This week has flown by. I feel like I got a ton done. My list doesn’t seem to reflect my feelings. LOL! Probably because I have been working on some of my larger WIPs. I’m definitely on a feel good cloud!
On top of all of that, I decided to participate in an unofficial WIP challenge with one of my Instagram quilty friends @flyinggoosestudio (Jocelyn). She is challenging herself (and anyone who wants to jump in) to spend the next 50 days (May 1 – June 20th) working only on WIPs. No new starts.
I currently have 88 WIPs. I did not start any during April and only finished one, Over & Under Quilt. The silly thing is that a lot of the stuff on my list wouldn’t take much effort to finish.
My May goals then will be to finish 3 quilts, 4 table runners, 1 wall hanging, and 1 set of potholders. Wouldn’t that be amazing to have 9 finishes in one month! Whoa! That seems so unreal but most of these are so close to being done…..
Oh! And I ordered some more Alison Glass fabric. I know better than to go on her website. I order her 2022 Sunprint Collection and Eclipse collection. I know I don’t NEED it, but I sure WANTED it. I will reward myself on June 20th if I can finish at least 10 WIPs with a new start using one of her collections and a new start on one of my Hawaiian quilts. That seems reasonable right? Finish 10. Add 2.
Last Week’s To Do List
- Finish Black & Gold quilt (untouched)
- Finish April Mo Color Challenge block (Done!!)
- Add borders 1 & 2 to Sunshine Quilt (borders cut, then I changed my mind)
- Add borders 1 & 2 to Charming Sunflower quilt (done, but am rethinking inner border)
- Finish organizing 365 challenge fabric and cut next block (Fairly organized, but still need to do a little more)
- Finish up adding sashing to my Ruby’s Garden quilt block (Done!)
- Quilt the Green mini-charm table runner for March (untouched)
- Cut one Lost & Found block (Done – Cut all four of the remaining blocks)
- Glue Baste Lost & Found block (One Done, started on another)
- Start piecing Lost & Found Block (Done)
- Finish sewing Clue #4 of Cotton Cuts Olympia Mystery SAL (worked on it, but there is a ton of flying geese (20) for a border. It’s taking forever)
Week 11 To Do List (May 3rd – May 9th)
I keep trying to pare down my list each week, but it continues to grow. I do put little things that don’t take much time but add up over time on my lists. I do have 18 projects that I plan to actively work on during May.
To Do #1 – Sew BINDING and label on Black & Gold quilt
Seriously, one quick finish if I just pull it off the long arm and trim it today. Then tomorrow I could sew the label on while attaching the binding to the front, then… Well you get the message. I swear this will be a finish for next week. This has become my number one priority!
To Do #2 – Get backing for Name of the Rose Mystery Quilt
This was my random quilt selection to work on with my All People Quilt Resolution Challenge for 2022. This was quilt number 11 on my list. Sunday I pulled it out and was happy to see that the top is completely assembled. It looks like bought pink binding which I am not feeling, but no backing. I am guessing, they had nothing that matched. For a moment, I thought I had some then realized that was a different quilt. So tomorrow requires a trip to the quilt store to buy more fabric! I’ve already decided I want to quilt this one with some lovely lavender thread I have. A purple backing with a plum binding maybe?
To Do #3 – Backing for Charming Sunflower Quilt
This one is going to be more challenging. I have a ton of fabric from this fabric line, but two other quilts that need to be finished that uses the same fabric. I also decided I did not like my inner border and will probably take it out. I really want my piano border to be noticed. I spent a lot of time making it and love how it finished perfect!
This to do should really read, Re-do your border so you can figure out your backing. LOL! But we will leave it as it is the logical next step in the process. Oh and did you notice I renamed this quilt. I like the sound of it better and this will probably be the name that goes on the quilt label.
To Do #4 – Backing for February table runner
I was originally planning on putting this one away until 2023, but since I am doing this WIP challenge, why not finish it? I have plenty of Valentine, pink, and red fabric to choose from. Just need to pull and piece.
To Do #5 – Quilt March Table Runner
While this may be number 5 on the list, it is number 2 on priorities. It is sitting next to my sewing machine. I even pulled the green thread to quilt it. I had considered putting on long arm, but I think that is too much work for such a small easy piece. I am not a green person, so the darn thing doesn’t really appeal to me. St Patrick’s Day is all about the green.
To Do #6 – Sew Border 1 on Sunshine Quilt
All cut and ready to go!
To Do #7 – Make Border 2 for Sunshine Quilt
I cut the required 6.5″ border and just didn’t like how it looked. The fabric is from 2009 and I can’t get anything like it. My substitute fabrics just isn’t exciting me. So I went through everything I had in “quilt bin” for this quilt and discovered I had a few left over 9 patches and some leftover 2.5″ strips. So I came up with the idea of using nine patches as a corner stone in the outside border. That morphed into a 6.5″ pieced block border. Last night while I was sleeping, I thought I should add some flying geese next to the 9 patches to go with the quilt. Now this is really getting complicated so I will have to draw it out to figure out what is reasonable. But I am really liking the idea overall. I have the perfect back and binding, so I just need to finalize this pieced border. Did I say how excited I have been planning this out!?
To Do #8 – Finish Clue #4 Olympia Mystery SAL
I have all 20 flying geese made and trimmed. There will be 4 border units made with the flying geese. I already finished clue 4A. I like to use this project to be leader/ender while working on other projects. That is my getting to work on 2 projects at once mentality. LOL!
To Do #9 – May Monthly Color Challenge blocks cut
Jen over at Patterns by Jen gave us a bonus block this month. I have decided to make both of them since I am making the 6 inch version to use in my final quilt. This month’s color is blue. I have so many lovely shades of blue in my Alison Glass collection. Looking forward to pulling what I need.
To Do #10 – Piece Lost & Found Block 19
I was thrilled to get the last four blocks cut. And even more thrilled to finally start on block 19. Not sure if I have mentioned it, but english paper piecing projects are what I work on when I am at hockey events. Right now that is just practice. I was able to finish my Ruby’s Garden block this week and start this block.
When I was cutting out the final four blocks, there weren’t a lot of fabric choices left in the kit. This block was suppose to use dark greens but I didn’t have any left. While I used the same called for fabrics for the 3″ and 2″ hexagons, I had to improvise. I decided to use these “ugly bright” oranges instead. The one thing I have learned with quilting is that the most beautiful block or the ugliest block can still blend in and not be noticed. This quilt lends itself quite well to that concept with all that Kaffee fabric.
To Do #11 – Baste Lost & Found blocks #20-#22
This is one of those items I threw on the list because I tend to do a few once or twice a day once I have them cut. With doing that, the basting process goes fairly quickly.
To Do #12 – Cut One 365 quilt block
I have gathered most of the fabric and instructions into one place. I still have a bit of organizing do. If I force myself to cut a block, then the organizing will have to be completed. Isn’t that nice logic? Plus, I really want to cut a total of seven blocks before my next Zoom Quilt Day on May 13th. On those days, I find it easier to just piece blocks and my friends have decided to do this quilt block challenge. It will be fun to show off a few blocks we sewed during the day.
Recap for Week 11
This brings us to the end of my Wish List. I mean my To Do List for this upcoming week. Some of these will be time intensive so won’t be completed. Definitely a win if any progress is made. I think I mentioned my priorities this week will be to finish the Black & Gold quilt and to quilt the March table runner. Everything else will be a bonus!
- Finish Black & Gold quilt
- Backing for #APQresolution Quilt – Name of the Rose
- Backing for Charming Sunflower Quilt
- Backing for February Heart Table Runner
- Quilt March Green Table Runner
- Sew 1st border onto Sunshine Quilt
- Make 2nd border (pieced) for Sunshine Quilt
- Finish Olympia Mystery Clue #4
- Cut both May Monthly Color Challenge blocks
- Work on Lost & Found block 19
- Continue basting Lost & Found blocks 20-22
- Cut one 365 block
As usual, I will be linking up with Linda over at Texas Quilt Gal. Thanks again Linda for providing this awesome place to be accountable. It helps so much. I can’t believe you are so kind as to drop a supportive comment every week. I really appreciate it. Thanks!!!
Good luck everyone on your To Do List for this week!
Peggy
I loved looking through all you have going (on and seeing your kitties–I’m a cat person) but I’m sitting here trying to wrap my head around 88 WIPs! LOL. Oh my! Well, you have a nice room (and company) to work on them in (with)!
Obviously I can’t work on THAT many at one time. I started keeping a list because I lose track. Being ADD has it advantages and disadvantages. Thank you for all your kind comments. Nala and Simba are preening 😂
Hi Peggy! I think all the blue items are the completed ones from last week, and six of them are quite impressive. Your overall project list would be too overwhelming for you if you listed them all, don’t you think, for one week? I love that you’ve selected a few top priorities to focus on – and I hope you do! I am dying to see that black/gold project all finished. And the table runner – that will be a snap. Your reasoning for finishing 10 UFOs during May/June and then starting 2 new ones sounds perfect to me. Your overall project count would be less! Great job and good luck with this week’s goals. {{Hugs}} a bunch for you. ~smile~ Roseanne
P.S. Nala looks very queen-like and in charge!
Haha! Nala is definitely the Queen. She keeps me on my toes stealing thread, needles, and pins. Definitely makes me pickup after myself. Yes. Blue is done. I’m a visual person so it helps me. Thank you for all your encouragement every week. You’ve always been so supportive.
I love Simba and Nala! So sweet gingers. I look forward to seeing what backing you pick for the gorgeous Name of the Rose, and I enjoy looking at all your pretty in-process projects. Thank you for sharing with To Do Tuesday!
Thanks Linda. Nala and Simba are preening at all that love thrown their way. They are my socialites. I plan to make the trip to the quilt store today. I’m very excited to quilt this lovely mystery quilt.
Oh my, I laughed when you went “wish list – no – I mean To Do list.” I was thinking this would mean no sleep surely all these things. But it is great getting WIP’s finished or … progressed! I find the tops are so inviting but then you still have the quilting to do which is a big job even though you have your own long arm I see.
Hi Kathyrn. I’ve found it to be less overwhelming now that I have my long arm. I’m attempting to get all those tops finished that I’ve made over the last 15 years. Where it would take me 3-6 months is now anywhere from 1-3 days (when I focus 🧘♀️). I am starting to get a little antsy to finish things so I can move on to new lovely projects.