UFO Thursday

For this month's UFO Project, Judy chose #1. For me, this means I need to finish quilting and bind Michele's table runner. I really like this runner and it was super easy to make - I'd even like to make another. But when Michele said she wanted to buy it when I only had part of the quilting done, I kinda froze. What if I chose a free motion design and then she didn't like it any more? There are lots of designs I would like to do but I was having trouble narrowing down the options. (Please don't ask me to make descisions, EVER, on anything.) Then I found Leah's 365 days of free motion designs. Loved it but PURE overload.



You can see that I did tiny pebbles in the pink border. That outside border really is more green - I wanted to quilt that and the center, leaving the neutral blocks without any quilting.  I think I even already made the binding for this. Just need to decide on the quilting pattern. That is 9/10ths of the problem, actually quilting and binding will be a breeze.

I've got a busy weekend ahead so I don't know when I'll get to this. Will let you know ASAP...

Forgetfulness

While showering this morning I had an idea for something to post...and promptly forgot as soon as the water was turned off. I wandered the quilt room but just couldn't remind myself what it was.

Desperate for something, I thought I might add this runner picture. I mean, it's oh sew different from the last time I posted about this runner and yet, not at all where I need to be with it. I've got the blanket stitching done - now it's time for free motion. My fav part!

I could really use some uninterrupted time in the quilt room. I've got a good book to listen to; I just need the time. 2 late night rescue calls in the last 3 days, 2 meetings, a dinner date, a run to the not-so-LQS, and 2 trips to Mom and Dad's to perform CPR on their computer don't make for a productive week.

Then I came across this little bugger. The pot is a leftover from fall pansies and I had dumped the birdseed on top when I cleaned out and filled all the feeders last weekend. I was really hoping the Cardinals or ground feeders would find it.

I have about 4 squirrels in the yard - this one is normal, one is missing an eye, another has only about 1 inch of his tail left and the other, that I saw for the first time this morning in my big feeder, was a little red squirrel. I used to shoosh them out of the feeders but it takes too much energy. That and it's more fun to watch Cali run from window to window to see what the bugger is doing and where he went when she scared him off.

When I was about to put my coat on and run out the door, I remembered my original idea. Too late for meaningful pictures, I did pull it out so that I'll remember it next time. OK, twist my arm for a hint - it should help me with that runner pictured above. Taking that picture should have reminded me but it didn't. hmm....

ZigZapps and LQS shopping

Yesterday was the end of the month sale at one of the LQS that is about 20 miles from here. On the last day of each month, you can get one item for 30% off. They know that we quilters won't buy just ONE item and I didn't disappoint altho I only got 2 things that weren't on my list. I drove over there for the remaining yellow brick road fabric - too bad I couldn't get the camera to take a better picture of this golden fabric. This pix looks washed on out on my laptop. I also grabbed a couple browns for the Sweet Potato Pie blocks I am working on. I needed dark red thread and I found some 3/4" hexies at half price. I only bought 2 packages to get me started as I am really looking for a punch to make my own hexies. Any one have one they want to sell? Anyone?

Based on a couple comments I received yesterday, I think I should write a little about ZigZapps.
Essentially they are a tool for applique. Designs are printed on a fusible web with lines for sewing, cutting and slitting. After sewing the panel to the fabric, turn them inside out, finger press them to flatten, lay out your design and iron them to the background fabric. You can then machine or hand applique. It is not a permanent adhesion -they will peel off. This is good if you want to reposition them but I'm not sure how well it would last for hand applique - maybe you only add one or two pieces at a time. I am machine appliqueing and it worked great when I ironed on all the pieces at once.

I am using the leaf panel for the design I posted yesterday - you can see that it offers 3" or 4" leaves depending on how you cut it out. The panels also have little design ideas. I received the gingerbread panel as a gift when the most-LQS had their grand opening party. I have some brown and green tea towels that I want to add the gingerbread men to. Check out Quiltsmart for other design/panel options. At 99 cents per panel at the LQS it's not a bad idea if you need a standardized applique shape.