I finally quilted it today.  I am subscribing the axiom “Done is Better than Perfect”.  I had so many problems that I am just glad to be done.

A Sneak Peak.

Here is the thread that I wasted with this quilting… bobbin issues, thread issues, you name it.  ‘I am thinking of paying a child to remove the safety pins for me.  I just threw everything in a pile and didn’t think about it.

Completed Blocks: 9 – Months One through Nine

Blocks in Kit form: 2 – Months Eleven and Twelve.

Utoh!  Month 10 is missing.  From my recollection this was a very difficult block.  I don’t even know what I did with the kit for it.  I found some started pieces, but no clue as to where the rest was – even the directions.  A quick call to the store and they are going to send me out a new block.

It took me the good part of the day to complete two of these blocks, so here they are:

Block Eleven:

Block Twelve:

I even found my instructions to block ten.  That one will be saved for another day because it is a real bugger! 

Tomorrow, unless a miracle happens, I won’t get to sew at all.  I have guild stuff to do, I have to get my car safety inspected, and I have to go grocery shopping.

The first week went well.  Out of the four goals I set for myself, I accomplished 3.

To recap, my goals for last week were:

1.  Finish quilting my “Pumped Pumpkins” quilt. I not only finished quilting it, I got it mostly bound too.  I have one long side to go.

2.  Work on my Chinese Lanterns Quilt.  I did not get to work on these at all. 

3.  Complete my Heartland Heritage Blocks.  Not only did I get the four blocks done that I needed to finish, I got the top almost put together.

4.  Organize my sewing room. I woke up really early on Friday morning (2:30am) and couldn’t go back to sleep.  I decided instead of watching TV or surfing the internet, I would clean my room.  I got it all nice and cleaned (minus vacuuming because it was still too early and my family was asleep).

This week’s goals:

1.  Complete Hartland Heritage top.

2.  Finish binding Pumped Pumpkins

3. Quilt Friendship Braid

4. Finish the 3 blocks for the Designer Mystery 2009.

5. Make charmed tote.

I decided to forgo the pieced cornerstones, so I can just mark it off my list.

For the last few months, when I went to “The Tuesday Bee”,  I would cut the blocks out so that when I had a few minutes to sew, I wouldn’t have to worry about cutting first.

Today I decided that I would finally get the blocks done.  I had four to sew; blocks 3, 5, 8 and 11.

Here are all the blocks:

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Block 6

Block 7

Block 8

Block 9

Block 10

Block 11

Block 12

I managed to get some of it quilted during my last bee, but had to stop when I didn’t bring one color of thread for the outside border.

I finished quilting it today.

Here is a sneak peak until it is bound, hopefully by the end of the weekend.

Have you ever needed a quick gift for someone?  Something homemade, yet VERY quick?

Try this: CrissCross Coasters

I whipped these up in about 15 minutes (a set of 8 ) including cutting.  My version is slightly different from those in the pattern.  I use 5” squares vs 4.5” squares.  Not only can you cut them yourself from yardage, but you could use a charm pack – just keep in mind you need 6 charms per coaster.

I also do not use the fusible web – I feel they wash better without it.  I have made many sets, for myself and gifts. 

Our guild has a secret pal program that runs 4-6 months, and you send a small gift to your pall each month.  My secret pal, sent me a jelly roll (way more than the amount your supposed to spend!!) but I really appreciate it. Thank you again Ellen!

It is the Kaufman Oriental Traditions Roll-up.  It comes with 6 strips of Radiance – a cotton/silk blend.  I wanted to find a pattern that would set those off.]

I was thumbing through my new book:

The lantern pattern is in there – but slightly different than what I am ending up with.

I do have a question though.  I am making about 28 lantern blocks (that is al that can make with the amount of accent strips that I have.

I won some fabric from the shop hop that was two weeks ago and I wonder if it will make a good border fabric – it is the red fabric.  Does it look good or should I look for something else?  Should I wait to see what it looks like with more blocks made?  Opinions wanted please!!

8/23 to 8/29

1.  Complete quilting my Pumped Pumpkins Quilt.  I started quilting it at the Sassy S&B Quilter’s bee on the 14th.  I got to the orange border and had to stop since I didn’t bring thread to quilt it with. 

2.  Work on my Chinese lanterns quilt.  This is a new one I started that same week of the bee.  I don’t have any pictures yet.

3.  Complete the Heartland Heritage Blocks for that BOM project.  I want to try and get this one off my plate soon.

4.  Organize my room a little better.  It is getting to be where I can’t find anything!

So next Monday, I will have a report on what I did get accomplished and new goals for the following week.  Anyone interested in joining me?

Yep,  I have been MIA on this blog a while.  It has been a semi-busy summer.  The kids were out of school for two months and the last month, my husband was on leave.  We enjoyed some family time.  Some of that was just sitting around the house chilling, but it was much needed chill time.  The bad thing is that I really didn’t sew for those two months.

The kids are now back to school, hubby is back to work.  Things are starting to get back to normal.  Hopefully by next week I will be sewing again.