PHD

Monday … stats and stuff …

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Lots of things happening in the Studio. My husband came in and said, “what are you working on? Whatever it is, it looks weird.” I then explained that I was piecing 4 different quilts. A catalogue quilt, the SAHRR, Macaron Mystery and a March blog hop quilt. He shook his head and said “ah, you don’t like stress, do you?”

There’s been some pretty amazing quilts during the Row by Row

February 7:

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood
Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

February 8:

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt
Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

February 9:

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

February 10:

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky
Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Stitching Stuff

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January 1-30 – 31 / 31
  • February 1-6 6 / 6
  • Total: 37 / 37
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

  • Fabric Used this week      5.0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        6.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  6.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I had 2 weeks to work on my previous To Do list … let’s see how I did …

The To Do list last week:

  1. Finish Round 4 of SAHRR and start Round 5 √   DONE
  2. Work on February Island Batik project √   DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Round 5 of SAHRR
  2. Finish Catalogue Quilt
  3. Work on Macaron Mystery
  4. Work on Time in a Bottle
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

#1 SAHRR is in progress … This is Round 4 … You can read details about this round HERE.

#2 Time in a Bottle: This is for a blog hop in March … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop! But I can give you a teaser that is using the LAST of my Island Batik gradation fabrics and Island Batik solid grey.

#3 Macaron Mystery. Block A is done. All the fabrics are from my stash.

Quilting:

Catalogue quilt. This is a quilt for Island Batik’s next catalogue which will feature a new line of fabric. It’s pretty awesome fabric and I’m sure you’ll want to get some for yourself. However, I can’t even give you a sneak preview of the fabric. You can be sure that I will show you one the fabric has hit the stores!

The first chart shows my overall PHD standing and New Starts … the 2nd more colourful chart shows all the tasks, or steps I need to take to complete my UFOs.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy
Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate
Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework
15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
Frédérique  @ Quilting Patchwork Applique
Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt
Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

 

PHD in 2022: January Report

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

How are you doing with the first month of PHD in 2022?

This meme was posted by a blogging friend (Roseanne of Home Sewn by Us) in the fall. I thought it was a perfect example of how to tackle those large projects. Or how to tackle our UFOs. If we set all of our UFOs in front of us – it can be a daunting experience (ladder on the right). However, if you pick one of them to work on, it looks more doable.

OK… so the UFO you picked has 760 steps before it will be completed. That’s OK … pick one step, or 2 and work on those … soon, you will have a few less steps to complete. Continue in the same manner and before you know it – it will be done!

UFO’s Completed in January

I have completed 3 UFOs this month. However, I can only show you 2. One is scheduled for a blog hop “Tickled Pink” and I can show you on February 16.

Here are the 2 I can show you: Any Which Way from the mystery between Christmas and New Years and the Teddy Bear quilt I made for the Polar Bear Plunge blog hop.

My Tally Sheet

It appears that I’m off to a roaring start! However, I know what’s ahead for me in February and although I might be able to work on a few of the UFOs (Colour Challenge & February’s Macaron Mystery), I doubt that I will be able to finish a UFO this month! But, I can always try!

The Linky Party

Show us your PHD in 2022 progress!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Island Batik Blog Hop … and Studio Happenings!

/ quiltinggail / 8 Comments

Row Row Row your Quilt

The February Island Batik Blog Hop starts on Monday! The theme is Row by Row …

Make sure you visit each of the ambassadors to see what they made … and some of them may have a giveaway and you could have a chance to win some awesome Island Batik fabric!

January 31:

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations
Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese 

February 1:

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts
Andi Stanfield, True Blue Quilts

February 2:

Megan Best, Bestquilter

February 3:

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Did you see?

My Island Batik quilts for the January challenge? These were for the challenge “Step by Step” using 20 gradations of Tantalizing Teal. Of course, Island Batik fabric was used with Hobbs batting and Aurifil Thread.

Here are the pictures, but you can read more about them HERE.

Stitching Stuff

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

Last year I managed to sew 97% of the days. What will this year bring?

  • January 1-30 – 30 / 30
  • Total: 30 /30
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

The Teddy Bear quilt took 5.5 yards of fabric. You can see the post HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      5.0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        6.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  6.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I had 2 weeks to work on my previous To Do list … I’m starting to realize that if I give myself 2 weeks, I can usually accomplish what I want to do in one week. Hmmm … What does that say about my expectations?

The To Do list 2 weeks ago:

  1. Finish Round 3 & start Round 4 of SAHRR √   DONE
  2. Sandwich and Quilt Polar Bear Plunge √   DONE
  3. Work on Tickled Pink project … it’s actually finished! √   DONE
  4. Finish Island Batik January Project and posted HERE √   DONE
  5. Finish Macaron Mystery – January clue √   DONE
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Round 4 of SAHRR and start Round 5
  2. Work on February Island Batik project
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and I can only show you little bits of what’s there!

#1 SAHRR is in progress … You can read about it HERE and HERE

#2 … February Island Batik project Row by Row … Here’s a picture of the fabric that I’m using. It’s the Vintage Lace by Kathy Engle and should be shipping to stores in February. Aren’t they soft and lovely?

Quilting:

Nothing is being quilted at the moment!

2 UFOs finished this week! The Polar Bear Blog hop and the Tickled Pink Blog Hop quilts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Inktense Pencil Fun

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

On Monday and Tuesday, a bunch of us met at Essem Textiles to play and explore Inktense Pencils. If you’ve never used Inktense – it’s worth giving it a try. They are like pencil crayons with water soluble ink in them. You can colour on fabric and use water, aloe vera or a textile medium to bring out the vibrant colours.

Below is what I worked on. It’s a free drawing from Helen Godden and is the Christmas 2019 project. My plan is to finish “painting” it and then follow Helen’s Youtube videos for the zen-doodling quilting.

While we were at Essem, a bunch of ladies from the Chilliwack guild stopped in the store. You’ve seen a lot of their SAHRR center blocks HERE … and it was fun to meet them in person!

Stitching Stuff

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

  • January 1-16 – 16 / 16
  • Total: 16 / 16
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash.

This meme is still true! No fabric has been bought … at least not yet! No change in what I’ve used!

  • Fabric Used this week      0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        1.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  1.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

The To Do list last week:

  1. SAHRR: Finish Round 2 & work on Round 3 √   DONE
  2. Work on Polar Bear Plunge: get the top done √   DONE
  3. Work on Tickled Pink √   DONE
  4. Work on Island Batik January Project √   DONE
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √   DONE
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   DONE

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Round 3 & start Round 4 of SAHRR
  2. Sandwich and Quilt Polar Bear Plunge
  3. Work on Tickled Pink
  4. Finish Island Batik January Project
  5. Finish Macaron Mystery – January clue
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is a couple of things I can show you …

#1 SAHRR is in progress … You can read about it HERE.

But I can show you my center block with Round 1 added.

#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!

#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!

#4 … Macaron Mystery Quilt

I’ve got some of January’s clue done … still have more to do …

Quilting:

Island Batik, January challenge is being quilted.

One New Start … no finishes. I did pull the fabrics for the February Island Batik challenge – does that count as a new start? And I started the Christmas wall hanging.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

A Wintery Finish!

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

I have a UFO finish! It is the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt … it was finally trimmed and the binding was added! The first picture was taken in the sun … and the 2nd picture was taken on the snow – just because I could!

The binding was finished today while I was Zoom quilting with fellow Island Batik Ambassadors! It’s so fun to get together and see what everyone is working on!

This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting and was quilted with Aurifil thread using Schmetz needles. It finishes at 44″ x 44.” It’s nice to have this UFO done!

Stitching Stuff

‘

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

This week, I managed to only sew for 15 min a day …

  • January 1-9 – 9 / 9
  • Total: 9 / 9
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

I used 1.5 yards of fabric for the backing of the Any Which Way Mystery Quilt.

  • Fabric Used this week      1.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        0 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  1.5 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I didn’t get a lot done this week. I’ve had a bad back and can only sit for very short periods of time.

The To Do list last week:

  1. Trim & bind “Any Which Way” Mystery – √   DONE
  2. Finish Round 3 & 4 of SAHRR (yes, I want to work ahead) Decided I didn’t like Round 2 – so did some un-stitching and re-doing the round X not done
  3. Work on Polar Bear Plunge  √   DONE
  4. Work on Tickled Pink  √   DONE
  5. Work on January’s Island Batik project  √   DONE
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!  √   DONE
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes: no cleaning or tidying done and boy does it show! X not done

This week’s list:

  1. SAHRR: Finish Round 2 & work on Round 3
  2. Work on Polar Bear Plunge: get the top done
  3. Work on Tickled Pink
  4. Work on Secret Project
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is NOTHING I can show you … yet!

#1 SAHRR is in progress … Centre block comes out Tomorrow! Be sure to come back so you don’t miss it!!!

#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!

#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!

#4 … Island Batik January Gradation project is getting there! and it will remain a total secret for now!

#5 Macaron Mystery by Meadow Mist Designs I have printed off the January clue – but haven’t done any sewing … yet …

Quilting:

Nothing is being quilted at the moment!

One UFO done!

Ms. P. Designs has this nifty colourful tool that you can use to track the tasks you have to do for your PHD. You can access the tool HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Plans for the New Year … and EXCITING NEWS!!!

/ quiltinggail / 30 Comments

My husband says every new year, “My New Year’s Resolution is to not make any resolutions.” I sort of feel the same way, but I do have quilty goals in mind and I’ll share them with you.

Island Batik Ambassador

I was again chosen to be an Island Batik Ambassador for 2022! I was beyond excited when I found out! If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you KNOW how much I love Island Batik fabric!

There will be monthly challenges and projects to make! I can’t wait to show you all the fabulous fabric and goodies from the industry partners!

New to Me

This is new to me, but it’s been around for awhile. I have watched other bloggers do this block of the month and thought I’d join in on the fun this year! Check out Jen’s blog post for more details and to get the pattern for this month’s block. Doesn’t “Spicy” sound fantastic???

January’s spice is Saffron. This is the 12 1/2″ block that I made:

I used 2 different oranges from Island Batik. I didn’t have enough of the dark orange, so I pieced the bottom left square.

Here are this month’s bloggers that are highlighting this Spicey month!

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!

Last year I managed to sew 97% of the days. What will this year bring?

  • January 1-2 – 2 / 2
  • Total: 2 / 2
  • Percentage =100% 

Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks! However, I am human and I do break down and buy fabric!

I love this meme that I saw recently (but can’t find the source) …

  • Fabric Used this week      0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        0 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      0 yards 
  • Net Fabric used                  0 yards 

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week.

I had 2 weeks to work on my previous To Do list … let’s see how I did …

The To Do list last week:

  1. Finish A&A’s Quilt  √   DONE
  2. Bind the guild Fall Mystery Quilt  √   DONE
  3. Prepare the PHD in 2022 blog post.  √   DONE
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   DONE
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Trim & bind “Any Which Way” Mystery
  2. Finish Round 3 & 4 of SAHRR (yes, I want to work ahead)
  3. Work on Polar Bear Plunge
  4. Work on Tickled Pink
  5. Work on January’s Island Batik project
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Design Wall

There are a few things on my Design Wall and there is NOTHING I can show you … yet!

#1 SAHRR is in progress … You can read about it HERE.

#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!

#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!

#4 … January’s Island Batik project and it will remain a secret for now! But, I will show you the stack of fabric that I’m working with! Tantalizing Teals! Aren’t they absolutely BEAUTIFUL? !!!

Quilting:

Nothing is being quilted at the moment!

However, my Any Which Way mystery quilt needs to be trimmed and bound.

My January Island Batik project is started … no finishes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: December Report

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

How did you do with your PHD in 2021?

Here’s my tally for the year. I managed to finish the 3 quilts that were left in my Starts in 2021 column! Therefore, I did get my PHD in 2021! YAY!!! And those UFO numbers are dwindling down!!!

Here are the 3 quilts that were Starts in 2021 and are now DONE!!! (The first 2 are finishes you haven’t seen before. The first one is the Fall Surprise 2021 guild mystery. The 2nd is A & A’s quilt … by the time this post goes live, they should have it – so it’s OK to show it. The 3rd one, I blogged about it HERE.

And here is my final tally sheet for 2021:

PHD in 2022

Are you going to join in the PHD in 2022? The information is at this POST.

Some people find it hard to complete 12 UFOs and some people find it hard to complete all of their new starts … However, if you are serious about getting rid of your UFOs, AND you don’t want your UFO list to get bigger – this might be just what you need!

Linky Party

Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

Announcing: PHD in 2022

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

Are you ready to enter into the challenge of getting those UFOs done and gone?

Here’s what you have to do:

  • Select 12 UFOs (or more) that you want to finish in 2022
  • Join, with the linky party and tell us about your UFOs
  • Grab a tally sheet (or make your own) to keep track of your UFOs
  • Plan to FINISH every single quilty project that you start in 2022. And keep track of them. This keeps your UFO list from increasing!
  • You have until January 15, 2022 to officially join in!

The Tally Sheet

Here is an Excel File for you to use (if you want). If the link doesn’t work – Please email me and I can email it to you! (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)

PHD Tally 2022- with formulasDownload

Here is my Tally Sheet for 2022! And I just noticed that there is a UFOs missing. A “necessary clutch” made with cork.

My UFOs

The Linky Party

Show us your PHD in 2022 intentions! This Linky Party will remain open until January 15, 2022. You have until then to join in!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

The Year is Almost Over …

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

Yes, it seems like the year has gone by quickly! And, with the Covid numbers increasing and talks of future lockdowns, I’ll be hunkering down and quilting!!!

Next week, starting on Boxing Day, I will be hosting a mystery quilt. It’s a quick and easy mystery – and it will be fun! Are you going to join me?

Finally finished!

Do you remember the picture on the left? After lots of procrastination and neglect, I finally finished this hot air balloon quilt. The pattern is from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.”

Before I taught a class, using this book, I wanted to demonstrate a few different techniques in making the slabs. There are many different ways. In this quilt, I used stripes, bargello, “twosies, foursies, eightsies …” and my own invention “random pieces in a line.” I have also use orphan blocks.

The baskets were chain pieced and made all at the same time.

Once the baskets were attached to the balloons, I played around with the layout and positioned them all slightly different … I wanted it to look like balloons were in the sky.

The fabrics were all from my Island Batik stash … bits and pieces of this and that. The background is BE34-E1 Dot Sky from the Blender’s collection. Hobbs 80/20 is used for the batting. The free motion quilting was pretty simple … clouds and meandering in the sky and vertical wavy lines on the balloons. The baskets were a grid of mish-mashed straight lines. It is bound with Island Batik’s Black solid.

The binding looks a little wonky on the bottom right, but that’s because it won’t be finished until after a special baby is born and I can put the label on it.

Design Wall

#1 SAHRR: I have my centre block done! Whoo hoo!!! And plan to work on the other rounds! The SAHRR will start on January 10. I’ll show you the centre block then!

Here’s the Schedule of Events for SAHRR:

SEW … start thinking about what you can use for your centre block. Will it be an orphan block? Will you start something new? something different? Will it be square or rectangle? It’ll be fun to see what you choose!

#2 Polar Bear Plunge: This is for a blog hop in January … it should be fun! Of course, I can’t show you until the blog hop!

#3 Tickled Pink: This is for a blog hop in February … and again, I can’t show you until then!

#4 Monthly Colour Challenge – with Patterns by Jen. Yes, I’ve pulled my fabrics for the first few months. I’m excited to show you January’s block on January 1!

Quilting: 

#2 A&A’s Quilt: This quilt is under the machine at the moment!

Stash Report

The back of the balloon quilt used 2 1/2 yards of flannel – from my stash.

This will be my last stash report for 2021! By the end of the year, I will have used at least another 9 yards of fabric, but I’m not counting it until it’s finished. I will continue with my Sunday Stash report in 2022 – it keeps me honest about what I buy. And, I will often 2nd guess a fabric purchase when I think that I need to report it on my blog! (and that’s a good thing!)

Well, my husband didn’t add any fabric this year. Yes, he was with me on a few occasions when we were in a fabric store, but he didn’t pick up anything for me to buy! Well, the next trip to a fabric store could be another story!

  • Fabric Used this week     2.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       104.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                 52.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

This is my last Stitchin’ Time for 2021. The “Any Which Way” Mystery quilt is happening next week and I want to focus on that!

As for this year, I think I did pretty good … only missed 9 days in the whole year! Wow!! It does help that, aside from one 10 day trip, we didn’t go anywhere! If Kate continues this next year, I’ll be back with more Stitchin’ Time in 2022!

  • January – Nov –  324 / 333
  • Dec – 19/19
  • Total: 342 / 351
  • Percentage = 97 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

I won’t be posting a To Do list next week, but I’ll be back in 2022 with updated lists!

The To Do list last week:

  1. Get A&As quilt sandwiched.  √   DONE
  2. Finish Scrappy Improv top.  √   DONE
  3. I find it interesting that I had a blank on the list from last week!
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  HA! HA! … I started 3 new projects for the new year … I’d say I was distracted !!! Unsuccessful
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish A&A’s Quilt
  2. Bind the guild Fall Mystery Quilt
  3. Prepare the PHD in 2022 blog post.
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have 2 projects to finish before the end of the year. Unless something weird happens, I should be able to get them done this week! The BBQG Mystery #3 just needs the binding done and A&A’s quilt needs the quilting finished and the label and binding … doable … I hope!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

What’s Happening in the Future?

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

Sew … What’s in the Future on my blog?

Mystery Quilt

This mystery is a quick and easy quilt. The first clue (and fabric requirements) will be announced on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. There will be 5 clues and I’m 100% positive that many of you will have it totally completed before 2022 rings in!

It will be 40″ square … and the rest is a mystery!

SAHRR

5 Blogging Friends and myself will be hosting another Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR). What’s a Round Robin, you ask? Well, typically, in the quilting world, a round robin goes like this:

  • Quilter #1 creates their own centre block
  • The centre block is passed on to Quilter #2 and they add a border, depending on what the directions are.
  • The centre block, plus border 1 is passed on to Quilter #3, who adds the next border.
  • And on it continues

With the SAHRR, the blocks and rounds stay home with you. You are the one that is in charge of your Round Robin.

There is nothing to join … you just need to follow each of our blogs so that you don’t miss a thing!

If you go to this post, you will see my completed top from the 2021 Round Robin. And This Post shows my completed tops from 2020.

We haven’t decided on a start date … but we have all decided what is chosen for each round. And, no, I’m not going to tell you. Of course, we are all working on our Round Robins so that they’ll be ready at the start! AND … I’m laughing and laughing because we all have good intentions … but the follow through does not always happen!

My Blogging Friends are

Yes, I will be hosting a PHD in 2022.

What is a PHD??? In the quilting world, a PHD is a Project Half Done. As a former academic, who did not get a PhD in nursing, it’s just a play on the initials.

In order to get your PHD in 2022, you have to complete at least 12 UFOs (Unfinished Objects / or projects) AND … here’s the big catch: You MUST complete everything you start in 2022. Yes, EVERY new project. Otherwise your UFO list will just increase and we’re trying to get rid of them, right?

There are a few exceptions to completing what you start in 2022. If the project carries over into 2023, such as a BOM or Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, then it would be impossible to complete it in 2022. And, those last minute projects that are started in December 2022? They don’t count either. But all of the projects you start in 2022, must be completed. This includes labels and quilting and binding – not just completing a top!

In the meantime, you can gather up your UFOs to get ready.

Monthly Color Challenge

I will be participating in this monthly colour challenge! I plan to make the entire quilt, but have signed up to be part of an occasional blog hop with the monthly blocks. The first block will be announced on January 1. You’ll be able to see the block at Patterns by Jen. The block patterns are free for the month they are posted. If you miss a month, they will be available for a nominal fee. Will you join me?

Blog Hops

I often participate in various blog hops. They are so fun! And full of lots of eye candy and ideas. So far, I have signed up for 2 in the new year.

Joan, from Moose Stash Quilting is hosting a Polar Bear Plunge.

Carla, from Creatin’ in the Sticks is having a “Tickled Pink” blog hop in Feb.

And here is their proposed blog hops for 2022! Lots of fun in store!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Moving right along …

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

Here’s what’s happening in the studio …

A Finish

This week I posted my final Island Batik challenge for 2021. It’s been a fantastic year! I will soon have a blog post that will show all of the projects I’ve made with wonderful Island Batik fabrics! You can read more about this finish HERE. It was pieced and quilted with Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting was used.

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting …

Absolutely NO change from the last month! None at all! Even though I analyzed why it wasn’t getting done – I still haven’t worked on it! I need to get it finished in order to achieve my PHD in 2021!

#2 A&A’s Quilt: This quilt which was started in Mar. is getting pieced into a top. I was suppose to get some direction on how they wanted it pieced, but no direction came, so I decided to do my own thing. … I’m looking forward to quilting some of the negative space …

Quilting: 

Amy and I had another “Playing with Rulers” day at Essem Textiles. I was working on my Guild’s fall mystery quilt. I struggled the whole time. First, I did not have my slip slidey thing for my machine, then I realized that my quilting gloves no longer had any grip on them … If we have more “Playing with Rulers” days, I will definitely choose a smaller project! And I will have my slip slidey thing and some good gloves! In spite of my challenges, it was a fun couple of days!! It is so rewarding to see quilters become comfortable with ruler quilting!!! If you live in the area and would like to join us for a “Playing with Rulers” session – let Simina or Rajan at Essem Textiles know. They will put you on a waiting list.

Stash Report

No finishes that used fabric from my stash.

  • Fabric Used this week     0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       101.75 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                 51 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – Nov –  324 / 333
  • Dec – 12 / 12
  • Total: 336 / 344
  • Percentage = 97 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from 2 weeks ago:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4 √   DONE
  2. Work on December’s Island Batik project. √   DONE
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  Got inspired to make a tree skirt √   DONE
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Get A&As quilt sandwiched
  2. Finish Scrappy Improv top
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

OK … I’ve got 3 projects to finish before the end of the year. I think I can get them done! I hope I can get them done.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

What’s Happening in the Studio?

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

First, I need to show you a finish … not a quilty finish, but a finish. While I was at Essem Textiles, I spotted some super cute knit teddy bear fabric. I LOVE teddy bears! Years ago, in the last century, I made a cute nightshirt with teddybears on it. That nightshirt was loved for years and years. This summer, I noticed that it was pretty thread barren and it’s time was near! Well, I might have noticed it much longer than just this summer! When I saw the fabric at Essem, I just knew I had found the perfect fabric to replace the nightshirt with. And the old night shirt is re-purposed as cleaning cloths in the garage. However, I did rescue the button off the old one and put it on the new one!

I’m not going to model it, but here it is on my design wall:

It was fun to use my serger and complete a project in less than a day! That doesn’t happen when I’m quilting!

Island Batik’s Storm at Sea Blog Hop

Did you get to see all of the Storm at Sea quilts? They were all based on the Storm at Sea block. Some people used Paper Piecing (me), some used Studio 180 rules, and some used the Accuquilt Block on Board die. Andi (from True Blue Quilts) made a great youtube video that showcases all of the quilt. Watch it and Enjoy!

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting …

Absolutely NO change from the last month! None at all!

#2.  A Christmas Tree Skirt

These are fabrics from Essem Textiles. I have started piecing the tree skirt … such pretty fabrics to work with!

Quilting: 

#1  The last Secret Island Batik project is being quilted

#2 Scrappy Improv Quilting This is from the pattern “Prismatic … just made bigger … lots bigger … (from Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improv Quilting.” This book is SEW much fun … make sure you order yours before it’s too late!

  • Fabric Used this week     0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

  • January – October –  292/ 303
  • Nov – 21 / 21
  • Total: 313 / 324
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from 2 Weeks ago:

  1. Quilt Island Batik Secret #2 √   DONE 
  2. Quilt Island Batik Secret #4 in progress
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  Got inspired to make a tree skirt  not done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #4
  2. Finish Tree Skirt
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have finished enough UFOs for my PHD, but I still have a few “Starts in 2021” to finish …

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

November … and the first week is over?

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

Oh dear … time seems to be flying by this month!

But it’s OK … I’m busy and having fun!!!

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting …

Absolutely NO change from last week! None at all!

#2.  Scrappy Improv Quilting …

This is from the pattern “Prismatic.” This has gone from the first photo to the 2nd. So it is ready for sandwiching. I just need to choose a backing.

#4, #5, & #6 Secret Sewing: Island Batik

I’m happy to report that all of the patterns have been written. And one is still being tested. All of the tops are complete!

Quilting: 

#2  Secret Island Batik project is being quilted

#1 Secret Island Batik is quilted. I can only show you the back … the fabric is a beautiful “Moonstone,” one of the fabrics that is available all the time! It is quilted with Aurifil 2600 – Dove. Hobbs 80/20 batting and a Schmetz Microtex needle was used.

Stash Report

I got “paid” in fabric for the class that I taught. Even though I didn’t “buy” it, it still adds to my stash. I added 11 yards of flannel … all for backing baby quilts. And I did use 1.25 yards on the back of the mystery quilt (see the purple above?)

  • Fabric Used this week     0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0 yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I have been sewing for at LEAST 3-4 hours each day … deadlines add pressure, you know! So my stitchin’ time is good!

  • January – October –  292/ 272
  • Nov – 7 / 7
  • Total: 299 / 310
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The To Do list from Last Week:

  1. Sandwich BBQG Guild Mystery #2 & #3 #2 Done, #3 not done
  2. Sandwich Island Batik Secret #4 √   DONE 
  3. Sew top together  Prismatic from Scrappy Improv √   DONE 
  4. Work on Island Batik’s December project in progress
  5. Finish Island Batik Secret #2 top √   DONE 
  6. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #3 not done
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   DONE 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   DONE  

This week’s list:

Is fairly light … priorities only … as I won’t be home for a few days. (I’ll tell you about it later).

  1. Quilt Island Batik Secret #2
  2. Quilt Island Batik Secret #4
  3. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Island Batik Blog Hop

Island Batik’s Storm at Sea Blog Hop is into it’s 2nd week! Check out THIS POST to follow each of the ambassadors and their creative and awesome quilts!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: October Report

/ quiltinggail / 20 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

Are you slugging away at a project that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight? We’ve all been there. Did you know that as you’re slugging away, it’s OK to switch to something else for a short time, or take a break. If you know me at all, squaring up HST or blocks is NOT my favourite thing. I know it gives good results, but taking those slivers off of a HST is just plain boring. So, one of my tactics is to do 10 and then do something else. Then do another 10. Pretty soon, all 2000 (an exaggeration) are done! And it feels good to have that task completed.

Here’s my tally for the year so far. I have completed 12 UFOs and I just need to finish all of the projects that I started and I’ll have achieved my Phd in 2021! I’ve got 2 months left, so I’m hoping it’s a good 2 months of sewing!

Linky Party



Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

Blog Hop

Island Batik’s November Blog Hop starts tomorrow!!! Come back tomorrow to see my beautiful quilts made with the Bellingham Bay Fabric collection!

In the meantime, you have an opportunity to win either a strip pack or a stack of Bellingham Bay fabric!

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

I have a Finish!

I did finish one of the guild baby mystery quilts … I used it when I took a “Beanie” ruler class from Silly Moon. Nope, I’m not going to show you the front, but here is the back. There is NO way you can tell what the front is! (chuckle) But I learned how to easily make concentric circles, clam shells, circles, and baptist fans. And I played with the ruler in the in the border.

My Favourite Quilt this month!

My favourite quilt has got to be the Pangolin that I made for October’s Island Batik challenge. I absolutely loved doing all the zen-doodling in the scales! This piece is 20″ square and you can read about it HERE. I will be linking to Meadow Mist Designs.

Design Wall

#1 Scrappy Improv Quilting …

I’m still working on a Hot Air Balloon quilt from Kelly Young’s “Scrappy Improv Quilting” Book. I decided that I would use different techniques for making slabs and have 4 balloons … I haven’t gotten too far … Obviously my balloons need baskets and the sky around them … And my Island Batik scraps isn’t much smaller!

#2.  Scrappy Improv Quilting …

This is from the pattern “Prismatic.” I had some scrappy Island Batik log cabin blocks that were languishing in a pile. What to do with them? I sewed them all randomly together and made a large slab. Then I cut it up. The log cabin blocks were 3/4″ finished … so there are a LOT of tiny pieces in these blocks. They will be sewn together with white fabric surrounding them.

#4, #5, & #6 Secret Sewing: Island Batik

I’m happy to report that all of the patterns have been written. 2 of them are tested and ready to roll. And 2 of them are still being tested.

Quilting: 

#1 Secret Island Batik project is being quilted

Stash Report

I got “paid” in fabric for the class that I taught. Even though I didn’t “buy” it, it still adds to my stash. I added 11 yards of flannel … all for backing baby quilts. And I did use 1.25 yards on the back of the mystery quilt (see the purple above?)

  • Fabric Used this week     1.25 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       100.25 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  11  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50. 75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  49.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I have been sewing for at LEAST 3-4 hours each day … deadlines add pressure, you know! So my stitchin’ time is good!

  • January – October –  292/ 272
  • Total: 292 / 303
  • Percentage = 96 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

To Do

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The last To Do list: (from AGES ago)

OK … even though I had a LOT of time to complete everything, pattern writing and making the secret quilts took a LOT of time!

  1. Continue working on Island Batik’s November project DONE!!!
  2. Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv Nope … in progress
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December project ... in progress
  4. Complete top for Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #2 All 3 quilt tops are done, one is quilted.
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   DONE 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes       I need to start doing this daily!  

This week’s list:

  1. Sandwich BBQG Guild Mystery #2 & #3
  2. Sandwich Island Batik Secret #4
  3. Sew top together  Prismatic from Scrappy Improv
  4. Work on Island Batik’s December project
  5. Finish Island Batik Secret #2 top
  6. Finish Quilting Island Batik Secret #3
  7. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  8. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: September Report

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is phd-in-2021.png

How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

I was reading a post from Bustle: “Ways To Get Things Done When You Don’t Wanna” The title certainly caught my eye! There were lots of tips on “How To.”

Here’s my comments on some of the points as it relates to me and quilting

  • Think of the end goal. Remember that wonderful feeling when a quilt project is finished? It feels pretty good, right?
  • Focus on what you can control. OK … so you might not be able to finish your project today, but you can sew a few seams, cut out some of the fabric … That’s doable, right?
  • Start With The Most Loathed Bits First. You might as well get it out of the way and then the rest will be easy. (Well, this won’t work if binding is what you loath, but I’m sure you can find something!
  • Work Out What You’re Afraid Of. Cut out the excuses and just get started.
  • Bribe Yourself Shamelessly. I’m on a serious fabric diet, but maybe I could go shopping. At least I need thread, right?
  • Do It For Just 10 Minutes. We can all work on a project for 10 minutes … set your timer if you need to!

Here’s my tally sheet. You’ll notice that I have 3 Island Batik Secret projects to work on. I actually had 4, but one is completed. These include writing patterns, organizing pattern testers and making the quilts. I’m going to be busy for the next while!

Linky Party

Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

My Favourite Quilt this month!

Meadow Mist Designs hosts a link up for a Favourite Quilt each month. My favourite is from a new book “Scrappy Improv Quilting” by Kelly Young. You can read about it HERE. I will be teaching this quilt (and others) at Essem Textiles later this month. Contact Simina at Essem to book your spot!

This quilt used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting!

So Scrappy

My Scrappy Table Topper for September was 2 – both featuring orange … you can read about them HERE. October’s colour is Lime Green. Hmmm … wonder what I’ll make?

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

Favourite Quilt of the Month @  Meadow Mist Designs

So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate

Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework

15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

Frédérique  @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt

Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

Catching up …

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

I was away on holidays … did a bit of sewing then, but most of it is secret sewing … so no pictures.

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1. Secret Sewing: Island Batik

#2 Secret Sewing: BBQG mystery quilt

#2. Scrappy Improv … another variation of the hot air balloon quilt

Quilting: 

#1 November Island Batik project is being quilted

Stash Report

I was in Edmonton while I was away … Lori’s Country Cottage had a 40% sale on selected fabrics … I did not behave myself … It was fun to be in a fabric store … it was fun to shop … here’s a picture of the damage ….

I could justify each purchase … the fabrics on the left were for one of the guild’s mystery quilts and the fabrics on the right were all flannels … necessary for backings …

  • Fabric Used this week     0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       99 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  12  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      39.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  58.25 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

While away, I managed to sew for 5 days … and for 6 days, I did not sew.

  • January – August –  235 / 242
  • Sept –  20 / 26
  • Total: 255 / 268
  • Percentage = 95 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Linda from Texas Quilt Gal is now hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

OK … so I had over 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list – a little bit of everything got done!

  1. Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project Partially done!
  2. Finish 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv Partially done!
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December  project Partially done! 
  4. Write the directions for the guild’s Fall Mystery quilt √   done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done  

This week’s list:

  1. Finish quilting Island Batik’s November project
  2. Work on 3rd Project from Scrappy Improv
  3. Work on Island Batik’s December project
  4. Quilt Secret Sewing BBQG mystery quilt #1
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

PHD in 2021

Table Scraps

I have 2 Table Scraps for this month … First is my table runner and 2nd is the coaster.

This Table runner was made with scraps of Island Batik fabric … mostly from the Autumn Wings collection. Quilted with Aurifil thread, Hobbs Batting and Schmetz needles.

This coaster was made with a free pattern from Kreative Kiwi … Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs Batting and made in the hoop on my embroidery machine.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:

  • So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy

  • Sunday Stash @  quiltpaintcreate

  • Oh Scrap @  Quilting is More Fun than Housework

  • 15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

  • Frédérique  @ Quilting Patchwork Applique

  • Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt

  • Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

  • To-Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

  • Table Scraps @ Joyful Quilter

    • PHD in 2021: August Report

    / quiltinggail / 24 Comments
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    How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

    Are you feeling overwhelmed with the number of UFOs? Try just taking one UFO and focus on it. Perhaps write down all the steps you need to do to complete it. Even if the list is LONG … tackle the first step. I promise that you will feel much better about it! Then later, or tomorrow, tackle the next step. Pretty soon it will be done!

    My PHD tally hasn’t changed a lot. Well, no UFOs are finished, but quite a few of the Starts in 2021 are completed. I’ve been working a LOT of my November Island Batik challenge. I am SEW glad that I started early! It’s taking a LOT of time and a LOT of concentration. You’ll see why in November.

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    My Favourite Quilt this month!

    GROAN …. How do I choose which quilt is my favourite when I think I made 3 fantastic quilts? I know I’m biased … but I LOVE each one of these quilts!

    DrEAMi

    This month, I had a DrEAMi … (Drop Everything And Make it) This was a pattern from Sandra Walker (from Musings of a Menopausal Melon) and after seeing that several people made it … I just HAD to. The pattern is “Let Your Star Shine.” You can get the pattern from Sandra’s Etsy shop: HERE. It is a pretty quick quilt to make!

    A NEW Blog Hop

    Kelly Young has a AWESOME new book that has just been published. She is having a blog hop starting later in September. This book is fantastic! There are 22 mini quilts and they are SEW easy to make.

    If you check out Kelly’s blog, My Quilt Infatuation she has an overview of the book HERE.

    I have made one mini quilt for the blog hop and am in the process of making another for myself. I will show it to you after the blog hop is over. I don’t want to ruin the surprise of all the mini quilts that you will see during the blog hop.

    I must say that this book is really well written! (I have my own copy!) The directions are easy to follow and there are a ton of fun projects to make!

    If you live locally, Essem Textiles has the book in their store.

    I will be teaching classes of projects from this book in October at Essem Textiles. Dates are TBA.

    Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

    The monthly table topper is run by So Srappy. The colour for August was aqua. I wanted to try a paper pieced Storm at Sea block … so that’s what I made! It’s 15″ square. Made with Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs fusible batting and Aurifil Dove thread.

    Design Wall

    Piecing:

    #1. November Island Batik project

    It’s being paper pieced, and the project is a secret … but I can show you this …

    #2. Second project from Scrappy Improv … which I can’t show you until after the blog hop

    Quilting: 

    Nothing at the moment!

    Stash Report

    The backings from the 3 “favourite” quilts this month, plus the aqua table topper were all from my stash and totalled 11 yards.

    • Fabric Used this week     11 yards
    • Fabric Used this year:       99 yards
    • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
    • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
    • Net Fabric used                  70.25 yards 
    • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

    Stitchin’ Time

    I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day. Many days there are more than a few hours spent in my studio. We were away this past weekend, so there was 2 days that I did not sew.

    • January – July –  209/211
    • August – 26/29
    • Total: 235 / 240
    • Percentage = 98 % 

    For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

    TO DO 

    Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

    The last To Do list: (from weeks ago)

    OK … so I had 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list. I kept the list light because I want some more time to enjoy the summer! Consequently, it was easy to get it done. I’m keeping this week’s list light as well!

    1. Piece and Quilt Let Your Star Shine √   done 
    2. Start Aqua Table Topper for the monthly Table Topper challenge √   done 
    3. Start “Orange you Glad” project! √   done 
    4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done 
    5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done  

    This week’s list:

    1. Complete Island Batik’s November project
    2. Complete 2nd Project from Scrappy Improv
    3. Prepare more fabric for Island Batik’s December project
    4. Write the directions for the guild’s Fall Mystery quilt
    5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
    6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

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    PHD in 2021: July Report

    / quiltinggail / 20 Comments
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    How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

    Did you know that by setting goals, you are actually motivating yourself? That’s right! Way back in January, you decided to do your PHD in 2021. That meant finishing at least 12 of your UFOs and finishing every project that you start in 2021. (We don’t want that UFO list to increase, right?)

    SEW … take a good look at your list(s) … what do you need to work on? What is your biggest challenge? How about in the next month, you spend at least 15 minutes a day working on your biggest challenge. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you actually get done!

    Something about me: before I retired, I often had to work several 12 hour plus shifts. I had to be at the hospital prior to my students arriving and I couldn’t leave until the last one had left. This meant that I was often there about 13 hours a day. Add in the 45 or more minutes to commute each way and it made for long days. And I had to get up the next day and do it all over again. It was hard to unwind … so I would sit at my sewing machine for 15 minutes. I actually set a timer so that I would quit and go to bed. It helped me unwind and I managed to get a lot of piecing or quilting done!

    I know that you don’t all have an area that you can leave your machine up and your supplies scattered nearby – but it’s something to consider.

    I have completed 12 UFOs this year. Here they are:

    On the “Complete all the 2021 Starts” I’m doing pretty good! Of course I still have my Island Batik projects to finish, so there’s a few new starts there. Plus, I’m sure that a few squirrels will be tempting me!

    Linky Party

    Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
    https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

    My Favourite Quilt this month!

    This was easy to choose!!! It has to be the Christmas wreath! You can read about it HERE.

    Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

    It didn’t happen this month!!! I’m actually surprised because blue is my favourite colour!

    Well, August is another month! Hopefully, I’ll have a table topper done!

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

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    A UFO Finish for Friday!

    / quiltinggail / 33 Comments

    Yes, I finished UFO #12 for 2021!

    This seems like it was a difficult finish. First, I didn’t have the right red to go with the panel. That made is necessary to BUY fabric. I found some grunge and … it worked … and was perfect for enhancing this panel block!

    Then I quilted it and was very pleased to be done … until I looked at the back … on the last 2 rows of swirls … GROAN … 2 and a half days later, the stitching was all removed.

    I changed the needle and started re-doing the quilting … and I was checking every 12 inches or so … but it was fine! YAY!!! Doesn’t this look much better?? Perhaps this lesson taught me that I need to change the needle more often??

    Yesterday, the binding went on … photo shoot happened and it is DONE!!! YAY!!!

    I’m so pleased that it is done!!! Another UFO kicks the dust!!! This also means that I have completed the minimum number of UFOs to achieve my PHD in 2021. (HUGE GRIN!)

    This quilt was made from 2 separate panels … one bought at St. Jacob’s in Ontario and other bought in Pennsylvania … probably a few years apart. The batting is Hobbs 80/20 and the quilting is done with Glide thread.

    I was Featured

    Andree from Quilting and Learning – What a Combo featured my Island Batik “Never Too Early” project! You can read about it HERE.

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting!    
    Gail 

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    Weekly update

    / quiltinggail / 11 Comments

    Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.

    Design Wall

    Piecing

    #1. Country Panels: No work on it this week!

    #2 It’s A Secret: you’ll see it in October! (And yes, I HAD to start something NEW to give myself a break!)

    Quilting: 

    #1 Amish panels: I finished the quilting and when I went to put the binding on I discovered that the rows of swirls in the border were HORRID!!! So bad that I’ve spent more than a couple of days taking it out. That’s why it’s not finished, the quilt above isn’t finished piecing.

    Quilting #2: Island Batik August is ready to quilt – but I have to fix the other one first!!!

    Stash Report

    I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.

    • Fabric Used this week     0 yards
    • Fabric Used this year:       70 yards
    • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
    • Fabric Added this year:      27.75 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
    • Net Fabric used                  42.25 yards 
    • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

    Stitchin’ Time

    I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

    I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week. And, I’m including “unsewing” as part of my 30 minutes / day!

    • January – May–  180 / 180
    • July – 18 / 18
    • Percentage = 99 % 

    For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

    TO DO 

    Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

    Last week:

    This week it was hard to get everything done. Like most people, I highly dislike unsewing. OK … if I’m honest, I HATE it!!! Its taken me ages to get all the horrid quilting out … and I’m not finished yet! GROAN!!!. I do have a personal policy of taking out the mistakes before quitting for the day … but more than a couple of days of unsewing is discouraging! It’s OK … it’s almost all done … and then I can start moving forward again!

    1.  Add sashing to  Country Panels: not done
    2. Finish IB August top   √   done 
    3. Finish quilting Amish Panel not  done 
    4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   sort-of …
    5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes     √   done    

    This week’s list:

    1. Add sashing to Country Panels
    2. Fix Amish Panel , finish quilting, bind
    3. Start quilting IB August
    4. Finish Secret project (listed at KY book in my UFO tally)
    5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
    6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

    One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

    Happy Quilting! 
    Gail 

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