Well, I have completed 12 UFOs for my PHD in 2020. That’s the number I said I would complete! The UFOs that I complete in the remaining months of the year will be a bonus!
Here are all the finished ones!
This is a UFO from 2016. It was one that I listed as the top 12 to get finished this year. It was #6 on the list and I briefly talked about it HERE.
This quilt has Hobbs 80/20 batting and was quilted with Aurfil thread #2021. I echoed the 2 green elephants and the ‘ghost’ elephant up above. The echoing is very organic … and I didn’t need to worry about it always being the same distance apart! I was feeling very lazy and didn’t want to cut circles for the eyes … so I used my Inktense pencil to draw a blue circle & outlined it with black. After spraying it with water, I heat set them. They should stand up to many washings.Then there is stippling in each of the elephants.
Both the label and the binding is from Island Batik solid grey. This light grey was perfect for the quilt!
Are you interested in a Winnie the Pooh Sew-a-long? Want to join me as I make this quilt? I emailed Lorna (the designer) about hosting a Sew-a-long and she said, “Sounds fine with me Gail! I would love to have you host a quilt along featuring them.”
SEW … I’m thinking of starting on Monday, June 8. That will give you (and me) 2 weeks to pull fabric or go shopping. I’m thinking that if we do one character a day or every 2 days … we’ll be finished in just over a week. I’m not 100% sure, because I haven’t made any of them yet … I will see how long it takes me to make each face and then decide on the schedule. There are a LOT of pieces to cut. However, I do plan to start on June 8.
If you downloaded the pattern when it was first posted, it has been updated. Make sure you download the updated one … You can access the pattern HERE. (scroll down the page). There are 3 sizes to choose from. Your choice as to which size you choose.
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This is the last week!
Visit Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads to see what she’s made for the final day!
You have an opportunity to win some fabulous fabric! This is a FQ pack of Wonderland, designed by the talented Kathy Engle!
Are you interested in a Winnie the Pooh Sew-a-long? Want to join me as I make this quilt? I emailed Lorna (the designer) about hosting a Sew-a-long and she said, “Sounds fine with me Gail! I would love to have you host a quilt along featuring them.”
SEW … I’m thinking of starting on Monday, June 8. That will give you (and me) 2 weeks to pull fabric or go shopping. I’m thinking that if we do one character a day or every 2 days … we’ll be finished in just over a week. I’m not 100% sure, because I haven’t made any of them yet … But I plan to start on June 8.
Lorna emailed me today to say that the pattern has been updated … so, if you downloaded it before, you may want to download it again as there is an update. You can access the pattern HERE. (scroll down the page). There are 3 sizes to choose from. Your choice as to which size you choose.
If you haven’t visited “Sew Fresh Quilts,” you are in for a pleasant surprise of LOTS of cute, cute quilts!
I finished 2 quilts today … Florabunda #2 & #3. These count as one UFO finish. I know … with all 3 Florabunda quilts completed, it should count as 3 UFOs … but it’s only May and that leaves me with one more UFO to finish to accomplish my UFO goal for PHD in 2020!
Florabunda #2 and #3 were quilted with swirls … lots of swirls … large swirls, medium swirls and small swirls … they were both pretty quick to quilt! Hobbs 80/20 is the batting and Aurifil #2309 was the thread.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I started this quilt. Yes, I wanted to use up floral fabric, but … I ended up with 140 blocks … enough to make 2 quilts that are 6 x 8 blocks and one that is 6 x 7 blocks.
Here are all 3 Florabunda on the clothesline … 
Florabunda is a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter and you can access it HERE.
I’m still working on the baby quilt and the big brother quilt. I changed my mind and the baby quilt is a UFO that needs to be finished. Big brother quilt is in progress with these fabrics.
Can you guess what this will be? It’s part of my June Island Batik challenge. I’m using the “Kismet” fabric collection, designed by Tammy Silvers of Tamarinis. Doesn’t the black make the colours pop?
I hope to sandwich the UFO baby quilt and Big Brother quilt and get them quilted SOON!
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
Florabunda – all 3 quilts used approximately 24 yards!!!
I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least! I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
With the finish of Florabunda … that leaves 1 UFO to finish for my PHD in 2020. Somehow, I think I will finish more than 12 UFOs this year!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!*****************************
That’s right … I’ve been quilting up a storm … but nothing is finished … and that’s OK with me. (Well, some things are finished but I wrote about them HERE and HERE.)
I started 2 new quilts … one for a baby and one for big brother … with this fabric.
Of course, I have changed my mind about using this fabric for the baby and am going to finish a UFO for him. However, the one for big brother is moving along quite nicely … We had an “ugly” fabric challenge at the guild using THIS VIDEO… and started another, using it for the big brother quilt … Here’s what’s on the design wall …
I will put on a border and have a cute idea for the back … if I do it, I’ll definitely show you!
I saw this quilt … and I was tempted, very VERY tempted to drop everything and make it! (DrEAMI). But I resisted … for now … but I don’t think I’ll resist for very long! It’s a free pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts and you can access it HERE. As a Winnie the Pooh fan, I’m in LOVE with this quilt!
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Is still happening!! Lots of beautiful projects coming from wonderful fabric collections!
Two people have an opportunity to win fabric … either a FQ pack of Smooch or Sundance. Both are pretty awesome!!! Click on the Rafflecopter giveaway link below.
Here’s the links for this week’s blogs:
May 18
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
May 19
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
May 20
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
May 21
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
May 25
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
I have 2 finishes this week!!!
Florabunda #1 is quilted, label on and binding complete! This is the one with blue floral fabrics.
The 2nd finish is the Guild’s Ugly Fabric where I used the fabric on the left, following this YouTube Video.
It was a fun and fast quilt to make!
The hardest part was laying out the blocks so that the same fabric didn’t touch!
I need to make 2 quilts. One for a baby born about 2 weeks ago and another for the baby’s big brother. I’m using these fabrics … one of the quilts will have half square triangles. Hopefully, I can show you the quilts next week!
Florabunda Quilt # 2 is in progress …
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
I feel like I got a lot done!
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Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt is hosting “It’s Cool to be Square” Blog Hop!
Yes, another blog Hop. This one is fun … all about Squares!
When I was thinking about this blog hop, I was thinking about quilts with squares … what can be more square than a Disappearing 9 Patch? And I need a baby quilt for a baby to be born in the future!
So … I looked through my “kids” box and came up with this fabric. I think I had a Disappearing 9 patch in mind when I bought it.
When I started cutting the squares, I got cross with myself! First, when I bought the fabric, I obviously wasn’t thinking about how these panels are rarely square. This one proved it. Second, as I cut the squares, they came out at “stupid” size. Who in their right mind wants to cut squares that are 4 3/8″ … no one. Certainly not me!
However, I wanted to use this fabric and so I persevered, cutting each little block at 4 3/8″. The green became the centre block, the animals were in the 4 corners and the yellow was the middle blocks. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.) When the blocks were all made, they were cut in half, horizontally and vertically. Then arranged on the design wall, webbed together and sewn into a top.
I know that some eagle eyes will notice that the binding is not completed on the lower right corner of the quilt … I like to sew the label into the binding, but I can’t make the label until the baby is born … it’ll be a quick finish once I have the baby’s details!
It was a fun quilt to quilt! Each animal was outlined and then micro-stippled around it. The blocks were all stitched in the ditch. The green blocks had orange peels around them. Swirls were stitched in all the yellow areas.
Here is the schedule of the blogs involved in the “Cool to be Square” blog hop!
May 18
Quilting Gail This is me!!! You are already here!
May 19
May 20
Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel
May 21
May 22
Cool to be Square used 4.5 yards of fabric.
I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least! I switched to 30 minutes/day from 15 in April!
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
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I have another UFO finish! This is the Scrappy 2″ 4 patch that I blogged about HERE. for the Scrap Happy Blog Hop. It got quilted and bound. I had a TON of fun trying to come up with different motif’s for each square … some are definite “who knows” motifs (scribbles or motifs gone wrong) and others are recognizable! I even put a few words in as well. It’ll be fun to see if the recipient notices the words!
This is my 10th UFO for the year!! WooHoo!!! I think staying at home has helped! Although I do miss sewing with friends, visiting friends and just browsing and shopping for things I don’t need (and often don’t buy!)
I did start the Ugly Fabric quilt following THIS VIDEO! Once I decided that I WAS going to make it … it was quick to cut the squares and start sewing. The hardest part was arranging the blocks so that similar fabrics did not touch. It is waiting to be sandwiched and quilted.
I also started the “Cool to be Square” quilt … and I’m hoping it’ll be finished by Monday, when it’s my turn to participate in the blog hop! You’ll just have to wait until then to see what I’m making!
The projects for the Island Batik “Ultimate Home Decor” blog hop were posted on Wednesday! You can read about them HERE. If you go to the blog post – there is an opportunity for you to win some of the fabric that was used for the rug and valances!
How are you doing with your UFOs?
Post a picture of your latest UFO finish. And if you’re attempting your PHD in 2020, tell us about your progress!
This blog hop is starting on Monday … make sure you come back to see what I’ve made. (And yes, there is a square or 2 in it!
Wednesday Wait Loss featured this quilt/ You can read about it HERE.
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I have made a couple of projects for this Blog Hop. The collection I was given is Santa Fe designed by Kathy Engle. It was love at first sight! Look at those beautiful teals and browns, purples and neutrals! Aren’t they rich and beautiful? This collection is part of the Winter 2019 fabrics and should be available in your local stores pretty soon – if they’re not already there!
Here are the instructions we were given:
What is home decor? It’s anything you would use to decorate your space: wall hangings, cushions, rugs, linens, and decorative craft projects like bowls, wreaths, lampshades and baskets. Big or small, dramatic or subtle, it’s up to you!
My first project was a jelly roll rug. I cut at least 2 strips of each fabric using the AccuQuilt 2½” strip die. The batting was 2¼” strips cut from the edges of many quilts where I had used Hobbs 80/20. I mostly followed the directions on the pattern and put the prepared strips into a bag. I didn’t roll it into a ball … just shoved them into the bag. When I took a class, Dawn F., said to do this! It works like a charm.
I used Aurifil #2370 and Schmetz Microtex Chrome 70/10 to sew the rope together and also to do the zig-zag when sewing the rug. I started out using Microtex 80/12 and my machine revolted. It did not like it. When I talked to my sewing machine technician, she said to try a smaller needle and make a bigger stitch. I did and it worked like a charm. She also said that sewing through that many layers with a close-weave batik, the smaller needle will work better. She was right! My machine just purred as I finished sewing the rug!
I LOVE my rug … it lies next to my ironing station in my studio! Sew nice to have something a little softer to stand on!
As nice as this rug is … it doesn’t highlight the fabric in the collection very well. Even though it does use every single fabric. SEW … I decided to work on projects #2, #3 & #4.
The back story:
I moved into my studio last summer. It wasn’t quite finished, but my wonderful hubby promised that it would be completely finished soon. I think his definition of “soon” and mine are completely different. But that’s OK … he does all of the building type work around here.
I told him that I was going to make curtains for the 3 windows in the studio. Now, I won’t say that he has selective hearing, but he swears that I said I was only going to make one curtain. That’s weird, because why would I only make one, when there are 3 windows?
Anyhow … he got to work putting in the window frame and trim for the largest window. He finished this the day before I need to post my projects! We’ll have to wait to see how long it takes to get the frame and trim done for the remaining 2 windows.
The curtains:
The curtains are all backed with the same fabric that provides the background in each curtain: Tossed Seeds – Desert Sand. I love this fabric! It has shades of grey & light brown and is a perfect background fabric. These curtains are not quilted, but are stitched a ¼” from the 1″ border that is on the top and bottom of each. Aurifil #2000 – a light beige, was used for the piecing and top-stitching.
The first curtain is a series of 6″ stars and measures 52″ long. The stars were cut with the Accuquilt Go 8″ Qube dies. I’m in LOVE with these dies and use them as often as possible. I love piecing triangles without dog ears … and they are close to perfect (depending on my sewing).
The 2nd curtain has a 6″ rope. Again, I used the same Accuquilt die to cut all the triangles. This curtain measures 39.5″ (the 2nd & 3rd windows are smaller).
The 3rd curtain was designed in EQ7, using 6″ tall flying geese blocks. They are paper pieced without sewing on the paper. I think I’ve been influenced by another Island Batik ambassador who blogs at “For the Love of Geese.” At least, I decided on flying geese after visiting her blog! This curtain measures 39.5″ long.
This week Island Batik is giving away 2, yes, 2! Fat Quarter bundles of “River Valley.” Click on the Rafflecopter link below for you to click on for your entry for a chance to win.
There are 14 pieces that are 6″ x 12″ and 1/3 yard of the purple (at the top). In order to win, you have to answer the following questions:
The give away is only open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec.
Make sure you visit Maryellen’s blog to see what she has made with this same fabric collection! Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
to Island Batik, Accuquilt, Aurifil Hobbs batting and Schmetz Needles for supplying the fabric and supplies needed to complete my projects!
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… is in it’s 2nd week, starting tomorrow! Did you check out last week’s hoppers?
This week Island Batik is giving away 2, yes, 2! Fat Quarter bundles of “River Valley.” There is a link below for you to click on for your entry for a chance to win.
Here is the list of Ambassadors that are Hopping this week:
May 11
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
May 12
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
May 13
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail YES this is ME
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 14
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks
I’m still working on an Island Batik challenge –I’ll show you the results on Wednesday! In the meantime … the pictures below relate to the challenge: Can you guess what it will be?
Make sure you come back on Wednesday because I will also be offering a give-away!
Ugly fabric quilt Guild challenge: We are to use the quilt pattern in this video: Here is the fabric that I’ve pulled from my fat quarter bin. Some of them aren’t even a full fat quarter … and that’s perfect. They only need to be at least 14″ square. This is suppose to be done on Tuesday! Ha! Ha! Somehow I don’t think it’ll be completely done … maybe, just maybe a top.
Florabunda: The blocks are now sewn into 3 tops … They need to be sandwiched and quilted … in due time.
This scrappy squares quilt in progress … I’m having fun coming up with different motifs for each of the white squares!
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!
The Flower Power quilt was all Island Batik. However, I did buy the Island Batik fabric that I used for the back and sashing … so, I’ll count that as 1 yard. No other finishes this week.
I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least! I switched to 30 minutes/day from 15 in April!
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
Flower Power was finished … and I haven’t cut the fabric for the Ugly Challenge … so it’s not considered a new start – yet. No UFOs were finished this week.
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I have been having fun … and not working on what I should be working on … but that’s what makes it fun, right? Sort of like skipping school and doing nothing – that’s fun, right? Well, I actually wouldn’t know about that, because I never skipped classes in highschool – except for one time … (That’s actually true, and it’s up to you if you believe me or not!)
I gave you a hint earlier this week when I posted a couple of photos of the Helen Godden Flower Power Quilt-a-long … Here is the finished project: Each block is about 7½” square. Lots of quilting!
This is a free project. Helen has a separate Youtube video for each block and shows you how to do the various techniques, with ease. Well, with a measure of ease! She does make it look super easy! I still have a long way to go, but I’m happy with the end project!
The project was done on an Island Batik neutral, the sashing, binding and back was an Island Batik fabric that I bought locally at a store that is now closed. I used black Aurifil thread (4-5 bobbins) and scraps of Hobbs 80/20 batting.
Helen’s instructions for finishing the quilt made it super easy. Each block was stitched individually (and coloured with Inktense pencils). Once the blocks were trimmed to size, I zig-zagged them together. Simple, eh? For the sashing, I took a 4″ piece of fabric and ironed some “Steam-a-seam” on it. Then it was cut into 4 – ½” strips and ironed in place. SEW SEW EASY! Then a co-ordinating Aurifil thread was used to stitch down the sashing. The backing was cut 1″ larger than the piece, folded over and viola! the binding was ready for the same stitching that I did on the sashing.
Here’s a close up of each of the individual blocks …
You’ll have to wait until May 13 for the answer …
Did you visit the blogs this week?m There is a LOT of amazing Home Dec projects! Trust me, it’s well worth visiting them! I have the direct link to each blog post so that you don’t have to go searching for them. And some of the blogs are offering an opportunity for YOU to win fabric!
May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
Be sure to enter Island Batik’s Rafflecopter to win Cascadia precuts! This collection was designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs. You could win both a 10″stack and 2½” strips. Each pre-cut comes with 2 of the 20 fabrics in the collection. It’s well worth entering – you never know if you will win! Here’s the link:
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Well, Helen Godden (on Facebook Helen Godden Quilts) had a Flower Power Quilt-a-long. I was thinking of doing it for a future Island Batik challenge, but all of the specifics for the challenge are not available, yet. SEW … I thought I’d share it with you. If you are on Facebook, you can go to her page and download all of the pictures. She has directions on how to do each of the blocks with a Youtube video for each block. It’s fantastic for practicing free motion quilting!
These were done on an Island Batik neutral fabric … with Hobbs 80/20 batting, Aurifil black thread and Schmetz microtex needle. (All of the supplies were given to me via Island Batik).
I have done 8 of the 9 blocks … They are SEW fun to do. I LOVE the zen doodling! And I’ve learned a few new-to-me patterns.
The other thing, is that I ventured into the world of colouring fabric. Helen talks about “Inktense” pencils and how you colour your fabric with them. From another Youtube video, I learned that you colour, spray with water and then press with an iron to stop the spread of colour or bleeding. That’s how my blocks got their colour! I was able to get a set of Inktense pencils at a near-by store that does curb-side service! (Opus, in Langley).
I will show you the finished wall hanging … hopefully it’ll be done soon!
Don’t forget to visit the Island Batik Blog Hop that is featuring all the NEW fabric!!! And visit the Island Batik blog for a chance to win Cascadia Precuts! 
This week is the following Blogs:
May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
I’m working on an Island Batik challenge – so no photos yet!
Florabunda: Do you remember when I was working on these blocks? Well, they are all done and I have way more than enough for one quilt … so there are at least 2 quilts to be made. I need to lay them out and decide on which ones will go into which quilt.
This scrappy squares quilt is sandwiched and ready to quilt!
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
I easily managed to get everything on my list done … and more!
You can see the Blue & Purple Round Robin quilts HERE.
I completed 18 masks and 12 pillow cases. When I went to originally take a picture of the 7 pillow cases that were started, I realized they were mostly all “girl” types. Sew … back to the stash and I made 5 that are more suited for the male gender.
The fronts of the Round Robins were Island Batik – so I don’t count that. But the backs took 3 yards. The pillow cases used up 12 yards. The masks used up 3.5 yards … for a total of 18.5 yards!
I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
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Be sure to enter Island Batik’s Rafflecopter to win Cascadia precuts! This collection was designed by Claudia Pfeil of Claudia Pfeil Designs. You could win both a 10″stack and 2½” strips. Each pre-cut comes with 2 of the 20 fabrics in the collection. It’s well worth entering – you never know if you will win! Here’s the link:
May 4
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
May 5
Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
May 6
Megan Best ~ Best Quilter
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
May 7
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
May 11
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamela Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
May 12
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
May 13
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 14
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks
May 18
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
May 19
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
May 20
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
May 21
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
May 25
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
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SEW …. how did you do in the last part of April, taking Small Steps? Did you try it? Did it make any difference?
I did it with mask making. One day I cut a bunch of masks, the next the first seam went in … and I broke it down into several steps … and a bit got done each day. It wasn’t exactly working on my UFOs … but at least they are getting done – a few at a time!
You can read more about taking small steps every day HERE.
I want to talk about SMART goals … I had forgotten all about this … I used to teach it to students writing nursing care plans (you nurses … do you remember those?) Anyhow … SMART stands for
Sew … how does this work for UFOs?
How will this work for me in the coming month?
If you need a review … here are the other topics that have been discussed to help with UFOs.
HERE.
PHD-Tally-with-formulas 2020
You can read about it HERE.
You can read about it HERE.
Read about why you should stop being a perfectionist HERE.
HERE.I have 9 UFOs completed … only 3 more to go!
Link your PHD in 2020 progress with a blog post, Instagram or Pinterest page. Make sure you visit each other to offer encouragement and see what their SMART goals are!
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Quilting Gail 