The Best of 2017 at Life in Pieces

As the year winds to a close, Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a linky party to highlight your five best posts of 2017.  

How you define "best" is up to you. My top five are below.  You can click on the blog title to see the full blog post.  

1.  Largest number of views (468): Christmas in March, which featured the completion of Poinsettias. 

Poinsettias
By Judy Blok for the December 2013 issue
of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine

This was my long term leaders and enders project.  It's not perfectly done, but it turned out perfectly for me.  This quilt was gifted to a co-worker as a retirement present.  

2.  Most comments (27):  But First Coffee from October

Scrappy Coffee Cups (aka But First Coffee)

Block patterns from Karen F. Srebro and Janet McCarroll

publised in Block Magic and Block Magic Too by

Nancy Johnson-Srebro

But First Coffee is my first every Rainbow Scrap quilt started in 2012.  It was recently gifted to My Guy for Christmas.  He loves it.  I had told him earlier that it was a gift for someone else in the family and he responded that it didn't need to go, it could stay and live with us.  Little did he know that was my intention.  

3.  Most Facebook likes (661):  Progress on Mystery Stuff:  En Provence 

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

I reposted the finished En Provence on Facebook.  I don't do much on Facebook, so was really surprised at all the likes and comments on the post.  I really like my version of En Provence.  Hopefully it will be an early finish in 2018. 

4.  Most Pins on Pinterest (8) Finished My Geometry Assignment

Geometry
Self Designed

Geometry was one of four graduation quilts commissioned by the Scientist in Training for friends and teachers.  Both of us were really happy with how it turned out. It was a big hit with the future math major who received it too.   

5.  My Favorite Post:  Finishing Blooms and Butterflies

Blooms and Butterflies
Back Porch Bloom block by Lea Anne Brummett,
setting by Kate

Blooms and Butterflies was a quilt for me.  I love the crisp white with the scrappy blue and reds.  It's been very nice to cuddle under this winter. 

That's my Best of 2017.  Linking up over at Meadow Mist Designs.  Now it's time for more hot tea while I check out the other Best of 2017 posts. 

Stash Stuff for Week 39 and 2017 Ambitions Update

October marks the beginning of fourth quarter. The count down to the end of the year begins in earnest now, or at least it seems that way to me.  Back in December of last year, I posted a list of quilting ambitions to Jetgirl's 2017 Planning Party.  With the count down to the end of the year kicking into high gear it's time to check on where I'm at on those ambitions for this year.  Since this is normally just the weekly stash report, I'll start with that so you can stop reading if you've hopped over here from Quiltpaintcreate for the weekly stash report. 

Quilt Ambition #3 Manage the Stash/Organize the Sewing Room

Used last week: 0.94 yards
Used year to date: 48.44 yards
Added year to date: 335 yards
Net added year to date: 287 yards

Stitching time was at a premium during third quarter.  I switched positions at work to one with more responsibility, which means a lot more working from home in the evening.  That's really cut into my stitching time. Add in vacation and getting the Scientist in Training ready for college, it was a really busy quarter.  The goal is to use at least 70 yards for the year.  That means using 21 yards between now and the end of the year.  Probably not happening based on what my fourth quarter typically looks like.  On other end of the stash management plan, I pretty much shattered any possibility of using more than I buy this year.  After two years of very limited buying, I had no will power for another year like that.  A fabric diet is definitely in the cards for fourth quarter.  That's it for the stash report, the rest of the post covers all my other stitching ambitions for 2017.  

The big organization project for this year has been to whip the stash closet into shape.  This is what it looked like back in July:

This is what it looks like now:

I'm almost finished with the second shelf.  All that will be left after that is to tackle that top shelf.  So I've made good progress on that front this year.  

Quilting Ambition #1:  Finish a Few Quilts  

While the stash management hasn't been the greatest, I have done really well on this ambition.  There have been six finishes so far. 

Poinsettias, Bejeweled, Geometry, The First Amendment Quilt, Meadow Mist Mystery Quilt plus Blooms and Butterflies are all finished.  When I was putting this together last year, there were three quilts I had to finish for graduation in May.  That was pretty much my goal, finish those three.  To have six finished is a smash success in my book.  My record is seven in one year.  I should at least tie that this year.  There are three quilts I'd like to finish before Christmas, that would put me at 9 for the year.  Check back in January to see how well that went.  

Quilting Ambition #3:  Participate in Challenges and Quilt Alongs

Quilt alongs and challenges are such fun.  Since I don't belong to a guild (the one here only meets during the week while I'm at work), these projects keep me engaged with the blogging community of quilters.  The Rainbow Scrap Challenge has been a long running favorite.  I've been working on those blocks since January.  

The Magnolia Mystery kicked off last month over at Meadow Mist Designs.  I've kept up, so far anyway.  I'm hoping to finish September's clue before Cheryl posts the next clue on Thursday. 

I've got 50 of the HSTs finished.  Just 22 left and I'll be caught up. 

The other planned quilt along is Bonnie Hunter's annual mystery.  If she's doing one this year, the fabric planning posts should be going up sometime this month.  I need to finish off last year's mystery quilt before then. 

Quilting Ambition #4:  Make Time to Sew

I've been doing really well on that front this year.  I've managed to stitch for 15 minutes 245 out of the the last 273 days.  So 89.7% of the time, I meet my goal.  That's an "A" if you round up.  Definitely the best year I've ever had on finding time to stitch.  Lately it really has been only 15 minutes a day, but that is better than nothing.  

Quilting Ambition #5:  Work on My Blogging Skills

There were several parts to this goal.  The first was to blog at least three times per week.  On average, I managed three posts per week this last quarter.  Most weeks I get in three, but there are few with just two. So I'm doing OK on this goal.  

Another goal was to write four tutorials this year.  I've managed two.  So to meet this goal, I'll have to come up with two for this quarter.  I'll have to put some thought into that.  

Another goal was to improve my photography.  I didn't put any metrics with that goal, so I'm not sure what I was thinking.  I've been trying to pay more attention to the lighting when I take photos. I've been less than happy with some of my finished quilt shots, so that's definitely an area I need to make more improvements in.  

The final part of the fifth ambition was to write a post each quarter summarizing where I was.  First quarter's post is here, second quarter's is here. And this concludes the third quarter post. 

It's been a pretty good year on a lot of fronts.  I know some think it's a bit extreme to have goals for your hobby.  It's so easy for me to get caught up in the "I've worked all day, I'm too tired to go sew."  I usually perk up once I get to my sewing room.  These ambitions have helped me get up those stairs most days. 

September One Monthly Goal Wrap Up/2017 Finish Along Progress

Just two days left in September!  How does that happen?  Well now that it has, it's time to check in with the One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts

The goal for September was to get a start on a new quilt for the Scientist in Training's dorm room.  My start date for any quilt is when I start cutting the fabrics.  And that has happened, there are even a few blocks up on the design wall.  But I can't show any of these as the SIT follows my blog.  So you'll have to just take my word for it that there's been a start. 

There is one more day in the quarter, but not enough time to get another finish in for the 2017 Finish Along.  

I didn't do too badly for the quarter.  There were 4 quilts on the list to be finished. I managed to finish two. 

 It's a Mystery (Meadow Mist Designs Mystery)
By Cheryl Brickey of the Meadow Mist Designs Blog

It's a Mystery was last year's Meadow Mist Designs Mystery.  The first clue in this year's mystery came out in September.  So for once last year's mystery was finished before starting this year's.  

The second finish for the quarter was Blooms and Butterflies.

Blooms and Butterflies
 Back Porch Bloom block by Lea Anne Brummett, 

Another quilt along from Lea Anne Burmmett who blogs over at Podunk Pretties.  This one wasn't a mystery, but a challenge to come up with your own pattern using her Back Porch Bloom block.  This is my new snuggle quilt.  
  
The other two quilts on the list for third quarter didn't make it to the finish line.  But there was good progress on both.  Scrappy  Coffee Cups made it to finished flimsy stage and has been sent out for quilting.

Scrappy Coffee Cups

Block patterns from Karen F. Srebro and Janet McCarroll

published in Block Magic and Block Magic Too by

Nancy Johnson-Srebro

Actually, I heard from Trudy last night and the quilting is done.  So these coffee cups will definitely be on my list to finish before the end of the year.  

The last quilt on the "to be finished" list for third quarter was Christmas Angels.  Though it didn't get close to being finished it went from just block units to finished blocks.  

 Christmas Angels
Pattern by Kate

Actually all the blocks are finished, but I don't seem to have a photo of all of them up on the design wall.  So even though I didn't get this one all the way to the finished stage, it's ready to have the blocks sewn into rows.  That's pretty good progress.  

It's been a good year for finishes, there have been six.  My record is seven finishes in one year.  I'm likely to tie that for sure.  As far as working down the UFO list, I'm pretty much where I was when the year started.  But at least it's not getting any bigger.  I'm finishing up my new starts, just not getting to the older projects on my list.  but I've moved a few along this year.  That should make it easier to get a few off the list next year. 

Now to start thinking about what will be the October One Monthly Goal and what's going on the list for the fourth quarter of the 2017 Finish Along.   

Weekend Stitching: Finishing Blooms

It's been heartbreaking to watch what's happening along the coast of Texas.  We lived south of Houston during Allison and Rita.  We have friends and co-workers that live there now.  Thankfully we've heard from most of them and they were dry as of last night.  We are praying that they stay that way and for the weather forecasts to improve.  

I didn't get much sewing time in on Saturday, but made up for that on Sunday afternoon.  Binding Blooms and Butterflies was finished up earlier in the week, but I didn't get any photos till yesterday. 

 Blooms and Butterflies
Back Porch Bloom block by Lea Anne Brummett, setting by Kate
Started:  5/29/2016,  Finished:  8/24/2017

I'm keeping this one.  It's going to be my new cuddle quilt for the recliner.  Trudy did a great job with the quilting.  She did both blooms

  
and butterflies

as part of the quilting motifs.  I'm really happy with the red plaid backing.  These 1930 reproductions have been in the stash for about 10 years, so it's nice to see some of them make their way into a finished quilt.  Blooms and Butterflies was started as part of Podunk Pretties Back Porch Blooms quilt along. I tried really hard to resist starting this project, but when Lea Anne added butterflies to one of her free patterns from the quilt along, resistance was futile.  It didn't take me long to come up with my own quilt setting using her bloom block.  

Blooms and Butterflies is my second finish from my 2017 Finish Along third quarter list and my sixth finish overall for 2017.  The best I've ever managed is seven finishes in one year.  I might beat that this year.  

Linking up with 
Main Crush Monday
Monday Design Wall
Monday Making
2017 Finish Along (Third Quarter) 

Weekend Stitching: Borders and Bindings

Definitely not ready for Monday this week.  Sunday was such a nice day as most of it was spent in the sewing room.  I did come out to finish a couple of loads of laundry and to help Drama Teen with some college prep stuff, like setting up her bursars account.  She heads to college in a little over a week. (No I'm not ready for that.) 

I did get a lot done in the sewing room, but didn't think to take any photos.  Turned one corner with the binding on Blooms and Butterflies.

The other focus for Sunday, was getting borders on the Coffee Cup blocks. 

  Scrappy Coffee Cups

Block patterns from Karen F. Srebro and Janet McCarroll published in 

Block Magic and Block Magic Too by Nancy Johnson-Srebro

The green inner border is on, plus half of the first white border.  The next two border strips are prepped, I just didn't get that far yesterday.  There is another narrow green border, another white border and finally a dark green border left to add.  Not sure this one will get done this week, but hopefully it will be close to being a finished flimsy by the weekend.  

I also did some rearranging and cleaning up of the stash closet. There is still lots to do on that front, but that's one of those long term projects in the sewing room.  For now it's time to get ready for another work week.  

Linking up with:
Main Crush Monday
Monday Making
Design Wall Monday

Slow Stitching and Stash Stuff for Week 31 of 2017

The weather the last week has been more typical of late September rather than August.  I definitely don't mind the lower temperatures and we definitely need the rain.  Still it's a bit odd for this time of year.  Rainy days are perfect for spending time in the sewing room, so that's the plan for today. 

Finally got the binding attached to Blooms and Butterflies last night and got started on the hand stitching. 

I'm really liking the plaid on the back.  No corners turned last night, but it is a small lap quilt so it shouldn't take too long to get this one to the finished column. There is definitely some slow stitching on the agenda for today. 

The stash report is another story.  I've completely blown my goal to use more fabric than I add.  After two years of not adding much of anything, my resistance to pretty fabrics and sales seems to be at an all time low.  So rather than beat myself up for my spectacular failure on stash management, I'm just going to focus on using up some fabric and will modify my weekly report accordingly.  

Fabric used this week:  1.34 yards
Fabric used year to date:  41.75 yards

So what tripped me up on my stash management goals?  Pretty fabrics on sale over at Lady Belle Fabrics.  That included some colorful fat quarters from the Flower Sugar line.

Very pretty pinks and blues.  Then there was another colorful set of Gooseberry by Moda.

No plan for either set as yet.  I'm just going to admire them for a bit. Maybe I'll find a project for them once I get a few UFOs off the list.  

Connecting Threads just released several new collections.  I couldn't resist the gingham like prints. 

That orange plaid looks a bit out of place.  I think the cooler temperatures this week made me think of flannel shirts and fall, so how could I resist?  No plans for these either.  Though with Drama Teen attending Oklahoma State this fall, there may well be another orange and black quilt in my future.  Probably sooner rather than later.  

Now that all the business travel is over, it's been easy to find 15 minutes each day to stitch.  I managed 7 out of 7 days this week. But with Drama Teen's move to college and some family engagements later this month, it will get harder to keep that up.   

Since it's going to be a dreary day and there's not anything that has to get done around the house, today seems like a great opportunity to just hang out in the sewing room. 

Linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday and the weekly stash report.  

Managing the UFO List

At the end of 2016, there were 17 quilts on my UFO list.  To be honest, that number hasn't changed much the last 3 or 4 years. When looking at what I wanted to accomplish this year in the sewing room, number one priority was to get the graduation quilts done before graduation.  Mission accomplished there (and it felt so good).  That took pretty much the first half of the year.  For the last half of the year, getting projects off the UFO list is the goal.  Participating in Patchwork Times' UFO-2017 challenge was one way to encourage me in that endeavor.  

I played pretty fast and loose with the challenge the first part of the year, as you can tell by how marked up the 2017 Quilt Plan is.  In order to get the graduation quilts done, I did a lot of substituting of one quilt for another.  But in May, I did start working on those UFOs.  The May UFO was Christmas Angels.  

It's still not done, but now only 3 of the angel blocks still need their borders.  This one should be ready to sew the blocks into rows in the next week or so.  

The June UFO was Blooms and Butterflies.  It just needs binding.

That is in progress.  

The July UFO was Scrappy Coffee Cups.  These blocks needed a setting before this UFO could move along.  

July was a good month, not only did the a final setting get decided on, but all the rows are sewn together and the sashings added. August's One Monthly Goal is to get this project into a finished flimsy. 

So that brings me to the August UFO.  This project dates from 2005, it's the oldest on my UFO list.  

These blocks started in a technique class focused on making these stars.  Initially there wasn't a plan other than making a red, white and blue quilt.  There are 7 blocks completed, but there is still no final setting plan.  With 5 projects working at the sewing machine, I don't won't to add another.  More than 5 projects and progress on each project slows to a crawl.  There will one weekend this month away from the sewing room, but I will have my computer.  So maybe it's time to come up with a final setting for these blocks so the next time they come up in rotation, I know exactly what's left to do.  

No that will not move that last UFO to completion this year, but my goal was to make progress on each project on the list, not necessarily get them all finished. 

Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday over at My Quilt Infatuation.   

Weekend Stitching: Beginning of the End?

Thankfully whatever was bothering me on Saturday, left me alone on Sunday.  So it was a pretty productive day.  Laundry got done.  Well not done, done.  I ran out of laundry detergent before I ran out of dirty clothes.  But I got enough washed so we all have clothes for next week.  And after a little housework, I was able to head up to the sewing room without feeling too guilty about the state of the house.  

The Meadow Mist Mystery quilt was finished off last week.  So it was time to re-prioritize my project list.  I'm working on five projects at the moment.  It's easier for me to decide what to do with my sewing time each day if I'm working from a prioritized list.   This is the order I finally decided on:

1.  Blooms and Butterflies
2.  Scrappy Coffee Cups
3.  Christmas Angels
4.  RSC blocks
5.  En Provence

The first order of business was to trim Blooms and Butterflies for binding. 

That's done.  I realized a bit belatedly that the quilt needed a label.  Since the label is sewn in with the binding, that needs to be made before attaching the binding.  After a bit of playing around, this is what I finally settled on. 

So the label was printed, soaked, rinsed and was left to dry over night.  Then the binding strips were cut and are in the process of being sewn together. 

I'm using up every last piece of this blue and white print.  Since I'm piecing it from left overs, I had to be careful what pieces went where to avoid having seams at the corners, that's why the numbered yellow stickies.  Hopefully I've measured each length correctly and have them in the right place to avoid having corner seams.  Assuming I have sewing time each night, this quilt should be finished in the next week or so.  

Linking up this week with:
Main Crush Monday
Monday Making
Monday Design Wall  

2017 Finish Along: What's Next for Third Quarter?

How can it be July already?  Our 4th of July was pretty low key and relaxed.  It's the first day in a few weeks that we've just took it easy and enjoyed the day with family.  Unfortunately, the rest of this week and most of next week will be busy.  I've not had a lot of time to spend on the home computer. I'm still massively behind on answering emails and blog reading.  Posting hasn't happened much either, which is OK, things are so busy there isn't much to post about.  Doesn't look like I'll catch up anytime soon. Between family plans and work, it's going to be hectic till August rolls around. Please don't give up on me.  I'll be back (imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger's accent here) eventually!  

Even though things are a bit hectic, I still want to participate in the 2017 Finish Along for the third quarter. 

All the quilts from the first quarter list got finished, but only two of the four from the second quarter list made it to completion.  One only needs the binding sewn down, so the Meadow Mist Mystery is pretty much a done deal anyway. 

 Meadow Mist Designs Mystery
By Cheryl Brickey of the Meadow Mist Designs Blog

The other unfinished project from second quarter, Blooms and Butterflies, has been sent off to Trudy for quilting.  It should be back ready for labeling and binding before the end of July.  So that one should be another easy finish. 

Blooms and Butterflies
Bloom block by Lea Brummett, setting by Kate

Those two are easy finishes.  What else should go on the list for third quarter?   The June UFO project was Christmas Angels. Surprisingly, I've made a good amount of progress on it.  So rather than sticking it back in it's project box, it will stay in the project rotation.  Not sure if it will get done this quarter or not, but it can't hurt to leave it on the list since I'm going to be working on it anyway.  

Christmas Angels
Pattern by Kate

The July UFO selected by Patchwork Times is #12 on my 2017 Quilt Plan.  That's the scrappy coffee cups from the 2012 Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

 Scrappy Coffee Cups
Block patterns from Karen F. Srebro and Janet McCarroll
publised in Block Magic and Block Magic Too by
Nancy Johnson-Srebro

I don't even have a setting plan for this one.  It's not likely to get finished, but I do hope to make progress on it this quarter.  At work they always tell us to put at least one stretch goal on our plans, sometimes it pays off.  So I'll add it here.  I could use some extra inspiration on getting this one to the finish line.  

So that's my list for the Third Quarter 2017 Finish Along.  Linking up over at Cut and Alter.  Good luck with your list for third quarter.

Weekend Stitching: June's One Monthly Goal and Other Progress

Not sure I'm ready for the work week yet, but it was nice to get a day in the sewing room.  Even better the new washer showed up on Friday, saving me from another trip to the laundromat.  So it was a very nice and relaxing Sunday.  

Lots going on in the sewing room this weekend.  First off the June One Monthly Goal is finished.  

The goal for June was to get the borders on Blooms and Butterflies, then make a back, prep both for quilting, then package them up to ship out for quilting.  Done, done, done and done.

That plaid fabric in the backing has been in the stash for about 10 years.  It's nice to finally move it out of the stash closet.  So I'm 6 for 6 on this year's One Monthly Goal.  All the prep work was done last weekend, but with the crazy stuff going on at work, it just didn't get posted last week.  You can find more monthly achievements over at Elm Street Quilts. 

With Blooms off the design wall, there was room to start laying out the blocks for this month's UFO project.  

 It took most of Saturday evening to fussy cut the angels for the center of the blocks.  Block construction didn't get started until Sunday.  Christmas Angels probably won't make it to the finished flimsy stage by the end of the month, but it's definitely further along then when it came out of the project box.  

Linking up with:
Monday Making
Main Crush Monday
Monday Design Wall 

Weekend Stitching: Bordering Blooms

I suspect this will be another fast and furious week. We've had a few of those lately.  Lots going on since Drama Teen's graduation.  The unexpected changes at work are going to make this week challenging.  I'll probably just manage to get in 15 minutes of stitching each day.  Hopefully that will be enough to maintain my sanity through all the transitions that have to happen. 

I did get some significant sewing room time on Saturday.  Blooms and Butterflies is now a finished flimsy.

 Blooms and Butterflies
Bloom block by Lea Brummett, setting by Kate

  
I'm happy with how this quilt turned out.  It's going to be my new cuddle quilt for the recliner.  The back will have to be pieced.  The fabrics for the back have been selected. Hopefully the back will get pieced sometime this week.  My June One Monthly Goal is to get this quilt ready to send out for quilting.  

I'm hoping that the work stuff that has to get done is finished by Friday. Then I can take that solo sewing retreat day I'm dreaming of next weekend.  

Linking up with:
Monday Making
Main Crush Monday
Monday Design Wall

Working on the UFO List: June One Monthly Goal

I'm not sure how we got to the first of June already, but we're here.  Most of my quilting year has been taken up with the graduation quilts.  The One Monthly Goal was a great help keeping me on track with the those graduation quilts, so I'm hoping it will be as big a help in moving a few more quilts off the UFO list.  So I'm definitely going to participate in the June One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts. 

Referencing my 2017 Quilt Plan, the project that is the closest to being finished is Blooms and Butterflies. 

Blooms and Butterflies
Bloom block by Lea Brummett, setting by Kate

This quilt just needs the borders added before it's a finished flimsy.  I've got the fabric for the backing.  So my June OMG is to get this project ready to be quilted.  Which means finish the flimsy, make a back, prep the quilt for quilting and package it up for shipping.  

I'm also participating in Patchwork Time's 2017-UFO Challenge.  She picked quilt #7 for June.  Blooms and Butterflies is #4 on my list, so I'll just change the numbers around and make this my #7.  

Linking up with the June One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts.  

Plotting and Planning for the Second Quarter 2017 Finish Along

The count for the first quarter of the 2017 Finish Along was 2 out of 3.  That was my first venture into the finish along.  Since that worked out so well I'm signing up for the second quarter.

There are two quilts that have to be finished by Drama Teen's high school graduation in May.  The first is Geometry. 

 Geometry, self designed

This one was on my first quarter list.  All it needs is binding. I started trimming the quilt last week.  The binding and label need to be made.  That shouldn't be too hard to get done in the next couple of weeks. 

The last remaining graduation quilt is The First Amendment Quilt. 

The First Amendment Quilt, self designed

It's in pieces up on the design wall.  Once the friendship star border is done, the last two borders are just strips.  It should go fast once I get to that point. The plan is to have this one ready to go to Trudy for quilting by April 15th. We'll see if I make that or not.  

Once the graduation quilts are done, I'm pretty free to work on whatever.  There are two quilts that just need borders and backings before they can be sent out for quilting.  Those two would be easy pickings for this quarter.  The first of those is the Meadow Mist Mystery Quilt. 

 Meadow Mist Designs Mystery
By Cheryl Brickey of the Meadow Mist Designs Blog

I'd like to have this one done before the next mystery starts this summer.  

The last quilt on my second quarter finish list is from a quilt along over over at Podunk Pretties. 

Blooms and Butterflies
Bloom block by Lea Brummett, setting by Kate

It just needs the last couple of borders and it will be ready for it's backing and quilting.  

That's four quilts by the end of June.  That seems doable. Even if all I manage are the first two, I'll be happy with my efforts for second quarter.

Linking up with the 2nd Quarter of the 2017 Finish Along.