Discipline in 2014
 
Seriously? My last post was in September??  I know excuses only satisfy the one making them (right?) but it is hard taking time away from sewing to write up a new post. Does it get easier?

Well, I have been busy. I do not normally make more than one of anything but these little mice were too much fun. I made one for all the girls in the family. I would like to make more but this should do it. The pattern is from Fig Tree Quilts. Don't you love their colors and style??

I made a soft yellow, green, and brown quilt using Fig Tree fabrics. It's setting is a medallion style and I would like to add one more border. It is on the UFO list. Which brings me to the real subject line to this post...

I'm thinking about a UFO challenge. I love new years and the thought of ringing in the new, don't you?. This must be some kind of sickness because I am real good about starting something new. Ah, the delight! The inspiration! The fever to keep working. Who needs sleep? I love the high! 

And I do not loose interest. I love ALL my UFOs...it is just I begin another project (and a new rush of excitement) and the old ones slip back in priority. So this coming new year, 2014, I need to make a goal for completing some of these beauties and pass them on to those who may enjoy them. FREEDOM!!

I belong to the yahoo group, Stashbusters. They have challenges too and I love to celebrate with the others' accomplishments. I just have to solidify my goal into numbers...and go through the cupboards and prioritize.

And isn't it funny how working on one unfinished project sometimes generates another??  I mean, you can't just throw away those extra strings and squares! I have those organized in plastic drawers for some "scrap therapy". And so the story goes on.

I jumped in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt project a few weeks ago. You just can't go wrong with Bonnie! I love her designs and I love her challenge of 100 of this, and 100 of that. No whining, she likes to say! Just keep sewing. 

This mystery is called Celtic Solstice.  I have been keeping up so far but I do hope she soon gives directions in putting these units together. I can't wait to see the result.

I love the colors she suggested but I have no idea what or where this quilt will go when completed. Once the beds are covered, quilt making is for the pure joy of making them, you know.

So, back to step 5 on my Celtic Solstice. And to tabulate a list of projects to finish this coming new year. 

Work in Progress - FINISHED!

   I have been busy making my deadline. I finished the "Eldorado Canyon" quilt top and it is now at the long arm quilter's. I am so glad to have it done and checked off my list. I have always wanted to make something using the Stonehenge fabric line and this quilt turned out beautifully. My only tip for you if you make this quilt yourself is to follow the directions for pressing exactly so you do not run into trouble when joining the blocks into rows. I still managed to have a few "bumps". 

   I have come to believe that pressing correctly is directly related to flat, even blocks with precision piecing. And it also lessens the need to pin on simple seams. I especially love it when the seam allowance on the top fabric faces the needle and the seam allowance on the bottom is facing towards me. The top fabric just slides right into position for an exact match! 

   Do you have any pressing tips to share? Or helpful links on Youtube? Wouldn't it be great to have a big screen TV on the wall in your sewing room that is internet ready? It would be like your own personal tutor. Sweet!

 Today I went to a lecture presentation by Mary Huey.  Her lecture was on taking control of your UFQ's. You know, those unfinished quilt projects that we all have stored around. It was so motivational, and got me thinking through her ideas to "repurpose" my projects - regardless of where they are in the finishing (or starting) process. Once I finish our fall jobs (washing windows, putting the gardens to bed) I will be making a mess in the sewing room sorting and resorting all those UFQs with the goal to finish them up and move on! How exciting!!  Maybe I'll try Mary Huey's challenge!

    Now to get back to my Love Entwined quilt. I am falling behind fast.

      

     Another quick entry on my progress working on Esther Aliu's Love Entwined BOM before our next part is posted. My compass is completed (hand pieced), the ring is attached and has the seam allowances basted under - ready for applying to the background. My little dots are appliqued. These little puppies were a challenge to be sure! I gathered the raw edges as you would for making yo-yos and appliqued them down. Of course I read a better way to do these after I finished, but they are done.

Back side of compass

     My mother always told me that the back of your needlework should be as neat as the front. This definitely is the case with piecing and pressing seam allowances. I lightly whip-stitched the edges also because I am so obsessed with hanging threads! Silly.

     My yellow center star seems a little "blouse-y" (for lack of better words). I think I may baste some batting to the back - kind of my own trapunto. Another technique I have never tried. The first of more to come as I work on this quilt. Was this coverlet quilted? Or was it a summer cover with a backing and no batting? There is so much applique that I am wondering if there will be any room.

    

     The center square is prepped and I'm beginning to get everything placed. See my curly 6-petal flowers? They will lay flat once they are basted. I have 8 zig-zag units prepared but not pictured. What? I think there are 160 so I have much catching up to do!! And part 3 is coming this Thursday.

     Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you, Esther Aliu, for making all this possible! It is a joy to be part of this process.

     What a challenge I've entered! And I can't remember how I found Esther Aliu's site but I am so very glad I did. Esther drafted a quilt that was made in 1790 England. It was featured in Averil Colby's book, Patchwork, printed in 1956. We don't know where this quilt is today, or that if it even still exists but hopefully with this new interest through Esther's efforts this lovely work will be found. Visit Esther's site to read more about Love Entwined and how you too can join in this journey.

     I've chosen various fabrics from Moda's French General line, a few from Makower, and may even include a few batiks as Edyta Sitar does so beautifully...if I am brave enough. My background is a soft cream from Moda and it drapes so nicely. I think it will "play" well and contrast nicely with the colors I've chosen - which are my interpretation of the colors Esther has recommended. The original picture of this "fine marriage coverlet" is printed in gray-scale so we can only make educated guesses.

     I marvel as I visit other participant's blogs and see the colors and fabrics they have chosen. My confidence in this area is a bit shaky. I chuckle as I say that because this whole endeavor shakes me up! It is all part of the thrill I guess, and to quote Esther, "an adventure is not complete unless it is challenging as well."

           I'm striving to keep these fabrics in the box I have purchased to help keep me organized. This project may get messy with all the fussy cutting and small pieces. And a notebook with page protectors to store each month's directions from Esther.