Well, I didn't do so well with my Jan. goals. I did put together a top from blocks made last year. It still needs borders so that is one project I will work on. I did get some blocks made for a scrap quilt. They need to be put together too. If I can get these projects finished I will be happy. And I am trying to tame my stash, that is an ongoing challenge.

Theresa

I met my goals for January. In Feb I want to quilt the red/white/blue top and a table runner. I would love to get the Fractured Crystal top pieced, too.

I've been working on my cross stitch. My goal is to finish the center picture, but I may get bored with it before then. :)

Donna

I've started cutting up my stash of small pieces. It will take HOURS. I will make 2 BOM and a house for retreat. I'm not sure I'll work on any UFOs, so I won't commit.

I think I will first put together the February BOM, then I have to bind and label the hospice quilt I have been working on for delivery the begging of March. I have a Linda Hahn new york radiant beauty class project I quilted that I have to bind, and lastly, I need to design closer quilting on my sister's quilt I made years ago before I learned about minimum suggested spacing. I think I quilted about every 6-8 inches on that one! I'm glad its been laying flat for years so the batting hasn't twisted inside!

My goal was to quilt something, anything. And I started today. I am making a child's quilt that needs 54 rectangles snowballed. I cut the pieces about a year and a half ago, hoping to piece them last winter while we were in Hawaii. I didn't. I started today. I got 10 of them snowballed today. The weather has been rainy, so maybe I can get more of them done. That's my goal.

How goes the condo sale, Lois?

We've had about six showings, but no offers yet. It's funny - when you make up your mind to sell, you just want it over as soon as possible. I'm tired of cleaning up for showings, although it does make DH keep things tidier. We're planning trips for next winter - Palm Springs in January and Georgia in March. New adventures! And it will be really good to own only one place you have to be responsible for. Renting is the way to go in our future.

Someone will walk in and say "Yes, I want it". Hang tight!

Theresa

Sounds like y'all have a plan and that's the first step in getting something accomplished. Then just taking it a step at a time.

Bev, What sizes are you cutting your pieces into?

I finished up the BOM....just needs pressing. Now I am trying to figure out a chunky, little Dresden Plate made with what I thought were 2 1/2" squares. Maybe it's 2 1/2" X 3"? At least this one might be that size. The original one I saw was smaller than this one....I think. I'll keep playing.....while I work on my goals. :-)

I have a question for quilter. I have seen (Not sure where) a wooden spindle that you could wear around your neck (like a necklace) with the bias for quilt binding wrapped around it...the tape unwinds as you sew it instead of flipping around. I actually use a toilet paper roll and achieve the same results, but would like a more permanent solution. My impression was that this was done in England. Ring any bells ? Appreciate any answers...Houzz wouldn't give me an option to start a thread, so please forgive me for high-jacking yours.

Hi, organic_kitten. Eleanor Burns has a Binding Buddy that could hang around your neck by threading a ribbon through the eye screws. Although it looks like they're out of stock, you might be able to rig something up that's similar. Let us know what you come up with as it looks like a good thing to have.

https://eleanorburns.com/binding-buddy

Lois, good luck on the sale... I have some rental property I've wanted to sell for a few years. I had a realtor all set up to get it on the market, but she disappeared somewhere amongst getting the paperwork togehter. Then one day out of the blue I get a phone call from a guy that wants to buy the whole building (4 units in it). We are to sign papers this week and I couldn't be more excited! And no realtor fees to pay... hold tight.... it will happen....

I've been working on a tshirt quilt for a few years for a friend. Between building a house, moving, and getting married, I finally sandwiched it this weekend and started quilting it! I hope to not get too wrapped up in the quilting (I tend to bite off more than I can chew!). I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Robbi

Sharon, thank you. I have used the very rough facsimile 9(toilet paper roll with some binding tape through it to make a necklace and my quilt binding wrapped around it. It makes it so much easier to keep the binding straight. I have baby quilt (at least it isn't a huge quilt) to bind and that reminded me to check on this forum ad see if you had any idea. I will check on the mentioned one. My DIL has an amazing talent for finding the most challenging baby quilts in existence. This one is hedgehogs (pink and lavender) and each block 20 pieces. It has turned our to be very cute, but I have swcided I have become dyslexic in my old age.

kay

Sharon, I found the one you mentioned on Quilt In a Day and ordered it. At about $8.00, it is worth it to me, Thank you.

kay

Sharon, right now they are all 2.5 inch squares. I'll bring it to retreat if I don't get it finished. I'm collecting all my UFOs and partially done projects to work on.

LOL, Beverly. ALL your UFOs and WIPs? I'll resist 'all' of them but will bring some. :-)

Speaking of Sunbonnet Sue, many year ago, I had devised a pattern with her running down a path to an outhouse, but I never got the block made. Now that I want to, do you think I can even find it!!? Noooooooooo!

Do you still have Naughty Sue?

Beverly, I think so. The one where she's on Spring Break or Kicking the Snowman?

You are all so good setting up monthly quilt/sewing goals, I admire that, but not in my reparte any longer. I did that everyday of my working life, daily tasks, project time lines etc. , etc....nope not anymore. I decided a few months ago I wanted to make a mondo bag, well that was this weeks project. It was fun to make and a royal pain in the you know what...but I finished it. Lots of mistakes, to be corrected when and if I make another. It’s nice and large, uses up those 2 1/2” scraps and good to pack for sew in with friends.

Valarie

Sharon, I was thinking of the spring break one. I forgot about the kicking the snowman one.

Valarie, could the Mondo bag be made with 5" squares?

Grammyp.... The fusible grid pattern is set up so 2 1/2” or 5” squares.

Sharon,

I picked out some patterns that need specific sizes and then I just decided on some sizes I know I can use. I'm trying to get the biggest piece I can and then move down the line. They are..

2.25 x 8.25 (rail type pattern)

5 x 3 (rail type pattern)

3.75 x 2.25 (rail type pattern)

5" sq

2.75 sq

2.5 sq and strips

2.25 sq

2 sq

strings

I'm cutting the really ugly fabrics into the smaller squares (even though some of the pieces could be bigger) because I think you won't notice they are ugly when they are so small. I started to put together the D9P blocks I made last fall and my DD said, "That is just hideous." So I'm separating them into better color coordination, but will have to cut a lot more. Instead of the two quilts I was planning, it will probably end up to be five or six quilts.

I know I won't have these ready until at least April for a quilting bee, but that's OK because I decided I'll work full time in March.

One of the ones I was hoping to finish. Yay!

Theresa

1. Bev2009, I'm impressed that you can keep track of all the sizes. Good for you! I have always wondered what size a piece of fabric should be when it's considered time to cut it down.
2. Great looking bag, Valarie! When I retired I remember not wanting to answer or make phone calls, since there was so much of it on the job. I still don't like using the phone......unless it's family. :-)
3. Theresa, It's always a good feeling to finish a quilt. This one seems to give a sense of calm. Good job!

Where did those numbers come from? How do I turn it off? Never mind...I found it......the cat must have done it! I have the BOMs made, have a few purple Hanging Garden blocks made, have half of the Split 9-Patch top sewn together and have another row on the Orphan Row By Row. This is what I have so far. Only 3 rows, but making them fit together and not look real crazy has been fun. The top barn blocks and the bottom barn blocks were from 2 different BOMs that I didn't get the whole year completed. Trees from HSTs from another project, 3 1/2" strippy rails from a quilt-along, green flying geese in a pot is from a Bonnie Hunter mystery, and the list goes on. I am enjoying putting this together and using blocks that are already made. The new cat inspector needs training......

Bev, Bonnie Hunter always says if a fabric is still ugly, it's not cut small enough! LOL

Theresa, I really like your rail fence quilt!

Sharon, your sampler is looking great! I love your inspector. :) My cat Sami keeps trying to walk on my cross stitch when I'm working on it.

Speaking of which, I'm very close to finishing the central picture. I'm hoping to finish that part this weekend then move on to something else.

Donna

Donna, I have a few fabrics that would challenge Bonnie's classification. They are now crumbs for a confetti quilt.

Nannykins....love your finished quilt, great colors together!

Sharon....I like the way your sampler has come together, nice!