Resolution Update

My big resolution for 2016 is to try to get one flimsey per month off of a hanger in the closet and out to be quilted and finished. As most resolutions go, I am already off track, but I am optimistic that I can get a few more done by year's end. Which is the whole point, anyway.

I did January's - Vincent, my Van Gogh-inspired quilt using Avignon fabric by American Jane. Below is a picture of it, and here is the post of its finish.

For February, I sent off my scrappy 16-patch stars. It will be coming back to me this week ready for binding. A bit late, since we are nearly through April already, but there have been some snags along its journey to being finished. Terry, my friendly quilter, had some health issues and then the backing I sent was causing her machine to skip stitches - these were the most significant of the snags. Hopefully, we are back on track now, though, and last I spoke with Terry, this Tuesday is the target delivery date. Below is February's quilt.

I was in a quandary about what to do for March, and since now April is about over and May is looming, I don't know which month to assign to this quilt. I suppose I will call it May, and just accept the fact that I skipped March and April. *sigh*

May's quilt is my beautiful Eventide made from Roman Holiday fabric by 3 Sisters. The pattern is a Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie's Quilts design, and I love everything about it. Having such a pretty quilt hanging in a closet is almost criminal, so off it will go to Terry for quilting. Here is the post from when I finished the quilt top clear back in August of '14.

One final this afternoon; several essays to get graded; another final on Wednesday; a book to get read by Friday; bridal shower for niece Abby on Saturday; final grades to be submitted as early as possible. Just a normal busy week around here. Whew.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

New Year's Resolution #1

January's quilt is done and I am so pleased with the results.

I gave the quilt top to long-arm quilter Terry around the middle of January. She had it quilted and handed it back over to me on Friday. I spent yesterday evening preparing and attaching the binding. It's DONE!!

The details: quilt top made in August, 2011; size is 70 inches by 80 inches; fabric is by Moda's American Jane called Breath of Avignon.

I always say this quilt looks like a Van Gogh painting with the bright, intense colors. I even called the quilt "Vincent" back when I first posted about making the quilt top.

Strippy quilts are fun and fast. I had a lot of fabric from this line, and some pieces were border prints. I used them in the solid vertical strips, and maintained the little yellow bit on the edge - it looks like rick-rack. That's just one of the neat little touches that make me adore this quilt.

I am gearing up to do some hand quilting while we watch the super-bowl tonight. I have no favorite to win - I would love to see Manning get another Super Bowl victory; and Carolina is just full of former OSU Buckeyes. Either way, I will be happy for the winner. Just hope to see a good game.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Goal for the New Year

I do love setting goals for myself, and I have come up with one that will make me supremely happy when the next new year is here.

I have dozens of quilt tops folded over hangers in my sewing room closet. I am not exaggerating - dozens. Some of them I will very likely sell, but others I really love and want to keep.

My thinking: why on earth am I keeping them hidden in the closet when if I'd just bite the bullet and get them quilted, I could be enjoying them?!?! Why, indeed.

So I am going to select 12 quilts from the closet and get one quilted each month of 2016. I have already selected January's quilt - Vincent. So named because the bright intense colors remind me of Van Gogh's paintings.

I made this quilt top in August of 2011 using a Moda fabric line by American Jane called Breath of Avignon. It was a truly fun quilt to make, and I think it's vivid brightness will be a nice beacon to offset the gray winter month of January.

January is here and the goal is established. Let's see what kind of fun this will be.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

I Dub Thee 'Vincent'

Vincent - it was hugely fun to make, once I finally decided on a pattern. I spent more time trying to make that decision than I did making the quilt top. I first started pondering the possibilities for the Breath of Avignon fabric on July 26. I finally cut out the quilt last Saturday, August 13. And in a week's time, this top was finished!!!!

The red border print used in the columns has a very orangy-look, but it is red, not orange. When I showed it to my mother and sister yesterday, they said it looks like a picnic quilt. Then I showed it to my grandmother, and she agreed! So, once this gets quilted, there will be some picnicking on it, no doubt.

I mentioned that coming up with a pattern for this fabric was a long process. There were a number of factors I was considering: 1) I wanted to use the border print in a strip-quilt design, 2) I wanted the pieced blocks to look really scrappy, 3) I did not want to use any other fabric than what I had on hand in the Breath of Avignon bin, 4) I wanted the piecing to be simple and fast.

The piles of books and magazines around my very cluttered sewing room tell the story of my quest.

Books and magazines leaning against the dresser at the foot of my 'Thoughtful Spot" chair.

Magazines piled on the floor near the same spot.

And a huge stack of magazines leaning on top of the bookshelf.

Yes, I looked everywhere for inspiration. I didn't know what I wanted specifically, but I think I knew I'd see it and instantly know "voila!" that's it!! Well, it didn't happen exactly like that. I'd been giving a lot of thought to this quilt from Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles Times Two book:

It's hard to see, but the name of the quilt is Scratch.

What I liked about 'Scratch" is the 4-patch block on point. The drawback was that I didn't have the yardage necessary to make setting triangles. The way I solved this was to use her directions for the corner triangles of each strip all the way down the strip, and use my variety of fabrics to increase the scrappy effect I was going for. (following that???)

I pondered very seriously making Ohio Stars on point; the drawback: too much time planning and piecing. I really wanted to piece these blocks fast; 4-patches won out over Ohio Stars. I thought, too, that I'd use different colors in the border print strips. Turns out, the only border print I had enough of was the red. Sorta' dictated that decision, right?

Backing decisions are already made. I had this fabric in my stash, and while it's not Breath of Avignon, it does have the same feel and look. I think it will do nicely.

And, I have plenty, as evidenced here by the sales tag I found tucked inside it. I bought it on sale. What a bargain!! *big grin*

Six and a half yards for under $40 - happy, happy!

There is still quite a bit of Breath of Avignon left in the bin. I am tempted to cut it all into squares and just stitch it all up. But I will hold off. There are a couple of pieces that I didn't even touch - mostly blues, so maybe an idea will present itself. No rush. It can be tucked away in the closet for future endeavors.

Now I'm wondering what I will work on next. The OSU t-shirt quilt is waiting in the wings, as is Adam's t-shirt quilt. I really ought to get those done. But, you know, there's this tub of French General fabric upstairs, and I already have a pattern selected for it, and it's on the list of goals for 2011, and I really would like to cut into it, and it's begun "talking" to me...