Quilts

And the Razzy Award Goes To. . .

April 19, 2013 Elizabeth E.5 Comments

First, congratulations to Beth Baird, on winning the Practical Bag Pattern with this comment:

“I would totally love this kind of a bag. Our grocery stores no longer give us plastic bags, so this would be perfect for replacing those. And when we travel, it would fold up in the bottom of the suitcase or carry-on to bring home fabric from a shopping spree!”

I’ll get that in the mail to you today!

Thought I’d show you some of the ancient projects that didn’t make the cut into the Finish-A-Long group.

This was a quilt done during our Millenium Year–you know 2000, when all the computers were going to quit and the world was going to end. I have some a snippet of fabric that says “2000” on it. I pulled out all my old projects and had my husband help me evaluate them. He kind of shook his head and said, “Yeah, I’m not quite sure if this is worth your time to finish.” Agreed, but this doesn’t get the Razzy Award.

Old Christmas Quilt

This gets the Razzy Award. Note the outdated colors of burgundy and forest green, the precious pre-printed Currier and Ives-type panels combined with Santa Claus motif fabric. I never even listed it on my 100 Quilts list (the other one is). I mean, at the time, I thought it was “all that” as one of my friends says when referring to someone who convinced they are God’s Gift to Mankind, but we all know that all things pass away, even a passion for burgundy and forest green.

I am working today on a more updated color scheme, trying to figure out the quilting for my Christmas Lollypop Tree Wallhanging. I seem to get at stuck spots too often on new projects, as if making a decision has to be practically perfect in every way (thank you, Mary Poppins). It doesn’t, I keep telling myself. One of the quotes I have on my syllabus is “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” Sometimes I think it should go: “The perfect is the enemy of the done.”

And I’m listening non-stop to the news about the Boston Marathon bombers, probably just like the rest of you. I’m glad at times like this to have the cloth under my fingers, keeping my hands busy while I still think about the sad events of this past week. Take care of yourselves!

My daughter’s hand. Thanks, Barbara.

Finish-A-Long • Quarter Two • 2013

April 13, 2013 Elizabeth E.4 Comments

FAL · Finish-A-Long · Quilts

Finish-A-Long First Quarter Wrap-Up

March 31, 2013March 31, 2013 Elizabeth E.15 Comments

I joined Leanne’s Finish-A-Long because I had too many quilts malingering in the closet together, and thought this might help me. This post is a wrap-up of my first quarter with FAL.

My opening post mentioned the following 7 projects:

Wonky Star Quilt • Wonky Star Pillow Shams • Autumn Quilt • English Paper Piecing Quilt Top • Lollypop Tree Quilt Top • Summer Treat Quilt

I found out later that quilt tops are not considered part of the finish, so I get to roll some projects over into the next quarter. But here’s my wrap-up of finishes, in the order I finished them:

Finish #1: Autumn Quilt was given a name of Into the Woods, and I did finish it and get a label on it. I let my father have it — on “long-term loan,” as he would say — because he loved the colors so much.

Finish #2: Summer Treat, shown here in her glamour pose, languidly draped across a chair. This quilt has a tutorial, found *here.*

Finish #3: Once There Was a Snowman, an improv or wonky-construction block quilt. Glad that’s done, and I owe it to the FAL.

Finish #4: Star Mother’s Youngest Child, based on a Moda Bake Shop pattern. I’m already looking forward to Christmas, when I can put these last two quilts out on the guest bed. Anyone coming to visit?

Finish #5: Wonky Star Pillow Shams, to go with Star Mother’s Youngest Child, above.

So I finished five of my seven projects, as outlined by the rules of the Finish-A-Long. But even though I didn’t have all seven finished, I don’t feel bad, because I add the following to my finishes for the first quarter of 2013:

Lollypop Tree Quilt Top

Springtime Table Runner from Far-Flung Bee blocks (last year’s bee) Tutorial for block *here*

Cushions for the sofa. I know it’s not quilting, but the fabric had been draped around the forms for about six months. Happy to have it done.

Hot Mitts for my kitchen, Tutorial *here*

A quilt for my newest grandson, Chris

Sunshine and Shadow, a quilt for my sister-in-law Janice
Tutorial *here*

FourArt2_Full

An art quilt for our Four-in-Art group: One Black Leaf

A satchel (or purse) called the Bag Bostonian.

Two handmade pouches

Snapshot, a Polaroid Quilt, and last. . .

. . . my EPP quilt, which is all pinned up and still can’t be shown all the way. Yet.

Now I have to go grade my brains out. Or take a nap.

If you want to add some notches to your quilt frame, racking up those finishes, please visit Leanne’s Second Quarter Finish-A-Long sign-up. I’ll post a link when I declare my projects for the next quarter. By the way, shoot high. I noticed that some add their smaller handmade projects to this, but I don’t need motivation to get to those–it’s the BIG projects that I need to move forward on.

FAL · Finish-A-Long · Quilts