypsy Rose fabric

with the borders finally attached.

Hope to get it on the frame during the week

and get started on the quilting.

Please go and check Judy's list 

of all the other amazing design walls!

Barb

Stash Report 10 / 2011

I almost had another repeat of a 'no change stash report'. So on Saturday I just needed to get some sewing in - and got the borders cut and sewn on my March UFO "Simply A Bloom" quilt top, pattern from the Moda Bake Shop.

Then I pulled the pre-selected backing and got it sewn together as well, ready to put on the frame for quilting. I am on a roll and hope to get my UFO done and out of the way by mid March! Well, one can dream...

And because a blog post without a picture isn't a real post - I had to add one of my latest pair of socks.

Stash Report Week 10 / 2011:
Used this Week: 6.35 yards
Used year to Date: 43.80 yards
Added this Week: 0 yrds
Added Year to Date: 4.75  yrds
Net Used for 2011: 33.9 yards

Wohoo, not a bad week for me and my stash busting efforts!
I hope you had a great week as well.
Please go an check other stash busters listed on Judy's blog!
Hope to see you for Design Wall Monday,
Barb

UFO # 1 for March

Judy pulled UFO #1 for the March UFO challenge -

and for me it is my version of  the Moda Bake Shop pattern

Simply A Bloom.

It needs borders, a backing and quilting.

My first borders were wavy like I have never seen before.

So it became a UFO...

It is a beautiful borderless top and it deserves a better "completed" life as a quilt!

I can do this - I finished 2 UFO's so far this year,

following Judy's UFO challenge.

And I will finish this one as well.

Promise!

Barb

Design Wall Monday

My design wall hasn't changed - after a unsuccessful attempt on sewing 'Simply a bloom' rows together, I came across several hurdles.

So instead of sewing, I am ripping seams apart. Most likely the zig-zag applique stitch in between regular straight stitch threw me off with my 1/4 inch seam allowance. Several times I found the needle in the far left position... Oops.

Please have a look at other design walls that are listed on Judy's blog.

Since I don't want to bore you with just the same photo from last week, I throw in one more of the latest sock. After the Spring socks were completed and are regularly in use, meet Spice sock # 1.

Once you have figured out your measurements and favorite yarn, it is so much easier to quickly start another sock. No fancy yarn here ( just Patons Kroy Socks yarn), but it works for me: I like knitting with it, it doesn't itch when I wear it and after several washes the Spring socks still look great.

Have a great week,
Barb

Design wall Monday

This week I am pretty pleased with my progress on several fronts - and that doesn't happen too often... So here we go:

First off is the hopefully final lay-out of "Simply a Bloom" - with all blocks done; just the applique still needs to get sewn down and is currently only fused on. This quilt has grown on me, a lot and now I really do love it!

Then I joined the Hexagon-Quilt-Along and started cutting & sewing the first installment. I am using the Neptune fabric line - and this is my first time using a 60 degree pyramid ruler. The next instructions should be up soon.

And last but not least I finished block # 3 of the jelly-roll quilt along - just in time.



That's it from my end, please got and have a look at other design walls at Judy's Patchwork Place.

Enjoy your week,
Barb

Design Wall Monday

This week my design wall is as scattered as ever. Maybe that shows my state of mind: a few days of vacation without a plan - and lovin' it!

Ok, first up the almost 40 house blocks for V at Bumble Beans - some are still on the assembly line waiting for their turn of applique or borders.

Then on to the folded stars as shown in Jennifer's Moda Bake Shop "Piece Of Cake Folded Star quilt". I just had to make a few and thinking of a lay-out for a bag.

And last but not least: I cut the sashing for the 'Simply a Bloom' quilt and lay it out on the floor. There are still a few blocks to sew and applique to do, but I wanted to see how it looks. I guess I would call it a fresh & clean look - even though I am questioning the white (should I have used something beigy/ creamy colored?).

Then I just have to show you a quick sock dilemma: one of my socks is "blushed" while the other is not. They must have run out of red dye while running my batch, because I had bought the same dye lot. Yet one sock has an entirely 'blushed" (green w/ red dots), but has a green toe. The 2nd sock shows no red whatsoever. Go figure.

Well, if anybody comments on this and looks that close at my toes or socks, he/ she should back off to begin with...

That's it from my end. Please go and have a look at other design walls at Judy's place!

Barb

Design Wall Monday

Another design wall Monday and 'Simply a Bloom' is coming together. I had planned to finish a few more blocks this weekend, but somehow wasted 3 hours loading a quilt onto my frame. No idea why.
Anyway, I currently have 26 blocks, a few more and then some flower applique on 7 squares, some sashing strips and I'll be done. Hm, wouldn't that be a great finish for April - and that is now my declared goal! Let's see if that will work out.
Please have a look at other deisgn walls that are listed on Judy's blog.

For me it's going to be short workweek and I am off Thursday through Monday - yeah! I need a break,

Barb

Design wall update

Thanks to 2 nice comments I got my act together and started sewing some more blocks:

Thanks ladies, I needed some support!

Barb

Design Wall Monday

Even though a late design wall post, but here are finally the first blocks of "Simply a Bloom" (by Bloom) from the Moda Bake Shop - mine is made out of a Gypsy Rose layer cake. So far only 8 blocks are made, but more to come. Maybe I can manage a block a day = 10 min of sewing? We'll see how that works out this week. At least everything is cut already and since I pick the color combinations randomly, so it shouldn't be a big deal - until life happens.
Please go to Judy's blog and have a look at other design walls!

Have a great week,

Barb

Design wall Monday

Last week I have been busy with Project Linus finishes and my design wall is more a box than a wall.
I pulled out my pre-cut pieces for Simply a Bloom by Bloom for the Moda Bakeshop .
Somehow I hope to squeeze in some more house blocks for Bumble Beans, but I haven't pulled out the fabric yet.

And I had to add the 2 pairs of socks that I managed to finish yesterday. My sock knitting very often comes to a complete stop when I reach the toe part and have to use the kitchener stitch (I hope that is the correct English word). Well, yesterday I managed to look at a YouTube video several times and finished 3 socks - which means 2 pairs DONE! Yeah. It's not really that hard, I just need a visual aid and then I can do it... I also started one of these tube or Spiral socks (pictured in the middle) - we'll see how they work out without a real heel ( free pattern here).
It's quite late to post for the Design Wall Monday from Judy, but I didn't want to break my streak of posting.
Please have a look here and see what everybody else is working on!

Have a great week,
Barb

Design Wall Monday

Even though it is quite late for today's post, I still wanted to share my design wall or rather floor. After a few inner fights, I started a new project and finally cut into my Gypsy Rose layer cake to make "Simply-a- Bloom" from the Moda Bake shop and designer Bloom.

It will look different and the fabric choice is completely out of my usual range, yet it looks great. Some blocks will get a flower appliqued in the middle and the lay-out is temporary and will probably changes a couple of more times. Nevertheless here it is:

Go to Judy and have a look what else is going on for Design Wall Monday.

Have a good one,

Barb