Now that some self-imposed deadlines are met, I feel like I’m catching up.

Connected Project

I haven’t mentioned this project before. Our guild decided to do the “Connected Project.” A fun project where it connects various guild members together. We’re not suppose to know what the finished block is like and although I’ve seen a Youtube videos, I don’t know exactly what my block will look like. The idea is that we are divided into groups of 8. Each of us is given a paper pieced block (with various options from simple to complex) and we make the block in the colours that are chosen by my group mates. It was fun to go through my scraps and use some of them up! I can’t show you yet … but I will show you what I’ve done when I’m allowed to.

On the right is s a picture of the scraps of fabric left after I cut the blocks into their finished sizes.

Below is the 7 envelopes all ready for the mail. AND, they are nestled into a UFO that is NOT even on my list. It was just sitting there when I was looking for something to show off the envelopes. OH my … how many more UFOs will I find when I’m not even looking for them???

If you look closely at my PHD list, you’ll see “connected” is not considered “Finished.” I have done my part for now. I’ve got 7 envelopes from other quilters that I get to open Dec. 1. Then I’ll be putting my block together.

Hanging Sleeve

In my last post (HERE), I showed you a B&W photo of a hanging sleeve using a blind hem. One lovely person asked if either Kathleen or I had a tutorial on it. Well, Kathleen, the very smart quilter that she is, has a tutorial on it. You can check out her blog post HERE. While you’re visiting Kathleen, check out her tons of tutorials. Well worth the visit!

Morewood Mystery

You can find details of the mystery quilt HERE. I’m all caught up. This is November’s clue.

Inspired by Nature Blog Hop

This week you have the opportunity to win a fat quarter bundle of Venetian Marble or Tiki Punch! Both are wonderful collections!

Design Wall

Piecing:

After Quilt: This term is new to me … but I completely understood it when I heard it. It’s those bits and pieces that are left over when you finish a quilt. SEW … I’m going to be working on an After Quilt.

Scrappy 4 patches: This is in the same state that it was last week. It hasn’t moved off the design wall.

Quilting: 

Nothing happening … yet

Stash Report

A sad week in this department. A local quilt store was closing their doors … with some good sales. When I went, everything was 65% off. Can’t complain about that! One good thing: a quilting friend was right behind me in line … we chatted up a storm and the wait went quickly then!

Here’s a picture of the damage. My husband was with me when I bought the first pieces of John Deere fabric and he “ordered” me to buy more (6.5 yards). He has a plan for them … of course I’ll be doing the sewing! The blue with white polka dots is for backing baby quilts (4.5 yards). A total of 11 yards will be added into Fabric Added this year.

And yes, I bought some quilting rulers, glass head pins in a tin, and (2) 4 yard zippers by Annie (with zipper pulls).

• Fabric Used this week    0 yards
• Fabric Used this year:       279.5 yards
• Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
• Fabric Added this year:      61.5 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
• Net Fabric used                    229.0 yards
• Husband’s purchases: 17 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!

Stitchin’ Time

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

• January – Sept: 290 / 304
• 30 min days/  Nov:   22 / 22
• Total days in 2020: 312 / 325
• Percentage = 96% 

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:

1. Secret project  #3 : finish quilting, bind and photos √   done
2. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage) not done
3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done (did this when Secret Project #3 was complete and I could put all the stuff away!)

Even though I didn’t get my Scrappy 4 patches to flimsy stage, I did get a couple of things completed that weren’t on the list:

• Connected Project
• Morewood Mystery

This week’s list:

1. Work on UFO (Scrappy 4 patches) (to flimsy stage)
2. Work on an After Quilt
3. Make Pillow Cases with John Deere fabric
4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

No UFOs finished.

Eekes … I didn’t add the UFO that my envelopes are nestled in … perhaps it’ll be a finish next week!

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
• Scrappy Happy @ So Scrappy
• Monday Making @  Love, Laugh, Quilt
• Design Wall Monday @  Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
• Main Crush Monday @ Cooking Up Quilts
• To-Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By Us

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:

1. Quilt Dog/Cat #1  √   done
2. Bind Dog/Cat #1  √   done
3. Quilt Dog/Cat #2    xxx   not done
4. Bind Dog/Cat #2   xxx   not done
5. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done
6. Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson.   xxx   not done

This week’s list:

1. Sandwich, Quilt & bind Dog/Cat #2   
2. Finish IB July project
3. Work on IB December project as a leader & ender …
4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  
5. 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