Prepping for retreat paid off. I was able to finish my Christmas tree top, finish the center portion of my floral X and Plus top, and make progress on my black, white and bright Mary's triangles top. Other than at retreat, I made and quilted two small wheelchair quilts for Hospice and added the border to complete my X and Plus top. Flimsies finished means I can count the yardage used out of my stash.
I did add a bit to the stash, too. Sheila, the owner/hostess of our retreat, has a small shop just for retreaters. I replenished my white-on-whites, added some prints that might make their way into a third Diabolical Jane quilt, and found the perfect plaid for the binding of my Christmas tree quilt. And I found special thread for making the loops for hanging the ornaments.
With all that activity, let's see what effect it had on my stash
July Stash Report
IN this month: 7-1/4 yards (from Ritter retreat)
OUT this month: 12-1/4 yards (Second Mary's Triangles top with B+W prints, est 2-3/4 yards. Christmas tree top, 3-3/4 yards. Backing and binding for two purple wheelchair quilts 1-1/2 yards 108" wide. X and Plus top, 4-1/4 yards.)
OUT this month: 12-1/4 yards (Second Mary's Triangles top with B+W prints, est 2-3/4 yards. Christmas tree top, 3-3/4 yards. Backing and binding for two purple wheelchair quilts 1-1/2 yards 108" wide. X and Plus top, 4-1/4 yards.)
IN YTD: 73-1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 77-1/4 yards
YTD Net Change: 4 yards OUT
OUT YTD: 77-1/4 yards
YTD Net Change: 4 yards OUT
Moving in the right direction!
I had an ambitious goals list for July. I think I did okay, a lot of progress and only one "not touched."
Goals Update:
July Recap:
1. Finalize and print label for the confidential project. DONE.
2. Go on retreat and have a good time. Yes!!!
3. Piece the Christmas Tree top. DONE
4. Piece the pastel floral X and Plus top. DONE - pieced the center at retreat, added borders at home. Also cobbled together a backing for it. (separate post coming soon)
5. Finish piecing DJ2. Progress - center is pieced and squared up; still needs border.
6. Quilt the two purple wheelchair quilts. DONE
7. If time permits, assemble the second Mary's Triangles top. DONE. Rows assembled at retreat, top finished at home.
8. Look at parts previously cut and rejected for DJ 1 and 2 and figure out something to do with them. Possible progress??? Leftover DJ 1 & 2 parts are packed in a project box along with fabrics pulled for a possible DJ3.
9. Make progress on the walking foot quilting on the Kaffe Gradient project. No, did not touch this.
All those tops finished and all that progress means I'll need backs and I'll have a lot of quilting to do. Unfortunately I won't have access to PCQ's long arm until September, but I can prep backs and quilt on my domestic machine in the meantime.
August Goals:
1. Bind and donate the two purple wheelchair quilts.
2. Make backing for the second Mary's Triangles project and find or piece batting.
3. Make progress on the walking foot quilting on the Kaffe Gradient project.
4. Get Christmas print fabric for backing, sleeves and storage bag for the tree project. Talk to Gary about dowels.
5. Add borders to DJ2
6. Pull "Found" UFO and determine next steps.
7. Piece batting together for X and Plus quilt.
A lot of my projects are at the To-Be-Quilted stage but our Creative Arts Center is closed for half of August and I can't get a time slot on the long arm until September. I'll have time in August to work on backings and piece Frankenbatts (thanks, Cherie!) so I'll be ready when my reservation comes up.
While packing for retreat I found a project box that I thought was empty, but it had something in it. It appears to be a UFO, a black, white, and bright project from retreat a couple years ago. I should see what's needed and finish it so I can free up the project box. Have you ever found a UFO you didn't know you had? 😉 Haven't we all?!!!
Here's to a productive and fun August!
