I am a quilt top maker

I love quilting.  The whole process, from cutting out the fabric, to piecing to applique.  I even enjoy hand quilting the quilt.  I just no longer have the time to devote to hand quilting.  Especially if the quilt top is going to get finished.  I have not yet acquired the skill set for machine quilting (even though I now have my dream Bernina  with it’s wonderful BSR (bernina stitch regulator), and I have no expectation of purchasing a long arm,  I rely on others talents  with a long arm.  There are so many talented long arm quilters out there and I am blessed to have access to one who quilts my top.  Facing breast cancer puts life in perspective.  I totally look at things differently.

Since signing up for our UFO group, I have been working diligently finishing up those tops, screaming, my turn, my turn.   I have my monthly UFO to complete, then I make a list of other projects to get started on or make.  This month’s list is:

1. Row by Row  2014 (finish 2 rows and design border with 3 license plates) Sadly I am declining to participate in the 2015 Row by Row.  I would really like to spend a weekend driving around to different shops like I did last year but unfortunately I have pressing projects to try to squeeze in with my UFO list without adding more.

2. Finish Applique Class Sample (I have been asked to teach an applique class)

3. Mock up 3 blocks of Autumn Joy pattern by Sue Garman  (on my ufo list) I realized that I would not be able to get this one completed in one month so trying to get a head start.

4.  Piece Miriam’s quilt – this is a panel pieced quilt top that has panel blocks and each block has a scripture on it.  Miriam is always cold and this would be useful to wrap around her while she is relaxing in her recliner.

5. If there is anytime left in the month…. start mocking up more blocks of Autumn Joy.  or start cutting out the background fabric for  the “A Boy and Girl” quilt. Secretly, I am itching to start this quilt but am practicing delayed gratification.

I was so pleased with myself last night for how much I had gotten accomplished yesterday that I even put together my 2016 UFO list.  This time I was more realistic as to what I can actually get accomplished in one month. Going forward, my game plan is to tackle one major applique quilt a year, interspersed with pieced quilt tops, baby quilts, and lap quilts.   Words fail me to express the elation I feel when I actually accomplish the items on my monthly quilting “to do list”.  Too often I had pushed aside what I wanted to work on for other requests against me time.  I guess I am now being totally selfish and focusing on what I want to do.  I am not neglectful of my fur babies as they accompany me to my sewing room and wait patiently for me to take a break and go outside with them.  The only thing I have been neglecting is yard work.  The abundant rain we have had recently has aided in my procrastination in mowing the yard and weed whacking.  But this afternoon, I have to tackle this project.  My sister is arriving on Wednesday to spend the 4th here on the farm.  I am looking forward to her arriving so I want the yard to look nice.  So I will get this posted,put on my straw hat and gloves and go fire up the lawn tractor.  Vroom Vroom!!!!

Happy Quilting Everyone

Sissy

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Time Marches On…..

Here it is June.  The days seemingly are disappearing before my eyes.  My UFO projects list is whittling down as well.  Such a good feeling to put to rest the once revered projects that were starting to haunt me.  Yesterday, I went to the Sampler Club at our quilt shop.  It’s good to spend time with people who enjoy the same interests that I have.  I love the show and tell.  Such inspiration.  The creativity is awesome.

I got my log cabin quilt back from Vicky, who quilted it for me  yesterday.  It is truly beautiful.  I am considering entering it into the Ozark Empire Fair this year.  They have a special theme class of log cabin quilts.

My back is 85-90% well. I have gotten back to sewing but at a slower pace.  I sew, get up and move around to work the stiffness out of my back.  Yesterday I was able to wash a couple of windows (from the inside only).  That was a nice accomplishment.  I also was able to mow bits and pieces of the yard working the same way.  I would mow (riding mower) a little bit and then go rest my back.   Slowly getting things are getting accomplished.  Feels good.

Down to last  last 20″ of border to get appliqued, of course this was last month’s UFO, but still plugging along on it and pretty excited at the prospect of its completion.  It is so true that quilters pour their lives into their quilts.  My  Bear Hollow Quilt knows my most innermost thoughts and feelings, I believe I will need to keep it close as I have never let anyone get close enough to me to know me as well as this quilt does.

My addiction to BOM’s knows no bounds.  I truly love them.  With that said…. I recently signed up for a BOM applique pattern by Kim Mclean titled “A Boy and A Girl Albuml”.  I fell in love with the bright colors and their non traditional use in the applique.  So I will be adding this project to my list  to work on each month.

I suppose there could be worse things to be addicted to.

Sissy