Turkey Washcloth

Turkey Washcloth
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

I rejoined a washcloth group and I made a turkey for the first project! This was part 1 of 2 washcloths for a November KAL. Made with Lion's kitchen cotton and size 6 needles. Cute, cute, cute. I had given up on picture washcloths before because, well, the picture didn't come out. I am a loose knitter and by going down a couple of sizes, it's coming out perfect.

Continuing Quilting Projects

Some new purchases and continued slow work on projects.

I am on No Buy for a year at Stashbusters and this includes books. I can buy B's - backing, background and Batting. I'm also on No Buy for books, but for every 2 quilting books I part with, I can get one. I traded off 2 quilting books at PaperbackSwap this week, so I was able to include a new quilting book in my Amazon order. Honestly, I SHOULD get rid of half my quilting books, but that is too painful of a process. I'll go in bits and pieces.

Butterfly Album: Monarchs & More by Bea Oglesby is the only book I've seen that focuses on appliqueing monarchs. Lots of details to add extra pizzaz to even a plain butterfly block, which is what I was looking for. I'm really taking to applique. I just need to spend more time doing it.

For fabric buys, I got some gold background for doing Bonnie's current mystery. I have plenty of Christmas fabrics in red and green, some solids in tan, but I had no gold background. So, now that I have that, I will be able to start cutting by Monday. If you want to participate, here's the link: http://quiltville.com/carolinachristmas1.shtml. Just go at your own pace, she will keep the instructions up until June. To keep the mystery, just don't click on the next step until you are done with the current one.

Mill End still has the 60% coupon thing going on, so my gold background wasn't very expensive at all. My Mom wants me to make her some cotton jammies, so I have to go back next week and select something for her. Of course, since I get the scraps that will likely bias me as to which fabric I will select. :) Hmm...pink, blue, jungle animals? We shall see. Someone emailed me about Mill End Textiles. No, this is not quilt shop fabric. It compares very favorably with the better quality cottons at both Joann's and Hancock's and I don't hesitate to use it, but I wouldn't use it with primarily quilt shop fabrics just because the feel is different.

I'm still working on socks. I hope to get ONE pair done by the end of the year and that will be the pair I just started last week! There is no design to follow. Just straight sock knitting reusing yarn from an earlier project start. Then I will stop trying to participate in the sock KAL and finish all the ones I have started. After all, I really want to wear them while it is cold! I'm beginning to understand why some people now ONLY do the two-at-a-time method! I'm in!

Shopping Continues

Using another Mill End coupon, I bought the background fabric I needed for Bonnie's new Mystery. It's expensive going on No Buy for a year, but by limiting myself to buying only the B's only (background, backing, batting), I'm saving a bundle. I am also on no buy for quilting books, although I will get something quilting related with the Christmas money I have. Honestly, I should really clear out half my book collection because I really don't have the space, but it's hard to give them up.

Spent THREE days fixing the Winter Fun quilt. I did a fabulous job of a shingle pattern on the house roof and then realized that the white roof was supposed to indicate a snowdrift. Had to take it all out and now I'm ready to requilt it tomorrow. I'm free forming various patterns in all the white spaces. Yes, some are leaves because I couldn't think of how to do a feather. My plan for tomorrow is to finish quilting this half and then, pinning the other half. Then I need to spend the rest of the day cleaning up and putting stuff away. Really needs it.

Frenzied Shopping

As expected, I joined in on the Day-After-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza. Resisted a lot, but bought more of what I needed than planned.

Mill End Textiles had a 60% off coupon and 1/2 off most other fabric. Located in MN, WI and the Dakotas, they carry a lot of end-of-run fabrics. You never know what they have. I used my coupon to get an entire bolt of marbled pink quilter's cotton for $2/yard. Also purchased some shirt fabric and a little Oriental fabric to send to a swap hostess who helped me a couple of months ago.

Today (Saturday), I took a run to Joann's. Bought about 6 spools of various cotton threads for 50% off. I was VERY disappointed to discover that they have discontinued literally all name brands of batting. So, from now on if I want something for a bed quilt, I will go elsewhere. I will likely continue to use the Soft and Crafty hi loft for tying, but I know that I will need to get 2 batts when I do. I do use Mountain Mist (the only brand they seem to have kept) for wallhangings. They do have Fairfield 80/20, but I've used it before and prefer Hobbs for my scrap quilts. I continue to get Quilter's Dream at the local quilt shop - that stuff is LUSH. Couldn't find anything to spend my 50% off coupon on so bought another skein of Bernat Sock Yarn. Bought some cute pink stuff too.

After that, I went back to Mill End because I had another 60% off coupon. Found ANOTHER bolt of backing fabric, this time a lovely oriental with pink flowers. The pink in the flowers goes well with the pink I bought yesterday, so this makes an ideal selection for a Reversible quilt. $2 yard. If you compared this fabric with a quilt shop, it is a little thinner. But it does compare favorably with Hancock's and Joann's higher end cottons.


I bought the Nov./Dec. 09 Quiltmaker magazine for the cover quilt (pictured left). I was disappointed to find out that it is done using fusibles. However, I really have to get over my resistance to that technique and just do it. I'll bet this will make a fabulous quilt. On the other hand, I may make the wall quilt to get my feet wet. I'm just resistant because I think that the fusible will make the quilt stiff.

I also like the tree quilt in the same issue (pictured right). My sister has requested some small wall quilts and this one would certainly fit her outdoorsy theme in the living room. This is a crib size, so I'd have to make it a tad smaller, but what a cute way to use up strips of green!

My energy levels have finally picked up from the H1N1, so I'm hoping to get some things accomplished now! Winter Fun is not quite half quilted. I needed some different blue thread to finish the quilting and now that I have it, I can move on with finishing the quilting, so that I can pin the other half.

Big Busted is Done!

I've now completed the Big Busted quilt. Final size is about 45 x 65 inches, so a lap quilt. The front was done using only stash during a quilt-a-long at Stashbusters. The batting is sewn together leftover strips from previous projects. All of the batting was the Joann's Hi Loft Soft and Crafty from last year, not the inferior product (IMHO) that is being sold now. I find hand sewing batting strips, especially thick batting strips, much better than machine sewing as it doesn't interfere with the loft. The backing is a royal blue Joann's Snuggle flannel and the binding just a new fabric that brought out the blue tones in the front of the quilt. The primary fabric used in this quilt is the last of my Millennium fabric for the Millennium quilt I was never able to do (due to illness). I was finally able to get past my disappointment of not being able to swap during the 1998-99 period and this project really is what did it for me.

H1N1 or How My Brain Fried

I thought I had a normal bad cold that turned into the absolute worst sinus infection I have ever had. The headache was so horrible. Doc says it's H1N1. Anyway, I first started getting symptoms 8 days ago and I'm still sick. So, fellow crafters, make sure you have what you need because you will not want to go anywhere while you recuperate.

I finished the binding on the lap quilt I was working on and it is complete. I'll give it its own entry after I have a photo. Other than that, I've been working on swap blocks. I should have read the swap instructions more carefully. I'm virtually making an entire top worth of blocks and this is a bit more work than I was planning. The pattern is Kansas Troubles and I have most of the fabric cut now. Started sewing some HSTs already. My goal is to get these blocks done by Saturday so that I can mail on Monday.

I have done no knitting or crocheting since I got sick. Between being really miserable and now coughing all the time, I just didn't want to deal with it. Handling yarn after you've been coughing a ton is just plain icky.

Being sick is always a good time for a movie marathon, if your head isn't pounding. This time around, I chose the entire Star Wars series. I honestly don't think I saw Episode 3 before, so I'm looking forward to it. I am watching them in the order they came out (i.e. 4, 5, 6, then 1, 2, 3).

Other Projects

Alas, due to a family illness, I have completed quite a bit more of the crocheted Ladybug Afghan. Now, all 35 blocks are done as are 9 ladybug bodies and several pairs of wings. I have to do the circles for the wings at home (that black is just hard to crochet in all but bright light), so I am seeing this going along at a quick pace.

I have 4 pairs of socks that will continue to be worked on until done. As far as the From the Top Down KAL on Ravelry, I'm on hold until November and December. During those months, only a basic sock is being done, so I'm pretty confident I can get those done during the month. In fact, one will just be a redo of what I started in August (sock toe was too big so I'll just start over). I really need to find a better backdrop for sock photos though. Hmmm...

After the first of the year, I'll be hanging up the knitting needles and returning to cross-stitching until Summer. Well, yes, I'll finish the started socks, but the rest of my sock yarn will be packed away until I get one or two cross stitch projects completed.

Finally, yes, the quilting projects continue. I just finished tying and trimming a scrap quilt yesterday. Then, I need to work on the quilting for my Mom's winter wallhanging. That won't actually take that long, but because I don't have a lot of pins, it's taking longer than expected. I need to quilt one area, then repin, and it's a pain.

Train Quilt is Done!

Here's the final photo of the Train Quilt. Hard to get it all to fit in! The primary pattern is Square-in-a-Square. The final measurements are 45x96 inches, perfect for a recliner. I used 2 layers of Soft n Crafty Hi Loft and tied it using Cascade 220 wool yarn. I agree that I didn't trim the blocks correctly, but nobody seems to notice that around here (if you can't see it from the photo, it doesn't exist, right? I used 5 different train fabrics on this (still have one left over to use somewhere else) and as always, I used some solid colored fabric to give the eye some place to rest as well as frame the novelty fabrics. The backing is just a plain brown flannel from Joann's. The kitties, especially Bart, already approve of the quilt.

If you have never done square in a square, here is a link. I recommend making your squares 1/4 inch larger and trim to correct size (1/4 inch beyond edge extra for sewing line).
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/square.in.a.square.htm

Quilting Projects This Week

First, the Train Quilt was completed last week. We've had a lot of rain, so hopefully, I can post a photo soon. This week, I'm working on 2 quilt projects. One is Big Busted and the other is Winter Fun. Here's a link my original posting of those projects.
http://waytoomuchstash.blogspot.com/2009/05/big-busted-is-busted.html

Big Busted is a finished top from a quilt-a-long at Stashbusters earlier this year. I am piecing together thick batting from tying previous quilts to make a batting for this one. Whatever batting is left over will go into a cat pad for my precious pets. I have one more strip of batting to complete my batting for the center. This part has been a comfy TV project. I have abandoned the idea of using pieced flannel for the back. I don't have enough of coordinating colors and I don't want it to look weird either since this is a lap quilt for the living room. I'll look at Joann's and see what I can find in the way of Snuggle flannel. The scraps will be used in the cat pad.

Winter Fun was a swap from QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com last winter. The top is done, I want to complete the quilt this month. Currently, it is pinned and I've done a small amount of quilting. This will be the first quilt where I'm using different quilting motifs in every block. It will be a wall quilt, so I will be adding a sleeve to the back.

I've had several requests from family members for wall quilts, so I think this winter, I can look forward to a few small projects. My sister threw out ideas such as fish, deer, loons. Her goal is to reduce the sound in her home (lots of wood floors). I do have a pattern for a large deer quilt, but honestly, I don't think that she has a wall that can accommodate it. I have a number of fish quilts I can do including realistic lake/river fish. For my bro, he HAS the wall space, but his interests are hard to gauge. I'm thinking anything forest-like that includes wild animals would work for him. When I get to him, maybe I'll show him some pattern ideas. He likes tapestries without a ton of detail.

Did a couple of other little sewing projects this week. Used some Vikings and U of M Gopher polar fleece to make a kitty pad for my dad's cat (for use while watching games) and a 16 inch square pillow for my BIL. Made a pillow case for my bro that matches the flannel on the back of his winter quilt (the Citrus Stars). The small amounts left over will go into more cat pads.

Ladybug square

Ladybug square
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

After more than a year of working on this afghan, I have finally completed one ladybug! Sorry for the washed out appearance. I guess I need to take these photos outside during the DAY! This ladybug has a very 3 dimensional look to it and is just so darn cute. There is also a 3 dimensional daisy square, but it just doesn't show up at all with a flash. After counting, I still have one more white square to do (darn it all!), but my current goal is to complete this project before the end of the year. I'll continue to treat it as a take-a-long project until December, but then finish anything remaining.

This adorable crocheted ladybug is a purchased pattern by Maggie Weldon. You can get it at www.maggiescrochet.com.

Knitting and quilting (again)

First, so sorry I haven't posted recently. I hate to put posts without photos and I've had a lot of computer problems since the resent upgrade. Things aren't quite right yet, but at least internet access seems to be stable.

First, I'll start with the knitting. I'm making Trilobites from Wendy Johnson's book, Socks From the Toe Up. I can see that participating in a sock contest that only lasts a month just doesn't work for me. I am about 2 inches shy of finishing the FIRST sock, so clearly, once again, I will not be able to enter the contest for prizes on Ravelry. Lovely sock though and I will likely make this again in future. Nice and stretchy and the yarn works absolutely perfectly with the pattern. I'm using Knit Picks superwash in Tuscany and size 0 needles (Knitpicks nickle circs). I've concluded that the only contest I will likely be able to actually FINISH a pair is the one in November or December that uses just the basic pattern in stockinette. Anyway, I will continue to work on these and the other unfinished ones. I need some done socks before it gets too cold!


On to crochet! No photos right now, but did want to say that I've finished about 80% of the Ladybug Crocheted afghan. I discovered I have 2 squares left to do, but have already started the flowers. I get to sit at a long medical appointment next week, so really need to make up ONE ladybug before the staff threatens my coffee supply. They watch this thing getting worked on, square by square, every time I am there. I had expected to actually be completed in June, but what with fewer appointments, that hasn't been happening. It's really hard though. I want to get it done, but it is my take-a-long project and I have nothing else exactly lined up once I start putting the blocks together, so I'll just keep plugging along.

Next, on to quilting. The train quilt is rapidly reaching completion. Here it was late last week on my 'tying' table. I misplaced my little Fiskars, so had to use my dressmaking shears, but otherwise, it went well. Took just shy of 15 hours to tie and make the binding. I know this because I was listening to the audio version of The Hunt for Red October, which is 15 hours long. Great story! I saw the movie and that was fabulous,but I completely understand why this story catapulted Tom Clancy's writing career.


Here is my helper, Polly, who absolutely adores helping tying quilts. If she isn't napping where I'm working, she is running off with yarn balls. Here's the kitty, tired out from chasing yarn balls. As you more experienced quilters can see, I really should have trimmed these blocks so that the corners met, but I decided to just leave them. Next time, I will REMEMBER to trim them because the quilter in me knows it really does look better with matched corners.


QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com has a new quilt-a-long. Pick a quilt swap that you participated in on that board and finish the quilt in a month. So, for October, I'm picking Winter Fun. This swap was done last winter. This is about 52 inches square and I plan to hang this vs. using it as a lap quilt. Bought some cute snowman fabric for the back today and plan to pin tomorrow (have to find my box of pins!). This will have different types of quilting depending on the block. What did I make for this swap? The windmills (top row, 2nd block) and the rail fence (bottom row, 2nd block).



I'll try to be better about updates. As we approach Winter and the end of the allergy season, I hope that I will be able to get more accomplished!

More Socks

I have finally finished one of my On Hold Socks. I dropped a stitch on the heel and could NOT figure out how to eliminate the hole (it was a wrap stitch), so am ripping back.



For the Socks From the Toe Up KAL, I started these Trilobite socks yesterday. Have finished the toe and a first run through the chart. Really does lovely things with this yarn. I'm using Tuscany Multi in Knit Picks Essentials sock yarn. I am using a small size 1 (2.25 mm) circular to knit this. I have one mistake (left in), but find the only problem I have is a tendency to have laddering on the side that I am beginning the pattern. Seems to fix itself though.

Knitting and Quilting

Sorry, it's been a bit since I posted. Haven't been getting a lot of needlework done, but mostly because it has all been taken up with socks and just feeling out of sorts. I have yet to finish a pair, but I have 4 pair of socks on different needles. Let's focus on the currently active pair. I am making the "On Hold" pattern from Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. As much as I love the result, I detest working on lace. I may appreciate the lacemaking after I am more familiar with the toe up process. I do love working on circulars and may never pick up my double pointed needles again.

Progress from July 2009. Shows the pattern very nicely.


This shows my progress today. Sorry for washed out photo. As you can see, I finished the heel and about 3 inches of the ankle of one sock. The other is waiting for me to start the heel. Done on separate circs as I still haven't quite figured out how to work them on one set of circs yet. These are running just a little big. Next time I have a 66 stitch sock, I'm dropping a few stitches. I'm using size 0 circs and just am not going to go to any lower sizes. Too hard to pick up dropped stitches.


As always, a needed pet photo. Here is Polly in the window well of my craft room. That is a Mile A Minute afghan she is laying on. I'm also thrilled to pieces about the new window. I can finally open AND close the window instead of opening and having to use a hammer to close it. Don't have to put plastic on it either - no drafts.


Finally, here is part of the now completed Train Quilt top. This quilt is for my Dad to use in his recliner as he often sleeps there, so it is specially sized. I bought the binding today and still need to sew the backing together and find some red wool yarn. I hope to start tying it some time this week. To you quilters reading my blog: I completely agree with you. I should have cut the square-in-the-squares smaller so that the corners just met. However, non-quilters don't even notice, so I'm not going to either. Next time, I will do it right. I was able to use all but one of my train fabrics in some way in this quilt. The final one is going to be used to make a matching remote control holder. Whatever is left over, I plan to trade off to someone. I have SO much fabric, I decided not to quibble over scraps - trade the leftover novelties off for something I can use and someone else will benefit from these now out-of-print fabrics.

Sock Knitting!

First, I had to abandon my previous socks as they were too big. I still plan to do them with that yarn, but just a temporary hold. In the meantime, I started my sock for the Socks From The Toe Up monthly challenge at Ravelry. This group is devoted to Wendy's patterns, both published and free on the net. This month it is Lace Ribbing. I'm using a Palette yarn from Knit Picks for this first challenge and size 1 needles. I don't know why I had so much trouble with the toe. I restarted 6 times and gave it a rest and then did it again twice this morning before I got it right. It still isn't perfect (I had to add some rows to have 32 stitches on both needles), but damnit, I'm not starting it again!

As I learned from the other sock, I have loose gauge, so am just following the instructions for a regular 8.5 inch sock. Then I'll check the fit and adjust if need be. I just can't knit 8 stitches to the inch and I can't knit with those 00 needles either. So, it's either 1 or 0 and I'll enjoy myself. I do plan to get circs later on so that I can knit with 2 circs instead, but I'm comfortable with doublepointeds. I do find it impossible to knit while watching TV. These no-line bifocals are just at the wrong level for my knitting and it's annoying. I just take my glasses off to knit. I am getting new frames for my other lenses (the ones for cross-stitching) and then I probably will have less problems. Gives me an excuse to listen to my audiobook.

Square In A Square

Yes, focus is my problem. Natch. Anyway, I did 2 sample blocks for my Dad's Train quilt and they look pretty nifty. The red has tracks in it. I like it fine, but it just seems to lack pop. Not sure yet what I will do, but I still have 3 other train fabrics to incorporate into this thing. My Square in a Squares are actually too generous, so I might have to cut that some. As this quilt is for sleeping in the recliner, I'm limited to 50 x 100 inches. A little awkward, but a regular twin is too wide.

Big Busted is Busted!

I have been making the mystery quilt from the Stashbusters yahoo group and the top is now done! Bad time of day to take photo, but as you can see, the graphic (windmill blades) isn't very strong due to my choice of light fabric. Still, it's a nice lap quilt, totally made from stash and scraps. I love, love, love the border! My sister and BIL happened to request a lap quilt at the time this mystery started so when I have it quilted, they will likely get it. If I make this again, I will use a light fabric, maybe a marble, throughout. Behind the quilt is the new retaining wall that has been interfering with my crafting! Lots of skut work still to be done although all but the end cap of the wall is up now. A part of the patio is also being replaced. Everybody has taken a break however, so hopefully it will be done before July heat sets in.



It is no surprise that there are no photos of socks. I will be working on socks tonight and maybe, just maybe, might get one done before the end of the month.

Also, another photo op! I finished a top that was part of a Winter Fun swap at www.QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com. My blocks were the pinwheels and rail fences. I'll have to put this top up and gaze upon it during commercial breaks to figure out how I'm going to quilt it. It needs more than in-the-ditch quilting, but I haven't decided what. I'm hoping for inspiration.

Mystery is Nearly Done!

For those of you working on the Stashbuster Mystery, I am nearly finished with Steps 8 & 9. I have to go to the library today to print out the final pages. This is actually a very good mystery because I have absolutely NO IDEA what this thing is gonna look like and typically by now, you have a good vision.

I had a goal to get these very first toe up socks done before the end of May and I'm not doing so good. I'll post on June 1 exactly what has been accomplished as I plan to work madly over the weekend to try to finish at least one sock.

What has been getting in my way is the new retaining wall. It is now up, but not completed. Further work also has to be done to the patio. Work that needs to be done, but interferes with my crafting!

Citrus Stars Quilt DONE!

Finished the Citrus Stars quilt last night. The photo is a little dark, but I can't seem to get access to my photoeditor. It is a dark blue star background in the border, not black. Extra large twin sized quilt, it measures 72x90 inches and has a flannel backing which features a Debbi Mumm squirrel print (my bro is a fan of squirrels). I used Joann's Soft and Crafty Hi Loft and tied it using Cascade 220 wool yarn. It looks very Miami, but adding the green and dark blue gave it a more male look, which was needed since this is for my brother. The background is various white on white vine fabrics. The strip of green at the bottom was to give just a tad couple more inches. Probably should have put it at the top, but its done and looks great.


The 4 patch stars are a free pattern and I added 1 inch sashing between them. I used my Eleanor Burns Flying Geese templates to make the 6 inch flying geese in the border. While this quilt did use up 5 yards of stash, it really isn't a big stash user as you need a solid background for it and quite a bit (I think I used 6 yards).
http://www.scrapquilts.com/4star.html

What I'm Doing

Sorry, I've been a little light on the postings. First, TV watchings. I'm not a big TV watcher, but there are several things coming on that I do enjoy. The exciting news is that Primeval and Eureka are back!! Primeval, Season 3 (BBCA) starts tonight and Eureka is back to finish Season 3 (delayed due to writer's strike) in July. Since I don't have HBO, I'm also looking forward to getting my DVD of True Blood at the end of this month. I love the books, I hope the series is as good. I also get to work my way through Buffy and Angel series this summer. Picked these DVDs up for a good price, used, so that I could take my time. Finally, I'm getting all of the New Doctor Who and Torchwood series. Lots of stitching time here when it's too hot or mosquito ridden for me to go outside!

Quilting: The Citrus Stars quilt is nearly done. I just started hand sewing the binding to the back, but it will take a few days. I started cutting the fabric for Pirates/Parrots reversible quilt. All but the sashing has been cut for Pirates, so that I can make pillowcases with the remainder. Now, I have to figure out the plan for Parrots so I can start cutting that. This week, I will also start cutting out the trains for Dad's chair quilt. It will be a square in a square type quilt and will likely have train tracks for the border.

I just received my first installment of a BOM. This is called Snowman Collector and this quilt will be for me. I just love these snowmen. Yes, it ends up expensive over the long haul, but so darn cute.


Knitting: Working on 2 different pairs of socks. Had set these down to finish up Citrus Stars and will pick up again as soon as the binding is done. Both are 'basic socks', so nothing complicated about them. I need to get my toe up done very quickly as the monthly KAL starts in June.

Crocheting: the Crocheted Ladybug afghan is really reaching a great stage. I have 31 of the 35 background squares now done. I will be moving on to doing the ladybug parts and the flower parts, all of which get attached to the background squares.

Cross Stitching: Bought a whole bunch of DMC floss from Stashbuster's List Mom, Sandra. Ironically, she works only a mile from where I live, so I got to save on shipping and just pick it up at the front desk. I'll admit, for hand stitching, cross stitching has been taking a back seat for awhile. I will be bringing it back out to the forefront soon and have picked Sunday as my day of the week to just work on cross-stitching.

Ok.. that's about it. I need to go out and finish mowing the back before Primeval starts. I promise - photos - soon!! My Kodak program is back and I think I found my cable to connect the camera (thieved by interested kitties).

Garage Sale and Quilt-A-Long

First, the garage sale was a success. Most of my fabric went the first day and most of my yarn the second. Also sold most of the quilt and crochet books and booklets. What is left are smaller pieces: Millennium fabric, city fabric (looks like Chicago) and some fabric book panels (Beatrix Potter and Winnie the Pooh). There will be another garage sale in July, but all different stuff. If any of my followers are interested, let me know!

I am also joining an EASY quilt-a-long. I wanted to join the Stashbusters mystery quilt, but I have no printer, can't read the darn files (new drive, lots of stuff to put back on) and they are already on the 2nd week (I was NOT gone a week!). So, I'm bummed, but decided on this other quilt-a-long which also uses stash. It's a 9 patch set in white sashing. Really, a nice summer quilt that can be made any size. It's a do-a-block-a-day quilt-a-long. I think I can manage that. Here's the link:
One A Day Quilt A Long

I think I'll include some of that Chicago Skyline and Millennium fabrics in this project unless I can find someone who desperately has been looking for either of these to finish a project.