March Goals for A Lovely Year of Finishes

I want to get the R2D2 quilt finished.

It has appliqued onto the head and body parts now and even pinned onto the background awaiting to be appliqued.  I have a quilting plan in mind so hopefully I can get this finished this month.

Linking up with ALYoF (button on my side bar).

What I have been working on

Done some work on my CQJP 2015 March block.  Will post a picture of that on Wed or so.

Most of my time lately has been taken up with

1.  Bali Bedrunner - took a class last Jan 23 & 24 where I got a few of each type of piece done.  Got all my pieces made and trimmed so finally took a picture to show you.

These are roughly laid out there are still a few pieces to be added in once some of the pieces are joined as you can tell by the gaps inbetween some of the pieces.  The missing parts are just little squares.  This is one end of the bedrunner.  It will be 104 inches long.

2.  R2D2 - one of the ladies at John's work is expecting and has requested a R2D2 quilt.  So here is the drawing and pieces up on my board.  The pieces are still waiting to be prepped for machine applique.  I am going to use the starch & freezer paper to prep them then will use invisible machine applique.  The main body will be light grey with the head being dark grey.  The background is a dark blue with stars.

CQJP2015 - February block

Here it is.

The boy and girl are done with crayon tinting then outlined.  The spider is done with buttons,  The butterfly is done with heart shaped sequins.   Add in some silk ribbon flowers and some dmc/pearl cotton seam treatments with beads here and there and it is done. (actually was finished towards the end of January 2015)

Started working on my March block.  Almost have all of the seam treatments stitched but still needs beads/sequins, then need to add a few other elements as well as 3 charms.

UFO's I want done this year

Quilts in progress

Spring Bouquet - applique - 2 blocks done
Bali Bedrunner - paper piecing just started on Jan 23
R2D2 - applique just starting for a friend
Hexie BoM - have the hex part done but still need to stitch them onto the background for Oct, Nov                            and Dec.
My Sisters BoM - pieced
Floyd's BoM - pieced


Blocks done but need to be sewn together.

Stack n Whack 2
Hexie 2


Quilts waiting for backing

Labrynth
Stack n Whack 1
Sharman's Vintage Garden
Noah's Ark
Hexie 1
Floyd's 2014 BoM

Quilts waiting to be quilted

Atlantis Rising - approx 1/2 done
Mimi's Bloomers - approx 2/3 done
Forget Me not


As you can see I will have a very busy and hopefully productive year.  I will try to post pictures as I move items from one category to another.  I will also try to update this list each month.

What I have been up to.

Sorry for ignoring my blog.  Most of what I have been working on I was unable to show you.

What I have on the go.

CQJP 2015 - January block done and posted
                      February block done - not posted

Spring Bouquet - block 1 done and posted quite awhile ago.
                           - block 2 done - not posted
                           - block 3 in the prep stage

Pin cushion swap - January block done, mailed, and has been received so here is the picture. (1 of the                                items haven't been able to show you ).  All hand embroidery.  The D is filled with                                stem stich and the leaves and flowers are silk ribbon embroidery.

                                  

                         This is the pincushion I received from Laila in Norway.

Local Quilt Shop BoM's  -  Floyds just started haven't done Jan block yet.

                                         -  My Sisters - 6 blocks done now.  7th comes out on the 31.  Then we are                                                                      back on track from the holidays.  Will post a picture after I                                                                       get the 7th block done.

Bali Bedrunner - will post about this and the class later this week.

Also I still need to post my UFO's that I want to get done this year.

What I learned Craft Wise this past year.

PREVIOUS YEARS

2012 - Paper piecing (has it uses but am not crazy about it)

2013 - Applique freezer paper & starch method ( really enjoy it)
            Applique raw edge (really enjoy this as well)
            Tail end of the year got interested in Crazy Quilting and was drooling over Silk Ribbon                               Embroidery
            Discovered Hexies (those addicting little suckers)

THIS LAST YEAR

2014 -  Took some CQ classes with Kathy Shaw and am addicted.   These classes also covered SRE                        (silk ribbon embroidery).
         -  Learnt to be wary of having hubbie attend local BoM's.  I got signed up for a Judy Niemeyer                    class, as well as an upcoming Feathered Star class.
         - Greatly increased skill of hand embroidery (stitchmap class)

HOPE TO LEARN THIS YEAR

- am hoping to expand knowledge through classes from Stitchmap

- will be expanding my knowledge and skill at CQ & SRE doing the CQJP (see button on sidebar) am also hoping that Kathy has some more intermediate & advanced classes this year.

- Bali bedrunner class towards the end of Jan (Judy Niemeyer pattern) so in depth paper piecing.

- Feather Star class Jan or Feb

- will be learning quilting on a long arm in Jan as well.  Then have several quilts that are waiting to be finished.




Some time later this week will be making a list of the ufo's that I want DONE this year.   I don't think I will be doing any online BoM's but will be collecting several this year.  I really need to destress and get some of these projects finished which will also help to preserve peace and space in my home life.

Progress on CQJP Feb 2015 block

Yes you read that title correctly.  I am trying to get ahead as there is almost always something that comes up/happens that prevents me from doing my crafts during the winter months.

Here is the picture with the seams done.  Sorry for that shadow, my head got in the way.

I have a motif and some silk ribbon flowers to add still.  The vine above the couple will have sequins which will be added later.  Same as the beads at the end of the leaves on both the right and left hand seams.  Still want to add a french knot to the center of the flowers in the lower vine.

If you enlarge the block the hand basting is the 8 inch mark.  I am figuring my blocks will be 8.5 or 9 inch finished.  I just haven't decided whether to sash them and join them altogether or use them as individual wall hangings.