I might need to shift gears and pull out my paints for awhile. None of my quilting projects are tripping my trigger. They are long term projects that I’ve lost enthusiasm for. A few of the traditional ones are in the ‘bleh’ category. The improv ones are past the design stages and into the finishing stage which then leads me to the question of what to do with them when they are finished.
Here are pictures and discussion of my current UFOs.
Long Time Gone by Jen Kingwell. I’m doing this as a block of the month. I like the fabrics (Japanese taupes) and the pattern is fine. It’s just that it’s someone else’s pattern. It’s like doing a ‘paint by numbers’ painting.

EPP diamonds. I started this a couple years ago to test out the Eppiflex product. Love the product (and Danni!) but EPP hurts my hands. And, this is turning out so BORING. SO traditional. I might need to follow the advice I gave a friend about her UFOs…put it in a box, tape it shut and put it in the garage or under a bed until I want to work on it again (if EVER). Or give it away.

My Favorite word is. This is embroidery on fabric that my friend Candy gave me – graduated starburst-like shades of grey from light to dark. I started doing freeform embroidery on it with the gorgeous Cottage Garden Threads. In the center, I plan to embroider my favorite word. (Any guesses???? lol)

EPP bag. A pattern I bought at a local quilt show. 1″ hexagons out of left over Liberty fabric. I’m using linen for the main bag. It’s finished except for putting a string through the top. Another ‘what am I going to do with this’ project.

Orange Kantha. I do love this one. It is simply a 1 & 1/2 meter chunk of fabric that I bought at Always your Design in Dell Rapids, South Dakota last year. I LOVE the fabric and didn’t want to cut it up so I’m Kantha stitching it. It may take a lifetime as the rows are about 1/2″ apart. I like everything about it – but it’s rather boring work. And, it feels like I will never get to the finish line. I save it for days when I need mindless work or when watching cricket.

Camelot. I started this one on a whim earlier this year. A group of us went to a quilt show and I found this gorgeous William Morris fabric line that HAD to come home with me. VERY traditional. Trish Harper had this pattern in QuiltMania magazine a few years back and I had it the back of my mind that I’d like to do it someday. This fabric seemed to be the perfect fit. Plus, a friend had a bag of WM fabrics to share with me so I could make it really scrappy.
I have 14 of 16 circles finished. I’m still not sure on the background color. I like the scrappy neutrals but I also like red floral and the red tone-on-tone. I like hand piecing – but the quilt itself is feeling rather boring. I keep wondering how I can add an improv/modern slant to it.



Indigo and Lime Green improv. I like this one. I need to dye a back for it and then quilt it. I have the back pieces prepped and ready for an indigo dye session – hopefully soon.

She Was Loved 3. I like this one too. It’s next in line to be quilted. The first picture doesn’t show the completed top – only the background fabric. This tryptic might need to find a place on the wall somewhere in our home. I really like it. It feels like art to me.


Ruby May. Ahhhh, Miss Ruby May. Liberty fabrics appliqued on linen. Embroidered motifs with Cottage Garden threads. It really is a quilt that wanted to be hand quilted – but hands are hurting and Sweetie was calling. I started doodle FMQing this one a few days ago. I’ve always wanted to be able to doodle with quilting but have let fear of sucking get in the way. Well, I finally dove into the pool of doodling. And on a fabric where everything shows. It’s turning out ok. I’m probably close to ‘over quilting’ it – but that’s the way it goes.

Houses, houses, houses by Yoko Saito. I love Yoko Saito’s work. And I’ve always been drawn to this pattern of hers. Not sure where I’m going with it but I enjoy the freeform cutting and applique. The blocks are 5×6″. At one point, I thought about doing a couple quilted pieces to recover Mr. W’s reading chair. I’m using the same color palette for this one and Long Time Gone so I could combine them for that purpose.

I think that is the extent of my quilting UFOs. TIme to sit in front of the fire and keep warm before deciding which one to work on today.
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