7/31/17

A Five-Year Finish

Finally...just shy of five years in the making, Mumm's the Word is finished. I started this quilt on August 26, 2012, and finished it yesterday.


Here's how it looks from the back:


It now bears the title of my newest finished quilt, giving up its standing as my oldest UFO. This morning I was looking at my "Quilts in Progress" page. Although Mumm's the Word has been the quilt that has taken me the longest to finish, I'm a little embarrassed to say that another quilt will take its place in the lead by next spring. The oldest on my list now is Mulligan Stew, which was started on Tax Day, April 15, 2013. 


The picture above doesn't show all the completed blocks. Since that was taken, there was another row completed, and so I've finished 35 of the required 60 blocks. It's doubtful I'll make any more progress on it before we return from our trip next spring, and by then, it will be the quilt that has taken me the longest to finish. A dubious distinction to be sure.

As for the other quilts on the "in progress" list, several just need quilting, and a few are close to being finished. That said, the news isn't all bad. Besides...it makes me feel as if I've been quilting all my life when I have a quilt that is more than five years in the making. Heck, my grandmother would probably be proud.

All that hand-sewing yesterday had the kitties exhausted. They've been thick as thieves in their outdoor adventures. It's warm, however, and so early afternoon means they have to come in and cool their tummies. Smitty's favorite spot is just a little jump from the top rung of his kitty pole. He likes the cool top of the china cabinet.


Sadie likes her dad's chair in the cool basement.


She's going into the vet this afternoon to be micro-chipped. It's a sort of "1984" practice. I've never seen this done, and so I'm hoping it isn't too painful for her. We'll need to get them some collars so they can wear their chip identifying tags, and the collar will probably be the most painful part of the process. Kitties prefer nudity.

As for other sewing, getting hanging sleeves and labels sewn onto my two quilt entries in this year's Oregon State Fair have moved to top (and urgent) priority. Yesterday, I created and printed the labels. This year, we aren't required to put addresses and phone numbers on the labels, which always seemed a little weird to me. Quilt entries must be presented in a pillowcase, and the pillowcase needs to have address and phone number included, but the label is exempt this year.

So, here's the label I created for Gingerbread Square.


This one is for Snips and Snails. The denim is printed onto fabric. The little label was removed from the baby overalls I purchased when the quilt was made. Fusible was applied to the back, and it's fused to the label. When I finish adding borders and backing to the label today, I'll stitch it down with a blanket stitch just to be sure it stays put.


It was the last piece of OshKosh paraphernalia that could be removed from the overalls. Now they are but a denim shell of their former self.

So that's today's agenda. I'll get back to doing the embroidery of the last of the Summer Holiday blocks. Tomorrow Constance will take over the morning embroidery slot.

13 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

A finish is a finish no matter how long it takes! Congratulations on getting this one into the done column. The kitties will love it on chilly autumn nights. Good luck with your fair entries - Snips and Snails would surely be a winner in my book.

Debbie said...

Congrats on the long time to do but finally over finish! You have such patience and determination. Glad to see you stick to it.
I so love both of the labels.....but the one for Snips and Snails is perfect.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Congrats on the UFO finish. My oldest (that I can remember) is from 2005.

Janarama said...

Woo hoo, you finished and it's beautiful! Bright colors are right up my alley, and this quilt is chock full of color.

Kate said...

Congrats on the fun finish. You aren't doing too badly on having old UFOs. My oldest is 15 years old. It's on the UFO list to tackle this year. We'll see if I get that far.

Dana Gaffney said...

Congrats on the finish, I'm a start to finish girl so having a five year quilt is amazing to me.
Chipping is just like a shot, it's quick and easy with maybe a little soreness after.

gpc said...

Mumms is gorgeous and the Stew is going to be amazing. Are you planning to hand quilt that one, too? Maybe not, 60 blocks is a ridiculous amount of work. I love your labels -- good luck on your entries! You know I think you are a winner. :)

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

Congratulations on the finish! It looks fantastic. Good luck with your entries at the fair. Your Snips and Snails quilt has been one of my favorite quilts I've seen on any blog this year. --Andrea

Californianativedaughter said...

It took me two years to complete my daughter and son-in-law's wedding quilt. I had provided blank blocks at the wedding for guests to sign and some signed side-ways, which I didn't count on. It took me that long experimenting with doing them "on-point." Many signed into what I considered the seam allowance so some I had to scan and re-size, what a pain! I've developed a "What I learned sheet" for others who may want to attempt to do the same. In the end, it came out good. It's posted on Craftsy as Rivas-Varela wedding quilt.
Rosemary

Betty said...

Congrats on the big finish! I really shouldn't admit it, but my oldest UFO is nearing 20 years!

Lynette said...

Cool finish! Mulligan Stew is a superb way-long-term project - no sweat or embarrassment. :)
Hey, how did Sadie do with the chipping?

Brown Family said...

Jt is always a good feeling when you finish a long term project.THE kitties here are looking for cool places, too. You always make cute labels!

quiltzyx said...

I'm having a 'kitty weekend', so am happily covered in cat hair right now...
Smitty & Sadie look so happy & healthy! Hope the chipping went OK & that it wasn't too bad for Sadie.

Congrats on the Mum's finish!
Love the labels you made too - I imagine the sleeves are on & done by now too.