2021 Quilt List

 I usually post a somewhat abbreviated list of quilts I hope to complete in the coming year in January- it helps me focus on my goals. Never mind that those goals are subject to change on a whim - but there are no rules in quilting and in my book, inspiration ought to be spontaneous. However, this year I am expanding that list purely because I will use this post to refer back to in the coming months.  This really is just a list of unfinished projects. I think just one new project snuck it's way in. Don't judge. 😊

1. Urban Zoology : this one was on last year's list, but I did piece it into a top and it is at Jackie's

2. HST Chaos: this one needs to be pressed and taken to Jackie

3. Jellystone: this one needs to be pressed and I need to  piece the backing before I take it to Jackie

4. Biscuits & Gravy: I'm in the process of piecing this one that uses a couple of jellyrolls

5. Lincoln 16-Patch : the blocks are made and are ready to be stitched together

6. My Country Garden: Jackie has this one too

7. Quite Contrary: Just need to finish stitching on the binding

8. Gray Floral Spring Splash: I need a backing for this before I take it to Jackie

9. Black & Pink Floral Spring Splash: This one also needs a backing

10. Radiant: I need to piece the backing for this one before I hand it over to Jackie, but I don't want to overwhelm her - I pieced this HST top a couple of years ago - this is just a shot of part of it as I was laying it out

11. Modern Greek Cross - this is from last year's list, but I haven't even started it

12. Fun Flower Beads - a size variation of the Chandelier quilt pattern - pieced and waiting at Jackie's

13. Zimbabwe - Another ready for quilting 

14. This one is pieced too - and I need a backing for it

15. Scrap dance Waltz: Another one that has been waiting for a backing for 2 or 3 years

16. Plus a Nine-Patch: This is going to be the year of the backing - another awaiting a backing:

17.  Baby Sails: I need to piece and applique the boats for this one:

18. Desert Teepees: I started playing with this one, but set it aside over a year ago thinking the arrows were too large, but I'll pull the bin and see if I can do something with it

19.  Farm Stand: another shot of part of a top that needs a border and a backing:

20. Farmer's Market: I have everything for this backing - just need to piece it

21. A QOV that is pieced, but this is the only photo I have right now and it needs a border:

22. Bluebirds on Roses: Ready to hang out at Jackie's

23. Pinwheel Garden: Yep. You guessed it. In need of a backing:

24. Howdy: Last one! Whew!

Now, don't go thinking I whipped all these out last year - most of them have a little bit of age on them. 

I really didn't expect to end up with this many, but I'm just going to give myself some grace about it and tackle them one stitch at a time.

Under the Needle - April

Seems I never work on just one project at a time and at times I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels. This didn't all take place in a day or a week. This is just an overview of what's under my needle for the month of April. I'm binding one quilt:

Getting a backing ready for this quilt:

Taking this one to Jackie:

Piecing another little safari quilt

Cutting out pieces for this quilt:

Pulling fabrics for this quilt:

Adding to my little EPP stars when I'm on the road:

And stitching on my rag runner in the evening:

No finishes, but a little bit of progress on numerous projects. I gauge whether I'm getting anything accomplished by my little trash can...a full one means I'm obviously sewing and I  seem to empty it once a month. I'm good with that!

                                        

What I've Been Up To

As per my usual routine, I've been sneaking in some sewing here and there, as time allows. I finished my Valentine's Day table runner and it graced the buffet in the dining room for a few days:

Then I pressed my Color Box top and cut the backing. I found this wide backing online and bought 5 yards - enough for 2 quilts:

I picked through my scrappy bin of strips and made the binding:

Then I pressed all of my 9-patch blocks for another scrappy quilt. I think I'm going to set them with Navy and white hourglass blocks and bind it in Navy.  So I set about to cutting squares for that and made a few blocks:

Our Quilt Squad group is meeting tomorrow, but I have to bow out. I do need to run into town right quick to run some errands and drop off a Crock-pot of  Taco Soup for my fellow stitchers before heading back home:

My washing machine refused to agitate on Tuesday and although DH is a master at fixing these sorts of things, I wasn't about to let him tie into it with his back giving him fits so we loaded it into the truck and hauled it town. Yes, he and I lifted it into the truck. They had to order the part so here's hoping I get it back before I have to find a river and beat our clothes against a rock. I'm very thankful that they are able to repair it though and I don't have to shell out money for a new one! I am currently reading a book called "Nothing to Tell: Extraordinary Stories of Montana Ranch Women and I am very thankful for a lot of modern conveniences right now!

DH's back is really out of whack so I've been trying to help out. He would call it hovering. :) I know he's hurt because this man never complains when he's sick or hurt. Hurt or not, cattle must be fed and when there are about 600 hd on this side of the ranch and 64,000 acres, it takes a good while. Throw in the fact that you cannot sit or lay down in any position to alleviate the pain and you have a man who does what it takes:

I finally fussed enough that he let me drive and he stood in the back of the truck. He'll be fine. Just going to take some time and prayer.

Then one of these fellas decided to take up residence in a pair of  my britches on Thursday and when I pulled them on, he stung me on my leg and gave me an extra good whip with his nasty tail on my finger. OWIE!

Now I'm off to finish cleaning out the deep freeze. We've got a beef ready to pick up!

An Empty Box!

I sewed my little heart out this weekend. I was bound and determined to empty that box of 2 1/2" squares and even after I had stitched the top I shared earlier, that measures 72" x 84", I was left with this:

So I went on a 9-patch binge, a marathon of chain stitching and in between cooking and laundry and ranch duties, I stitched. I thought I'd never finish making those 2-patches:

 and at 4 on Sunday afternoon, I had this:

Does the fact that I'm tickled about an empty box mean I need to get a life? :) I ended up with 124 6" 9-patch blocks. That's 1116 squares, and yes, the box is no longer empty, but I'm happy to have it filled with these instead:

They haven't been pressed yet, but that's a chore for another day. Another scrap quilt is just around the corner, but right now I am awfully tired of sewing.

Here a Stitch, There a Stitch

Seems that lately, I've been adding a lot of quilts to the "to be made" list and not spending any time sewing. I finally spent some time with my sewing machine the last few days though.

 I dug into my stash for borders for the Stars and Bars QOV and stitched those on as well as made a backing and binding for it:

I also pieced my Color Box top. Tell me: how is it possible to begin with a box of 2 1/2" scraps:

Piece a top that is 72 x 84:

And still have this left:

I think I am going to simply piece all of these into 9-patches and find another pattern for them. I am determined to empty this box! I'm no longer going to stash 2 1/2" squares. I'll just keep strips because I think they'll give me more options in the long run.

 Next up was the Valentine table runner and I quilted it, just using organic straight line stitching:

I made the binding and am stitching it on in the evenings as time allows.

Still, progress has been made. Makes me feel less guilty about adding new things to my list if I can cross a few off. :)

Today, I'm meeting my partner in crime in town and we're taking a road trip to another town to check out a new quilt shop that opened up 2 weeks ago. Stay tuned for my investigative report. :)