UFO Busting #36

Well my friends, it has been one exhausting week and I feel like I haven't got much in the sewing department done.  But after reviewing some pictures from this week, I've decided even though the sewing machines were not buzzing, I was productive anyway.  

Last weekend I concentrated on basting quilts.  My mom's garage was open because they were out of town and I decided to capitalize on it, in the form of setting up tables and getting high on basting spray fumes (joking to the last part of course).

It took several hours over two days but I managed to get 8 quilts all basted up.  Most of them are baby size, but it will make going from project to project so much smoother.

I also managed to almost get the binding and hanging tabs on the two flag quilts I have been working on.  Weather permitting I can snap some pictures and share them with you next week.  It is such a fun project to quilt and piecing is a breeze.

I am sad to report that there was no stash slashing for me this week.  BOO!  But I am happy to report I have had several people mention that they are joining me on my quest to gain control of my stash.  One person who took the leap and wielded her rotary cutter like a ninja was Wendy over at Pieceful Thoughts of my Quilting Life.

Just look at that beautiful stack of charm squares!  Wendy you are motivating me to clear my table back off and get to whacking fabric!

Now let's take a look at what everyone else was up to during last week's party.  If we are tackling UFO's a plan is always good.  Gail over at Quilting Gail has also been working her tushy off this year to encourage everyone to bust those UFO's and earn their quilting PhD. 

Last week she talked about her current plan to tackle four different UFO's in waiting.  Make sure you hop over to read about her plan and cheer her on.

Next up we have Sandy over at Sew...This is My Blog and her recent UFO finish!

  

Sandy just finished up her version of Framed from the book Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley.  Sandy is on a mission to make quilts for her future grandkids and I just LOVE IT!  Make sure you hop over and congratulate her on busting this UFO.

Now let's see what you've been up to this week.  Make sure you link up below and tell us about all the quilting adventures you've had. 

An InLinkz Link-up

As a healthy right of passage into adulthood, this past weekend Jen was able for the first time to exercise one of her rights by voting.  Since we were out and about running errands we took the opportunity to swing by the early voting location and do our civic duties.  She was so excited to make her voice heard for the first time and I couldn't be prouder.

Jenny and I are voting for you to finish all those lingering projects! 

UFO Busting #35

I think I blinked and October has totally flew by.  Where has it gone?  I feel like I don't have much to show for it.  This week has been slow in the stitching world for me.  I have still been stealing every moment of free time to continue slashing my stash.  With the green tote completely finished,

I have started on the brown one and I am happy to report that I've seen a bit a progress.  Everything that could be chopped into jelly roll strips has been.

Now I'm starting on charm squares and will finish off with 2.5" squares and crumbs.  

Next up on the quilt front this week, has been quilting on two Americana Flags that I hope to sell.  I have a free tutorial on making them here.  With just the blue part of the flag to go, these should be ready to be rehomed before Christmas.

Other than that, the temperatures have been dropping to a snuggly 34 F and I say snuggly only because I have a million quilts at the house.

They are also handy at high school foot ball games as well.

Now let's see what you were up to last weekend.  Emily from the Darling Dogwood linked up with her finished Rainbow Scrap Challenge Quilt, Elephant Parade (by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts).

Look at all those darling little elephants!  Make sure you hop over and congratulate her and find out just where those pink elephants ran off to?

Next up we have Gail from Quilting Gail and her Fireburst Mystery Quilt.

I love the beautiful fall batiks she used in making her quilt top.  She has just started quilting on it.  I need to take a page from Gail's book and start quilting on mine!  

Now let's see what you've been up to this week?  Link up below and tells us all about it.

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm hoping for a mostly quiet at home weekend this week.  I see lots of basting in my future, since my mom's garage will be almost empty this weekend.  And of course I'm going to continue to slash that stash!!!!

Slash That Stash!

That's my motto for the next couple months.  I am taking time each week to organize my fabric stashes into manageable bits and pieces.  In 2019, momma wants to make some quilts and she wants to use what she has on hand.  There is a million free (and bought) patterns for precuts that I'm dying to make.  So the idea is to chop up my existing fabrics into pre cut bits so that I can make these patterns more usable for me.  You are more than welcome to join me in a Stash Slashing party for encouragement if you'd like.  So here are the rules I've made for myself as I tackled my first bin...green fabrics.

Any fabrics 1/2 yard or bigger where pressed, neatly folded and placed back into the container.  All fat quarters were also placed back into the container.

UFO Busting #34

Momma's back from her four day quilting retreat and she is refreshed and ready to get things done!  I did manage to get a few things accomplished while away at retreat and hit the ground running with a few small projects as soon as I was back home.  

This is me talking about Laurel Burst at my guild meeting.

The first item I tackled while away was to finish piecing this quilt top (full disclosure all the blocks were already pieced but four).  I'm calling the pattern Laurel Burst and it will be released within the next few weeks.

My Disney Land

Incase you didn't know, my version of Disney Land includes goats that take their meals on metal roofs.  What can I say, I'm a simple gal.  I tell my dear friend Julie all the time, she is my Disney Land, more specifically my Tigger (she is bouncy and full of energy, and just makes you smile).  Every fall for the past three years, she graciously invites several quilters/quilt bloggers to retreat to her little slice of heaven and spend several fun filled days, sewing, shopping, and don't forget the laughing.  I can honestly say if it's my one and only trip each year, I can die happy.  Meeting with friends, new and old, recharges my batteries and leaves my heart full.

Fireburst Mystery Quilt--The Layout

Today is a day of celebration!  Let the fireworks begin!  My daughter officially becomes an adult today and I finally get to reveal to you the layout of the mystery quilt.  Let's do this!  

Arrange your blocks like the diagram below.

Next sew the blocks into rows.

Sew the rows together.

Your finished top should measure 32" baby quilt and 64" lap quilt finished.

That's it!  We are finished!  I thank each and everyone of you who sewed along with me.  Mystery quilts are huge risks and I hope you are happy with the outcome of your tops.  I look forward to seeing all of them as they come together.  If you post to Instagram feel free to tag me @tishnwonderland or #fireburstmysteryquilt.  You can also post your picture to our Facebook Group.  You can download a printable copy of the instructions in my Craftsy Store.

Even if you didn't participate in the QAL, there is still plenty of time to make your own version of Fireburst and participate in the fireworks display on New Years Day!

UFO Busting #33

Can you believe October is already upon us??  I always welcome this month when it comes in.  It brings with it the wonderful smells and cooler temperatures of Autumn.  The leaves begin to change and there is so much to do.  This weekend (hopefully), I will be following our band to a neighboring town to take in the Forrest Festival.  In all my almost 40 years of life, it will be the first time I've ever gone.  Jen and I are busily preparing for all the fun that comes with her reaching adulthood.  There are colleges to visit, tests to take and forms to complete.  Needless to say, for the most part sewing took the back burner this week.  However, I did manage to sneak in moments here and there.  Five to ten minutes a day can make a huge difference.

I'm still hard core juggling the Sewcial Bee Sampler blocks.  I try to stitch up 3-5 at a time when I can.  This was me block juggling, complete with open rotary cutter.  I call it extreme block making.  Do not be like Tisha.  Do not sew with open sharp objects.  No Tisha's were hurt, but this should be left to only professionals...and probably not even then.

My efforts proved worth it though.  I'm almost done...all but five blocks.  Then the sashing can begin.

I am also happy that I can finally share my Bohemian Baby Star Blossom quilt finish this week.  The quilt its self has actually been completed for two weeks, the weather just refused to cooperate for pictures.

You can read more about this finish and the quilting here.

Let's see what happened in last week's party.  First up is Roseanne and Sue from Home Sewn By Us.  Those two have been working hard at working on older projects.  This time they tackled their I Wish You A Merry Christmas Quilt.  

I love this quilt.  It will be a fun one to cozy up to the fire with, hot coco in hand and Christmas movies on TV.

Next up is Gail at Quilting Gail and her Sudoku Quilt.  I'm a big fan of that game and an even bigger fan of her quilt.

I love how she used those squares to practice different free motion motifs.  It added great texture to the quilt and is just plain fun!  If you haven't been by to congratulate all of them on their UFO finishes, hop over and visit them now.

Now it's your turn.  What have you been up to this week?  Link up and tell us about it below.

An InLinkz Link-up

I have exciting news for next week...I'm going on a bit of a field trip and so is UFO Busting.  Since I knew I probably wouldn't get a post together for next weekend, my dear friend Sandra at mmm!quilts has agreed to host UFO Busting over on her page!!   I do hope next Saturday (the 13th) you will continue the party over there.  Then things will be back to normal here the next weekend.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week with lots of stitching!!!