60 Day Club, An Adventure of Finishing UFO's

Unfinished projects are the subject of many jokes in a quilter's world.  Here's a small sample of some of the comments I receive in the quilt shop:

• Do I have any UFO's?  Are you kidding?  I built a storage shed to hide my stash!
• I might be able to find 5, 😉😉😉😉😉
• How many years will we be doing this program, I may need 10 or more
• I'm saving fabric for retirement, I want to make sure I have enough when I'm on a fixed income

There has been 2 people who let me know that they really don't have any unfinished projects, they pretty much finish things they start.  I didn't have my camera running to show you my jaw hitting the floor when I heard this, I love these people, but we really don't have much in common.

What the heck is the 60 day club?  Find 5 unfinished projects and gather them for a group photo by the first week in January.  Take five post it notes and number them from 1 - 5 and place a number on each of the 5 projects, take a picture (evidence).

Just a sample, my projects have yet to be identified

        • Pick 5 Unfinished projects you want to complete in 2017

• When I say unfinished projects, pull out those ones you've been saving, because you can't stand the idea of losing them forever, and you think if you got them done, you'd be happy and proud

• How unfinished?  Oh heck, let's not get caught up in minutiae (not sure of the spelling).  Some of my projects have been in my shoeboxes for 10 years and some I just haven't even cut out yet, some are big and some are small.  Bigger is not better, DONE IN 60 DAYS is better

• Now for the Evidence.  Arrange your projects into stacks, 5 stacks.  

• Number 5 post its 1 - 5 and place them on each of your 5 projects to be completed next year

• Take a picture for evidence, this will be shared with your group.

• Don't have a group?  Make one, or join ours or just post on the Quilt Lodge Facebook page.

• The first week in January we are getting together for a sandwich and beer party, probably at Sam's taproom, and the first number will be drawn, this is the first project everyone will start on and finish in 60 days

• Next comes a show and tell pizza and beer party, at the end of the first 60 days, we'll get together and show off our UFO's that are finished (at least the top, unless it's a table runner, you'll get all kinds of crap if you only bring the top of a table runner)

• If you don't finish your 60 day project, fine, bring it anyways, show some progress, and don't forget to bring a dessert to share, with everyone!  Some people wanted the unsuccessful to buy dinner, but I was afraid people would come up with an excuse and run for the hills, we don't want that

• We'll pick the next number at the show and tell and let the fun begin, again, and in 60 days we'll get together and have a meal, repeat!

• Yes, I'm long winded

• Let me know if you want to join, I can help you connect with others in your local area for your group parties, but hope you make it to one of our's in Red Lodge
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Some days are just made for having coffee in the afternoon.  Yesterday was one of those days in Red Lodge Montana.  I'm always looking up the rain/moisture doppler radar from Weather Underground to see if we're gonna have some rain.  Yesterday morning the doppler map was completely green up in Yellowstone National Park, and the way the jet stream was moving, I was sure we'd rain all day.

Just a few drops here in town, dang it.  On the bright side; where I saw the big green blob on the doppler radar, it did rain.  Thank goodness, because there was a big fire that started up there last weekend.  It's burning not too far from one of my favorite peaceful spots in the Park, the Nez Perce  Ford picnic area.                                

This morning Beartooth Pass was closed 12 miles south of Red Lodge because there was a bit of a snow event on the Wyoming side of the Pass.  Hoping it's open this weekend, because I know many travelers will enjoy the view.

Making taco soup tonight for dinner, it's a fall favorite.

Playing Catch-Up For Monthly Block Exchange

I'm so far behind!  All of a sudden I look over to the side of my sewing machine and I find a stack of block exchange blocks that I need to get done.  On top of that, I present my own block at guild in April!  I'm pretty sure I can get these done, maybe even before summer hits.

Here is one for Crystal Dreese.  Crystal, this was a challenge!  Good for you and I hope you like!

Next is one for Teresa Bartholomew, very traditional, like me!

Now all I have to do is get over to my stack and get to sewing!

Any day quilting is a good day.

My Own Quilt Challenge

I have been playing around with this panel and batik combo since last October, or maybe it was November.  What I need to do is finish this darn thing.  I'm getting kinda attached to it hanging on the wall.  I like the colors, I like looking at it, especially when I've had snow all around me since the first week in October.

I wanted this quilt to be a bit disorganized (like the developer) so I'm doing weird things like trying to not have the panel in the center.  I need this to be wide enough to fit a double bed because I may want to look at this every winter for a bit, just to remind me that spring is coming, some day.

I've had a bit of fun with friends and visitors putting their own ideas in the block arrangement.  Once I sew these blocks together, I think I better stick to it.

Then, write a pattern, ugh!  I promised to write a pattern, so wish me luck!

The Calamity Quilter

Jellystone Park Quilt

Sometimes I just laugh at myself for being so clever!  This Jellystone Park Quilt Kit features the Glamping fabric line by Moda.  I just couldn't help it, the pattern is called Jellystone Park by Legacy Patterns, then I stumble upon the Glamping fabric by Moda, and pow, it's a kit!

The size I chose takes one jelly roll and a couple of border fabrics.  In the kit I have included the pattern, the jelly roll, both borders and binding fabric for a total of $78.

There is just one block, but the way the blocks are organized together has a method.  Try not to be like the calamity quilter and think you know what you're doing, only to find out I did a row backwards, therefore requiring the use of my seam ripper.

You may be wondering what I think is so funny about picking this fabric and pattern together?  Well, my shop, Quilt Lodge is just North of Yellowstone Park.  We get tons of tourist people (many are quilters) who drive over the Beartooth Pass on their way to Yellowstone Park. 

The next thing you should know is I have a hankerin' to fix up a vintage trailer (I need one with a bathroom) and join up with the Sisters On The Fly group.  So having vintage trailers, women with red lipstick and gingham checks all in the same quilt is just right for me.  The Sister's On The Fly group has quite a few "sisters" who are quilters. 


 So much to do in this one lifetime, hope I can get it all done!  If you follow this link, you can find this kit, and others on my online Quilt Lodge shop.

Jellystone Park Kit $78

Happy Quilting from
The Calamity Quilter
Somewhere close to a seam ripper in Red Lodge, Montana

9 Patch Slice and Dice Part 2

Have some fun slicing up your 9 patch blocks, put them up on your design wall and just see what happens!  Because everything I do is not perfect (therefore a "calamity"), I try my darnedest to turn a boo boo into something that works.  Just throw out directions, they're only a suggestion anyways!





 In this quilt block I used some batik charm square and pared them up with a warm bright cotton star print fabric.  The effect is like a ray of sunshine in the morning, maybe a bit like the beach, but a gal in Montana can dream can't she?





Once you get your 9 patch block put together, fold your block in half and press a little fold into each side of the block to help you make a perfect slice in half.  I tried to use my ruler, but I just fussed too much due to imperfect seams lines and decided to just cut the things in half the best way I could.  Whatever works for you! 

Hope you get the picture :)








Next, take your prizes over to your ironing board and make another fold crease in the center.  You'll end up with 4 equal blocks, each with one large square, one small square and 2 rectangles.  But before I let you go, I tried goofing around with my half cut blocks on the design wall............

It never fails, I always like what I see, just imagine the possibilities! 

Ok, you may notice that the design wall in the background of these pics looks very happy and has the faint shadow of some bold flowers.  I get vinyl tablecloths on sale, especially at the end of a season, and pin them up on the wall backwards so the flannel side is ready for my blocks to stick, works great.



Now just in case you were thinking I can count, I must share that I had an accident and mixed up my 9 patch squares.  It turned out that I made some with the background color in the center and at the corners, rather than the batiks.  Not to worry.  I decided this could be another cool design, so I finished making 25% of the blocks with the background in the middle, and the rest of the blocks had the batik in the middle.

Once I put the blocks up on the wall, I decided on the design you see in the last picture.  You can mix your blocks up anyway you want, in fact, I've seen these blocks turn out looking completely different than what you see here.  I added a border and wa la (not sure that's a word).

Signing off for now,

The Calamity Quilter,
Somewhere close to a seam ripper in Red Lodge, Montana

Rodeo Quilt for the Hoedown in Red Lodge

A couple of days ago the Carbon County Historical Society and Museum in Red Lodge, Montana dropped by the Quilt Lodge. They told me about their annual fundraiser whose theme this year is “The Hoedown – Outlaw Style” that will take place in September. They politely asked was there anything I’d like to donate from the Quilt Lodge to their auction to help raise funds for the museum in town?

Serendipitously, I had the perfect quilt for the hoedown, my “Home of Champions Rodeo” quilt. Holy cow!! :)  This past spring the spirit of the Wild West and rodeos took hold within me. Fabrics with horse riding cowboys, cowboy boots, cowboy hats and stars fired my quilting passion.

Home of Champions Rodeo Quilt

The border on the quilt is bucking broncos and cowboys. I thought “Home of Champions Rodeo” was a great name as Red Lodge hosts the annual Home of Champions Rodeo every 4^th of July holiday.  The reverse is a cowhide-like pattern which is minki to the touch. 

Reverse minki side of quilt

The rich and diverse history of Red Lodge, Montana is on display at the Carbon County Historical Society and Museum in the beautiful historic brick building located on the main street, Broadway Avenue. To preserve all of the local history a fundraiser takes place annually and this year’s theme is “The Hoedown--Outlaw Style”.

Saturday, September 21 at Rock Creek Resort is the date for all the fun. Although not mandatory, attendees can dress according to the theme and perhaps channel one of the many colorful historical characters known to have frequented Red Lodge such as Calamity Jane or the first elected marshal John “Liver-Eating” Johnston.

Festivities start at 5:30 PM with a cocktail hour followed by dinner. Entertainment will be provided including dancing. Both a silent and live auction will feature great items including several trips for two, along with my “Home of Champions Rodeo” quilt, of course. :)  Tickets are $50 a person and $750 for a table. It’s going to be a heck of a good time. Look forward to seeing you there!! :)

Close up of minki side