Several More 17 ufos for 2017

The initial goal of the 17 ufos for 2017 was to revisit 17 unfinished projects and add a few stitches to progress them along. If a completion took place than that is a bonus. I completed 4 ufos and made substantial progress on several others. However, there are a few on the list that I have no intention of trying to move forward at this time.

For example, on my list were a disappearing 9-patch that only needs a border and to be quilted and a disappearing 4-patch that is so simple but I will have to find it, organize it and figure out how to complete it. The plan was to practice my machine quilting skills and I have started playing with rulers. But not right now. There are, after all, only 24 hours in each day and little boys occupy a lot of those.

This red and white sampler will remain in the project box for a while longer. There are more blocks made than show in the picture but not sure where they are. In a box somewhere. I did an amazing feathered star with embroidery but it is hiding. I will let it stay hidden for now.

This $10 sampler will remain in its box for now also. I cannot decide how to complete that center so will not fret about it for now. I need a deadline and a purpose for my quilts.

My completed Civil War Dear Jane quilt has been kicking around since I completed the top three years ago. I have finally decided to hand quilt it with big stitches using Perle Cotton and a wool batting. But I have not yet stretched it out and layered it. I need to clear off some of the paper work that is scattered all over my quilt room tables. I am, after all, still working on my doctorate if way too slowly.

In two weeks I drive out to Shipshewana for the fall retreat where I will be starting not one, not two but possibly 3 new quilts. I am taking workshops with the infamous Di Ford-Hall from Australia. I met her when I visited there two and a half years ago and have been waiting for an opportunity to learn from her. Do I need to start more quilts? NO. Of course not. Do I want to start more quilts? NO. Not exactly. But I love every quilt of hers I have ever seen. And I have already paid for the classes and the kits.

In the meantime, I have injured my right wrist and will have to let it rest up for the next couple of weeks so I can go the distance at the retreat where all three workshops will be focusing on hand work. I should probably stay off the computer, but I still have to change diapers on two little boys who were not exactly thrilled when I presented them both with big boy underwear this week. The first term is half over and my daughter just got her placement. She has so much reading to do for this intense one year masters program and now she begins her 500 placement hours.

I have been thinking about goals for next year. Crazy things like completing one block per week for each of the ones I am presently working on. That would add up to completing a block a day. So that is not practical. But what about a block per month? That would have me complete the BTCT, Morrell and Antique Wedding Sampler by July 2019. Doable. But what about the Di Ford new blocks? And Bright Jane and  . . .

Wait I hear a boy crying so I get to grand parent some more. In the meantime, I did complete one more BTCT block. This will satisfy my one-monthly-goal-for-october .

BTCT  Block # 14

Blessings,
Chris
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17 ufos in 2017 - Shades of Pemberly

This was a 3 week workshop at my local quilt shop a mere 10 years ago. I was going to be clever and do my sashing in black instead of white like everyone else. It was much later that I saw a picture of the original Austin Coverlet. The sashing is white. But ALAS . . . Jane and Cassandra never competed theirs so I am in good company. These were among the first reproduction fabrics I ever bought. A fat quarter bundle of Austin Reproductions. Each of the prints had names from the books.

Those triangles are 70 degrees. Not the common angle to stitch up with all those bias edges. We made a template for the center medallion and used it to measure against each section to make sure it was going to fit. I spent days arranging the fabrics to be exactly opposite each other then pinned onto the flannel backed table cloth. Clever idea.  Until I put it in a box and forgot it existed. There are a lot of pins in there that could be used in another ufo.

Speaking of another ufo, I took time last night after my little boys went home to prep a few more blocks on the 1857 Album Quilt. Since I had decided to make only 36 blocks, I prepped 12 blocks with the corner leaves. These will be cut in half for the borders. If I stitch at least one leaf each day, it will take me until the beginning of December. If I stitch one block a day it will take me until the beginning of November. If I get off the computer, I could get one leaf stitched before I leave for a day filled with appointments.

I finally finished the leaves and buds here in this Beyond the Cherry Trees block. Now that I have back basted the wreath, I can start stitching around the outside. I find it easier to tuck in the extra convex outer curves first then spread out the concave inner circle after. I certainly am getting tired of those inny-outy tight curves on the leaves.

I did not get any stitching in before I left, but I got a pedicure, did some banking, filled the car with gas, had a chilly waterfit workout before getting groceries and dropping them off at home then indulged in a 90 minute deep massage. Sigh. I will sleep tonight. First night in a week with no little boys in the house. They are so cute but they do get a bit noisy in the night. Especially the three year old who has been sick. And the first term is half over. 

Blessings, 
Chris

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1857 Sampler for 17 ufos for 2017

I wasn't planning to start a new quilt that winter 2016.

But these double pink fabrics left over from 
my first Dear Jane quilt

 accidentally jumped into my GO cutter

 and a lot of leaves got cut out using one of my custom leaf dies

and just landed in a project box.

 What was I to do?

The corner leaves were easy to stitch in place.

 Many doing this QAL are waiting until the end to do the corner leaves or diamonds.

 I did mine first because I could.

I even posted a tutorial-for-melon-points.

 A few blocks got completed and set up on the design wall.

I eventually found my Karen K Buckley Perfect Circles
 and made a few.

However, I was not comfortable with some of the block designs

and wanted to complete the thing quickly, so

 I substituted a few patterns from Sentimental Stitches
 Sally Post Sampler.

My new helper had lots of fun putting blocks on the wall

Then she added the Bright Jane blocks and still had room for more

so pulled out the antique Princess Feather block.

So much for wanting to complete the thing quickly.

 I have not done any work on it for more than a year. 

I had already decided to stop at 36 blocks and not do all 64. 

The final blocks were released July 1 and I really 

disliked working with that solid reproduction limey green fabric.

 Not so nice to needle turn by hand. 

If I pull the thing out, I could blitz it this month and

 have a finished top. 

Well, 36 finished blocks. 

Sewing all those corner leaves together might be a challenge.

I usually like a challenge, but  I went to Rwanda in August 

and all the grandchildren keep showing up.

Come to think of it, I usually worked on this when I was babysitting.

 But they have been coming to my house for the past few months 

and I get nothing done then.

I am thinking about adding more pink leaves around the outside. 

Since I cut out 64 background squares and I am only using 36 then 

I should have lots of them to cut in half for a border.  

That dark purple in the heart block stands out too much.

 Maybe I should use that purple again or replace it. 

My omg-one-monthly-goal  for November could be

 to complete the 11 blocks. No pressure. 

If I wanted pressure

 I would add assemble all the blocks and quilt the thing.

 But I haven't completed this month's OMG and

 I have little boy grandchildren 

coming each week for three sleepovers 

while their mom is in school and 

Gay has another QAL up her sleeve for the new year. 

Having said all that, 

I took along 2 blocks with me today

 and completed one sitting in not one but 3 waiting rooms. 

It was easy peasey. 

Blessings,
Chris

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A Bit of Fun When Stitching in Airports and on Trains

On my way to Rwanda back in August, I took along a Morrell Block to hand applique. I like hand applique. I like the prep work. Sometimes I can spend most of a day prepping several blocks to take along for those waiting moments or waiting marathons. I usually take blocks from different projects.

The selfie photos I often take are of the block I am working on. Two years ago I very carefully took a few pictures of my progress on a Morrell block. I was so proud of myself. To remember to take the pictures. Too bad I forgot to take the camera with me as I got off that plane in London on my way to visit my sister. I did not miss it for a few days. So I bought a new one that lasted a mere 3 weeks but then I was home and the warranty was in England and so was the old camera and the pictures.

Stitching on a Morrell block on a train in London England Dec 2015

This trip we had a 12 hour layover in the London airport after flying out of Toronto. The rest of the team were adventurous and left the airport and did a whirlwind tour of London including seeing the main sights, riding the tube and having lunch and hauling all their carry-on luggage everywhere they went. I've been to London before so I chose to stay in the airport. I had my rollator with me so I could boogy around pretty good on those nice smooth floors. Last trip I carried that rollator with me up and down those subway stairs on our way to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum.

I had a tasty and pricey fish and chip dinner with mushy peas (now there is another story). I found some amazing  hot chocolate that was like melted chocolate not the kind made with milk or water. Eventually I found the handicap lounge. It was large and empty. I found a bench without arms in a corner where I parked all my stuff and stitched for a couple of hours then I slept for a couple of hours laying down. That's important to be able to do on those long flights with connections. Then some more stitching. It was nice and quiet with bathrooms and food near by. I did some reading and journaling. I just realized that it was the last time for 2 weeks that I had any time to myself.

We had a 7 hour layover in Adis Ababa Ethiopia. Now, I had been advised to take a couple of Gravol tablets when we took off so I slept. It was awesome. I missed dinner on the flight to London but was awakened for both meals on the next flight. The rest of the team found lounge chairs to lay down on and sleep for a few  hours. I was more interested on finding some bottled water to drink. Fortunately I had 2 one pound coins in my pocket. I know enough to pack snacks when I travel because buying cooked food in some foreign countries especially on trains is not safe. Trust me, I know. I had food poisoning on a 15 hour train ride once in India. I have learned a few things about that also.

Stitching on a BTCT block on a train in India Oct 2016

 I wear a baggy print shirt with pockets. It gives me somewhere to put things like my glasses, a pen, my passport and my MP3 player and earbuds. And if I spill stuff on myself, it is not easily seen.
On my trip to Poland last April, I took my MP3 player but had the wrong cord so could not recharge it. Turns out it was fried so this time not only did I buy a new MP3 player, but I had it all charged up since it easily plugged in to any computer USB port and most large planes have computer access with USB ports. I have since learned that my new cell phone is a glorified music player but I do not know how to load in music and I left it at home to avoid accidental roaming charges. I might learn to use it more eventually.

Stitching on a Morrell block in an airport in Ethiopia Aug 2017

We were hanging out in the Adis Ababa airport and I took out the Morrell block to continue stitching on the blue leaves. And as most hand appliquers know, you put the bits on in layers. So, after stitching down every other pair of leaves, I carefully pulled put the next pair to pin in place so I could carry on. However, when I reached for them, they were not in sight. I looked on my block. I looked under my block. I was certain I had taken all 4 out of the zip lock bag I had my stitching stuff in. So I looked in the bag then in my hand bag and on the floor and stood up to see if they were sticking to my shirt or my pants. Nope. Nothing. One of our team members saw my confusion and asked what I was looking for. Turns out just as I had taken out the leaves and was turning my block to position it, they fell on the floor and one of the cleaning staff had quietly walked by with her broom in action and swept away my precious blue leaves and deposited them in the nearest trash bin a few feet away. Sigh. I found them and fished them out and stitched them in place.

Happy Slow Sunday Stitching everyone.

Chris

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