june ufo: done

With just a few hours to spare, I've finished my UFO for June.

It started out as a panel I wasn't sure I'd keep.  After sleeping on it, once the number was drawn, I decided to use the instructions I picked up (free!) with the panel, raid my mom's stash for fabrics and use it.

I mentioned a few times that the instructions weren't so great.  Sewing the block directions weren't bad, but here are the cutting instructions:

Each line represents a different fabric, listed by the manufacturer code.  Not color.

Each column represents a different piece of a different block.  Not grouped by block.  At least not obviously.

So I made up my own list, using bits and pieces of their block instructions.  Which weren't bad except that everything was the wrong size, with a step to trim them down.

My blocks finished whatever size they wanted to be.  Two of the blocks should have finished 6" and they weren't quite the same sizes.  The third should have finished 12" and it didn't really.  Add in the cutting of panels to be the right size and it was a nightmare.

I've not had this much trouble fitting things together in YEARS.  I'm not sure if it was me or the pattern, but I'm going to say it was the pattern.

And I know how to fudge a little to get seams to match.  This was more of an "I GIVE UP!" and the points aren't perfect and the seams might match.

The panel would qualify as "primitive" so I justify my slightly wonky seams as being okay.  Because they're "primitive" too.  Right?  Right.

Needless to say, this wasn't my favorite project.

But it's done.

It finished at 48x55"

Freebie pattern pamphlet:

"The Vintage Homestead"

by Red Rooster Fabrics

(2009)

(simpler borders on mine)

Fabric:

Panel from Red Rooster Fabrics: Whimsicals

everything else from here, there and everywhere...

So now it's on to July's UFO.

#3

...meh...

I've decided to throw in the towel on this one and it's not even July yet.

I don't want it.

I don't know what I'll do with it when it's finished.

So.

Anyone out there who wants this (all the bits and bobs in the photo will come with it), say so in the comments and if there's more than one crazy crafter, I'll draw a name in about a week.

(If you don't want it, you can still comment...if you DO want it, please make sure that's in the comment you leave!)

(And make sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn.)

So that allows me some breathing room.  I feel like I haven't had time to sit down and relax in weeks...too many other things going on.

This past week I won a cookie competition at work with these tasties:

(recycled photo from 2010)

(because all the ones I made this time got eaten by happy coworkers)

Caramel-filled Chocolate Cookies

Worth the effort.

Even better with milk.

The following day, a coworker and I headed out for fabric shopping...

She's never bought fabric, much less made a quilt, so it was an adventure, but I knew it would be and prepared myself accordingly.

We had a blast.

But I think the lady at Hobby Lobby thought we were insane.

It took more than an hour and we changed our minds more than a few times.

But I like what we've ended up with.

It's not the plan we started out with, but it never is.

This will actually become two quilts because the gal who will recieve them (another coworker) is pregnant with twin girls.  She's due in October, but leaving work to be a stay-at-home mom in August, so I'd like them to be done before she's done.  Just to be safe.

The elephants will go on the back - flannel.

And today I'm heading to yet another coworker's house to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary.

Until then, it's a bit too warm to press all those fabrics (folded fresh out of the dryer, but still a bit wrinkly), so I think I'll work on my Baltimore Album challenge block.

(or take a nap...)

Same fabrics, different pattern from my first decision.

It's from a book I borrowed from my mom, but don't have any more.

I'll be sure to get the name to share by the time it's done.

I think there's only 26 more pieces to sew down...

Due July 12th.

I can do it!

But Thursday night I found out the block was supposed to be 12-24" not 24-36"...this is about 25" (to allow for the inevitable unravelling of edges), so I'll be okay, but how did I get that so wrong?  And it would have been easier to do it smaller, as I had to enlarge the pattern to get it this big...it was meant for a 12" block!

I can't believe next week we'll celebrate July 4th already.  Where did May go?  And June?  Did we have a June this year?  Time is flying and I'm struggling to hang on, but having a good time so no complaints!

Happy quilting,

Katie