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?  

Odds and Ends From One of Those Weeks

Do you ever wake up on Monday and wonder what happened to the weekend?  Or for that matter what happened to all of last week?  I've been pretty much AWOL from my personal computer as I seemed to be stuck like glue to the work computer the last week.  It's mid-year review season at work, couple with with the need to wrap up some projects and it's just been completely insane.  So there hasn't been a lot of responding to email and blog reading the last week, so I hope you'll forgive me for being so far behind.  I will catch up eventually.  

The sewing room hasn't seen too much of me the last week either, so there's not much progress there. I did find a few minutes here and there to contemplate the final borders for Vintage Dresses.  I think I'm about there.  Now to decide on the final color, pink or blue. 

  

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

I may change the corners so the colored borders better mimic the frames around each block. It's a lot of borders, but I like the 3-D effect you get by moving from lighter to darker from the center of the quilt.  Now that I've got a plan, hopefully there will be some time in the sewing room soon to see if I've got the fabrics to make either one of these color schemes work. 

The Scientist in Training has been home for just a little bit over a week.  She hadn't seen the final version of the her Geek Chic quilt.  To say she loves it is a bit of an understatement, it's become her go to quilt for relaxing.  

 Yes, the SIT has been treating herself to massive doses of Pokeman on the DS and while binge watching Netflix.  It's OK, she made A's in everything but calculus.  (There have been a few breaks for laundry, doing dishes and volunteering at the local animal shelter.)  

I never shared the final name for what's been called around the house as the SITs chem quilt.  Here's the label, minus Mom's message. 

She loves it.  That's the best thank you. 

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

Weekend Stitching - Finally, A Finish

Most of the time spent in the sewing room this weekend has been focused on getting En Provence ready to send out for quilting.  The back is ready, but there is still one row of blocks that need to have the loose threads removed from the back.  There's a reason I kept putting off this prep step, it takes forever!   

I did take a break from those prep steps Saturday night (my back could only take so much of being bent over the cutting table) to finish hand stitching the binding down on the Scientist in Training's quilt.  

Here's the "art shot"  of the finished quilt.  I forgot we have a test tube rack left over from one of the SITs science fair projects, that would have made a nice prop if I'd remembered.  Here's the whole quilt.  

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)

I like it, the SIT likes it, My Guy doesn't. But since this is for the SIT and she likes it, that's all that matters.  I had a lot of fun with these fabrics. 

My two favorites are the colored squares periodic table and the fabric in the block next to it that has the word "chemistry" in it.  Not sure if the SIT has picked a favorite or if she just likes the whole quilt.  Trudy kept the quilting very simple, which lets the fabrics really shine.  

The back is made up of left overs from the front. 

Some of what's left may end up as cuffs on pillow cases if the SIT wants me to make her a couple.  Unfortunately, it's a bit late in the semester for the SIT to get much use out of it, but she'll have it for next school year.  

I'm glad to be able to claim at least one finish for this year.  Hopefully I've got the pump primed and the finishes will become a bit more frequent this quarter.  I'll be linking up with the 2018 Finish Along when the quarter ends.  Linking up with my typical parties today (Main Crush Monday won't go live till Tuesday this week).  

Monday Making
Main Crush Monday
Monday Design Wall 

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.  

Weekend Stitching: January One Monthly Goal

Just a few more days left in the first month of 2018, which means the main focus in the sewing room this weekend was January's One Monthly goal.  

The plan for this month was to get Geek Chic to the finished flimsy stage, a back pieced, and prep the quilt to be sent out.  The flimsy was finished last weekend.  

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)

Finished piecing the backing this Friday. 

Pressed and de-threaded the back and flimsy over the weekend. 

Need to write the deposit check and add a bit of packing and this project will be ready to send to Trudy for quilting.

This should get to the post office today or tomorrow.  So January's OMG is done.

Last year the OMG taught me the value of setting priorities in the sewing room.  Here's where I'm at with the rest of my priorities for the month. 

1. Geek Chic - finish quilt assembly, make back, prep for quilting and shipping. DONE
2.  On Ringo Lake - decide on a path forward. DONE
3.  Vintage Dresses - finish adding coping strips to the blocks. DONE
4.  Magnolia Mystery blocks - finish piecing the blocks. DONE
5.  Finish the 2017 RSC fan blocks - 3 left
6.  Make Inverted Star border blocks in light blue (2 done, 1 in progress)
7.  Start 2018 RSC Squared Away Sampler. Done 

It was a good month. I made progress with everything on my list. Now to decide on the OMG and write up the priority list for February.  

Linking up with:
Elm Street Quilts
Monday Design Wall
Monday Making
Main Crush Monday

Weekend Stitching: Bordering

We had a pretty slow, hang out kind of weekend.  It's been cold and windy.  Not as bone chilling as it is up north, but it's just not fun getting out of the house to go anywhere.  Thankfully Sunday was warmer than it has been, so it wasn't so bad when the Scientist in Training had to load up for drive back to college yesterday afternoon.  The house certainly was quiet last night.

Once the SIT was on the road, I distracted myself with what was in the sewing room.  The room is a bit of a wreck, so I spent some time putting away a few things before sitting down to stitch.  I'm making some progress on my On Ringo Lake blocks.

On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter 2017 Mystery Quilt

These blocks have grown on me as I've worked with them.  Due to the lack of contrast between the black and gray, my version will look a bit different, but I think it's going to look pretty cool with the sashing.  For now, I've bumped the ORL blocks to leaders and enders status.  

The priority project this month is to get Geek Chic out the door for quilting before the end of the month.  The blocks got sewn together last weekend just in time for the SITs birthday.  She helped decided on the border fabrics.

 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)

We had to raid the stash for the aqua fabric for the first narrow border. None of the other fabrics worked very well with what she choose for the outer border.  The last inner border strip is all ready to go, I just didn't get that far last night.  This should make it to finished flimsy stage by the weekend.  I'll have to piece the back, but that should be fun as I'm using the left overs for that.  

Linking up with:

Design Wall Monday
Monday Making
Main Crush Monday
BOMs Away

2018 UFO Challenge: The Quilts and the Plan

In 2017 my plan wasn't so much about finishing UFOs as it was about finishing quilts that had deadlines.  Namely the graduation quilts that had to be done by May.  All three of the graduation quilts got done, as well as four other quilts that came off or were kept off the UFO list by being finished.  So seven finishes all together, that ties my best ever total in a year.

In 2017, I learned that setting priorities is key to moving things off the list. Participating in the the One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts will help set the priority each month.  Linking up with American Patchwork and Quilting's 2018 UFO Challenge and with Patchwork Time's 2018 UFO Challenge will provide some accountability.  Hopefully all of this leads to finishes in 2018.  

There is one rule for the UFO challenges that I've decided not to follow.  I won't be selecting the UFO by following the monthly drawing. Some of these projects have deadlines, so they'll need to be first in line no matter what numbers get drawn.  

January:   Geek Chic (aka Scientist in Training Quilt)
     Status:  Assembling quilt (no photo as the SIT follows my blog)
     Due Date:  January 14, 2018

February:  Magnolia Mystery Quilt
     Status:  Piecing blocks
     Due Date:  Finished Flimsy by February 15, 2018

  Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of
Meadow Mist Designs

March:  Vintage Dresses
     Status:  Framing blocks to standard size
     Due date:  May 2018 (graduation quilt)

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

April:  En Provence, Bonnie Hunter 2016 Mystery
     Status:  Needs backing pieced

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

May:  Christmas Angels
     Status:  Piecing Blocks
     Due Date:  December 2018

 Christmas Angels  Pattern by Kate

June:  Red, White and Blue Stars
     Status:  Piecing Blocks

  Red, White and Blue Stars, Setting by Kate

July:  Inverted Stars
     Status:  Piecing border blocks

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

August:  Twinkle Star Quilt
     Status:  Piecing blocks

Twinkle Stars
Tutorial by Andrea Feldbush of Soscrappy

September:  On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter's 2017 Mystery
     Status: Piecing blocks
     Due Date:  November 22, 2018 

On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter 2017 Mystery Quilt

October:   Fans (2017 RSC Project)
     Status:  Piecing blocks

November:  Scrappy Butterflies
     Status:  Needs setting plan

Scrappy Butterflies
Block is available in EQ 7 Block Library

December:  Neutral Gems
     Status:  Piecing Blocks

  Neutral Gems Pattern is "Gems" by Donna Lynn Thomas
found in the book Patchwork Palette

So that's the UFO list for 2018.  If I finish one project early, I'll just move on to the next.  Even if I don't get all of these to the finish line, I'm hoping to advance each to at least the next step.  Hopefully that will mean more finishes in 2019.  

Finish Along 2017: Ending on a High Note?

Hard to believe we've just got three months left in 2017. They'll go fast.  It's amazing how time just seems to fly this time of year.  That's a factor in deciding what to tackle for the fourth quarter version of the 2017 Finish Along.

At the beginning of the year,  my thought was to use all the incentive available to get some projects moved to the finish line.  There are six quilts on the completed list; two from first quarter, two from second quarter and two from third quarter 2017 Quilt-A-Long lists.  (Hmm, seems there is a pattern there.) If I can finish two during fourth quarter I'll have finished more quilts in a year than ever before.  So I'm definitely in for the last round this year.  

What to put on the list?  That's always the struggle.  Even though history says I'll finish just two, I'll put four on the list anyway. 

The first is Scrappy Coffee Cups.

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

It's on it's way back from the quilter.  All it needs is the label and the binding.  That's definitely doable at this point.  Should be a shoe in finish. 

The second is the Geek Chic quilt for the Scientist in Training.  No pictures as she follows my blog now that she's off at college.  This will either be a Christmas or birthday present.  I'll have two weeks off at Christmas, so if it doesn't make it under the tree, it should be done for her birthday in January. 

The third on the list is En Provence.  

En Provence
Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

There's one more block in the fourth row and two sashing strips to finish piecing.  Then it will be time to sew the rows together and add the pieced border.  This one will definitely get to the finished flimsy stage by the end of the year and a 50/50 chance it will get completely finished.  If I get this far, that will be 9 quilts finished for the year. That would be awesome. 

The fourth project probably won't get done this year, but I'll add it to the list just in case it comes together faster than I think it will.  The last project for 2017 is Vintage Dresses.

  Vintage Dresses
by Charise Randell

The blocks all need coping strips added to bring them all up to the same size. Since En Provence has moved up to be my OMG for October, adding the coping strips has become my new leaders and enders project.  Depending on how much sewing I actually get to do, this could go pretty fast or pretty slow.  I doubt this one gets all the way to finished, but it will definitely get moved along.  

If my trend holds, I'll manage to get two of the four done.  I'd be happy with that.  Good luck on your picks for the Fourth Quarter 2017 Finish-A-Long

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.