Getting It Done--February/March

I am linking up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times for this month's Get It Done updates. At the end of each month, quilters from all over post lists of their goals for the coming month, plus a look back at how they did on the goals from the previous month.  I am finding that public declaration of my goals really helps keep me on track.  I am very pleased with the progress that I made this month.  Thanks to Judy for the great idea!


FEBRUARY GOALS:
1.  Dancing Stars--make 8-10 blocks in this month's color (purple) for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.   DONE 2/23 (ELEVEN BLOCKS MADE)

2.  Scrappy Sampler BOM--make this month's set of blocks.  DONE 2/14
      Photo shows both January & February blocks.

3.  Red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler--finish 4 pineapple blocks.
     DONE 2/3

4.  Hidden Nine-patch quilt--finish binding and add hanging sleeve.
     QUILT IS TOTALLY FINISHED AND HANGING ON THE WALL! 2/23

5.  Storm at Sea--hanging sleeve.  SLEEVE MADE BUT NOT SEWN ON

6.  Alter shirt I bought at Christmas.  DONE 2/15



MARCH GOALS:  My only chance of accomplishing my goals in March is to keep them rather modest.  We are going to be very busy at work for the next month or more, and I don't want to feel stressed out over meeting my quilting goals too.

1.  Dancing Stars--make 8-10 blocks in this month's color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

2.  Scrappy Sampler BOM--make this month's set of blocks.  

3.  Storm at Sea--finish hanging sleeve.

4.  Photograph Storm at Sea & Hidden 9-Patch; submit quilt show entry forms.

Julie

15 Minute Challenge

In this month's 15 Minute Challenge posts, Kate has been focusing on our quilting spaces.  Today she showed a couple of books about how to make the most of our sewing rooms.  Another great book on this topic is Lois Hallock's 

Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space: Sewing-Room Makeovers for Any Space and Any Budget.  Lois is a professional organizer and a quilter.  In her book, she shows before and after photos of quilting spaces of all types and sizes that she has helped redesign.

I haven't had much chance for quilting this week because I needed to spend most of my time working on a costume project.  That needs to be finished up in the next week or so.  It's also likely that I will need to work next Saturday, which means even less time available for quilting.

Here's a photo of part of my costume project.  It is going to be a pair of breeches.  The dark stripe consists of a piece of black brocade covered with a strip of  black and silver lace, and that is covered with two layers of black tulle.  Then it gets black piping down both edges.  Very slow work.  The waistband and kneebands also all have piping around them.  The fabrics are beautiful, but the work is going slowly.

Tues., 2/19--costume project

Wed., 2/20--costume project, Dancing Stars
Thur., 2/21--costume project
Fri., 2/22--costume project, Hidden 9-Patch hanging sleeve
Sat., 2/23--Dancing Stars, Hidden 9-Patch hanging sleeve
Sun., 2/24--costume project, Storm at Sea hanging sleeve
Mon., 2/25--costume project

Check out the 15 Minute Challenge posts at Life in Pieces to see how others are finding time and space for creativity. 

Julie

Design Wall Monday 2/25/13

There are only small changes to my design wall this week. There are now 11 purple Dancing Stars blocks, joining up with the pink blocks from last month. The Scrappy Sampler blocks at the bottom are the same as a week ago.

It's not on my design wall, but I am very excited to show my completely finished Hidden 9-Patch quilt.  The binding and hanging sleeve are finally done! The pattern is "Atlanta Commons" from the book 101 Nine Patch Quilts by Marti Michell.  I pieced the top for a guild challenge around 2002, but didn't get it quilted until last year. I am so happy to have this piece finished and hanging on the wall.  

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 2/24/13

It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of February already.  I keep hoping to make a bigger dent in my fabric stash, but have to be satisfied with small amounts.  The good news is that no new yardage has been added this month.

My yardage used has increased by a little bit again.  I used 1/4 yard for the hanging sleeve on my Hidden Nine-Patch quilt, plus 2 yards for the January & February Dancing Stars blocks that I am making for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

Used this week:   2.25 yards  
Used year to date:  9.5 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  7 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

The Last Saturday for Purple

It's the last Saturday of February, the final week of scrappy purple blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I finished up three more Dancing Stars blocks, bringing my total number of purple blocks to 11.  That keeps me on target to have enough blocks at the end of the year for a throw quilt.

Check out all the fabulous projects featuring purple for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I can't wait to see what next month's color will be!


Julie

15 Minute Challenge

This is the first week in about a month when I had days with no time for quilting or other sewing projects.  I worked lots of extra hours over the weekend, and that left me too wiped out for any extra sewing on Monday evening.  I also have an extra costume project that will fill up most of my free time.  I need to get that finished in the next week or so.

Tues., 2/12--Scrappy Sampler, costume project

Wed., 2/13--costume project, Hidden 9-Patch binding
Thurs., 2/14--Scrappy Sampler, Hidden 9-Patch binding
Fri., 2/15--shirt alterations, Dancing Stars
Sat., 2/16--Dancing Stars
Sun., 2/17--none 
Mon., 2/18--none
Tues., 2/19--costume project

Check out Life in Pieces to see how others are finding time and space for creativity. There are some great links with info about sewing room organization, something I definitely need to work on!


Julie

Design Wall Monday 2/18/13

My design wall has the same projects on it as the last few weeks, but there are more blocks added to both projects.  The Dancing Stars at the top have four more purple stars than last week.  Below that are the Scrappy Sampler blocks with the addition of the blocks for February--4 Goose Tracks and 2 Churn Dash blocks.

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 2/17/13

My yardage used this week is for the February blocks for the Scrappy Sampler BOM quilt.  I am subtracting the yardage used for this project each month as I make the blocks.  It will be too hard to figure out at the end of the year since there are so many different blocks.

Finishing these blocks also takes care of one of my goals for the February Get It Done challenge.

Used this week:   .75 yards  
Used year to date:  7.25 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  4.75 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Dancing Stars in Pink & Purple

This project is my way of killing two birds with one stone.  I had been following the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for quite awhile last year, admiring the many beautiful blocks people made in each month's designated color.  I decided to join in on the challenge, but what to make?

Then I discovered the Dancing Stars quilt-along at Amy's Creative Side.  The pattern is a free download on her site, and she gives several different size options, everything from an 8-block doll quilt up to queen-sized.  

My collection of Dancing Stars blocks has grown by four additional purple stars this week.  My plan is to make 8-10 blocks each month in the chosen color.  If I can produce that many, I will have plenty for a throw quilt at the end of the year.  I look forward to adding more colors to this group.

Check out all the fabulous projects featuring purple for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.


Julie

Getting It Done--February update

February is just speeding by, but we have reached the midpoint of the month. That means it is time to check on my progress on Judy's Getting It Done challenge.  I listed 6 goals for the month, which might be overly ambitious for this short month, but I feel good about how much I have gotten done so far.

FEBRUARY GOALS:
1.  Dancing Stars--make 8-10 blocks in this month's color (purple) for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  2/9--four blocks done

2.  Scrappy Sampler BOM--make this month's set of blocks.  DONE 2/14

3.  Red, white & blue Scrap Club Sampler--finish 4 pineapple blocks.
     DONE 2/3

4.  Hidden Nine-patch quilt--finish binding and add hanging sleeve.
     BINDING DONE 2/14

5.  Storm at Sea--hanging sleeve.

6.  Alter shirt I bought at Christmas.




Julie