Mug Rugs Finished and Goals

        The weather was perfect for Thanksgiving Day and I enjoyed visiting with the crowd of 31 family members. I am thankful my brother and his wife hosted. All my siblings were able to be there. It was a very special day. I hope you had a wonderful holiday. After family guests went home, I was able to do some quilting.

How I did on last week's goals:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”. Done.

Sunday afternoon after the holiday celebrations were over, I quilted a couple of hours. I struggled deciding how to quilt the black area. I finally sketched a motif I was happy with. I practiced on a fat quarter sample.

I also marked registration lines for the center. I quilted with purple thread so it only shows a little and you probably can't see it in the photo.

2. Finish some snow people mug rugs. Done.

I didn't think I would get them all done so fast. I got carried away with making mug rugs and finished 29. All except one are on their way to their new homes. It was great to use up some scraps of fabric and smaller pieces of batting as well as some large holiday prints for backings.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week-   Used:   2.5 yds     Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 102.42yds   Added: 42 yds

Net decrease 60.42 yds

Goals for this week:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.
2. Start quilting a charity quilt.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Lots of Mug Rugs In Progress

       I love this time of year with cooler temperatures, fall colors and family holiday gatherings. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this week. Family time takes priority then quilting projects second so I don't expect to get a lot of sewing/quilting time and that's okay.

Here is how I did on last week's goals:

1. Make a few more small gifts. Done.

When I was looking through my stash of Christmas fabric for a border fabric for “Oh My Star”, I pulled a fabric with squares of adorable snow characters. 

 I especially love the snowlady with quilts on her arms and thought it would make great mug rugs for quilting friends. I have pieced 12 snowlady tops

and 12 snowman tops.

2. Finish piecing Christmas “Oh My Stars” top. Done.

The top is finished. I thought about adding another border but could not find a fabric that I thought looked good so the quilt will just be small. It is a free Pat Sloan pattern and she has directions for a wider border than the basic pattern.  I made the outer border an extra inch wider than that. 

3. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”. Not Done. 

I should not have listed this as a goal since I knew I had a lot on my schedule plus a long weekend trip to visit family.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week- Used: 4.25 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 99.92 yds Added: 42 yds

Net decrease 57.92 yds

     I'm expecting family Wednesday afternoon through Friday so no sewing will happen during that time. I hope to get a little done today and tomorrow.

Goals for this week:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.
2. Finish some snow people mug rugs

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Progress - Not So Much

     Time flew by last week and I don't have much to show for it. I had the car at the shop one day, an electrician at the house an afternoon and 2 morning meetings plus church quilt group day Wednesday so I didn't get to much quilting at home.  

Here's how I did on last week's goals:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”. Not Done.

I spent some time trying out quilting motifs for areas with special Dragon Con fabric and no applique. I like to practice on paper or plastic before I start FMQ.  Here is a sketch from my planning.

2. Quilt a charity top Not Done

I did not want to change the color thread on the machine so did not quilt.

3. Make a few more small gifts Done

I did get more small gifts made and may make a couple more.

      For church quilt group day we sewed colorful pillowcases to give Meals On Wheels clients for Christmas. We got 17 finished and plan to finish a few more this week.

     Thursday Pat Sloan started an “Oh My Star” QAL. I have made one before and like her pattern. . Last year I was given 2 Christmas charm packs so I decided to use them to make this quick holiday lap quilt. By Sunday afternoon I had half the rows sewn together.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week-   Used: 2 yd Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 95.67 yds Added: 42 yds

               Net decrease 53.67 yds

     This week my calendar if packed with obligations plus some fun plans which means I may not get a lot of quilting done. That's okay because the holidays are getting close and sewing/quilting time takes a back seat. I hope you are preparing for some special holiday time.

Goals for this week

1. Make a few more small gifts

2. Finish piecing Christmas “Oh My Stars” top

3. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.

Have a great week and enjoy some time quilting or having fun.

Weekly Update and Goals

      Mornings were unusually chilly here last week so that was a great time to stay inside and sew. I worked on lots of small projects and got some quilting done.  I enjoy giving handmade gifts and that makes good use of my fabric stash.

This is how I did on last's week goals:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”. Done.

I quilted about 3 hours on it. Making good progress. Echo quilting around all the applique is done. 

2. Finish charity top. Done

I added the borders onto “It's a Snap” for a finished top.

3. Work on more small gifts. Done.

I finished another panel soft book, another 2 pairs of microwave bowl cozies, and a set of 4 placemats.

I finished 2 more pillowcases for Meals on Wheels clients for Christmas and cut 3 more pillowcase kits.

     While searching my stash for pillowcase fabrics, I also discovered a few forgotten projects and fabric. It was the perfect time to do some organizing and decluttering. It felt good. I need to plan projects to use scraps and precut fabric units such as 3 ½ “ squares which are overflowing. Maybe a Scrappy Trip Around the World is in the future.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week- Used: 6.66 yds Added: 2 yds

So far this year- Used: 93.67 yds Added: 42 yds

Net decrease 51.67 yds

Goals for this week:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.

2. Quilt a charity top

3. Make a few more small gifts

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.