Sunflower Quilt --

I've had this quilt top done for a long time. I didn't have a place where I could lay it out and pin for quilting until last weekend - you probably can see pins in the picture. It's a twin size Lover's Knot Quilt in a Day by Eleanor Burns. My quilt did take longer than a day to make. This is the project I'm working on this week.  I'm going to use cotton floss and tie the quilt. Then I plan to machine quilt the borders and add the binding. I do have to get more fabric to make the binding with - I didn't get enough but since the backing is cotton classic from JoAnn's I should have no problem finding more - I hope.

Buttons & Bow Quilt --

I started this quilt a couple of weeks ago. The quilt top went really quick, got that done in one evening. Its 72" x 81", I guess that's close to a twin size . The problem I'm having right now is finding buttons. Each quilt block get a 1-3/8" button sewn in the center with ribbon. I'm having trouble finding the buttons in that size in the colors of the quilt. If anyone has ideas where I can find plain, plastic buttons in rainbow colors, please let me know. I'm using a bright pink for the backing, I've got that prewashed and ready to stitch to get the width. I can lay out and pin but can't quilt until find the buttons. I'm thinking of using flannel instead of batting to give my quilt a lighter weight. I've done that before with table runners and worked well.  The pattern is from Fons & Porter Love of Quilting Nov/Dec 2006. I'm planning on giving this to my granddaughter - it'll be awhile before she'll use it.  She's only 8 month old and still in a crib. I know I'll have to make a version in primary colors next for my grandson. It's so hard having grandbabies. LOL.

Here's the picture from the magazine to show you what I mean about the buttons & bows. The pattern uses  chenille but I made mine from calico so it wouldn't be as heavy (and to use up some of my stash.)





Getting Started --

This year I've had a major change in my life. The Lord blessed me with a new job which I love. I usually work 40+ hours a week and do commute about two hours one way. God also blessed me with a company truck or I wouldn't be able to afford to go to work. Lol.  I spend my commute time listening to my iPod (music and audiobooks) and coming up with new projects to do.  Seems there are always more projects - sewing, quilting , cross stitch, crochet, knitting, scrapbooking than time to do them. I decided to start a blog to help me get my projects done. Documenting my progress (I hope I will get some comments) will keep me on track.

Several years ago I realized that I had an over abundance of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). I know there is no-one else out there that has that issue.  I decided to organize my sewing/craft room and figure out what I had started. I put my projects into large ziplock bags along with the notions that were needed. I made a numbered list of the projects and put an index card into each ziplock bag with project number, what pattern used and what the project needed in order to be finish. I challenged myself not to start another project until my list was cleared. My system worked really good for me and I got almost all of the UFOs finished. Every time I crossed a project off my list I got a real sense of accomplishment. 
 
I've continued to use this system of keeping track of my projects by changing the list from  UFOs to Projects To Do. When I start a project, I highlight it in pink. This way I know what I'm working on at a glance. I keep telling myself that I will only have one project going at a time but I never seem to be able to keep to that.  I put all the items needed for that project in a ziplock bag with the index card. The index card has the pattern information, anything I need to get to make the project and I attach a swatch of fabric in case I need to do any matching.When I go shopping, I just grab the index card and get what I need. I store my ziplock bags of  "projects to do" in a bookcase for easy access.  Now I just grab a project bag and get started.
 
Getting my system started did take some time but getting organized does take time and work. I'm glad I did it. I got so many projects finished. I have more time to work on new projects and don't spend as much time hunting for what I need or want to do. Which brings me to why I'm starting this blog -- to keep me motivated by sharing the projects I'm working on. My project list is very long. I plan to post my progress a couple of times a week. So I hope that I when I post, you'll let me know what you think.