Stash report Week 8

I have the fabric for the fishy quilt to count this week, and a couple of 100 block challenge squares, so more fabric went out. I'm several weeks behind on the challenge, so I'm hoping to use part of tomorrow to fix that.

Used this week:      4 yards
Used year to date:   39.2 yards
In this week:           0 yards
In year to date:        91.5 yards
Balance                   +52.3

I am hoping this week to get the Chocolate Swirls baby quilt finished and off the frame, to get caught up on the 100 block challenge squares, and to get started on the 2nd My Tweets Bom square. Plus, I need to load, and work on the second of Evelyn's cross stitch quilts. And, I really would like to get that UFO # 10 done, as well. Looks like I know what I'll be doing for part of tomorrow, at least.

Back up and running

 After many frustrating hours, and taking apart my long arm, tightening and loosening screws and lots of teeny adjustments, I seem to be back in business. The test is going to be today, (I did all kinds of playing and making sure things were going well on plain muslin yesterday), when I load one of Evelyn's cross stitch quilts, and start to work on that. It is a custom job, with all kinds of starts and stops. I'll take a pic once I get it loaded, and some of the squares done. That's my goal for today. Plus, during the times I need to sit and rest my legs, I'll finish the last border on the blue/brown baby quilt, which I need to come up with a better name for, and maybe sew up some more crazy curves.

Fast forward a couple of days since that paragraph was
 written. The longarm is back to humming along,
 and the baby quilt, which I've decided to name
 "Chocolate Swirl" is finished. And, for the first
 time, I'm piecing a backing for it out of what
 was left from the top. One of the fun things about
 this quilt is that the deep chocolate colour of
the setting triangles, and the cream sashing
 and border fabrics are from the fabric I bought
to make Noel and Laurie's wedding quilt.
The chocolate brown is just about the last of
 this fabric, and I was able to us the border
 strips that I originally cut, that turned out
 not to be a good choice for the top And some other fabrics that I bought at the same time as the ones for the top that just didn't quite work with it, but now I can use them up, instead of having them just sitting on the shelves. I have
 to add a few more 5 inch strips to the back
 to get it up to the right size, then, once
Evelyn's quilt is done, I can load this one
 and get it quilted. So, that's my plan for the rest of the day, before I go in for a 3-11 shift at the hospital.

Wednesday goals

Judy Laquidara pulled a new number yesterday for the UFO Challenge and drew #10, which on my list is Crazy Curves It hadn't progressed any further than what was in that old post. There are enough pieces cut to make 56 of the 7 inch squares, and 30 of the small ones. So, I'll do them up, and see where it goes from there. The good news is, the big ones sew up fast. I did 17 of them last evening in about 20 minutes. The 3 1/2 inch ones are a bit more challenging.

I finished Amalia's last quilt yesterday, and it is HUGE! There is no place in my house big enough to spread it out. I think it must be for a large king size bed. It's a double 4 patch with Civil War type fabrics, which called for the always classic baptist fan quilting design. I really like the way she laid out her squares to get the barn raising design with the light squares around the outside, and the cross hatch in the middle.

Now, to today's to do list:

1. Load, and start quilting Shakespeare in the Park
2. Sew a couple more rows of the baby quilt
3. Laundry
4. Sew some more crazy curves
5. call Amalia
6. Prep applique shapes for 100 block challenge square.

I've been making lists......

Very detailed lists, of things I want to get done. Todays list went like this:

Go to the library for audio books............ done
Start Amalia's 3rd wall hanging......... half done  There are 5 in total.
Do 2 Roll roll cotton boll paper units........... done
Do 2 thread lengths on the binding of Nine patch pineapple, which still isn't finished. This is my least favourite thing about doing quilts, and tends to get procrastinated forever............ done
Do one of the 100 block challenge blocks.............. done
Prep some applique shapes for this month's My Tweet's block.......... not done, add to tomorrow
Sew the binding to the Card Trick Quilt. .............. will be done by the end of the night
Do up some ideas for the layout of the "Here Fishy, Fishy" quilt for the grandbaby...... not done, add to tomorrow.

The reason for these lists is that, since finishing up the quilting on Card Trick on Monday, I've been floundering around, unable to figure out what I want to do, therefore not getting a whole lot of anything done. Plus, I want to give myself some push to just do little bits of the things I don't like to do, like hand sewing the bindings to the backs of the quilts. I figure if I write them down, as a reminder to myself, it will put the idea into my brain, and not get pushed to the background. Today is my second day of doing this, and it seems to be working.

Tomorrow's list looks like this:

Do 2 RRCB paper units
Do second 100 block challenge block for the week
Do 2 thread lengths of binding
Prep some applique shapes for My Tweets
Play with EQ5 for "Here, Fishy Fishy"
Finish Amalia's 3rd wall hanging.
Start machine stitching on applique squares. (This is what the audio books are for)

At the end of tomorrow, I'll do another post with pictures of the 3 wall hangings, and the 2 100 block challenge squares. Somewhere in there, I had better do something about some laundry, as well. (yuck)

Today I will.....

Today I will make a list of all the things I want to get accomplished today. It's cold and wet outside, the kind of cold and wet that is almost cold enough to snow, but doesn't, so it is just damp and dreary instead. But, we are warm and snug in here. Sometime before I got up this morning, Scott was up and built a lovely fire. So, I'm sitting here on the couch, with my laptop on my lap, all warm and toasty, not particularly wanting to get up and do anything. It's days like today I wish I could move all my sewing stuff down here to the living room. But, I think that would cause major revolution in the house, from my wonderfully patient, and understanding, husband. There is already a quilt on the floor, waiting to have it's ends tied in, another quilt on the rocking chair that I just finished tieing the ends in. The table beside the couch is covered with applique and knitting stuff, and books, and papers, and thread, and needles, and.......... I could give in, and enjoy the fire and work on some applique, but there is other stuff I want/need to get done. So, I will exercise some self discipline, (have I mentioned before that is not one of my strong points?) and make a list and work towards getting it done, so, here goes.

1. Make the binding, and sew it onto the 3 completed quilt tops.
2. Make the 4th square for Teaquilt's sew along
3. Take pictures, and write a post about the 4 finished blocks.
4. Decide whether I'm going to hand or machine finish the bindings.
5. Do some more work on some Christmas presents.

That should pretty much take care of the day. If there is time left, I will do some more on the Pineapple Nine Patch quilt, and see if I can get it to the finished stage.

Another finish

I have my Mac computer back, and all seems to be well with it. While I was unable to post pictures or anything, I managed to get my Connect the Dots quilt, designed by Judy Laquidara finished. I exercised considerable self discipline, while is not at all one of my strengths, and worked on it, without starting anything else, until it was finished. The last border went on last evening. I must confess that stating goals publicly here is helping with the self discipline thing, and I really like the feeling of accomplishment from actually finishing stuff. So far, off my goal list, is Evelyn's cross stitch quilt, which I didn't manage to get a picture of. This quilt was on that list, so it can be crossed off, and I have 2 of my own small quilts off the machine, and quilted, and waiting to be trimmed and bound. Not bad, considering it isn't the middle of the month yet. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I have 15 of the Pineapple quilt along blocks sewn together as well. But now, I must sign off and get ready for work.

November goals

Looking back at my October goals post, I have all, except 2 done. The embroidery for the raggedy quilt is still outstanding, and I haven't finished Evelyn's cross stitch baby quilt yet, although it is loaded onto the machine. So, that will be done in the next day, or 2. So, as it has been a quite successful experiment in writing down goals to work towards, I will do it again.

1. Finish Evelyn's quilt (brought forward from October)
2. Finish Christmas gifts. I love giving, and receiving home made gifts. They speak directly from the heart.
3. Sew together the rest of the Pineapple nine patch blocks.
4. Do the units for Judy's mystery as the steps are posted.
5. Quilt at least 2 of my finished quilt tops.
6. Finish the applique on the 4th, which is the last, of the Cactus Rose blocks
7. Start the border paper pieced units for Cactus Rose

Finishes

Looking back at my post from October 6 about my goals for the month, most of them are done. I finished of Charlene's tree skirts today, and the Double Duty quilt, by Rosie's Quilt Co. a couple of days ago. All that's left on that list are Charlene's bed quilt, which is going on the machine today, and Evelyn's cross stitch quilt. The Christmas gifts are started, and one of them is almost finished. So, I am giving myself a reward, and am going to participate in Judy's mystery quilt After I get Charlene's quilt onto the machine, I'm going to shop my stash, get the fabrics needed, and start cutting for clue # 1 Charlene is coming to pick up her tree skirts tonight,but, other than that, the evening is mine. Scott's at work for 3-11, I've just had my supper of Swiss Chalet chicken, delivered after being ordered on-line. So, I'm all fueled up, and ready to go. I do have a pic of the tree skirt, but I'm having trouble with uploading it onto blogger, so I guess it will have to wait to another time.

October Goals.

I really liked the feeling of accomplishment that came from writing down goals, and getting all but one done, back in September. So, I'm going to try it again. Most of them are going to relate to getting some quilts finished.

1. Quilt Charlene's tree skirts October 19
2 Make pies and stuffing for thanksgiving weekend  done, October 9th
3. Go to Collingwood for the weekend done October 9 & 10
4. Quilt Charlene's bed quilt
5. Quilt Evelyn's cross stitch quilt.
6. Start on Christmas gifts. (can't list them, they're secret!)
7. Finish Double Duty, brought forward from September October 16
8. Finish 3rd Cactus Rose block, and start the 4th done October 11
9. Do September and October blocks for Shannon's BOM done October 14
10. Do October embroidery for Raggedy BOM
11. Do unit 3's for Pineapple quilt-a-long done October 13

We're going up to Collingwood, to Noel and Laurie's for Thanksgiving this weekend, so I'm going to work on October's Raggedy Redwork embroidery in the car on the way there and back home. And, I'll take either Cactus Rose, or my basket, to work on while we're there. Oh yes, there is the stuffing to make, and some pies to do on Friday. Hmmmmm, 11's a good  number, for goals to do. Any more, and it might get overwhelming, so I'll stop there, and see how it goes. Now, to get started, and get those tree skirts loaded, which is quite the challenge, because of their odd shape. I haven't quite totally figured out how I'm going to do it yet. Probably float them, with lots of pins.

September Goals, revisited

I'm looking back at my post from the beginning of September, where I set myself some goals. And, I'm happy to say all, except one, are accomplished.

1. Vacation, sadly, done
2. Finish applique on second Cactus Rose block. Done, plus all the shapes prepped for the last 2, and the      third is about 1/3 on it's way to being done.
3. Finish unit 2's for Pineapple quilt-a-long. Done.
4. Finish Double Duty top. not done, yet, but I'm hoping to get to it this week on my days off.
5. Bind and hand sew down the binding of OBW. Done.

Added onto this was doing 12 Card Trick blocks for a swap that I'd entered, and forgotten about. They have to be done, and in the mail by the end of the month. All the elements for the blocks are done. They just need to be sewn into blocks. I was going to finish then yesterday, before going to work, but the seams aren't playing nicely together by going in opposite directions, and I got frustrated with trying to figure it out. Maybe today, before going to work will do it. When all else fails, cheat and clip them to get them going opposite. Pics will come later. The memory card on my camera is full, and I haven't had time to upload them, yet. Between working 6 out of 7 days, and having to clean up the mealy bug infestation, there hasn't been a lot of spare time for things like that. Hopefully, I'll get to it before Monday, so I can have some pics for Design wall monday. What spare time I have had has been spent playing with a new toy and a new project. Again, pics to follow later. Setting these goals for the month was helpful, I found, to give focus and something to work towards. I think I will do it again for October. And now, the card tricks, or my new project are calling.

September Goals

Ok, so I'm not a goal type person, but I've got so much going on here that I'm starting to for get what is is I'm doing or trying to accomplish. So, I will make a kist. It will be interesting to see if, at the end of the month , any of them are actually done.

1 Vacation, that one's easy.
2 Finish applique on 2nd Cactus Rose block
3 Finish unit 2s for Pineapple quilt along
4 Finish Double Duty top
5 Bind and hand sew down the back edge of the OBW.

Maybe I'd better stop there. Not included in that last is the 4 shifts I have left before vacation can start. And packing up the trailer and car so that we can leave right after Scott gets off work on Wednesday. I might sneak in my iron, and fabric and spray starch to prep more shapes for the last 2 Cactus Rose blocks. Depending on the weather, there might be a lot of time for stitching, outside in the glory of nature, if it is nice. Inside the trailer, if it is wet. Note to self... add a good light to the list of things to pack. And now, I'm off to have a shower, get dressed and go shop for some thread to match the colours of fabric for my favourite rose.

Goals for today

I really do have to do something today, besides playing on this computer, but I just can't seem to get the oomph to get up. I have to get to the library, since the overdue fines are mounting. I have to get to the specialty coffee shop, since I'm out of the good stuff, and the other stuff just doesn't cut it any more. (sigh) I've spoiled myself with this great coffee. And there is a customer quilt upstairs that is starting to nag me about getting it done. But, instead of doing all this stuff that I should do, all I want to do is sit at my sewing machine and continue building more quilts. So, maybe what I should do, is get all this other stuff done, get the customer quilt at least loaded, and then reward myself with some play time at my sewing machine. Sound like a plan? yep......... So, off I go to get it done.

To do, or not to do, making lists, that is

I have never been one to consistently make "to do" lists and then follow them. It somehow seems to block the free flow of creativity. Gee, that sounded good. Truth be told, I haven't got the self discipline to follow them. However, life is starting to get really nuts. Rebecca's wedding is in 6 months. During that time, I have 3 bridesmaids dresses to sew, after I significantly alter the pattern. Then there is my own dress to finish. Add to that working 6 to 7 shifts every 2 weeks at the hospital. Add to that doing clients quilts, not to mention finding time to have fun doing my own. I think I am going to have to find the will to make, and follow, some lists, or I'm going to end up in a huge panic. So, the question is, where to start? Daily lists, or weekly? How does it work? Maybe I'll start small, and try a list for today, and see what happens.
TO DO:
Sew buttons on Becca's coat
Best Buy store for phone
1/2 hour walk (that's what the phone is for. I'm scared of a slip and fall on the ice, and having no way to get help. Two friends of mine have done that, and broken bones in the past year)
Load Charlene's Postage Stamp Quilt
Finish Nov. Star block, and take picture, and post picture

Hmmmmmm, maybe that's enough for now. It will be interesting to see what is left at the end of the day