FMQ: January's Leaves

Ugh.  I guess the lesson I learned in January is that I didn't make enough time to practice, so I didn't get better.  I only took 4 15 minute sessions during the whole month - I sketched leaves the first time, then FMQed them the other three times.  There wasn't much improvement, although the third time, I gave myself the freedom to do whatever I wanted...  I wrote my name, I did some squiggles, I even tried some pebbling.

The whole time, it was difficult for me...  I felt like I was wasting fabric and batting...  I tried to conserve my space.  Of course, that's ridiculous - I was using ugly old fat quarters that I'd bought (super cheap) for a project a while back and never used.  Probably because they were ugly...  And I was using a batting scrap, so that was free as well.  I think for February, I'm going to make a whole pile of sandwiches, and if I use them all up, FINE!

I'm glad that I didn't make sandwiches for my final sampler quilt yet...  I would be really frustrated that I couldn't do January's square yet.  I think my plan is to practice more in February, and if I get confident with the new pattern, then I'll try the leaves again.  I need to master my pace (and what the heck - I've never had back thread issues until this month...) before I work on a final project!

Here's some pictures...  the color variation is simply flash vs. no flash.  I think I need to work on my photography.  =)

WIPs

So I read these blogs, and I think "gosh, how can these women have TWENTY works in progress?  Don't they have deadlines?  Don't they just want to get them finished?"

So far, I've worked on one quilt at a time.  Start to finish, just one project is going at a time.

I'm currently working on piecing blocks for my husband's quilt (pics to come - quilting blogs are no fun without pictures!), but **gasp** I've started working on another one.

I've been cutting charms and planning layouts for my girls' twin quilts.  We moved them into a joint room last week, and everytime I walk into their "sleeping room" (as opposed to the "play room"), I just can't wait to see homemade quilts gracing their beds.

Then, today, Ellison Lane Quilts put forth a Mini Challenge.  Dare I try to tackle another?  I've got some lovely winnings that I need to use up!

cutting, and cutting, and cutting!!

I've already sent off the ELQ swap squares...  but tonight's project is cutting the MM #1 and MM#2 charms and the layer cake squares for the DP swap....  let's hope my straight lines stay straight!

phew!

I am currently in four swaps.  Whoa.  At least these aren't the "make it and swap it" type - these are the "cut into squares and swap it" type!

I thought I'd share my fabric selections for each swap (if for no other reason than to keep them straight in my head!)

Ellison Lane Quilts I Spy Swap:

Backyard Baby Gray Bug Jars

Midnight Maker I Spy Swap #1:

Urban Zoologie - Bermuda Ladybugs

Midnight Maker I Spy Swap #2: (still open!)

1001 Peeps in Purple

Distant Pickles Rainbow Layer Cake Swap: (I was assigned red and red/orange)

Pimatex Basics Red Lovely Circles

Very Hungry Caterpillar Orange & Red Crosspatch

Migrating....

Okay, I just moved over here from craftylaurel.blogspot.com - I'll work on bringing over some of the posts / content soon!