Monday, June 29, 2015

My Year So Far

Can you believe we are half way through 2015? I sure can't.

With 6 months under my belt, I wanted to review my goals for this year to see how I've done so far. Have I stayed on track? Am I making progress towards my goals? What have I accomplished? Do I need to recommit to my goals?

 

It's helpful to look at these goals again to see where I stand. We're six months into 2015--will I be able to finish up all of these within the next six?

Looking over this I can easily see what I have accomplished.  I can cross 3 big projects off my UFO list. How awesome is that? Pretty awesome, I'd say!

I finished this pretty pink Wheel of Fortune Quilt.
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Wheel of Fortune Pink Scrap Quilt
Wheel of Fortune Quilt

And this Denim Rag Quilt.
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Denim Rag Quilt
Denim Rag Quilt

BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Modern Cathedral Windows Quilt Pillow
Modern Cathedral Window Quilt Pillow


And, I can see what project I need to work on next.

How about you? Did you make goals for 2015? Have you stayed on track? What has helped you remember and accomplish your goals?

Friday, June 19, 2015

A Friday Finish --Cathedral Windows Pillow

I have always admired the Cathedral Window Quilts. They are just so beautiful, delicate, and classic. I never imagined I could make one myself--it seemed too difficult.  Even with my fear of the difficulty level, it quickly found a place on my Quilty Bucket List. I'm so glad I faced my fear and tackled this project.  

At QuiltFest, I took a class on making Cathedral Window quilt by machine. I made a small sample....and there it sat in my WIP pile for months. 

Not anymore! I made a pillow!
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Modern Cathedral Windows Quilt Pillow
 

Instead of sewing these blocks by hand, I used a blind hem stitch to stitch down the "flaps." So much faster than hand sewing. 

BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Modern Cathedral Windows Quilt Pillow
 

I'm so happy with how it turned out. It finished at 17" square....and I put in an 18" square pillow so it is EXTRA poofy.

One more project to cross off on my WIP list. It is such a good feeling to finish up these UFOs! (UnFinished Objects.)

Linked up with Show Off Saturday here.
Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

AQS Quilt Show

I am so excited! My Quilt is going to be part of a National Quilt Show! How awesome is that? (I feel the need to use an excessive amount of exclamation points in this post, but I will try to rein it in.)

My challenge quilt "Painting the Roses Red."
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com --I Looked Out the Window Quilt, Painting the Roses Red Art Quilt
Babco Unlimited - Painting the Roses Red Quilt 

My Quilt Guild is taking part of the "Ultimate Guild Challenge" at the AQS show in Grand Rapids, MI.

The category description from the website:
The Ultimate Guild Challenge: Width 30″ to 60″; Length 30″ or more. This challenge honors the results of a quilt guild’s challenge to its members. The guild issues its own challenge to its members, choosing rules, fabrics, themes, or whatever! The top eight (8) quilts from the guild are submitted as one entry to The Ultimate Guild Challenge. Quilted by hand or machine.
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com --I Looked Out the Window Quilt, Painting the Roses Red Art Quilt
Babco Unlimited - Painting the Roses Red Quilt 

Out of 50 entries from guilds around the country only 16 made it to the semi-finals...and my guild was one of them. Which means, my quilt is on it's way to Michigan.

BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com --I Looked Out the Window Quilt, Painting the Roses Red Art Quilt
Babco Unlimited - Painting the Roses Red Quilt 

This is the first quilt I designed myself, and only the second quilt I machine quilted myself.

BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com --I Looked Out the Window Quilt, Painting the Roses Red Art Quilt
Babco Unlimited - Painting the Roses Red Quilt 

I had 24 hours to fix the sleeve on my quilt. I took the above picture before I sewed down my hanging sleeve. The show requires some give in the sleeve for the way they hang them. However, I had sewed mine down flat.

So, I ripped out my stitches and resewed it down with a bit of give. I took the kids to the park and let them run amok while I sat in the shade to work.
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com --I Looked Out the Window Quilt, Painting the Roses Red Art Quilt

Nothing like hand sewing a quilt on my lap in 94*F weather.

But it is all ready for the big hand-off. Turning it into our guild's representative today who will then mail off our group entry.  It's a bit unnerving to mail off my quilt--what if it gets lost? what if it's damaged in transit? what if? what if? what if? People do it everyday, so I know it will be fine.

The Grand Rapids show is August 12-15. Can't wait!

Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

WIP Wednesday #37 -- Making Progress with Cathedral Windows

When I set my June Goal to finish up this project, I really thought I had a lot of the prep work already done....which turned out to not be the case. Yes--I did have several bright color fabrics pre-cut. Yes--I did have the background fabric purchased. And yes--I did have a sample made. 

That was it. 

So, I've been busy cutting, sewing, and ironing these fun looking squares. My kids are fascinated by this project--They keep playing with these fabric square doo-hickyes turning them into buildings, or monster's mouths, or anything that chomps, etc.    
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Cathedral Window Quilt WIP


I almost feel like I'm doing some kind of origami. It still blows my mind on how Cathedral Window quilts are assembled. It sure is fun.

And so far I've managed to create this:
BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Modern Cathedral Window Quilt WIP


It is by no means perfect. But, sewing this by machine is definitely faster than by hand. I'm getting excited to see how it's going to turn out.

As much as I like this color combination, I'm already envisioning this done in completely different colors--so if I like how this small project turns out I just might do another one in different colors.

Linked up with WIP Wednesday here.
Linked up with Let's Bee Social here.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Goals for June

I feel like I'm on a roll. I managed to complete two UFO (UnFinished Object) projects last month. It is so satisfying--and I want to keep the good feelings going.

This month, I want to finish my Cathedral Window. I just love this classic design--especially all the modern cathedral window quilts popping up. 

BabcoUnlimited.blogspot.com -- Cathedral Window Quilt


I plan on making a pillow with this, so I don't need it to be humongous. Most the prep work is done. I have several background pieces sewn as well as many scrap pieces pre-cut. I just need to sit and sew.

This is actually on my Quilty Bucket List, too. (Have you made a Quilty Bucket List?)

Linked up with A Lovely Year of Finishes here.

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