Lisa's 2017 Forward Progress Wrap-Up

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Urban Quilter's Forward Progress Challenge. I made progress in most months. I completely finished two projects:

• February - Where the Wild Things Are pajama bottoms. Though these are finished, I realized I have not yet worn them. I'll have to change that!
• June - Tole painted spice rack. I was happy to finish this long overdue project...I'm still looking for a home for it to go to.

Other projects I made continued progress on:

• March - I made additional progress on some scrapbook albums.
• April - The Monarch Butterfly cross stitch continues to be my go-to project I take to bee, or work on in front of the television. 
• October - I determined I was not having any fun trying to do small stippling in the background of the Haunted House, so my fabulous friend Mary helped me out a few weekends ago at our quilt retreat and finished the stippling portion. So I'm ready for the rest of the quilting on this one now.
• Not on my project list from last year, I also completed the quilting and binding for a baby quilt.
• Also not on my project list for last year, I completed quilting the Block of the Month Star Quilt.  

Lisa's Forward Progress: January End

My January project was to make forward progress on the orange and yellow jelly roll. The next step was to figure out a plan for using the strips.

I found a pattern I want to use, Summer at the Beach (the bottom picture), and as a bonus it was a free pattern.

I also found and purchased the background fabric that will be used in the quilt - it is the bottle cap fabric that is shown with the strips on the top picture. This will make for a much less subtle contrast, but I think will make for a very cozy quilt. A huge thank you to Mary for helping me find the fabric!

Lisa's Forward Progress: January Start

The last project for the 2017 Making Forward Progress Challenge is #11. On my list, this is my orange & yellow jelly roll.

This one is going to sound a lot like my December project - I received this set of 2 1/2" strips in varying shades of orange & yellow as a gift a few years ago, and is still in the package.

The next thing I need to do to move this project forward is to figure out a plan for turning these strips into a quilt top.

Lisa's Forward Progress: December End

My December project for making forward progress was to open up a Christmas themed jelly roll and decide on  a plan for a lap sized quilt.

I had fun unrolling and finally seeing all of the fabrics that I had received as a gift a year ago. I also decided to use a pattern my friend Mary had designed that fully uses an entire jelly roll. Mary's December project was also to work on her second quilt top using the same pattern. 

At the end of the month, in addition to deciding on a plan, I have cut all of the strips into the appropriate lengths for making the blocks. So I'm now ready to start sewing!

Lisa's Forward Progress: December Start

I was hoping that the chosen Making Forward Progress project for December would be #12, and it is! From my list, this is a Christmas Jelly Roll.

I received this jelly roll as a present last year for Christmas, and I've been disciplined enough to not open it until I was ready to do something with it. So my next steps for making progress is to open this pretty little bundle and devise a plan for making a lap sized quilt.

Lisa's Forward Progress: November End

My project for November was to make progress on my Southwest themed quilt.

My goal for this month was to make a test block from the pattern I have chosen to use. I wanted to scale up the block size from the pattern, which started with 6 inch squares in the center, and I wanted to start with the 10 inch squares as I want to maximize the use of the themed fabrics.

I have successfully figured out the math for scaling the block up to the size that I want, and I have an almost completed test block made with some less than desirable fabrics from my stash. I'm not going to finish the test block, as I've completed enough to know that it will work.

I've also paired up the 10 inch blocks (with help from my bee ladies), so I can begin sewing the large half square triangles. My friend Amanda has also given me some additional fabrics that I will be able to add into the quilt for a little more variety...including an amazing kokopelli fabric that will be used as the backing (pictured below).

Lisa's Forward Progress: November Start

November's Making Forward Progress Challenge project is #10. On my list, this is my Southwest themed quilt.

I have a package of 25 Southwest themed fabrics in 10" squares, plus a few pieces of yardage. This project came up for me last year during the APQ UFO challenge. At that time I decided to use the "It's a Guy Thing" pattern from Evelyn Sloppy's 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts.

Since the main block size in the pattern is smaller than what I will end up using, my next step to take this project forward is to make a test block to confirm the measurements I need to use. My goal for this month is to make that test block. An additional goal would be to find a background fabric for the quilt.

 

Lisa's Forward Progress: October End

At the beginning of October, I had a completed paper pieced quilt top for a Halloween wall hanging.

While it isn't finished, I have made progress. During the month, I got the wall hanging pin basted and began machine quilting. I've quilted the roof, house, and grass (it's a little easier to see the detail if you click on the picture).

The next part to quilt will be the background sky. My machine is loaded with the thread I'm going to use for that, and I've been practicing small stippling. I need to practice a little bit more before tackling it on the quilt.

Lisa's Forward Progress: October Start

We are onto Project #4 for October's Making Forward Progress Challenge. From my list, this project is a paper pieced haunted house wall hanging. I started this project last year for the APQ Resolution UFO Challenge, and have not worked on it since.

The current state of the project is that I have the quilt top completed, including borders. My next steps are to get batting and a backing out of my closet, pin baste, and start quilting. I would love to say I am able to hang it on my wall before Halloween (of this year that is!).

Lisa's Forward Progress: September Start

The Making Forward Progress project number for September is #1. For my list, this is 'Sherri's Quilt'. Sherri is my sister and I have yet to make a quilt for her. The fact I've only been quilting for 6 years, that isn't to terrible an offence for me (I don't think so anyway). 

For Sherri's 50th birthday, my present was a commitment to make her a quilt - colors are her choice, pattern is my choice. Though if I can narrow it down to a couple of patterns, I'll get her input. I didn't commit to a timeline, which is good since she has already had another birthday.

The color inspiration for the quilt is her living room area in her new house...earthy beige/browns with grey and the pop of colors being rust/orange and blue/turquoise. The overall feel is cozy modern (is that a thing?). 

My next step is to find a pattern - I don't want anything too traditional. I have a couple of ideas so I need to look up those patterns and choose which I want to move forward with. I'd also like to pick out some fabrics or at least pick out some samples in the colors I'm looking for.    

Lisa's Forward Progress: August End

My goal for August was to make progress on Rob's beer t-shirt quilt. I started the month with a pile of t-shirts in a bag. I had also watched already watched a t-shirt quilt class on Craftsy last year that is the general method of how I want to approach this quilt.

Now at the end of the month, I have sorted through the bag of t-shirts. I also sat down with Rob to go through all of the shirts to see which ones he didn't care about (so those went to the Goodwill pile before I started trimming) and which ones were a must to go into the quilt. That exercise resulted in him reclaiming two t-shirts back to his drawer, but he also took a few more out of the drawer to go into the quilt...end result, a little more room in the drawer!

I re-watched the first two parts to the quilt class to follow the steps. I've trimmed all of the shirts deemed quilt worthy. I was happy to confirm with Goodwill that they will take the large bag of fabric scraps left over from the trimming process (those are all the scraps in the picture). I've also started applying fusible to make the t-shirts more sturdy (that's the pile on the right). I've determined that applying the fusible is a very boring step in the process. At this point, progress has been made and the project is taking up a lot less room in my closet than it did before.

Lisa's Forward Progress: August Start

The project number in the Making Forward Progress Challenge for August is #3. From my project list, this is a project I've been not wanting to deal with for a long time. It's Rob's beer themed t-shirt quilt. This same project came up for me last year in the APQ Challenge. At that time, I had signed up for and watched a class on Craftsy for making a t-shirt quilt that was in line with my idea of what I wanted to do. Instead of the typical "cut your shirts to x size square", it works with multiple size prints from the t-shirts and adds more interesting elements.

As suggested, I had watched the entire class start to finish last year. My next step is to go back through the class demonstration and execute the steps. First up will be to select and trim the t-shirts. As much as I'd like to finish this quilt without Rob knowing, I think I'll need his input to determine which t-shirts mean the most to him to include (and maybe in doing so I can coax a few more out of his drawer). My goal for this month will be to trim all of the shirts and add the fusible.

Lisa's Forward Progress: July Start & End

Well July has come and gone and I am behind in posting. So I'm taking care of my Making Forward Progress July Start and End all in one post.

My July project was to make progress on the Maple Leaf  quilt. This project started a few years ago with the intent of making a Toronto Maple Leaf themed quilt for my nephew...I was feeling ambitious at the time thinking I would make two quilts at the same time and also make one for my niece's husband (he and my nephew, and most of my family are huge Leafs fans).

The general quilt design is to make leaf blocks (blue leaf on white background and white leaf on blue background) for the main part of the quilt, add a blue & white striped border at the bottom, and a blue border at the top with the last name appliqued in white to mimic a hockey jersey. At least that is the plan!

At the beginning of July I had a project box full of blue and white fabrics I had collected, along with a large amount of maple leaf print fabric (pictured above). I had previously cut a lot of the blue and white needed to make the blocks. I also had an outline of a design that Mary helped me with over a year ago (but I had misplaced).

At the end of July...I have pulled out everything, and I was able to locate the design outline (it was in another project box!). I have determined the original design is not big enough, so I will need to add to that. I have also pieced together two leaf blocks. Looking at these with the other fabrics, I've decided that I'll need to re-work the initial layout as I don't want too many leaf blocks side-by-side. Oh, and I've also decided I'm only going to focus on finishing one quilt!

Lisa's Forward Progress: June End

My forward progress project for June was to tackle tole painting a spice rack that had been in my closet for eons. I'd have to guess that it has actually been in the state it was at the beginning of the month for close to 20 years. June flew by, but I did manage to get the painting completed. The last step now is to varnish it.

Unfortunately, as much as I do like the completed project, it doesn't really fit in my kitchen. So I will either need to find another spot & use for it in the house, or find someone else who might like to have it. Before and after pictures are below.

Beginning June

Ending June

 

Lisa's Forward Progress: May End & June Start

Wow, May went by very fast! My May goal was to decide on a design for a lap size Halloween Quilt. I did not make a lot of progress, but with Mary's help, we looked at my collection of Halloween themed and coordinating solids, and paired up the patterns with solids. Mary also helped with lending me a quilt design & block pattern for a quilt she designed that is a strong consideration. It involves curved piecing which I've never done before, so I will try out the block on scrap fabric first.

Now onto June's project #8, which is a spice cabinet on my list. This is a tole painting project that has been sitting in my closet for many years. I have actually completed two of these in the past as gifts, and the intent of this one was to be for me. However, there isn't really a spot for it in the kitchen I now have, so I hope to find a good home for it when finished.

I've pulled the project out and it looks like I had stained the box and finished the base coating on the doors. The base coating looks to be in pretty rough shape from the years of being stored in my closet, so I may have to re-do that. I did find my instructions, and stash of paints (which I hope have not completely dried up!). My next steps are to fix the base coat, and then add shade & highlight details.

As a coincidence, the number that came up for June on my #APQResolution UFO list is #10 which is also a tole painting project. So I think the stars are aligned for me to get some painting done this month!

Lisa's Making Forward Progress: May Start

May's number for the Making Forward Progress Challenge is #2. On my project list, this is a Halloween Quilt.

I have been collecting random Halloween themed fabrics for a few years - a mix of fat quarters and larger pieces. At the moment, they are just a stack of fabrics, with no plan. I've pulled them all out of my fabric box, and have included some random orange and black fabrics that can coordinate. The next step is to come up with a design for a fun lap sized quilt.

Lisa's April Progress Wrap-Up

My April Project for the Making Forward Progress Challenge was to work on a Monarch Butterfly cross-stitch that has been 'in progress' for many years.

My goal for April was to make progress and decide whether this is a project I am willing to complete. The good news is that I did make progress. There is still a lot to be done, but I can now actually see a butterfly wing taking shape. I'd been having a mental block on this project with a missed stitch, but I have figured that out. I've also decided that I am willing to finish - there are too many stitches completed to give up on it now!

Lisa's Forward Progress: March End & April Start

I'm extremely late in posting about my March ending and my April beginning - before I know it May will be here (it literally almost is!).

First up, March Forward Progress update. There were lofty goals, and at the beginning of the month, I forgot about a week of vacation at the end of the month. So at the beginning, I had three goals: to finish one 'in progress' album, to continue to purge un-used 'scrap crap' by getting three listings up on eBay for things I do not need, and to organize scrapbook supplies.

For my March ending update, I don't have any pictures to share. I did't make progress on any album except for digging one out to think about working on. And I didn't do too much in the organizing department. But I did get six listings up on eBay and four of them sold and have been shipped off...so I have made progress in de-cluttering, and recouped some money in the process. In March I also helped Mary pin baste her March project, so I also consider having helped in her forward progress!

Onto April start! April is project #9, which on my list is a Monarch Butterfly cross-stitch. I started this project a long time ago as a present for my mother as she loves Monarchs. As can be seen in these pictures, is (1) What is currently complete on the project (left) and (2) What I have left...in the second picture (below right), the pattern is printed on nine different 8.5x11 pieces of paper. The portion highlighted in yellow represents what is currently complete.

I haven't cross-stitched in a long time, until recently. I told Mary I would finish the back stitching/outline work on a piece she had finished. I have completed that (yes Mary, it is done!), so I am in cross-stitch mode. My goal for April is to make some progress on the Monarch, and figure out if it is a project I am willing to complete at some point or not. If I decide not to, I will abandon it.  

Lisa's Making Forward Progress: March Start

The March project for Making Forward Progress is #7. For my project list, this is making progress on an unfinished scrapbook album (I have many!). I actually have a few goals for this month.

1. Finish one album: I have many 'almost done' but not finished albums...Wedding; Marathon Training/Alaska trip; Heritage Album; Scotland/Ireland Adventures. Some of these only have a few pages left, so getting one to completion will be a win.
2. Purge un-used items:  In scrapbooking terms, I have a lot of 'scrap crap'. I used to be a consultant for Creative Memories (before they went out of business and came back as a new company), and as a result have a bunch of stuff that is brand new but I'll never use. I've already sold a lot of such stuff on eBay, but have plenty more. So goal #2 is to make an additional 3 listings on eBay this month.
3. Organize: I am fortunate enough to have my own office/sewing/craft room. I was thrilled a couple of years ago when we turned the closet in that room to all shelving that gave me more storage. But it has gotten a wee bit unorganized, so I'll aim to straighten it out (it does contain a lot of scrapbooking supplies, so fits with this months' project).

Lisa's February Progress Wrap-up

When I started February's project in Making Forward Progress, I had 3 yards of Where the Wild Things Are themed flannel fabric, and a potential pattern...both bought years ago.

Once I opened up the pattern I had (it had options for pajama bottoms or a robe), I determined that I didn't have enough fabric for a robe, so the fabric would be used for pajama bottoms. I also determined that I didn't like the pattern I had and the size was wrong, so I tossed it and went back to Jo-Ann's to look for another option. I found one that would do the job and as an added bonus when I arrived at the check-out discovered Simplicity patterns were on sale for $1 - that made me feel a bit better about ditching the first pattern.

Now at the end of February, I have completed the pajama bottoms. I tweaked the pattern a little - instead of having an elastic waist band that went around the entire waist, I altered to make just the back elastic, and the front a ribbon drawstring. I'm fairly happy with the result and have learned a few things. The biggest is that I don't enjoy sewing clothing. I found the figuring out of the pattern & size a little bit stressful. The measurements for the recommended sizes on the pattern did not seem to match reality. If I went by the measurements listed I should have made an XL. But I over-layed the pattern onto existing pajama bottoms I have, and that looked way too huge, so I actually made the Medium pattern size. While the finished product fits, they are still a little large. But since it's just comfy pj's not a big problem. I think I'll stick to buying clothes & sewing things that aren't clothing. But I am happy to have a project finished!