Hawk Studios

Stardate 2016.33.1

A Mish-Mash of Projects

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been toggling among several different projects I have in the works.  Seems I can only work on one project for so long before wanting to switch my brain to something else.  I imagine we all do that – that’s probably why each of us has several UFO’s (or UFP’s – “unfinished projects”) in our quilting rooms.  Often times I find I get to a point in a project where I simply have to let it sit for a while; you know, “stew” in the brain.  I liken these phases to writer’s block:  you might know where you want to go, but you’re not sure of the creative path to get you there.  Of course, creativity can also just come from a spontaneous moment or thought, and then when you have that thought you have to start acting on it because you’re so excited to see your creativity come to life.  I guess it could be a case of being scatter-brained, but I'm going to go with finding the right creative path...makes me feel like I really do have a method to my madness...

So, as I contemplate bits and pieces of each project, I thought I’d share some progress I’ve made on a few of my outstanding items on the long list of projects I want to complete this year. 

With inspiration and excitement fueled back into the red applique quilt I started, I did manage to complete the block that got me re-excited.  I’m pretty happy with how it turned out as it does seem to just leap off of the red background.

I was so excited with how that block came together that I decided to get started on another one while the energy level was high.  So, here it is…one flower just about complete…only three more to go, and five more blocks to make before I can set the quilt top together…

The red applique block has been sitting for a week now; just needed a break from it and after going to an introductory class on the HQ Sweet Sixteen I bought, I learned some things I wasn’t doing quite right. So, with newly gained information in hand, I came home excited to quilt and got right back to the One Block Wonder quilt I’m working on.  With a more relaxed and confident attitude with my new knowledge, I quilted the blue inner border, and am quite happy with the results.  I also started using a straight edge to get a straight line with the machine, and found with a little practice using the straight edge could go pretty well…

Quilting the blue inside border on the OBW quilt.  I'm doing a modified half-feather pattern.

I started using the straight edge to make straight lines when free-motion quilting...so far, so good.

And, here’s a small sampling of what I have in the queue for quilt tops that need to be quilted.  One is an adaptation of the Lemon Squares pattern found on the Fresh Lemons quilt blog; the other is a scrappy Christmas fabric quilt, and the third is large star pattern I made from a Fons & Porter magazine…I’ll blog about how that one came about at a later date (there's a story behind that one)...

Three little quilts in a row...all waiting to be quilted.  Practice on the OBW quilt will lead to confidence to quilt these beauties (hopefully this year...)

Have fun with all of your various projects…and here's hoping get the opportunity to get some of those UFP’s ready for unveiling in 2016, too…