Let the games begin!!!

Midnight my time here....
The PhD Challenge is now officially closed!!!

I look forward to working alongside all of you wonderful,

and dedicated PhD Participants!!!

Together we can do this!!!

I still don't have the final tally of quilters and projects,

but i will for sure later today,

after I add the last few quilters!!!

Wishing you all the most nimble of fingers,

the sharpest of blades,

and the best purring sounds your machines can make!!!

GO QUILTERS!!!

May God bless you all with good health

and happiness for 2011!

Happy stitchings! 8-)

Myra

DO I HAVE EVERYONE LISTED AND ON THE BLOG
THAT ASKED TO JOIN IN?
IF YOU'VE NOTICE THAT I'VE MISSED ADDING YOU,
PLEASE LET ME KNOW....

Jill From Apple Avenue Quilts' PhD's

Last year I participated in Myra's PhD Challenge and didn't do so good, so this year I decided to be more realistic. Last year I choose seven projects! Goodness what was I thinking!! This year I'm going with three. That sound much more doable.
#1. This was one of my projects from last year and it's still hanging out on my project shelves unfinished. I honestly don't know when I started this, but I suspect it was sometime in the nineties. All the blocks are cut out, ironed on, six are appliqued, two are started, and the last four are waiting. It's time to have this done!!!

#2. I just started this one in October, 2010. It's to go in my guest room and I would really like to get that room decorated. I need to do the machine applique and finish it.

#3. Last, but the one that's barely started. This is again for my guest room and only the setting blocks are cut out. Now I have to foundation piece all the other blocks and finish.

Hopefully my efforts this year will be better and I'll have all three projects done by June! Thanks Myra for sponsoring this!!!!

Happy New Year and PhD Challenge!

Happy New Year fellow quilters and all! I am so excited to be a participant in this challenge! Great motivator!

So, here are my four PhDs!

#1 is a Christmas tree skirt. I've been "working" on this for about 2 years now! All I need to do is finish quilting and binding it! What's the big deal? (sarcasm)

#2 is a baby quilt for my great niece who is 3 months old. I started on this when she was born. Not too bad! I need to find backing, batting, to quilt and bind it!

#3 was a stash buster for me! It will become a small quilted picnic mat. I would like to back it with a lightweight denim (haven't decided... it's only been a year). I need batting, to quilt it and bind it!

And, this last one, is the "mother" of them all!

I started (attempted) a full size hexagon quilt! (hmmmmmm) I think this one will probably end up a lap size or slightly larger quilt. As you can see, I need to fix my other triangles and piece them together. Pray for me!

All jokes aside...I am so excited to have this motivation to finally finish these projects! Now, I am looking at them in a different light! I know that I will have fun working on these projects, as well as seeing others complete theirs!

Alright! Let's get ready to rummmmmble!

bustin' away!

are any of you playing along with Pat Sloan this weekend? I am!!

I have one top done that I had back burner ed for a while waiting for the right fabric, when I rearranged a few things just before Christmas I found some that would work, so TADA top done.

I also worked on my table runner that's part of my challenge. I had to undo all but two row seams since 1/3 of my blocks got rotated, and I noticed only when I went to quilt it, not when putting any of the borders on, so I had thrown it aside in frustration. It's now corrected, quilted, and binding sewn onto the first side. Waiting to hand do the backside. Speaking of which I have another one to quilt, but I wanted to use insulated batting, anyone know a good place to get some? My JoAnns had it for a while but they were out today!

My Block Lotto quilt also it waiting for side #2 to be stitched down, went and got side one on it today (it had been quilted).

Hazel's Dora quilt is now in that same category, I had to get more binding fabric, and it's not the same, but it's a close match. She's 1 1/2 so whatever, and it's one whole side that's different

I am not out of batting, DARN! So I guess I have to start a new top....now I LOVE the hand binding part but I need to do it when I can watch something on TV and right now the Princess and the Frog is on and if I have to sit and watch that one more time this month....

oh and yes, Myra I did have camera problems last year too. This is a "new" camera. Apparently I am to cameras and vacuums as Stephanie Plum is to cars (and if you don't know what I am talking about, go check out One For The Money by Janet Evanovich!)

Oh Happy Day........

.........and I hope the next 365 days are just as happy! Happy New Year Everyone !!!
I have chosen 7 out of many personal Phds that I will commit to doing in the next 6 months.

1) I have had this small quilt top done for a couple of years and just need to sandwich and finish it off. It is to be donated at our local pool of quilts to be given to the needy.
2) I have two quilts like this to be used on my brothers' bunkbeds. I have to finish the machine quilting and then bind them off.

3) So far I have completed only 3 steps of Bonnie Hunter's RRCB mystery quilt and look forward to completing it. It is my maiden voyage into the realm of mystery quilting.

4) This is a cheater quilt panel that I have had for a number of years now and it has been at this stage for a number of years. It is sandwiched and partly quilted. I want to make it into a lap quilt and so will need to add quilted borders (quilt as you go) to this panel. It is destined for my sister, Joy.

5) I have had this large Queen-size lattice quilt top done for a number of years. It is a result of one of the first quilt classes that I took. I have had full intentions of doing the quilting myself on my little Pfaff. Not sure if I will do it myself or have someone else quilt it for me. I have yet to send a quilt off to someone else and so....we will see......
6) I used upholstery samples to make of the blocks on this 'picnic' quilt. I embroidered some fun stuff on it and have tied it together. As it is quite thick, I have yet to figure out how to bind it so that the large outer green rickrack that you can see.........is ultimately seen as an outline curving edge for the binding. Have 'thunk and thunk' about it ... to no avail. May have to change course and do the binding differently if I want to finish it.

7) And, finally I have this large bag where all the squares have been machine-embroidered using the same line design but with different-colored varigated thread.

These are my challenges and I am looking forward to daily updates and pictures of everyones' accomplishments and thoughts.

Joanne's PhD's

Hi everyone! I am very excited to be part of this challenge - it is my first challenge! I am hoping to finish two quilts!

My first project is a large Bear's Paw quilt that I started in January 2007. All I have left is about half of the hand quilting! I can't really explain why I have never gotten around to finishing it. My only excuse is that I have no real use for it (although that doesn't usually stop me!).


My second project is a Pinwheel quilt that my youngest son - D, designed with EQ - using fabric that I was given.

D pieced together these pinwheels and then got tired of it - so I have decided that now would be a good time to finish making the quilt. Maybe D will help me?!

Thank-you so much for organizing the challenge Myra! Good luck to everyone!♥

My PhD Challenges

I'm sorry I can't post a picture right now, but I do want to get my PhDs listed.  First of all, I have been working on a Dear Jane quilt and have only 11 more pieces to do until all the blocks and triangles are made.  While I'm not sure I can possibly finish the (hand)quilting by June, I'm sure going to try.  The second quilt I want to complete is one for the Quilts for Kids program.  They're simple to make, and I've just neglected it for months. 
I know that 2 doesn't sound like much of a challenge, but I am really intimidated by the Dear Jane.  Good luck to everyone on completing your challenges!

Cathy H's PhD

Hi everyone,

I've been looking at all your PhD's and actually I'm quite intimidated!  You're projects are amazing!  I am not an experience quilter. I've never even finished a full quilt. My quilting projects are usually smaller things like wall hangings, of which I have done many, and table runners. The projects I want to finish are both quilts from a $5 class at my local quilt shop. You pay $5, complete the block, bring back the finished block by a certain date, and get the next block  free. The incentive for finishing the blocks was getting a quilt top for around $5.  My quilting time is so limited, that this worked for me. I thought if I joined this challenge, I would be more likely to finish these projects! Here are my two projects.

#1

I call this my "Let It Snow" quilt. This class was three years ago! I have all the blocks finished, 12 pieced and 12 embroidered. I need to make the sashing and borders and then quilt it.

#2

This one needs a little more work. I started it in class this year.  I have a couple of blocks to finish and many Flying Geese blocks that will be the border, and of course some sashing.

I've never taken a quilting challenge or made quilting goals. So, I really am hoping this will work!!  At least I'm going to try!!  

Wish me luck!!

Cathy H.

My four PhD's

Hi everyone -

So glad to be here, what a great idea Myra, thanks for organizing this.  Here are my four projects that I hope to, want to, will finish!! :-)



This flimsy is ready to be quilted, but for whatever reason I just can't seem to get to it, this might just be the motivation I need to git'er done!



My first hexagon quilt, I have exactly two rows sewn together and then put all the pieces away, if ever a quilt could bring me to tears, this is probably it.



A charity quilt made with blocks from my daughters girl guide troupe, really need to finish this so will be the first project I tackle in the new year.

 

My favourite unfinished project.  I actually only have four more blocks to make and then can put the rest of the top together...sounds easy, right?  Don't know why those last four blocks are taking sooo long to get done.

 So there you have it, my projects for the new year.  Look forward to seeing all our projects get done!

Cheers,
Mary-Frances

Nana B's PhDs

Hello fellow quilters . Your pictures are wonderful! You all have motivated me to start my own blog - stitchesbythebeach.blogspot.com- with no url attached as I am so new to this world.

Here are the three that I want to focus on:



This is going to be a baby quilt for a couple whose wedding theme included seahorses. I learned that seahorses mate for life. I guess I never really thought about seahorses so that was news to me! They are fusible appliqued to a Ricky Tims conversion quilt. I will machine quilt this and hopefully scallop the edges to finish. The baby is due in April so this is a must do project.



This quilt is from a pattern that a friend a I bought from Keepsake Quilting. It needs to be layered, quilted and bound. I am not sure who will get this but since my darling granddaughter -DGD - seems to like it..........

And last but not least this is a stack and whack twin that was a kit from Fons and Porter. I love it and wish I had done two but alas....The only thing left to be done is the binding and it has been in this state for at least three years.




Good Luck to everyone and a huge thank you to my daughter for helping me get the pictures on this post. Maybe she'll do it a little slower next time so that I may learn to do it myself!

DJ's PhD's

I am in serious need of completing some old projects and have decided to join.  I will also be doing Judy's UFO challenge for 2011 along with this PHD challenge.  Together I will have two places to report to.


For the PhD challenge I will complete six of the PhD's below based on the 6 numbers that Judy selects for me.  Wish me luck!

#1  Cracker Jacks - goal is to assemble, quilt, & bind
 This quilt was designed by Kaye Evans.  I took the class once at Ruby's Inn Retreat and again at Annual Meeting because it was so fun.  One of them did get finished.

#1A Husband's Levi Quilt - goal is to tie and bind
My husband made this quilt many years ago because he was home tending the kids while I was off to a quilt retreat.  I need to finish it up for him.

#2  My first original Hexagons in Rotation - goal is to quilt and bind

I designed this quilt many years ago and have since made several and quilted several for others like it.  This poor quilt has been basted and partially quilted for years.  I quilted it so tight that it will take me quite some time to complete.

#3  Mystery Quilt - goal is to finish the top
I took this mystery class many years ago.  I still don't even know what I'm making, but I still have the clues.

#4  Spring Picket Fence Wallhanging - goal is to quilt & bind AND Tammy's barn fix

I designed this wallhanging from the patterns in my Spring Row by Row quilt.

I added Tammy's barn fix to this project because it will literally only take me a few minutes to fix.  I gave her the barn quilt for her first marriage's wedding quilt.  I put the couple's name over the door of the center barn.  She has since remarried and wants me to "remove" the first husband's name.  Sadly, I've had her quilt for a couple of years (she has 2 kids now).

#5  Grandma's Overgrown Flower Garden - goal is to fix the problems to complete the top

I designed and taught this quilt at Annual Meeting many years ago.  I love the design but had serious problems with the border applique because I tried to hurry it on the  machine rather than carefully taking my time to hand applique it.  Now it is time to make it right.

#6  Winged Things Round Robin - goal is to complete a top from the blocks.  I am not going to require borders completed as I like to make pieced borders and I know it will take too much time for a one month goal.

I participated in a state-wide round robin years ago and LOVED the results of this project.  I repeated it a second year to get more blocks.

#7  Frogs Round Robin - goal is to complete a top

This was another state round robin that simply needs assembly.


#8  Sliced Quilt Challenge - goal is to complete my slice and assemble the slices together.

This was a prize design project, tons of fun, and one I'm very excited about and proud of.  I so want it done!!
This link explains the project.

#9  Miniatures - goal is to complete the top, quilt, and bind

This is another one of my designs.  The pieced border is ridiculously slow.  If I can just get it done the rest will come fast.















#10  Christmas Hexagon - goal is to complete the top

This project is less than 6 months old where the others are years old.  I plan to put it away for when my daughters get married.

#11  Friends and Flowers Round Robin - goal is to quilt and bind

This is another round robin only it was done with friends and family.  I LOVE this quilt!



#12  Buggy Barn Stars - goal is to complete a top

My daughter started this quilt at one of our family retreats.  She doesn't really like to sew and is very busy, so I hope to get the top done so she can put it away for her future wedding.

Come find me at http://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com/.  Also, check out our Dorinda Mystery challenge.  It is a fun way to use up old blocks or scraps of fabric and learn to design your own quilt.

Sipiweske Quilts - Marlene's PhD's

OK - I know I'm lazy . . . I copied and pasted this post from my regular blog. I also know that some of you may not visit over there, so here it is again.

One more thing that I should have done before committing to the "wild" number that I have signed on for is to see what logical number other people were committing to . . . oops! I may be way out there with my plans . . . hope not though because these things need moved out'a here!

The following is my list of shame . . .

#1

This was a mystery quilt that I have been working on and it still requires one more border with some appliquéd words on it. Need to find the right print for that final border though, so that will require a shopping trip.

#2

The borders have been decided for this one and just need to be cut and attached. Also have plans for another quilt using the scraps from this one – we won’t include that one in the PhD challenge though!

#3

This was from a class that I took about 4 years ago and it has been hanging in my quilt room ever since. The border fabrics are bought and just need sewn on. I think what stopped me four years ago from finishing this one was that I didn’t know how to machine quilt back then . . . or if I did, I didn’t have the confidence to dive into this one. Now I think I know what I want to do and I’m going to commit to getting this off my sewing room wall and hung up where it was intended to go in the first place.

#4

Is the Hopscotch pattern . . . and

I don’t like my fabrics! BUT . . . I’m going to commit to getting it done. The wool is all picked out and sitting on my cutting table to make the appliqués and then get her layered up and quilted . . . I have six months after all – right??

#5

The backing fabric came for this just before Christmas so I’m ready to get this one done also . . . just need the time.

#6

This one was a workshop that I had taken a couple of years ago now. Just last month I pulled out all the pieces and put the blocks together and then the quilt top . . . all ready to layer and quilt.

#7

This was supposed to be a tree skirt for this Christmas. Once again – not happy with the colors I chose, but the backing fabric has arrived and it is ready to be layered and quilted also.

#8

Here’s an easy one (I think!) . . . The appliqués are all done up and ready to be stitched down and then it’s ready to layer up and quilt and tuck away for October, 2011. I’m going to be ready for Halloween this year!

#9

This is a Sipiweske original and I don’t know where I went off the rails with this one but it’s been almost four years since it was started. It has never been tucked into a drawer though . . . it remains out in plain view to taunt me for my procrastinating ways. It’s time I showed it who’s boss!!!!

So there we have it . . . “9”, NINE – I tell you, NINE projects half done . . . can I really do it? I'll need some help from the sidelines to keep me on track, so let's all cheer each other on. Good luck to everyone!!!

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