More improv, more progress

I've been working on my improv sampler, I have this much done. I need to move it to a different design area as I can't easily reach the top above my sewing machine to organize the blocks. But I do know that the space you see up to the end of the plus blocks on the far right is about what I need to fill up for a 60" square.

I cut some pieces big enough to work on the part I am doing next, then I use them up, then cut some more. I am trying to decide what kind of improv blocks to make next. This project has been so good for kick starting my quilting creativity, as I am playing with all sorts of improv. Also, I find improv with prints challenging and the lack of contrast adds even more difficulty. So both challenging and creative.

I especially like how these rosettes have come together.

And the string blocks, I have always resisted making many of these but they are so easy to make, especially when you don't bother with a foundation. You just need to remember they are very stretchy because they are cut on the bias so need to be handled with care.

Next time I make blocks like these, I will try to share more of the process for construction of them.

I am missing reading blogs of folks who share their quilting, sewing and knitting progress and processes. If you have suggestions of blogs, including your own, for me to consider, please leave me a note in the comments.

Best,

Leanne

More improv - a sampler in the making

This project is fun. It is turning into am improv sampler, a bit at a time. Once I fill all the space you can see on the design wall in that photo, it will be about 60" square.

I am enchanted by each bit I work on. This kind of sampler is just what I need after so many months of feeling less than creative. I keep thinking I should make a quilt out of each style of block I try.

The little squares are especially calling me. I do like the limited palette, it is forcing me to think about shades and contrast. I keep looking in my stash for more pinks and peach fabrics.

I especially love the triangle jumble. This is definitely going to be a block I make a whole quilt out of soon.

I'm going to make more of the plus and then some X blocks, and think of other improv blocks to play with to add. Hopefully there is time for more sewing during the work week.

Best,

Leanne

A Little Progress

I had a few minutes tonight and so I made more bits to go with this. I started wanted to just use lighter pinks and pink/peach with bits of golden/mustard. Then it was just too sweet for me, so I added small bits of navy. I have no plan yet, about the size or the layout or anything. But I'm having fun.

And I am going to try to check in here more.

Best,

Leanne

My Q3 2018 FAL List

Well, there you go. I made a list for Q3 of the 2018 FAL. Starting at top left and moving clockwise.

• Finish the layout and then finish my Bee Sewcial quilt from my November 2017 blocks.
• Finish blocks for my Sew Sisters Canada 150 quilt. 
• Make a back for the Tula Pink quilt and finish it.
• Quilt my Improv Under he Influence Quilt.
• Make my Round Peg Square Hole blocks into a cushion or baby quilt.
• Finish my Bella Skill Builder blocks and finish the quilt.
• Finish knitting the Orthogonal Shawl.
• Decide on a layout and finish my Bee Sewcial quilt from my November 2016 blocks.
• Finish the blocks and make the quilt for the pink, gold/mustard and navy quilt.

There is, of course, an extremely good chance that I won't finish all of this but it feels good to make a list.

Have you made your list yet? You can join us for Q3 of the 2018 FAL, you are welcome to do so, whether or not you have been part of the last two.

Best,

Leanne

Q3 - FAL - Link up your to be finished list

Its time to link up your list of unfinished projects that you propose to finish in Q3 of the Finish-A-Long. We are hoping that the FAL community will inspire you to work on your unfinished projects this quarter (and throughout the remainder of the year) and to get them finished!

The 2018 FAL is hosted by a community of bloggers across the world. Our hosts are:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA

• Sandra (also Social Media Director) - Studio Sew of Course - Ireland

• Leanne - She Can Quilt  - Canada 

• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA

• Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada

• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA

• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada

• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA

For those of you who are new to the FAL, it is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete those unfinished projects that are hanging around. At the start of the quarter you post and link up a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months, and then at the end of the quarter you link up each successful finish from your original list.

Each linked up finish is an entry into the draw for wonderful prizes from our sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing a listed project, so feel free to make your list as long or short as you wish. The 2018 Schedule and Rules for the FAL are on my permanent 2018 FAL page, let me know if you have any questions.

Here are the fantastic and generous sponsors for Q3 of the Finish-A-Long. you can see each of their prizes listed under their logo. Please think about visiting them and saying thank you for their support of the FAL.

$50 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

$25 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$20 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

3 Six Month Subscr.

$25 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

A Minikins Bundle

$50 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Gift Certificate

$40 Gift Certificate

So now it is time to round up those projects that you want to finish over the next three months! Take a photo of each one and make your list. Please ensure that you have at least started your projects - pulled fabric with a pattern is considered a UFO - and remember it is only finished projects that will get you an entry toward the above listed prizes. So while we love to see your bee blocks, the "finish" is when they are a completed, usable project.

If posting on social media (Flickr & Instagram), it will be very helpful if you tag your list with #2018FALQ3yourname (where yourname is unique to you). Using the same hashtag over the quarter when sharing project progress or finishes helps the host to make the connection to your original list quickly and easily.
IMPORTANT: Don't forget to link up your finishes when the quarter closes!

The 2018 Q3 list for your list of proposed finishes is now open, below, on my blog and each of the hosting blogs. You need only link your list once, on one host blog and the link will show up on all the host blogs. If you are using Flickr or Instagram, post a photo mosaic of your projects and put your list in the description. Don't forget to include your unique hashtag. Katy of The Littlest Thistle has a great tutorial on how to link up if you need it, or Marci of Marci Girl Designs has a tutorial to link up an Instagram post specifically.

We also ask that you become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others - visit and comment on their lists. We all need encouragement to get those finishes done, so please share some of your own too.

If you want you can follow us on Facebook, Finish-A-Long and/or on Instagram, @finishalong, too. We'll post encouragement during the quarter and reminders when the finishes link up opens at the end of the quarter.

When creating your list there is one thing to remember - No deductions for not completing something so - Aim High! Nothing to lose!! Well now, get your list together and get linked up.

Feel free to use and share the FAL button above and this one too:

The Q3 proposed finish linky party will stay open until 11 pm EST, Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link (you can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right.)

Remember: you only need to link up at ONE hosting blog and it will automatically show up on all hosting blogs.

Best,

Leanne

An InLinkz Link-up

Q2 FAL - Don't forget to link up your finishes!

Popping in today for a quick reminder that the Quarter 2 Link Up for all your finishes closes on Monday, July 9, 2018, 11 pm EST. So you still have a few more days to finish a project or two and link them up to be eligible for prizes. The link up can be found HERE or on the blog of any of our current hosts.

A few reminders for linking up:

• Please only one finished project for each post that you link up, so that each finish can be an entry in the (random) prize draw. 
• Please include a link to your original list in each post of your finishes (on Instagram the link is the unique tag #2018FALQ2yourname to be used in the Q2 list post, and in any Q2 finish post).
• Please visit some of the other participants and leave a friendly comment, we all love to get those!

If you didn't have a chance to visit the tutorials that were posted as part of Finish-A-Long Tutorials Week, here is the schedule once more:July 3, 2018 - Sandra of Studio Sew of Course - The Finish-A-Long Project List - keeping track of your FAL projects

• July 3, 2018 - Sandra of Studio Sew of Course - The Finish-A-Long Project List - keeping track of your FAL projects

• July 4, 2018 - Ella of Throw A Wench in the Works

• July 5, 2018 - Felicity of Felicity Quilts - Mini Charm Pack Zip Pouch

They are well worth a visit!

Finally, we hope you will be joining us for Quarter 3 to do it all over again!! So get your List ready, the link up for Q3 Lists will open on July 10, 2018.

Best,

Leanne

FAL - Don't miss Tutorial Week

Today kicks off "Tutorial Week," which has been part of the Finish-A-Long since it's inception.  While the link up for Finishes is open, we share some tutorials for you all to enjoy. They are varied, interesting, and usually helpful, so take some time to investigate and visit the blogs below on their scheduled day!

• July 3, 2018 - Sandra of Studio Sew of Course - The Finish-A-Long Project List - keeping track of your FAL projects

• July 4, 2018 - Ella of Throw a Wench in the Works Fleece Dog Bed

• July 5, 2018 - Felicity of Felicity Quilts -Mini Charm Pack Zip Pouch

The Quarter 2 Finishes link up opened yesterday, you can find the link up HERE or on any of the hosting blogs. There is still plenty of time to link up or finish those projects as the link up does not close until July 9, 2018, 11 pm EST.

And whether you had a lot of finishes, or none at all this quarter, or you missed Finish-A-Long Q2 altogether, you can always join in for Quarter 3 which is taking off on July 10th, with the link up opening for your List of Proposed Finishes. We hope you will join us!

Best,

Leanne

Q2 FAL - Link up your finishes!

Can you believe it, we have made it to the end of the second quarter of the 2018 Finish-A-Long and it's time to link up your Q2 finishes.  We hope you have used the past three months to complete a bunch of those UFOs on your lists!

The 2018 FAL has a community of bloggers across the world jointly hosting and this year's hosts are:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA

• Sandra (also Social Media Director) - Studio Sew of Course - Ireland

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA

• Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada

• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA

• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada

• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA

Before the link up, let's give a huge thank you to our fantastic sponsors:

$50 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

$25 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$20 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

3 Six Month Subscr.

$25 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

A Minikins Bundle

$50 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Gift Certificate

$40 Gift Certificate

For this quarter of the 2018 FAL, we continue tutorial week.  Here is the schedule for this quarter so you can visit them all:

• July 3 - Sandra of Studio Sew of Course

• July 4 - Ella of Throw a Wench in the Works

• July 5 - Felicity of Felicity Quilts
  

The 2018 Quarter 2 link for your finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs - you only need to link on one blog for your finish to appear on all host blogs.

Link-up "Rules":

Add one link for each finish.  If you want to link a round up post of all your finishes, use that link to enter one of your finishes and then link the rest of your finishes separately.  Please, only one link per finish, as your link is an entry into the randomly drawn prize draws. 

Please ensure that the photo (Instagram or Flickr) or blog post you link up contains a link or reference back to your original list so that we can verify your entry (make sure it is from the appropriate quarter, too). On Instagram, tag your photos with #2018FALQ2yourname (where yourname is unique to you), this makes it easier for us to match your finishes with your list, which also should have this tag.

Please become part of the FAL community.  Check out the links of others and leave a comment. We all need encouragement so let's applaud each other.  The 2018 FAL Facebook page is HERE and you can follow us on Instagram @finishalong.

Our hosts will also link up their finishes to share in the community but they are not eligible for any of the prizes.

The Q2 Finishes link will stay open from now thru 11 pm, EST, Monday July 9, 2018 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link (you can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right).  It is best to link up your finishes early and if you have a last minute one, add that one later so you don't miss out.  The prizes will be awarded as soon as we can verify all the entries and do the drawings.  We will post the winners on each host's blog.

Lastly, don't forget to start making your Q3 list as the Q3 list link opens on July 10, 2018.

Best,

Leanne

An InLinkz Link-up