Every spring for the past 9 years — has it really been that long? — I go to a quilting retreat with ladies from all over the country.  This year’s retreat starts 8 weeks from today.

Normally by this time, I have listed out in my head all of the projects I plan to work on and have set them aside. Naturally, I take way more than anyone could possibly work on over the 3 1/2 days we are there.  My excuse is I don’t know what I’ll want to work on and I don’t want to be bored.  This year, I’m running behind in my planning.  Or at least I should say I only have two things on my list so far.

1 – Scrappy Irish Chains — this will be a “new start”.  The quotes are because I have all of the 4-patches made. They were made leader/ender style for a couple of quilts that I want to go a different direction on.  The cool part, is I found the background fabric in my stash, so may just need to buy border and binding fabric.

2 – Double Wedding Ring – I have one more melon/arcs section and cornerstones left on the current row and then there is just one more row of 7 full rings (melon/arcs on all sides) to quilt.  Since I’m 8 weeks out from the retreat, I think I’m going to focus on quilting at least one ring a week — significantly more than I committed to in the UFO challenge.  But perhaps, I’ll be able to work on the binding at the retreat.  I think this one is going to have to be hand stitched down.  Here’s an EQ rendering of where I am:

I’m sure that these two projects will keep me busy for the 3 1/2 days, but that’s just a bit more hand stitching than I want to tackle in the time frame.  I have no desire for my wrist to start hurting when I’m supposed to be having fun.  So, I’ll keep thinking about projects that will be easy to carry along.  I wonder if I can get all my Orca Bay parts and pieces made by then…

This was Tuesday’s project.  No, not the quilt, but hanging the quilt.

A while back I purchased a few things to get me started.

• 2 packages of craft magnets — these I got from Harbor Freight.  They are really strong.  Any closer to each other and they connect.
• metal braces.  I’m sure they have a name.  Picked these up from either Lowe’s or Home Depot. They are thin, and about 12″ long and 1 1/4″ wide.  I bought 3 but only used 2
• 1 package of Command Brand Medium Refill Strips — this package contained 9 and I used 4.
• 1 Wide Pocket Rod with Adjustable Clearance — basically, this is a lightweight FLAT curtain rod   Mine is about 2 1/2″ wide and adjusts in length from 28″ – 48″.

I started with a quilt which already had a hanging pocket attached.  I measured the width – in my case 35″ and decided that I only needed two of my metal braces.

Following the package instructions, I attached the 3M strips to the braces and then put them on the wall.  They aren’t perfectly straight, but that’s OK.  I put two magnets on each brace.

I adjusted the rod to length and slid it into my hanging pocket with the flat side of the rod to the wall.

Finally, I hung the quilt, adjusting it as needed.

There’s a little bit of three different projects on my design wall today.  First up on the left is   Hole in the Barn Door, half of my official UFO Challenge for February.  I still need to make Visions of Sugar Plums. The fabric is picked out and it is not buried, so I should get to it before the end of the month.

Next are 3 of the 5 blocks of the February 15th release of JT2.  I still need to figure out how to photograph those two fabrics together.  They really are pretty.  In this picture the turquoise looks pretty good, but the grey is muddy.

Finally on the right are blocks for the Ocean Waves quilt.  This is the 4th section so I’m a head of the game since my goal this month was to finish up the 3rd section.

In addition to these projects, I worked a bit on the purse, and I pieced on Orca Bay Step #4 as leader enders.  I still need 130 wing triangles added to complete this step and who knows what else before Orca Bay is anywhere near becoming a top.

Please check out the links over at Patchwork Times.  There’s always great inspiration to be found.

This week I worked on four different projects, but not much fabric was used as much of it was already counted.

Fabric Added Last Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 10.583 yards

Fabric Used Last Week: .557 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 15.569 yards

Net Used for 4.986 yards

Follow the links over at Patchwork Times to see how others are doing with their fabric usage goals.

Since I had the mishap yesterday when I worked on the Christmas BOM instead of the purse, tonight I started with the purse.  I’m happy to report that all 4 tabs are now attached and I’m it’s ready for the next step – gromments.  16 of them.

So, after I put the purse back on the back burner, I made block # 14 from Just Takes 2.  The latest set of blocks were released today.

Four more blocks to go in this set.

I said I was going to work on the purse, but instead I started the evening with this cute Hole in the Barn Door and Teddy block from the Christmas BOM. It’s one of the two blocks I said I would do this month.  Since “I don’t appliqué”, I fused the teddy and tie in place and then used the blind hem stitch in matching thread to stitch the bear down.  I flipped the block to trim the threads and found this:

It’s a unit from Orca Bay.  At first I though “static cling” — but then reality set it.  I stitched the unit to my block.  It’s a little easier to see in this ‘negative’ image.

As soon as I fix this I promise I’ll attach the remaining tabs to the purse!

I think of all the pictures I’ve taken, this one might be the closest to the correct color.  I’m calling the color combination Turquoise Blue and Steel Grey.  Someone said they thought it was a very modern combination. These are my fraternity’s colors which were picked in 1889 – over 120 years ago!

Other than that string of geese, finishing up part 3 of Just Takes 2, no quilting got done Monday.  I spent the evening sorting t-shirts for my husband’s bands and orchestras.  Maybe tonight after work I’ll get the other two tabs added to the purse.

These are the first 12 blocks of the mystery sampler Just Take 2.  One more block – a string of 8 flying geese — and I’ll be caught up and ready for the February 15th blocks. I want to go on record that just because I’ve started this new quilt, it does not mean I have given up on my numerous UFOs.

• The purse now has two of the four tabs attached.  Two more, the grommets and handles then it will be done.
• Admittedly no work has been done on the frog quilt, this month’s Christmas BOM or the SBS quilt.
• Even though I don’t have any blocks up on the wall, I’ve partially pieced some of the Ocean Wave blocks — these are for the 4th section of the quilt.  I need more neutral HST.
• I’ve also pulled out the box of Orca Bay parts to use for leader/enders
• Just a bit was quilted on the DWR this week

Don’t forget to check out the design wall links over at Patchwork Times.

Yes — I bought fabric this week.  The FQ are to replenish my “neutral” stash which is getting a bit thin.  Ocean Waves and Orca Bay really bit into them.  The turquoise and blue.  Well let’s just say “Resistance is futile”.  Yes, I’m semi-committed to the Just Takes Two project.  I say semi-committed because I only bought enough fabric for about 1/4 of the quilt from “basic” fabrics. In theory I’ll be able to go back and get more of the same fabric.

There have been three sets of block released and I’ve got the first set done.  Hopefully I’ll get the rest of the blocks done and I can show them all tomorrow.

The good news is I am still in the black on my fabric usage.

Fabric Added Last Week: 5.833 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 10.583 yards

Fabric Used Last Week: .779 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 15.012 yards

Net Used for 4.429 yards

Follow the links over at Patchwork Times to see how others are doing with their fabric usage goals.

Today’s the last day to link up our Orca Bay progress.  As much as I would love to be showing a finished top, other quilts have taken priority.  This is the #1 reason I have UFOs. I set this project aside January 1st to focus on Ocean Waves, a graduation gift for my niece.

So what have I done and what do I need to finish?

• Part 1 – DONE
• Part 2 – DONE
• Part 3 – DONE
• Part 4 – In progress — need to lighten up my purple strings
• Part 5 – In progress — I think this will become my next leader/ender project
• Part 6 – In progress
• Part 7 – In progress
• Part 8 – Not started

Last week  I was thinking I was going to have to cut into the fabric for my Scrappy Irish Chain quilt to have a L/E project while I finished up Ocean Waves, but I’ve got plenty here to keep me going.

Make sure you stop by Bonnie’s page to see all of the beautiful quilts.