Finishing Stitches

I spent today finishing the 9 Patch Variation lap quilt.  Darren is happy to have it done.  He says it has always been one of his favorites.

 

Since I have been packing and moving this one around for about 3-4 years, you can probably guess that it has been a bit of a bugger for me.  It was a project that I attempted when I didn't really know much about quilting.  With my Type A personality, I have fought with this project for a long time.  I was not able to match points and the smaller read squares kept taunting me every time I looked at it. 

A year or two ago, I managed to keep it out long enough to get the backing pieced.

 

Today, it got a quick quilting (just through the red squares) and I wrapped the back around to the front for the binding.  I don't usually do a machine stitched binding, but guess what...today, I did.  I will probably go back and knot the blue squares since this one will be living at the Fire Department after this weekend.

Once this one was finished, I decided to go ahead and look at my other UFOs.

My goal is to get these projects organized and finished before I buy more fabric for new projects.  AND, since they made it here, I can keep track of what I have managed to accomplish.

 

1.  "Monster" Rag Quilts (for the Twins)

2. Find a pattern for the left over Urban Indigo jelly roll & fabrics used in my red Jelly Roll Jive quilt (there are tons of pieces that I messed up by sewing the triangle to the wrong side of the fabric strip).

3. Cinnamon & Nutmeg Quilt

I found this pattern in an American Patchwork & Quilting magazine

February 2009

 

I've been collecting civil war reds, browns & tans for quite some time now.  I keep finding more to add to this collection.

4. Kansas Winter Jelly Rolls from Kansas Troubles

I think I'm going to do a "Friendship Braid" from Pam & Nicky Lintott's book Jelly Roll Quilts.

5.  Fun & Done "Zip Strip"
 

I started this one in a class at my local quilt shop in early November 2011.  I decided to increase the size from lap to twin (otherwise, I would be done) and then had to put it away to get ready for Christmas.  The pattern is from Prairie Sky Quilting and I highly recommend the Batting Buddy template. 

So, tomorrow I start to whittle away at my list of quilt projects that need to be completed.  By the way, these are ONLY the quilts...I have plenty of small craft bags that need to be finished, beachy fabric that was purchased for making aprons for everyone and my new desire to knit a pair of socks...

UFOs

I am trying to get a handle on all of my UFO's.  Here are just a few of my bag projects and abandoned quilts:

So far, I have one small handbag that just needs whipped closed in order to be finished...

...two small handbags that are completely cut and waiting to be assembled...

...fabric collected for another half dozen or so handbags and/or expandable bags...

I also have the fabric and pattern for a new bag: "Satchel for Two" that I hope to get started on soon.

As far as quilts go, I need to finish my "Fun & Done" quilt that was started prior to Thanksgiving...

I need to quilt the lap size Red, White & Blue quilt that has been laying around for several years & finish the twin's "Monster Rag Quilt".  

Oh, yeah, I also have the Jelly Roll Jive that needs a border & sent to Kelly for quilting...

...and I really need to decide if I am going to hand quilt the queen sized "Pinwheels in my Garden" or send it to the quilter's as well.

There are also several projects that I have been collecting fabric for and have a pattern in mind; I have committed myself to making a T-shirt quilt for Darren's cousin and I have a wonderful collection of fabric that I bought at Myrtle Beach 3 years ago for making aprons (and maybe a new purse for me).

...And these are just the sewing projects.  I am also organizing my knitting, crochet & weaving projects.  

I wonder how long it will take before the newly organized UFOs become forgotten UFOs again...