Poor Kitty - a finish Friday

I've had my share of drama this week.  Luckily, it has not been too serious, but I really could have done without it all in the first place.

First,  Wednesday night DD3 had a chair fall on her arm at a strange angle, so off we went to the ER.  Nothing broken.  In fact, by the time we got back to see the Dr. for evaluation, she was practically doing gymnastics in the bed.  Thank goodness.

Then this morning, I couldn't find Tookie in any of her usual spots.  I found her later outside in the bushes near our garage.  She is an inside only cat.  She had fallen from our balcony.  Off we went to the vet in haste.  Luckily she didn't have any major injuries.  She seems to have sprained her front paws and has a little scrape on her chin, but other than being sore, she's fine.  Seriously, a miracle.  Poor kitty.

It feels better to tell someone my troubles today.  DH is out of town and the kids just don't understand fully.

I do have a quilt finish to share today, though it was officially done last Saturday.

I finally finished my dreaded Beginner's Quilt Along quilt.  I did some stitch in the ditch quilting quite a while ago and left it, thinking I would do some free-motion as well.  But honestly, I was done with it.  I didn't even want to look at it any more.  It's not that it is an ugly quilt, I just was tired of it.   So, I finally stitched on the binding.  It is DONE and already donated!  And that's another UFO crossed of the list.

Thanks for reading today, and I'm sure Tookie will appreciate any prayers you can spare,

Jen

Linking up with:

Goal setting - the Finish Along quarterly report

Bear with me as I reveal one more list to start the New Year.  The 2013 Finish Along at She Can Quilt. is a quarterly to-do list, so here is what I hope to accomplish in the next 3 months:

• I've already designated the first UFO that I am going to tackle in January as the Blue One Block Wonder quilt.  
• 
• Also this quarter, I hope to finish up my Beginner QAL quilt and How Far Will You Go? quilt (obviously, I didn't get as far as I hoped on this one).
• Time to use up all those clothing fabric scraps I've been saving and make quilts for the girls.  These scraps are taking up important "new fabric" space, so they have to go!  This is the NewFO, I planned to start in January; however, I was reminded that I need to make....
• 2 baby quilts for friends who are expecting soon.  Like really soon.  So I better get working on them too.
• I have 4 Star of Africa Blocks to do already, plus another 2 from later in the quarter.
• I'll have 3 Skill Builder BOM blocks to do
• 4 Lucky Star BOM blocks to do
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 6 blocks for the We Be Learning Bee - I've already started on January's blocks.
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 4 blocks for the Simply Solids Bee (it starts in February)
• 2 blocks each month, for a total of 6 blocks for the Make it Modern Bee
• Winter Mug Rug for a Swap I signed up for - this one is already in progress as it is due soon.

Whew!  I am tired just typing about it.

Jen

Teacher's Gifts - WIP Wednesday

I started working on the gifts for my 2 eldest girls to give to their teachers for the holidays.  I seem to be the placemat queen, don't I?  Well, I figured it was practical for when they are eating at their desk, etc.

The lined fabric is Bungle Jungle by Moda, and the other stuff I've had for ages and I'm not sure what it is.  It came from Joann's (enough said, right).  I think I was planning on making an indoor hopscotch with it, but I really don't remember it has been so long.  Anyway, it suits this purpose just fine.

The plan is that each girl will write a short message to her teacher using fabric markers, perhaps even draw a nice picture too.  I will then sandwich and quilt it.

Our holiday break is coming up pretty soon, so I hope you will see these move to the finished category soon!

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:

• Olivia's quilt - HOORAY it is DONE!
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - Patched up and almost ready to be wrapped!
• about 5 blocks for the How Far Will You Go? QAL - am now completely out of my background fabric and have to wait on my next fabric delivery to proceed.

On-going Projects:

AKA - "stuff I plan to touch this week or next".

• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - quilting in progress!  Yes, I finally did SOMETHING to start it.
• How Far Will You Go? QAL - Catch up in progress. 
• Miscellaneous sewn gifties - time to get started on gifts!
• Star of Africa Bee - November's Block is due December 15th 
• Handstitched Medallion Quilt - quilting in progress.  It will be a long process, but I've actually been working on it more than I would have expected.
• A tree ornament for the guild exchange - this one is new, but the holiday lunch is Saturday so I better get going.
• Christmas Decor - I am determined to sew something to show in my home this year.

Back Burner:

These will likely be touched in a couple of weeks.

• Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery - top needs to be put together. It is ridiculous that I haven't just slapped this one together
• Charity quilt for the guild - not started.   
• My Blue & White One Block Wonder - geez, this one just needs to be backed and quilted and it would make a great charity quilt.  I plan on just stippling it anyhow, why can't I get it done in the New Year?
• I've joined a Winter Mug Rug Swap at the Crafty Gemini - I just need to figure out what my partner's tastes are and make something to suit.

The Back, Back Burner:

Lightning would have to strike twice.

• Handstitched goodies - several small projects in limbo.  
• EPP project - in progress.  I've definitely cooled on the idea of EPP for the moment.

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 2
New projects - 2
Currently in Progress - 5 - ish

Don't forget to link up any blocks you have been working on to yesterday's post!  The linky stays open for a whole week, so feel free to add them as you complete or wait for next Tuesday (or both)!

I hope everyone entered my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway on Monday.   Oh, and my one year Blogiversary is coming up on this Saturday, the 8th!  Do I sense another giveaway???  Yes, yes you do! Stay tuned!

Jen



Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and .

the List - UFO Sunday

If you feel overwhelmed by reading other people's to do lists, avert your eyes, this one is a doozie!  Like when you open a closet door at a friends house expecting to hang up your coat, but the darn thing is so stuffed with junk it falls out all over you -- that kind of doozie!

A few weeks ago, Leah Day over at Free Motion Quilting Project, started a new weekly link up called UFO Sunday.  One of the things I like best about Leah's blog is that it is deeply introspective.  She really probes into the emotions and thoughts behind why we do what we do with our projects and our lives.  She makes me think (heaven forbid)!  This new link up was sparked by a bunch of feelings - the need to practice on real quilts, the desire to feel less oppressed by the pile of UFOs lying around and the hope that getting some things done might make one feel, well, happy.

Now, I know I have been participating somewhat sporadically in Patchwork Times UFO Challenge.  But unlike that challenge that assumes you will finish a UFO each month, Leah's premise was rather simple.  Just work on a languishing UFO for one day, even if it was only for 15 minutes.  Progress is progress.

She also explored some thoughts on why some UFOs end up languishing in the first place.  I can totally relate to some of the reasons.  Like the quilts for my mom that took forever because I didn't really enjoy the fabrics.  At the moment, I feel like I have too many other pressing projects that need my time and attention more.  Leah suggests making a list and really determining which projects deserve your time and which should be trashed.  Yes, trashed.  "Time is a precious resource", it shouldn't be wasted!

So, here is my list of languishing UFO's:

The Handstitched projects:

• the stitched headband - actually I wanted to make a band for a hat I have.  Still want to do this.
• Sashiko coasters - the bases are actually made.  I need to transfer a few more designs and get stitching.  I still want to do this.
• the Hexagon tote bag - I have my hexies all basted.  I have the linen to make the bag.  I have someone I would like to give it to.  But I am hesitant.  This one needs to go into a different category, a wait until you are jazzed about getting stuff done and then finish this one category.
• The star blossom wall art - I have everything I need for this one, but I am having trouble choosing fabrics.  I am just having a hard time imagining those little pieces working together.  Plus, EPP just seems to take forever!  I need another trip to Hawaii to get it started and done.
• The flower applique pillow - this is adorable, but I don't know that I really need a pillow right now, nor do the kids.  I mean shouldn't we actually have quilts for our beds first?  Maybe not, but at the moment, I am leaning toward trash.  Thankfully, I didn't get very far on this project before setting it down, so only 4 scraps of fabric would be trashed.
• The Medallion quilt top - I love this quilt, but the last step put a bit of a funk on it.  I need to rip out all the seams for the last border and redo them.  Seam ripping is not much fun even when it is only a few inches.  I probably have about 250 inches to rip out.  Not fun.  I need to just do it one day, then back and sandwich it.  The hand quilting will take a while, no doubt.  Perhaps this will be my holiday project while the kids are home and I can't sneak off to my sewing "studio".

Other projects:

• Hawaiian applique pillow - from the class I took 2 years ago!  The darn applique is nearly finished.  I think I have 2 more small circles to go.  But, I don't need a green and yellow pillow.  Although, now that I know how to make these things into wall art, that could be an option.  Undecided which category this goes in.
• The fusible rose project - this one is partially "pieced".  I need to add it to the background fabric and then thread paint it.  The thread painting aspect is why I took a class last January.  I'm not sure I know enough to make it look nice enough.  It WOULD be an excellent practice piece though!  Leaning toward Trash, but perhaps it makes more sense for it to languish a little more.
• The thread painting wall art - this was what we worked on in class.  I only have a few more steps until it is done.  I had hoped to finish it up and give it to my grandmother for a gift.  But, my excitement level for this project is null.  Trash.
• The Batik Tile quilt - fabric is cut, some blocks put together, basically "piecing in progress".  The problem is that I am just not in love with these fabrics anymore.  I really appreciated the picture of the pattern and thought it was beautiful, but once I got into making one myself, my interest dwindled.  It is quite possible, I am just not a Batik person.  A shame really, considering I have a whole box of them. I am leaning toward Trash.
• Blue and White One Block Wonder top - I actually like this one.  I think it would make a great charity quilt.  I was hoping to send one more this year to the woman collecting for Happy Chemo.  She said in a post that she is always looking for more "manly" quilts for the patients.  This would be a good one for that.  If I allowed myself to just quilt it with a simple all-over design, it could even be done relatively quickly.
• Brown and Blue Land of Lincoln Quilt - I like this one too.  It is a little too dark for our home here, but I think it would be a perfect addition to our family's vacation home up in the mountains.  It needs the final border added and then quilted.  The drawback - it is BIG.  Yes, I have a new machine that should make this easier with its large throat space, but it is BIG.  I think I am balking at finishing it just because of the size.  Solution: send it out.  I don't know why I am so hesitant to do that.  I really want to finish my own projects!  But it really boils down to this one sitting in a box for another 6-9 months or getting done by someone else.
• Star Circles (a New York Beauty quilt) - piecing in progress.  I love the look of this quilt and when I am in the mood to paper piece, I try to do a few more blocks here and there.  I think this one will get done, eventually.
• Olivia's applique quilt (the copy of my niece's quilt from last Christmas) - The darn blocks are all done, applique and all.  I literally just need to put the top together and quilt it!  Olivia is just getting to the age too, where she might want a special blankie of her own.  This Christmas?
• The Batik Stripe Quilt - it is one of my FAVORITES, why can't I get this done???  It is sandwiched and ready.  Why don't I just start it?  Fear.  I am at the point where the quilting happens, and I want it to stand out and be seen, but I am terrified that I will mess it up.  And, I am having difficulty choosing a thread, but that is really just a secondary excuse.  This one needs to be done, like yesterday!
• Paper-pieced block pillows - I have several paper-pieced blocks with no homes.  I can't really see them going into a quilt, but they would make pretty pillows.  Did I mention, I don't really need any pillows.  These may need to just be trashed or given away to unsuspecting bee mates.

My New-FO's (these really haven't been languishing, YET):

• The Beginner Quilt Along Top - I don't have a lot of emotions invested in this one and plan to give it to my guild to either auction off or give to their charity causes.
• The Vintage Holiday Quilt Along top - I love this one and want to keep it for myself.  Excitement level is still high on this one, an excellent time to keep going and get it done.
• The How Far Will You Go Quilt Along - the top is not yet completed and the quilt along is still going. I have had to put this one aside for a while to finish up some other items, like bee blocks, which puts it in the danger zone of being forgotten.  The design is lovely, and the quilt along has been a great experience, but I have no plans yet for the quilt itself.
• The Totally Groovy Quilt Along top - I would really like to give this one as a gift to someone special.  I need to get it done.

Seems like I don't have many for the Trash category.  I guess I need to get to work then!

I am not actually linking up this post at Leah's blog today, because I haven't actually worked on any of these projects.  I just feel writing them down was the first step and publishing it might help me be more accountable.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.  I'm leaving town tomorrow and will have a whole week to decide which of these projects to spend some time on first.  Also, I plan on trimming down this list to fit with Kelsey Sews 100 Day Hustle, which I will post in a few days.

What do you have languishing around that spending 15 minutes on might make you feel better?

Jen

Slim pickins' - Building Blocks Tuesday

Well, I only have one finished block to show you today.  I have a few other blocks in the works, but I've mostly been going all out on my project for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop.  Thus the slim pickins!  But, I am happy to report that the top is all done, and even sandwiched!!

Here is my last block for the Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery.  Those pinwheels are so cute!  We should start putting the top together later this week!  I can't wait to see how it all comes together.  I am especially interested in how they suggest to quilt all these blocks.
                             
Don't forget to link up your marvelous blocks that you have been working on!  You have all week to add them if you like!

Don't forget:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful project, not just the blog homepage
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please consider grabbing my button and posting it in your blog post
4) Visit other linky participants!

Until next week,

Jen

Cherry Blossoms in D.C. - Building Blocks Tuesday

Finally!  Here is my new block for the Star of Africa Bee.  The queen bee for the month of July wanted a scrapbook style block in pink.  Now, I like pink, but I had no idea what a scrapbook style block was.  She said to make a block of anything in my country that I would like to take a picture of.  Well, that made it somewhat more difficult because, I couldn't think of anything pink that was photo-worthy and represented my country.  I had exactly 3 ideas:  Barbie (all the rage in my house right now,  but not necessarily an interesting block), Elvis in a pink Cadillac (representing our country's rock n' roll heritage), and pink cherry blossoms (the most doable idea).

I actually started on the pink Cadillac.  I sketched out a car and tried to figure out how to paper piece it.  It wasn't looking like I wanted, so I scrapped it.  It was a little too much work for the amount of time I had.  I think it could be done, but I wasn't willing to give it all I had right now.  So I started thinking about the cherry blossoms.

My best friends family has a place in Northern Michigan that we visited this summer.  We fly into Traverse City when we go, and they have a huge "Cherry Festival" in the summer to celebrate the areas cherry crops.  I haven't been there during cherry blossom time, so I went online to do a little research.  Funny, the Cherry Festival website only showed people eating various cherry products, no actual cherry pictures or cherry blossom pictures.  I guess they have their priorities.

In the end, this block was inspired by a postage stamp commemorating the Centennial of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. and it certainly was very picturesque!  I have actually never been to D.C., but I immediately adopted the idea of creating my block based on the picture in the stamp and this is what resulted.  I really like how it turned out, and I hope the queen bee does too.

I also caught up on a few QAL blocks:

                                  
Don't forget to link up your marvelous blocks that you have been working on!  You have all week to add them if you like!

Don't forget:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful project, not just the blog homepage
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please consider grabbing my button and posting it in your blog post
4) Visit other linky participants!

Until next week,

Jen

Fresh Sewing Day -August Recap

I can't believe it is already September!  Summer, and especially the month of August just flew by!

So here is the recap for August:

1. August Free Motion Challenge
2. Ashley's Teacher Thank you quilt
3. My "Utah" block of Arches National Park for the Star of Africa Bee
4. Urban Nine Patch Table Runner was finally quilted
5. lots of blocks for the How Far Will You Go? QAL
6. 8 blocks to date for the Vintage Holiday QAL
7. a few more blocks for the Beginner QAL at Quilting Gallery
8. another block from the BQAL
9. one more shot of my August Free Motion Challenge, just to round out the mosaic

I'm a little proud of myself.  I actually finished a few projects this month in addition to doing a bunch of blocks!  Here's to hoping the trend continues!  Especially since a few of these quilt alongs will be wrapping up this month (Beginner QAL and Vintage Holiday), and those quilts will need to be quilted.

I still have a few projects languishing in the corner, but they will probably need to wait a little longer as there are two new quilt tops I am starting to work on this coming week (one for my Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop stop, and the other is the Totally Groovy QAL).  So, lots of work ahead.  I hope you come back next month to see what gets done!

What else will next month bring?  Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen


Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

Bears! - Building Blocks Tuesday

Welcome to this week's "Building Blocks Tuesday"!  Despite being gone most of last week, I did manage to get a few blocks done (mostly late last night).

Here is block 10 for Quilting Gallery's Beginner's Quilt-Along. ANOTHER block with HST's!

OK. I agree that Half Square Triangles are wonderful, and the patterns they create are diverse and beautiful. But...I am starting to get a little tired of them for this quilt along.  I hope we switch things up soon!

Check out what the other participants blocks look like at the flickr group site.  

Also, here are the 2nd & 3rd blocks I've completed for the "How Far Will You Go? Quilt Along".  We only had to make one of the 2nd block, "Weathervane", and 3 of the "Pieced Stars".

I have also started cutting for the Vintage Holiday quilt along at Fabric Mutt.  But, I haven't got around to sew any actual blocks yet.  Maybe in the next few days.

I've also been working on the July block for the Star of Africa Bee.  I have finally committed to a design, and  have sketched it out.  I will decide tonight which technique and fabrics I am going to use.  Technically, the block should have been in the mail today, but our trip to Yosemite took more out of me than I anticipated.

Speaking of, we had a wonderful time.  I didn't get to spend too much time on the hexies as planned, because I ended up driving a fair bit of the way, or I was busy trying to talk to our Italian relatives (comical, since I only know a little bit of Spanish and NO Italian!).

We even saw two bears during our visit!  The one above looked like a young black bear, and was literally strolling about in the valley right next to the bike path.  The other was a brown bear, but I didn't get a good picture of it.

I am linking up with Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link Up too!  Consider popping over there to check out the Blog Hop participants too!

• If you have ever wanted to get your feet wet with English Paper Piecing, Sarah at Sarah Sews has a tutorial for an adorable mug rug
• And January at Sew Sew Go has a tutorial for a zipped portfolio!

Jen

Building Blocks Tuesday

I've decided to rename my Tuesday posts, at least for now "Building Block Tuesdays".  I will have to make a new button soon.  Since I am participating in so many Bee's and quilt alongs right now, it seems fitting that I have a special place for all these blocks I am making.  So, here they are for this week:

Here is block 9 for Quilting Gallery's Beginner's Quilt-Along. Another block with HST's!

It's hard to believe it, but I am actually starting to go outside the group of fabrics I set aside for this project.  I was hoping to use up all the scraps of Joann's fabrics from my stash of pinks, and I have made a serious dent in them!  I may have to resort to pulling out yardage at some point!  Not to shabby!

Check out what the other participants blocks look like at the flickr group site.  

Also, here are the first blocks I've completed for the "How Far Will You Go? Quilt Along".  This one is called "Oh Susanna" and we had to make two.

I must admit more than once I caught my self singing "Oh, Susanna!, oh don't you cry for me, cause I come from Louisiana with a banjo on my knee...."  Mind you that is the only part of the song I know.

And finally, my block for June for the Star of Africa Bee from Confessions of a Fabraholic  I first heard about the Star of Africa Bee from my friend, Tina, at Holy Scrap!.  It sounded like the coolest bee ever - a small group, comprised of people all over the world, and you have to make blocks representative of "where" you come from while still staying within the desires of the queen bee for the month.  "Where" you come from is loosely defined.  It can be your country, your province, your town.  Your choice.  I loved the idea!  But the bee was full.....until recently!!!  They needed a substitute and I was MORE than willing!  I jumped at the chance!

The Queen Bee for the month of June wanted warm colors.  When I think of "warm", I think of orange, and yellow.  The first thing orange that came to me that represented the U.S., was Arches National Park in Utah, more specifically, the Delicate Arch.  It is very orange!  I set about to do some research and discovered that it is one of the most photographed landmarks in America.  The trouble with most of the photographs is that they contrast the orange of the arch with a magnificently blue sky.  So drawing from various photos, I think my block ended up more "cool" than "warm.  But I like it nonetheless, and I hope the queen bee does too.

The July colors are even harder - PINK!  I am really going to have to rack my brain this week to come up with something for the new queen bee in pink!  I am leaning heavily toward cherry blossoms at the moment, I just don't know whether to set them in Washington, D.C. or Northern Michigan.  Maybe by next week we will all know!

Until then!

I am linking up with Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link Up too!

Jen

July Fresh Sewing Day

I really love the idea of a monthly recap of what has been done; it makes me feel good.  How brilliant of Lily's Quilts to come up with such a wonderful linky party.

So here is July's Fresh Sewing day goodies:

1) My block for the Red White and Blue Blog Hop
2) Completed quilt top for the medallion quilt from the Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color
3) My applique T-shirt from the Handstitched Class
4) Front of my July Free Motion Challenge
5) A sample of the blocks I have completed for the Beginner's Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery
6) The blocks I made for the 3 x 6 Bee
7) My reverse applique needlebook from the Handstitched class
8) Another look at the embroidery that took so long on the medallion quilt
9) The back of my July Free Motion Challenge

It might be a little too much to expect that I will be able to show you another picture of that medallion quilt next month as a finished piece, but there are a bunch of other projects from the class that I want to return to and give a try.

Also, drum roll please.......I did buy a new sewing machine last weekend and it sews like butter.  No really, like butter!  I can't wait to finally get some of my quilting done on the numerous projects I listed in yesterday's WIP Wednesday post!!!!  Fingers crossed I can find some time even with the kiddos around.  School doesn't start until the 27th of August, and I don't think I can wait that long to say I finished some things.

I know, I know, it's not a race.  I just can't help myself.  My pile of sandwiched quilts has been growing these last few months and I like things to be finished!  Plus, there is nothing like hand sewing some binding on while there is actually something decent to watch on TV (the Olympics, of course).

Until next month's Fresh Sewing Day....keep quilting.

Jen

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts

Top that! - WIP Wednesday

Wow, Wednesday really sneaked up on me!

I am still working on my Medallion quilt for the Handstitched class.  I know what you are probably thinking - "Will she just finish it already, I am tired of hearing about it!"

Well, the top is done.  Sort of.  I had trouble with the last border.  After I added the solid gray section, I went to put on that last strip pieced border and they didn't fit.  Of course, I made those border as I stitched along, and I made them to the size specified.  My quilt at the storm at sea stage was to size, so I guess somewhere between the on point border and solid border, it got big.  I was worried that if I trimmed anything, the quilting motif that Rachel had in store for us, wouldn't look right.  At first I tried easing in the excess, but it was a lot of excess and didn't look nice.  So, I added a bit more strips and tried to miter those corner to "cover up" the additions.  Unfortunately I am not that good at mitering borders and it doesn't look great.  I have to decide today if I am going to just leave them or rip the whole thing apart and try something else.

This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:

• Handstitched Medallion quilt top
• Beginner's Quilt Along Block 8
• July Free Motion Challenge  I blogged about it last Friday here.

On-going Projects:

• Handstitched goodies, including the class quilt.  These are my top priority as I am still behind in the class, and there are so many neat projects to choose from.
• Design something for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - my stop is in September, but at my pace, I better get started soon.
• Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - actually starts August 6th.  I have fabrics picked out, and the blocks look REALLY easy.  Two blocks a week shouldn't be too hard.
• Totally Groovy Quilt Along - I bought fabric for this one, so I might as well attempt to do it!  It also starts in August, with the sewing beginning mid-August.
• I joined the Star of Africa Bee last week and need to do 2 blocks for my Bee-mates
• "Tree" themed quilt for the guild - the guild is having a quilt show in October and each member is asked to make a small quilt with a "tree" theme.

Back Burner:

I am determined not to forget these projects!  Keeping them in this category reminds me of them on a weekly basis.

• Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!

• Thank you quilt for Ashley's teacher - awaiting quilting

• Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress
• Urban Nine Patch Tablerunner - sandwiched and awaiting quilting
• June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" - English paper piecing in progress.  It will be a table runner of hexagons.  This is the hand project I keep in the car, so I will do a little at a time, but progress is slow.
• July UFO - tile batik quilt - piecing in progress
• Charity quilt for the guild - I'm going to miss the next meeting, but need to bring it to September's

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3
New projects - 2
Currently in Progress - 6-ish

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and Handmade Parade at There and Back on Friday
 

Make Up Week - Trial and Error Tuesday

I feel like it is "make-up" week here at my house.  Not only am I running the kids around to make-up swim and gymnastic lessons, I've been busily trying to catch up on my stuff too!

Here are blocks 4, 5, 6, and 7 for Quilting Gallery's Beginner's Quilt-Along.  I really like how these are starting to look, and I appreciate how "easy" these blocks are.  They come together quickly.  After spending so much time on the Handstitched quilt (I'll tell you more on Wednesday), it is nice to see a few things FINISHED and off my list, even if it is just a few completed blocks.

You can see the other participants blocks at the flickr group site.  It is neat to see how the same block looks completely different in different colors, etc.

If you are looking for a quilt along that hasn't quite started yet, try my post from last Tuesday here.  There are a few that are about to start in August that look awesome!

Also the 3 x 6 Bee that I participated in last quarter is having sign ups now for the next round.  Check out the 3 x 6 Bee flickr group here, if you are interested.  Hurry though, I seem to remember it filling quickly.  I had so much fun, I signed up again!

Who else is doing the Beginner Quilt Along?  How are your blocks coming?

Jen