December, can you tell?

Got a couple more flowers added in November. Wasn't quite sure that I would, I had so much going on; Holidays, had to edit the Winter newsletter for COS and life. But figure this way I get to show off not only the quilt, but the beautiful Christmas tree. Also think that holding it up like this gives a better idea of how big it is. Don't think a lot will get done in December, but the next post will be the state of the quilt on 1/1/08 (can you believe it's almost here?)

At least one flower made quite a trip!

The big orange flower, first flower of the 4th row, began life over the Atlantic Ocean. It then traveled through Belgium and France. Following are a few pictures of it's trip. I think it had a good time! Although there are no pictures, small violet flower, second flower of the 4th row, also sprang to life on this trip.

Here's the state of the quilt on November 1st. The third row is completely finished. Large orange and small violet, first flowers of row 4, will be attached in November. So, check back in December. What will the holidays bring?

What will October Bring?

September was a very good month. Four flowers were added. Don't know but it might be a record for a single month. Just two more and the third row will be finished. I've already cut out all the squares for row four, well, except for all the black. Less than three weeks and we will be on vacation again. Next month there will be a fun photo or two from our destination. Where are we going? Check back next month and find out!

Labor Day in South Beach

Here is the state of the quilt at the beginning of September. The post is a little late getting up because I was in South Miami Beach over Labor Day. Went to Florida to visit my kids. Made good progress this month, as you can see. In the third photo, you can see me quilting pool-side. I completed the next large light purple flower. I've written on the back of the flower that it was done in South Beach 9/2007. Since I travel with my travel quilting kit, I work on the quilt whenever I'm on vacation. I'm going to start labeling where a particular flower was assembled (if it is an "exotic" location). Well, let's see how September goes, I think I'll make lots more progress.

Lunch Break Sewing

August, Who knew it would get here so quickly. For once I think I'm happy with the monthly progress. Three flowers added in the last month, that would be 36 a year if I can keep up the pace. Also included in this months pictures are two that my friend Janice took. We usually go to lunch together on Fridays. Last Friday was no exception. After finishing our Thai meal, we stopped at Starbuck's for some coffee. Usually on lunches, I stop in, buy coffee and sew for a bit. I had Janice take a couple of pictures of me doing this. I forgot to use the memory card in the camera so they went right onto the hard memory. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get the pictures onto a card, so that I could load them into this blog. Again, Janice came to the rescue and said that these types of cameras ALWAYS come with a USB cable and can be connected directly to the computer. And she was right. Thanks Janice!

I don't remember exactly when I started the quilt. I do know that it was in the beginning of June 2006. I guess I should pick a day for the quilt's birthday. I'll have to think about it. But looking at the progress that was made in one year, I may have to revise my timeline and estimate that it will take 6 years to finish instead of 5, unless I work harder. We will see next year how far I get. But, I'll still try to post new pictures each month.
Michael
Don't know, blogger isn't letting me put a title for this post.

Birthday Challenge Met

These pictures reflect the state of the quilt on my birthday, May 21st. My goal was to have the first two rows finished by then, and I made it! It has taken me a bit to get the pictures up, but I was glad to make the goal. Next month (July) marks the one year anniversary of the start of the quilt. Don't know if I would say that it is running on schedule or not, but I do know that I really need to get my nose to the grindstone. We will see how things look on July 1st. Til then.

It is April already?

Wow, thought I'd have a little more than this done by now. Well, another month brought another trip. Just got back from Costa Rica. Didn't get a whole lot assembled, but did have the chance to make lots of hexagons. Which got me to thinking... I have made hexagons for this quilt in Florida, Japan, California and now Costa Rica. I don't know which ones were made where, but it is kind of fun that parts of the quilt have travelled all over the world in my little tea can. It will certainly add to the story when I finish and give it to my neice.
Til next month.

March Picture

Feb. was a very short month. Also made a quick trip to San Francisco, so not a whole lot of progress for the month. I was hoping to do better, but oh, well. This is why it is a five year project, some months are better than others, but hopefully it all evens out. Til April.

State of the Quilt: Feb. 2007

January didn't see a lot of progress on the quilt. I was in Florida visiting my sons, and there was just so much going on. Did make some progress though, as you can see three new flowers attached. I think by March 1st there will be quite a bit of progress, because I have made a few flowers that have not yet been attached. See ya' 3/1/07

Removing some of the paper

The top photo shows the front of the quilt in the red corner. You can see all the basting stitches. The second photo is the back of this same section. You can see the paper hexagons. I took a seam remover and cut through the basting stitches and removed them. The paper hexagons fall away as you can see in the third photo. And finally in the forth photo, you can see how nice the black paths between the flowers look when there is not white basting stitching. I think the solid red parts of the flowers look nicer too. It is kind of hard to see the basting stitches on the seer sucker, so it doesn't make that much difference.

I think now at this point, I will try to take a photo of the quilt at least once a month, maybe close to the first of the month and post that. This will keep a record of how much is covered in one months time. The next photo will be a Feb. 1st update.