By now you should know I enjoy participating in American Patchwork & Quilting's UFO Challenge each year. Some years I do pretty good. Other times (like 2017) not so much. But January marks a new year and I'll be doing my best to at least make some progress on the following quilts.
Before I share my list, I have an important note. As I was trying to decide which projects I really want to work on this year, I was having too hard of a time deciding. Why? Because I didn't want to lose time on my Ongoing Projects (listed in the right sidebar). But I wasn't sure they were "worthy" of a whole month's attention. I was just having such a hard time. So I decided that I'd throw in a couple of Float Months on my list. When those numbers come up, I'll work on whatever my heart desires that month ... could be finishing up an earlier project worked on during the year; could be extra time to spend on one of the Ongoing Projects; could actually be a brand new project that I just HAVE to work on!!! Who knows? Who cares? Two FREE MONTHS sound good to me and seems a bit more doable for my style of quilting.
So here is MY official APQ 2018 UFO Challenge List:
1. Jamestown Sampler. This was a BOM at Sweet Annies Quilt Shoppe. Sadly the store is no more. This project has been worked on in years past and I aim to finish the top at least this year.
I have three mitered borders to add to get this top completed. I hate borders and mitering scares the bejeebers out of me!
2. Alex's Stars Round-a-Bout. This quilt was started during a guild class in August 2012 with Gudrun Erla. I had so much fun making this top for two reasons: I learned all about partial seam construction and LOVED the process. My sister also took this class which made it doubly fun. I have to mention that her top is finished, quilted, and lays on my bed at her house when I visit -- just a small reminder that mine has yet to be completed! (Jab! Jab!)
3. Blowin' In the Wind. A mystery quilt from Rosemary's Quilt Shop. Last touched -- January 2015 at retreat. This one has made the list several times and yet here it is again -- not finished! Another top that is finished except for the borders. Time permitting, I'd like to have it quilted this time around too! What a dreamer!
4. EPP Sheep Doorstop. I started this project quite some time ago from a Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine. I thought I was being clever and wouldn't need to make as many hexis as called for. I was ready to start cutting up the fabric until .... yup, should have followed the directions to a tee. This one shouldn't take too long but part of the time will be to figure out where I left off.
5. FLOAT MONTH!!! TBD at that time ....
6. March 2015 Gold Star. Another MQAL that I did through Rosemary's Fabric Shop. Do you get the idea that I might like mystery quilt-a-longs? Anyway it only needs quilting. I would love to have this one hanging over my couch or in the kitchen. I totally love the two fabrics I used and am anxious to see what's left that I can put back into the stash! Isn't that the most ridiculous reason you ever heard to finish a quilt???
7. Kitties For Sarah. The panel & coordinating fabrics came from Rosemary's Fabric Shop. It's ready for quilting which should not be too difficult. Outline the kitties and put something simple in the 9-patches, sashing, and borders. I've got the backing stashed with it, might need some batting.
8. Colorado Shop Hopping with Linda & Corky. I LOVE THIS PROJECT! As the name implies, the blocks and fabrics were collected on a Colorado Shop Hop and my sister Linda, her friend Corky, and I were going to tackle it together. Because each shop had its own layout design, each of our quilts were going to be slightly different. Corky purchased an entire kit and her quilt has been finished for quite some time. Linda may still be working on some of her blocks.
I decided to combine two shop layouts, do a pieced sashing, and to also add a pieced border. My blocks are done and quite a bit of the pieced sashing is done. I hope I wrote down my ideas because it has been FOREVER since I've even looked at this project!
9. FLOAT MONTH!!! TBD at that time ....
10. Scrap Dance Two-Step. Another MQAL but this one was through From My Carolina Home blog. I did it entirely with scraps and chose the queen size for my guest bedroom. However, my daughter-in-law asked for a quilt and it may be sent to her and my son. Then again, I still may keep it because I've got another quilt in my mind that is more their style and colors.
Wherever this one ends up, I plan on adding two borders to the sides to widen the entire thing and add a final border all around. Should make a perfect queen-sized quilt!
11. Layers of Love. Made out of a fabric swap with my retreat friends. The pattern & technique was taught by Lynn Hagemeier from Kansas Troubles Quilts by Moda. I love how this is turning out. I need to finish the top & bottom borders with a pieced cornerstone. Of course there is one last border also -- my nemesis!
12. Ten-Minute Blocks Quilt. Started in a class by LindaLee from my guild in December. There were only three of us that showed up for the class. We are to have our toppers done to show the guild what they missed at the next guild meeting (January 9). I'm putting this as my #12 because I know that this is the first number chosen for the 2018 UFO Challenge and I have a deadline. It should also give me extra time to get the first block of On Ringo Lake done and continue making progress on it. Yes, I'm already patting myself on the back for a probably successful 1st month of the challenge!
So there you have it: a few of my quilting goals for this year. Keep on sewing!
