Once a pair of shorts ....

 The original pair of denim shorts once worn by my teenage son is destined to be re-purposed into something new and different.

 

I began by removing the metal zipper -- isn't un-stitching a joy?  

At least when it is not undoing something I have just stitched together!

 

Andy says "can I be in the picture too?"

(Why did I think I could take photos with the jeans on the floor with Andy in the house?)

Besides taking out the metal zipper, I also took apart the inner side seams.

Now to figure out how to do the next step.... or maybe I should start of deciding what part of the shorts will be the front and sides .....

Oh, did I mention, I'm planning to make a new totebag?

I had intended to finish it to swap in the September Totebag Swap that was held with the Houston Modern Quilt Guild (HMQG).  This is the funky kitty fabric that I plan to use as the tote's lining (do you think Andy will mind?).

This is one of my "starts" for September, one of my NewFOs. 

I do confess that I love the challenge of starting something new each month?

Stay tuned as I aim to finish my jeans-kitty totebag in October as part of my "A Lovely Year of Finishes" Challenge!  I hereby declare that this is my goal for the month of October.
Click here to see the others (I'm #25).

This is a fun challenge aimed at finishing projects and achieving goals.  It is helping me to select and then focus on one project each month (once I've selected one to finish!).  Please join in if you'd like to.  It is very easy.  Here's how:  decide your goal for the month and declare it publicly, with a link on the Lovely Year of Finishes Goal Setting Linky Party (open the first seven days of the month).  Then work like crazy to achieve your goal and post your successes to the Finishes Linky Party (during the last seven days of the month).

To make it even more fun, a few lucky finishers win prizes! I know, because I won a prize in August from Thimblepies Quilty Supplies!  My prize was four 1-yard cuts of lovey fabrics (they remind me of 30s Reproductions) and two packages of rickrack.  Thank you Jane Holbrook!

I also started (and finished) this sweet dove block for a friend's approaching wedding.  Click here to see my dove before I autographed it.

Does it count as a NewFO if I finished it?  (answer: Yes, it does!)

Click here to see the other NewFOs started in September, 2014 (I am #20).

My August NewFO

Starting something new is always such a joy as it comes with dreams of new lovelies, stitched beautifully too.  I am enjoying the 'permission' that Barbara from Cat Patches gives us with her NewFO challenge (read about the specifics here). To top it off, she gives prizes too!  I am drooling over the sweet Sunbonnet Sue pin that is featured as this month's prize pin (and sending very subtle hint-hints to Barbara's random number generator ... pick my number #14)

This month I began stitching on this cute ABC sampler by Lizzie and Kate. 

Here is my progress as off today...

For the curious ones, I started with the basket in the center then moved to the left, slowly working my way up to the top row. Beginning in the center of the pattern and the center of the fabric ensures that the embroidery will be centered when I finish - right?  Since I am a lefty, I wanted to get the left side completed first too. I am pondering changing some colors for the cute extras sprinkled around the lettering .... which is why I am only stitching the lettering at this point.   

I've begun a NewFO and now it will be counted in my UFO/w.i.p. tallies (except that I never really track how many Works I have in Progress nor my UnFinished Objects - too many to tally.)

PS  It will actually say "mold character" but I'm tickled by "old character" and will leave it for awhile.  Now to decide whether to stitch a bit more or to ponder something new to begin for the month of September?

The challenge of something new

This year I found a few busy groups that keep me motivated to start and complete my projects.

There is "NewFO" which gives every participant the permission (or is it a dare?) to start a new project each month. Tempting as this group challenge sounds, I have not participated every month.  However that changes this month!  

For the month of August, 2014, I hereby declare my intent to begin a new project.  The one shown below.

I purchased this sweet ABC's of Parenting by Lizzie and Kate at the International Quilt Festival in 2012 (I think it was 2012 - or could it be 2011?).  I'd love to display it in my PreSchool classroom as a subtle and friendly lesson to all my wonderful parents (and grandparents) that pass through my classroom.  But all projects must be started before they can ever be finished and displayed, so this is the month to begin this one!

Since "A Lovely Year of Finishes" allows many challenges for their ongoing monthly finishing campaign, my goal is to finish at least one full letter (or letter phrase) of the project above this month, though hopefully I will finish even more.... And I am also challenging myself to finish one (or maybe two!) of my long standing red work embroidery projects. 

I'm not even sure when I began either of these two projects (shown above).  Or where the original patterns may be.  I like them both and want to focus some energies on finishing them.  They have been my companion during many teacher meetings and inservices the past few years, so I look forward to finding new projects to stitch on during these meetings in the future!

Click here to see me at # 32 in the Goal-Linky-Party for the August Lovely Year of Finishes Challenge. 

Check back at the end of the month to see how I've done with my double challenge.

Candyland

Candyland is my newest quilt -- finished it just moments ago and just in time to post in in the Modern Quilt Guild Michael Miller 2014 Challenge.  It measures 33" x 50"

I used three of the six fabrics to create this sunny little quilt.  I think I may add more quilting to it too, but first I must post it as tonight is the deadline for entering this challenge!

Additional info:  I started and completed this quilt in three days!  That must be a record for me, but then it does not account for the many weeks of pondering ideas once I received my fabrics for the challenge.  Since I began this quilt in the month of July, I am counting Candyland as my NewFO for the month of July.  The really fun fact is not only did I begin the quilt, but I also finished it in July -- although I am still considering adding more quilting and it still needs a label on the back (the official sign of completion, right?

For those who might be wondering, I did not place in the competition.  The winning quilts are superb and can be found by clicking here:  http://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/michael-miller-fabric-challenge-the-winners-are/

A second Snow Day

We had the rare occurrence of a second Snow-Day this year.  Even the city government closed down offices (and libraries and more).  What would you do with a bonus day off from work, and a winter storm approaching ....?

Well, I'm a quilter, so I making these two little quilts!

All the hearts are machine applique'd onto the pieced backgrounds.  Free-motion quilting finishes the work.  I'm glad they're finished as the larger one is for ALQS, Another Little Quilt Swap #8, whose deadline is less than a week away.

Another Little Quilt Swap, ALQS, is one entertaining way to collect new quilts made by quilters located around the world.  I've swapped several times in this group lead by Kate North.   If you are interested in joining, all you need is a finished quilt within the size of 12"x12" or  20"x20".  Click here for more details and then send your digital images to Kate by the posted deadline!

PS  The previous ALQS rounds I traded in were ALQS4, ALQS6 and ALQS7 (where I traded two quilts).

Update:  I've joined a new group, the 2014 NewFO Challenge.  Barbara of Cat Patches is the brainchild and moderator.  She challenges participants to start a new project each month and share that project at the end of the month (there is even a giveaway!).  Click here to see January linky party (I'm #61).  Click here to learn more about this challenge. 

Join the fun!