New Month - New Start

      It's Monday and the first day of a new month and start of the 2^nd quarter of the year. So far this year I have finished 3 of my UFOs including the major “Celtic Fantasy” for my son. I started 2 new projects ( “Stars Like Spaghetti” and Tropical Log Cabins) and have the tops complete so I feel good about my first yearly goal and progress on my UFOs.   I have finished /quilted 7 comfort quilts, pieced a few more comfort tops and made 3 placemats for Meals on Wheels. A few other small projects have been finished. I hope I can keep up the rate for finishing.

     Saturday I quilted this comfort quilt top for church which Eunice pieced.

I quilted the FM swirl hook.

The binding is ready for someone else to sew on.

     My second yearly goal is to reduce my fabric stash. So far I have reduced stash by about 1/3 of my decrease in 2023 but not quite ¼ of my decrease in 2022. I would like to use or give away more fabric.

Stash Report for 2024 

this past week-  Used: 1 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 42.11 yds Added: 18.125 yds

Net decrease 23.985 yds

     My third yearly goal is to control and use scrap fabric. This is where I have made the least progress and need to make a new plan. Maybe I can set a timer for 15 minutes each day and deal with scraps. I'll see if I can.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.”      Walt Whitman

Weekly Progress

     Alycia has designed a new QOV Mystery, "Stars Like Spaghetti", and it is early so you can still join in. Here are 4 of my blocks for step 1.

The directions were very clear that we were to make 7 blocks; however, as I was cutting I was carried away and cut units for 8. When I was sewing and realized I had cut too many, I just kept sewing. At least I can have a choice of blocks and save the extra block as a seed for a new quilt.

     I spent a couple of days quilting on the “Celtic Fantasy” quilt for my son. I wanted to quilt cables in the border and sketched out an idea. I did not like the corner. My sister Irene guided me to this website with many suggestions. Here are the drawings of my plans.

The website shows hand quilting but I was able to transfer the idea to machine quilting with a walking foot. I like the new corner quilting.

There still needs to be more quilting added in some areas, but the finish is getting closer.

1. Finish UFOs - Done

I used as many pieces as possible and have a finished top that is 64” by 70” which I call “ Rainbow Sherbet”. 

(Last week I shared that the construction was inspired by the “Birch Bark” quilt design.) I have 4 extra blocks that I was not able to use for the top and a very small pile of scraps. I hope to use the 4 extra blocks for a small project.

2. Reduce fabric stash - Done

A little fabric was used this week and nothing was added.

3. Control and use scrap fabric - Done

For part one of the “Stars Like Spaghetti” mystery I was able to cut all the pieces from my scraps.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 1.25 yds Added: 0 yd

So far this year- Used: 19.35 yds Added: 4.75 yds

             Net decrease 14.6 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

Small Finishes

      My focus the past week was finishing on small quilts for a local hospital NICU. A member of my church quilt group had pieced a top. I quickly found a backing and batting scrap and got it sandwiched. Before starting to quilt it, I decided I could quickly piece a kit that was waiting. I soon had both ready for quilting. I had a little trouble finding a binding for the first but green is okay. Here they are finished.

  

On the first I quilted a flowery motif.

On the second I quilted a simple continuous design.

Here is how I'm progressing on my goals:

1. Finish UFOs - Done

2 NICU finished

2. Reduce fabric stash - Done

I added a 2 yard cut found on clearance for on $2.40 a yd. I just could not resist since it will be great for a child's quilt.

I pulled fat quarters to make kid's comfort quilt kits and cut 2 NICU quilt backs and binding

3. Control and use scrap fabric - Done

My craft table remains clear of scraps.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 3.85 yds Added: 2 yds

So far this year- Used: 18.1 yds Added: 4.75 yds

Net decrease 13.35 yds

     Sunday I pulled another UFO to work on. Really the pieces were made for a border that did not work with the center so they are becoming their own quilt.

I think I have enough for a good size throw. The units were originally inspired by a quilt design called “Birch Bark” and made from jellyroll strips plus and accent fabric.

This week I hope to get more quilting done.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

     As the end of 2023 neared I spent the day dealing with scraps on my craft table and finishing projects that I could.  I added the binding to finish my “Bursting Forth” quilt. I couldn't find suitable fabric in my stash and decided to purchase a half yard. The piecing was inspired by a free AccuQuilt pattern and used only dies 13 and 15 of the GO Angles companion set. It is similar to a kaleidoscope block.

I stitched the final pieces to finish a child's comfort quilt top for guild.

Saturday I finished piecing this comfort top for church quilt group. It started from an adopted bag with a couple of blocks and more pieces.

     As the new year begins and I'm making plans for my 2024 quilting projects, I looked back at 2023 to take stock of what I accomplished and didn't.

Here is how I did on my yearly goals:

1. finish UFOs

I started 2023 with a list 17 UFOs. I am disappointed that I only finished 3 of those 17. At least 5 other UFOs are now finished tops. Sadly or interestingly that is far from all that I did. Often new projects stole my interest away from the UFOs. I believe my UFO list is helpful but not my priority.

I started and finished 6 new quilt projects for myself and family and pieced 3 new tops. The last few days of 2023 I knew I didn't have time to finish a project; however, I could at least make progress and finish a UFO top.   Sometime in the past 2 years I started making a few blocks as I was intrigued by this pattern called “City Girl” by Svanhild Schmidt-Hovstad from the Dec/Jan 2009 issue of Quilters Newsletter magazine. I finally made a plan in EQ for a quilt using the blocks. Last Wednesday I finished piecing the top I've named “Pinwheel Flowers” and I have the backing and binding ready. 

There are currently 9 quilt tops waiting for quilting.

2. decrease stash fabric

Year End Stash Report for 2023

         this past week- Used: 3.16 yds Added: 0.5 yds

        So far this year- Used: 109.51 yds Added: 50.5 yds

Net decrease 59.01 yds

I am pleased with the decrease in my stash; however, it did not decrease as much as in 2022.

3. control and use scrap fabric

I occasionally worked on this goal during the year; however, I do not have a way to measure the result. There remain plenty of scraps in my stash with only part under control in my scrap user system.

     For church I finished 13 comfort quilts and pieced 8 additional tops that await quilting.

      After taking note of all my projects in progress, my next step is to rewrite my UFO list to begin 2024 and look forward to all the quilt/sewing projects I will tackle in the new year.  I have a lot of tops for myself and for church waiting to be quilted.

I hope your new year is off to a fabulous beginning.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Holiday Activities Take Place

     The busy holiday time is here so I have not spent much time quilting but I didn't expect to this past week. My only goal was to make progress on a UFO and I did that.

    I spent a few days with family and enjoyed GD Lily's school orchestra concert and her school musical.

While visiting I did a little shopping for Christmas gifts and decided to make a couple.  GD Mattie crocheted a pillow for her bedroom 

and would like to do more crochet so I plan to make her a crochet needle holder and fill it with hooks from her great-grandmother. I found a free tutorial online for this one.

      Stash Report for 2023

this past week- Used: 0.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 104.67 yds Added: 50 yds

Net decrease 54.67 yds

         With more holiday events between now and Christmas plus more family time, I do not expect to get much quilting done so any progress will be good. I will review my UFO list from January. I didn't finish very many on that list; however, I moved several to be finished tops.

Goal for this week

1. Make progress on a UFO.

Have a great week whether or not you have time for quilting.

Enjoy this special season!

Progress and Weekly Goals

    I hope you are enjoying this busy, hectic time of year. Sunday I accomplished minimal decorating as I changed out my fall wall-hangings for holiday ones including a couple of newer ones – the small snowman and the “Dancing Garland” tree plus the older Santa Block Exchange.

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

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

Instead I focused on a charity quilt.

2.  Start quilting a charity quilt. Done.

I quilted this star burst quilt which is a variation of the “Bursting Forth” pattern - a kaleidoscope variation. I used Accuquilt GO dies 13 and 15 to cut the pieces and used scraps from my church stash. I quilted with a light gray thread for low contrast so the FM quilting doesn't show very much in the photo.

     I finally added the borders on to my crumb top. A backing is pieced and all is waiting to be sandwiched.  I love the scrappiness of  all the blocks and the border.  

     I sewed 20 coffee gift bags. My church sells Cafe Justo coffee which is a grower owned Coffee Cooperative based in southern Chiapas Mexico, formed to address the poverty and migration from Mexico to the U.S.A.. During December if you buy 10 bags, you get one free bag and a colorful gift-bag for each.

      With all the sales I could not resist and bought fabric. Some was for charity backings which doesn't go into my stash but then I added 2 pieces to my stash. Both are for specific projects so I hope they will not be lingering in my stash. I have been wanting to make the Jelly Snowflake quilt from Fat Quarter Shop in 2020 and now have the fabric for it.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week- Used: 1.75 yds Added: 8 yds

So far this year- Used: 104.17 yds Added: 50 yds

Net decrease 54.17 yds

Goals for this week

1. Make progress on a UFO.

With holiday happenings I don't expect to get a lot of sewing done this week.

Hope you have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

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.

Project Update and Weekly Goals

     This time of year I am happy to make requested Halloween costumes for GDs although that may be coming to an end as they age. I enjoy making and giving handmade items for Christmas and other occasions so that is how I spent most of my week.

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

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

I quilted for 2 hours Monday, There is lots more to be done.

2. Sew Christmas gifts. Done

I made 2 pillowcases, 2 Christmas soft books from panels 

 
  

   

and 2 microwave bowl cozies.

3. Sew charity quilt project. Done.

I pieced the center of a 3 yd “It's a Snap” quilt.

A friend from church pieced “Stepping Up” blocks and I pieced them into a top.

Stash Report for 2023

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

So far this year- Used: 87.01 yds Added: 40 yds

Net decrease 48.01 yds

     I have only been counting cotton quilting fabric in my yardage used; however, I want to note that I am also working to reduce other fabric yardage. GD Lily is in a school musical and there was a recent call for items to use in the show. I found scraps and yardage of suggested fabrics, ribbon and lace they can use.

    GD Lily tried on her Dorothy costume and it fit well after a minor adjustment.  * (update) She got her basket and red shoes.  Halloween was also Book Character Day so she wore her outfit to school.

 I also made her dog a lion mane for his costume. They were so cute together.

Goals for this week:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.

2. Finish charity top

3. Work on more small gifts

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.