2012 UFO Challange with Judy

Happy New Year!
I do not make New Year's resolutions. But I have been thinking that I need some goals. So this year I am challenging myself to complete some projects.
Judy L over at Patchwork Times is having a UFO challenge. I thought about joining last year, but decided not to. This year I decided to give it a try.
Here is my list:
1 - Bargello Heart - finish piecing it
2 - Jacob's Garden - finish the applique on 2 sides
3 - Cosmic Jewels - get it pieced
4 - Swirl - Wind - paper pieced kit - piece at least 6 blocks (that's half of them)
5 - In A Pickle - paper pieced kit - piece at least half the blocks
6 - Red/White Snails Trail Mini Quilt - quilt it
7 - Black/White/Red Tiles - quilt it
8 - Bali Rainbow - quilt it
9 - Grandmother's Flower Garden - large hexies - finish piecing blocks
10 - Butterfly Wall Quilt - quilt it
11 - Rainbow Memories - piece 4 more blocks
12 - Noah's Ark - piece the rest of the animal blocks

Some of these are projects already started. Some are kits that my DH has bought for me that have not been started, but I think he likes it when I work on ones he has gotten. Some are to the quilting stage. I plan to quilt them on my short arm (MegaQuilter on Grace frame) but I keep telling myself they deserve better quilting that I am able to do right now. #6 I plan to hand quilt. It is small and I enjoy handquilting. It will be a good project to take to basketball practice.

Judy chose #5 for the challenge this month. I was all ready to start mine. I got it out - it is a kit my DH had bought. Everything is there, pattern, fabric... oh, wait. It is paper pieced and I need to copy the pattern pieces. OK, so I won't start on it today. But I will in a few days after I get copies made.

Design Wall Monday...

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas! I did.

There is nothing new on my design wall.

However, I have finished some things.
First, a Baptism Towel. Several years ago I was asked to take over the making of towels for the babies being baptized at the church I was attending. I no longer go to this church but I still make the towels. This one was for a co-worker. I have been told how much the parents appreciate these towels.



I also finished the baby girl quilt. I think it turned out pretty cute. The center is a panel with the butterflies already appliqued. I added the shoe, purse and lipstick appliques at the request of the babies mother.



So, with those pressing matters finished I am now relaxing a little. I have another quilt on the frame and some knitting by my TV chair.



I have also started another project... like I don't have enough going already :)
A friend was gifted a garland like this. I thought it was so cute that I just had to figure out how to make it. Hers is make with fabric strips wrapped around milk carton rings. I didn't have have any of those, but I do have toilet paper and paper towel tubes so I cut them into thin strips. I cut fabric into 1/2-3/8 inch strips. You have to split the ring open to insert one into the next. I discovered glue dots and am using those to glue the strips back together after inserting them into the next ring. Then wrap the fabric around the ring. I secure the end of the fabric strip with a glue dot on the inside of the ring so that it doesn't show. The ends blend in pretty well so I don't think they would be noticed if the ended up on the outside. I think this garland would be cute on a tree with hand crafted ornaments... or strung above a doorway with Christmas cards attached with tiny clothes pins... or...

I can think of several ways to use this!

Design Wall Monday...

Progress!!

I have started working on the baby girl quilt. I am working on the label. I have also added some applique to the center panel and have added the small inner border.

My son has a basketball tournament this weekend so there will be no sewing for me. The tournaments are usually 2 days. After the last game on the first day we order in pizza and hang out around the pool at the hotel.

I usually take some knitting to work on. This weekend I will be working on the quilt label.

Design Wall Monday...

Well nothing on the wall, but I do have a finish.
I had planned to start on the baby girl quilt that goes with the baby boy quilt - they are cousins, but I spent my weekend driving - driving my FIL to the hospital to visit my MIL on Friday. It's a one hour trip one way.Then on Saturday driving FIL back to hospital to bring MIL home. So glad she was able to come home. She is feeling better, but will need to go back at some point in the near future for an appendectomy. Then on Sunday driving 3 hours round trip to meet my parents. My son stayed at their house after Thanksgiving dinner. It is a tradition now. We all go there for Thanksgiving and he stays until Sunday. The last 2 years my niece has been staying too. They are close in age and get along well. Sounds like they all had a really fun time this year!
Anyway, here is my finish - the baby boy quilt. I think it turned out cute. It is labeled, washed and ready to be delivered which I will do tomorrow. Hopefully I can start on the girl quilt tomorrow evening.

Since my last few posts have been pretty negative I decided that I needed to start thinking more about the positive things in my life. So...

My gratitudes for today:
- MIL is home from the hospital and feeling much better.
- My parents. I am grateful that they enjoy spending time with my son. Sometimes he needs a break from me and I need a break from him. It seems that as he gets older they are all enjoying each others company even more.