Practice what you preach

 OH MY GOSH!!!!!   We had so much fun at the Virtual Retreat. And I accomplished so much - way more than I normally would. And can you believe - I didn't shut the call down until 10:30 last night. I'm dead serious -- we had a NORMAL conversation, the same as if we were in the room together. The best part? There was me, someone from Ottawa, and two others in northerly regions of Ontario. Totally distanced apart, and we would NEVER be able to do that in person. Am I hooked on Zoom? Oh, you bet! What I love is that even if your friends move away, you can still stay connected. 

Here's the best news - we had so much fun that we're going to do it this coming weekend! I was supposed to be going away for a sewing retreat this weekend. That's not happening, so technically, I have five free days!!! I do have a couple of things scheduled, but I'm going to host another retreat. I'm going to change up the hours a wee bit. I'll do Saturday evening (6:30 - whatever) and Sunday - it might just start a wee bit later on Sunday. I have to give the timing a bit of thought. 

Anyway - that's your heads up - we have so much fun. Nina from Germany stopped by, as well as a couple of people from Western Canada. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! And YES -- we did solve the world's problems! 

On the weekend, I gave a talk on UFOs - what they are, how to deal with them, and how to get motivated to get them done or deal with them. I figured I'd better practice what I preach. So yesterday, I worked on UFOs.

I'm happy to report that the second quilt from that mystery quilt debacle is now done. This quilt is 82" square. The other one is about 74" by 80". All the components were supposed to be in the SAME quilt - that would have been gigantic!!! I'm happy that I made two quilts. 

Mystery quilt top - DONE

I had a big chunk of this fabric, and I made the backings for the two quilts, the border for both, as well as the bindings, and I still had this much leftover (it's doubled up in the photo). That was a good feeling to not have to scrounge around for fabric. 

Leftover fabric

I forgot to take a picture of the backing, binding, and top, but trust me - it's done!!!

Then it was time to move to something else. I have two UFOs to work on this month, and I figured I'd better get motivated and start to work on the second one now instead of the night before. I should take a picture of the pattern, but it's a double wedding ring quilt with star points. It's paper-pieced. My job this month is to get all the components assembled. Here's what one block looks like. It's gorgeous. 

One block of my double wedding ring quilt

I have this same quilt to make for a student that was in my class. She passed away a couple of years ago, and her daughter asked me to finish the quilt. I decided to get that one organized first. 

Bless her heart for being organized, but the project came to me in EIGHT of these containers. I had pared it down to six after finishing the arcs, but six of these containers is still overwhelming my current project space. 

Paula's double wedding ring project

After what I accomplished yesterday, I was able to pare it down to four containers. Two containers hold the bits that are ready to be assembled into blocks. The other two hold partially completed units or extra papers for paper-piecing the blocks or extra fabric. 

The project is now in four bins

And I was able to repurpose both containers, moving a couple of my other UFOS were in plastic or paper bags, so they stack a whole lot neater on the shelf. 

Repurposing the two empty bins

OK - besides organizing it all (which in itself was a huge accomplishment, and I was thrilled), this is what else I accomplished with that project. I finished all the melons. Let me rephrase that - I have no idea how many of these units I need. I'm making the project larger than the pattern but not quite as large as Paula had intended to go. I'm hoping there are enough pieces to make a second quilt that I'll donate. But I'm not into counting all these pieces. I literally sewed until I ran out of the fabric that she had cut. 

Some melons for the double wedding ring

Yes - -Paula had cut a LOT of fabric but didn't have a chance to get it stitched up. Not only did I finish these melons, but I got them trimmed. That was thanks to a few lingerers on the call last night. We chatted about travel, and well, before I knew it, those pieces were trimmed. 

Trimming and chatting

Once I finished sewing the melons, I figured I might as well keep working on this project. It's not that it's confusing, but there are many components, and she used different colors for the background, so I decided to forge ahead. 

I made some of these units. 

The green half of the star point

And I made some of these units. 

The purple half of the star point

I did get some of them trimmed this morning, but that will be a job for Monday sewing. And I have about 50??? more units (a few of each color of the star points) to sew. Then I'll have run out of all fabrics that she cut. 

I was curious to see what the quilt would look like, so I threw a couple of the edge blocks on the wall. 

A small section of the quilt

WOW -- I know that looks a wee bit of a mess, but I LOVE the colors. It's quite beautiful in real life. I've decided to work on that this morning, so I laid out the blocks so they would be ready to sew once the components are done. Once the blocks are together, I'll have a better idea of where I stand on what needs to be done next. 

The block components ready to sew

And I must NOT forget that I need to work on the components for my version. The arcs are done, but the other pieces are not. Fortunately, they don't take that long to assemble, but we all know that everything takes way longer than we think it will. 

And one more Snail's Trail block is done. One unit is partially together, so I'm super close and maybe today's the day that it'll get done!!!

Snail's Trail block

I was having so much fun yesterday that I didn't even go for that second walk. WHAT?? That's unheard of!! I'll be making up a bit of the lost mileage this week. It's not that I'm behind - I'm slightly ahead of the game, but if I don't keep up the pace, I'll never catch up. It's an aggressive goal, and barring major injury, I WILL NOT let that goal escape me. It's important to me, so I'll walk through sleet, rain, snow, heat, and cold, but it seems that a Virtual Retreat will stop me cold!!

Have you checked the surface of your car lately? Mine is covered with a thin film of crap. At first, I thought it was dust, but it's green - POLLEN!!! My car looks like it's been sitting abandoned for years. In fact, I drove it the most this past week since the pandemic started!

I was so excited at my progress on that UFO that I couldn't stop last night. And I was excited to get started at it again this morning, so I was up bright and early. I'm just as excited as if I started a brand new project. And that's one of the key things with your UFOs. If they don't excite you, you really need to get rid of it - sell, trade, giveaway, repurpose, but you NEED to do something about it. Your family will love you when they have to clean out your sewing space. 

I need to keep the momentum going on this project - it will not get done overnight. It's like my walking goal - it's a priority, and it WILL get done. Both of them!! 

So that's exciting! I have more stuff that I pulled out to work on, but I'll save that for another day to share with you. 

Om that note, I've got to get rolling. I got some urgent e-mail done yesterday, but there are still a few more things to do before starting sewing at 10 AM. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

UFO Show and Tell

UFOs are NOT unidentified flying objects. At least, not in the world of quilting! Nope - that means UNFINISHED OBJECT. And there are a ton of other acronyms that have so cleverly been put together over the years. OH MY -- I just found a site with a LOT of acronyms. Check them out! Some pretty funny ones. 

Before I get to the show and tell, I need to clarify one small detail about my wee rant yesterday. Some people sign up for classes with excellent intentions. Then life deals them a blow, and they are not able to continue or even to start. I know of several people in my classes this happened to. I know these people are not the ones to sit on the fence, so that comment was NOT directed to them. Nope - it's the ones that have NO intention of ever doing anything in the class; they are there just to watch. 

I have to say, it's a bit unnerving sometimes. Are they spies for another teacher? What do they do with my notes? Do they share them with someone else? Do they turn around and teach the class? I had that happen - someone attended my classes (and did the project). Then I discover thery used my ideas and tips and taught the same class at a different shop! That has happened more than once. What can you do?? 

I don't know that they handed out my notes, but they definitely used my schedule and ideas. But you know that flattery is the best form of a compliment. I don't mind people using my notes for their own personal use, but to take my ideas and then teach a class? Sigh.............

There is no shortage of enthusiasm in this house, and certainly, the sky is the limit as to find new things to learn. The list keeps getting longer and longer, and I discovered something in the last week, and well - I can't go there today, but perhaps later this week. I'm so excited, and let's just say that a HUGE BLACK hole just opened. I thank my family genes EVERY DAY for being blessed with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity. I don't need anything else in life - I'll be entertained until my last breath!!

But I digress -- it's time for some Show and Tell. It was a busy weekend, with loads of show and tell. Today, I'm tackling the UFO homework. I'm happy to report that NO MONEY went into the kitty this month. This group is COMMITTED, and I love it. We motivate each other, and that's all that counts. The number of UFOs is slowly being diminished, and well, I couldn't ask for more. 

And on that note, let's get started. 

These are NOT in the order that they got presented to the group. They are the order that they appear in my folder. 

I'm first! OK -- so I was so happy, I got the photos from everyone on time, and the presentation was done. Then I get to my page and a total blank! While I finished my project, I had totally forgotten to take a picture and put it in the presentation. Thankfully, I turned my computer and the group could see it on the wall behind me!!

Here is the FIRST of two quilts from that mystery quilt project. All those blocks were supposed to be used as the border of the giant original quilt. I added a solid sashing between the rows and added an inner border around the entire thing. Then I used up most of those strips of the busy print and then one more skinny red border. It's the perfect size for Quilts of Valour. I need to make the binding and the backing and move onto the second quilt. Am I happy? You bet!!!!

My completed quilt top

Colleen got her scrappy butterfly quilt together. That is a LOT of sewing. And it's funny how you peg people. She is the last person I would say would be into scrappy, but she loves it, and she's good at it!!! Way to go, Colleen. 

Colleen's Tulip Time, minus borders

She also finished up the quilt top for one of the July Shop Hops. I believe this one was 2016. Some piecing, some applique, and a huge learning curve as she just bought a new sewing machine. 

July Shop Hop quilt 2016

Slow and steady is Dede's motto. Here are four more blocks from the Dear Jane quilt. She's working on the blocks that can be paper pieced. This was a class that I taught a number of years ago, and we greatly changed up the methods of putting this one together. Way to go, Dede!!!!

Four more Dear Jane blocks

Diane is working on her LAST (absolute) last Celtic quilt. This was from the Northcott Stonehenge fabric collection several years ago. Shops created a block using the collection, and consumers purchased kits or patterns. This is Diane's fourth (and LAST) quilt using her purchases. 

Progress on Diane's Celtic Stonehenge quilt

Elaine got her Loon Quilt quilted and trimmed. This one has been around for a LONG time, but it's done, and that's all that counts!! Way to go!!!

The Loon wall hanging is now quilted!

Jane is working on a T-shirt quilt. I love when people give themselves a commitment and then go further. She was only going to get five T-shirts stabilized and cut. Nope - she got almost all of them done. Awesome job, Jane!!!!

T-shirt blocks 

More T-shirt blocks

And instead of making ONE block for her bargello table runner, she completed the entire thing!!!!  Yep - once you get going, the job isn't nearly as bad as you thought it would be. 

Jane's bargello table runner

Katheleen is a great example of practice making perfect. Years ago, she took the leap into the free motion world, and her quilting is AMAZING. So her goal was to quilt one more of the blocks in this quilt. These blocks are huge, and that was a pretty intense couple of hours to complete this. Awesome job!!!!

Gorgeous free motion quilting

And she got her cow quilt assembled. This was the result of a group exchange we did a number of years ago. It's so darn cute!!! The backing and the binding are also done, and it's ready to be quilted!! Yahoo!!!!

Katheleen's cow quilt

Linda W. was busy as a beaver this month. She got the binding put on this giant quilt. 

Linda's quilt with the binding

Then she quilted and bound this house quilt. 

Linda's Covid house quilt project

And I love what she did with the backing. 

And this is the backing

In addition, she's working on her Aunt Millie's Garden. This is stunning. The colors against the black background are to die for!!!! So the main part of the top is together, all the applique on the top is now done, and she's working on the borders. 

Linda's Aunt Millie's quilt

There's nothing like a bit of cash and some peer pressure to get things done. Actually, it's not that at all. It's the focus!!!!

OK -- I have time for one more project. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow. This is Linda G's quilt top from over 20 years ago!!!  The final border is now on the quilt, and it looks awesome. There's just a wee problem  - those bow tie blocks are dimensional, and she has a long arm. So that means those 3-D bits will have to be tacked down in order to stitch a design, or it needs to be done custom. 

Linda G's quilt top

And I noticed on the screen behind Linda that she has partially assembled another top that was on her UFO list last month. She didn't have any homework assigned to that project, but she's working on it.

Don't get me wrong - I love the 3-D effect, but when it comes to quilting? I could kill the person who thought dimensional blocks are so cute. I mean - flying geese in 3-D - gorgeous, but a pain to quilt. 

OK -- so I thought I'd get ahead of the game and sign up for the sessions at Quilt Canada. Only to discover that I have time conflicts with BOTH of them. What are the chances of that? One of them is NOT being recorded. Sigh............  So I'll sign up for one lecture and one of the tours. I must try and get that done today. 

I did not get to the long arm, nor did I get to spend much time outside, other than my walking time. But that's OK - I was in the house on one or two computers doing some cool stuff and teaching classes, so I was OK. You can't do everything every day!!!

But as usual, it's another busy day! I've got a ton of samples to make, and I spent some time this morning assembling supplies. Except I cannot find the giant ball of pink chenille yarn. How can you lose something like that? Thankfully, I have other colors, but I really wanted the pink one!!

Oh well - it's time to get the day rolling!!  Today, it's all about mending!! Do you have something around the house that you have intended to mend, and you still haven't go there? Well, today is the day!! Get that item out, get the supplies to fix it, and get 'er done!!!!

Have a super day and get out and enjoy this weather if you can. 

Ciao!!!!

The Design Wall for Quilter's - Part Two

 A design wall is a CRITICAL part of a quilt studio. Why? You can't really appreciate what your quilt will look like, how the fabrics behave together, whether the values and colors work together without standing back and have a good long look. I've been known to throw stuff on the wall and then sit on a chair and just look. I would not be happy without my design wall. I'm working on my UFO, and here's what it looks like. 

I got all the rows stitched together for this quilt top. Now it was decision time. A cornerstone or not? I decided NOT. I've cut some strips of sashing and have one of them sewn on. A "little" more work and this had better be done for tomorrow. I am NOT willing to fork over $10 just because I couldn't find the time!

My UFO project

I was going to leave it like that, but just as I was about to turn out the lights this morning, I decided to see if that busy print would work for the border. AHA  - I LIKE this, and so this is what the quilt is going to look like. 

Auditioning the borders

I'm still on the fence about the other quilt top. I checked in the notes for what I committed to for the UFO homework, and it clearly states ONE of the potentially two tops needs to be done. I have a one-hour class this morning and the rest of the day is clear. 

Now I need to finish that custom quilt on the longarm, and there are quilts to trim, so that should be a priority, but I'll switch between the two to give myself a break!

Oh my -- I'm watching The Quilt Show and interspersing that with Podcasts from While She Naps (I went right back to the very beginning - so interesting!!!) and the live segments that Alex Anderson is doing these days. OH MY -- I'm learning so much - I just wish I would have been connected to this stuff YEARS AGO. But no regrets - I'll just keep plugging ahead. 

What I would love to know is how I "wasted" so much time before. I didn't design for magazines; I wasn't an educator for sewing machines. I did teach for one local shop, and although I did teach a lot, I must have had extra time. What the heck did I do with that? Well, we'll never know - so onward and upward!!!

I was going to call this post - The One that Got away. Oh my -- I had my phone in my hand, but it happened so suddenly, there was ZERO time to grab a picture, and it would have been magnificent. 

So it was glorious out yesterday, and I was outside for part of the day. I decided to view the backyard from a different angle. And this was my view. 

A different view of the backyard

It doesn't matter which angle you look at it - it's a beautiful space to relax, and it's peaceful. Well, except when Murphy is around. 

I was trolling around on my phone when I heard her fussing at the fence between that red house and us. Then I heard a bird SQUAWK and OH MY GOD - I glanced up, and a HERON was flying out of the neighbor's backyard. I saw him against the red house!!

There really was a heron flying in this space!

It was magnificent with its outstretched legs. It's huge. There was zero time to react! I wonder what he was doing in the neighbor's yard? Searching for food, but I didn't think they had a pond. The heron would LOVE to visit me with all those yummy fish, and I wouldn't mind if he stopped by, but PLEASE do not eat the big ones. Take a couple of the little ones!!!

We don't seem to have any babies in the pond this year, and that's a good thing. We do NOT need more fish. 

WOW  - if you want to read a bit more about heron noises, here's a link to do that. 

I took both girls to the dog park yesterday. I used to think it was far away, but gosh - I walk LESS when I take them to the park than if I take them for their walks. There are not many dogs there when we are there, and that's good. Slow and steady to introduce them to other dogs. Many other dog owners would think these girls are aggressive in how they play - they play very rough together. But they are both super sweet. 

Lexi was doing just great on her own, trying to coax Max to get off the table and play with her. 

Lexi and Max

They did play together for a bit, and then Max said, "enough!" He just wanted some cuddles from his owner. 

As I'm working on my quilt top, I'm back to making Snail's Trails blocks. Here's what I still have to sew. 

Progress on the Snail's Trail blocks

And here's one more block. I know - I've been working on these FOREVER. 

One more Snail's Trail block

I now have forty of the blocks for my All in a Row quilt. Eight more to go and then five for the mini quilt. I'll get there. Slow and steady - that's what it's all about - slow and steady!!!

The latest issue of A Needle Pulling Thread is now available. This issue is all about TREES. I had a quick preview last night, and there are some AMAZING quilts and other projects in it. Check it out!!!!

Let's just say that, while some of my computer woes are fixed, I'm still having a major problem with my laptop. That file that I couldn't delete and Microsoft helped me delete? Well, it's back. I've no idea what's causing that issue, and it's most annoying as I NEED that software. Is it a Microsoft issue? Or is it the software issue? I have a couple of notes to make, and then I'll be on the phone with both of them to try and solve the problem. 

I've been struggling with an assignment that I set myself in the embroidery world, and I don't do well when that happens. I get focused on the issue, can't let it go, and then nothing gets done. So I MUST let it go until I can talk to someone!! Let it go..............................    Me and technology - my best friend - NOT!!!

Well, it's time to get the day started. It's going to be another glorious day. I have work to do, but I'm sure I'll steal a few minutes to get outside, and perhaps I might even get my bike out. Gosh - I haven't even touched it - there just doesn't seem to be time. I NEED to make time! 

There's no decluttering task today. WAIT - yes - there is decluttering today. Do you have a garden shed? Can you get in the shed? Well, how about starting with the gardening tools. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Why you NEED a design wall......

 Thank goodness, my foot is fine. Holy -- that hurt a LOT yesterday - well, just in the morning. It doesn't seem to be bruised. Well, the color of your feet/toes is so bizarre anyway that how can you tell if there's a bruise? It's a bit red, but it seems to be fine! I'm a bit apprehensive, though - I don't want to bang it again. The bad sewing machine got moved out of the way, as I should have done the day before!

I accomplished a few things in the morning on the computer. The first was to chat with my friends at Microsoft to fix TWO things on my computer. As has happened in the past, I got a certain type of person on the first call, and they couldn't hear me, and I couldn't hear them, and so I politely thanked them and ended the call. I initiated another service call, and this time, I knew that we were going to get the problem fixed. 

Oh my --- BOTH issues were because of settings on my computer. OK -- but seriously --- I NEVER touch the settings for the junk folder. As a matter of fact, I didn't even know where the settings were. But they had been changed. Why? Can you tell me why??? So once that little box was checked, my e-mail comes into my in-box. I upped the level of security, and it seems to have gotten rid of ALL the junk mail. Oh boy -- that's exciting. There are still a few things going into SPAM, but not my personal e-mail, and I can live with that. 

The second thing was a bit more bizarre. When I went to copy or move a file, I got a random list of folders, NOT the file structure, as I was used to. I knew it had to be in the VIEW tab, but I couldn't find how to change it. Of course, it took the service person mere seconds to click the right button. Why didn't it work for me? Well, thank goodness for having a subscription and getting it fixed immediately. Now I'm a happy camper. 

Well, I still have to resolve that other issue on my laptop. I must do that today, although I don't really have time, I need to get it fixed. 

The other day, I got another giant quilt done for a customer. 

Customer quilt - DONE

I love when the quilting pattern works out right at the bottom. That's something else I must learn. There is so much that my head is exploding just at the thought of what I need to learn. 

The pattern was exactly on target

And I played thread chicken, and I won!!!! I wasn't worried as I have another spool of the same color. 

Almost empty spool of thread

So here's one reason why you need a design wall. Before I took that other quilt top off, I auditioned the borders. I'm not relying on the pattern since it's a dud!!! 

Hmm - I started off with a skinny red, then the busy print, and then more red. The busy print strips are already cut, so I'm trying to find a combination that will work with the strips. I could cut them in half, but trying to make what I have work!! This is not bad. 

Border version one

What if I remove the skinny red border? Hmmm - that's hideous. I don't like this at all. The two strips are almost the same width, and it doesn't do anything for the quilt. 

Border version two

I added the background fabric into the mix. Again, the three fabrics are the same width, and it looks awful. This might look OK on some quilts, but I'm not a fan. 

Border version three

So I made the background fabric smaller, and that adds a lot more interest. I might look at cutting that busy print in half and changing that up. The bottom line, I'm not a fan of this quilt for numerous reasons, and I just want to get the top done and stick it into the "to be quilted" pile. 

Border version four

Here's the status on the other quilt top that I'm making with the border blocks from this quilt. I now have six of eight rows together. I'm happy with this quilt, and I love the design. The big question is what color to put in for the cornerstone? Well, if the cornerstone is going to be red, then I don't need a cornerstone, but you knew that!! Do I use the background cream fabric or red like the sashing? I like the red better - it seems to anchor those larger squares better than having the white in the center. I'll finish the other two rows and then see where it goes with the second row of sashing. 

Progress on the second quilt

It's about the same work, either way. And I'm waiting until this center part is done before I decide on the borders for both. I may find that those busy print strips will work on this one. The big question will be, can I get them both done by Sunday morning??? 

I had hoped to get more work done yesterday, but I was tired, and I needed a nap. That's what having a late-night does to me! The next customer quilt is loaded, and now I'll have to finish it today or tomorrow. And that embroidery machine needs some attention! Yep - another busy day!!

So I was working on the flowers for the All in a Row quilt. I had everything cut, and as I was sewing, I thought - why is the background also the flower center? I think I will recut the flower centers and make them yellow or brown or some more appropriate color. Why didn't I catch this sooner??? 

A flower for the All in a Row quilt

And I managed to get the rest of the Snail's Trail blocks cut. I was missing bits for one block, and I needed to make five more blocks for my mini quilt. So I cut all light blues, and now I'm ready to get these done. 

The progress on the Snail's Trail blocks

Hopefully, things will move a little faster now that the Long Time Gone quilt is mostly done. But there's still a lot of work before June for that as I want to put a border on the quilt, and well, I have some ideas. It's hard to get stuff accomplished when you don't get a lot of time to sew in a day. Well, time to work on your own stuff!!! If I could get ahead of the paperwork, that would be great. And for the most part, the paperwork is done. Although I'm woefully behind in responding to some e-mails. 

But we were planning to slip away for a couple of days, which has now gone by the wayside. So I have FIVE days with nothing planned. I'll be using that time for ME!!!!  I can't wait, and I really need to schedule more dates like that. But with the weather getting so nice, it's hard to be indoors. 

OH - Elle just provided me with a link to a quilt she finished. If you have a TON of 2" square to be used up, check out this link. 

That sounds like a good area to tidy up! What about your fabric scraps? How are they organized? If you wanted to make that quilt with the squares, how readily could you put it together? I love to sort my scraps by color, and I have easy access to them. And I use them ALL THE TIME. My Long Time Gone quilt was made ENTIRELY from the scrap boxes, and a good part of the All in a Row quilt will come from the scrap boxes, as has the Schoolgirl Sampler quilt. 

OH -- here's a question for you. If you receive the link to my blog via e-mail, this feature will go away sometime in July. So I know there is BlogLovin' which you can use to stay in touch with the blogs. You'll get a link from BlogLovin' to let you know that I've posted. Does anyone else use another type of program to get blog posts in their e-mail? I'm doing some research. Send me an e-mail  - elainetheriault@gmail.com if you have another solution so I can pass it along to everyone. 

On that note, I'm out of here. I have a wee bit of paperwork to get under control this morning, and then I'll be downstairs. I have some writing to do, so I may sneak into the backyard to do that. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!!

Why does a project become a UFO?

For the most part, I'm happy with all my quilt projects. I like the fabrics I picked to work with, I like the pattern instructions, and I like the design. My issue is that I take on too much and literally run out of time to work on the project and that's why most of my UFOs are UFOs. Once I drag a UFO out and start to work on it, I get that same feeling of excitement as when I started. 

However, I have ONE project that's a nightmare. I've stitched a fair number of mystery quilts in my time and I'm done. I doubt that I'll ever do another one. The last one almost did me in. If a pattern is written logically, with good instructions for fabric choices, mystery quilts can be amazing, and I've had some great ones, and I've had some bombs. One bomb related to color was totally my fault. I should dig it out and show you. It's a good lesson in color. 

Anyway, Sunday is our UFO club, and I had chosen this UFO as my project. Since it's almost Sunday, I'd better get to work. 

This is a mystery from 2010? 2011?? For whatever reason, I decided to make the lap size AND the queen size. What the heck was I thinking? 

Here's the colorway for the lap quilt. It's done - well, the top is done, and it's sitting in the "to be quilted" pile. 

The fabrics for the mystery lap quilt

For the queen-sized quilt, I decided to buy the fabric recommended in the pattern. I'll start by saying this fabric is so NOT me; I have no idea what possessed me to buy it and make a QUEEN-sized quilt from it. It was a weak moment, to say the least. 

So, here we go - here's the pattern to the end of Step 7 or something like that. 

The center of the quilt as per the pattern

And YES, my quilt top looks the same. At this point, the top is 63" by 63" or something like that. 

My version of the center of the quilt

For the most part, I kept up with both projects. However, I distinctly remember having the final installment while I was working on Number 7. I did NOT peak ahead - big mistake. 

We merrily made these blocks which you figure are for the border of the quilt. 

Blocks for the border

So far, so good. THEN, I opened up the final installment, and I see this. I was MAD - hopping MAD. What designer would do this? YES - that outer border of the red is put together in PIECES. And the seams butt to each other in THREE PLACES along that seam. The instructions say to press the seams open to relieve awkward bulk. 

What a nightmare mess for pressing

This is how the border was to be assembled. 

Does this make sense? 

Let's say that I was not happy. Oh - I said that already. The project got shelved. I've tried to resurrect it on several occasions, and it just makes me mad, so it got put back on the shelf. I ran into the designer at a local show and complained bitterly about the pattern. OK -- I didn't complain bitterly, but I told her that I didn't like her instructions and that there were MANY other ways to put this together that made sense. 

Her response? "My quilt testers thought it was fine." Does she even use quilt testers? If so, they need to be taught how to press properly, or she was just trying to appease me. I don't know, but that was the lamest excuse in the world. Normally her stuff is bang on, with great instructions, EXCEPT that her pressing instructions are BAD. She did a sew-along several summers ago, and the pressing was totally wrong in the pattern. 

Well, after several attempts to figure out how to rejig those blocks into a border, I said SCREW IT. I'll make two quilts. 

I can't remember if I said I would have both done for Sunday or just one, but I'm aiming for both. 

I laid the blocks on the design wall. So nice to have the Long Time Gone quilt OFF that wall. 

So the blocks don't look half bad like that. I'll remove the red sashing along the right-hand side and add a row of sashing between the rows of blocks. Not sure if I'll add a cornerstone or not. 

The blocks on the design wall

I still have quite a bit of fabric to work with. I remember the quantities being an issue, or perhaps it was just for the back? I don't remember, but I know that it took a long time to find some of this fabric. 

The fabric I have to work with

Oh -- I had to laugh as even way back then, I was twirling seams!!!! 

Twirled seams

And here's what the quilt looks like after a bit of sewing this morning. The first two rows are together, and I think it's going to look just fine. I'll likely add a red sashing, and then who knows. I'll let the quilt tell me when we get to that stage. 

Progress is being made on the "new" quilt

Gosh, I've listened to so many podcasts, YouTube shows, and comments or posts on Social, that I can't remember where I saw this next idea, but I thought the idea was brilliant. 

In the mess of fabrics above, I found a charm pack. It was broken open, so I don't know if I had to steal from it or what. Anyway, how many of you have charm packs and have NEVER touched them?

A charm pack

That goes for pre-cuts as well. OH -- I think I read this in a magazine from 2013 that I had downloaded from the library. NO -- it was on the MODA fabrics blog. Anyway, this person popped open her charm packs, her jelly rolls, and her layer cakes. She then sorted them by COLOR and used them as her scraps!!! Now that is a brilliant idea. I know you're horrified, but I think it's a fabulous way to use these pre-cuts. Why? 

So you've bought a LOT of pre-cuts, yet you haven't used them. They look too pretty. And let's face it - so MANY of the colors, especially from the same designer are the SAME Color. Slightly different pattern, but SAME color. And most of the time, the fabrics within the pre-cut are useless to make a quilt. Not enough lights or darks, too many mediums, and then there's at least one or two (or more) that just don't belong. DO NOT BELONG!! What were the designers thinking? Oh yes -- they needed 42 fabrics, so let's just throw some oddball thing in there. 

Anyway, this idea of making scrap bins from pre-cuts is the best thing I've heard in a long time. 

I'm feeling in pretty good shape work-wise. I'm relaxed and calm, although the quantity of work that needs to be done is huge, and I don't seem to be making a dent at all. But that's OK - just keep plugging to the next deadline and try to avoid URGENT deadlines, and life will be good!!! 

However, this morning, a bad thing happened, and I knew it would happen, and I did nothing to prevent it. This is how accidents happen in the house. I was back and forth to the design wall, and a VERY LARGE sewing machine was sitting on an angle between me and the design wall. I was careful to sidestep around it. Then when I wasn't looking, the machine moved right into my path, and I whacked the side of my foot on that machine. Let's just say that the pain was so intense, I didn't even have the time or the breath to say a bad word!! Thank god it wasn't my toe because it would have been broken for sure. 

Let's just say that it still hurts, but I'll get over it. And I'm sure there'll be a HUGE bruise on that little toe later today. But life goes on! Can you tell that I grew up on a farm? There was no time for babying small accidents like that - you just move on!! I should be fine to walk this morning, but gosh darn it - that stupid thing hurt!!!

Another busy day ahead of me. One presentation, more writing, and a custom quilt. Thankfully, it's not huge, and I've got two days to get it done. Quilts to trim, embroidery to finish designing and stitch out  (I'm LOVING working with the embroidery software), and so much more. In the words of Alex Anderson, this is our hobby (OK - so - it's more than a hobby for me), but we should be savoring our projects. There's no need to rush through them. Savor your projects, work slowly on them and enjoy the process!!!!  I see so many people start something and have to RUSH to get it done. Why? Sewing is NOT a competitive hobby. Just saying. 

Since today was all about UFOs, I want you to dig out another UFO as I think we did that last week. How are you making out? Get it out - decipher what needs to be done. And do you want to finish it? 

On that note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!