UFOs

First Friday of the Roaring 20’s

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No finishes … yet ….  But, I’m off to a roaring start for this year!

I have been working on a couple of UFOs.

Ode to 30s

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The picture on the right was the state it was in before Christmas … I made a few more blocks and added sashing and it is now sandwiched … the quilting can begin!  Oh … and I need to decide HOW to quilt it … it will definitely be a decision I’ll need to make with each block!IMG_5939.JPG

Summer Solstice

IMG_5864This picture, taken before Christmas, showed the only sewing I had done on this project.  One block …  However, all the pieces were cut and had been placed in numbered bags!  Whew … at least I didn’t have to figure out what fabric goes where.

To tackle this UFO, I decided I would work on it for ½ hour each day that I sat at the machine.  Well,  the first day, it took me about an hour to figure out what I was doing and got started.  Today, I have 8 blocks to the stage below.  IMG_5938.jpeg

PHD in 2020

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Have you joined in the PHD in 2020?  There is still time!  You can go to THIS POST for details and to add your link … you have until Jan. 14 to join!

The first part in tackling your UFOs to acheive your PHD in 2020 is making your list.  Many of you have already done that!

The next step in tackling UFOs is to do an analysis of each project.  You can read about that HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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PHD in 2020 – Jan. 1

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I know that today, some of you will be sewing … others will be busy doing other things … at any rate, sewing will likely be in your plans in the next couple of days!

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Have you joined in the PHD in 2020?  You can go to THIS POST for details and to add your link … you have until Jan. 14 to join!

The first part in tackling your UFOs to acheive your PHD in 2020 is making your list.  Many of you have already done that!

Now, let’s look at analysising how you can best tackle your UFOs.

#1 Analysis

The next part is to take out the first project you are going to work on.  Ask yourself, “Why did this become a UFO?”  If you can honestly answer that question, you are on the way to avoiding the same pitfall and letting that project languish as a UFO for more time.  If you can’t answer that question, here’s a few hints as to why it happened:

  • did you get bored with the project?
  • is it too repetative?
  • did too many squirrels (other projects that took priority) interfer?
  • is there a technique you dislike doing?  or is too hard to do?
  • did you get too busy to even make it?

#2 Analysis

The next question to ask is, “Is there something that will make the finishing of this project easier?”   A few solutions that I have used are:

  • treat it as a leader & ender … do small parts while working on another project
  • work on it for a limited time (set a timer if you need to) each time you have the opportunity to sew

#3 Analysis
You’ve already analyed the potential problems with your project … now, to quote Nike, “Just Do It.”     Now Go and SEW …

The UFO I’m going to work on  …

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Summer Solstice.  I have chosen this project because I think that it has the most road-blocks for me and I’d like to get ‘er done!

As I Analysed it … the answer to “Why did this become a UFO?” was hard to answer.  I think part of it is that it is a paper-pieced pattern and I can’t do Leaders and Enders while working on it.

As to “What can make it easier?”  I’ve decided that I will spend at least 15 minutes a day working on this project.

Link up and show us the project that you are working on!  Remember, you can link to an Instagram post, Pinterest post or a blog post … it’s totally up to you!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

 

Last Monday of 2019! Plans for 2020!

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

Plans for 2020

I don’t make resolutions … they never work for me.  However, I do make PLANS.  Plans can be changed … in my mind, resolutions are sort-of set in stone and unchangeable.

My plans for 2020 include:

  • Obtaining my PHD in 2020 (obviously, eh?)
  • Learn how to sew curves!!! I’ve signed up for a class in January!  I want to master, or at least feel more comfortable sewing curves!
  • Use up my stash!!!  Dare I aim for using at least 100 yards?  Can I avoid purchasing fabric???  Lofty plans … but I’ll try!
  • Having a Baby Quilt Marathon on the blog … likely in July – but subject to change.  And, same as last year, if participants want to work on specific projects and not baby quilts- that’s fine!  All that is required is a concentrated effort to work on a project for 26 hours during the time from ?? date to ?? date.   See HERE, HERE and HERE for some posts about the 2019 Baby Quilt Marathon.
  • Have a Baby Quilt Sew-a-long … the EQ picture is done, just need to write out the pattern and figure out the details.  This may happen during the marathon, I haven’t decided yet.

OK … OK … I know you’re wondering, why so many Baby Quilts?  The quilt guild I belong to makes baby quilts for several different charities.  I have TONS of fabric and it’s fun to make small quilts.  Usually they are pretty quick to make.  Occasionally, I practice a different free motion motif on them, sometimes it’s just straight stitching.  Anything goes.

PHD in 2019: Quilting UFOs and Finishing New Projects

YES!!!  I have completed my PHD in 2019!!!!

Emily, from The Darling Dogwood, also completed her PHD in 2019.  YAY, Emily!!!

I haven’t heard from the others, so am not sure if anyone else has completed their PHD in 2019. Continue reading →

PHD in 2019! DONE!!!

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These are the 3 baby quilts that were started this fall.  They were all donated to the guild.  And they were fun to do.  The one in the middle and the one on the right had flannel on both sides.  I learned that it is difficult to FMQ a 2-sided flannel quilt.   When I tackled the pink one, I just did straight lines with my walking foot.  The quilt didn’t stretch as much and it was way easier to do!  The one on the left had quilting cotton on the top with flannel on the back.  It was very easy to free-motion quilt the wavy lines. Continue reading →

Do you have too many UFOs?

/ quiltinggail / 30 Comments

If you do – Join me to achieve your PHD in 2020!

Some of you ask, “what is a PHD?” … you know it’s got to have something to do with quilting, but usually a PHD refers to an academic degree.

PHD, in quilting terms, stands for Project Half Done.  Well, it doesn’t necessarily have to be HALF done … it can be started and then put aside.  Many quilters know these as UFOs:  UnFinished Objects.

Do you have a zillion UFOs hanging over your head?  All those projects that you want to get done, but they don’t get done?

And do you start a zillion projects each year, that adds to your ever growing UFO list?

Then you need to join me for PHD in 2020!

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM Continue reading →

Smith Mountain Morning is DONE, done, DONE!!!

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I started this quilt while at a workshop with Bonnie Hunter at Camp Arnold in 2015.  I’ve been working on it pretty steady for the last few months.  I made it bigger than the pattern … it is 89″ x 89″

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IMG_5775I did graffiti quilting, using Aurifil #2000 and just over 9 bobbins!  It took me quite a while to quilt it!  I used Hobbs 80/20 for batting!  I’m almost through the roll that I bought  a year ago!

This is my 13th UFO for this year!  Now, as soon as I get 3 little baby quilts completed, I will have acheived my PHD in 2019!

PHD in  2020?

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I’ve been asked if I’m going to do the PHD in 2020 … The answer is YES YES YES!!!

I have a ton of UFOs still left to do –  so, I’m going to continue doing this.  It certainly helps me to complete old UFOs and with finishing all the new starts, I don’t add to my UFO list.  Win-win, wouldn’t you say?  I’ll be posting more about this in the near future!  In the meantime, gather up your UFOs and be ready to join in the fun!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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3D Challenge #2

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I posted about Challenge # 1 HERE.

Island Batik did not say we needed to do 2 challenges this month … this was my choice.  Especially since this project is also 3D.  And,  since I need to make sewing machine covers, this just made sense to me!

IMG_5774 Continue reading →

PHD in 2019 November update

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Baby Quilt Making Day

The Boundary Bay Quilt Guild gives numerous baby quilts away to various charities in the lower mainland.

The co-ordinators of the program had a Baby Quilt Making Day.  You come and make … guess what – a baby quilt!   There are kits you can choose from, tons of fabric to make up a kit of your own, or you can bring fabric from home.

I choose to make a quilt from my stash … I’m on a mission to decrease my stash – one yard at a time – so it was the obvious choice.

My only regret about baby quilt making day is that it was held on Nov. 30.  Which, according to my own rules for PHD in 2019, this quilt must be finished before Dec. 31 for me to recieve my own PHD in 2019!

Here’s a slide show of everyone at the Baby Quilt Making day:

Continue reading →

Isn’t he cute?

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Meet Randy the Rhino!!!  He is one of the wonderful patterns available at Funky Friends Factory!  If you sign up for the Funky Friends newsletter, you can get a free pattern for a bear!  And Funky Friends provide fantastic directions as well as pictorial tutorials. Continue reading →

Retreat accomplishments – some …

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Oh my! The retreat was a great time.  They always are!  So many different projects, so many ideas, so much help … so much food … and 2 people brought halloween jellies and candy corn … groan!  … too much sugar …  click HERE to see the slide show of other people’s projects.

SEW … What did I get done? 

fullsizeoutput_bdf Continue reading →

A Retreating I will go …

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Oh YEAH!! A retreat!!!

I love retreats!!!

There are a group of 18 17 of us going to Edenvale in Abbotsford. 17 because one lady is too ill to attend! 😦

What am I taking?   A zillion things … WAY more than I’ll get done!

Continue reading →

PHD in 2019 – October Update

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I have another finish!!  I cut into my Island Batik rayon and finished a top!  It’s the same pattern as the one I showed last week (see HERE) – except I altered the neckline a bit.  It fits perfectly!  My hubby is not home at the moment, so no photos with it on me! Just one of it pinned onto the design wall!img_5651-scaled-2560-e1572571190440-scaled-2560.jpg Continue reading →

How to get rid of a UFO without going crazy

/ quiltinggail / 23 Comments

I’m working on Smith Mountain Morning from Bonnie Hunter’s book “Scraps & Shirtails II.” You’ve seen the odd picture in recent posts … It’s a UFO from 2015 that was started in a workshop with Bonnie at Camp Arnold – near Seattle. Washington.  The workshop was fantastic!!  The quilt will be fantastic!!  (visit Bonnie’s blog Quiltville.com for lots of eye candy and free patterns.)

I think I might be going crazy!  Who in their right mind starts a quilt with 3 million pieces (don’t count them, I just might be exaggerating! but not by much). And then decides that she wants to make it bigger?  YUP – I was crazy when I made that decision! Continue reading →

Monday’s Progress …

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

I have been sewing.  Smith Mountain Morning is slow going …. tons of pieces fro each block … but I’m determined to get ‘er done!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Several projects are now in progress:

  1. Smith Mountain MorningIMG_5631
  2. 52 blocks in 52 weeksIMG_5630 
  3. A secret project is still in progress, but has changed from this picture!IMG_5621

Continue reading →

Friday … Bonnie Hunter – revisited

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

I’ve been sewing … a lot …  but not a lot to show for it.

I saw this picture on a facebook page … and just cracked up.  The skeleton is obviously working on hand quilting “Good Fortune.”  It’s Bonnie Hunter’s mystery from last year.  And, I love the soft colours that were used!  Or have they just faded over time??? (grin!)

Sarah Young

Continue reading →