UFOs, WIPs and OCD...

Enough acronyms for you?  I find it interesting how people with a common job or interest end up developing their own lingo.  I called my sister on it the other day when she was talking about a report she was writing for work.  She kept repeating an acronym (can't remember what it was now) and I finally had to stop and tell her I had no idea what that meant.  We have so many in quilting as well - HST, FQ, F8, WOF, etc.  I know that some people who read my blog (aka family) aren't quilters and don't know what these terms mean, so I try to spell them out whenever I use them.

So today's post is about my UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and WIPs (Works In Progress) and my obvious OCD (I expect everyone is familiar with this one!)  In my last post I mentioned how many projects I was juggling right now (5) and how many others I also wanted to work on.  I've since added another secret project on my 'immediate' list.  I knew I had A LOT of projects I had either started or wanted to start, but since they were put away in cupboards and cabinets and closets I had no idea how many there really were.  And even though they were neatly organized, I thought it was to time to go through them all and see what I had.  (If nothing else, hopefully it will keep me from buying any more!)

I started by pulling out every quilt top that was done but not quilted (Tops).  I went through every project that I had started but wasn't yet a completed top (UFOs).  I dug through all of my kits - these included multiple BOMs (blocks of the months), where I have all (or most) of the fabric but haven't started to sew anything (Kits).  Over the years there have been a few fabric lines that I just really loved and purchased a good amount of fabric, but haven't decided on a pattern yet (Fabric).  There's definitely enough to make good size quilts from them though.  And finally, I went through all of my patterns and picked out those special ones that I've looked at again and again over the years telling myself that one day I'm going to make them (Patterns).  As you can see from the size of my binder above, this was a BIG undertaking!  Much larger than I thought it would be.  In fact, just counting the quilt tops, UFOs, kits and few bundles of fabric, I have 91 projects in my queue.  YIKES!  This doesn't include any of the patterns I would one day like to make...

So now I know how many projects I need to get busy making.  But I actually didn't go through all this work just to find out that number (staggering as it is).  I have 2 better reasons for doing this.  First, with all of my projects put away, I tended to forget about most of them.  And when I would pull one out, I'd have to spend time trying to figure out where I last was on it.  Now, I've filled out an information sheet on each project so I know exactly what I have left to do.  And since all of the projects are in this one binder, I can look through it at any time and decide on my next project(s).  Plus I took lots of pictures, so it's great eye candy!

My second reason for making this binder is a little morbid but very practical.  If something should happen to me, I don't want all of my projects to end up unfinished or in the garbage because no one can figure out what's what.  This way other quilters can see where I left off and what's necessary to finish a project.  If a quilt top isn't already basted, in most cases, it's been placed with it's backing, batting and binding over a hanger.  All the fabric for a UFO or Kit is placed together except for backings which are on bolts.  In that case, I've included a note saying that and a picture showing what that fabric looks like.  There are a few kits that may not have the borders or backing yet and if so, I've mentioned it in my notes.  I certainly hope to live long enough to finish ALL 91 UFOs, but am preparing if God has other plans!

I was actually going to share my progress on several quilts, but I'll have to save it for another post.  I didn't intend to ramble on quite so long about my binder, but I get very excited about organization!  One of my quirks I suppose.  One final note - I got the free template for the projects sheets at from Pixels to Patchwork.

On a completely different note, our sweet girl just celebrated another birthday.  She turned 11.  She's getting a little grey in the muzzle and a little rounder in the tummy, but she's doing really well.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 

Psalms 73:26 (NLT)

Peace Be With You...

I just put the final stitches on the binding to another quilt.  Originally I named it Prayers for Day and Night, but didn't care for that title.  I've now renamed it 'Peace Be With You' as that seems more fitting.  It is a prayer quilt for my sister-in-law who is battling lung cancer right now.  I just found out tonight that she's back in the hospital with another infection so please pray for her.

This quilt is based on the Day and Night pattern as depicted in Eleanor Burn's Day and Night book.  It finished at 52.5" x 63", so it's a good lap size for her.  My good friend Susan quilted it for me.  (She enjoys that part of quilting much more than I do.)

I think Susan did a great job on the quilting.  She did all over feathers in the interior and more symmetrical feathers in the outer border.  She also did a curlicue in the inner border that really looks good.

I ran out of the light blue fabric for the back and had to piece one together.  I like how it turned out and am glad I had to do it.

The book actually enables you to save the leftover pieces from cutting the strip sets and use them to make 2 other quilts.  I'm hoping to start quilting at least one of them tomorrow and will share them when they're done.  I'm eager to finish another one of them because it will go to Brenda along with this quilt.

Until later...

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

One of life's blessings...

is that of true friendship.  And I have been SO blessed this week by my friend Susan.  Knowing that I have so many quilts that need to be quilted and that I just don't enjoy that part of the process, she was willing to quilt one of them for me.  She refused to take any payment for it either - only the thread.

She does all her quilting on her regular sewing machine and her work is SO beautiful.  Because the thread blends so well with the fabric, it's difficult for you to see how lovely her stitching is but her tension is perfect and the design works so well with the quilt.

She did a stipple with stars in the body of the quilt and leaves in the borders.

 I spent a good deal of time sewing the binding to the back today and I had lots of help...

Every time I put it down to take a break, another cat claimed it.

I made this quilt for a friend of mine from high school who is currently serving in Iraq.  When I asked him what colors he liked, he said green and purple.  The first thing that came to mind was Barney (the Dinosaur), so that became it's name.  It finishes at 65" x 72".  Once I add the label, I'll ship it off to Iraq.  I hope it makes it to him!

This is my fourth UFO finish for the year.  (A lot more still to be finished.)  I'll leave you with a funny picture of Sam I took tonight.

Until later...

"I live and love in God's peculiar light."
- Michelangelo

Another UFO done...

I've finally finished another UFO.  It's the 2nd one I can cross off my list.

I've named this quilt Thistle Down - mainly because the print reminds me of thistles.

This quilt is destined for my sister.  She plans to hang it over her living room sofa.  She picked out the focus fabric in the stars and I designed a quilt around it.  If you read my blog regularly, you'll know it went through several very ugly iterations.

(Notice the black ears sticking up in the picture...)

Unfortunately my sister is very allergic to cats so it will need some intense lint-brush rolling before I can give it to her.  It's like my cats had some inside knowledge because I couldn't keep them off of it.

I hope she likes it.

Until later...

One UFO down...

Yay!  I can cross my first UFO off my list.  That brings my total down to 43+.

Would you like to see the quilt made with these blocks?  I'm sorry.  I can't actually show it to you because I didn't make one.  There are 9 12.5" blocks in this pile all in the same colors.  They were a BOM that I got last year.  I enjoyed making them, but they're not really my colors.  So I offered them up to anyone who wanted them in my bee.  Hils pretty quickly jumped on them and I'm sure she'll make something beautiful.  Whenever she finishes it, I'll have to take a picture and share it.

But it still comes off my UFO list because I no longer own the blocks.  So as I said, one down...

Until next time...

654...

121 Extra Small

125 Small

167 Medium

132 Large

109 Extra Large

654 Total

This is the total number of dog (and cat) bandanas that I've finally completed.  Whew!  What a task that was.  I made 5 different sizes of these bandanas that fit around your pet's collar. Back when I started cutting these out (several years ago), I thought I might sell them on ebay or something.  Now I'm planning to donate them to one of the daughter's from my quilting bee so that they can use them to raise money to help animals.

I literally just put the last stitch in them less than half an hour ago.  I'm relieved to have finally finished this UFO.  As you can see, I made them with all different kinds of fabric.  There are pet motifs, sports, seasonal, almost every holiday, tractors, camouflage...

There should hopefully be something for everyone.  I thought you might like to see a picture of one being used so I put it on my cat David.  He's the most camera happy.  But every time I tried to take a picture he was right up in the lens.  This was the best out of about 20 pictures...

Take care!

A clean machine is a happy machine...

Did you know you should change your machine needle with every project?  You should also clean out your bobbin case every time you refill the bobbin.  And finally, they recommend you have your machine cleaned at least every 2 years. 

But how many of us really follow these recommendations?  I'm usually pretty good about changing the needle.  But I'll also spend the extra money for titanium needles so I don't have to change it as often.    And my Husqvarna Viking sewing machine has only been in for a cleaning twice in the 9 years I've owned it.  It's a workhouse and I'm glad it's kept going.  I just find it difficult to part with the ~$85 a cleaning usually costs, although I realize that would be a better investment than paying for a new machine!  I'll have to put that on my New Year's Resolution list.

As for cleaning out the bobbin, I'm hit or miss.  If I have deadlines looming, I tend to forget about it.  But when I do get around to it, I do a very thorough job.  I take apart all the pieces and use my tweezers to remove every bit of lint I can reach inside the machine.  With my machine, I can rotate the bobbin case to get all the way around.  (You probably have to see it to understand what I mean.)  At the retreat last week, Tamah (who also has a Viking) began to clean her machine and so reminded me I should as well.  Look at all the lint I managed to get out!  Gross huh?

Remember each square on the mat is one inch!

Now back to the things I sewed to accumulate all that fuzz...  I started a pieced BOM (block of the month) last year through Quakertown Quilts.  There were 12 blocks in varying shades of white, red, gold and green.  I had finished all but the last 5 blocks.  At the retreat, I managed to finish those as well.

 

 

 

  

I enjoyed working on them even though they aren't really my favorite colors.  Each block finished at 12" so they would make a nice lap size throw by the time you add sashing and borders. 

However, I have enough quilts that size and figured a small wall hanging would probably suit us better.  I don't know yet what arrangement I'll use.  It will continue to sit in the UFO pile until some time next year.  

But I have taken a couple of the blocks and made a table runner for my SS.  December is the last month of the secret sister program and the time of our big reveal.  I haven't quilted it yet, but when I do, I'll take a picture and share it with you.

Now for the next step in the ugly quilt saga.  Just to remind you, my sister picked out a fabric she absolutely loves and asked me to make her a very simple quilt for her living room.  It's gone through several iterations and has been pretty hideous through each of them.  I decided to throw it out the door and start over.  I never felt comfortable with that design and I should have listened to my instincts.  I played around with EQ5 (Electric Quilts software) last night and came up with a design that I liked much better.  Luckily my sister agrees with me - so I'll get started on (hopefully) my final attempt.

This was the first time I imported fabrics into the program, but it won't be the last.  It was so easy to do and you get a really good idea about what the finished product will look like.  When I finish it,you can judge for yourself!

Until later, take care!

Glad to be back home again!

There's nothing like sleeping in your own bed is there? I'm finally back home. And although I enjoyed visiting my sister and her kids, I've missed my family here. I also found that I had 4 packages waiting for me at home. Of course, 3 of them were pet medications but the last one was some fabric I ordered from Hancock's of Paducah. I ordered 5 yards of Kona Snow cotton for the 30's quilt I want to make. I packaged it up with all of the other materials and the pattern so when I'm ready to start, it's all right there. I also bought a cream and blue ombre because I like the subtle color changes and they were really on sale. The same goes for the 2 Kashmir IV charm packs.


I also had a little time yesterday to play in my sewing room. I'm working on an applique UFO from Sew Unique. I only had November and December's blocks to finish and I'm almost done with them. I need to make about 150 flying geese units for the borders that I'll get started on next. Well, not immediately. I need to make some pillows for our living room first, but that shouldn't take long.

Also, I'm going on a trip to Whistle Stop Quilt Shop in Selma, NC tomorrow with some friends. They're having a 4th of July sale. I hope not to purchase anything (yeah right), but just spend time with friends.

Until next time...

Puppies and kitten tales...

I had a great time today. I spent a good amount of time playing ball with Gabriel (I only wish it were less humid). I sat with the kittens several times so they could start getting used to me. I even got a couple of them to play with some toys with me. At their young age, they don't really care to be petted. They like to play, eat and sleep. Oh, and fill the litter box up again and again. LOL I also got to spend some time with my sister and her kids. I only wish I saw them more often.

I even got to sew some. I worked on a charity project, making some templates for another ufo and did some more hand applique on my next 2 Ladies of the Sea blocks. I'm committed to getting at least 6 (out of 16) done this year. Here are the first 2 again...



Tomorrow looks like it will largely be a repeat of today. I do want to get started on a gift for my secret sister though. I need to have it done by the end of the month which is not that far off. I've also been going through my mom's house and taking pictures of some projects I've made for her. This is a patriotic wallhanging I made for one of the bathrooms. She decorated it in a patriotic theme so it fits right in. I had to sit on the counter to get the picture and couldn't manage to get the top border in.


All the blue and white triangles are actually folded so they have some more dimension. Here's a closeup...


I love blogs with lots of pictures, so I'm trying to incorporate them into mine. It's also a good diary. Time passes so quickly and I feel like I don't get much accomplished. This is a visual reminder of how much I've really done. Until later, have a blessed day!

Another UFO done!

Wow, after a marathon sewing session today, I've managed to finish another UFO. I started this quilt several years ago. It's one of the BOM (block of the months) from JoAnn Fabrics. I've heard that the quality of their kit fabric has improved in recent years along with the precutting. However, this was one of the older ones and so had some problems. I'm just glad to be finished with the top! It looks better than I thought it would though.


I sewed for at least 6 hours today and I expect I'll pay for it tomorrow. It's just a relief to have it together. I don't like working on projects just to get them done, but I also can't see never finishing one if it's halfway there. I can always donate it to charity. I'm going to have to heavily quilt it when I get the chance to make up for the poor quality of the fabrics and the miscut pieces.

Getting some serious sewing done!

I've really been trying to concentrate on my UFOs as of late. I signed a 'contract' with my quilt bee to finish 10 of them by the end of the year and I'm no where close to being finished. After the Garden Gatherings top posted here, I have another 7!!! to complete by December 31st. Luckily most of them are only quilt tops.

The latest one I finished is called Garden Gatherings by Lisa Bongean. She makes such beautiful primitive quilts. It was a BOM I purchased through Kaye Moore. I started the quilt in January 2008 and managed to do a block each month of last year. There are about 200 scrappy HSTs in the borders and those were kind of time consuming. I'm pleased with how it turned out, but now it will go on the shelf of completed quilt tops until I finish some of my other UFOs.



I've also been working at night on hand appliqueing my blocks for the Baltimore Halloween BOM by P3 Designs. I've finished the first 3 blocks so far. Now I have to get started on my 3rd block for the Ladies of the Sea quilt for my husband.




I also received a package in the mail today from Hancocks of Paducah! I LOVE getting packages in the mail. I had ordered 5 yards of fabric and 5 charm packs (all on sale of course). They accidentally included 3 yards of fabric I didn't order. But when I called to tell them, they told me to keep it! Yippee! It was all batiks so I know I'll be able to use it. The bottom 3 fabrics are the ones I didn't order, but aren't they beautiful?


And here are the charm packs. I know I have a bit of a thing for them. I collect them right now, but one day plan to make lots of quilts with them.


So far this blogging thing is a lot of fun! Until next time...