Sunday, January 15, 2012

Looking back, looking forward

As have many of us quilty bloggers, I have been looking back on the old year and looking with anticipation and hope at the new year.

I didn't have many completions last year -- only 6. I am pretty pleased with all of them, but, well -- six.

2011 quilts

I hope to up the ante this year. My HMQG amigas Amy, Liz and Safieh have started the "12 in '12" Challenge. At first I thought "NO WAY!" But then I thought this just might be do-able. I already had my first finish: I put the last tie into my corduroy quilt and while it isn't strictly *my* quilt (OK, it isn't at all my quilt, I just finished a completed top), I *am* counting it. It took a while because all of the cats LOVE it and one of them is nearly always sleeping on it. I ran it through the washer and dryer and it seems to not be as jewel-bright as it was and the ties have lost the "crows flying over paddocks" (thanks Rachael Daisy!) look that they had -- now they look more like night crawlers -- it is still a wonderfully cuddle-y quilt.

first finish

I've got FIVE quilts ready to be quilted or tied. One is already 'under the needle'. And once I free up some of my safety pins, the others are ready to be sandwiched.

to be quilted

I have partially assembled parts for FIVE more quilts. I may have all of pieces cut for the Shirts and Slacks quilt (made with my Mom's shirts) and I have been working away on it recently. It still makes me a little melancholy working with them, but I really want to see them turned into a quilt. Also here are those hexagons from the beginning of 2011, a more-than-half completed lemon-y zigzag top, the indigo stars that I began last summer and a new project, just begun, inspired by a painting by Sol Lewitt.

parts

And I have stacks of fabric that have been tugging at my sleeve, saying they are tired of being just yard goods, all wanting to be quilts. There are SEVEN incipient quilts here -- a few I even have ideas for how I want to use them! Those goofy, really old-school calicos that I just can't bring myself to get rid of, I am thinking of using them with Jenny's Quick Curve Ruler (or maybe some of the Japanese prints that I have stowed away -- or maybe BOTH). My quilter's eye has been taken by i'm a ginger monkey's Swoon-Along. Perhaps the Marcia Derse prints would work for that. And elegantitus is doing a Gentleman's Fancy man-quilt -- I am thinking about those browns that I got at the beginning of last year for that. I want to make one of those jelly roll race quilts, the Just Wing It roll would be perfect. The Modern Quilt Guild will be having a juried show at this year's Quilt Festival -- I have an idea for those Stonehenge prints that I hope will be awesome. The charm squares and text-y prints came together just recently, maybe something inspired by Rex Ray? And there are the gorgeous Echinos that my Mother-in-law gave me for Christmas.....

pick me! pick me!

So with the things that are more than a pile of fabric: 1 finish, 5 to quilt, 5 pile of parts -- that is 11 quilts right there. Then the 7 more that are just fabric and glints in my eye -- that's 16. And the many more that I'm sure will grab my attention this year, shoot, I could probably finish 20 -- or MORE!

Easy peasey, right?

10 comments:

Manda said...

LOL! Thats lots of projects! At least some are partially done though! Your finished quilt looks great btw, nice and snuggly! Good Luck this year! :)

Nifty Quilts said...

I LOVE your new blog look! Lots of great quilts from last year. How did I miss that blue and yellow one? And did I see a polyester double-knit to quilt? Your corduroy looks so cozy. Smart cat!

I won't even count the unfinished and potential projects in my sewing room. It'd be scary!

Karamat said...

Kitty looks right happy on the quilt! And a good selection of projects for the new year.

safieh said...

Seems like you will easily sail past the 12 quilt mark! Really excited that you will be quilting along!

Dan R said...

Oh my gosh I love those two in the middle so much. As for 12 in 12, you're practically done already. I'll be cheering all the way!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I love your 2011 finishes!! I hear you on your projects waiting for attention, fabrics calling, quilt a longs tempting, it's not lack of inspiration, it's time. So Beth, I'm wishing you a year of a bit more time, a few extra hours here and there. Great photo of your happy snoozy cat. I liked your art references too.

amy and the bad cats said...

looks like your to be finished stack rivals mine! i pulled out all of mine, well, a chunk anyway, to bring to the meeting saturday! i also love the way you've documented your sewing goals for the year. i need to do this to help me remember the ideas i've had. and you just can't help but love the sleeping kitty!

safieh said...

So just a gentle reminder that you said you already have your first finish!! So link it up already! http://safieh.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/12-quilts-in-12-january-link-up/

Sherri ~ daintytime said...

You have a big year of quilting ahead of you - I can tell!

LizB said...

I am a little late commenting on this post, but I just love your quilts!!! At least you know what you have to do...I have NO idea how many project bags there are in my world waiting for attention : D. You inspire me!!!