Sunday, January 2, 2011

Organization...........

I just couldn't decide what I wanted to sew on so I measured quilt tops instead.  I plan on organizing them by category: ready to quilt, needing borders, and needing decisions.  The third category is for the ones that may still need more piecing to make them larger before borders.  After this organization I can start cutting backing fabrics for the first group and borders for the second group; stash reduction.
I always thought I wanted to make a Storm at Sea quilt.  I borrowed a book and acrylic templates from a friend and started cutting and piecing.  When I realized how many points have to match, I think I will pass on this one.  I have enough points to match on my Winding Ways quilt tops and will have my fill of that for awhile. 
I played around with the collage feature in Picasa.  Here are nature photos from last year starting with Jack Frost, and progressing through spring, summer and fall and finally to this winter.

34 comments:

Umm-Yara said...

What a wonderful idea to organize quilts by category!
You have a lovely blog with amazing quilts - I'll visit often! :D
Kristin from Sweden

Quiet Quilter said...

I am working on piecing backs for my quilts also, first time... It's almost like making two quilts with the simplier one on the back. But it sure is nicer on the pocketbook!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

nice to have things organized isn't it. It reminds us of what we have to work with.
I agree with you on the points - I don't like to have to spend so much time matching them.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Cedar Ridge Studio said...

You are so organized.
I never thought about making a top without finishing it. I think that is something to try.
My sewing machine is calling me away from the paints.
I love your choice of fabrics.
Mary Ann

Sewing Junkie said...

OMGosh.... I wish I could be that organized. I get called away to often. I can only imagine the legacy you will leave behind with all the quilts. Chris

hetty said...

Great organization, Wanda. I could learn something from you. I see that you have your quilt tops hanging in a closet. That's a good idea. Mine are in boxes and I can't see them very well. I think I will start hanging them.
I love your nature collage! Is Picasa a free program?

Mary said...

I love the way you organize your projects, Wanda. Your blog is always a source of ideas and inspiration.

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

better leave the wallet at home when the SUGs meet!!! no bargans at Fabric Center... if you are stash busting...

*karendianne. said...

Gosh your collage is such a thing of beauty. So many great photos you've taken this year. I'll have to come back and look over it again. You have real talent with that camera!

Love the new writing on the header. Perfect. And gosh Wanda, check you out with all the tops. How fun is that?!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

I love getting things all organized too! You have lots of beautiful quilt tops, and I love the Storm at Sea block. I made a wall hanging using that block a long time ago.

sosarahsew said...

I love the fabrics in the block you did. If they look this cool in a picture, I'm sure the real thing is gorgeous!
Thanks for the calendar of nature in the collage. The variety is what I appreciate about living in four-season Illinois.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Storm at Sea is gorgeous Wanda, but if you don't enjoy making it,you shouldn't!
Love your photo collage! You take lovely photos! I could see a calendar with those photos!

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

Oh, I want to be as organized as this! Thanks for the inspiration. Now if I could only find the time...
too much going on here right now even for sewing. I am going to get snarly.

Love the photo collage! And the Storm at Sea is stunning...but you gotta love it to give it the time. Enjoy what you create! Happy New Year!

Marie said...

I love the storm at sea quilt - your colors are perfect in it. I agree with the points, but it certainly is beautiful.

Hugs - Marie

Darla said...

I love what is already done on the storm at sea quilt. My advice: since you have already done THIS much of it, either border it and finsih as it is, OR you can medallion it into a larger quilt which you like the process of doing more. Excellent!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I've always wanted to make a storm at sea too. I'm not normally intimidated, but that one gets me...

Judy said...

Put a border on the storm at sea block and call it done. Such ambition to categorize all your quilt tops. I have then stored away in my bench with heavy things on top of it so they cannot get out!! I am working on getting them quilted in 2011!!

Tine said...

that looks wonderfully organized! I like the idea of hanging WIPs so you can see what you have, instead of storing it out of sight.
The Storm At Sea block looks really difficult.

dls said...

Like your nature collage.... as to all those tops ..... enjoy just seeing them hanging there ..... truly eye candy!

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

I love how organized you are, Wanda! It's great that you can hang your tops where you can see them.

I'm one of those "point-less" people - too many points and I cave in! The Storm at Sea is basically a square-in-a-square, so I think if I ever do one, it'll have to be paper-pieced.

I've always enjoyed your nature photos - what an impact they make as a collage! I hope you'll do them often.

Linda
http://eatsleepquilt.blogspot.com

Today's secret word is "mentom" - as in "He said a lot of things and he mentom."

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda, LOVE your nature collage."Storm at Sea" reminds me of the Bering Sea this summer.Colors
are perfect! jmhgkamb

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda, LOVE your nature collage."Storm at Sea" reminds me of the Bering Sea this summer.Colors
are perfect! jmhgkamb

Cathi said...

The Storm at Sea block is gorgeous -- love the batiks you chose for it!
What a lovely riot of colour hanging, waiting to be finished!

Jeannette said...

Storm at sea...yes, I have made several of those blocks, one in a sampler, a few pillows...but a whole quilt? Not for me. Happy New Year.

Vivian said...

You could always put your Storm at Sea block into a sampler Q some time, using one-and-done blocks. A lot of matching isn't for me either.

Your photos are beautiful. I like all the options available with the Picasa collage maker. I've made a couple headers that way.

HollyM said...

I like the color progression of the seasons in your photo mosaic. I haven't tried that out yet. The storm at sea is pretty, but I'm with you on the points.

Julia said...

love the photo montage!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That Storm at Sea block is gorgeous. I would feel very accomplised if I even made one block. LOL! And what a marvel of organization you are. But remember - if you quilt them, they'll want them!

Rebel said...

You know, one of my favorite things about quilting as a hobby is all the different opportunities to be organized and track different things. It's fun for me. I may take a stab at reorganizing my stash this month.

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda,

Love your garden and nature shots. Very refreshing.

I'm with you on the storm at sea. I was never interested in doing a Mariner's compass for the same reason. It would probably turn out oval!

Keep warm!
Vicky F

Purple Pam said...

Your organizing mode is making me feel "in the mood" to organize, too. I need to chnge my "To Do" list, adding and eliminating projects. Cleaning out under my sewing table is an integral part of my organization. I better get busy! LOL!

Sharon said...

I organized my list like this, so I can see where I'm at with each project. I've got a Storm at sea in a box, hmm, forgot to list that one!
Great collage photos, love the year in review. You take fabulous photos.

Birdie said...

I love your photo collage, I think it would be really awesome to use this type of collage to translate colors to a quilt...you got me thinking now! Thanks for sharing!!

All About Tennis said...

The Last Design is very cool..