Weekend Stitching: Mystery Sewing

Hard to believe it's the last day of 2018.  I'm hoping to spend a good part of it in the sewing room as I've not really had a chance to do that yet.  I've been tackling the closets while My Guy has been dealing with the decluttering the kitchen cabinets, so it's been a productive holiday break.  

I did get in a solid afternoon of stitching yesterday.  The focus was clues 5 and 6 of Good Fortune. 

I'm hoping to make more progress today.  Bonnie's been known to post the reveal on New Year's Day, so I'd like to have enough pieces to get a few blocks made right off the bat.  

I'm able to concentrate on Good Fortune because this month's One Monthly Goal is finished.  The binding was finished as of last Friday.

Boo! (Halloween Mystery)
designed by Carrie Randall (Quilter's Hideaway)
Started  September 8, 2018, Finished December 28, 2018

This was a fun and quick project that used up some odds and ends from the stash.  The bats got crystal button eyes cause My Guy said they needed something. 

Those worked out pretty well. Trudy add some fun details during the quilting. 

A spiderweb in the corner complete with spider.  

And pumpkins in the last border that show up much clearer on the back. 

I didn't have enough of the jack-o-lanterns fabric for the whole back so pieced in that yellow strip, which isn't quilt so pale in real life. 

And the label's been stitched down too.  

Boo! is finish number 4 for 2018.  Since this project was started in 2018, it's not on the UFO list, so that number didn't go down. But getting it finished means it won't go on the list. So it's all good.  Boo! was one of the quilts on my 2018 Finish Along List.  So I'll be linking up when Q4 FAL Link UP opens in January.   

It was a bit odd working on a Halloween quilt over the Christmas holiday.  But now it's all finished and ready to use for next Halloween. 

I'm hoping to end and begin 2019 in the sewing room.  Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year with lots of new projects, finishes, and dwindling UFO lists.  

Linking up with:
UFO Busting
Monday Making
Design Wall Monday
One Monthly Goal
Bonnie Hunter 

2018 Finish Along - Fourth Quarter Projects

We are already into week two of the fourth quarter.  Time flies, especially this time of year. Hard to believe it's time to decide on what projects go on the list as potential finishes for the fourth quarter of the 2018 Finish Along. 

Out of all the projects on my 2018 Quilt Plan, only three have made it to completed status.  That leaves nine quilts left that could go on the list for this quarter. Out of those nine, there are three that have a good chance of making to to the finished list. 

1.  Halloween Mystery Quilt (new start)

 Halloween Mystery
designed by Carrie Randall (Quilter's Hideaway)

The rows have all been sewn together since this picture was taken and the first border strip has been attached.  The second border strip is pinned, ready to sew on.  So this one has a good chance of making it to the finished stage.  It's not on my UFO list, but finishing it will keep it off the list.  That counts right? 

2.  Inverted Star (From Third Quarter Quilt Along list)

 Inverted Star by Jessica Boschem of Common Threads
available from Craftsy as a free download

The center is all stitched together and the blocks for the pieced border are all done. Now to figure out where those stars go in the border and start stitching them together.  It will also need a backing pieced before it can go out for quilting. This is a graduation quilt for one of the Scientist in Training's friends.  The friend graduates in December so this one really needs to get done. 

3.  Christmas Angels (From the second quarter list)

 Christmas Angels  Pattern by Kate

Another project that just needs the borders and the backing finished so it can be sent out for quilting.  It would be nice to get this one done so it could be gifted as a Christmas present this year. 

The top two are definitely doable, not sure about number three.  Maybe.  But since there is no penalty associated with not getting everything on the list completed, I'll add one last project to the list.  

4.  Vintage Dresses (from the first quarter list).

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

This was supposed to be a high school graduation gift, but it didn't get done in time.  This quilt also just needs borders and backing so it can be sent out for quilting.  It would be nice to get this one finished too, but I'm not counting on it.  

That's my list for the fourth quarter quilt along.  If all four of them get finished, that will be seven total quilts completed for 2018.  That would tie my best year in terms of finishes. Fingers crossed that I can get that far.  

Linking up with the Fourth Quarter 2018 Finish Along.  

Weekend Stitching: Magnolia Mystery Solved

It's been a low key and relaxing holiday weekend.  I'm hoping to spend the last day of the holiday in the sewing room.  We spent yesterday in Tulsa hanging out with family.  So not a lot of stitching got done yesterday.  But we were home on Saturday and I finally found time to photograph the quilt that was finished last week.  

Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs

The Magnolia Mystery quilt from the 2017 mystery program at Meadow Mist Designs is finally all finished.  It's definitely a very bright quilt, but I like it.  Purple and yellow is one of my favorite color combinations.  Though the purple is really closer to red-violet than it is a true purple.  Thankfully you can see the true color in these photos.  The violet always photographed as almost black when this project was on the design wall.  

The background fabric is a Connecting Threads sale acquisition that's been in the stash for a few years. There was enough of it to back the quilt as well. 

The yellow flowers in the backing reminded me of all the bright yellow wild flowers we have in Oklahoma in the summer, hence the slight change in quilt name on the label.  

Other than the background, the rest of the fabrics in this project are left over from other projects.  So the green ended up as the binding because there wasn't enough left of any of the the other fabrics.   

My Magnolia Mystery quilt is lap sized.  I love the bright colors and that floral print background (see that violet photographed as black in this image). Summer Magnolias is finish number three for 2018.  This project wasn't on the UFO list, as it wasn't a year old yet, so my UFO numbers stay unchanged.  That's OK, it's always nice to keep a project off the UFO list.  It is on my list for the third quarter of the 2018 Finish Along, so I'll be linking up there come October.  For now, I'm linking up with the usual Monday linky parties:

Making Monday
Main Crush Monday
Monday Design Wall
2018 Finish Along - Third Quarter Finishes

2018 Finish Along - Third Quarter Projects

Half way through the year and I'm not even close to having six finishes.  Getting the UFO list trimmed down to at least half was the plan for 2018.  So hopefully linking up with the 2018 finish along for the third time this year will be the charm and there will be a flurry of finishes before October. 

So what's on the list for third quarter, pretty much most of the list from first and second quarter, plus a couple of new additions.  Might as well be ambitious right?  

1.  En Provence (from the first quarter list)

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

I was stitching on the binding for En Provence at the end of second quarter and just wasn't able to get it completely finished before June 30th.  So this quilt is a definite finish for third quarter. 

2. Magnolia Mystery (from the first quarter list)

Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of
Meadow Mist Designs

This project is back from being quilted and needs to be trimmed and bound.  So this one is definitely going to be a finish this quarter. 

3.  Vintage Dresses (from the first quarter list)

 Vintage Dresses by Charise Randell

This was supposed to be a high school graduation present for a niece going into fashion design.  The plan now is to finish it in time for Christmas.  It needs borders and a backing before it can go out for quilting.  Adding borders and making a backing always takes longer than I think it will. So we'll see if it actually gets done 3rd quarter.   

4. Christmas Angels (from the second quarter list)

Christmas Angels Pattern by Kate

Another quilt that needs the borders, backing and prepping for quilting.  It's another Christmas present. I'm not sure this one will actually get done, though I'm hoping to at least have it out for quilting by the end of the quarter. 

5.  Inverted Star (new for third quarter)

 Inverted Star
by Jessica Boschem of Common Threads
available from Craftsy as a free download

This is a college graduation quilt for one of the Scientist in Training's friends.  She graduates in December, so I'm hoping to move it to finished. Being honest, this one will likely make it to the finished flimsy stage by the end of the quarter. I doubt it makes it to finished quilt.  But I'm adding it in so it stays on my priority list for the quarter. 

6. Twinkle Star (new for third quarter)

 Twinkle Stars Tutorial by Andrea Feldbush of Soscrappy

Another college graduation quilt for one of the SITs friends.  But she doesn't graduate till May. Still it would be nice to have this one finished well in advance for a change.  I'll be happy if it's ready to go out for quilting by the end of the quarter.  Again it's here so it stays on the priority list for the year.  

That's a pretty ambitious list isn't it?  The first two on the list are pretty easy finishes, so that really only leaves 4 quilts that are going to take some effort to move to finished.  If I can finish another 2, to make for a total of 4 for the quarter, I'll be pretty happy.  

Linking up with She Can Quilt for the 2018 Quilt Along Third Quarter Dreaming of Finishes List.  

Finally a Finish!

I'm not looking forward to a full week of work.  It was so nice to have a few days off over the 4th of July holiday.  We visited the family, spent some time with the SIT and I did get in one full day of stitching.  Enough time to finally finish getting the binding on En Provence.  

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

I like how this one came together and it may be my favorite Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt so far.  My version is made from yardage, not scraps.  The fabrics used in this quilt are left overs and rejects from the Geisha quilt made for my niece several years ago.  She's been asking me if I have a pastel quilt as she'd like a lighter colored one for the spring and summer, so I think she's getting this one too.  she has a birthday in August, so that works out nicely.  The feature fabric from the Geisha quilt got used up on the back of this one, as did the pink and the burgundy. 

After piecing the back, all that is left of these fabrics is pretty much just scraps.  It's nice to finally find a final home for them and have them out of the stash.  

Trudy used an all over floral motif for the quilting. Very pretty and it gives the quilt a nice drape.  

So that's one off the UFO list for 2018. 

I can't seem to make it below 17 UFOs.  I've done a pretty good job on finishing off most of my newer projects within a year, but I'm struggling to finish off the older ones.  Progress has been made, so at some point I should start seeing lots of finishes.  

Here's one last look at En Provence. 

The next finish will probably be the Magnolia Mystery, the Meadow Mist Designs 2017 mystery quilt.  All it needs is binding.  But since that one isn't a year old yet, it will not lower my UFO numbers (It will keep the number from going back up to 18, so that's good too).  That one should be finished by August.  At the moment, I'm trying to finish off the Red, White and Blue Star blocks that were last month's OMG.  Then those will go back to the project box till probably next year.  

En Provence is also on my 2018 Finish Along list for third quarter 2018.   

Linking up with:
Monday Making
Monday Design Wall
Main Crush Monday
2018 Third Quarter Finish Along

2018 Finish Along Second Quarter - Chain Reaction

The second quarter of 2018 ended yesterday, so it's time to link up with the 2018 Finish Along.

The "to be finished" list for second quarter had six quilts on it.  There were no finishes in first quarter, so all the quilts from first quarter were rolled onto the second quarter list with the three planned finishes for second quarter.  From that list of six, there's just one finish for second quarter, Chain Reaction (aka Geek Chic).  

Chain Reaction  (Geek Chic)
Pattern is Under Construction by the Missouri Star Quilt Company
found in Missouri Star Quilt Company Block Idea Book (Summer Vol 4 Issue 3)
Started: September 5, 2017, Completed April 14, 2018

This quilt was started in 2017 as a Christmas present for the Scientist in Training who is pursuing a chemistry degree.  Well it didn't get done for Christmas, nor for her birthday in January.  The backing was finished at the end of January so it could be sent out for quilting.

It took me a couple of months to get the label made once it came back from Trudy. 

And then get the binding made and sewn down. 

The quilt was finally finished in April 2018.  The SIT was more than happy to cuddle with it on vacation in May.

Chain Reaction made it's dorm room debut with the start of the summer semester in June. 

It's nice to have a finish that is well loved and in use.  That leaves five quilts from second quarter that didn't get completed.  Some years are just that way.  Hopefully, third quarter will be better.  Maybe I can finish two?  

2018 Finish Along - Second Quarter Projects

This year is supposed to be all about finishing up a few UFOs.  My plan was drafted back in December, twelve finishes for 2018.  I was so optimistic linking up with the first quarter of the 2018 Finish-A-Long, there were 4 quilts on my list.  

But here it is the second week of the second quarter and there are no finishes from my list.  😢   It's not that nothing happened, all the projects have been moved along, just not to the finish line. So looking at what's on the list and what's doable this quarter based on what I know is scheduled at work and home, here's the list for this quarter.  

1.  Geek Chic (Chain Reaction), from the first quarter list. 

This quilt is partially bound and will definitely be finished before the end of April. So unlike last quarter, there will be at least one finish this quarter. 


2.  Magnolia Mystery, from the first quarter list

  Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs

The backing is made, the quilt just needs to be prepped for quilting, packed up and sent out for quilting.  I need a weekend for that and March was very shy on free weekends for quilting.  Hopefully April will be better on that front.  This one should get done this quarter.


3.  EnProvence (French Cherry Blossums), from the first quarter list

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

This is my April UFO.  It was on last quarter's list as all that was needed was the backing and I had hoped to fit that in somewhere. Didn't happen.  But now the backing is made and plans are to prep it for quilting this weekend, package it up and send it out for quilting next week.  This one should also get finished this quarter.  


4.  Vintage Dresses, from the first quarter list

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

This project was my March UFO.  Due to business travel, spring break and several nights where I had homework, this just didn't make it to finished top. The plan was to give this as a graduation quilt. Not sure I can finish it by May, but hopefully I can finish it off this quarter. 


5.  Christmas Angels

 Christmas Angels  Pattern by Kate

This is the last picture of it's status, but I'm pretty sure all the blocks are made, the quilt just needs to be set together, backing made and then sent out for quilting.  Hopefully all that happens in time for me to get it bound before the quarter ends.  


6.  Red, White and Blue Stars

  Red, White and Blue Stars, Setting by Kate

This is my oldest UFO, from 2005.  I still need to make a few more star blocks, plus the alternating blocks.  I doubt this one gets done, but I'll add it on as my stretch goal for the quarter.  

There are some easy finishes on my list and some I'll be really challenged to get finished this quarter.  But even if I don't get things finished progress will be made and that counts for a lot.    

Good luck with your finishing plans for second quarter.  I'm linking up with the 2018 Finish-A-Long over at She Can Quilt.  

2018 Finish Along - First Quarter Projects

This year has been dubbed the year of the UFO in my sewing room.  There are 18 quilting projects on my list that were started more than a year ago.  My goal for 2018 is to get the number of UFOs below 10.  So that means at least 9 finishes for 2018.  The most I've ever managed to finish is 7 quilts in one year, so completing 9 is definitely a stretch goal.  I'm using every source of motivation available to help keep me on track.  That includes participating in the 2018 Finish Along.  

It's time to select the projects for the first quarter of the challenge.  For this quarter I'm going to stick pretty close to the quilt plan I drew up at the end of December.  

Project 1:  Geek Chic (Chemistry Geek)

Chemistry Geek
Pattern is Under Construction by the Missouri Star Quilt Company
found in Missouri Star Quilt Company Block Idea Book (Summer Vol 4 Issue 3)
Started: September 5, 2017

Chemistry Geek was one of those squirrel moments.  I used to work with the lady who owns the local quilt shop and she knew that I'd love this chemistry themed fabric.  The Scientist in Training is studying chemistry and the fabric couldn't be more perfect.  This was supposed to get done for either Christmas or her birthday, but that didn't happen.  I'm hoping to get it finished in the next few weeks so she can have it for most of this semester.  This one isn't technically a UFO, but getting it finished will keep it off the list. 

Project 2.  Magnolia Mystery Quilt

Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of
Meadow Mist Designs

This is the fourth mystery quilt from Cheryl Brickey who blogs over at Meadow Mist Designs.  I've participated in all but her first mystery.  This is another project that isn't technically a UFO on my list because it's not more than a year old. Getting it finished keeps it off the list.  Cheryl is having a parade of Magnolia quilts in March 2018 from last year's mystery, so this has to be at least a finished flimsy by February 15th.  

Project 3:  Vintage Dresses

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

Vintage Dresses was my 2016 Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  My first effort to work with a complicated paper piecing project.  In 2017 the focus was on getting coping strips adding to all the blocks so they were the same size.  This year I'm hoping to get the blocks into a flimsy and then finished before May.  This quilt is intended as a graduation present. 

Project 4.  En Provence

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

The 2016 Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt made it all the way to finished flimsy stage just before the end of 2017.  It needs a backing before it can go out for quilting.  This project is listed as my April UFO, but I'd be happy to get it finished before then.  I really doubt that happens, but I'll be hopeful and include it on the first quarter list. 

That's my list for the first quarter of 2018.  I did really well the with the challenge the first three quarters of 2017, finishing 3 quilts a quarter till the last one.  Can I do as well this year?  I hope so.  

Linking up with the 2018 Finish Along Q1 over at She Can Quilt.