Current UFOs (Unfinished Objects) and WiP (Works in Progress):
A Project becomes a Work in Progress (WiP) when: I cast on a knit or crochet project, I put the first stitch in a needlework project or make the first cut for a quilt. Before that - it's stash, even if it's kitted up with all the materials/pattern ready to go.I almost always have a 'portable' / 'travel' project on the go. It can be a small, simple knitting project (hat, scarf, socks) or English Paper Piecing / small simple embroidery / easy applique block. It gets worked on during breaks at work, when I'm a commuter passenger or in line in a drive through, etc. I don't track any hours on the travel project since the time I spend working on it is so erratic.
- Current Travel Project: Perf Paper Santa Ornaments
I allow myself ONE Stitch Along or Knit Along or Mystery project. I must finish that
project completely before I get to sign up for another. And my goal is
to KEEP UP with the clues or sections.
- Current SAL Project: "Au Fils Des Nichoirs" by Jardin Prive
Knitting, Crochet, Spinning and Weaving
Please check my Ravelry account for the details. At one point, I recommended Ravelry wholeheartedly for all knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners. I can no longer do that. While the platform, tracking tools and pattern/library features are still wonderful, the owners of the platform censor conservative voices. As a private company, that is their right. It is also my right to not support companies who cancel or censor. While I am still using the projects, stash and queue features for my own work, I no longer participate in the forums nor do I support Ravelry in any form, and I limit my time on the platform to record keeping only and ignore all advertising/social media.
- WEAVE: (c1994) Get Loom set back up and see if white cotton throw is salvageable. If so, set up a project page for it and finish
- KNIT / CROCHET: I am a somewhat monogamous knitter, so there is usually one "house" knitting project that tends to be large and/or fairly complex (colorwork, lace, cables), The "travel" project is frequently knitting though, so I often have two active projects in Rav.
- Current Knitting Project: "The Brown Yoke Sweater" (self designed)
Needlework (Cross-stitch, Crewel, Cutwork, Free Form Embroidery, etc):
These crafts have a rotation. Each project gets a minimum of 10 hours (or to a completed project) before I move on to the next slot in the rotation.
The current Rotation (see the side bar for which one is currently being worked on):
- Other than Counted Thread - "Majestic Eagle aka Eagle in the Pines" (Zombie project - 1983) - crewel work picture
- Vintage or Historical Reproduction/Inspired Sampler - open - will pick the next Blackbird Designs project with next rotation.
- Modern - Wildflower Cottage Creations (local designer) “On the Plaza” sewing bag (2003 Class Project that matches the guild smalls)
- Pictorial - on hold - planned start for 6/1/2024 to celebrate my retirement
- Full Coverage - "Mead Dragon" art by Stanley Morrison, chart by Paine Free Crafts
In 2024 I will be focusing on finishing and framing. There are quite a few projects (around 45) in the 'finish or frame' bin
AKA "The
Under the Bed Box". I have put together a "Finish / Frame" WIIPGO board. Two projects are called each month and I will work on finishing and framing every Saturday/Sunday.
Quilting (including hand piecing and applique):
Quilt currently being worked on:
- QUILT EPP (2017/18 Bee) - "Lucy Boston 'Patchwork of the Crosses' " - table topper: 9 main , 4 alternate, and 12 connecting blocks are done and assembled with the edges filled in to more or less straight. Borders yet to do for a finished top. Batting choice, quilting/tie, and edge treatment TBD - possibly a knife edge.
Quilts on Hold - there are four quilts that are in "craft prison" - need to figure out next steps.
- "On Ringo Lake" mystery quilt designed by Bonnie Hunter. (2017) Top will be donated to charity (in Vera bag in closet)
- "Aunt Lottie's Garden aka Grandmother’s Flower Garden" (2010) - inherited from Mom, rescued vintage blocks made by my great aunt Charlotte "Lottie" Koenig - two dozen vintage double rings salvaged and ten reproduction sets made. Applique blocks inspired by MSQC tutorial on Vintage Blocks. All blocks are done, need to assemble and then design and applique borders. (in storage)
- "Pinwheel Ocean Waves" (made with vintage and
reproduction fabrics - 1990) - double bed size. Center medallion done, needs
top and bottom pinwheel block strips and outer borders. (need to source
remainder of fabric) OR finish as is for a large wall quilt (in storage)
- "Lotus Blossom Medallion" (c 1990) - center
octagonal section about 36 inches across. Need to add borders to make
it square and double bed sized OR finish as is for a table topper (in storage)
Waiting to be quilted (in 'To Be Quilted' box):
1. QUILTING (hand) - "Fox and Geese" (c1988) - double bed sized
2. QUILTING (DSM FMQ) - "Floral Challenge" (1991) - octagonal and about 36 inches across
3. QUILT (DSM FMQ) - "Summer Cabin" table set - two placemats and a table runner
4. QUILTING (hand) - Whole cloth pillows (2)
Ongoing
- when I finish enough blocks on either of these, I will assemble a top:
- QUILT PIECING (orphan blocks) - "Christmas Blocks". When I do a sample for any project or just
to see what a block would look like, I'm going to try to do it in
Christmas fabrics. Includes one block of red cut work that I may pull out to start a Baltimore Album "Paper-cuts" quilt. (in storage - two boxes)
- QUILT PIECING ("Leader and Ender" Project.[^1]) - 'Scrappy Bars Rail Fence'. Pattern is "Ariel's Wedding Quilt" by Jo's Country Junction (in storage).
Un-started Objects (for the record)
1. NEEDLEWORK Stash (which is probably at SABLE i.e. Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy). Still buying patterns, but somewhat more carefully than in the past.2. KNITTING - my Ravelry queue has about 30 items in it, most of which I have the yarn for. And there is a lot of yarn in my stash without a queued item attached (sigh). Four 18 gallon totes (down from 6 full totes plus a dozen bags).
3. QUILTING cont.- and there are a few un-started (or barely started) quilts that I have all or most of the fabric for.
- HIGH Priority - .QUILT (not started) - "Quilt of Valor" (throw sized) for my son
- "Fan Sampler" Quilt (1991 BOM Project) Set on point. 10 inch blocks - 2 blocks of 13 done. (could go into crazy quilt wall hanging with two other blocks).
- “Pathway to the Stars” - (JoAnn’s Block of the Month 2001 - rescued) 12 inch blocks, double bed sized - taken back to the start, need to find a couple of complementary fabrics for replacing some damaged fabric
- "Wildlife" double or queen
- "Floral Log Cabin X" twin
- "Broken Lone Star" (2002 Rescued Blocks) 82 inches square plus borders - will do EPP on this one to be sure the star is nice and flat. Purchased as a partial kit at a garage sale. The precut star pieces are there, but not the setting material. I took apart the one and a half very badly pieced star points. Some of the edges are pretty frayed. I hope I can make it work with the EPP because there's no chance of matching the material.
- Doll clothes (simple sundress and panties, fancy sundress and panties, yellow dress and panties, dotted dress and panties, blue dress and panties) - fabrics purchased, not started
- mat, travel tool case, foot-pedal bag, and other accessories for my Featherweight (in under the bed WiP box).
- Several panel projects - apron, Halloween basket and Christmas
decorations (angel tree topper and trio of standing Santas). Also two vests. I may not actually do these as the intended projects - they can be cut up for interesting pieces for scrappy quilts.
[^1]: This is piecing random units while chain piecing another top so that you always have something under the needle on your sewing machine, which keeps the threads from bunching up in the bobbin area. The idea is that they stack up 'in the background' until you have enough for a top.
