Fresh start

Er.. okay, I admit I am sidetracked easily.

I am so enjoying the free-motion applique, I wanted to do some free-motion quilting (I can actually "see" results of my efforts in the latter case). I also want to play around with scalloped edges. AND, I really liked this fabric (part of the Kaffe Fasset collective).

I have outlined some of the flowers, stems and flower centres. I used a variegated Signature thread for the quilting. It looks sooo good!!

Loving it so much... here is another piece of fabric where I intend to play with scalloped edges. Ssshhh!! I am supposed to be making foundation piecing blocks for my next miniature.

I think I will cross-hatch quilt this - keeping it simple. I will quilt them both first, then play with the scallop templates. I guess, then I will catch up with the foundation piecing...

It's about time for some short term goals:

1. Quilt both table runners ready to play with scallop edges.

2. Finish machine applique on barns (there will be plenty of handwork afterwards - loads of ribbon embroidery).

3. Make outer border on 12 Days of Christmas quilt then give it to Mum for quilting. :)

4. Finish cross-stitch decorations (as long as they are done before December 1st, I don't really mind when).

5. Play with scallop edges on outside of Rural Jardin quilt once it is back from quilting.

6. Start foundation pieced mini quilt (okay, *sigh*, and finish it too).

My list of four has gone fungly

Lazy Gal Quilting has issed a challenge: make a fungly quilt (it's ugly and fun together). This is just the sort of thing that would help me use up some "unspeakables" in my stash.

I will just go and have a peek through some bits and pieces.

Hang on a minute....!! What about my list of four!! I've been working on the civil war hexagons, but that is such a long term project that it will take me a few years to finish it.

Ok, if I finish 2 off my old UFOs list can I start a fungly quilt? The Christmas redwork squares shouldn't take long and then the binding on Kaffe and Liberty. No, it's still not enough. I don't even have time to put the fabrics into a bag to add to my list of PIGs (Projects in Grocery Sacks).
I must think about this rationally!! It will take more than putting on a binding and making a small wallhanging to justify my urge to make a fungly quilt.
Here's my new proposal:

• Work on list of four:
  

1. Kaffe and Liberty binding


2. Quilt red white and yellow cherries quilt top


3. put together French Collection stitchery quilt (waiting for fabric)


4. working on Civil War Hexagons (this is a pick-up and put-down project)
   

• Goals in order to start Fungly quilt:
  

1. binding on Kaffe and Liberty (this will let me add another project to the list of four)


2. make Christmas raffle blocks into a wallhanging


3. make Old Chooks raffle blocks quilt (quilt as you go?)

This is do-able and I can stick to my list of four! Hurrah! I knew I could sort it out.

Too bad I already started putting together the Christmas raffle blocks! oops! Now where is my camera? Here they are, basted and ready to quilt.

Working my way through the list...

What a full and busy weekend I have had! Here's the red, white and yellow cherries PIGs (Projects In Grocery Sack) I started with.

And here is my rough drawing. It's a lot rougher than I usually start with, but I feel like ad-libbing. It won't matter too much, it is a baby quilt.

I can't remember exactly what I had in mind when I bought these fabrics, but the ric-rac was in the box, so I used it.

Here are some of the 32 blocks I put together - very easy - 6.5 inches unfinished.

Ric-rac added... it does give some pizzazz. Not all the blocks have ric-rac, so placement will be important when I set them all out and play with positioning.

Lists

As I lay on my sick bed most of the day yesterday... I tossed and turned with quilt projects in my head.

Perhaps I need to list my UFOs and WIPs (I haven't done this before, it sounds scary). I really want to start something new to work on by hand, but I've got a rule - I need to finish something before I start something new. That way, no matter how many projects are on the go at once, their number do not increase.

With my brain in a fuzzy fashion, I just want something to work on that will not require an awful lot of brain power. All the projects I can think of are machine, machine, machine. I am not in any fit state to cut fabric either.... so what to do? I find myself sitting in one place looking around the room for inspiration or a reason to say "Oh yeah" that's what I wanted to do, then settle down with it.

Right, I need a list of what I have achieved this year (I need to build up my self esteem and justify starting a new project) - and perhaps a list of what I want to work on.. and maybe an incomplete list of UFOs. After all, don't they get put away and forgotten about? Maybe UFO stands for "Unfinished Forgotten Objects".

A little later... alright! I justified starting a new LITTLE project. Look I have done 1/5 of it already!

And here's a photo of what it will look like finished - it's an Australian pattern "The Night Before" by Cinderberry Stitches.