Tuesday, September 27, 2011

15 Minute Challenge with Kate

Panic sets in and motivates you to sew like a crazy lady when you set yourself unrealistic goals and can't let go of the idea that you can finish a ridiculous number of quilts in just over three months. But I'm half way there- sort of. Half my projects are ready for the basting and quilting stage and since three of the 6 are going out to be quilted properly (unlike my usual slap dash methods )  I really only have three quilts to get done. That's my logic and I'm sticking to it. The alternative is to realise how much work I really have to get done and go down in a screaming heap. 

I got everything done on my to do list from last week. Last time that happened was about the same time man discovered fire and learned to talk in intelligible sentences so I'm pretty chuffed. 

So with all the Merry Go Round strips sewn up into threes , I went ahead and started making some actual blocks. I think I'm going to love this when it's done. (assuming all the blocks go together without sending me to the nearest mental health facility) Imagine how bright and gorgeous this is going to be. Break out your sunnies. These colours make my heart sing and further reinforce the idea that I'm so not a pastels girl. 


I made the back for Flurry and then made the binding. Onto basting and quilting next....


I got jiggy with 6 more hourglass blocks and cut all the remaining coloured strips. They look so pretty waiting to be sewn up. And I'll be doing a lot of that this week . I have 49 of those blocks left to make....


I started marking the quilting pattern onto the Blue and Brown quilt..I've never marked a quilt before. This led to a flurry of emails to Little Miss Sunshine as my desperate insecurity about whether I was doing it right reared it's ugly head. How can you stuff up marking a quilt unless you do it in permanent marker? Why do I worry so much about inconsequential stuff? 

I started the wonky blocks quilt for my nephew. All the blocks are done. All 48 of them. The binding is done. The sashing and borders are cut.


And I started a new stitchery for a card I'm making. I'm hoping for a girl...but I'll make a boy card too just to cover myself. It's so inconsiderate when people wont tell you whether they're having a boy or a girl . 



This weeks goals:
Start sewing the wonky blocks together into rows
Complete 12 more Hourglass blocks
Make 10 hexagon blocks
Start quilting the blue and brown quilt
Ignore Flurry for another week 


For more crafting genius take mosey on over to Kate's to see how other people spent some of their quarter hours this week.




If I don't write a post about something other than sewing soon I think my head is going to explode....
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30 comments:

  1. LarriSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Holy frijoles, you are a Sewing Goddess! Love it all, and now panic is setting in. Yes, please ignore Flurry this week. Maybe I'll be caught up by then. ☺

    I really love those hourglass blocks. Can't wait to see the whole thing. Hope your Dad is doing better. Is he home from the hospital?

    Happy Tuesday night! ☺

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  2. melissaSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    I dont know how you do it all Shay - youre like a woman posessed ( in a good way ! ) Love those Merry go rounds blocks, it looks fantastic!

    x

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  3. UnknownSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    I used the 15 minutes to mend! Does that count? I seem to get going in fits and starts. I must say that little stars are very very cute.
    Embroidery is in my sites for sure, so many cute things to do.

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  4. SaraSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    There should be some kind of law about people not telling you what sex their baby is going to be. I've decided from now on that if someone refuses to tell me, they aren't getting anything. Don't they realise how many other things you've got to do than make boy and girl cards?

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  5. Canadian AbroadSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Look at you go. You'll get those quilts done and more! My handy sewing tip of the day - when you are FMQ stipppling don't let the quilt control you rather than you control the quilt. Or else you get to see what happens when a needle hits a basting pin! Not pretty!!!

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  6. Kirsten's CookingSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    the big question is.....
    did all of your accomplishments in sewing cause you stress, or was it therapeutic?
    I bet you do feel pretty great about yourself, though, after getting all that work done!
    you're amazing, really.

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  7. KirstenSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    I am speachless and in awe...ALL of those quilts are going to be so beautiful...

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  8. JennySeptember 28, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Oh, girl, my head just about exploded looking at all you've got going on! I'm such a slacker...

    Your quilts will be glorious! Please post a picture when they are done!

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  9. MarieSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    whoa --- I think you've had too much coffee (mountain dew/gatorade) today ...

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  10. TheLabSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    You really are amazing - all this work AND a job? Geez louise.

    I can't wait to start saying "Break out your sunnies" every time the sun peeps through clouds. CAN'T WAIT.

    I'm totally in love with the blue & green dot fabric. It's beautiful. Is that going to be part of the quilt for your nephew?

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  11. AnnieOSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    It's all good, Shay, really. We know you are not a one-dimensional woman, just the all-consumed type :)

    Excellent progress on your irrational goals. Not sure those don't cancel each other out but proud of you for forging ahead!

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  12. PauletteSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    I've never marked a quilt before either, so I can totally relate to your anxiety.

    Look at those brights! Who knew? I love 'em.

    I have a crush on your hourglass blocks. That quilt is going to be fab.

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  13. MargSeptember 28, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Now I know where my mojo has gone! You are possessed! Could I please have it back soon.
    Love all your new blocks, you go girl.
    The embroidered card is very cute. I'm ignoring Flurry too.

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  14. RachaeldaisySeptember 28, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    It's a whirlwind of activity in pyjamaland! You only started some of those blocks last week and now your halfway done on 3 quilts . The card you've made is very cute!!

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  15. UnknownSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    PHEW! Lots of Gogeous things happening in your sewing cave..
    Love the Hourglass Blocks You must be feeling Pretty Good..
    cheers

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  16. JenniferSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Oooo, I do like the Merry-G0-Round blocks....that will be very happy quilt when it's done!

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  17. Michelle RidgwaySeptember 28, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    I love your Flurry quilt can't wait to see it done. Your bright hexagons would indeed do my head in being a straight line cutter and stitcher...I am in awe! Lots of beautiful things achieved Shay.

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  18. rosieSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Slow down Shay, you are making me dizzy!! You are also doing us under achievers serious damage!!!!lol...

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  19. KateSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Lets skip the queen stuff, I think you are the empress of multiple project progress (say that 3 times fast!). Gorgeous projects! I love the bright Merry Go Round project the best. It's so pretty!

    Trudy sent me an email saying that my Flurry was all quilted and on it's way back to me! Can't wait to see how it came out. Thanks for linking up this week. Good luck with all your goals for next week.

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  20. theaSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Did you clone yourself prior to this week? You are amazing, both of you. What a great week. Hope you are able to meet this week's goals. BTW, at the rate you are going, you will definitely finish your quilts.

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  21. Razzle Dazzle QuilterSeptember 28, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Those merry go round blocks!! Too cute! I need to try them. Off to seek them out on the net.
    Cheers
    Linda

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  22. Vanessa RSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Wow!!! I'm impressed - what a week you have had and SO much done. Loving all your different projects you are doing

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  23. Vanessa RSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Maybe I need to start "Quilting in my pyjamas" !!!

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  24. MichelleSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Dibbs! I call dibbs on the Merry Go Round quilt. When should I send you my address? ;-)

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  25. PatSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Phew! I'm tired just reading about all you've accomplished this week. Way to go! I love the Merry Go Round the best too!

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  26. CindySeptember 29, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Shay...what can I say? You put me to shame. I better get 'jigy' with my sewing...the just sounds fun. LOL

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  27. MisteaSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    You are on a roll - may as well use the momentum while it is with you. I'm in love with those bright coloured blocks - they will look amazing. Good to see there is something to ignore on your list.

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  28. VesuviusmamaSeptember 30, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Jeez Louise! You are a whirling dervish, shaming all of us to return to our machine and get to sewing. It all looks lovely, especially those bright blocks from the Merry Go Round fabric. Of course, I'm assuming that set-in seams are in your future, and I am cringing at the thought 'cause I have NO IDEA how to do those.

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  29. NickyOctober 1, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Fantastic work - you must be on fire! Love it all but those bright hexagons are going to make a stunning quilt!

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  30. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy FeetOctober 4, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Woo Hoo! You had one fabulous sewing week!!! It is amazing how much you can get done in a week with only 15 minutes here and there isn't it! I love it, keep going you will get them all to the finish line soon. Your merry go round is made in nice brights, love it!!!

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