Greetings! I am finally getting used to the lovely heat (that is only from 6:30 to 7:00 AM or so) when I walk! Getting my exercise in early and then the rest of the day is MINE! (Well, OK the majority of the days). I woke up at 5 AM this morning and realized that I needed to finish Stars in Log Cabin quilt NOW, and then get FOCUSED! So far I am doing that today and it is working! The new house cleaners did a great job (with very few misses) so that problem is resolved and will give me more time to quilt!
I have been making Log Cabin blocks and thought I would really make a spectacular quilt with the Moda Marble Stars once I mastered the process (I know they are easy). What has happened is that I am B-O-R-E-D with them now that I have my process figured out! I have 20 made which is enough for me – UNLESS – I finish up the strips I have cut out and end up with 25! Next will be a 1″ border (either red or blue) and and another border (piano keys) of the tone on tone, red, and blue! THEN IT WILL BE CALLED DONE! Maybe this is why I have only made one Log Cabin quilt since 2008. Two for now is fine!
This morning when I read Kathy’s Quilts post I thought, wow she is really having a spell of STARTITIS! The more I read of the 4 projects she is going to participate in I realized that I needed to have a plan to finish out the summer doldrums and get with the program! I am not interested in starting another highly taxing quilt like Infinity or OMIGOSH! at this time as I have 4 quilts in the que for showing next year and they need to be quilted! They will be sent out for custom quilting, but believe me, I have plenty that I can get quilted on my Handi Quilter!
I had already read about Bonnie Hunters Shoo Fly project and had just read about Fat Quarter Shop’s Merry Mini Quilt (only 4 blocks) this morning. I have heard about Kevin the Quilter but had never visited his site. I really thought the Log Cabin would keep me focused but it has not! So I am going to join Kathy in 3 of her projects – Shoo Fly, Merry Mini Quilt, and Kevin’s project! My friend Gretchen is going to do the Shoo Fly and she was smarter than I at the beginning of summer by deciding to work on small projects this summer, I am just a little late in doing so!
The Mini quilt is only 4 blocks and that is easy enough for this month. Now Kevin’s project caught my eye because I have some Timeless Treasure 2 1/2″ Batik strips in the same color way that he is using and I need to use mine up! What great timing Kevin. The Shoo Fly project will be fun because they are small blocks and I can do them in my Reproduction fabrics! YEA!
About a year ago, maybe more, I had started making 3″ Churn Dash and 3″ Stars blocks along with 4″ blocks for Carol Hopkins Alexander Bean Pot but put them aside. I decided that I wanted to do more technically difficult quilts (and I did) and finish up all my UFO quilts. So I kept making quilts and still not doing a lot of quilting on my Handi Quilter long arm! (Shame on me!)
I am blaming this all on Kathy, but I now realize that I need to get FOCUSED and have establish my very own End of Summer Goal (ESG) goal list. I am going to put more emphasis on long arm quilting and then work on the 4 projects mentioned above when I need a break from quilting. This will give me a variety of small projects, yet not pushing to work on a more difficult quilt. It is something that I need to do and try to focus again after all the downsizing of the house and the new carpeting.
Have a great rest of the week and I am now going to try to finish the Log Cabin quilt and set up my schedule for the small projects! Don’t worry, I know I have tons of hand applique to do in the evening which will keep me very busy the next 8 weeks! Stay Cool!
Nanette
Linking To: My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday; Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts; Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Stitching Sunday Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin
Chopin - A Passionate Quilter From Texas 
I think long arm quilting would be a nice change of pace for you, just don’t try to do a whole quilt in day! Those summer projects sounds like fun but I’m just saying no for now, except for shoo fly. Happy Stitching!
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Well, the plan is to quilt an hour or so (tiring standing) then work on one of the projects. This way I will not get tired or bored! Hugs
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You have a worthy list of goals for finding your focus again. I often find myself bored at some point in the process too, and it has helped to keep several projects in various stages and attempt to juggle all of them without losing any blocks in the process. One more large top to be quilted on my DSM during the rest of July, then hoping to focus on a few smaller projects. Good luck with the new ones you’ve chosen!
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I thought this would be good for me. I hope to have the Log Cabin top completed tomorrow. This week has been one of those “lots of unforeseen requirements!”
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Hi Nanette! I love reading about your plan for the rest of the summer. I get bored with Log Cabin blocks, too. I made a queen size quilt for my sister – and then agreed to make some sweatshirts from log cabin blocks as well. That was back in the early 90s I’m guessing, and have never made those blocks again. All three projects look great and I look forward to seeing you progress through them along with seeing your quilting. ~smile~ Roseanne
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I will get the Log Cabin top done tomorrow and then get the 3 projects ready to go
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Hi Nanette~ I took a small detour and visited the sites you mentioned. There are so many fantastic projects/quilters artisians out there – how can we not have to many projects in the works and people to follow? I am excited to see that log cabin soon – I have never made one from scratch only repaired the one. I still have Wishing You Good Will to finish – I had to put her down for a while. I have 2 quilts in the works and that’s enough for me 🙂 Have a great week rest of your week ~
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The projects that I chose should be fairly easy and if I do not finish in time that is OK. Something to get me focused again! I wonder if others become distracted and when coming back to quilting it takes a few days or so to focus! Hugs
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I love log cabin quilts, but I don’t love making them. I get bored too.
You’ve got a great plan so far as goals and getting focused goes. I follow Kevin’s blog and seriously thought about taking a detour and participating in his mystery, but so far I have resisted.
Does this mean that you have decided not to to do the Sew Let’s Quilt Along project after all?
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The are pretty but they will not be for me – along with paper piecing! I guess I need a plan to keep me focused! I do not think they will overload me. I just have to catch up and not fall behind. Kevin’s is easy and I have those pre-cut strips to play with!
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I had to go check out those sites, I am so tempted, but I am going to finishe the three I am working on first! I always smile when I ready your blog, it sounds just like you when you talk! I love that. 🙂
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Why thank you Kathy for the kind works on my writing. I love to write. I know Kathy does a lots of quilt alongs, and this time I realized that I needed to try this. We will see if I can do it! I really do need to quilt more on that HQ! Hugs and keep that great garden going! Hugs
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I’m smiling …😄nice to know I’m not the only one that gets bored with a quilt after I have figured it out! My , I can pack it away then forget all about that bored project then surprise myself years down the road when looking for something else.🤷🏻♀️
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Too funny Deb! I am trying not to do that anymore – I figured by stopping now and finishing the top – even if it is only a small laptop quilt – I did it and now I know I do not want to do another one! Hugs
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Have fun with all your new projects! I’m on a “no new project” diet, so I’ll enjoy watching all your progress!
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Well Angie, I am now ‘vacillating’ on what to do – a day away will clear my mind! Hill country tour on the schedule tomorrow! YEA
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