Monday, July 10, 2017

Plan Ahead Projects


So, I'm kind of in denial that it has been almost two weeks since I last posted about my quilting adventures, but the last two weeks have found me relaxing and not doing to much of anything and it has felt great.  I did manage to have four days off in a row (a very rare thing for me) over the July 4th holiday and Julie from Pink Doxies generously invited my little family of three to head her way and spend the weekend with her and her family.  This was not my first time meeting them in person, you may remember we ventured her way back in October when she hosted the Quilt Bloggers International Retreat.

I'd love to share a ton of pictures with you from my visit, but (are you setting down?) I didn't take a single one.  Gasp!  No, it was great, not everything needs to be documented.  I think we only took one picture and Julie posted it to Instagram.  It was a weekend of talking, laughing, eating and (again are you still sitting?) very little sewing. Quilt bloggers not quilting???  We talked about projects, had great conversations about quilting quilts, but mostly we all relaxed.   There was laughter talking about our small towns, beautiful fireworks with the best pop corn and lots of bully rubs and ear scratches for the Doxie Girls.

We cannot thank Julie and her family enough, for allowing us into their lives and spending time with us.  I return from my visit with my batteries recharged and ready to be creative.  I wish I could bottle a little bit of what I call "Julie Sparkles" into a jar so that when I'm starting to feel low, I could sprinkle some, like magic fairy dust, and just feel renewed and excited.  Until I figure out a way to do this, texting will have to do.

So, quilting wise, what in the world have I been up to?  I have a few quilts all basted and ready for me to start quilting on.  Most of my QAL's are all caught up and I don't really want to start piecing any new projects, so what's a girl to do?  I have three quilts bouncing around in my head that I have fabric for, they just need cut and pieced.

So this past week and weekend, I spent some time creating pre-prepped project bags (aka future Works in Progress).  Think of these as the frozen crock pot meals everyone loves to pin on Pinterest (but if like me, never actually make).  When I find myself in the mood, with a little time on my hands, I can simply reach in my tote and pull out a precut block and piece my little heart out.  So what exactly do I have...


9 Sugar Skull blocks


12 Dog Gone Cute little puppies


The first 19 of the 25 Sewcial Bee Sampler Blocks

Now even if I only want to devote time to just a block a day, everything is ready and waiting for me.  All I have to do is set down and sew it up.  No pressure.  No timeline.

Changing gears just a bit, on our way home from Julie's we passed through Beth at Cooking Up Quilts stomping ground and stopped at the local quilt shop there, Bolts and Quarters.  I couldn't leave the shop without obtaining a few goodies.  I finally picked up a set of Handi Quilter Oval B quilting rulers and cannot wait to give them a try.


I also snagged some fat quarters to add to my Moda Modern Building Block Stash (the large cut came from my local quilt shop).  After petting Julie's finished version of the quilt, I'm dying to piece mine!

Beth wasn't able to meet us at the shop, so I had to settle for the next best thing...her quilts :)  If I couldn't snap a picture with Beth, I took selfies with her quilts.




David and Spinning

With all the talk about quilting, purchasing of fabric, and cutting of fabric, did I manage to piece any fabric??  Well of course I did.  I wouldn't be a mad (crazy not angry) quilter, if I didn't.  I made a little bit of time yesterday to start piecing on the sashings (Charlotte's Web) for The Children's Library Quilt.


I LOVE this Windham Fabric print, Literary Overdue Yesterday.  I had to have this in the sashing.  I chose fabrics that matched the date stamps to create the square in square blocks.  Here's to hoping that it doesn't make the quilt to busy and that it compliments the blocks...fingers crossed.

So that wraps things up on this beautiful Monday in my neck of the woods.  This post has bounced around all over the place, but I think that's just the excited energy I'm feeling.  Let's all go create something today!!!  (even if it's a mess)


Today I'm linking up with Main Crush Monday, Let's Bee Social and Midweek Makers.

21 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Your 4th of July weekend sounds delightful. And I love that you had the energy to get pre-organized for fun future sewing. Those bags look like quilter candy! The Literary Overdue Yesterday print is really fun, I think that is going to come together nicely. I hope you have a lovely day and enjoy making whatever you work on.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

Look at you, all bagged up and organized! I'm sooo jealous! :) Sounds like you had a great weekend, and I totally understand just enjoying the days and not snapping pics. I often say I'm a bad blogger because I always forget to take pictures, LOL. I was bummed we were out of town when you came through, but I'm happy you got to visit Bolts & Quarters. And my quilts were so happy to see you and Dave! I think it's time I hopped in my car and took a road trip your way!

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Hi, Tish,
You may not think you got much accomplished but after reading about all of it, I am thoroughly amazed. Great idea to have bags of projects waiting for that creative moment to arrive. The Dog Gone Cute pattern is so dog gone cute! I made just one of those dogs for my grandson's little house quilt. He loved it and you will love how easy it is to sew although there are a lot of itty bitty pieces. Karen

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

Tish, I love all of those Ziplocs of varying sizes holding projects, blocks, and pieces all awaiting a finish. I did a whole blog post on my obsession with those plastic baggies a couple of months back. It's nice to know I'm not the only one. Glad you've had the chance to relax and have some fun. --Andrea

KaHolly said...

How wonderful to have gotten away! Read all about your visit already and saw the 'one picture' :). Maybe you haven't been busy sewing, but making up your bags is pretty time consuming and requires thought. Sometimes, are you in just the right mood to cut, cut, cut? I'm lucky if I leave little piles around for different projects, and then find them again! And remember what they were gathered together for! I might have to steal a page from your book!

Stitchin At Home said...

Sounds like you had a great weekend! Would love Julie Sparkles when you get them bottled can you send some my way. Terrific idea making future baggie projects.

JanineMarie said...

I've noticed a lot of gaps in blogland lately, but that's summer for ya! Your trip sounds like it was lots of fun, and I do think those little breaks in sewing reenergize you to get back to it again. I love your project backs. That seems like a super accomplishment to get those already to sew whenever.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Tish,
I just love, love, LOVE that library overdue fabric! OMG - too perfect. I don't think it will make the quilt too busy at all, but I guess it remains to be seen. I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the four days off . . . everyone needs time to refresh and rejoice now and then with family and friends. ~smile~ Roseanne

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Sometimes a break is just what we need. Sounds like you had a great time. I need to do some prepping so I can catch up on some QAL. I've managed to print all the patterns. Maybe if I prep fabric, the task won't seem so daunting.

Nancy J said...

Having baggies of goodies all ready for their next adventure, a wonderful idea. And a few days away, what total joy!! True friends are such a rich addition to our lives. And new fabrics, lovely colours.

Jen Shaffer said...

I love the crock pot comparison, and it's a great idea. Your 4th if July weekend sounds perfect. We all need down time.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

Sounds like a great weekend and what better way to spend it than with quilts friends . Did miss your blogging though .
NOW - your as I like to think of it , pick and mix for when you're peckish .
Sugar skulls . Love sugar skulls
Puppies 🐶 . My future dil has a dog who looks just like these .
Fate accomplis - I need to go cutting

Emily said...

I love thinking of quit blocks like the crock pot! That library fabric is FABULOUS! So glad you had an enjoyable time with quilting friends!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Wow, so much going on there! Love seeing all the quilty photos. Great idea, making up crock-pot quilt projects!!!

Jayne said...

What a fun time you had! It's so nice to take a few days away from quilting. I just did the same thing and believe it or not...I didn't die from not having my machine attached to me! It's also nice not to be connected to a computer! I admire you prepping quilts to be ready for when the mood strikes. It's such a great idea!

Jen @ de Jong Dream House said...

How fun! Julie doesn't live too far from me so you were in my neck of the woods!

Lorna McMahon said...

Glad to hear you and your family had a lovely, relaxing weekend with Julie's family. How nice to be able to meet up in person, once again, and celebrate the long weekend together! Your prepped projects look like fun and I love the Square in a Square blocks!

Susan said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous time - definitely worth it to get you're batteries recharged! And yes, it is tough to get back into it after stepping away for a few days. Thanks for sharing your adventures on Midweek Makers today!

Rachel said...

Very pretty! Great job getting your quilt blocks packaged! I love those literary quilt fabrics.

Vicki in MN said...

We all need a time out from quilting once in a while to recharge-I did that this past week. Now I hope to put pedal to the metal this week. Fun that you got to visit with Julie and her family.

Julie said...

Gosh, where have I been? Like the rest of bloggers, I'm kicking back for summer, and enjoying friends over work. It's been all about the garden and not the studio for weeks. Sorry.

It was so nice to have your family here, and I back up every word you said. We didn't take pictures or talk shop much at all. We chilled together! I, too, came away with new thoughts and ideas that are slowly percolating.

The Bag Method: I do wonder if your time in the studio and the MESS was what made you decide to go home and organize, and be sure to tell your readers about your new Instant Pot Adventures. I got the idea from another quilter blogger, and was happy to pass it along to you. A batch of your artichoke dip is on the menu for a special dinner tonight. Thank you for sharing back!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...