I hope to have my GFG hand quilted by the end of the month. I am off to a good start!

Amy you must be feeling better!

Rebecca

Good, good, good! So many of us have--ahem--one or two ufos. :) Let's get one done!

I've got one that I like, and had sandwiched before I decided I didn't like the borders. Ripped those off, bought new fabric (oops), just need to cut/sew/sandwich/quilt/bind. ~whew~

(Bon:)
Go! Go! Go!
UFOs - no - mo!

I have one, (actally a lot) the mystery quilt that Red did a couple of summers ago. I finished the hand quilting last night so just need to machine quilt the wreath part and bind. I'll post pics soon.
Georgia

Way to go, Georgia! Can't wait to see the pics.
Who's next? :-)

Okay!!! My mystery quilt is off it's rocker!(haha)
I spent hours today and half a roll of masking tape getting all the cat hair off it(at least it's been in use)
Now it's draped over the ironing board so some of the wrinkles can hang out of it. I gotta tell ya...this truly is the ugliest quilt I've ever seen!!
I'm always saying, "I'm going to shave that cat!" A few weeks ago my friend took her long haired kitty into the shop and actually did have her shaved. Everything but the tail and the hair in her ears. Poor thing looks like a poodle!!!
Menew loves it tho. She parades around like she's the most beautiful kitty in the world. And it seems that getting petted now is a whole new wondrous sensation. more more more!!!
Bon
:)

Bon, you have me laughing! Just picturing the "poodle cat."

And --yay!-- for getting the quilt in motion :)

whew. Finally got the new borders cut and sewn on my June ufo--yay:). I'm so glad I took the time; I really like the new borders better. On to the sandwich and quilting...

Progress reports?

I'm working on finishing two that I made the blocks on last summer. One is all done except for tieing and trimming threads, the other is still on the machine being quilted and it is taking forever! I really want to get them done this week because they are going to a dear friend. I just get mentally stuck on that one because it is tedious, but I'm down to one section left - just need to muscle through it!

Still hating the Sleeping Cats, but I've made a couple more blocks. Thinking of taking the outer edge off each block and going with the Snails Trail look instead of the cats.

Unfortunately I don't have anything that's already made and needs to be quilted. Looks like I need to built up my supply of UFO's! Wait... what am I saying?!? :~0)

I WAS working on a stack-n-whack for which I had finally found a fabric with the right, Mexican-y colors, and I was planning to applique the hexagons onto pre-quilted unbleached muslin fabric to save time. I really NEED something for this bed, like yesterday, and the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt destined for it eventually is still a UFO with barely 2 rows done.

But I am finding it easier planned than done to get all the hexagons onto the quilted fabric with nice triangles linking them, and--worst of all--DH and I agree that with an off-white background, the quilt looks too "jumpy."

Now I am thinking of turning the quilt into a cover for one of our kitchen chairs and maybe a tablecloth--though I wouldn't be able to use them at the same time. Either one would look good in our kitchen, which is mainly white, with a few small touches of bright color. Can't promise to get either project done within this month, though! And the poor bed is still stuck out in ugly blanket land.

Well, I made it through the machine quilting on my tumbling blocks quilt and was going to try to attatch the binding, but decided to wait till I'm fresh so I don't rush through it and make a stupid mistake. I have another quilt top that I wanted to do a specific border on - just have not figured out how to do the border. I'm wondering now if I just need to change my plan, or if I should persevere on implementing my idea?

karpet: way to go! you're almost done with your tumbling blocks (pics required, you know). What is the border you want for the second quilt? So many quilters here have so much knowledge and so many good ideas. Post your questions, and see what happens :)

solstice, you're too funny! And NO! you do NOT want to stockpile ufos lol. Did you decide to trim off the cat part?

Biwako: isn't it frustrating to do something to save time, and it turns out...other than you planned? Have you decided: quilt? chair cover? tablecloth?

Bon: how's the mystery?

Georgia: pics??

Keep up the good work :)

This is not a good picture, but it will give you an idea of the cat head dilemma. Ignore the 'wall scene' on the bottom 1/2 of the design wall. The cat blocks are at the top of the picture. Some with heads, some without, and some without the outside level of pieces. The heads are fused on and then blanket stitched. Eyes and whiskers will go on by hand stitching after the quilting is done.

What do you all think? Cat head or snail tail?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Kate

I think the cat heads are a very clever addition to the snail pattern.

Kate - I like the cat heads!
Coalaska - my idea for on the borders is turning a cross-stitch design that has a 4 picture progression of a polar bear doing a summer-sault and putting it on each border. Only problem is I don't know how to turn it into a quilt pattern short of a square per square process which would be tedious. I've tried to figure out if I can convert it into a paper-piece pattern, but really don't know how. I even found an applique pattern of a panda summer-saulting, but it only has a progression of 3 and isn't as cute.

Kate, I like the cats...maybe you could have some blocks with cats, some without. And sashing? because of the different sizes?

karpet, can you make appliques of the pictures you have?

Anita, protecting your sanity, or fully engaged with college and bedroom switching?

Rebecca, how's the gfg coming?

Amy, any luck on occupying the kids? ;)

Annie, do you have pics of your round robin? We'd like to see...

Kate, I like the kitties too.

Life keeps getting in the way for quilting the Grandmothers Flower Garden. I have half of it quilted. Some days I can get four flowers quilted then, I might go nearly a week without touching it, even though it is in the middle of the living room floor. Being knee deep in Daylilies and gardening activities this month, plus two constantly bored children on summer vacation, not much me time.

Monday, I did manage to finish putting together my dresden plates for my other UFO :). 36 plates, and now have to decide how I want to attach them to a top.

After this weekend, the Daylily activities will wind down and my 12 yr old son will be at Boy Scout camp for 7 days. It should be a little quieter. Boy, I am rambling this morning :).

Rebecca

Daylily SHRIMP AND GRITS

Rebecca - Wow! Thanks for the lily picture - that is beautiful! I have one child still bored at home, but it looks like a small job will open up sorting worms! Hey, it's money!

I finished, FINISHED the two UFO's I've been working on last night; clipped the last thread. I have an appointment Monday afternoon to deliver them so I just have to get my two favorite quilt models to help me take a picture of them. I was getting all excited to start something new, but remembered there are still 4 UFO's that need to be finished up. My mind tries to put them in another category to justify cutting into something new! Oh well, it will feel good to have them finished also. One of them is a grandmother's flower garden that I started 2 years ago.

Yes if you count the numerous times we have gone to the pool or little water park near our home. But that does not help me get to my sewing room. But rignt now they are all playing playstation and being quiet so I am about to slip into my sewing room and start quilting Hunters puzzle quilt. It has been done and sandwiched since last July. We have been working on it for about 2 1/2 years. I think it's time to finally get it done.

Amy

Rebecca, thanks for the beautiful pic. Maybe your gfg is one of those that you can work on as you feel like it, and will never be pushed to the back of the closet? That way it'll be a WIP instead of a ufo :)

I'm also looking forward to ds camp next week :), but need to get this quilt done this week anyway.

karpet, whoo-hoo! We want pictures!

Amy, good luck today. Let us know how it goes.

Well I got 3/4 of the quilting done and I ran out of glow in the dark thread so I am off to the store to buy some more so I can finish the quilting today. Then I only have to do the binding. So I got something accomplished so far.

Amy

Yay, Amy!! Way to go!

I've gotten mine re-sandwiched (took it apart to change the borders). Now 4.5 days to decide on quilting, do it, and bind it. eek! :)

glow in the dark thread?!?!?

Oh I have GOT to get some of that!

I had my dear Hubby be my photographer this evening so here are the 2 finished quilts that started as blocks last summer

Here is a link that might be useful:

Karpet! That's absolutely beautiful! I gazed at it for some time, just to drink it in!
Only one quilt on your link...do you have another for us, too?
Way to go!!

I've been trying to quilt all day, but my machine keeps skipping stitches! (so I've had to rip a lot--yuk). I've tried everything: cleaned, oiled, rethreaded, adjusted tension, new needle (from a new package), practiced on another piece (which worked beautifully, btw)...and still getting skips. ~sigh~ not sure what to do at this point.
Any suggestions?

I love the tumbling blocks pattern but haven't dared try it. Maybe now that I see how cute it is with large blocks I'll give it a try.

Here is the second one (Can you put more than one link on a post?)

Here is a link that might be useful:

It's beautiful. I like the way you used the fabric in the center.

You can put in more than one link but not using the "optional link URL" box under the Message box.

Since you have your photos already on Photobucket, just click on the box under the photo that says "HTML code" (right click on it or COPY it) and paste that directly into your message. You can paste in as many as you want, but try to hold it to 4 or less because it gets slow for people with dial-up connections if you do more than that. Your pictures will show up in the message so people don't have to click on a link to see them.

If you really just want to do a link to an address instead of the picture then there's a little formula you can use. Use this formula but when you do it, don't type in the quote (") marks. ""="past in the url address here just like you would in the little box below""Type in the Name of the Link, like Ginny's Quilt""

That may look complicated, but once you do it you'll see how simple it is. Remember to leave off the quote marks! I had to add them here so that they would show up in the text.

If you have a problem with it or a question, go ahead and email me at solstice98@att.net.

Kate

Karpet, another beauty! I really like your use of color. Congratulations!

Kate, thanks for the tutorial on pics. :)

Oh what beautiful quilts and love the lily.

I just finished a little baby blanket (two pieces-flannel on the back, print on the front). Of course, it wasn't a UFO!! Just wanted something quick and easy. I have gotten my backing prepared though for a UFO that was started four years ago. Somehow my measurements got off (I believe it is a round the world) so I am not happy with it. I am putting some childrens flannel print on the back and will donate it to a homeless shelter or an ambulance group in my town. I am hoping to get that done tomorrow. I will tie that and the baby blanket. AND Then...if I am not too lazy to load a bobbin with black thread, I will sew some sashing on a round robin quilt that I will then decide how I want to finish it for a wall hanging....

It is a good feeling to at least drag them out of the box. But, I don't want to forget to put the backing on a wedding gift for my niece in August. Oh, Iam rambling, time for bed. Deanna

Thanks for this thread. It gave me the push I needed to get cracking on my UFO. I am down to one more row to quilt and the binding. Solstice, I love the cat heads on the snail pattern. Very innovative. I think embroidered whiskers (even if you don't add eyes) would make those heads assume presence and change your mind.

I also love Karpet's version of tumbling blocks. That was the pattern for my second patchwork quilt. I was so naive I didn't know any better. Figured out Y-seaming myself before I knew the word. LOL. I may just finish this June challenge in June!

Yay, Deanna :) Post that baby quilt on a thread of its own, where it will get lots of viewers. I'm sure the shelter/ambulance will be very grateful for your quilt; and you'll be so glad to have it done, even if you don't like it.

Calliope, Go, go, go!

2 full days left of June...here we go!

You've all convinced me to go with the full cat head block. I'll use a heavy embroidery thread to do some whiskers and little closed eye slits. But I'm not going to get it done during June, I afraid! Oh well, at least I have a plan.

Coalaska......58 blocks down and five to go. I feel like the little engine who thinks he can. My fingers are sure sore.

Calliope--keep it up! You're doing great :). I admire anyone who hand quilts.

I finished the (machine) quilting today; just the binding and I'll post a pic--yay!

On the last day, of course :)

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

not perfect, but DONE :):)

I love the spirally quilting! Nice job!

Thank you :). I can see I didn't do quite enough in the borders, so it's wavy. Oh, well!

Colaska, is that hand quilting? It makes quilting more interesting to create swirly patterns--they suit each other in line but are all a little different.

I'm standing by my basic rules: #1 if you don't like it, don't waste your life's time and energy completing the project. Having said that, aside from drawings for yet to be done pictorial projects, I've never had any UFOs. I suppose drawings could be considered beginning a quilt. In that case, I have three.

Rule #2: Even if you like an idea for a quilt, if you don't feel like doing it now, don't. This rule won't work if you are prone to starting lots of projects.

Professionals have to operate with different limitations and we all get hit by unexpected events--weddings, babies, etc.

And there is something to be said for the feeling of accomplishment in completing projects. Have you ever finished a quilt, not on commission, that you didn't like? Was it worth the time you put into it?

Carole

Free-motion on my Pfaff :). Someone here suggested "organic design with geometric piecing" and vice versa. It really seems to be good advice.

Coalaska, in my daughter's quilt, I hand quilted something between paisley and swirls.

Carole

very nice, Carolek. I hope to hand quilt someday :)

The grass is always greener. I hope to machine quilt someday, lol. Beautiful work, Carole. I did get my quilting all done. The quilt is upstairs now, back home in the sewing room, a pound heavier from cat fur. What is it about cats and quilts? I shall need to launder it now for sure as my son has allergie s to cats. The iron is plugged in now and heating and I have the material ripped for the bias binding I'll be putting on today. I missed the deadline by a day or two to get it completely done, but not by much. I am still giving myself a silver star, maybe not gold, but wow........it was close. Thanks again for the motivation. I'll post a pic when I get it drying on the line.

The pic as you requested at this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: the June Challenge

Coalaska and Carolek--both your quilting is beautiful--Machine and Hand!
Got a question for you Carolek, I couldn't tell by looking at your photos if you had used clear thread or cotton or polyester.
And do you mark your pattern first or just wing it. I'm kind of a wing-it quilter, but am thinking I should try marking one of these days.

p.s. I'm sad to say that while I did write earlier in this thread with hopes of completing a few ufo's in June--I have not! But I'm not giving up on July!

I love those spiral,s too, Coalaska, and Carole, what beautiful even hand-stitching!

Nothing to show you from me. DH isn't well, and with the time that takes, plus the stress, I just haven't been able to bring myself to get out the machine and cutting board. Instead, I have been indulging in some crochet pick-me-up work, which doesn't count here, lol. If only I were into hand-piecing, I could be doing that, too!

calliope - that must have been a great experience to be working with your mother's blocks and fabrics. I bet you remembered a lot of the pieces and where they came from. That is a great and a meaningful quilt.

Didn't get my challenge done but oh so close! Work and daylilies keep getting in my way of progress on it :). I bought a template for last year's birthday block top and hope to free motion quilt it in the next week or so.

I think we need a July UFO challenge!

Rebecca

Calliope--love the very inviting quilt! Good job on finishing it. Are your fingers still sore, or are you ready for another challenge?

Anitastitch, I was thinking of waiting until August, but a few have expressed an interested, so I'll post a July challenge, too. You can do it!

Biwako, I'm praying DH is better. Life is much more complicated when someone we love isn't well. Maybe a time to start a gfg? A long wip, not a nufo (nufo: "New UFO"--new2quilting came up with that) lol!

Rebecca--look for the July challenge, we'll look for you there!

Cheryl