Sunday, January 1, 2012

Finish-A-Long - what a great idea!

Kaleidoscope Top - pieced

This is my Kaleidoscope top that I made as part of Elizabeth, from Don't Call Me Betsy's Kaleidoscope QAL. I have the back also ready to go. I need to sandwich it, quilt it and bind it.

Mystery Quilt QAL - so far, 1/1/12

These beautiful blocks are from the Mystery QAL by Sheila from the Bluepatch Quilter. I need to finish another strip of those pointy points and a couple of strips of braids, then decide about the borders, sandwich, quilt and bind it.

A Kiss in Time, so far

This is the main part of the top of the Kiss in Time quilt that I was working on last spring.

A Kiss in Time - progress on the borders

This bit is part of the borders, those 3/4" squares were a lot of work. I need to finish the borders, piece the top, sandwich, quilt and bind it.

And then there were 4 - LBSP Blocks

These are four LynneBobSquarePants blocks, designed by Lynne at Lily's Quilts. I have the fabric to make enough blocks for a lap quilt. I need to get moving on those as the blocks look so good together.

Across the Sea QAL quilt top

This is my top from the Across the Sea QAL run by Sarah from Fairy Face Designs and Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts. I have the back ready, I just need to sandwich, quilt and bind it.

A quilt for my bed

And this is probably my favourite, it is going to be a quilt for my king size bed. I made the top for the Naked Bed Challenge and it sat since last June. This pattern is called Wedding Quilt from the Purl Bee. When Rhonda at Quilter in the Gap announced her idea for a Finish-A-Long, I ordered a soft king size bed sheet for the back.

Now, I have trouble with rules, and so in the enthusiasm for the FAL, and in the spirit of making the last day of the year memorable, yesterday I spent a long time ironing the top and backing sheet (I washed the sheet first). Then I sandwiched the quilt. I am not sure if that is cheating, starting the finishing a day early - let's see how much trouble I am in.

A quilt for my bed - basting

This is such a nice picture don't you think, my DH gave me these wonderful fancy lights with cute umbrellas for Christmas to make it possible to take better photos in my very dark living room and generally in our very dark winter.

I also have to admit to spending a few hours quilting this quilt last night - we are not New Year's Eve partiers here. So now it needs to have the binding done - yes, I quilted the whole thing last night and was in bed just after midnight (a bit compulsive maybe?). Photos coming later. I am hand stitching that binding all around the king size quilt, so it will take a while.

As you might have noticed by now, I am actually making list of unfinished projects - actual UFOs - something I have resisted doing since I started this blog. I am only doing it for the FAL, not to create pressure or expectations. I do hope to finish all of these soon, I love each project and have a plan for each. But, don't be surprised if many new starts happen as I go.

Rhonda's FAL will be great fun, I hope you will join in too. You don't have to make a long list like I did, and one project is enough to join in, by the way.

2012 Finish-A-Long

It looks like it will be a quiet day here, my kids stayed up all night and at least one of them has just crawled into bed. Maybe there will be time for more quilting. I hope you enjoy New Year's Day too!

Best,

Leanne

37 comments:

foodmathquilts said...

Thanks for posting the pictures of the wedding quilt! I have that pattern bookmarked, but I wasn't sure how it would look in prints with more contrast. (yours looks great!).

Good luck with all your finishes.

Sarah

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

My that's a tonne of UFOs! Good luck with the FAL - I will be posting my waifs and strays later xxx

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Oh you make me feel better! I have so many unfinished things too. I hadn't heard about Rhonda's FAL but I'm off to find out what it's all about. It sounds like its just what I need! Thanks :)

Anonymous said...

It was fun to look at all your UFOs all lined up--sometimes we tuck things away in our closets and forget about them (I have a quilt doing just that right now--it needs borders and I just don't have the energy). By pulling them all together in a post, you can check them off as you get them completed.

Bravo to you on the Wedding Quilt--it's beautiful. You must be a really quick quilter to get it all done in one evening! Impressive!

Elizabeth E.

Canadian Abroad said...

Fab quilts so they need to be finished. I have been trying to dredge up ideas for the FAL but am sort of caught up on everything and need to create some starts before I have things to finish. Make sense?!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Hold your hands out...I want to see if you did your nails. Did you think your knuckles were gonna get a swatting? NEVER! A UFO in any stage, is still a UFO. Oddly, my favorite is the Kiss in Time. not sure why but I really like it. Ooo I was gonna head to the studio but suddenly decided I was hungry so I think I might grab a bite to eat first. Can't wait to see what else you get done because the one for your bed!

Brenda said...

This is a great start to the new year!!
Happy New Year by the way!!

I love that you got the quilting done last night, what a way to make your list smaller - and we are not partiers either here, so it is nice to have a quiet evening to welcome in January!

I am going to check out FAL to, as I have a closet full of things not quit done yet..... this is on my list of to-do this year, and any help is appreciated!! I get side tracked and so, that's why I have a pile of UFO's!!!

Susan said...

Good luck to you! I have 6 UFO's in various stages of construction and intend to FAL too!

Marg said...

I'm going to join in on the FAL too.
You have lovely quilts on your list so it would be nice to see some of them finished.
I like that you started early, that is a beautiful quilt.

MariQuilts said...

Sounds like fun....you've got lots of fantastic works in progress. I love the bed quilt, it's wonderful. Good luck with all the finishing.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

The FAL is a great idea. I don't have many UFO's, but more unstarted ideas. Too many beautiful projects stimulate my brain, there are not enough hours in a whole year. Good luck on your finishes.

Sarah said...

Oh my... looks like Rhondas finish-along is just what you need!! So many gorgeous wips though, especially cant wait to see more of Kiss...

Judith said...

Oh dear, quite a few saucers flying around in your house. I only have 2 and one is being finished as we speak. To many unfinished project make me nervous. But it is a great quilt along and I am looking forward to see all your finishes.

Katie said...

Thanks for posting about this! I hadn't heard anything before but will definately be joining in on the FAL. Since it's a goal of mine this year anyway, I may as well go for prizes. :)

Great quilts, by the way. I love your kaleidoscope (mine is not even a top yet).

Katy Cameron said...

Great list there! I could comment on the quilting past midnight thing, but I'd then also have to admit to leaping back out of bed at about 2:30 am to sketch a bag I was thinking up...

Lucy | Charm About You said...

All stunning!! I adore the king size quilt for your bed - beautiful! Happy New Year :)

Marci Girl said...

This is exactly what my New Years Resolution is, perfect, I'm going sign up! I love seeing that I'm not the only one, thanks Leanne!

Annaliese said...

WOOO! So glad I'm not the only using this finishalong as a reason to finish the ATS quilt! Oh and I loooove that weddng quilt. It's going to be breathtaking!

Debbie said...

you have so many lovely quilts to finish up - great inspiration! Good luck! Love the one you are just now finishing up!

Just Sew Sue said...

I love your projects. Getting a start on one on New Year's Eve was a brilliant idea. I've sat chatting to my Mum and brother after lunch yesterday unpicking one ready to put on my long arm.

Sheila said...

Oh there are some great quilts there Leanne, shouldn't take you long to finish if you can quilt one in a night!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Wow! Go girl! You've certainly got your creative mojo in full swing. Can't wait to see the quilted bed quilt. And your other quilts tops will be even more stunning when they're quilted. Jxo

Shevvy said...

So many lovely things, I look forward to seeing them finished.

Manda said...

Sounds like you've made a good start already and I don't think it could be considered cheating because its not finished yet! Those are lovely projects and I look forward to seeing some (or all!) finished! :)

Catherine said...

well, you have made me feel better! I am going to post mine later and I thought I had a lot to do..... :-)

Anonymous said...

Just popped over from Rhonda's blog to check out your FAL projects...so many beautiful pieces started too!

I had to laugh...that last quilt...I just picked out my pile of those fabrics to make a quilt! I might have to add it to my list too. =)

Lynz said...

Holy crap! Not just volume but real quality - they are ALL beautiful quilt tops, Leanne! I couldn't choose a fave (maybe the wedding one, maybe the mystery stars, maybe across the sea.....or that kaleidoscope...)

Can't wait to see some finishes!!

Emma said...

Your WISPs are lovely. I can't wait to see how you decide to quilt that kaleidoscope.

Andrea said...

You have so many beautiful quilts here - good for you for getting a head start! I can't wait to see them all finished! :)

Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studio said...

Oh wow! So many beautiful projects to work on! Lucky you, heehee! Good Luck! Even getting 2 or three would be a hoot!

krisgray said...

What a lovely bunch of projects. I hope to start a LynnBobSquarepants lap quilt this year in polka dots.

Wandering Minstrel said...

Those are some gorgeous projects--best of luck with the finishing!

Pat V. said...

These are all gorgeous! I love the fabrics in your king-size wedding quilt. I have a Sheila Mystery Quilt and a LynneBobSquarePants in my pile of WIPs too, but they will have to wait til Q3, I think.

Nicky said...

These are all gorgeous!

It will be great to get them finished!

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I too have to put a back and quilt my Kaleidoscope quilt. I love that funky star one.........headed over there to check it all out. I have one started similar to your LynneBobSquarePants one, and I LOVE that wedding quilt you have on the bed. Gorgeous!!! That is on my to do list for 2012. Like I really need to start anymore. My need to do list is already reeeealllllyyyyy long!

Miki Willa said...

The wedding quilt is quite wonderful. I really like all the projects you are working on.

Jessica PierreAuguste said...

These are beautiful projects! Good luck with all of your finishes!
I am making a king size quilt for myself this year as well, but you are much farther along than I am!