Two quilts finished, motivation and "new" quilt friends

The company my son works for usually sponsors a Christmas play for elementary age students.  The play travels the province and puts on a number of shows each Christmas season.  This year it was announced that staff will have to do some fund raising if the play is to continue.  The cast has decided to have an auction.  And naturally I offered a quilt.

A while back my friend Joan offered to drive me across the city so we could take some long arm quilting lessons.  I took her up on the offer and provided two quilt tops for us to practice on.  It was a lot of fun and we both learned a lot.  Unfortunately things get in the way of completing projects.  The quilt that Joan worked on was put away and never got the binding on.  I decided that would be the perfect quilt to donate and finally the binding is done:

Not a great photo but it does show that I managed to get one quilt off the "to do" list.

I also got a small quilt off my frame.  I played around with feathers and that's when I decided feathers are not going to be in my near future.  I better improve my free motion quilting first.  But it is done.  There are four or five more tops from the same book.  The goal was to make each quilt presented in one book.  That was my retirement challenge.  Well the tops are made, but only this quilt has been completed:

Deb from the hearts2hands group asked the members to post what motivates them to get into the sewing room.  After some thinking about this I have to say two things get me quilting.  Deadlines and viewing other people's quilts.  There are more things, but these are the two most likely to work.

I admit that avoiding having to do other things can get me into the sewing room.  Seeing videos of new techniques works well.  Realizing that I have to stop buying fabric and put what I have to use is a good way.  Having to make the draw string bags for volunteer sewing day will get me sewing the night before our meeting.

Other members suggested making a list of what you want to get done.  Crossing an item off the list is a great motivator.  Making the list forces one to go through all the bags and drawers where projects are stashed.  Then list all the "almost" finished projects you have.  Maybe one just needs a half hours worth of work and it will be done and off your back.  I think the making of my list with an estimate of time needed to finish will be today's project.   After I clean and oil my Bailey and get it ready for a practice quilt.

Speaking of Bailey, Pauline from the Bailey group stopped by this week.  It's always wonderful to meet someone you got to know through the Internet.  When Pauline called to arrange our visit, she mentioned a space issue for a large frame.  So before she arrived I set up my Super Quilter table top frame.  It took 20 minutes to get set up (only about 5 to take down).  I think I convinced her that a table top frame is the way to go.  Nothing permanent.  Just set up when needed.  Here's hoping she can find one at a good price.  Added bonus, she won't have to purchase a larger sewing machine.  The one she currently uses will work just fine on a frame like this.

I enjoy my Bailey 17" and the Gracie queen frame is okay.  But I really wish I had stuck to my original idea of finding a way of extending my Super Quilter frame.  I had all sorts of ideas on how to do it.  But no way to get the items needed for it home.   Thus the Gracie....they delivered.

After Pauline's visit I went for a walk.   Neighbours across the alley and down a few houses were sitting on their front step.  So I stopped by to chat.  We are seldom outside at the same time.  Because of this, even though we've been neighbours since 1991, I really do not know them well.  That's going to change.  Turns out the lady of the house is a quilter.  Talk about having someone to quilt with close to home!  I'm so looking forward to some sewing afternoons with her.