Winter Solstice Challenge Begun

Today's Block Count: 4

Yesterday while cleaning up my room, I found a perfect pink fabric (and lots of it) for my planned Winter Solstice Quilt that Pat Sloan is designing. We get 1 block each Wednesday and it will run from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice. Yesterday we go block 8. So I got half of the blocks done today. It was a nice change from one I have been doing because it was big pieces in big blocks. I know 12 inch blocks are small for some people...but they feel giant when the blocks you have been making are 3 inch.

Even my 16 patches feel big some days at 6 inches.



While saving the patterns for this, this afternoon, I found that she had also issued a challenge to make a quilt top using block 4 (top right). I looked, but was unhopeful that it was still going on, and lo and behold, it is still open until Thursday the 16th. So I am going to do it with random scraps. If I work fast enough, I can get it done by Wednesday afternoon, and share it at my scrap presentation that night.

This challenge is also why I only got 4 blocks done. I'm a bit of a rule follower, and I like sequence. So, I didn't want to move on to block 5 if the challenge was for block 4. I've also had other projects come to a screeching halt if I am waiting for more supplies to come....even if I could work on a different part. I had it happen with the Splendid Sampler too, while I was working on catching up. I had to wait for wash away stabilizer for an embroidery block...and I tried to push myself to make the next block. I did manage 1....but I couldn't get myself to make another out of order.

I've also seen this happen with homework assignments (in college or high school) and in my exercising. I would often work on the things that were late before I would work on the things that were due next. Anyway, my goal for tomorrow will be to alternate 15 minutes exercise and 15 minutes working on this challenge quilt. I may have to switch it to 10 minutes on the exercise because the 15 minutes was kind of brutal tonight.

Part of me is really going to miss the daily exercise expectation. It is nice to have someone telling me what I should do to exercise each day and the accountability part of it.

Anyway, Goodnight.

Onward

Today's Block Count: 5 + 2

 These little hexie flowers were sewn on Sunday at Church. I keep these in an old pill container and when I'm having trouble sitting still I pull them out. After having taught 5 year olds last year, it can be hard to sit through adult Sunday School some Sundays.

 This is a make-up block. It was for Day 4 of the Sweat and Sew. I started fighting a very serious headache (light, sound, and movement aggravated) about the middle of the afternoon. It could be any, all, or some combination of not enough sleep, exercise fatigue, dehydration, body adjusting to normal hydration again. (I've gotten really lax on my drinking lately...most days it's a struggle to even get 32 oz...), etc. Anyway, so all morning and then from the minute he got home from school, Nate kept asking when we were going to exercise. He's been loving it. At that point, I was sitting in my room with the lights off and my computer screen's brightness turned way down. So we went out into the hallway, and I had just a little light coming from a doorway, and we did our exercise for the day. I'm glad he got me out there. Tomorrow, I have to work a little bit harder because I am still 2 days behind.

 This was Day 7's block and 3 16-patches, for my Sea Green Patches and Pinwheels quilt for the month.

I've also begun to try to create templates using my husband's 3d printer. This was last night's attempt. I managed a much better version today, by removing the pointy corners. The idea is to allow fussy cutting through the center and it has approximately a 3/8 inch seam allowance, so it will be great for English Paper Piecing. My main goal is to get a set made for myself, and if I get it to a point that I feel ok selling them, I will contact the designer of the quilt(s) I've done them for, and ask for permission to sell them. I'm not pushing myself to hurry with this, just trying to put in 10 minutes a day. I'm still learning then software.

1 other point for tonight. I asked my husband what 1 thing he would like me to get done. (I'm trying to get help focusing on a task each day, and hoping it will make it easier for him to see what I got done, and less likely to wonder why I didn't think the same thing was important.) He responded with cleaning up the playroom. I pushed myself to get it cleaned up just as my headache was starting (during naptime). It looked really good when I was done. Nate was really excited to see it clean when he got home, and even talked about putting toys away when he was done with them to keep it clean (of course, now it's his idea despite us telling him for years...). But after Kyle got up, it went downhill fast. By Bedtime...it looked just as bad as it had before I cleaned. It was rather disheartening. It made me want to cry when my husband and I looked at it just after putting the boys to bed. To my husband's credit, he just held me and thanked me for doing it anyway.

I did also do some massive tidying in my sewing room tonight. I managed to get the ginghams down for my Quilt Your Weight Off Swoon. I also have a giant stack of fabrics awaiting wrapping on the comic book boards to be put away. I also found the perfect hot pink to use for the Winter Solstice Challenge (will be black and white with pink accents). I also have a list of about half a dozen other quilts I found to be added to my Projects list. I will add those tomorrow... Right now, it is waaaaayyy past bedtime.

Tumbling Into Rows

Today's Block Count: 1

I only managed 1 Tiny Jacob's Ladder in Sea Green today. I have enough half square triangles for several more quilts, but my 4 patches tend to go slower.

My second Tumbler quilt is nearly a top. It's crazy how fast this one seems to be going together. I have 2 rows completely done and ready to be sewn to each other, and several more rows that just need 1 more tumbler. There are a few that need more...but none of them need a ton.

I also worked up a sweat for Sweat and Sew Day 7. I have the block nearly done...but was having fun putting all available seams through the machine before having to dechain (I dislike Dechaining 😛 ). That's part of why I seem to be able to get so many projects done at the same time. I literally have several going under my needle every day. Today it was 4; Tiny Jacob's Ladder, Tumblers, Sea Green Patches and Furrows, and Day 7 Sweat and Sew.

Today for my workout, Nate followed along for pretty much all of it. I had to split it in 2 parts because I needed to eat and get Nate off to school, so the last bit was done by myself. I also discovered a nasty looking bruise from my Baby Crow Poses yesterday. It was probably me trying to hard to wedge the same knee into my arm to start everytime. Also while trying to get started on today's exercises (used a lot of planks again) Kyle did a headstand right next to me. Then I tried to get video of it again, and he couldn't get his legs up. I love that the boys are interested in my exercising. I do wish Nate hadn't said "This is so easy," so many times. But his counting helped to get me to not stop as soon as I wanted to everytime (didn't want to be outdone by the 5 year old). His absolute favorite part of today's exercise was the Pyramid Pose Floats.

Now you can enjoy the cuteness that was Kyle trying to get back into a headstand.

En Provence Parts Done

Today's Block Count: 83 + 1

I found a bonus block from yesterday that I forgot to include in my count. It was an extra from when I made the black and white block yesterday since it had used the 2 half square triangles from a square method.

 This is my Day 6 Sweat and Sew Block. I decided that instead of trying to continue to work in order, I should make sure that the current day's is done before I work on catching up. I'll do some more catchup tomorrow.

 I got caught up on my Black and White Blocks again with these 2. I also managed to sew (or finish sewing) all of the quarter square triangles for the last clue of En Provence. The only thing left to do is to cut some yellow squares and then I can start putting blocks together. I'm kind of excited about that...even though I'm not sure if I really like the quilt... But on the plus side, once the top is done, that's one of my 4 UFOs off my list for the year.

I also have begun on my sea green Tiny Jacob's Ladders. I also decided that while I am cutting pieces for that, I'm also going to cut 2 inch squares for 4-patch and Furrows. I found a nice dark brown and a peachy cream to use for the furrows. I think this will be a simple enough pattern that I should have no trouble addingnthese in while working on the Tiny Jacob's Ladders.

Tonight while exercising I was supposed to be doing some hops and baby crow poses. I knew I would dread it less if I had a workout buddy, and I knew Kyle would love the hopping. I was completely right about that. He had the biggest grin on his face as we were hopping. He kept hopping in my way, but it was cute. Then when I went to try the baby crow pose, he did this. I had to get a bit stern with him a minute later as he kept trying to crawl on top of my back, knock my feet off the stairs, lay underneath between my legs, and under my butt. Then once he realized that Mommy was not ok with that...he went and got his blankets and pillows and laid down next to me...

Missed a Few

Today's Block Count: 4
Today's Yesterday's Block Count: 27
Day Before Yesterday's Block Count: 26
Day Before Day Before Yesterday's Block Count: 34

Doh! I had this 98% ready to post yesterday, and then went to bed and forgot to finish it.

 This was my last block for yesterday. It was the end of another week....so I'm especially upset with myself for not getting a picture of them week's blocks yesterday since that meant I didn't get myself entered into the drawing. But I guess I will survive since staying caught up is the biggest part of that goal.

 I also managed to finish up my Day 3 block for Sweat and Sew...it is bad enough...I might have to make another...but I will wait and see how the others turn out. There wasn't as much contrast in the fat quarter bundle as would really be good...and I didn't want to use the good yellow and good black too much in the beginning since this still has another week of blocks to go.

I also got the last 2 purple Tiny Jacob's Ladders done. So now it is on to sea green. She described it as being teal, and turquoise, and basically all the fabrics that fall between green and blue that are harder to use. So tonight I went through my green bin (it's still in the drawers on my desk since that is the color I am supposed to be working on for the Rainbow 365) and grabbed everything out that read more blue when combined with the sea of green. I think while I'm at it I'm going to try to make a few extra tiny 4 patches...since I way over did on my purple half square triangles, so I'll have just a few crossovers.

I also want to try to come up with another simple quilt (really want to aim for twin if I can) to use some of the scraps in. I only managed a baby size last month...which may be all I can do again this month, but I don't really want to do that strippy quilt again this month...maybe I should do 4 patches or 9 patches with 2.5 inch squares. What do you guys think?

This one could be fun with the 4 patches/16 patches just being scrappy instead of coordinating, and black and white Half Square Triangles. Or a 2 color Split 9-Patch. Or this one. I could also be up for a Half Square Triangle something, or an orange peel...or half hexagons...really kind of anything. Let me know if you have any ideas.

I also managed 1 more Black and White Block. I also have been making some good progress on my second Tumbler Quilt and have cut and halfway sewn the quarter square triangles for part 7 of En Provence. I've really been enjoying the sending of fabric through my machine. Here's hoping for more progress tomorrow. Happy Sewing.


Read the part below this as though it is a day old (because it is).

So I fell a little behind on my blog posts the last couple days, because I usually do it after my computer shuts off at 11...but I've let myself stay up much later than I should have, and I've just fallen into bed and fallen asleep instead. I'm going to start working on my posts during the day as I accomplish things. So it may look a little different

So without further ado, the day before yesterday was spent working on the Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks again. I'm almost done with my purples. I got 34 done that day.

Then, yesterday, I managed to get 4 more Tiny Jacob's Ladders done, 1 Black and White Block, and my Day 2 #sweatandsew1 block, and 20 quarter square triangles for En Provence. Slow and steady progress will lead to finished objects.

Part of my sewing today was to try to finish up the purple Tiny Jacob's Ladders. So far I have finished 3 more...which means I just need to cut a few more 4 patches to finish those up. I also have another 23 of the quarter square triangles for En Provence which finishes up part 6. Now I can cut for part 7.

Beginning of Sweat and Sew

Today's Block Count: 24

I managed to get 3 of the Black and White blocks made which has that caught back up. I also finished 19 quarter square triangles for my Bonnie Colored En Provence and 1 bonus spool.

The big block is actually for another quilt along I'm following. This one is a bit more involved because it isn't just about sewing. It's the #sweatandsew1 challenge on Instagram. It is being hosted by 2 different ladies. 1 is providing a quilt block every day and the other is providing a workout for us to do. The one providing the workout is someone I've been following for awhile because I really like to see her daily yoga posts, so that's how I heard about it. Then each day we are supposed to post a picture or video of us doing the workout, and a picture of our block, and there will be prizes at the end. It will last from February 1-10. So 1 of 10 days...that's not too bad. Even if I flake and don't do the rest that's still 10%....but I am still planning on 100%....even if it takes me an hour to slowly do each of the workouts.

 Spencer thought it would be funny to make me hold the pushup for the picture.

This is me attempting crow pose. I managed to "balance" for about 2 seconds at a time. I'm pretty tickled about that since I've only done yoga like 2 times.

So Close

Today's Block Count: 40

I have a bad habit of waiting until the last possible minute/day to work on something for a goal. So I did not get my One Monthly Goal done for January which was 80 tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks in Purple. However, I'm not going to be too hard on myself since I have all the tiny half square triangles done, and I have all (or nearly all) of my 4 patched sewn and awaiting pressing...then the last 43 should go together pretty quickly. The color for February for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is Sea Green which includes aqua and turquoise...I don't have much in those colors, but I shall dig and see what I can come up with. I'm still going to aim for 80 Tiny Jacob's Ladders and we shall see if I have enough for a top in this color. I may have to finally sort some of then scrap bags I've been given to insure that I have enough of this color.

So my One Monthly Goal for February will be 43 purple Tiny Jacob's Ladders, and 80 in "Sea Green."

I did manage to get 4 Tiny Jacob's Ladder Blocks completely done today as well as the last 3 Purple Tri-Rec units (part 4) for the Bonnie Colored En Provence, and the last 27 of the Half Square triangles (part 5), and cut all of the quarter square triangles for part 6, with 2 completely done. Then I also got 4 more Black and White 365 Blocks done, with the 31st already cut. I didn't really want to focus on one thing today, so I kept switching up what I was doing. While it makes for a long post, it can feel a little scattered at times. One other thing I allowed myself to work on cutting tonight (because my computer had shut off and I didn't need a pattern for it) was some of the tumblers for my second tumbler quilt. I am more than half way done with cutting the pieces for it.

In the morning, I will update the progress bars to reflect the new month.

Back in the Saddle

Today's Block Count: 347

Today's block count may seem a bit high, but really it includes a ton of Half Square Triangles. I finished marking and sewing my Charm Square HST, so that accounted for 235 (yeah I know my count was off on this one...but I'm going with it...). I also finished up 71 Tri-Rec's Units for my Bonnie Colored En Provence (which should be all of them...unless I screwed up my count there too). Then there were 6 Lozenge blocks finished. As well as, 37 of the Half Square Triangles for the next part of En Provence.

I did manage to get quite a bit of sewing in today. As I was able to mark something off of my to do list for today, I gave myself permission to sit and sew 25 seams. It really worked to keep me focused. It also got me caught up on laundry and I sorted through some things in my sewing room. It was also one of the days of the week that I talk with my mom...so that helped me put quite a few more blocks through the machine.

Now the rest of the post is going to be fairly boring...but as I was working in my room, I unearthed quite a few projects to add to my list. So I want to get them recorded here, and on my current project list.

 This is some of the string blocks for Bonnie Hunter's Pfefferneuse. Instead of Brown Strings, I am doing red, and instead of red quarter square triangles I'm doing blue. There are just these 2 blocks to trim and depaper and the strings will be done, and I have strips cut for the quarter square triangles (and a couple sewn).

This was one of my Christmas Presents to myself. It's the Moda Thicket Kit. I fell in love with it at the December Epic Sew Day and knew it had to be mine.

This is parts for a quilt called Sixteen in the Spotlight. A lady in one of my Facebook groups designed this quilt as part of a 2 inch strip series she did. She does a lot of quilts for charity in Poland and had a couple of trash bags of 2 inch strips to use. So our Facebook group decided to do this quilt as a quilt along.

This is my oldest UFO. This was started in December of 2011 and was my first quilt ever. My mom wanted to show me how to hand sew hexagons and I was hooked. All of my flowers are done for this one, I just have to add them around the sides. It will be queen sized when finished. I had originally planned on giant King, but have since changed my mind. I do have plans to hand quilt this one when I finally get the top done. It's a flower garden with a green grass background.

 This is the last blue string block for Bonnie Hunter's Blue Skies. And the beginnings of the gazillion half square triangles involved. Strings were a favorite of mine to take to Epic Sew Day for a bit because they didn't require a lot of brain power. I still have most of the yellow strings to go, but I had started on the triangles because I needed the strings that I get when cutting strips on my accuquilt.

 This was the beginnings of my La Passacaglia Quilt from Milliefiore Quilts. The plan is to do each cog a different color, and pull from my scrap bins. This us as far as I've made it so far.

 This is the first 4 blocks for Susan-Claire Mayfield's That Town and Country Quilt. It is all applique and often the quilt that Nate has asked that I work on. It will be fun to go back to this one eventually.

 This is a stack of my Splendid Sampler blocks. This is a good example of the colors I'm using in mine. I very quickly got this with the others, and feel glad that the box is more complete again.

 This is my Rainbow Quarter Square Triangle Quilt. This was designed as my mom and I were talking one day about whether or not we wanted to join in on Bonnie Hunter's Leader/Ender Challenge for the year.It may not look like much now, but it is looking just like I wanted. I also think it will become clearer to see the idea with each round I add. It alternates quarter square triangles and string borders.

My mom and I also joined in a swap with another friend for the quarter square triangles to get one like Bonnie has planned, so that's another on my list.

Finally, (though only the end of this batch...) These are the bonus triangles I have acquired (and not nearly all of them). When I get the urge I work on pressing and matching them. Then if I have enough for whatever half square triangle block I want to make at the time, I'll make up a couple. My plan is to put them all together in what I'm calling my Triangle Studies Quilt. It will more than likely just be a Kitchen Sink Quilt with a Triangle focus.

Also hiding under the cookie sheet in the tub, is random orphan blocks that have been gifted to me in bags of scraps and are awaiting pressing and then will become an Orphan Block Quilt or Kitchen Sink Quilt.

Also, in that tub is my second tumbler quilt. The first was all florals, and this one is using the same size tumblers, and started from the leftover tumblers that could be cut from the fat quarters I used for the first one. It will be all scrappy, and just needs some more tumblers to be cut (I had run out of 4.5 inch strips).

Now, if you've made it this far, I applaud you. I'm a little nervous to really see what I have in the works, but the more I uncover, the more I realize why my room is a bit messy most of the time. Do you have some UFOs that you've been hiding? Do you have a goal for them? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Some Progress

Today's Block Count: 0

While I didn't get any blocks done today, I did draw lines for most of my Charm Square HST quilt, that was supposed to get me sewing faster...well at least it will give me a lot to do when they are all paired.

I also have added a new tab at the top of the blog for a running list of projects I have going. I have a lot of friends who have commented on the number of them I have...of course, I haven't had a good count in about 2 years because I was at 70. And I know I've added more since. So I will set it up as a numbered list with a link to when I last talked about the project. Then if I can get myself moving (or at least finishing), I plan to create tab with my finishes for the year.

Room Cleaning

Today's Block Count: 0

It was another day of not doing much sewing (translation: I didn't touch my machine...unless my elbow bumped it while I played Minecraft).

I tried to jumpstart my sewjo, by pulling for another quilt. It will use several of my charm packs (I'm a sucker for Missouri Star Quilt Co.'s Mystery Charm Packs) and just be a Half Square Triangle Quilt. The idea in pulling those out was that then I wouldn't need to cut to start on the project...hence the jumpstart. Then they just sat there because I didn't want to break open the packs...doh. I also discovered that my charm pack collection really has exploded with my purchases of these Mystery Charm Packs.

 They include all different brands. In fact, the ones I pulled (top picture) include: Riley Blake, Windham Fabrics, Moda, RJR, and Benartex. And I think it's going to be an awesome quilt...that will not just measure baby-sized...but Twin or Queen...simply because I had enough charm packs that I think will work together. (And there were others that could be paired for other quilts, too.)

I'm also now contemplating 2 other new quilts as well. This is part of why I usually just keep sewing...If I stop...I start several new projects...oops.

Nada

Today's Block Count: 0

I did manage to get most of the stuff from Epic Sew Day back into the house. But that and making a new friend on Minecraft were pretty much my whole day.

The plan had been to work on cleaning up my room, since it exploded yesterday in the search for Insul-Bright. But when my 15 minutes of Minecraft time lasted a lot longer since I was helping a new friend get set up, and find her husband's house.

So...Tomorrow...will be a new day, and hopefully I will get some of today's goals done tomorrow.

O and if you are in the mood...stop over at my mom's blog (makingalather.blogspot.com) and wish her a Happy Birthday (Saturday). I bet she would love that.

January Epic Sew Day

Today's Block Count: 0
Yesterday's Block Count: 6

Yesterday's Blocks

One of yesterday's blocks was a Snail's Trail Block, and I am in love with this block. It would work great for our Guild Challenge right now, Optical Illusions. I have another quilt picked out that would work...but I'm not sure I want to have to worry about quilting and binding it by June, since I haven't even started cutting for it yet. So now I'm considering making a pillowcase with a few of those on the cuff. I think black and white would be really cool. I think 4 blocks, with 2 of them "spinning" the other way could make it look like waves. And if it doesn't work out the way I think it will, I can also just make a decorative pillow with a few of these.

Today included the weekly homework fight (actually milder than usual)...and then after school he told me he "forgot" to turn any of it in...grrr.

I also went to lunch with "the guys." These are the guys that Spencer goes to lunch with most Thursdays, and plays video games with them on Thursday nights (online games from the comfort of their own homes). Followed by a haircut; I when my bangs start to touch my eyebrows...and most places try to talk me out of short bangs...but the girl today actually said they were in style right now...I don't know if I've ever been "in style" before, but it was sweet of her to try to help me feel good about my decision.

Then it was a talk with my mom day (makingalather.blogspot.com), and so we chatted while I dug up Insul-Bright and projects to take to Epic Sew Day (monthly sew day at a local church building). I decided to take my hot iron bag pattern to make using some awesome female Disney villans fabric, my stack of partial pillowcases, and my Smith Mountain Morning to finally start cutting if I needed 1 more thing to do.

I ended up having to take my boys with me for the Guild Board Meeting (Epic Sew Day is usually the easiest way to get the most board members together at the same time) because hubs had some things to finish up at work before he could come relieve me. Unfortunately, they drove me nuts, though the other members seemed to ignore them fairly well.

After that, I managed to get a lot of socializing in (highly needed adult conversation was had), and got the pieces cut for the iron bag. Then the hangry started to set in (not surprising since it was around 8pm and I hadn't had dinner). And then the pattern and I started having a fight...so I asked one of my friends how much it would cost for her to finish it for me...and thankfully she will do that for me. I don't know why I keep thinking that I can successfully make things from patterns...I'm not usually very good at non-quilt items, unless they are super basic...think...pillowcases, and small zippered bags.

As I was nearly ready to leave, I had some of my friends challenge me to add a binding to a quilt that has been waiting to just be bound for months. They are giving me until our March guild meeting. On the plus side, that is one on my UFO list.

In other fun news, I will also be giving a presentation on my scrap system/usage, at a friend's monthly sew group on February 15th. I'm actually really excited about that.

Then on the way home, I decided that I wanted to try making a chocolate strawberry shake for my dinner, and did some minor grocery shopping...since we did not have fresh strawberries. I used 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein powder, 4 large strawberries, 1 cup of milk, and 1/8-1/4 tsp of stevia, and blended it. I thought it was rather fantastic, though hubs wasn't sure about it. I've been trying to use the protein powder for breakfast with milk to get me a good protein boost, so I probably am more used to the taste of it. It wasn't very thick, but I actually prefer that as it's easier to drink.

Hump Day

Today's Block Count: ?

I know I got my Black and White Block done for today and I believe I got 2 Green Blocks done. I did not, however, remember to get a picture before coming to bed, nor did I count the number of extra En Provence blocks I got done today. I do know there were quite a few finished and progressed because one of the green blocks could not be chained for longer than 1 seam at a time since it was a little Snail's Trail Block.

I did also decide today that I want to adjust my progress bars to show the total to go for the month, so that I can just go with that rather than trying to aim for a little of each project every day...which hasn't really been happening since I've been so focused on the 365 Quilts.

Simple Day

Today's Block Count: 2

Today was more of a Minecraft and Laundry day, than a Sewing day. But I did get my daily Black and White Block done and a Leader/Ender for En Provence. I also got the next green block cut, but it requires making sure you sew and flip on the correct corner, and my brain just was not computing that really well.

Now it's off to bed (off to bed). I really can't say that in my head without the repeat...or without using Cogsworth's voice. (Beauty and the Beast).

Began the Green

Today's Block Count: 5 + 3

Today I began my Green Round for my Rainbow 365, with 2 blocks, after finishing my Black and White Block. I've decided that except for the corner blocks I'm not going to worry about which block was supposed to go in which border. I'm just going to continue making them in order in whichever color I am currently on. The 3 spool blocks were my leader/enders for yesterday that were still sitting on my pressing board when I finished my post yesterday...oops.

I also got the next part cut for my Bonnie-Colored En Provence...and got 2 of the blocks sewn as Leader/Enders today.

I also am working on getting my boys to help with chores around the house. I was so excited the other day when Nate was getting a cup out of the cabinet and I realized that he could put the dishes away in that cabinet...now he is in charge of the plates, bowls, and cups, and Kyle is in charge of silverware. I do the rest...and I'm trying to work on being ok with my silverware not being sorted exactly the way I like...which is difficult for me.

Yellow Round

Today's Block Count: 2

I got my yellow border attached today. I love how this is turning out.

I also got my Black and White Block done for today. I actually made 2 of the same block because I wasn't sure which way to go with it. I added the Dark Grey because the block design really needed a 3rd color. Turning my Half Square Triangles was not going to work because it was going to look like yesterday's block. I will save the grey for the days that the block needs an extra color.

I also decided on my UFOs (unfinished objects) for my guild's UFO Challenge. We get to pick 4 and need to finish 1 for each of the months of May, August, and November. Then we get a fat quarter those months, and then we are entered into a big drawing in November.

So my 4 are
1) Rainbow 365 Top
2) Allietare Top
3) En Provence Top
4) Bind Vomit Quilt

I'm trying to continue to be nice to myself and still not demand that I quilt things, unless I want to.

I do have 1 other thing that I was considering for this year because I know I'll be making/finishing it because it is a wedding present. But I know that these 4 things are the things that I most want to make progress on for me.

I also started another leader/ender project. I have my Lozenge quilt on my bed, and see it all the time, and decided I liked how simple it was to put together. I also have several charm packs of Turkey Run that came as mystery charm packs from Missiouri Star Quilt Co. so decided I would try for a twin size using those. I have a cream for the corners of the dark lozenges, and this pretty red that I had ordered for the Civil War En Provence, but decided wasn't right for it, that will go on the light lozenges. These will just be extra little things I will cut when I need a leader/ender, but don't want to pull out a ton of fabric for my backup project. Right now it was because I still haven't gotten my cutting mat back on my cutting table from teaching the girls to sew, and the table has been buried again, so I could cut this on my little cutting mat on the little bit of space available on my desk.

Last of the Yellows

Today's Block Count: 3

I got 1 Black and White Block, my last Yellow Block, and 1 Bonus Spool Block. Now that my yellows are all made, I started on my Yellow Border. It might take me a day or 2 to finish it, but it was nice to know that I am slowly making progress.

Back to Blocks

 Today's Block Count: 7

I got 4 Black and White Blocks done, which catches those up, and finishes the 3rd week of the year, as well as one more yellow and 2 bonus spools. I will have to double check my yellow count, but I believe I only need 1 more block for that border.

I finally got my machines out of my car. They don't seem to be too mad about being out there overnight, thankfully. Well after the gumming of Selma, I decided I needed to be rotating my sewing machines a little bit more. So, I set up Billie the Singer. She and I haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other yet because she came to live with me just before Christmas. She is a 500A Rocketeer built in 1961 (a few parts have been replaced but their serial numbers also coorespond to 1961). She was the penultimate machine on my wish list (purely because of the look of the machine), and takes my count to 7. The only other machine, I'm really specifically looking for, albeit not too actively yet, is one of the "toy" hand crank machines. Just because I think they are so stinking cute. She is a slant needle machine, but I've not really noticed much of a difference.

Today I also got to help out in Nate's Kindergarten class. I absolutely love getting to do that. And while, it can be a little disheartening before I go to think of what isn't getting done (ie. blocks, dishes, laundry, etc.), it is always a great boost to my mood to be there. I just do little things like make copies, and help a few kids with numbers they are struggling with. Kyle loves that he gets to go to. I think he really feels like he is part of the class a little bit.

Machine Work

Today's Block Count: 0

While I didn't sew today, I did spend a few hours cleaning, oiling, and diagnosing the problem with my first sewing machine, my Elna Air Electronic SU that my mom gave me, name Elna. I believe the issue she is having is that she needs a new Motor Pulley. Hubs would like me to have her officially checked though, just to make sure I didn't miss something before we try ordering the $60 part. Ouch, by the way. She is such a nice machine that it will be worth it, but it does feel a little harsh when I have machines that have not cost that much. But then again, I also remember getting her bobbins, and they were considerably more pricey than the normal bobbins I have for my singers, and even more than the plastic bobbins for my Janomes.

You may notice some changes on the blog in the next day or two. I am attempting to get progress bars up so I can stop posting the long "statistical stuff" list every night...which is even a little boring for me.

Pillowcases

Today's Block Count: 1

Today I got the absolute pleasure of teaching 9 young ladies at church, aged 12 and 13, how to sew. We made Pillowcases, and I was really impressed with how well they did. I think they were pretty pleased with the results, too. 

So this afternoon was spent preparing (so it would look like I knew what I was doing). Turns out the pattern was even easier than I thought it would be. I made 5 different pillowcases to different stages, so I can finish those later. And then I paired several more fabrics together, particularly ones that have been really hard to use in my quilts because the prints are large, or the colors vary a lot. So I think I'll go ahead and cut a few more out, and sew them all up. This is fun too because I actually really love pillowcases, and who couldn't use a dozen more. 😀

I took along the majority of my sewing machine fleet (5 out of the 7) which was fun, too. We did have a few issues, Selma Singer decided to seize up, but by the end of the night after a bit of oil, she was singing again. The other issues tended to be inexperienced user error and were quickly fixed.

My one block for today was simply a leader/ender 4 patch from while I was working on my pillowcase preparations.

Then while I was pulling some fabric options from my stash that the girls could pick from, I realized I had a batch of fabrics from my mom that all seemed to coordinate quite nicely. I guess it shouldn't really be surprising that I would have something that coordinated given that she gave me way more than 60 yards (that's just the first batch she gave me while I was visiting...there were a couple more, too). So now I feel I need to come up with something for these lovelies...Ideas are appreciated. Do you guys ever do this, pull fabrics just because you like them together, and keep them together until a pattern comes along that fits them?

Statistical Stuff:
365C2017 - 17/19
365C2016 - 16/25
RSC - 33/54
WS/SS/PSM - 0/18
Total - 74/126
Bonus Blocks - 192
Finishes - 2
Tops - 1
Borders - 1
Extra projects - 1

RSC2 - January Done (12)