It's a NEW Year!

 I lost the first two weeks of the new year with "THE VIRUS".  I don't know who I got it from.  It doesn't really matter.  I survived and it was a relatively light case.  So far Clyde hasn't succumbed so hopefully he's bypassed it.  

This past week I have been much better and was even interested in getting back into the sewing room.  Back in December I saw where American Patchwork & Quilting was doing their UFO Challenge.  I didn't realize before but this is the 7th year!  I selected 12 projects that are truly "unfinished" to add to my list (one for each month).  Some are barely started.  They randomly select a number each month and the project corresponding to that number is the one you work on that month.  

My first project was probably the easiest one on my list.  I had started three baby quilts from one layer cake made from Tula Pink's "Chipper" fabric in May 2018.  I had finished one of them in February before the "stay at home" mandate was issued.  The other two tops were already made, all I needed was to add the borders and get them quilted.  

The first one is completed.  The other two are now in the "to be quilted" stack.

When I sew, I use Leaders/Enders, which is a way to work on two quilts at the same time without wasting thread and/or sewing on a scrap piece of fabric to throw away when it's full.  Once you try it, you won't be able to sew without a leader or ender.  This is an "ask me how I know" moment.

Bonnie Hunter introduces a new Leader/Ender project each July.  When I was getting close to 100 or so blocks, I determined how I wanted to lay out my quilt.  I'm not very proficient in EQ but I can "make it do" when I want to.  (I should have put that on my list as one of my UFOs.  Learn to navigate Electric Quilt!!)  Anyway, I determined how many blocks I was going to need and kitted up the remaining pieces.  Last night, I sewed my last one.  I had already started putting together some of the blocks...

First 9-Patch

1/4th of the center of the top

For my new leader/ender project (you know I can't sew without one), I pulled out Talking' Turkey, also a Bonnie Hunter pattern.  (From her book, String Fling)  I took a class from her in Birmingham in 2017!!  I've made progress on making the pieces thru the years but am getting closer to being able to make it a top!!  I have lots of flying geese to make and they make really good l/e's.  

Speaking of Bonnie, I'm also working on her annual mystery quilt.  Grassy Creek.    After being down a couple weeks, my girls were so excited when I sent them a picture of the blocks on my design wall.  That meant I was feeling a whole lot better.  (The mystery clues will be under this special tab until Feb 12, I think.  After that it will be offered as a digital pattern.)

My design wall is in the hallway.  We live in an old house with 12' ceilings and a central hall that leads to all the rooms.  Not wide enough to get a straight on picture.  But it works really well for me.

I'm making progress and I'll post more pictures in my next post.  I think this is good for now.