Oh man! I am so riding an emotional high! I really need to thank Vera (Thank you Vera!!). Vera turned me on to that UFO challenge that I mentioned before and I have been so excited to finish things! It’s so wonderful. So much so that I’ve totally neglected writing because I keep thinking about the projects I’m working on and also trying to clear up my yarn UFO’s in the evenings. It has felt so empowering to get started on this endeavor.
I should probably mention (if I haven’t already) that I managed to fill out 8 of the UFO challenge sheets. I’ll let that sink in….EIGHT of them. I’ll tell you that it really seemed daunting that I had so many things to accomplish and such limited time to do my sewing. But, I decided to start eating the elephant…one bite at a time. It’s almost become a little addictive being able to mark things off my list (and it’s only February!!).
Here’s what I’ve been up to:
This was a mystery quilt that I started at a retreat some time ago. I had blocks to finish and the assemble the top and add the borders. I was originally going to make this a two color quilt with that funky swirly print and the orange. However, Hattie stepped in and said you need this turkey red. (remember that Hattie? I still have some of the red left and can give it back to you if you want it!) The funky swirly print my husband had picked out and I was working very hard to make sure I still had enough to use it in the borders. It was a tight fit, but she is now ready to be quilted and I love her!
I know this isn’t a very good picture, but that’s okay. These hilarious little penguins are an Amy Bradley pattern and I have had the blocks complete for ages! I just could never decide what to do in setting the blocks. So, I finally made a decision and got the blocks squared and assembled. I haven’t gotten the borders on yet, but I still have it sitting there waiting for me to get that part done. Mainly because I couldn’t make up my mind but I do have a plan now and hopefully will find some time to get them on soon. Honestly, I’m excited to even have it this far!
Even after those two above, January still wasn’t over and I had time to look at another from my list. This was a kit I purchased quite a number of years ago and after getting it home, I wasn’t sure I was at the needed skill level to complete this pattern and so it sat. As you can see, it is a lovely broken star pattern and that there are some gorgeous batiks to make this quilt. I was able to get all the strips cut and put together the strip sets for the large middle star. However, then the month was over and it was time to move on to the next number.
I still have so much that I want to accomplish yet this month, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to finish everything that I want to, especially since Inez has been helping me with a block of the month and the sashing/setting ended up a little more complicated.
Are you curious about what I’ve gotten done so far this month? I’ll be happy to share, but first I want to get just a little more done…
Monkey's on the Porch 