Weekend Projects

Yesterday was a good day. I spent about six hours working on my Basketful rug. Too bad it doesn't look like I spent six hours on it - the background just seems to go on forever! I did do a couple of leaves, but mostly spent the time trying to fil in the upper left corner. We're going to the lake to hook next weekend...wonder if there's any chance I could finish it? I would love to be able to move on to another project.















It really doesn't look like there's that much left, but when you look closely you see that it's probably half the rug.

Unfortunately, today hasn't been that successful from a productivity standpoint. I tried to start my Turning Leaves quilt using machine applique. I used King Tut variegated thread and really didn't like the result. I think I will either need to do invisible machine applique or go back to the original plan of hand appliqueing it. Of course, if I add it to the hand work list, there's little chance it will ever get done!

Tonight I worked on block three of my wool applique project. I botched the positioning of the center star badly, and it all but fell apart when I took it off and tried to redo it. I think the best bet is to find some wool in a similar color and start over. A couple of the star points are just threads now. Very sloppy!

I'm hopeful that tomorrow will be a little less frustrating...

Monday again...Bummer!

The retreat was wonderful, and I was about as productive as a person doing handwork can be. I lost the photo of my blocks that I took Saturday night, so I'll have to remember to take another this evening. I managed to finish 20 blocks on Saturday and another 10 or so yesterday. I need 224 total, so I still have quite a way to go! I'm enjoying working with the 30s fabrics - it's such a huge change of pace for me.

I decided to start on my Turning Leaves quilt, too. Why not? What's one more UFO? I originally thought that I would do it by hand, but after thinking about it this weekend, I think I will try machine applique. I have some beautiful King Tut threads that will look great with my bright fabrics. I have so many hand applique projects in progress and plan to start so many more that it seems crazy to add that one to the list.

I began to prep Summer's End block three when I got home last night. Hopefully I can get some of the wool cut out and get it started after the baby shower tonight.

Retreat - Day One

We had a great time yesterday and the food was wonderful! I didn't get nearly as much done as I thought I would (as usual), but I did manage to finish block two of my Summer's End block-of-the-week. I am headed out in just a few minutes for day two. I'll be working on my drunkard's path today. Hopefully I can make a dent in that pile of blocks!

One more day until retreat

I'm really looking forward to our retreat this weekend. Although I am not spending the night, I plan to take advantage of as much of each day as possible to try and get something accomplished. I'm not sure what that 'something' will be, though! I prepared a bunch of the drunkard's path blocks - enough to keep me busy all weekend - but have been thinking that I should take along my wool applique project in case I need a diversion. I finished prepping block two last night. I'm getting so far behind - I think I received the 7th one yesterday! Then I started thinking that I would really love to start working on the Turning Leaves quilt. I've been wanting to make that one forever! I can't decide what colorway to use, though. I'd like to make it bright - I'm not ready to do another fall colors quilt again, although now that I think about it, it might make a nice wall hanging to accompany my Autumn Jewels. I'd love to do blues and greens, but I am afraid that it wouldn't have enough color to really "pop". Decisions, decisions!

I need to do a little shopping tonight anyway - my gift certificate is waiting for me at The Quilted Fox, and tonight will be my only opportunity to use my Jackman's coupon. Perhaps something will catch my eye, and I can add another UFO to my list!

So many projects, so little time!

It seems like every time I turn around, I find another quilt or rug that I can't wait to start! I have started six rug hooking projects already this year, but have only finished two so far. Well, one of them isn't completely finished, but the hooking is done. I don't know that I can even count how many quilting projects I have started or purchased fabrics for. I have finished one - my Autumn Jewels quilt I started at Runaway in 2007. I am actually keeping up with the Bunny Hill block of the month project, but other than that I continue to fall behind on the many block of the month (and now block of the week!) projects I have subscribed to.

So what's the next big project? I have started a drunkard's path in 30s fabrics and have purchased some of the fabrics for the cover quilt on the current issue of Fons & Porter magazine. Although I have fallen in love with the look of the 30s fabrics, I think I need to do a bright quilt to appease my husband's tastes. I think the bright colors will work with the pattern...I can't wait to get started on it!

One down (almost)!

I finished binding my blog hook-along rug last night. I still need to sew the tape down, but it's far enough along to be able to get my pictures off to Gene Shepherd for possible inclusion in his article. I enjoyed working with the proddy and would like to do something else dimensional in the future.


Now I need to focus my attention on getting my rug from camp finished. I have two new starts coming up in the next five weeks, so I'd love to get something else off the list. I'm continuing to try and get at least a wall hanging finished for the quilt show. It's starting to look like I won't be able to get the big quilt quilted in time. I'm a bit disappointed, but maybe I'll learn my lesson and actually get a few projects finished before the 2011 show!

So Much Inspiration!

I'm trying to settle back into work after a week plus of inspiration overload... I attended the IQA show in Chicago a week ago Saturday and then headed to Paducah on Tuesday. Both shows seemed more crowded than usual, particularly Paducah. It was so busy on Wednesday that you could hardly move in the main exhibit hall. The quilts were absolutely gorgeous this year. Applique is definitely "in", and pieced backgrounds are becoming increasingly popular. I really love the look of a pieced background. One that I particularly loved was something similar to a sawtooth star - the center was a solid square...I'm not sure what the real name of the block is - in neutrals.

I purchased tons of fabric and quite a few beautiful patterns in Paducah. I was sucked in by Primitive Pastimes in Chicago (again!) and ended up buying three more wool applique kits. I still haven't touched the two from last year! I'm particularly anxious to get started on the cutwork pattern I purchased from Dinah Jeffries.

I finished my inspirational week by attending wool club at Nola's yesterday. This month's wool was a beautiful blue/jewel-colored spot dye. We chose colors for my upcoming scroll class and discussed possibilities for Anita's class in June. I'm leaning toward choosing a crewel pattern for that one. My colors will likely be very similar to the ones I chose for the scrolls. Of course, I can't think about the fact that I am starting TWO new rugs in the next month and a half.

My goals for this week are to deliver my Faceted Jewels quilt to Jackie and finish the prodded flower basket. Oh, and I plan to send in my "Cash Dash" form to the state. Wouldn't it be nice to find out they owe me enought to purchase a longarm?!