Update on the King-size Quilt

Just wanted to let you know I have the last 3 strips base coated and I'm ready to start the 6 inch squares and 3 inch squares.  We just started to get rain/sleet/snow and I'm praying that the electricity doesn't go out.  That will put a real damper on getting this quilt done.  :-)

Task Two Of 2010 Final Countdown

 Task Two of the 2010 Final Countdown it to clean off a flat surface.  Before, I only had 3/4 of the table to work on.

After, Now I have the whole table back.  (And yes, I did put the items away and not on the floor. )  I need to do this with the daybed too.  I have way too much stuff on it.  Maybe for bonus points.  LOL

More On The 2010 Final Countdown

 I just wanted to show you what I found in the bin of this UFO project.  There are 3 paper bags: one has half-square triangles, one has scraps and the other has strips.  Lots of pieces.  Now I know why this has sat for so long, it's going to take a little time to figure it all out.  Plus lots of pages with instructions.  I know we added tape to our ruler to make it easy to find the 2.5 mark. (I still have the tape on the ruler.)

                                                            

There were some blocks that were done.  I have always wanted to make this type of quilt, so now is my chance. (After the king-size quilt.) 

Three More To Go!

I got one more strip done today, only 3 more to go!  I did get one of the 3 strips base coated. Feel like it won't be too much longer.

I was checking out Prairie Moon Quilts and Shelly has issued  "2010 The Final Countdown".  Check it out. http://prairiemoonquilts.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/2010-final-countdown-task-one/

I do know what my oldest UFO is, it's an embroidered top.  My mother gave me the kit in the mid to late 70's.  The kit was from Lee Wards. I have it all cross stitched and I want to hand quilt it. But, I have no idea where it's at.  So my oldest UFO won't be in this Final Countdown as I can't find it.  SO I'm going to have to pick some other UFO that is sitting around, waiting for me to finish it up.

Found one.  It's from a workshop I took on Oct 1st, either 1994 or 1995, called Dutch Inspirations Workshop.  It was taught by Shelly Burge.  http://www.shellyburge.com/  So this is the UFO I'm going to work on after I finish my king-size quilt for 2010.

I'm Back

We're back from Minneapolis where we spent Christmas with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.  What a blessing and joy it was.


I'm ready to hit the sewing again.  I got one strip base coated today and am ready to pin the 6 inch squares on.  I am sad that I'm not going to hit my goal of having this king-size quilt done by the end of the year, but it shouldn't take too much longer to finish it.  I decided I didn't want to push too hard to get it done, I want to enjoy the process. (That's why I sew/quilt.)

Been thinking that maybe I can make 2 projects a month if they aren't big ones.  I have a number of small kits that I would like to work on and get out of my stash.  Plus I've been thinking about projects that I could even get cut out and ready to sew.  Maybe what I could do is finish one project and get one cut out, ready to sew.  Still trying to decide on next year's goals.

Merry Christmas

I finished one more strip today!  So I have only 4 left.  I decided today I'm going to be taking a break for Christmas.  I still have two more days of work, one party, baking, wrapping and then the big day, CHRISTMAS.  I'm not going to stress myself out more by trying to work on the quilt  and blog while all of this is going on.  SO to each and everyone of you, thank you for reading my blog and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thinking

I've been working on the king-size quilt today.  I've sewn some 6 inch squares onto the last strip I have base coated.  I've been going through the last of the 6 inch squares to see how many more I need to cut and cutting out a few as I go.  I know I have lots of 3 inch squares. 

So I've been thinking about my 2011 goals while I've been doing this.  Not sure if I will get my king-size quilt done in 2010, but it will be pretty close.  So did I overextend my goal list or not? (My goal for 2010 was to complete a UFO/WIP for each month and to make a king-size quilt for our bed.)  I'm thinking not really.

So what do I want to do for 2011? One thing for sure is to spend more time with my long-arm quilting machine to get more comfortable with doing some new techniques.  I also want to take a class on cleaning and oiling the machine.

I also have a number of quilt kits that I have bought and that I have put together myself.  I was thinking of working on those and completing one every other month.  Plus working on small items in between.  I need small items to have a sense of accomplishment; that I got something done. 

I'll keep thinking.

December's UFO/WIP

I finished my December UFO/WIP.  I decided to finish the pillow I started at Prairie Star Quilts.  I love this design.  The reindeer is felted wool and the background is cotton. 

I also got another strip done on my king-size quilt.  Only 5 more to go!

Oh My Goodness

Oh My Goodness!  I was rereading my blog and I am soooo sorry.  What a boring bit it has been the last few days.  I've been so busy and trying to fit my 15 minutes in and blog about it, that it became sad.  SO thank you for listening to me drone on and on and on about 3 inch blocks, 6 inch blocks, base coating and strips!  You must love fabric to put up with this!  ;-)  I have done my 15 minutes for today, I was up early and did it this morning.  I'm hoping to get some more time in tonight.  And again, I'm sorry and I'll do better!

Pins in Place

Tonight I did 15 minutes of pinning.  I pinned my 3 inch squares so they would stay centered while sewing.  My husband and I did some shopping right after I got off work.  And now I'm ready to go to bed, I'm sooo tired. Instead, I'm on the computer.  Good night!

No Sewing :-(

Last night I didn't get any sewing done, I'm so sad at that.  I worked most of the evening on getting my Christmas cards done, which I did get done. Yeah!  Tonight is on to wrapping and I'm going to sew and wrap, makes me too sad to not work at all on my king-size quilt.  (Plus I won't meet my goal.) 

Another Day

Another day closer to being done with the king-size quilt.  I got the 6 inch blocks sewn on and picked out the 3 inch blocks.  I need to pin the 3 inch blocks down so I can sew them.  Don't think I'll get it all done tonight. I do now have all 16 blocks for each of the 4 strips left.  I didn't get the 6 inch blocks counted out today, but I'll think about that tomorrow, as Scarlet would say.

Base Coat

I have four more blocks, 9 by 10.5, to cut out and I will have all the blocks I need for the base coat on the last 4 strips.  I've been cutting out 6 inch and 3 inch squares from the leftovers.  I'm going to count up the 6 inch blocks tomorrow and see where I am with those.  I did get a strip of 6 inch blocks pinned and am ready to sew.

No Sewing

Last night my husband and I did some Christmas shopping and had dinner.  No sewing was done.  I'll make up for it today!  Will post again later.

Another One Done

 Thought I would show you the strip I just finished.  I have 6 more to go and all of the strips will be done.  I have 2 strips base coated and I have been counting out the last of the blocks I have cut out for this purpose.  I just wanted to know how many more 9 by 10.5 blocks I need to cut.  Below is a close up of one of the blocks.  Some of that fabric is from the 80's.

Still Not Done

This morning I woke up early so I spent 15 minutes plus in my sewing room.  Got all the 3 inch squares lined up and pinned and they are now ready to sew.  That's where I'm off to.  See you later! 

PS  I went to Hancock Fabrics yesterday to get more material for the king-size quilt.  Does that count as working on the quilt????????

Christmas Open House

Went to my favorite local quilt shop, Prairie Star Quilt, with Rachel and Jeanine.  We found some great deals and we started a Christmas mini pillow.  It was so nice to spend time with friends.

Great Day

What a great day!  First my friend Rachel and I went to see the Celebration of Life Choir this morning.  What a wonderful performance.  Then my husband and I went to Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE to see the poinsettia display.  I love this "tree" made from over 700 poinsettia plants.  

I also made more progress on another strip of my king-size quilt.  I got the 6 inch squares sewn on and pinned the 3 inch squares down.  I may get this quilt done yet. :-)

Quilting

Today was our Christmas party at Quilts From The Bluffs.  We worked on Project Linus quilts and then had a potluck lunch.  All the food was so good.  I got one quilt sandwiched and quilted.  So much fun to gather with friends. 

Back to the King-size Quilt

I spent some time tonight cutting out more base coat pieces.  They measure 9 by 10.5 inches.  Also cut out some of the 6 inch and 3 inch squares from the leftovers.  Then if there was any fabric left, I cut it into 2.5 strips and anything smaller was added to the string quilt bin.  Believe it or not, I still need more fabric.  So may have to break down and buy some other pieces to mix in.

Apron

This is the apron I started last night for my husband.  I first thought of doing an apron for him at Thanksgiving.  He carves the turkey and ham and always needs an apron to protect his clothes from the grease.  He was happy to have a new apron as his old one is starting to show it's age.

New Wins

Well last night I worked on an apron for my husband.  It's a black and gold towel with Iowa fabric for the ties and pocket.  I'll show it to you tonight when I take a picture.