2013 in Review

Although 2013 did not go as I had planned I have decided to focus on the positive.

In 2013 I finished three quilt tops:

• Jacob's Ladder
• Rainbow Circles
• Pirates

In 2013 I finished one quilt (sandwiched, quilted, bound, placed with honor)

• Rainbow Circles

In 2013 I completed the following components of my Dear Jane:

• Rows A, B, C, and D
• 57 blocks
• 13 Triangles

In 2013 I completed the following scrap booking Projects:

• Isabelle's P52 Album (One photo per week for a year)
• 206 pages
• Won a spot on the Digital Elite Team at DSP

I also accomplished my biggest goal for the year which was no new project purchases in 2013. I am very proud of myself because I was sorely tempted many many many times.

I'll be making up a new schedule for 2014 and posting any stray Jane blocks (I think two didn't get posted). I won't be posting any new projects but I do have names for some of the stash busting projects listed so some of the title will change.

My current WIP is the Dr. Seuss quilt and the top should be finished sometime this week. I started cutting it on Jan 5th 2014.

Week Sixteen: E10

Applique. Blunt points but fairly smooth. Not exactly happy but still smarting from E9 so I'm going to call this a victory.

I finally found the correct dimensions for the kite block and will need to reprint my pattern. The corner kites are 8 x 8 if you are making 4.5 inch blocks.



E-10 Five and Dime

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Week Sixteen: E9

This is the second block I have done in the wrong colour. Didn't notice until I had finished E10, which is also purple, and thought to myself. "How can two block the same colour be consecutive numbers?" Ugh! I knew this quilt would be a challenge but its not the wee pieces or tackling new techniques that is killing me. It's these constant, blatant, stare you in the face but you still can't see them stupid mistakes I keep making. I just know I am going to be basting this finished quilt top and almost ready to start quilting and suddenly notice I have a row upside down or I mixed up the trip around the world colour pattern.

To add insult to injury when I scan the block it looks severely wonky in the bottom row. No matter how closely I inspect this block in person it is not wonky but try squaring it up while scanning and you will go mad.

Tomorrow I will go over it with a ruler to see if it is wonky and if yes then I will redo it in the correct colour. If the ruler proves my eye to be correct I will leave it purple and switch it with another purple block. Probably F3 as the other purple E row block is already finished.

E-9 Quilt Jail

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Week Sixteen: Preparation

Week Sixteen

My first kite (corner block) I am very excited! Two easy, two intermediate and two advanced blocks this week. I admit the star in the kite has me very worried. I am never going to get those points pointy. The triangle block is going to be a huge pain. Lots of applique to prep and placement is going to give me a headache.

I am also hoping to squeeze in D5. The poor lost orphan who was forgotten on the schedule. It may have to wait 'til next week. This week looks like a doozy.
































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Week Fifteen: E2

Applique block with a pieced border. I finished the applique, pulled out the paper, pressed it and then showed it off to my husband. But then, I don't know, something struck me as odd. I mean, ok, one point goes off center a wee bit and one is a bit mushy but the other two were great. I couldn't figure out what was bothering me. The next day I pick it up to scan it into the computer. I also grabbed two other blocks I hadn't scanned yet. And again something was bothering me. I look at all the blocks on the table and boom it hits me. E2 is way to small. Like an inch or half an inch at least. I was angry and disappointed and pretty baffled by that much shrinkage. Sure, you expect a bit while doing applique but I thought I had cut a large enough background to compensate. I shed a tear or two and decided to put it aside and add borders to make up the difference when I was feeling less incompetent.

After a busy weekend of no sewing I sat down on Monday to organize my block patterns and write the preparation post for week sixteen. As I turn the page in my binder to week sixteen poor old E2 catches my eye on the week fifteen plan. It seems I don't need to fix E2 I need to finish E2 as I had not yet added the block's framing border. This mistake was staring me in the face for days and I just never saw it.

E-2 Merry May

Will I ever stop making such ridiculous mistakes?









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The Artist at Work

Isabelle in the Park with Chalk

Credits:

• Summer Blues Backyard Page Kit Plus by Carole Harden
• Four Plus More Quick Click by Carole Harden

My Girl

Getting so Big

Credits:

• Whispered Dreams Page Kit Plus by Lauren Bavin

Week Fifteen: D12

Inset seams. I cheated and used applique. I used two fabrics for the yellow sections. While I was bagging my finished blocks I noticed D5 is missing. I checked the block and did not remember making it. Checked my schedule and sure enough poor ol' D5 did not get included. I am going to have to squeeze it in this weekend or put it on next week. Need to make more foundation paper before I can print.

D-12 Crossed Swords

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Beauty Blossoms

Sarah

Credits:

• Beauty Blossoms Page Kit Plus by Carole Harden

Week Fifteen: E3

Not at all difficult. Foundation pieced.

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You're Adorable

You're Adorable

Credits:

• Just Because Page Kit by Christine Gundersen

Week Fifteen: E4

Inset seams but not to bad as they aren`t 90 degree seams.

E4 Buffalo Tree Topper

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Week Fifteen: D7

Very easy block. One colour in two fabrics.

D7 Meeting Place

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Street Art

Chalk in the Park

 

 

 

Technically this is path in the park art but that doesn't lend as much "cred" to the artist.

 

Credits:

• Sweet Melody Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Week Fifteen: Milestone reached

Fiftieth square! My fingers must have known this was a special square because I actually achieved three pointy points. You can`t see the points very well because I put all of them in the center but trust me three of those babies are pointy. Just as important - no fraying and no mountains.

E-1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

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