calendar quilt challenge

Finally....It was done!

2010-12-31T10:28:00.007-05:00

Managed to complete this few hours before the end of 2010. Though it took almost a year to complete, I was overwhelmed with the final results and such a relief. The backing fabric was a simple lantern prints and this quilt measures 88 x 68 inches.

Just to wish everyone here, a Happy New Year - 2011!!!

Calendar quilt - top completed!

2010-02-20T15:23:00.000-05:00

It isn't completely finished, but I am really happy to see it put together this much already!

How are your calendar quilts coming along?

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T12:47:00.004-05:00

Happy Happy New Year everyone!! I am so excited to see who has finished a calendar quilt.. yeah you!!!

If you didn't finish and still want to continue on in 2010.. and it is SO WORTH doing believe me.. then come on over to my forum topic. I have people starting today.. you can just start on the last day you need to do and continue forward.. it's ok!
CLICK HERE to the Forum

Here is my quilt and Happy New Year from Pat Sloan!!!
http://patsloan.typepad.com/
(I'm running a giveaway today and another starting Jan 2.. come visit!)

one more day!!!

2009-12-30T11:16:00.001-05:00

there's only one more day in 2009!!!

meaning only one more strip to go.

who's gonna be showing us completed quilts in january???

i can't wait to see.

Made It!

2009-12-23T00:49:00.002-05:00

I've been watching eagerly as each month passes by and have enjoyed seeing everyone's beautiful work.

Now I can happily present my own November and December ... nothing like doing two months in one but done they are. I was determined to finish before the end of the year.

The last four months still require their names to be embroidered so that may or may not happen before December 31 but I'm OK with that.

Ta-Da .... the year of 2009 ... one strip for each day. I'm still amazed that I made it!

Now for sashings, borders and so on ... but that's for 2010.

Merry Christmas to all.

BLOCKS FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

2009-12-15T10:40:00.004-05:00

This is for October, some shades of turquoise.... love them flowing!

Have collected few fabrics stash with large and gordie floral designs and I arranged them for November.

Definitely this one is for December.... even though had not much christmassy fabrics, but somehow it looks merrier blend together.

So all done! Yeah!!!!!!

december block finished!

2009-12-11T11:32:00.001-05:00

now off to work on putting it all together!

SEPTEMBER'S

2009-12-10T00:36:00.000-05:00

This dark block is for September.

Now realized that I have a lot of dark fabrics especially black.....being one of my favourite colour.

FOR JULY & AUGUST

2009-12-07T08:09:00.006-05:00

These are for July and August

I was not true to myself for neglecting this challenge for a long time. But not forgetting to collect some strips from my stash. All 8 pieces had been sewn and have 4 more to complete the whole year.....now I am off for the rest......

11 months complete!

2009-11-29T12:35:00.002-05:00

November is done:

11 months complete!!

the year is almost done...already!!

October block

2009-11-03T18:10:00.001-05:00

A lot of orange and black to represent Halloween for this month's block!

The year is almost finished!

2009-10-30T13:37:00.001-04:00

10 Down ~ 2 to Go!

2009-10-29T04:35:00.002-04:00

That is .... 10 months completed and November and December to go!

All the fabrics are compliments of a lovely friend who was having a spring clean of her fabric bits and pieces.

I'd like to embroider all the family birthdates etc, so that might be my challenge for 2010.

Month Nine ~ September

2009-10-04T03:49:00.003-04:00

Wow, already 3/4's of the year have come and gone. I still can't believe that I've managed to keep up. At the beginning of the year I had good intentions to stay in time, but often life takes over.

So I am pleasantly surprised to present the month of September. A number of these were fat 1/4's I received as part of a Birthday Swap ... some from my daughter for Xmas, Birthday and Mother's Day ... one as a prize ... and a few others.

I'm really enjoying the making of this quilt. How is everyone else coming along?

Thankyou Rachel for planting the seed.

Hi from Pat Sloan!!

2009-09-20T11:29:00.005-04:00

Hi all you FABULOUS Calendar Quilt makers!!!

I just added a section for Calendar Quilt chatter at my forum. Come on over and keep each other motivated. You can subscribe to that topic so you get an email whenever anyone posts. A great way to ask for fabrics, suggestions on how to keep going.. etc.

I must tell you, as I hope this helps someone, the FIRST time (yes FIRST TIME) I tried to do this I only did 6 months.

So it's ok.. it's ok if you are not up to date as we can get you back on track.. OR.. you can continue right into next year.

Here is my BIGGEST suggestion. START OVER TODAY.. DO TODAY, not yesterday, not July, but today.. go forward. And you will be motivated to fill in the gaps.. which may happen in Jan or Feb or March.. but you can do it!

Here is the direct link to the topic at my forum QuiltMashup. Register, then sign in to post.. see you there!!
http://quiltmashup.com/index.php/board,50.0.html

August Finished

2009-09-16T07:39:00.003-04:00

It's a little hard to see, but on the yellow strip at the top is embroidered the month of August.
Fabrics from my scraps and some fat 1/4's i've finally cut into.

I've now joined Jan, Feb, March in one long strip and April, May, June into another long strip. Of course July is above August. Now to start thinking about sashings, borders etc, hmmmmm. I'm looking forward to having this quilt top done.

It's exciting seeing how others are putting their months together also.

Here is my update!

2009-09-08T13:44:00.002-04:00

My August block!

insert crickets chirping

2009-09-03T14:37:00.002-04:00

*insert crickets chirping*

so how is everyone doing on their challenge???

inquring minds want to know!!!

everyone give us an update!!!

even if you are still on march's block!!!

also...for our no blogger team members:

check out sew many pieces.

if you have thought about creating a blog but didn't want the hassle,

or thought you might not write enough to make it worthwhile,

then you are welcome to join them.

you don't have to know anything at all about blogging, they'll help you out!!!

they are taking new members,

just send them an e-mail if you would like to join the group!!!

email: projectwisdomkeepers{at}yahoo{dot}com

A Little Spark

2009-08-19T06:34:00.003-04:00

My calendar quilt has been on the back burner for the past four months, being snubbed for other projects, but I got a glimpse of a friend's quilt strips and got sparked to sit and catch mine up. I think I was getting bored with the long straight strip sets that I did for the first four months, so for the second four months I changed it up with diagonal cut squares for each week. Luckily I was throwing strips in a basket from projects that I was working on during these months so I could document them in this quilt (otherwise, it would have been very difficult to remember what I was doing at the time). I have more detailed info. on the fabrics I used, and close ups of some of the blocks here on my blog for anyone who is interested.

I always get sparked to start new things in January (when this was starting), and I usually get a little boost of energy in the fall with 'back to school' time. I know that I will have valleys during the year when I get behind on BOM projects ~ and sometimes I put them away all together for some time in the future. That's ok with me, I know a little spark will come eventually and I will always have some project in the wings just waiting for me to add a little more to it :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

An Untimely Choice I Made Now Undone!

2009-08-10T16:05:00.001-04:00

At the beginning of this year (was it really 8 months ago--yes it was 8 months ago to the day no less!) I had made the decision that I was finally going to get my butt in gear and start making all the quilts that I see so many others make and I was going to be as good at it as my mother and grandmother were. I was all gung ho about making the 3 different quilts I was starting. I was working on them diligently.... and then.... well..... the excuses started... the time ran short... the patterns wouldn't cooperate... the people were supportive and I never looked back to see how many complaints I got about my block being the wrong size... I never went back to finish the "Make it up as you go along" quilt.... I got through the first couple of months of the calendar quilt and...... well there hasn't been anymore done on it or any other quilt. I look around at all the blogs that I started following (YES, I do still lurk and read them, just not daily as I did before) and I see these absolutely beautiful quilts that have been completed by so many. I see crafts and ideas and organization coming out the wazoo! Yet I haven't seemed to be able to take any of the ideas, the creativity, the organization and do anything with any of it! So I have discovered that I made an UNTIMELY Decision back in January. I have realized (and should have realized this 8 months ago) that I don't have the discipline, determination or dexterious skills to handle one let alone three quilts at this time, nor any time in the near future.

I have some baby blankets--as I refuse to call them quilts as I cannot quilt and no longer claim to even be able to piece them together--to make for my 3 grandchildren and one precious child that I call my adopted grandchild, Forrest, that doesn't have any grandparents that live close to him. I will be putting fabric together or sandwiching batting between fabric in the attempt to make these blankets; but I refuse to call them quilts. Others may, but I will not.

In the event that my life finally finds a point in time where I can slow down long enough to focus, concentrate, and become disciplined enough to complete projects; then I may once again take up the endeavors of learning to quilt. To all of you that have been a part of my brief quilting existence and hopefully an even longer blog life yet to come, I thank you for using the blogosphere as a means of support for those of us that can't do what you do, being there giving your ideas freely, sharing your creativity, allowing us in on your organizational hints, and for allowing us to view a glimpse of the lives of true quilters. I will continue, if allowed, to follow your blogs and your daily triumphs and occassional defeats. To those of you that have become true quilters...my hat is off to you and I profess my adoration for your skills.
Shelly from Shell's Specialty of the Day

JUNE'S

2009-08-04T23:25:00.001-04:00

This is for June.

Really hard to find time to concentrate on this challenge and I owe few more to complete. This time I had more stash on earth shades and mixed and match to get this combination. Month of June had really 'stay-put' me down more to reality of life.....

July!

2009-07-26T21:06:00.003-04:00

With a bit of a beach and ocean theme...

July Completed

2009-07-25T19:37:00.004-04:00

Firstly, thankyou for the lovely and encouraging comments. I can't believe I still have a few days left of July and here is my calendar block.

The fabrics for July are from my lovely lovely neighbour who lives about 10km (6 miles) away. I asked her if she would like to swap some scraps for fat's and two days later she deposited a packet of strips in my mailbox.

Hopefully I can stay more on track for this second half of the year.

Half Way

2009-07-17T22:14:00.006-04:00

So here we are half way through the year and I've managed to keep up, yipee!
*
Here is my month of June . . . all fabrics have been won on ebay over a period of time.

April, May and June all together. Of course I'll be joining them vertically to form the second column of my quilt.

Not only have I finished sewing the first six months, but I've gone back and embroidered the name of each month on the first days. Just as well, I needed to think for a short moment which was which month for a couple.

To be really on top of things, I've also sewn the strips together for July. Like the month of April (fabrics from BFF Kerry) and June (fabrics from ebay), the fabrics for July are not from my stash. Once I've embroidered 'July' . . . I'll show and tell.

It's so exciting to see the months laid out to form half a quilt top, I'm very pleased with it so far. Hope everyone else is having some sewing time.

I "MAY" Get Caught Up!

2009-07-07T00:27:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I can't dazzle you with my impressive time management skills, so you'll just have to put up with weak puns.

My MAY block is finally finished. It really only took an afternoon, but I had procrastinated because all of my scraps ~~are~~ were in one paper bag and it was a pain in the patoot to dig through for only purples (or yellows or whatever other color theme I thought I was doing).

After pulling out clean coffee cans, shoe boxes and empty licorice buckets (mmmmm...) I separated my scraps into color families. We'll see how long that lasts; one paper bag takes up much less space! (Okay, I'll probably get some sort of stacking storage or something - this is too useful to abandon.)

So, anyway here it is. Approx. 6½" wide and 17½" long. No telling when June will be completed, but at least there's hope!

ETA: I seem to have chopped off the bottom of the block in the picture... there really ARE 31 fabrics in it!

winner alert!!!

2009-06-22T12:37:00.005-04:00

congrats go to stacey!!!

she's the winner of my boy oh boy charm pack!!!

all ketchup'd

2009-06-20T18:21:00.002-04:00

just wanted to let you know that i took advantage of pat's weekend shindig and got all caught up, now i have no more fabric. so some nice people offered to send me some scraps, when they arrive, i can continue on my calendar journey, you guys are great, thanks for letting me quilt along!!
oh, these are my april, may, and june months up until june 24th. i am all caught up with a couple days to spare!!

Ketchup Weekend!!

2009-06-20T16:08:00.003-04:00

LOTS of ketchups!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1101169@N24/pool/

Be sure you load a photo of your calendar quilt (or other project) that you are 'ketching up' on.....

don't miss out!

Pat Sloan
website - http://www.PatSloan.com
Blog - http://patsloan.typepad.com

anyone up for helping??

2009-06-19T13:40:00.002-04:00

hello all!! i must say i am loving what i am seeing here. the reason i am posting is rather needy, you see we moved, and all my stuff is in storage. what i was wondering is if anyone has some scraps they would be willing to part with so i can continue on my calendar journey. I have a piece from everything i own, and i am running out. i am a little behind, plan to catch up as much as i can in a little bit, and some this weekend. i have enough to go through may and into june. i do not however have more to continue through the year. instead of going and buying fabric that i do not have the money for right now, i was wondering if anyone wanted to send some scraps my way?? my pieces measure 2" x 8 1/2". so the pieces would have to be big enough for me to cut that size. Let me know if you are interested, and i can give you my mailing address. you can contact me by email at
luv2knitnsew@gmail.com

thanks!!

June Block

2009-06-17T22:23:00.006-04:00

Well, here is my June block for the calendar challenge...i can't believe the year is half over! Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far!

Hi guys just a check in......

2009-06-15T00:32:00.002-04:00

I know the one picture is upside down and that was not easy for me to do ...Enjoy the pictures I will check in again soon....love U all..God bless....

playing "ketchup"

2009-06-12T22:39:00.003-04:00

okay ladies...let's "ketchup" our calendar quilts!!!

{and be in the running for these goodies!!!}

see pat's post for all details.

June = rainbow!

2009-06-09T14:48:00.004-04:00

a little bit ahead of the game..but once i got started, i didn't want to stop until i could see the rainbow effect !

Give away at my blog today

2009-06-08T09:17:00.003-04:00

I want to be sure none of you miss my giveaway today on my blog!

I'm doing the giveaway to celebrate the new site 'Sewn' that will open tomorrow!! The site owner did a big thing for the past month and I'm just catching the tail end... but... you can get in on it today!!!

Also sign up for my new newsletter if you didn't get one yesterday... link on the blog!

Go tell me how YOU started to sew.. and maybe win the prize!

http://patsloan.typepad.com

PLUS ... Rachel and I are talking about a 'Catch Up' weekend... more on that soon!!!

All caught up

2009-06-06T10:53:00.001-04:00

My calendar quilt is completed through today. When/if I ever figure out how to post photos, I'll do it. Thanks for the invite, Rachel!

Time Flies Like an Arrow...

2009-06-05T02:35:00.004-04:00

...Fruit flies like a banana. (Groucho Marx)

I was just hoping for a "time gets away from me" quotation, but I'll go with the banana reference.

Here, in all it's glory, is my APRIL block, finished in various shades of... (wait for it!!)

banana. (I am so easily entertained!)

This block/month is the same length as my January block (36"). It's a little bit narrower, but I won't hold that against me.

Detail from the Ellie's Quiltplace Country Calendar BOM.

I am now officially JUST one complete month behind on this and any other BOM that I am doing this year. I'm calling that half full!

Yes, I know it´s already June......

2009-06-04T03:09:00.000-04:00

......but today I finished April, only the stitcheries are missing. Tommorow I will put my first four months togehter with the sashing, and then go on with May.

This is the fabric I have purchased for my sashing and borders, dark grey/brown with grey dots. Really love it!

Happy Stitching

Helena

I'm mortified

2009-05-31T23:08:00.003-04:00

I hate to admit it, but the pile you see above is the first 22 days of April. I had a rush job to make a queen size quilt fast at the beginning of April, and then the pre-op appointments for my mom's hip replacement started up. Life just got too crazy after that!

Hopefully, now that mom's in rehab for a few weeks, I can maybe get myself caught up. Or not, since I'll be driving up to visit her often and then going on vacation myself while I don't have to watch her 24 hours a day.

Oh, the shame! I've become a procrastinator! (Or, at least a put-it-off-until-later-er...)

--Karen

New computer

2009-05-30T16:13:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to transfer stuff from old laptop to new laptop...take some time. I still have software to install and waiting for new Microsoft Office 2007 to arrive so that I can install that. It is truly a learning curve for this old lady...but I am bumbling my way through it. Having my first NEW computer, not a hand me down, is really exciting. This is so much fun!

May Done With One Day Spare

2009-05-30T02:03:00.004-04:00

Well! I can't believe it! I've actually finished the month of May and there is still one day of May left. But first ... this is my month of April.
Edit: I only finished April last weekend.

After finishing Jan, Feb, Mar I began to wonder if my stash would be able to produce 365 different fabrics so I had a thought. I asked BF Kerry if she would like to swap 30 strips from her stash with a piece of fabric from mine. Happily she agreed and so April will also be know as the month of Kerry.
*
Then I had another thought for May. Our LQS has packets of scraps for sale so I purchased two and was able to get 31 strips for the month of May. I had to join 4 pieces to get the width but I'm really happy with the way they came together.

The best part is I already have 16 strips cut ready for June but they have a story all of their own. You will have to check back at the end of June for that idea, sorry.
*
December will be Christmas fabrics and I do have a couple of new projects in the wings, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the year, but lets not rush it please.

RahRah Sis Boom BAH!!!

2009-05-29T21:23:00.004-04:00

Ok TEAM... this is the half time of the game (pick your game.. any game.. I'm sure they ALL have a soda and cookie break in the middle!)

It's almost JUNE.... 5 months of Calendar quilts and you guys are ROCKIN!!! But some of you need to catch up... and believe me if you don't catch up soon you'll be feelin badly...

So for the sake of the TEAM (and Captain R) get caught up to May... skimp... borrow ... steal some time... call in sick to your work AND your family

YOU CAN DO IT!

Su-cc-ess.... that's the way we spell..... I can't hear you................ ok... SUCCESS!!

whew... now I'm tired.. need to sit on the bench awhile

MAY'S

2009-05-29T19:49:00.000-04:00

This is for May.

First time, I was able to sew and posting as scheduled. Hope this will continue throughout :-)

The year so far..

2009-05-28T14:13:00.003-04:00

I am loving this calendar quilt challenge!

Here are my months so far, January (blue), February (pink & red), March (green), April (flowers yellow & green), and May (purple & pink).

Can't wait to see everyone else's pictures!

my status

2009-05-28T13:31:00.001-04:00

well, i moved, and you know the deal with that. moved into a camper on my mother in law's property. use my sewing machine very little in her house, when the housework and kids allow. I do have about a week into May done. I really need to catch up. I will post pics when the hubby gets home with the camera. I really love doing this challenge and am loving my quilt so very much. but the living arrangements right now are difficult. I sure would love to see and hear where you all are at!!

stacey

UGH....

2009-05-28T10:29:00.002-04:00

So I will be the first to fess up.... I am halfway through Feb...This is May, right??

Gee..... I am in need of some team spirit....quick....

Here is what my design wall looks like...

oh, it looks like I am only about 7 strips into February. Further behind than I thought...

On a better note, I went to see Top Chef the 20 City Tour yesterday. Want to meet my sister and see pics? Click here...

I promise to catch up...soon...

Nancy

pep rally time!!!

2009-05-28T08:47:00.006-04:00

hey yall.

so how's it going here in calendar quilt challenge land???

not alot of action going on.

i think we are in need of a pep rally!!!

i want to encourage EVERYONE to show us your stuff.

no matter if you are behind.

no matter if you only have 2 strips for the month of april.

no matter if you are already into june.

show us whatever block {or strip} you are currently working on.

come on...let the encouragement begin!!!

i'm hoping to come back here to find a whole lot of posts added.

who knows, maybe we can do a little drawing for those that participate.

APRIL'S

2009-05-27T01:38:00.003-04:00

Just managed to complete my April block and was totally exhausted..... !

May block in progress

2009-05-18T10:25:00.003-04:00

My birthday is May 11, so I added a bit of Snoopy for that day (I heart Snoopy!) and my little one turned 5 on the 17th, and she picked a confetti fabric. The whole month is pink and purple which are her favourite colours.

Waving to everyone!

2009-05-13T21:18:00.004-04:00

Waving Waving WAVING!!!!!!!!!!! Can you see me wave???

You are All doing SUCH a wonderful job keeping up.... I look at the blog all the time to see your progress.

The other day I got back MY Calendar quilt. It's been gone about a year or more..first to do the book then it stays at the publisher to travel to the trade shows.

Tomorrow I head out to Pittsburgh to the quilt trade show.. will be looking at novelty prints... maybe find something FUN for the Death By Quilting games! Maybe for me!!

Keep up the FABULOUS work of getting your project done each month.. It will be SO WORTH IT when you finish!

ps - don't forget I have a free alphabet if you want to put words on your quilt.. maybe a quote in the border?

pat sloan
http://www.patsloan.com

The Year is Almost Half Over!!!

2009-05-13T20:53:00.008-04:00

I can't believe how time is flying by! I am so not one to have unfinished projects laying around, it absolutely drives me bananas!!! So ... I have finished my blocks for this calendar challenge ... yep, all 365 strips! I will post a block each month, but hope to have it assembled and quilted by the end of the summer.

Here is my block for April...

And here is my block for May...

April is finally done!

2009-05-13T17:16:00.003-04:00

My April block is finished, mostly light yellows and greens, all flowers to represent early spring. I started working on May today too, and will share it as soon as I am up to date! I now have planned out the rest of the calendar months too, with a little help from my three kids. We only have June and September without colour ideas...any suggestions?

MARCH'S

2009-04-28T14:15:00.004-04:00

This pinky square is for March. Not much of pink colour collections though, and some of them were sewn together to give some good strips. I am way behind, and catching up soon.

The month of April finished

2009-04-28T09:42:00.004-04:00

Here is my version of my April quilt. I found some fabric that had Easter eggs on it so that is on the day that Easter came. I also found different fabrics with flowers on that them and when those actually bloomed in my yard is the day that I place them in the calendar.
This little bunny came from Lollychops blog. During the weeks leading up to Easter she was doing lots of different crafts with some bunny outline drawings. She had them on her blog to download so I used one of them. She is a very crafty person and her blog is fun to read.
With Passion, Carrie P.

I started a new challenge

2009-04-27T14:39:00.003-04:00

I was working on my Calendar Quilt Challenge 2009 with strips and was half way March, but somehow it didn't feel good to me anymore.

Then I saw the 365 Challenge Quilt on Annelies' and Leanne's blog and her tutorial. Here are the fabrics that I chose for my new challenge:

and here are the first five days. This quilt somehow means more to me!

I'm glad Rachel still let me join in (O:

Have a lovely week full of happiness and sunshine!

Simone

March Done and Dusted

2009-04-22T03:44:00.004-04:00

March didn't take very long to sew together once all the strips were cut and pinned in weekly groups. The end of the month may have ended up a little bottom heavy with all those dark colours so I'll have to keep an eye on that when I get to the last of June.

I'm going to be putting my quilt together in four rows of three months so these three will form the first row. These are 10" wide so I'm thinking a 5" sashing between each row and 5" border all of the same fabric. Choosing that fabric could be interesting.

This has been very enjoyable so far and I'm looking forward to the end result.

It's also very interesting seeing all the other wonderful colours and ideas that everyone has. Please keep sharing.

Happy April!

2009-04-15T22:31:00.003-04:00

I've been MEANING to post for weeks now! I am SO IMPRESSED with how your projects are coming along and that you are keeping up.. woot woot!!!

The other day I un boxed MY calendar quilt ... back from Leisure arts.. so exciting to see it again!

I'll be in Chicago at the show Thurs-Sun.. I hope some of you will stop by!

Tip - do you stamp on your fabric? it's a great way to get a saying or an image you can't find already printed! This stamped piece was done by Cynthia for my creativity workshop in Atlanta. She gave me this section.. isn't it awesome!

Big hugs!!

Calendar Quilt Challenge Update

2009-04-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

Been a while. Had to get caught up.
Here it is so far.
I still will wait till near the end to decide if I split the rows for 2 quilts or how I will do the finished one!
I do not plan to ‘over think it’..if I can help it.
I do love how creative so many have been with their ‘blocks’!
Such fun to look at them and go..”why did I not think of that???!!!” ;-)

Lola

February Finally

2009-04-08T02:00:00.003-04:00

I'm really dragging my boots, so to speak. Here are my February strips all sewn, trimmed and now safely put away.
I ended up unpicking Feb 14 (red strip) and adding in the extra tan with red hearts instead. Much happier now that 13 and 15 are separted.
*
I am also happy to report that all the strips for March are cut and, in order, in weekly blocks. So hopefully I can get to them soon.
*
Now . . . . April . . . .

I'm about 300 days in....

2009-04-07T11:17:00.003-04:00

Here's my update. I haven't updated in awhile. I'm about 300 days into this Calendar quilt challenge. You know what that means? Yep, I'm almost done. I haven't decided how I'll finish out the remaining 65 days. And I'm almost certain I'll put some type of border around it. I like it so far, turned out just like I wanted. Let me know what you all think.

April is here!

2009-04-03T15:17:00.003-04:00

Spring hasn't really arrived here (in SW Ontario, Canada) but my calendar quilt block for April is showing flowers! I am planning on using flower fabric, but keeping it mostly in yellow and green pastels... The photo shows what I have done so far.

2009-04-02T02:05:00.003-04:00

March actually DID get finished in March, after a way late (March 25!) start.

My January block is really long (comparatively), so I wanted to stack February on top of March and have them emd up the close to the same length as January. Well, after I got going with February, I didn't have a lot of extra space!!

I got all 31 days in March by getting inventive with itty bitty free-form HSTs (half-square triangles). Fortunately, there were only two days that needed writing.

April's going to be a big long one like January. I haven't decided on the color scheme yet. So far all of the fabrics in the blocks are from my scrap bag. Hmmm... I wonder if I can come up with 30 yellows???

Not behind any more

2009-04-01T18:49:00.004-04:00

Just posting about being behind was enough motivation for me to get back in the sewing room and finish up March. It only took me 30 minutes to catch up that week's worth, and that included fondling fabric a little when I was choosing my strips.

Y'all realize we're 1/4 done with our quilt top now? Wow!Miracle of miracles, the 'shelves' are still all the same length, and I haven't planned it out ahead of time at all!

I hope this motivates all you other stragglers out there to find a few minutes and sew some strips or whatever together.

--Karen

a bit behind

2009-04-01T14:59:00.002-04:00

So I haven't added any book strips to my month since the 24th. Somehow spending most of two days at the hospital with my mom takes a week to catch up from around the house. Boy, are the quilting projects starting to pile up!

And mother nature is having her April fools day joke on us. It was just starting to feel like spring this last weekend and today it is SNOWING in the rain. We usually never have snow past mid February! I'm running out of snowflake fabric to put in my calendar quilt!

Hope all your quilty calendars are doing better than mine!

--Karen

April Fools Day

2009-04-01T12:55:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to all who have completed their March blocks. I am sorry to say that I haven't even started my March block, except to dig out a pile of green fabrics to be cut and sewn. Then I got interrupted by church rummage sale, moving my daughter into her first apartment, hosting visiting relatives, caring for my parents and life in general... and of course, J.O.B. work. I believe I'm caught up for now and hope to get it done, as well as start on April's block before the weekend and the DBQ challenge. Will post pictures when I get them done.
hm

March by GARI

2009-03-28T21:44:00.002-04:00

I completed my March block early because I didn't want to be behind. So far I have been able to keep up. To help me out I have set up a list of primary colors for each month: I want the blocks to be distinctive even if/when I have to repeat some fabrics. I have really enjoyed working on this and have found that I can also use parts of orphan blocks (cut into strips). My DH's birthday is in March so for the 22nd block down I used part of a hunky cowboy (don't I wish) fabric. Just my little inside joke.

March is complete!

2009-03-27T09:37:00.002-04:00

March is finished, all in different shades of green with a few shamrocks and St-Patrick's Day fabrics! I am planning out my April block now, thinking so far of choosing some pastels and flowers, mostly yellows and greens...
Have a great weekend everyone! Alex.

2009-03-27T06:13:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I got my March section all caught up, so I thought I'd post. I have Shamrocks thrown in for March, and I have strips for projects that I was working on all month. I threw in a couple of selvage edges this month to mark some special fabrics too. I have a more detailed post on my blog of what some of the strips are, and close up pictures.

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

THE MULLETTT

2009-03-25T21:41:00.001-04:00

:D

2009-03-25T20:05:00.004-04:00

everyone please welcome sandi to the team!!!

that gives us 96 team members!!!

that's awesome!!!

with march wrapping up soon, that puts us at 3 months and running!!!

i hope that yall are having as much fun as i am.

i can't wait to see what april has in store for us.

March Madness

2009-03-23T22:39:00.000-04:00

Hello! Hope everyone had a great weekend! No sewing was done yesterday or this evening ... i spent my evening reading a book...i should know better than to go to the library when there is sewing to be done! Anyway, here is my March calendar quilt block. I really like this block because of the orange...i'm not sure what it is about orange, but i have been itching to do a quilt w/ oranges and i'm not even big on the color...go figure!

and nine to go

2009-03-20T15:21:00.002-04:00

Well, I thought I'd show you all my progress so far. Here's January's block.....

Each block represents a project I was working on that day.

This is February's block.....

I didn't get a chance to do ANY sewing during February. I was too busy packing and unpacking for my move. So this block is representative of elements relating to moving to my new apartment.

And for March......

I chose fabrics that represent St Patrick's Day and early spring. It actually feels like spring today--55 degrees, and the sun is shining! Woohoo. You know working with these longer strips has encouraged me to start a strip pieced quilt. Are creative juices like sap? Do they flow more easily in warm weather? We shall see.......

Barb

Just thinking

2009-03-20T07:01:00.002-04:00

So, I have been thinking of what I want to do for when this quilt is finished. I am thinking of buying a bolt of black fabric to use for borders and such. I was also thinking I might use it for the back, or either use up certain fabric that I bought about 9 years ago when I bought my sewing machine and was learning to sew. Not sure. Do any of you have ideas for this??? Oh btw, I am awaiting the arrival of Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray to learn the beautiful needlework you all do!! I cannot wait. I have also been learning to applique (yeah, using Pat Sloan's book!!) So slowly but surely I am improving my skills in the quilting front!! Yay me!! I am anxious to hear what you all are planning or thinking!!!

Got your green on?

2009-03-17T17:39:00.003-04:00

Wearing my St. Paddy's Day socks, here's the first 17 "books" on my March "shelf" for your enjoyment.

(The socks say 'Hoppy St. Patrick's Day' with a bouncing frog on the ankles.)

--Karen

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T14:39:00.003-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I have finished my March calendar quilt with the embroidery block from Ellie's blog.

I found this fabric in my stash which I used for today.

With Passion, Carrie P.

Cam's latest block, better late than never!

2009-03-14T05:33:00.001-04:00

We're a little behind on our Calender quilt, but last night we finished another block.

This one is being proudly displayed on my little guy's lap.

He is already getting a little anxious about when his quilt will be finished, Uh oh, it's only March!

Perhaps we won't have a full 52 bricks in our calendar quilt after all!

Better Late Than Never!

2009-03-13T23:00:00.001-04:00

Finally February is done. It is so much fun to see all the Calendar projects coming together. I however, am still struggling with the randomness of it all!!!! Tonight I decided I am just getting this thing together and just went for it. Again I used bits of bindings left over from customer quilts I had done the month of February, and sprinkled in here and there are some bits from my own projects.

Since March is almost half over I better start thinking of March ..... or better yet not thinking and just doing!

Happy March everyone and I can't wait to see more of what everyone is doing!!♥

Is February Already Over?

2009-03-11T02:22:00.003-04:00

After recovering from whatever nasty bug that was going around last month, I'm finally getting back to my sewing room. This evening I finished up my February block and began the applique and fabric selection for March.

I'll be going with the semi-obvious and using greens (and golds) for March; I'm thinking of doing free-style HSTs this month. If I'm lucky and actually do a little bit of planning, March and February combined will end up to be as long as my mega-January block!

I like them now ~ updated January & February

2009-03-10T12:38:00.003-04:00

I signed up for the calendar quilt challenge late, but caught up quickly from January to Valentine's Day...only to realize that I really didn't like what I had put together! I took apart what I had done, and put together again the first two months.

I also worked on March, and this last photo shows up to March 17! My plan is to continue giving each month a colour. January was blue and white, thinking of the cold and snow. February was pink and red, for love and Valentine's Day. March, I chose green for St. Patrick's Day.

I am enjoying seeing everyone's updates too! I can't wait to see more.

Alex.

February's

2009-03-06T21:36:00.003-05:00

My February piece has the same concept as before. Since Feb, has only 28 days in a month, I have my one piece bigger than the rest to have a good square throughout considering the same number of days (have yet to include the frame around the block). I choose shades of green since February had done so much in my life, just to cool and tone it down........

2009-03-06T08:56:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to stop in and give an update on my February section all finished. I posted on my blog, Spring Water Designs more details of what strips are included.

The Calendar Quilt has been a really relaxing change of pace project for me. I have no plan on how I'm going to set it, I'm just letting it become something all by itself. We'll see what happens :)

Enjoy your day!

~ Dawn

Alviana's February

2009-03-06T05:10:00.003-05:00

Owh... i'm a little behind. Just finished my february quilt :

Can also be view in my blog. My january... click here.

Alviana :)

January thru March Complete!!!!

2009-03-05T09:13:00.001-05:00

The first picture is of January and February side by side, and the second picture is of January on top of February, and March alongside. I can say I am loving this, and it is going to make one heck of a couch blanket for the family!!!

P.S. you might notice from picture one strips with writing on them, and picture two they are all gone, it's disappearing ink, no just kidding, I was not liking the look of the writing, so I replaced the strips with new ones, and I am learning how to embroider, or shall I say I have the stuff but have not started trying to teach myself, (if any of you know of great resources online, please let me know). I have 9 more months to learn and make this look right.

rachel's block update.

2009-03-04T23:11:00.004-05:00

so it finally dawned on me...

i haven't shown yall my blocks.

what was i thinking??? lol.

so without further ado...

my january block.

my february block.

and my march block.
{the first 12 days anyways.}

i'm a little ahead of the game...which is WAY better than me being behind!!!

Sorry I have taken so long to post

2009-03-04T19:57:00.003-05:00

Well here is a picture of the strips I have gotten done..I thought that I seem to be moving right along I have marked where the month ends ...I still have some patches I want to add this really is fun....and i love that there is really no measuring skills...lol
And I really am a bit embarrassed that my poor little thing is so how do you say crooked....lol...but as we know it is the love I feel that matters....but seriously look at the others oh my gosh.so so so straight and well measured.....;-)....lol....well I just figure it really makes everyone else look fab!!!!!!

Love you all and your rulers......and note the material I added to the sides where I knew not what I did........and no I don't drink.....lol

February is behind

2009-03-04T09:03:00.001-05:00

I’m sorry, but I haven’t forgotten this challenge. I will make a post about February during the weekend, I don’t think I will manage to finish it before that. Now and then there isn’t enough hours to do all the things I plan.

How is it with you girls? Do you have enough time to finish all you want?Have a nice day.

Promise to Catch Up

2009-03-04T08:41:00.002-05:00

Yikes, I'm behind, but promise to catch up and post a photo in the next couple of days.

Sorry, folks, but I'm getting there!

February Done

2009-03-03T13:11:00.003-05:00

Just thought I would post a picture of my February calendar quilt. Onto March!With Passion, Carrie P.

Hi from Pat Sloan!!

2009-03-02T13:37:00.005-05:00

Happy March to everyone!! You continue to do just the MOST FABULOUS work EV-AH!!!! Love every little bit I'm seeing!

I'm thinking on a give away here.... as I THOUGHT I heard you MIGHT like giveaways????

Since this is a Calendar quilt site, and you are making calendar quilts, and this month IS St. Patrick's day... and your hostess Rachel is just an AWESOME Irish lass....

On St. Paddy's week I will post an blog entry (not sure which day).. and you can comment to win!

like? dislike? Let me know!

January's Block

2009-03-01T17:40:00.003-05:00

This is my block for January. I'm really struggling with this, as I'm not sure I like the way the finished block looks. I'm considering either going in a different direction or withdrawing from the challenge. I blogged about it over on my blog made by lisah. I'd LOVE some input from you all.

Just a little behind...

2009-02-27T21:14:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

Well I've finally got around to posting about my progress.

I have January all done, and still catching up on February! I'll make sure I set aside some time tomorrow to finish it off.

I'm still deciding on what to do for March?? Any ideas?

Squares for January, Strips for February... but I'm stuck. I was thinking maybe a block of triangles in some kind of design. I'm not really a fan of triangles, but I do love the way they look once done.

Or a log cabin block, where I can add a strip each day...

Not sure, so I think it'll take some serious thinking about! Lol, not too hard though. Maybe I'll just do them both, and get April done while I'm at it!

Best wishes,
Jenelle

What Happened???

2009-02-27T14:35:00.002-05:00

So I better first introduce myself.
My name is Tara and I live in Salt Lake City.
I have 3 crazy boys and a wonderful hubby.
I have been quilting for close to 8 years and love every minute I can squeeze in
I prefer hand applique, but I have a fondness for piecing

I had completely forgotten about doing this until I started rearranging my blog layout.

UGH!! And to top it off my sewing machine is in the repair shop
I hit a needle and hopefully nothing major has happened - here's for hoping!

I will start working on this as soon as I get my machine back,
in the meantime I have many UFO's that require some attention with handwork

You ladies are doing an AMAZING job so far.

Two months done, ten to go

2009-02-26T18:33:00.003-05:00

I finished February a couple days early, and even figured out how to put a slanted book at the end of the shelf for the short month. (It's partially hidden behind Cosmo who's glad I've stopped sewing for now and disturbing his sleep.) Miracle of miracles, it came out just right, the same length as January! Woot!

(And honest, I did press and trim them up nice and straight. The not-so-sticky tape was slipping on January's left side.)

--Karen, a.k.a. otterdaughter & diesel.doll

Last Minute Lucy

2009-02-26T11:16:00.003-05:00

That's me...Last Minute Lucy! Actually it's Lindsey from Five Healthy Hearts.

I haven't worked on my calendar challenge until today! Yep, that means that I haven't done January yet....well...maybe I have, but the results were not what I had hoped for...I will need to do a little shopping for Jan. All these fabrics are from my stash and I'm pretty happy about it. This is the first warmish day here in Georgia so I took advantage of the natural light. I'm pleased! Today is my birthday and so I gave myself the gift of quilting...something I wanted to do today. And it's not even noon yet!

Live this day like it was your last!
Lindsey

Feb Done!

2009-02-25T11:43:00.003-05:00

My Update.
Feb is done. Will begin Mar with a strip from a fat I will pick up at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show in Hampton Va this Sunday, Mar 1!

I tried to figure the strips width so it would come out same size as Jan, so did pretty good!

Can't believe it is 2 months done already!!

Goodness is time flying by or what!!

February so far....

2009-02-23T11:04:00.002-05:00

....is a brown and pink month.

I don´t think this is the world´s most beautiful quilt but it means a lot to me. Each strip is from a project I worked on that day or sometimes that week. Tomorrow I will start a new project and then there will be a little bit more green and light blue....and more pink.
You can visit my blog for pictures, I will post about that project tomorrow.

I will add some stitcheries to my calender too, they are not finished yet, but on their way....

Take care,

Helena

2009-02-23T07:52:00.000-05:00

So this is January and February side by side. I wanted to journal with marker, but am not liking the looks of it, so for those squares I might replace them with new ones, of the same fabric of course! I am enjoying all this. Hope everyone has a good day!! I have got 3 out of 6 people in my house throwing up :O(

Hello everyone!

2009-02-22T07:57:00.004-05:00

Thanks for the welcome Rachel and for allowing me to join your group late!
I am looking forward to this project and tried to catch up a couple of nights ago. I made it up to February 14 so far. Here is a photo for you:

SORRY...

2009-02-21T18:36:00.002-05:00

If you happened to see the last post about "spotting orange..." and didn't understand it?? It was supposed to be posted to my main blog...

You can click here to see what I was talking about..

Please accept my apology for clicking into the wrong blog...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

February 21 - UFOs and February Done!

2009-02-21T08:29:00.017-05:00

Hi all! I've been busy the past two weeks completing two quilts and working on two new projects as well as catching up with this quilt. I promised you pictures, so here we go:

I decided after organizing my sewing room that I needed to finish up some UFOs to make room for new projects. First one done is my Underground Railroad Quilt. This UFO was started in 2006 when I was teaching the class in the local quilt shop. Things didn't work out and I left the job and never finished it, but I did collect all the kits. I was able to print the "story" block onto fabric to make the 16th block of the quilt. Not sure if you can read it, but it looks great! even if I do say so myself.

My second quilt is a floral dresden plate made by my friend Michelle that I bartered quilting jobs for because I just loved the colors! I finally got around to quilting it. Once I put it on my bed I decided I needed new window valences to match (the green check I currently have just doesn't work). So back to the quilt shop for more fabric. (Actually I called the shop and sent hubby with a swatch to be sure. He works a couple blocks from the shop and I saved gas and had time to quilt. Will visit the shop later when I have more time.) I'll get the new valences made, hopefully, this week.

In doing all the organizing in January, I decided that the kids cross-stitched birth annoucements had been hanging long enough (my youngest is now 16) and I don't even cross stitch anymore. So I came up with the bright idea of making quilted tablerunners and wall hangings for a section of wall at the top of the stairs as you enter the front door. I started out the week thinking I was going to work on my pumpkin tablerunner and wallhanging set. I got all the fabric cut and started piecing, fusing, and blanket-stitching.

Then I got a phone call from my good friend Miss Betty, a fiesty lady 25 years my senior whom I began teaching to quilt back in 2006. Last October we were shop-hopping together and picked up a cardinal wall hanging kit with the idea of getting them done in time to hang for christmas... needless to say, we never got started!. She reminded me that I promised to help her get it done, so away went my pumpkin tablerunner and we spent several hours a day this week cutting and piecing and fusing and blanket-stitching. It's not complete yet but here are some of the blocks so far.

Then lastly, I cut all the strips I needed to complete my February calendar block and sewed them all together. I still haven't decided exactly how I'm going to put this thing together, so I keep sewing 7 strips per week together. Unfortunately, when I took this picture, I realized that January has 31 days, not 30 days, so I'm debating if I should rearrange a few strips and add the extra "white" January day in or just leave it as is. I've been trying to blend from one shade to the next as I go through the weeks. Then when I went from white in Jan to red in Feb my last Jan block is a white with a maroon red print. My last Feb block is red with some green in it so I can change to green for March and St. Patrick's Day. It's a plan of sorts.

Hope you are all staying busy and enjoying quilting! I know I am!

hm

new team member.

2009-02-20T22:05:00.002-05:00

hey yall.

please welcome our newest team member...

ALEX.