Author: quiltinggail

PHD in 2020: Mid March Progress Report

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Sew how are YOU doing with your PHD in 2020?

In the past we’ve talked about:

1.  Analysis analysisHERE.

2. Track your Progress Screen Shot 2020-01-11 at 11.20.40 AM   PHD-Tally-with-formulas 2020

3. Assistance from other Blogs  HERE

4.  Focus :  HERE.Image result for clipart focus

5.  Be Selective Screen Shot 2020-02-29 at 10.49.09 AM

6.  Today: STOP Being a PERFECTIONIST!

Image result for StopOk … OK … I know that you are going to say “Gail, that’s easy for you to say, because you’re NOT a perfectionist!”  Yes, I know I’m not … but I really, really, really don’t understand when people take things out because the point is 2 threads off of perfect.  I get it when the point is 1/4″ off, or even 1/8″ off, maybe even 1/16″ … but in the whole scheme of things – NO ONE is going to notice the 2 threads difference.  I get taking stitching out when it’s bad and not what you want … but 2 threads?  … seriously!

Did you know that Perfectionism sets you up to fail?  Mostly because NOTHING is perfect.   Perfectionism limits your creativity and the willingness to take risks and TRY.  It may also be what’s holding you back from finishing that last UFO.

Get it out that UFO that’s your stumbling block … work on it … try to not let the 2 threads ruin your enjoyment.  Fudge and ease in that seam … it’ll be fine in the end – you won’t even notice it!  I promise!

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM2 UFO finishes

I went to try out a new sewing machine.  (Yes, I did end up buying it! More details in another post).  But what better way to test out a sewing machine than to take a few UFOs?  The Sunflower placemats were great to try quilting, piecing binding together, and sewing binding on.  The Orange/Green Baby quilt was good for doing more quilting.  As soon as the machine was set up, I finished the projects!  I also took some straight piecing to try out the 1300 stitches/minute!  It works like a charm!

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A close-up of the fox.  It is with the orange thread … I used a Janome app, took a picture of a fox on the white fabric, drew the fox and transferred it to my embroidery machine.  It stitched out ok.  I still need to do some work on it.

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To be honest, I almost feel a little guilty at finishing these 2 small projects in one week, when I have SEW many others to finish that take more time.  However, they are done and now off the to do list!  At this rate – I’m sure I’ll get more than 12 UFOs finished this year … and that’s OK with me!

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Linky Party

Show us your progress (finished or not) on what you’ve been working on for your PHD in 2020!  Or show us your recently finished UFO!
PLEASE:  Make sure that you link your post back to this blog post .  Also, visit others that also working on their PHD in 2020 and leave them an encouraging comment!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Yeah! Daylight Savings!

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

What a joy it is to have daylight later in the day!!!  I LOVE it!

Design Wall

Piecing:

IMG_6139.jpegCircles – borders on and it is sandwiched ….

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Frolic: All the rows are joined and trimming is the next step.  I do need to do the trimming Continue reading →

52 x 52, Friday’s Finish

/ quiltinggail / 28 Comments

I finally finished my “52 Blocks in 52 Weeks.”  The quilt blocks were released weekly by Canadian Quilter’s Association designed by Jackie White.  Each block is unique and finishes at 6 ½” square.  Or should I say, each block is suppose to finish at 6 ½” square?  Most of mine did and I fudged with the rest.  I did not trim down any blocks.

Every single piece of fabric came from my stash. This was a picture of the bag of scraps that I dug into for each of the blocks … along with a constant light that I’d had for years.img_2976

Continue reading →

A “Not Finished” Friday

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

55557-go-glorified-nine-patch-package-tallNothing finished

No finishes this week!  I’ve been working A LOT on my March Island Batik challenge and I can’t show you yet!  I can tell you that I’m using the “Glorified 9 patch” Accuquilt die that I was given.  All the pieces for the block are on the die.  I have them all cut and most of them are on the design wall. Some blocks are sewn.

When I need a break from the excusiating SLOW curved piecing, I am quilting the “52 blocks in 52 weeks” quilt.  If you look closely, you can see that I’m doing graffiti quilting.  A little bit of this and a little bit of that! A swirl, pebbles, a heart, a teardrop, a flower and whatever comes to mind.  It’s fun and makes it so that I’m not bored.  I’m hoping that it will be finished soon!IMG_6222.jpeg Continue reading →

Progress

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First:  Week 3 Island Batik Blog HOP!!!

If you want to see a recap of Week 1, click HERE.  Week 2, click HERE.  If you haven’t seen the fabulous Log Cabin quilts, it will be well worth your time to visit the 2 Island Batik blog posts … beautiful eye candy!!! Here’s who’s in line for this week!  I can’t wait to see what they create! Continue reading →

Embroidery Month

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

February is International Embroidery Month

SEW, what does this mean for me?

Well, I am trying to use my embroidery machine more!

Kreative Kiwi Zip PouchI told you that I worked with a friend and she made a cute little pouch.  Well, I had to make one … actually 2.

This is a free pattern from Kreative Kiwi.  It is all done in the hoop … zipper and all.  I made the one on the right first … and I realized that the embroidery didn’t really show up on the print … I like the 2nd one better.  I did make them 10% bigger and the pattern turned out just fine!

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Log Cabin Blog Hop

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I fell in love with this fabric the minute I saw it in my Island Batik box.  “Faded Blue Jeans” by Kathy Engle.  Those that know me, know that I practicly live in blue jeans.  I LOVE blue jeans.   And to know that I HAD to make a log cabin, well, the love fest began!!!  This beautiful fabric collection should be in fabric stores by the end of the month.
Continue reading →

How to cut perfect borders without a tape measure!

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

That’s right, you can cut your borders to the perfect lengths without using a tape measure: Watch the video to see how!

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https://youtu.be/Io65pwM3vJ8

Edit: I have linked this blog post to Kathleen McMusing’s blog where she is compiling quilting tips and tutorials.  Go HERE to check out last month and this months tips & tutorials.

Continue reading →

Island Batik “Log Cabin Blog Hop”

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Island Batik Blog HOP!!!

Island Batik “Log Cabin Blog Hop” Starts Today!   Be sure to visit Island Batik Blog each week to enter to win a pre-cut of one of the fabric collections highlighted that week.   These fabric collections are from the Fall 2019 line-up and should be available in quilt stores shortly.

I have seen a few of the quilts finished and a few in progress … oh my!!!  Fantastic eye candy for sure!!! Be sure to visit each of the blogs!

Here is the schedule for this week: Continue reading →

What do you do when … ?

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments

What do you do when …?

What do you do when you have a 23 year old young man visiting and his dad (my cousin) asks you to teach him to sew pants?

Well, he was only here for 3 days … SEW … teaching him how to sew pants wasn’t gonna happen!!! Besides, I don’t make pants … And we had to play tourist (in the WORST Vancouver weather) and he had an interview on another day …

But, knowing my cousin, I HAD to do something.

SEW, I set Kristopher up at my embroidery machine … and he did ALL the sewing!  Doesn’t he look like a pro????

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Yes, he sewed pants … grey pants … and said his dad often wears red shirts … we I chose to made his hair salt & pepper (LOL) … and this is the mug rug that Kristopher made:

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Continue reading →

Keeping Records

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Every Sunday, or Monday, I post a bit about what I’m working on.  It’s my way of keeping records, keeping on track and getting a LOT of quilting done!

Here’s an explanation of all the blogs that I regularly link up to have a category for them every Sunday or Monday.

  • Judy’s “Design Wall Monday” to show you what I’m piecing and quilting.  I think it’s fun to show you progress …
  • Roseanne & Sue’s “To Do” Tuesday“, to publicly say what I hope to do in the coming week.  I find it’s OK to have a list and it’s perfectly OK to not get everything on the list done.  It’s all progress and that’s what counts!
  • Donna’s “Stash Report” has really helped me to cut down on my fabric buying binges.  Very seldom do I ever buy “just because,” or “it’s on sale,” or “it’s pretty”  or whatever reason I can dream up at the time!!!  I’m not saying that I never make these types of purchases, but knowing that I need to report what I buy, makes me think twice … and those that follow my blog, know very well that I make frivolous purchases sometimes.
  • Kate’s “Stitchin’ Time” helps pull me to the sewing machine on those days that I’ve been too busy to sew, or just don’t feel like it.  Sometimes, I even set an alarm for 15 minutes and actually get up to turn the alarm off and also turn off my machine.  Other times, I get up and turn off the alarm and sit back down to sew … I never know which will happen!

And of course, I alway have my own PHD in 2020 report!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice:    I’ve started piecing the lone star.  Row 1 – 4 are completed.  Now to sew each of the 8 star points.   I think it’s going to be a pretty quilt! Continue reading →