Sidetracked

I caved....all my good intentions for working on one of my UFO's while awaiting the backing for the "secret project" flew right out the window. And it's all your fault. "Yours" as in all of you fellow quilters who are working on One Block Wonder quilts, or have posted pics of them. It seems everyplace I've wandered lately, I keep seeing these quilts.

So, with trusty coupon in hand, I picked up the book. And, as luck would have it, I happened to have a nicely aged piece of fabric in my stash that would fit the bill. This fabric even had a date on the selvedge, 1999! Yeah, I guess it's time has come.

I did manage to start the next QOV before I got sidetracked. At first I thought I would be doing this as leaders and enders while working on a UFO. Silly me. I do have everything cut and stacked next to the sewing machine. And I've even managed to stitch a few portions of blocks together.

So, I've fessed up. Now I realize just WHY I have so many UFO's. I get sidetracked far too easily. I remember reading someplace that somebody justified their UFO's this way: "You get all excited about the new project. Once you've completed the design phase and have started in on the construction phase, you already see the finished object in your mind and thus start thinking about the next project." Yup, that's me.

So, if anyone has any good ways to get me back on track and finish some of these UFO's, please share them. I need all the help I can get. In the meantime, you'll find me downstairs listening to a book and working on my OBW quilt. :o)

Productive Weekend

Well, I FINALLY got two of the 4 quilt tops awaiting quilting completed. Yippeee! The first was an I-Spy baby quilt thatI quilted with a simple, loops & stars. It's a baby quilt, and I didn't want the quilting to detract from the I-Spy patches. Besides, it's so busy, that you hardly see the quilting anyway. The green alternate patches aren't nearly as bright as they look like they are here. :)

The second is a QOV. This is my first QOV and the first time I've used a pantograph. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I used Jodi Beamish's panto Patriot. It's stars and ribbons. I also used a variegated red, white & blue thread that I've had in my stash for a couple years. I'm going to send this one to Alycia from Alycia Quilts for her 100 quilt goal for the transitional rehab center at Fort Carson.

So, I'll work on the bindings on these while watching tv this evening and probably at QB's on Tuesday.

Next up is the wedding quilt, Chinese Coins and then I'll probably have to do that secret project from last week. After that, there's always the BQ shower curtain that's been waiting 2 years to be quilted.

"Supertunia Priscilla"

Since I can't show any pictures of the project I've been working on, I thought I'd share a picture I of my hanging petunia basket. I was playing around with the macro setting and taking close ups and this was the result. The basket is an enormous, double petunia. It was originally bought to hang by the front door but it was just too darn big for that spot. So, now it hangs from a hook off the deck. It's probably all for the best since I didn't realize just how "thirsty" petunias are. I water this basket twice a day, with a full quart + of water each time!

Meanwhile, since the secret project is off getting put together by my "partner in crime", I can get back to finishing the quilting on the I-Spy baby quilt today. In fact, I'm thinking I'll head downstairs shortly and bring the Evil Spotted one with me. Our neighbors are having a garage sale. Arlo thinks it is his duty to bark at literally everyone that stops by. It's been a long morning and it's only 10:30! Definintely time to get quilting. Besides, I'm at a critical part in "Pillars of the Earth" -- the cathedral is crashing down on everyone. I'm quite surprised at how much I'm enjoying this story. I usually listen to thrillers or murder mysteries on my mp3 player while I quilt.

A Beer for Quilters

While browsing a "new to us" store recently, we came across this bottle and for some reason, my husband felt that we just HAD to try it. Yes, the name really is "Quilter's Irish Death". It was far too dark for my taste, but he liked it. So, if you're ever looking for different types of beers and you happen to be in the Seattle area, you really must check out 99 Bottles.

As for quilty things, I've been working on a rush, secret project. Can't say anything more at this time. But, if all goes as planned, it should work out quite nicely. You'll just have to stay tuned.

L.

When a Plan Comes Together

Every now and then I get a really good idea. Once in a great while, it all works out. Judy's wedding quilt was one of those. Usually, the time and difficulty seem to increase proportionately to the number of people involved. This was not the case this time thanks to an incredible bunch of ladies on the HQ16 Chatters list.

Back on April 23rd I thought it would be really cool if we, as a list, could do something for Judy, our founder, in honor of her upcoming marriage. So, I e-mailed Janet. And, within a day we had a new, "super secret" list set up and had invites sent out to all 485 members of the HQ16 Chatters list. We had a plan for the quilt and within a week blocks started arriving.

In early June, Janet drove over from Spokane and Lai Yee came up from Sumner and the three of us sat down to put together what turned into an enormous quilt, all filled with signatures and messages of love. The final quilt had 228 blocks, all in lovely 30's prints, (Judy's favorites). I used some of the leftover border fabric to make pillowcases. Another evening was spent making the label and then off to Michigan it went to be quilted by Pam.

Once Pam finished the quilt, she sent it off to Jo Ann, in Oklahoma City who was going to deliver it to Judy. Well, on Thursday evening Jo Ann & Amanda were finally able to complete the last portion of this incredible project. They delivered the quilt to Judy & Delmar. And yes, somehow, everybody involved in this project managed to keep it a secret for 2 months!

Here's to a long and happy marriage Judy & Delmar!

In Honor of the 4th or "Attack of the Killer Ivy"

Today, as we take time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in this great country, I thought I would put this Disappearing 9-patch QOV on the HQ and get it quilted.

Alas, that is not to be, at least today. DH has other plans. First, we took advantage of the cool, overcast weather and tackled the ivy that was fast overtaking the front steps. Darn that stuff! WHY did I ever plant ivy there in the first place?

Now that we've scored a few points against the ivy, he feels we should take the rest of the afternoon off and watch some more of Season 3 of Foyle's War. It's a wonderful British detective series set in WWII. Guess I'll just work on my socks while watching.

Here's to a happy and safe 4th -- let's hope the tranquilizers work on my poor spotted guy....

Things That go Boom in the Night

Ok, so much for my resolve of blogging more often. I'm really going to try to post more often. Keyword here, TRY.

Western Washington has had a very unusual 20 hours or so. Thunderstorms started rolling by, just to the east of us around dinnertime last nite. They continued all nite long and through the morning. They have finally ceased, only to be replaced by all the neighborhood kids playing with their fireworks.

Unfortunately our neurotic boy has trouble dealing with things that go boom. He turns into a quivering, shaking, panting mess of spots. When he got too hot under the quilt, between us last nite he retreated to this wicker couch awaiting re-upholstery in my sewing room.

Thank goodness for those tranquilizers the vet gave us. Now we just have to get through the holiday weekend.

My goal is to load and quilt at least ONE of the three quilt tops currently awaiting quilting.