Sunday, September 15, 2013

Slowly but Surely ....

2013 will go down as the year that felt like creative groundhog day. Since I last bitched and whined showcased my creative efforts I've been moving along one very small step at a time on a number of projects. The theory is that at some point I'll have a plethora of finishes to show. Goodness knows there's enough WIP's lurking round here to sink a battleship.  

Since I last showed you the chaotic creativity that was happening at Maison Pyjamas I've moved along a little bit on a few things and this post is mainly a motivational record!


I've put together half the hexagon flower quilt top and made the binding 


I've been playing with 16 patches from my scraps for a postage stamp style quilt. This is far from finished because I need another 78 of these to actually finish a decent sized quilt top. Unfortunately all the scrap busting I've been doing lately doesn't seem to have made a discernible dent in my scrap bin. Do those suckers breed in there or something? 

I finished the last two rows on Mr. P's T-shirt quilt and then whacked it together into a top. Just showing you a sneak peek today so I can do a big reveal when it's done and amaze you all with my brilliance. The back is done and I'm at the quilting end of the process. I'm aiming for that to be done today. I've got the cutest binding in mind and cant wait to see it on the quilt. 


I finished the clamshell mini top and I'm hand quilting it with perle thread . My hand quilting skills need a ton of refinement but it's all part of the learning experience. I'm going for finished not perfect . The best part is that this has completely knocked the will out of me to ever make a large clamshell quilt. 



And I've been basting and appliqueing peels for the Seville quilt. If this doesn't come together like I've been imagining I'm going to shoot myself. 



There's a wild rumour running round Adelaide that my Irish Chain Quilt may just sneak in under the wire for an actual September finish ...stay tuned. 



31 comments:

Katy Cameron said...

You want to catch those rumours and head them off at the past, they can lead to nasty expectations ;o)

Loving the look of Mr P's quilt though, maybe I need to ship you all my rowing t-shirts :oD

As for the breeding scraps, well, I suspect they are...

Jennifer said...

Love Mr P's shirt quilt, it has turned out really well! Of course scraps multiply, along with wire hangers and the lids of plastic take-away containers and other things we never buy but they mysteriously appear just the same......

Cardygirl said...

I love your creative chaos! Love everything you are doing...remember slow and steady! Love Seville....if it doesn't turn out as you expect, we might have to have a quilters intervention to talk you down!

Stacey said...

Those UFO's can you really weigh you down....but there is nothing a small finish to really buck you up!! Go hard for September...then you can start something new :)

Noela said...

You have the potential for lots of finishes soon Shay. Love the T-shirt quilt and will look forward to an update on all the other things you are working on. They all looks great. Hugs....

Sandi said...

Wow, you are getting lots done really! With a little bit here, and a little bit there, it will all add up.
And making a scrap quilt doesn't really use up much scraps at all I have found. Yes, I suspect you may be right about them breeding.....

Elizabeth said...

Squee! The hexie quilt looks so beautiful! I can't wait to see more. I've loved seeing it every time you show a peek of progress.

Mr. P's t-shirt quilt is awesome! Love those 16-patches. Someday, I need to actually cut my scraps into usable bits. The clamshell mini is fantastic and I LOVE those orange peels.

Yay you! It may not seem like a lot to you, but to me, that is amazing!

xo -E

Sooli said...

Seems to me Mrs PJs that you have been quietly getting on with it. You have a lot to show there and even if they're not finished they are all trending in the right direction! As for the scraps breeding, I have long believed that fabric breeds when you leave it in a room with the lights off and feel that I could do a fully fledged study if only I could get someone to fund it to acquire breeding stock. No success with finding a backer yet though!

Michelle Ridgway said...

Love all your wonderful progress on your projects. I just bought some clamshell templates and admit to moments of "what were you thinking". I really adore your seville peel quilt and really fancy doing one of those. I know what you mean about scraps...I feel pleased when I manage to use some but then blow it by needing to buy border fabric thus deleting the scrapbusting efforts and creating more scraps....sheez!!

audrey said...

Woohoo! That is all good progress, don't say it's not. LOVE the clamshells and I'm so happy you're using Perle cotton. You'll either love it or hate it but at least you'll know for sure now! The scraps breed faster than mosquitos I think, but they are much friendlier to have around.:)

Marg said...

There's an awful lot there in the photo evidence, to prove that you're not just sitting on your butt twiddling your thumbs (and whining).
The T shirt quilt is looking awesome, and I just know its going to be a winner when it's finished.
Unless you do something completely crazy, Seville is going to look exactly how you imagined it would be - perfect.
I'm never going to make a clamshell quilt big or small.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Please please don't go for the shoot yourself option.

Thank you


Linda

Leanne said...

Once again your being toooo hard on yourself. Mr P's Tshirt quilt is looking great.

primrosesattic said...

Beautiful quilts. Lovely colours.
Rosezeeta.

Unknown said...

Love Ps quilt. I'm sure he will too. I just do one thing at a time mostly as my space is so small that making more than one thing at a time would be totally messing up the 4 x 6 work space here at the cottage.
Keep going though and I promise to be totally impressed when you finish something!

AnnieO said...

It is completely necessary to work on multiple projects, IMHO. Those ideas have to come out! Pat yourself on the back and keep at it--you're doing great!

Kirsten said...

You are coming along great! What beautiful quilts you are going to have. Love those clam Shells and the T Shirt quilt will be just awesome. Way to go girlfriend!

pwl said...

I love your work, and it's so reassuring that someone as talented as you are has UFOs too! :-)

Paulette said...

Well, look at you go! I love your clam shell quiltie, but I laughed out loud that it's taken away your will to ever want to make another bigger one. I imagine I would totally be the same.

You are quilting Mr. P's t-shirt quilt yourself? You deserve a medal!

Larri said...

Love it all, Shay! I seriously wish I had your quilting mojo. It seems so tedious to me right now, I have no desire to stitch. Perhaps when the weather is cooler. Can't wait to see your September finishes! :)

Rachaeldaisy said...

I'm loving all your projects!! I'm always amazed at how you can make a whole quilt out of scraps and it dosen't make a difference. That T-shirt quilt is really cool!! Did you hint that the Irish Chain might be finished? Go Shay!!

Three Birds Inspired said...

Wow! You have a lot going on at one time. Love Mr. P's t-shirt quilt. I have pieces in a bag somewhere in my studio. Someday I will finish it. I wish I could go back and finish some of my WIPs. I have no interest. May be guilt will get the better of me and I will at least make an attempt!

Lorraine said...

For someone who thinks they don't accomplish much you certainly are productive! Missed you girls on Saturday....looking forward to catching up next time!

Unknown said...

Don't give yourself such a hard time I think your going Great Guns!!!
Lots going On Too...I've Succumbed to Raw Eedge Applique on some of my projects just don't have the patience for needleturn at the moment even though I love the look it gives meaning your Saville!Had same blocks for a BOM well at least they are done now lol
have a good week
xx

Unknown said...

Well I think it all looks fabulous! (But what do I know, haha) Sharyn:)

Unknown said...

Loving hearing about your many almost triumphs and near finishes, lol! Some pretty fancy stuff in that WIP pile, miss! I, too, am more likely to die in a WIP avalanche than actually finish anything, it seems!

thea said...

Wild rumors about you? Unheard of.

It seems like things are coming along quite nicely. The hexagon flowers look great (can't wait to see the whole thing); the postage stamp blocks are amazing (how big are the squares?); the t-shirt quilt is fantastic (I need to make one of those); the clamshell mini quilt is really cute (I will probably never make one based on your experience); and the Seville quilt will be beautiful (how did you cut the petals (or whatever they are)). You rock!

Kris said...

Lol! I know nothing much happens in Adelaide, but it's hard to believe that there are rumours circulating about your quilts! (Actually, giving this due consideration...)

I love all your stuff. You have done so much! I am particularly impressed with the tshirt quilt. You have made a drawer full of grotty tshirts look so classy! (No offence Mr P.)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Oh I hear ya! I seem to be doing the same. Lots of little things, a few big things and at some point, starting to show finished projects. I love your little projects and that clam shell mini especially! So sweet.

Mistea said...

Love your bright clamshell's and the new project.
A little progress will add up to something/s in the future.
The tshirt project is coming along nicely. Hope it's behaving for you now.

Kate said...

At least you are making progress on those WIPs. There will be finishes!