WIP Wednesday: Checklist

I was feeling productive until I looked around the studio and realized that I didn't get as much as I "thought" I would this week.

Like last week, my worst enemy got in the way a bit.

I am created havoc this week by organizing my area and shredding batting. 

 However, I made a small amount of progress on my list, so I have given myself some leeway!

First "Client" Quilt

Long arm quilting finished!   

Photo shoot of the quilt later and then off to the post office to return to its home!

Rosary Bags

I was asked to make and embroider some pouches for some of the teachers at my sons' school.  

Check that off the list!

Hex on the Beach

I will be perfectly honest. The pre-cut fabric is a little bit of a disappointment.  The fabric itself is AMAZING.  But the kit's hexies are just not giving me enough seam allowance to baste them like I like here.  Instead? I am using a glue stick.

  I'm not thrilled, but as you can see, it is getting the job done!

End of the Year Teacher Gifts

Do your remember this stack from last year?

Mug Rugs!!!

I hated my quick binding job, so I have ripped them all out.  

I re-trimmed the mug rugs to re-attach them more cleanly.  Two need to be done by Thursday, the rest? By June 3rd!!

In the meantime, I will try not to get distracted.

 

By my worst enemy #2.

Linking up

WIP: Will I ever get some time to sew?

My computer issues set me back a few days.  I was able to recover all of my files, but still had to erase and reinstall my entire hard drive and software using Mr. Bosses Mac book. Who knew?

 

While we were at it, we installed a new printer since my old one was printing offset and only printing in black and blue.  I am highly annoyed that it took time away from other things, but I can't complain...computers make some things just too easy these days!

Finishes: NONE. I figured if I made this TEENY TINY to read you wouldn't bother reading it?

In Progress: 

Teacher Mug Rugs

5 bindings finished out of the 12.  I do it during my TV time at night.  

But the view is the same.

Violet's Quilt

 More of the border. 

The paper piecing is semi-slow going.  I find a bit of time, but get sidetracked when Button gets into my things like this:

And this:

And informed me that he has decided to write his very own Baby Button's Advice Column.  

This week's installment?

How to get up on mom's sofa in her studio. 

Just pull down the pillows for a boost. Take note of the linear line up of the pillows and the nod to his safety.  His mother's boy.

No Progress:

  Twins Quilt (tops finished)

Retro QAL (very few blocks pieced)

Twin quilt for nursery (still in design stage)

Christmas quilt (top unfinished)

Baby girl quilt kit

Thank you quilt 

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM

June's Imagine.do.Goodstiches charity bee blocks

I am off to see if I can get my creative motivation going and visit some of my quilting/sewing friends at

Lee is on R&R so there are going to be guest posts every week! FUN!!!

WIP: Overbooked

Monday night, I decided to sit down and really truly write down all my projects and see where I was at for the end of June.

This is upside down because this is how I feel!!!

It doesn't look good.  I scratched out Tuesdays because they are cleaning, tutoring, and lesson day. It is a pipe dream to even think I can answer emails on that day!  I am overbooked. I did it to myself.  Some of it can wait.  Some of it is for me.  I imagine that I will shove them to the next month....and the next....and the next.....

But good news.  Finishes and progress!!!

Finishes:

Flip Flop Pillow

  It is just a fun outdoor pillow for the chaise lounge poolside..nothing too serious!   To find out the process...it is HERE.  I have been inspired to do a radically different pillow for inside the house...but that is going on my "wait and see" list now!

In Progress:

 Twins Quilt 

 

I finished the appliqued names and the animals!!

 I am happy that they are similar, but have some subtle differences.

 They are ready to go visit Ole Betsy.

 

 

But Elephant needs his ear and eye.

 

And Giraffe needs his eyes first!

 

Teacher Thank You gifts.

 

Since school is over, I have been working slowly.  None of the mug rugs are in a completely finished state. 

 

 

I just grab my little $0.99 straw bag and work on them here and there. 

 

 

 I am vastly worried about why I am even doing them!  School has been over for 12 days now.  Mail them?  Or just wait and give them at the beginning of the school year?  Thoughts!??!

 

No Progress: 

 

Retro QAL 

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt 

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM (I realized that the FIFTH block is on it's way....haven't started??!?!?YIKES!!!)

New Project:

Violet's Quilt

Violet's Quilt

Not necessarily a new project, but just haven't been counting it on my WIPs because I wasn't sure when I was ever going to truly start it...it has been in design phase for awhile.  It is for a special momma. She has memorabilia and sweet Violet's urn on a shelf.  She asked me to make a "shelf quilt" for her.

A Flying Geese border is my focus right now.  Strange for me to work on a border first, but the center will go quickly since it is going to be machine embroidered!

Foundation piecing: Flying Geese

Foundation piecing seemed the best choice since I was too tired last night to try the "easy" methods and my triangles are 1 inch tall and 2 inches wide.  I really want them to be accurate versus fast.

Violet embroidery design

I practiced my embroidery design that I edited and digitized from an image I found.   After stitching it out and realizing that 28 inches is REALLY long (it is almost as long as a small tablerunner!) I have decided to change the design a bit more.....stay tuned...

I hope that I can meet all the commitments I have in the next 17 days. 

  

DID I JUST SAY SEVENTEEN DAYS!?!?!?

WIP: Summer is here.

It started with a bang...a certain 10 year old's birthday party.

And seriously...if you have one of these...

Get there...ASAP.

It's not just for wee ones...

 Or 10 year old boys wanting to slam dunk!

Even moms and dads can jump.  I did bounce a bit, but this is all your gonna get folks....the rare shot of me in a photo!

Dodge ball people!!!!!!  Seriously...GO!!!!!

Anyway.....

Summer is in full swing now.  The boys are home.  Summer school started.  Summer band lessons. Tutors.

I honestly, can't wait for our REAL vacation!

So...I still don't have a lot of time!  But I am going to try to get a few things done.

Finishes:

Embroidered Pillowcases

No new pictures.  I forgot.  But I was able to knock out all 10 pillowcases on time!

In Progress:

Mug Rugs

(End of the Year Teacher gifts)

I actually ALMOST had them finished, if only it wasn't a half day the last day of school and a certain 10 year old's birthday party!

But I am still going to persevere and finish them. Either mail them or hold onto them until the beginning of the year. Or just wait until next year?

No worries...I contributed to the class gift, so I don't feel like they will miss them.  What do YOU think I should do?

No Progress:

Twins Quilt Still waiting for the appliques..

Retro QAL 19/64 petals.  A lot of petals to go!

Twin quilt for nursery Fabrics waiting...pattern only in my mind.

Christmas quilt Appliques still needed.

Baby girl quilt kit Not even cut

Thank you quilt Just a pipe dream!

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM  I'm in trouble...the 4th block is on it's way and I haven't started 1-3!

 

But the real truth why I haven't been able to do a lot?

 

 

My self imposed timeout HERE.

 

Linking up with Lee!!!!

 

 Thanks for stopping by!!!!!

 

 

Modern Mini Challenge

I tossed around ideas.  I wasn't sure what to do.


All I knew is that I wanted to challenge myself to do at least one mini this year!

I have only have done two quilts that are mini ever in my quilting life.  Not to include the quilted throw pillows.


Warning: I have never made a "Mug Rug"!

When I bought this card for my husband for Valentine's, I almost didn't want to sign it and put into the envelope...it was too cute!

I loved the heart, the idea of a tree trunk, and the raised embossing on the card.  I confiscated it before he knew it!

For my mug rug, I appliqued a heart on some beige fabric.  Embroidered "You + Me" in white.

Embroidered the quote in black with a few French Knots.

Took my mini to the sewing machine and used a REALLY heavy weight polyester thread to get the raised effect.

A teeny tiny binding.  Only 1/4 of an inch wide on both sides.

And for the backing, I used one of my earlier attempts at using a zig zag for the heart that I just wasn't happy with!  I decided to cover the other backing because the heavy weight thread was obnoxious on the back.  And it gave it a bit more thickness!

I hope Mr. Boss likes it. 
 Because I am keeping the card in my studio and he is getting the mug rug for his desk at work. 


I need the card for a BIG quilt idea...
because, frankly, I don't think I was very good at the 5 x 5 inch version!

Check out the other entries at Ellison Lane Quilts. I am not even going to pretend that I am actually a competitor.  I am not even sure it is considered "modern".  

I just enjoyed the challenge!