Jan outlook - OMG, 18, 6 and 6, etc., etc.

My OMG for January, the top HAVE TO FINISH quilt, is my Sapphire Stars Mystery Quilt, which is a QOV for my Vietnam-Vet father-in-law. 

I'm excited, because I just scored an authentic Vietnam uniform shirt from his tour years with his retirement rank patches. I'm going to use the patches in the corner spaces (hoping to find 2 more) and the shirt fabric will be harvested for a binding flange. 

I'm a bit anxious, because I only have the background of four stars left to do up before I have to Get Over Myself and learn to use my l'il bean ruler to maintain fine control on curves as I do the U's and S's in the sashing. The A's and F's are already in. [Are you kidding me???  It Wasn't That Bad!! Just need a good little notched ruler!!]

However, I do have Princess Leia/General Organa riding along and bobbing her head in enthusiasm as I work now (most excellent Christmas gift from my 25yo), so I can go Zen and repeatedly mutter "the force is with me and I am one with the force. . ." during moments of intimidation.

Hmmm.  Leia. Millenium.  - may need some falcon wing tattoos for my Millie. . .  #understatedhumor

Clearing that quilt off my frame will let me move to my UFO Challenge #10 (also an 18 in 2018 item) for January - Bohemia. I plan to do a medium-light custom job on that one as the fabrics are pretty busy and won't show intricate quilting very much. Yes, I switched 12 into the 10 spot, because I need that fine-control skill set for curves/applique to do the original #10. #shootmeifyouneedto #butremembertheforceiswithme

The cream around the insets is really the only place detailed quilting would show

Morning work (my longarm wakes the person in the next room who works a swing shift) will focus on finishing the assembly of my Daisy Days Farmhouse 4-Patch (with help from my grand-kitty!) . . . [finished Jan 4]

and then getting the next two stages of my Listen With Your Eyes worked up (assemble the 5 stars-and-NYBs; paper-piece the next set of checkerboard archways). This is also on my 18 in 2018 list. It's going to be months before I'm ready to check this off. [achieved Jan 17]

Those were The Big Four (the afternoon and morning priorities, with the next-up's). Now for the sidelines, used for breathers and times I can only snitch a couple moments here and there:

BOMs.

I want to get the 1-5 section of Wind in the Whiskers applique all fused. . .[Yes!!!! I did this!!!!  You have no idea how many hundreds of hours went into this quilt so far. finished Jan 22]

. . .and get Down the Rabbit Hole past its block. Now that all the pattern is revealed and some folks have finished theirs, I have no excuse to put off the decision-making process to find the fabrics to use in that twisty-border!! Let's aim for having the rabbit borders cut out and rabbits ready to prep, with twisty colors chosen. Plus, get the last three patterns downloaded and safely stored.  [finished Jan 14, changed order around - got the twist border completed and added on. Will create an extra-wide rabbit border when the added background fabric arrives.]


I need to get my little Valentine's quilt for Scott's office fused together. He's been angling for more minis for weeks. It's a cute laser-cut kit I bought in Estes Park while I was there with him. This will be my first New selection for Meredithe and Anne's 6 and 6 in 2018. I already know 2 and 3 will be Valentine's style BOMs that start later, but 4-6 are open for "Ooo-Shiney!" things that I will yet encounter during the year. One of them probably ought to be an original-design studio mascot wall quilt. . . I don't have that much mental energy right now! (My 6 Olds will come straight off the top of my 18 in 2018 list.) [finished Jan 13. Oh, dear! He's requested no less than 6 row quilts in a wildlife theme for his office!]


I want to get two old NETY kits kitted (washed and cut and shoeboxed).fi  [finished Jan 20. Winter Woodlands and Primrose Paths.]

Also, I need to settle on a plan for the first Stash Rehab quilt early in the month. I'm thinking a mystery with dual configurations and a sneak-peak capability.

Good thing I have several hours each day at my disposal, eh? Let's see how much I can accomplish!