On warm summer days, when the temperature is perfect and the kids come for a visit, I get NO sewing done. None, nada, not a stitch. And that’s OK … I really, really enjoy the kids company and we have fun! Sewing can wait … I do have deadlines, but they will hopefully be met. These days, I’m realizing just how precious time with the kids is!
It’s not a Race!
Design Wall
Piecing:
I had hoped to get the project(s) on the design wall well into the next stage … but it can wait. These are pieces of what’s happening. Can you guess what it will be? My Island Batik boxes arrived and so I immediately had to start on my July project.
Quilting:
I had hoped to sandwich the 2nd Dog/Cat quilt. But alas, that didn’t happen. My DH and I went through almost every box of fabric that I had and there was literally NOTHING that would work … so of course, I had to go shopping. I found the most PERFECT fabric for the backing! Hopefully sandwiching will happen soon! But, it’s NOT a race, right? It will get done when it gets done!
Stash Report
Dog/Cat Quilt #1 used 10 yards of fabric. You can see more details of this quilt HERE. I did need to buy backing for the quilt and so that added 3.5 yards to my fabric bought this year. 
- Fabric Used this week 10 yards
- Fabric Used this year: 213 yards
- Fabric Bought this week: 3.5 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 23.5
- Net Fabric used 189.5 yards
Stitchin’ Time
I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least! I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April! No stitchin’ on the 19th … ’cause it’s not a race!
- 15 minute days: January – June: 181 / 182
- 30 min days/ July: 18/19
- Total days in 2020: 197/ 200
- Percentage = 98%
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
Last week’s list:
- Quilt Dog/Cat #1 √ done
- Bind Dog/Cat #1 √ done
- Quilt Dog/Cat #2 xxx not done
- Bind Dog/Cat #2 xxx not done
- Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room. √ done
- Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson. xxx not done
This week’s list:
- Sandwich, Quilt & bind Dog/Cat #2
- Finish IB July project
- Work on IB December project as a leader & ender …
- Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.
- Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson.
A few words about CLEANING/TIDYING
A few weeks ago, when I was Zoom quilting with my sister and cousins, one cousin says that she always cleans up when she finishes a project. I commented that by the time I finish one project, another is already started. She then said something like, “that doesn’t matter, I clean up from the finished project”. SEW … this past week, as projects were finished, I did tidy up from them. Left-over fabric was placed in appropriate bins, the pattern (if out) was put away. For Summer Solstice – this included putting all of the paper templates into the recycle bin. A quick vacuum and I was good to go! Thanks Connie for your words of wisdom and the encouragement to tidy!!!
What’s in the plans for the rest of July?
- July’s Island Batik challenge
- Unboxing video – of my July Island Batik boxes!!! I’m scheduled to show the video on July 27.
- Working on project for Christmas in July (Then and Now) Blog Hop
- Another Mystery Quilt!!! Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a mystery quilt. I haven’t had a peek – but if you hate not know where the quilt is going, she will give you a peek. The fabric requirements are up … With this mystery, she will be releasing a clue once a month, so it should be a nice leisurely mystery.
In the past week, I finished 1 ½ UFOs. I finished Summer Solstice (click HERE) and one of 2 Dog/Cat Quilts (Click HERE). But alas, there have been 4 new starts this month … and none of them are finished. Hopefully soon – but it’s not a race, right? 
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Tish @ Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- 15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
- What I Made Monday @ Pretty Piney Quilts
- Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
- MCM @ Cooking Up Quilts
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- To-Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By Us
- Colour Inspiration Tuesday @ Clever Chameleon Quilting
You can see all the details 
The Island Batik fabric I used is a fantastic strip pack called Kismet! Add a little Bubblegum pink (on the right), Island Batik’s Solid black and this is what I came up with:
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!
… is in it’s 2nd week, starting tomorrow! Did you check out last week’s hoppers?
Ugly fabric quilt Guild challenge: We are to use the quilt pattern in this 
Florabunda: The blocks are now sewn into 3 tops … They need to be sandwiched and quilted … in due time.
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:
Don’t forget to visit the Island Batik Blog Hop that is featuring all the NEW fabric!!! And visit the 
#1: 
