I was reading Quilt Mania the other day and saw the pattern for the Japanese boxes quilt.   It looked really cool!   I wanted to try it, but an entire quilt was pretty intimidating to me.    So, I decided to  do a smaller version as a wall hanging.   I figured if I took the top 4 rows and the bottom 4 rows it would stay balanced.

After cutting all the pieces and laying them out, I ended up with this. . . .

I thought it was looking kinda cool, but something wasn’t hitting me just right.   I decide to clump the colors in sections.   Then I added in the setting triangles and the border, quilted it and added the binding.

I wasn’t quite done with the binding when I took this picture.    I’m planning to mat it and frame it.   Then I’ll have to decide whether or not it’s really going to be the  gift I intended.

I still think it’s cool.  I’m just feeling a little insecure about whether or not it’s gift quality.     I guess I’ll see what I think once it’s framed.

• I quilt because I enjoy playing with fabric.
• I quilt because I love knowing that my quilts are being thoroughly loved (and worn out) not being treated like heirlooms by those that receive them.
• I quilt because it challenges me to try new things – new techniques, new color combinations, new patterns.
• I enjoy the community of quilters that I’ve met both online and in person.
• I quilt because of the joy I see in the eyes of someone receiving one of my gifts.
• I quilt without feeling the need to fit into someone else’s definition of style,  skill level or personal taste.
• I quilt for me, as long as it’s enjoyable and I have the ability to stitch.

Guess what I got in the mail today?

Aren’t they pretty?   These are for the Mod Times Quilt Along over at Twin Fibers.  I’m so excited to try this.   I’m going to probably modify it a bit so that I end up with a nice wall hanging instead of a crib quilt.     Then it will be a gift for one of my grandma’s -  I can say that cuz I’m pretty sure she does not read my blog or even get online.

I’m so excited to get started on this!

I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already.   It seems like time keeps getting away from me and I keep not posting!   The good news is that while there’s lots of home improvement projects going on, I still found some time for sewing.

I’ve been working on this to be a wall hanging.   I’m thinking I’ll mat and frame it rather than having the fabric loose on the wall.   I did all the quilting on this one and I’m almost done with the binding.   I hope to finish that this week.  I’m still deciding if I like it or not.   It’s one of those that I was so excited about at first and now I’m second guessing myself.   This is supposed to be a gift, so maybe that’s why I’m so paranoid.

I’ve also started on a baby quilt.     It’s a gift for  a couple that is very special to me  and they are expecting their first child soon.   I’ve wanted to try applique so this project is giving me the opportunity to try that.   I’m actually liking it although my hands start to cramp after a while.   Here’s a close up of the first appliqued blocks.

Here’s a peak at the quilt they will be part of -  I’ve laid it out and started piecing part of it, but I’m mainly focused on the applique right now.

I can’t wait to see this when it’s done.   I’m so hoping  that the new little one will enjoy playing on this quilt.

Lastly, I’ve been wanting to make a denim quilt.   I’ve got a huge stack of denim I cut from my hubby’s old jeans that I’ve been saving for just the right inspiration.   Yesterday, I had a light bulb moment.   Wouldn’t a denim quilt make the perfect tailgating accessory?   I’m thinking I could applique MSU (Mississippi State) on a large denim block in the center.  I’m pretty sure I have a large enough piece to make a 14″ square for the center block.   Then I can do an assortment of different size squares and rectangles (some with pockets, some  with seams, some just plain denim) working out from the center block.  The backing can be either maroon flannel or a MSU flannel print.   I would either use a very thin batting or none at all since it will be a heavy quilt.   I think it’ll be about 56″ square.  I might go a little larger but I’m thinking picnic size.   I’m still debating between quilting and tying it.   I like the idea of tying it with maroon ribbon.    I’ve never tied a quilt, and I’m wondering how it would hold up.   Guess that will take some more thought.   Below is my first rough sketch of  how I might layout the quilt.  I still need to make some adjustments as it’s not feeling quite random enough.

My finishes for the week:

1.   Got my husband’s car spruced up at the body shop.

2.  Got the last of my new appliances installed.

3.  Got the screens replaced on the screened porch.

4.  Got my garden planted.

I know – none of those projects are craft related.  Sometimes I like to remind myself of all I’ve accomplished.   It makes it easier to allow myself the freedom to take my time and enjoy the journey.

So a couple of weeks ago, I was wondering about my black and white theory for p.s. i quilt’s postage stamp quilt along.   I’ve made some more progress on it but I’m still wondering if this is going to work as one quilt or if it should be two.

I’ve cut all my strip sets now and am about to start sewing blocks.    I will have 4 blocks instead of the 2 that were originally in the instructions.  Here’s a look at what my blocks will look like once they are sewn.

The  hard part is figuring out how to lay these out since there’s 4 blocks.    After playing I came up with this  quilt layout- In the layout, the black blocks correspond to the top 2 blocks in the picture above and the gray blocks correspond to the bottom 2 blocks.

So, what do you think, should I split it into 2 quilts or go ahead with just one?   Am I crazy thinking this will work?

I started quilting in the Feb/March  of 2010.  I keep thinking that can’t be right, that it had to have been earlier than that but according to my blog,  it was 2010.    I’ve been  reading  everyone’s stories about WIP’s and UFO’s and out of control stashes over the last year.  It’s left me wondering how to describe some of my projects.  Are they WIP’s or UFO’s or just started or something else all together?    After reading this post at That Man Quilts?,  I decided he was absolutely right.   Not only do we need some more acronyms, I’m going to make up/define my own.  Below are the acronyms I’ll be using, my definition for them, and what projects fall in each category.   Some are borrowed, some have merely been defined as I wish, and  one I think may be my own.

WTQ:  Waiting to be quilted

I send a number  of my quilt tops off to be quilted mainly because of their size, every once in a while because I’m scared to try on my little machine.  These are complete quilt tops that simply need to be quilted either by me or by my wonderful LA quilter.

1. Disappearing 9 patch (Maison De Garance)
2. Flower Patch (fun flowers)
3. Freckled Whimsy QA (12 days of Christmas)
4. Simply Silly (Make Life)
5. Mom’s Scripture Quilt (needs binding only)

WFI:  Waiting  for inspiration

These are quilts where I have either a concept, materials or even a partially started quilt that cannot be completed at this time because I’m waiting for the aha moment that brings my vision and the quilt together. For the three below I have the materials, and a beginning concept, but something is just not falling into place for me yet.   So these are patiently waiting for that inspiration that I know will come.   (By the way, this is not a catch all  category for me.  It applies in very specific circumstances like these below.   Just because it’s started and not finished doesn’t mean it goes here.)

1. Butterfly Quilt (using Grandma’s appliqued blocks):  Concept/Layout is designed, applique blocks are complete.   The inspiration needed is for my filler blocks.   I’m still searching for the perfect material.  I keep thinking I’ve found it and when I cut a few blocks, I realize it’s not right.
2. Denim Quilt (using old blue jeans):   I have the denim, I’ve looked at patterns, but I think I’m wanting to do something more original.  I’m still working on the concept for using all the pieces I saved.
3. Dress Shirt quilt (using DH’s old dress shirts):   Again, I have all the fabric, just working out the concept of how to use it.

WIP:  Works in Progress

My WIP’s are those that I have at least begun cutting fabric and am actively working on.

1. Happy Quilting QA (Lilac Hill)
2. Postage Stamp QA (Black and White Prints)
3. Paris BOM Quilt (Maison De Garance)
4. Freckled Whimsey QA (Happy)
5. T –Shirt Quilt (old T shirts)

WTB:  Waiting to Begin

These are projects that I want to do and have queued up to do once time permits.  Either I already have the fabric for the project or I’m so excited about it that it’s on this list anyway.

1. Four patch Dog Bed (Stash)
2. Deck Cushions/pillows
3. Oh Lollipop (lollipop)
4. Woven Jelly Roll Rug (Basic Grey Basics)
5. Diamonds (Brooklyn Heights)
6. Swing Patch (Black/White/Red and  UGA prints)
7. Japanese Boxes (no fabric yet)
8. Winter Moon (no fabric yet)

LIS: Lost in Stash

These are projects I planned to do and so I bought the fabric or the kit, but it’s still sitting in my stash, lost among all the potential projects that I could do.   These are just the parts of my stash that were earmarked for a specific project.  I’ve somehow never gotten around to working on them or slating them in my waiting to begin queue. Ultimately, they may end up as some other project from what they were originally slated for as I keep forgetting about them.   Right now, they’re merely Lost in my Stash.

# Kits not started or in queue:  7

# projects (with fabric purchased) not started or in queue:  9

I think any list of things to be done should be balanced by a list of things already done.   Since I’m actually quite surprised to realize how much I accomplished in my first year of quilting, I’ve listed my completed projects below.

Completed Projects in 2010

1. Hankie Quilt
2. Dino Rag Quilt
3. High Light Quilt
4. Easy Does It!
5. Grandma’s Bouquet
6. Verna Quilt
7. Four Patch Dog Bed
8. Sassy Slide

I’m glad I’ve taken the time to categorize my quilting projects.   I’ve realized while doing this that I have a number of projects I can blog about.   And here I was thinking I was all out of stuff to talk about.