Ricky Tims Super Seminar

For the last three days I have been soaking up information from Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman. Along the way I also have been tempted to start several new projects. But I will finish a few before I start these, I hope. One of the new ones is an idea for the perfect quilt for my oldest grandson. He wanted a green and black plaid quilt. I think that doing four convergence blocks, setting them on point and then something in the corners would be perfect. I am thinking about adding some Celtic inspired animals to the corners (I already have a great Dover book for design inspiration), using Ricky's applique technique. I even have the fabric. Then there is the kaleidoscope quilt that I thought about making (and bought fabric for) last time I saw Ricky. Found that in the stash, Ricky’s hand dyes along with some complimentary Mickey Lawler Skydyes. Scrumptious. And let us not forget the Rhapsody quilt I want to make. Bought the book this weekend, along with some of Ricky's (now dyed by Jeff, because Ricky and Justin don't have time anymore).

I have been working away on my Shoo-Fly blocks, inspired by Gerda’s Shoo fly quilt in the Return to Elm Creek book by Jennifer Chiaverini. It is 72 blocks, and I have 66 finished. This is a UFO I started in Jan 2006, after aging some fabric from Cotton in the Cabin for a couple of years. I had 36 blocks done when it got set aside. After I finished the Yellow Brick Road top I picked it back up. I found some dark blue fabric in the stash to use as sashing and border, but still need to find something for the skinny accent border. I’d like to get this done before, I start something new, at least the top. I have three quilt tops waiting to be basted already (Yellow Brick Road, baby YBR, and a Garden Fairy top), this will be number 4. Guess I better get back to work.

2007 in a nutshell

For the last several years it has been my New Year's Resolution to finish more than I start. Let's see how I did this year:
Started but not yet finished:
Yellow Brick Road quilt- taking a break as I type
In the Mood table runner - still cutting it out :(
handbag - just needs a handle
Knit shawl
Once Upon a Garden double bed quilt - top completed

Started and Finished in 2007:
Trip Around the World lap quilt - birds
Birds in the Corner baby quilt
Kaleidoscope Mosaic - twin size Simple Symmetry (Paula Nadelstern class)
Asian Illusion (Magic Star pattern) - King size quilt
Buds in spring - baby quilt
Crazy Halloween - baby quilt size wall hanging
Teeny Tiny tote bag
Matching vest
clutch purse
Redwork dish towels
Embroidered purchased top
Pajamas for daughter

Finished in 2007 (started previously):
"Matching" quilts for twins - Star of the Iguana and Provencal Star
Shabby Chic (Paris Flea Market fabric) baby quilt
Jaipur - Jinny Beyer large lap quilt
Purple and green lap quilt
Navy blue knit scarf

So, I have one less UFO than I started with last January! I should finish most of the 2007 starts in 2008, exception will be the knit shawl. But I shall persevere and it will get done sometime. Meanwhile I still have over 40 UFOs (I think), so there are more years ahead of my annual resolution. Perhaps I should add, don't buy more fabric than I actually use to my annual pledge. It was close, but so often I buy something that ought to work, but when I get home, it doesn't quite cut it.

This was a year of discovering more things I could do with my embroidery unit on my sewing machine. So much so, that I bought another machine just this weekend. For the last couple of days I have been working on embroidered lighthouses to put into a medallion quilt. I had hoped to get one more round done on this quilt in 2007, and almost made it. But no, maybe this weekend, then onto the final round. I'd like to get the top done this year.

2007 was a fun year, went to Alaska on a cruise, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Houston Quilt Festival and Pacific International Quilt Festival. My local guild had its quilt show and I had three quilts entered. We also went to Jacksonville, North Carolina to visit my son the Marine. And my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

Now on to 2008.

Top priorities this year:
Finish Yellow Brick Road quilt
Finish In the Mood table runner
Finish Once Upon a Garden double bed quilt
Complete medallion top
Finish top and quilt "Women of Faith" queen size quilt
Work on Marine Comfort Quilt Army centers and blocks

Finish more than I start!
Don't feel guilty when I start something new.