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Sunday, January 6, 2013

How Did It Get to Be 2013 So Fast?

Since it's been 5 months since I last posted, I'm not sure there is still anyone checking my blog.  Thank you to anyone who has stopped by.  After my last post in August, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue blogging.  My projects were not unique and I didn't have any tutorials or quilting tips to share.  Unfortunately, this lack of motivation carried over to my quilting and I found that without the accountability of a blog, I wasn't finishing my UFOs or starting many new projects.  When I finally  decided that I wanted to blog again, Hurricane Sandy hit.

Unlike coastal communities in New York and New Jersey, our area of northern Westchester was mostly menaced by downed trees and was without electricity for 8 days. Even though our electric power was restored, we experienced problems with our internet and landline telephone service caused by software problems that Verizon was not able to remedy for about 7 weeks.

It took me quite a while to catch up with my favorite blogs.  Seeing all of the UFO challenge posts starting off for 2013 has really inspired me to open up the sewing room and allow my UFOs to see the light of day.

As you can see by the buttons on the right of the blog, I'll try and use the inspiration from a few blogs including:  A Lovely Year of Finishes at  Sew Bittersweet Designs, 2013 the Year of the Finished Project at Never Too Hot to Stitch, 2013 Finish Along with Leanne at She Can Quilt, Judy at Patchwork Times' Getting it Done Challenge,  and Nothing But UFOs in 2013 at A Passion for Applique.  I don't plan on limiting myself to UFOs.  I think I would get discouraged if I couldn't start anything new so I'll also be participating in Barbara's 2013 NewUFO Challenge at Cat Patches.

Some of the UFOs I'll be tackling were on my list last year and never managed to surface to the top. A number of them are tops that need to have backings put together and quilting.
1.   Disappearing 9 patch.

2.  This bright quilt was made during Marcia's scrappy challenge last winter.

3.  The tutorial for this quilt is available on Sharon's blog at Vroomans Quilts.  I'm sorry I couldn't find the link to the tutorial.  I will try to provide in a future post.

4.  These paper pieced blocks were the reason I started to blog.  They were part of the "Too Good to Cut" challenge.  The pattern is Jambalaya.

5.  This top was also part of Marcia's Scrappy Challenge last winter.


6.  I made the "Little Twister" center for this quilt as part of a charity round robin.  The borders created by the other 3 quilters are gorgeous.

7.  These blocks were made in response to a Veteran's Quilt challenge on Debra's blog.




8.  These blocks were made from an Eleanor Burns pattern in a class at a LQS.  They are for a table runner.


9.  Strips of 2.5 inch charms and the central block ready to be made into "Fading Charms"  a tutorial available at Wedding Dress Blue.  




10.  The Tetris quilt along last summer used 5 inch squares for each of the 6 blocks.  I decided to use 2.5 inch squares and make 4 blocks each week.  The blocks for weeks 5 and 6 are still undone.  Melissa still has the tutorial  available at her blog Happy Quilting.
11. These blocks will be cut and reassembled as Twister blocks.  The pattern is from a video tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Shop.

12.  This Little Twister table topper wanna be was made for the Cyber Quilters' Bucket List Challenge.


13.  This star quilt featuring 3.5 inch square novelty blocks was part of a The Made in Cherry quilt along at Pins and Bobbins.  I experienced some problems with the white setting squares.  Hopefully, I can find a way to resolve the problem.

I have 6 more projects in various stages of abandonment.  It's exhausting just thinking about all of these UFOS so they will have to wait for another time.  My goal is to finish quilts, 2, 5, 11, and 12 in January and 1, 4, and 10 finished by March.  Hopefully, the UFO challenges will keep me focused on the finish line,

22 comments:

  1. Good for your sweetie. Don't think about the total number. Just pick one that is the closest finish and finish - that will rejuvenate like nothing else. Mix a small item in the throw for a nice quick fix - a mug rug or hot pad made from an orphan block.

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  2. Hoping for you that your UFO challenges keep you focused enough on the end that you are actually able to complete some of them. I have a bunch of UFOs of my own looking to be completed...

    Happy New Year.

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  3. Happy to see you back! I've missed having you stop by and chat.


    If you want to add a border to those Veteran's blocks and stick the top in a mailer to me, I'll get it quilted and given to the VFW unit. I'm still sewing charity quilts through the year.

    The same for any others you want to donate too. I have plenty of backing fabric I want to move out of the stash this year. I am also giving quilts to kids who have an incarcerated parent through Angel Tree. My friend and I were able to make 14 quilts for them at Christmas. So any cheerful quilt top is appreciated.

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  4. Glad to see you back!! You have some wonderful projects underway!!
    Happy 2013!

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  5. Hi, Katie! You've been missed, but everyone needs a break sometimes! And I will echo Debra about your UFOs - if there are any that are just too wearying for words, feel free to send them my way - we'll finish them up and find a good home for them with someone who needs a quilt-y hug!

    PS I love your #13- that one's been on my list to do for a while, just haven't gotten to it yet!!

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  6. Welcome back, Katie. I hope you have a productive year that warms your heart.

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  7. Hi Katie...What a bountiful stack of UFO's you have along with a positive attitude about getting them finished. Thank you for providing the links to your projects. I'm interested in several of them...like I don't already have enough to finish...LOL. Like you, I NEED to have a few starters, too! This is my first FAL and my list is not as ambitious as yours, but it's plenty for me to get through this first quarter.

    Hope you will have time to stop by my Blog...CollectInTexas Gal and see my UFO's. I'm looking forward to following your progress. Nice to meet you!

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  8. welcome back! happy new year!
    lots of great UFOs to work on this year. have fun.

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  9. I see that you have a nice list of pretty UFO'd yourself, Katie! Go for it!!

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  10. Thanks for joining up with my linky party, it"s great to have you aboard! What a great pile of fun projects you have to work on! I look forward to seeing your progress.

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  11. Sounds like you have been through quite an ordeal the past few months. Perhaps setting aside time to complete your lovely projects will be just the thing to refresh you. I especially like the Jambalaya quilt. Can't wait to see which project you will post as a finish at the end of the month!

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  12. How gorgeous each one of the patch works are! I'm so glad things are calm now, so you can go on with your lovely projects and with your talent. Look forward to looking at your finished projects. Thank you for your sweet and kind visit, my friend. Have a wonderful and blessed 2013 too!
    FABBY

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  13. The more I read about your comments my blog friends, the more I realize so many nationalities have a special feeling for Three Kings Day. How interesting and wonderful to know your Polish family acknowledged the Three Kings and Epiphanie! Thanks for sharing it with me.
    FABBY

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  14. Hi! Wow I am so happy to see you back. Love all your UFO finishing them is like eating an elephant (One Bite at a Time) love your disappearing nine patch.
    Hugs oh and I love your header photo, looks like there might be sea glass thee.
    Bunny

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  15. Glad you're back Katie and those are some beautiful UFOs! I agree with others, mix in some small projects and have fun blogging!

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  16. Wow those are beautiful quilts and such a variety! Good luck in reaching your goals.

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  17. Wow! You have lots of great projects to finish up this year! Have fun! :0)

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  18. Wonderful projects Katie.....thanks for visiting today. I love hand quilting...lol

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  19. Hi Katie, it has taken me a while to get time to get to go around to all the blogs in the finish along but I am finally here. You have a lot of great projects, I hope you are working on some of them. I look forward to seeing your finishes, thank you for finishing along.

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  20. I'm always in a bloggy funk too, never sure if I should keep going or not. But I will say that if it helps you stay motivated, then keep going! You can finish up those WIPs! So many great projects!

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  21. I think you have some wonderful projects to finish up. Maybe if you just set a goal to finish just one...and, then move to the next favorite or closest to being finished. It hard for me to have too long of a list. I get to feeling overwhelmed. Feeling overwhelmed sucks the life out of my energies to finish something. =)

    hugZ,
    annie

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