Celtic Solstice Check In

I have FINALLY completed  step 5 of Celtic Solstice.  I cleaned up my sewing area yesterday and vacuumed the floor.  Now I'm ready to put the blocks together.

I think this project will be on my design wall for a while!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/06/design-wall-monday-january-6-2014/

First Stash Report of the Year

I used one yard this week, and it wasn't in a sewing project.  My son needed it for a  Destination Imagination Instant Challenge.  I was glad to get rid of this yard of blue fabric.  It was a stiff, heavy cotton, and I'm not sure where it came from.

Used this week: 1 yard
Used Year to Date: 1 yard
Added this week: 0 yards
Added year to date:  0 yards
Net Used:  1 yard

I'm still working on Celtic Solstice, but I feel myself losing enthusiasm for it.   I'm on clue 5.  About 150 more of these units to go.

 

To see more stash reports:  http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/05/stash-report-week-1-2014/

Forcing Bulbs

Many years ago I forced bulbs: daffodils,  crocuses and hyacinths.  I had never forced tulips before.  They aren't my favorite flower.  They aren't reliable bloomers in my yard.  My mother says it is because we don't get cold enough here.  I think we have too many critters who eat the bulbs or eat the flowers before they bloom.  I like bulbs that come back reliably year after year.  Tulips won't do that here.  For me they aren't worth the energy they take to dig the hole.

But I decided to try and force some for a friend of mine who takes care of our dogs.  This variety is a red tulip called 'Merry Christmas'.  These bulbs were chilled for about 5 weeks and have been growing for another five.

 

I've been turning the bowl to try and straighten them up, but it doesn't seem to do any good.  I had a couple of bulbs I thought were duds, but just this morning I see a little green, so maybe they will grow after all.

 

I also have a hyacinth that has been growing V E R Y   S L OW LY.  I started this guy in October.  I think he might be a dud!

 

 

The lady at the nursery thinks my house isn't warm enough for him to grow very well.  Sorry, bulb,  I can't turn up the heat just for you.

 

I pulled the other bowl of tulip out of the frig last week. I'm keeping these in the warmest and brightest room in the house to see if that makes a difference.

 

 

These are the ones for my friend.  I hope to have them ready for her by her birthday in February.

Three Hundred Four Patches: The EASY Clue

I have 257 four patches complete.

 I have 50 more sewn, but they still need to be pressed.  I just got tired of standing up, so I'll do them tomorrow. Some of my oranges lean toward coral or gold, but it was raining all day yesterday and today too, and I didn't feel like going to the quilt shop, so I used them.

This is all the orange fabric I have left.

I have a few decent sized pieces to cut strips from, but  a lot of my orange is trash scraps:  crumpled up, odd shades of orange and/or too small to use.  If  there is more orange in this quilt, I will need to buy more.

To see more Celtic Solstice progress:  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html

Celtic Solstice Caught Up

I completed my pinwheels for Celtic Solstice just 5 minutes ago, so I am caught up with the clues for about another 10 hours.  Then the next clue comes out, and all bets are off!  This is a hard time of year to drop it all and sew.

I was supposed to make 61 of these, but I got carried away and made 75.  Someday I'm going to make a kitchen sink quilt and these extra pinwheels will be in that quilt. I like the orange and yellow combination!

Reflections on Quilting Resolutions for 2013

I played along with Sandy at Quilting for the Rest of Us and made some quilting resolutions last year  for 2013.

She asked what each of us  wanted to accomplish.

1. One Block Wonder Quilt:  The top is done.

2. Kathryn's graduation quilt:  Done, quilted and gifted!

 

3. Using more stash than I buy. As of last Sunday, here's where I stand.  I didn't succeed here.

Used this week: 2.5 yards
Used Year to Date:  91.125 yards
Added this week: 1.5 yards
Added year to date:  100.625 yards
Net Added:  9.5 yards

BUT I made 3 quilts using only scraps in my stash:

 

 

 

 

She asked what each of us wanted to learn.  I said:
I want to learn how to paper piece well. (And I want to learn to like paper piecing)

Mission accomplished in learning to paper piece well.  The Harry Potter quilt was a crash course in paper piecing.  I found that I do like to paper piece too!

She asked what I want to experience through quilting. I said:
I want to experience 'green' quilting.  I want to make a quilt from recycled clothing or some other kind of repurposed fabric. I want to be more mindful of waste in my quilting and waste in other aspects of my life.

In response to this goal, I made 3 quilt tops out of men's shirts.  I really enjoyed this process and plan to make more recycled fabric quilts in the future.

 

 

My guiding word for my quilting life in 2013: focus.  I feel like I did focus on my quilting in 2013.  Maybe my word for 2014 should be 'balance'. With all the quilting, I didn't have time to  get the cross stitching and knitting done that I wanted to in 2013.  But overall, I am pleased that I met most of my goals.  Linking up with Patchwork Times:  http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/12/31/get-it-done/

Celtic Solstice, Behind Already

I finished step 2 this weekend. Step 3 was released last Friday, so I'm already officially behind.

 Several times while I was working on this step, I found myself wondering if I really wanted to make the king sized version or do the small one.  The small version only needs 100 chevron units.  The king size needs 244.  I persevered and made 250.  I like to have extras just in case I miscount or have a quality control issue.

 

I am glad I bought those extra yellow fat quarters early this fall, or I wouldn't have had enough to do this step.  I may have to go out and buy a few more, but I'm hoping I have enough. 

 

Step 3 looks easier than the first 2. Maybe I can catch up this week. To see more CS progress:

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up_4572.html