Getting Clear on 2015 Quilting Goals - First Quarter

Happy New Year!

I hope you SHINE this year. I came up with this block while napping over the holidays. The computer generated star will be a button on the block. I have a few more word blocks planned too.

My Word for 2015 is CLARITY - getting clear on what I want, need, am, etc. When it comes to quilting that means looking at my UFOs and getting clear on what I'm doing with them!
I have 35 UFOs.
13 of them are quilts ready to be quilted.

I'm trying to be realistic about planning what to finish, what to make and how quickly as I know my teaching job will require me to use some of my nights for replenishing my energy and doing paperwork.

This is where I'm at today. I'm thinking/planning 3 months at a time and leaving myself wiggle room for those tempting projects that all seem to surface in the first 3 months of the year!

1. Finish machine quilting this wall hanging.
It's for me.
I have 2 more quarters to quilt, then sleeve, label, bind.

Dreamy deadline - February 14th!

Plan - to make this my 15 minute of quilting project
-always leave my machine ready with the thread for this project in it
-leave this project out and ready
-if I really don't feel like working on this - make the binding!

2. Christmas Quilt/Threads of Memory BOM

This quilt is to get quilted.
I'm quilting in 2 halves - one with 3 rows, one with 4.

I've made the backing for one half.
This project is BIG. I'm going to chunk it down into what feels like doable parts, knowing that my least favourite part of quilting is - quilting!

From January to March I would like to have these 3 things finished:
1) backing for second half (2 blocks of quilting time)
2) pin together first half of quilt (1 block of quilting time)
3) start quilting 1st row of first half of quilt (1 block of quilting time)

3. Finish last 4 Halloween 1904 blocks

The stars need to be blanket stitched.
I need to make more half square triangles for the blocks.
Some of the blocks will have border parts added as well.

I need to get this (even more) organized!

4. Roosting Robin
Some challenging fun!
This starts January 15th and is being hosted by some of the quilters at Pat Sloan's Quilt Mashup Forum.
We each need to pick our own centre - the fun is that the block never leaves home (hence it's roosting!)
Each month 2 border options will be given for us to pick from and use - or we can use both.
We're supposed to use only stash, which I love.
I picked this block because it's been sitting around for awhile and because with all the scrappy colours in it I should be able to find stuff in my stash to go with it!

The plan here is to stay caught up - one border each month.

5. Birthday Gifts
Of course there's more! I was planning to make my nieces and nephews pillowcases this year. Already I can see my stash is not going to cooperate. I will come up with something!

Two birthdays this quarter.
Plus mine, my husband, mom, my brother in law and daughter (but that's a different list, right!)

6. Sew Joy Creations
I'm also planning to make more designs this year.
My dream goal right now is 15 - that's 5 things a quarter with wiggle room!
Some will be free blocks or tutorials.
I really want to design another quilt pattern this year.
I really want to incorporate selvages into some of my designs this year.
This means incorporating design/play time into my quilting time to make it happen - then using quilting time to write, edit, photograph and put out the designs.

Goal - 3 to 5 designs by end of March.

WHAT ELSE?

As you can see I'm always working on something and thinking about working on even more! Here's a few more things I'm going to add to this list because I'm already thinking about how they're quick and easy and great little procrastinator finishes (and if I put them on the list they'll stop whispering in my ear!)

7. Primitive Gatherings' 10th Anniversary Stitch a Long

I love this little project. The pieces are small - those corner stars are 3 1/2 inches square! There's a few more borders to this one getting it all the way to 39 inches square. It was going to be my centre for the Roosting Robin (see #4), but I'm growing this with stash in rainbow colours and am going to need to do some more of my Halloween 1904 (#3 on the list) to free up some oranges.
I do have a yellow and a pink picked out for the next border and will play with it for a refreshing {mini} change.
{You can still find the instructions to make this one in the sidebar at Primitive Gatherings blog.}

8. Orphan Christmas Words

I found this in the pile of Christmas blocks while searching for fabric to finish my Christmas/Threads of Memory quilt top (#2).
I just need to blanket stitch around 'peace' then it can go back in the pile of blocks waiting to be made into a Christmas quilt.

9. Placemats to quilt

There are 4 here - ready to be quilted. They stare at me every time I sit down to sew. If I'd had a little more mojo at Christmas I would have snuck these in when I was finishing gifts. As it is, they will get done before the end of March!

10. Scrap block with desires of being an apron

This one just grew out of playing with leftover half square triangles from my free placemat pattern. I have some more hsts and some more scraps of the chocolate fabric. I think it would make a fun Valentine apron.
It's on the list which gives me permission to play with it. ;)

11. (I know this is a ridiculously LONG list!)
Batik mini 9 patch wall hanging

This one is still on my design wall like this.
I want to cut the remaining charm squares into 1.5 inch strips and do a border followed by a blue batik border.
Then it will be a top - this will get it checked off the list.
 I kind of know how I want to quilt it so it might get quilted this year too. Might. It's joining a long list of tops!

Overachiever? Yes.
Over planner? Yes.

But, I'm doing all this in my head all the time. Maybe I'll stop over planning or make doable plans if I put it out here - make it readable/real.

{Side note here that I am also thinking about the quilt that JUST needs quilted for my daughter (birthday in March), the wallhanging for my husband that JUST needs quilted (birthday in March) and the fact that it's a BIG birthday for my mom (in March!) Not officially on the list, but it would be nice if I became Superwoman for the month of February and made miracles happen in the quilting department. . . Maybe I will realize from this list making that these quilts can be quilted in time for Christmas and they can be put into next quarter's list - if this quarter's list shrinks!}

I think I should have made this list last year!

Oh well. I will update monthly on progress from the list.
Then at beginning of April I'll make a new list. It might look a LOT like this one!
We'll see.


Wishing you Joy in your life,

Sarah V

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Starting to Look at Sashing

I'm not an expert on quilts, but I have looked at lots of them to figure out what I like and why the quilter did what {usually} she did to make her quilt work. Mostly I've looked at quilts with pieced blocks because those are the type of quilts I  have been most drawn to make.

Here's some observations I've made about Quilts with Pieced Blocks.

My Sew Modern Bee quilt - Liberated Churn Dashes

Many pieced quilts are made with one block repeated to create the quilt. These can be traditional blocks or more modern blocks, like my Liberated Churn Dash, which may not be symmetrical in design, but still sewn beside each other to create the quilt.

quilt I'm making for my son

Many are made with two alternating blocks to create a secondary design. 

UFO sampler quilt

Many 'first quilts' are sampler quilts - a collection of different blocks usually joined with sashing.

{My quick definition: Sashing is the addition of blocks or fabric  placed between blocks to create harmony in the overall design.}

Sashing! Lots of things to observe here! 

Traditional quilts tend to add design elements from the block themselves to make the sashing.

Corner stones and half square triangles are good examples.

Sometimes the sashing has smaller, connecting blocks like ninepatches or stars.

A great place to browse through sashing options is the Layer Cake Quilt Along flickr pool. I've gotten a few ideas there for ways to sash some of my quilts in waiting:)

UFO basket sampler quilt

Sashing can be very obvious - it can be strips of fabrics which look like borders between blocks. In my Basket Sampler quilt top, you can see how sashing can join blocks of different sizes as well as blocks with different background colours very effectively. Adding sashing can be a fun way to 'build' a quilt with orphan blocks.

Sashing can be planned in the block design and used to created new designs between quilt blocks.

I noticed several of the blocks designed in this issue of Quiltmaker's 100 blocks have sashing elements in them. Some planning will be needed to join these blocks to different ones {neat patterns will appear if you repeat them!}

Several blocks already have borders as part of their design. You can make these borders the same colour as the background of the block to make them disappear - then you can add your own sashing to join these blocks to more blocks!

 

Sashing can make just about any group of blocks friends!

I'm 'planning' to work on several quilts next year that need sashing. I seem to have run out of time right now to start something new - surprised?! With American Thanksgiving next weekend and Christmas approaching fast, I'm going to be focussing on some tutorials for quick gift making. I've been working on quilting my son's Christmas quilt {getting there!} and working on writing patterns. My blog writing has suffered - lots of ideas in 'draft' but not much published. I'm hoping to do better next week!

I have started a newsletter - you can sign up for it in my sidebar. Once a month {or so} I plan to send one out, highlighting popular posts, and projects I'm working on. It will also feature special previews and coupons for my quilt patterns.

I'm also working outside of the home{like many of you!}, checking my Christmas lists {twice} and applying some tough love to my quilting time thanks to a business course I'm taking.

All this means I'm posting less, planning more, and making quilt pattern making more of my life!





Phew! Finally a post!
Sarah Vee

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A Blog Break

I've been taking a bit of a blog break. Actually when I went to type the title I spelled it "brake" and that would be accurate as well! Life is busy outside of blogland - who knew;)

I am still working away at my Lady of the Lake quilt. My header photo is from two years ago when I laid out my blocks across my bed! I'm much farther along now and did a big sprint last night. I'm not sure I will make my July 6 deadline, but I'm hopeful! My biggest mental stumbling block right now is trying to decide what to use for binding.
My biggest Physical stumbling block is exhaustion after working outside the home and then INSIDE the home when I'm done! I know you know what I mean!



My mom knows me pretty well, don't you think? I love both of these almost equally! One is a package of BRIGHT paisley napkins and the other - a layer cake of Wildflower Serenade. Thanks, mom - I have plans for both!

Don't you LOVE plans? I keep making them and the more I'm at my machine quilting, the more I make!

I haven't forgot about the quilt along. In fact, I've given it a name:

Follow Your Bliss Make Along

I'm gonna say it's a 3 month adventure - July 18 to September 18.
I'm planning a blog roll of participants, so if you know you want to join me, let me know through email or a comment and leave me a link to your blog.

Stay tuned for more from me next week!

Enjoy the Long Weekend!
Happy Canada Day AND Fourth of July!

Sarah Vee

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Drowning in my Lady of the Lake - Quilt Along, Anyone?

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be so dramatic. I am so close to a finish.
Some of my friends over at Pat Sloan's Quilt Mashup Forum even made blocks for me.




Enough that I will have another row in my quilt.




Enough so that I didn't have to do much at all to get this 11 year project that much closer to completion.



Enough so that I only had to make a few half square triangles to put this set of blocks together.
And that's it!


I have one more set of blocks to put together.


I have 2 rows of panels completely quilted and joined together.


A third is almost ready. The fourth is almost ready to be basted. The fifth is waiting in the wings.


I am cheering myself on with this post.
So many ideas are trying not so patiently to take me away from this project - again.

I am seriously thinking about a QUILT ALONG
- almost a challenge/artsy quilt along.

{My idea machine has tentatively called it My Hurry UP and WAIT Quilt Along. ahem}

But-the-ideas-are- flowing-so-fast-that- I -have-nothing- to-really-show-you.
I just wanted to tell you that I'm excited about it!

Would you Join Me?
Wanna Know More?

Leave me a comment and we'll see how quickly I can get this
Lady Quilted and on to
the Next Joyful Adventure:)

Sarah Vee

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Closet Confessions of a Quilting Procrastinator

I have been overwhelmed this week with the discovery of all my unquilted tops. They have been piled, rolled, shoved and stacked in piles in my sewing closet. After writing all 12 of them down {yes, 12!} I made a "September to do list". And I'm doing it!

Here's a peek at the back label for my sister's housewarming gift. I don't think I'll reveal it here until she receives it, but I'm hoping to be done the quilting today. Then binding over the weekend.



Right after completing my list of unquilted projects I got out Tong's fabrics for this month's Sew Modern Bee block. I know, I know! But it's just 2 blocks! Then I mail them away and she has to put the quilt together:)

Old habits die hard for me. I really want to participate in Pat Sloan's Lucky Charms Sew Along.
And I saw that Esther will be having a quick Christmas BOM.
Plus there will be the Minnesota hop with all those designers and their enticing projects!

But I really want to FINISH some things in my closet. I have plans for more and different things for next year and I really want to finish and enjoy what I've started.

I really want to get back to work on my Halloween 1904 quilt.


This is what I will cut and sew when I feel like I need to piece.


Wish me lots of luck, but more than that, perseverance!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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