Tuesday, March 23, 2021

So many projects, so little time!

This week, I finally got overwhelmed.  When I have too much on my plate, I spend my time going around in circles trying to do a little of everything and end up not accomplishing much at all.  It's time to take stock, prioritize, whittle down the "to do" list and start being productive again.

This stack is a good place to start. It's not a stack of UFOs.  It's a stack of patterns in progress. Some of these are tests for patterns that are not fully written yet. Others are from complete patterns waiting for cover photos.  Some of the ones waiting for cover photos are partly quilted, some not, and some just need binding.

The red and white quilt is Small Change.  It has taken me longer to quilt than I anticipated.  I'll share the details when I give the quilt it's own post, but I'll say that it has been tedious.  I love how it's turning out, but it's still tedious.  Those of you who follow me on Instagram or Facebook know the quilt top and the thread snips had a little disagreement and I'm going to have to decide how to deal with that.  


I only have the borders left to quilt (and the snip to repair) then I can bind and photograph it.  Once I have a good photo for the cover I can release the pattern.  It has been tested and tech edited and it's ready.  It's just waiting on the quilting and photography.

This next one is brand new.  The pattern is partly written.  I started writing,  then decided I needed to make the top to work out a few details. The part I had written is now quite covered in notes and scribbles.  Sometimes I can write the whole pattern, then make the top as a test of what I've written, but sometimes, I need to sew through some details before I can write the instructions.  I'm not complaining about being forced to take a break from writing to sew!

Glacial - pattern coming soon from Canuck Quilter Designs

Pardon the poor lighting.  It was too windy for outside photos ion the weekend, and now it's raining.  More and better pictures to come!

Next up is a pattern possibility.


This is actually the back of the blue floral Cascade I made a year ago.  I had grand plans to custom quilt this one myself, but earlier this month I finally acknowledged that I just did not have the time to do it, so I sent it out to Liz Meimann to quilt on her longarm.  I needed a back, and had a lot of leftovers from the front so I decided to be frugal and piece the back.  Of course, that took time I probably could have used more productively on other pressing tasks but it was still less time than quilting the quilt myself, and I think I might have a pattern here.  It's very simple but look at how it showcases a gorgeous print on ether side...  This quilt just needs a binding.  The pattern...well, I'm still pondering.  Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

The other quilted quilt waiting for binding was also in the batch I sent to Liz to quilt.  It's also a quilt waiting for binding and a cover photo.  The pattern is otherwise ready.

Focus Squared by Canuck Quilter Designs

Focus Squared was designed to showcase a medium to large scale print.  This version is a rather elegant floral, but it would work with any theme. I mocked it up in EQ8 using Timber Gnomies from Henry Glass and it was super fun.  I almost headed out to the quilt shop for some Timber Gnomies of my own, but my list of things in progress was already rather daunting. Maybe once I whittle down the list I'll treat myself.  I'm sure I could use a new Christmas quilt.

Positivity Squared also went to the longarmer.  It's due home today, so it's in the stack waiting for binding a a cover photo.  Again , the pattern is tested, tech edited, and just waiting on a cover.



Next up is Breadcrumbs, and it's actually the closest to pattern release.  The placemats and runner are quilted and bound and just waiting for a sunny days for a photo shoot.  The pattern is ready and waiting on a cover.

Breadcrumbs by Canuck Quilter Designs. 
 Bear Paw Plaid fabric by Banyan Batiks shipping to stores in October 2021

Banyan Batiks sent me advance yardage of their Bear Paw Plaid line for the pattern cover. Watch for the fabric in stores next October.

The pattern also has a second version, with an accent fabric, which I tested with unidentified fabrics from my stash.  That version is waiting for quilting and binding, and I'm afraid it's at the bottom of the priority list. I want to finish it for my spring table, but some of the other things are really more pressing.  We'll see how things go in the next few weeks.

Breadcrumbs placemat in progress


Finally, the latest project is Modern Lace. This is all I have done so far and doesn't give you a good look at the overall design, but I'm so in love with this one right now that I think it's getting a spot at the top of the list.  There will be a pattern to test soon!

Modern Lace by Canuck Quilter Designs - in progress

To recap, 

Modern Lace - finish test, write pattern, quilt, cover photo
Glacial - finish pattern, quilt, photograph, cover photo
Small Change - finish quilting, cover photo
Focus Squared - bind, cover photo
Positivity Squared - bind, cover photo
Breadcrumbs - cover photo

Any guesses about what will be finished first?

12 comments:

  1. You are amazing! I'm sure you will have them all finished and patterns too in a very short time! All of them are really pretty! That red and white one is spectacular! ---"Love"

    P.S. Have you seen the news about the flood in Australia? Our APQ buddy Miss Reel of Cottonreel Capers, lives in Sydney. I pray she is safe! Check out this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NEVhtncjMM It is terrible!

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  2. Wow--so many great quilts and patterns in the works. I can see why you would feel overwhelmed, especially if this is just part of the "to do" list.

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  3. You have your plate full of new patterns in various stages, good luck getting them all to the final stage.

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  4. You have some wonderful projects on the go ! No wonder you felt over whelmed for a bit. Now that things are under control I look forward to seeing some of the new patterns coming out soon! My bet is that you will finish Modern Lace first because you love it so much ! I do too, I would love to test out that pattern if you are looking for testers.

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  5. Can't wait until a couple of these patterns are available! You are very talented.

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  6. Hi! What a wonderful bunch of amazing quilts you have coming. I would have been overwhelmed long before that :) Good luck. They are all beauties@

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  7. Oh my goodness, no wonder you got overwhelmed! Lots of beautiful stuff there, though, so I can see exactly how easy it was to end up there. Hopefully you've gotten the lists made and figured out how to proceed minus the stress. Or less stress?! You can do this! All of this!

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  8. What a wonderful collection of beauties! I find I put off the computer part of things, not sure why because I do enjoy writing patterns, but clearly I prefer sewing. Glad you have made a plan. Lists always work for me.

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  9. Your mind is working so fast that you can't keep up with it! I especially love the red and white one! But they are all lovely.

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  10. Lots and lots of patterns! I love the peek at Glacial. I look forward to seeing these!

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  11. I feel your pain on too many projects, not enough time. I was doing so well, but now need to refocus and get back on track. It doesn't help when life gets in the way. ☺

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  12. Lots of fabulous projects there Joanne. Your creativity must be in overdrive but no doubt you will work it all out and get everything organised.

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