A not-quite-successful challenge...

It is true. I did not manage to finish a single one of my three challenge projects. Heck, I didn't even manage to do any blogging! But you know what? I'm still feeling like a winner, because I made progress on each of the three projects I chose.

1. Fall Mystery Quilt:

It is now quilted (with some feathers, even!), I'm about 2/3 through the binding, and the label is made. Not done, but very close!

2. Bot Camp Disappearing 9-Patch:

All quilted up and ready for binding (I'm going to use that happy Kona Peacock pictured above). I've also designed the label, but am waiting for our friend's baby to be born so I can personalize it (he's due this week!).

3. Mod Mosaic Quilt:

Once I get the binding on the baby quilt, this one is next in the queue for quilting. But I consider this definite progress. Basting is half the battle, right?

Nothing finished, but a good amount of progress. And if it weren't for the challenge, there is no way I would have gotten this much accomplished. As far as I'm concerned, this challenge has definitely been a success. Thanks, Carrie P.!

Here's hopin' I have some finished quilts to share soon!

Setting goals: July

Back in January, the fabulous Carrie P. of A Passion for Applique issued a challenge: Nothing But UFOs in 2013! Now I'm definitely not that hard core, but I have been spending time this year working on my UFO situation some. So this month, I'm taking the big step and am actually participating in the challenge. Woo!

The idea is to pick three UFOs and show and tell what you need to do to get them finished (quilted, bound and done). At the end of the month, we all share our successes and if you finish at least one of your chosen UFOs, then you are entered into a drawing for fun prizes.

Here are my focus UFOs for the month:

1. Fall Mystery Quilt:
   
   
   
   
   This one has been basted and ready for quilting since April. It is time to get it done!
2. Bot Camp Disappearing 9-Patch:
   
   
   
   
   The top and back are ready and the next step is basting. This is a smaller quilt, so hopefully it will quilt up pretty quickly.
3. Mod Mosaic Quilt:
   
   
   
   
   Again, I have the top and back all set, so the next step is basting. This is a bigger one, but I have a plan in mind for quilting, so I'm hopeful I can get something accomplished with this one as well.

Here's hoping that setting the goals will get me on the path to some finishes!

Continuing with UFOs...

Ack! Poor, neglected blog. I just haven't been in a writing mood lately. The moments I have when I could sit down and blog have been leaning toward actually making stuff instead. So I guess I don't feel too guilty. And I have been dipping my toes into the world of microblogging via Instagram and Twitter-- which is actually a lot of fun! If you want to check it out:

My Twitter: https://twitter.com/CraftyMusings

My Instagram: http://instagram.com/furicious

So-- last time I posted, I was musing on the question of whether to start something new or work on another UFO. I decided to dig out a UFO:

The blocks are from "Grandma's Country Album II" by Robert Callaham. I started this one in 1999(!!!) when the series pattern began appearing in McCall's Quilting. I think I made the first block (the center tree) in April that year (it includes my first-ever attempts at machine applique!). The most recent block was completed in March 2009 (the heart). Looking at these blocks recently, I finally decided I am done. I'm not really feeling the project anymore, so I don't foresee myself making any more of the blocks. So I stuck them up on the wall and worked out a layout that I thought would work for the blocks that were completed, and then I started putting them together.

Not all of the seams are sewn yet, but you get the idea. I'm liking how it is coming together!

Meanwhile, a friend of ours just turned 3. I decided she needed a special pillow. Again, I used the Kimberbell Kids "Personalized Name Pillow" pattern.

Can you guess her favorite color?

Here you can get a peek of the back-- a super soft minkee with circles and dots that was perfect for this project.

She loved it!

And now I am heading back into the UFO mines...