I swore I wouldn't join any New Year challenges but somehow I managed to get involved in an UFO challenge. I'm not a serial starter and I'm not a serial finisher. I do have some projects that don't seem to be progressing. I can see how those with tons of unfinished projects can feel the weight of them. I am determined in 2011 to either finish some of my projects or pass them on to someone who will if I'm not making progress on them.
I decided to put my money where my mouth is so to speak. No New Years start for me. I wanted to instead try and FINISH something! So Thursday and all day Friday, I worked on hand quilting my Log Cabin Table Topper. I finally finished the hand quilting Saturday morning and today I finished the binding. This is a project for my Jo's Little Women Club. One thing I quickly learned is that these Jo projects take a load of time. This is 15" square and each 5" square has 15 pieces. It was a perfect project to try hand quilting for the first time. I can't imagine hand quilting a big quilt as the process was slow and by Friday night my hands were aching. I do want to hand quilt small projects in the future and I love learning a new skill.
Lesson Learned - Small does not mean quick!
Quite often is means the opposite.
The colors are more accurate in this picture. All the fabrics are Jo Mortons.
I'll post a list of the projects I'd like to finish or have some progress on in the next week. It's a combo of knitting, stitching and quilting projects. One project will either be done by the end of the year or it and the supplies will be up for grabs.
Another goal is to learn how to do a Flickr mosaic. Technical things do not come easy to me. I did go ahead and make up a set for my 2011 finished objects so next year it will be easy to pull those photos for a finished project mosaic. Hopefully there will be lots to put in one!
At the end of 2011 I'd like to say I started some projects, finished others and made progress on those that didn't get finished. I'd also like to learn some new skills. What I want the most though is to have fun and to continue to be inspired by and build relationships with other creative people! Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe new year!
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48 comments:
Your table topper is gorgeous. I love the dark center block. It just POPS!
I just love your table topper and i'm so impressed that you hand quilted it! YGG! That's a feat in itself! Very pretty colors and like Dee above said, that dark around the center really pops.
I love it...just wonderful....and it looks like you are tackling 2011 with a bang!!
Flickr moasics are not that difficult. If you haven't already found it, BigHugeLabs.com interacts quite nicely with Flickr to help you create them.
Your quilting is gorgeous as usual...And as for the mosaic, we will learn it together!!! Dont laugh at me and I wont laugh at you~~hahahaha
Have a great week...back to work for me! Faye
Beautiful little quilt! I know what you mean but sometimes smaller takes longer. That is how my Dear Jane blocks are. I love your idea to make a 2011 finishes set in Flickr. That would make puting a mosaic together so much faster. I spent SO long working on mine on New Years Eve.
Beautiful piece, nice way to start the new year :)
love the topper, so pretty, hand quilting is great as well
Love your table topper Jackie! It looks like a lot of work but worth it. I'm with you...no new starts for me until I finish what I'm currently working on. I do have few projects I will never finish because of serial starting in the past.
Really like this little quilt and I agree about the small ones taking a lot of time. I do enjoy having them around the house though. :)
It's just gorgeous Jackie - job well done!!
Oh my gosh! I just love it! It's beautiful, Jackie!! I did my mosaics in Picasa. It wasn't hard, just time consuming. :D
Beautiful tabletopper! I think it's a great idea to tackle those UFOs. Great plan. Happy New Year!
You did a gorgeous job on your table topper - it's beautiful! Congratulations on your finish. Happy New Year!
Totally impressive table topper! I love that you finished it for the beginning of the year... I have quite a few UFO's that need finishing too.
Happy New Year!
Gorgeous finish!!!!!! What a great way to start a year~~
Beautiful quilt Jackie! I am glad you finished it! Enjoy the finish quilt top!
Happy New Year!
I love your table topper. The colours are gorgeous.
Wow, Jackie, what a great finish! I can hardly believe it is so small. Love the lesson you learned (o:
Seems like you have some good goals. My main goal: buy as little fabric as possible this year and don't get tempted by the sales!!!
Gorgeous, Jackie!! I honestly can't imagine hand quilting anything--don't think I would have the patience (and yet, I'll sit by the hour and make tiny x's!!)...
Looking forward to seeing your 2011 projects!
That looks great!! Way to go on a finish already! :)
What a beautiful finish--Congratulations on starting the New Year!
beautiful little quilt! I love the idea of finishing instead of starting for the new year! Lately, TINY things seem to be all I can finish... pouches, journal covers... but a nice break from the big stuff! Happy New Year!
gorgeous!! I'm sure it did take a lot of time, but it is so pretty!!! I love these colors. Good luck with your UFOs.
Happy New Year to you. I hope it is happy, safe, and healthy!
It's a beautiful piece! Congrats on finishing. :)
Wow, so much work! A great start to the year!
I love as always your quiltings and that one is just lovely : it is a great start for 2011 :-))
Jackie - your first "JO" finish is just lovely - you did a super job on it and I love the color scheme you chose. Good luck with your challenge stitch/knitting/quilting in 2011 - Don't be too hard on yourself with WIP's - we all have them and with working full time - we just don't have as much time as the stitchers who don't work. Enjoy! Melody
I really love your little quilt. Your choice of rustic colors and patterns are sublime. Congrats on finishing an lovely heirloom.
Gorgeous piece! Well worth a little hand soreness to create something that pretty!
Have fun with your 2011 goals.
Love your Jo. Good luck with your list!
That is an absolutely beautiful quilt! Congrats on getting a finish so early in the year!!
What a beautiful table topper. Wishing you a very good and creative new year!
Oh Jackie, this tabel topper is such a beauty. Perfect to ring the new year in. Congratulations! I know how long it can take to hand-quilt a piece. I did it once in order to learn how to do it, and since then I've machine-quilted my few pieces.
I hope you will get as many beautiful projects finished in 2011. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Last year, I gave myself a personal challenge to finish 6 UFOs and it became many more in the end. Challenges help us to move forward. I am going to challenge myself again this year to do more of the same. I had each UFO in hand when we moved here and I had to put all my things in my new studio or in a closet. In most cases, I love the project so why not get it finished? You will find you have accomplished a lot at the end of the year. Keep a list of what you finish from your UFOs and just enjoy the process.
Your LW quilt is precious. Do you go to club meetings? I know they have them around the US. You are right about being small does not mean it is quick. They take as much time or more than a large quilt.
Happy New Year to you dear Jackie!
Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi
Gorgeous Jackie!
Happy New Year!
That's a very pretty finish, Jackie. So many small pieces really makes you appreciate those who win awards for miniature quilts. They're astounding.
You seem to have a positive 2011 attitude. I hope it goes well for you. It sure sounds good!
What a beauty Jackie
WOW! This quilt is absolutely amazing Jackie!
Adore your finish! Can't wait to see what you decide to work on.
Your table topper is beautiful Jackie :)
I really like your colors. Log Cabin quilts have always been one of my favorites.
Smaller might be more fiddly but smaller is definitely cuter. Love your little log cabin project.
That is gorgeous and I love the fabric you used!!
Love, love, love your Jo!!
{{Lesson Learned - Small does not mean quick!}}
OH, you said it! Who knew that each 4.5" Midget block would take 1-2 and sometimes even 5 hours to piece!
But.....oh dear! What a beautiful, beautiful quilt pictured here! Log Cabins are so traditional and with those fabrics....gosh, it's amazing!
WOW! Great work! I wish I could make the pictures larger and see the hand stitches.
Very pretty table topper. I'm impressed by the hand quilting. I did it once and not sure I'll do it again.
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