PHD in 2021: February Report

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How are you doing with your PHD in 2021. So far I have 4 UFOs completed, but I still feel like I’m cheating. Three were started in December and were easy finishes. All of these were made with wonderful Island Batik fabrics. The 4th was a panel, so that was also a quick finish.

I have started working on the Echo Lake T-shirt quilt. The T-shirts are cut and interfacing is on each piece. Now, to decide the layout and how to piece it together!

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

Do You need Help?

A fellow candidate for PHD in 2021, Sheila from “So This is Kentucky” posted about using Trello. It’s free to start with and gives you a visual of what projects you have going. See Sheila’s post HERE. You may also find it helpful!

Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

February’s colour is Yellow. I made another coaster. Again, I used Island Batik fabrics. The yellow fabric is “butter” that is available year round. I’m not sure what the beige is (but it is Island Batik) and the green was in a stash buster bundle. The pattern is a free embroidery design from Kreative Kiwi – the Mother’s Day coaster. Obviously, I omitted the writing. On the rose, I used my yellow and oragne inktense pencils to add a little more colour.

A Book Review

The guild librarian, asked me to have a look at a new book they got in the library.

“The Big Book of Little Quilts” by Martindale.
This book is jam packed with a variety of small quilts.  They range from a fresh, modern look, to homespun and many can be scrappy or controlled scrappy. Some of the patterns are pieced, some are paper pieced, some have applique and some have hand embroidery.  There is something in this book that will appeal to you!  It is a book I will definitely take out from the library when I’m looking for something small and a little different. 

DrEAMI

This month I had a DrEAMI project. DRop Everything And Make It. I will be linking to Sandra @ MMMQuilts. These little baskets were quick and easy to make! You can read more about them HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

Friday, Finished and an Unfinished

Finish

I did finish the Raggedy Andy doll for the “Show your Stripes” Blog Hop. Thank you everyone for your kind comments! He was a fun finish! You can read more about him HERE.

Unfinished UFO

I’ve got a lot of T-shirts cut and interfacing on them. They are temporarily laid out on the bed. I hope to get sewing them together soon! There are lots of small spaces that I will use bits and pieces of the T-shirts to fill in.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR – Round #6

Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay AHome Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Susan told us to add Log Cabin blocks. Again, I’m rebelling! I am not going to do the blocks all around the quilt. Just in the middle of the next round. This quilt is getting bigger than I had planned and this will keep the size down. The logs started out at 1.5″ wide strips and finished at 1″ wide. As you can see, I paired the colours with the white fabric.

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Next week will be our final round!!! I’m loving the variety of quilts that are being made!!! Aren’t they wonderful? MARK you calendars for March 29th !!! I will have a linky party for everyone to show their final quilts or tops!

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up to Susan’s linky party to show us your blocks! HERE

Here’s their links:

Island Batik’s blog hop “Create for a Cause” is over. I hope you enjoyed it!!! If you want a lot of wonderful eye candy – you can go HERE to see all of the quilts in one place!

As well, one of our ambassadors has put together a wonderful video that shows all of the beautiful quilts. You can view it HERE.

AND … just in case you forgot – I had a giveaway on my blog when I posted my “Create for a Cause” quilt (see HERE.) And the winner is …. drum roll … Donna H. She has sent me her address and I hope to get it in the mail soon!!!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’ve started the Echo Lake t-shirt quilt that has been on my UFO list for … well, um … ah … yes … well … It’s about time I started on it!!!!

There’s a huge pile of t-shirts. I’ve cut some and I’ve learned 2 things.

  1. Use a pressing cloth when ironing the interfacing on. Fortunately, I realized that the interfacing would stick to my iron if I didn’t use a pressing cloth!!!
  2. It’s best to iron on the interfacing right after the shirt is cut. When I didn’t, the edges started to curl in. I’m cutting the shirts much larger than the logos so that when I lay it out, I can trim them down.

Quilting: 

I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

Stash Report

I finished the guild’s Jan / Feb mystery quilt. I used Island Batik fabrics for the top, but I did back it with flannel from my stash. So that fabric will be included as “used this week.”

You can read more about this quilt HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      1.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       6.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 2.5 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’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 21 / 21
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

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

Last week:

Well, I worked on everything that didn’t get done, but I was successful with a few things! And, even a little progress is moving forward!

  1. Work on final round of SAHRR   partially done
  2. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery  not done
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge   √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Complete final round of SAHRR
  2. Finish  March’s Island Batik challenge
  3. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery
  4. Cut all the t-shirts and iron on interfacing for the Echo Lake t-shirt 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 

Linking to:

SAHRR – Round #5

Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay At Home Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Wendy told us to add wonky stars. I’m a rebel … and I did friendship stars instead! I used the Accuquilt to cut the half-square triangles. Do I ever enjoy using it for those!

However, I didn’t do the math very well and I have extra stars left over. I wanted to leave the cornerstone as a plain white block, so … who knows what will happen with those extra stars?

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up toWendy’s linky party to show us your blocks! HERE

Here’s their links:

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

Quilting: 

I took a Silly Moon Ruler Quilting class on Saturday by Zoom. It was fun and I learned some things. Believe it or not – the fabric is dark blue and the thread is light grey . Obviously, my phone did not pick up the true colours!

Stash Report

I

No change from last week!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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 each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 14 / 14
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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

TO DO 

Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday is no longer. However, Chris from ChrisKnits is going to be hosting it from now on. Her blog is HERE.

Last week:

Total success this week!

  1. Work on next round of SAHRR  √   done
  2. Sandwich Moorewood Mystery  √   done
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge  √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on final round of SAHRR  
  2. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery  
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge  
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR – Round #4

Just to remind you … SAHRR is Stay At Home Round Robin. If you missed the previous posts about this year’s SAHRR – you can see them

Today is the day that Roseanne & Sue instructed us to add checkerboards … These took me forever to make. I used scraps, 1.5″ squares, no strip piecing … uggg … it took forever! But I like it! Here it is … !

Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.

Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up to Roseanne’s linky party to show us your blocks!

Here’s their links:

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

#2  Moorewood Mystery: You can find out more about the mystery and all the clues HERE at Meadow Mist designs. I have the top pieced together. I like it!!! Now to decide how I’m going to quilt it!

Quilting: 

I finished quilting the current guild mystery quilt. Sorry, but until the guild members have the final clue, I can’t show it to you.

Stash Report

I

Nothing finished, nothing bought! No change from last week!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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 each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • February – 7 / 7
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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:

Total success this week!

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin  √   done
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin not done
  3. Work on the next Moorewood Mystery clue  √   done
  4. Work on March Island Batik challenge.  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on next round of SAHRR
  2. Sandwich Moorewood Mystery
  3. Work on March Island Batik challenge
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: January Report

How are you doing with your PHD in 2021? So far I have 3 UFOs completed, but I feel like I’m cheating. Two of them (the Holiday Seclusion Mysteries) were started in December and were easy finishes. The Winnie the Pooh panel was a quick finish as well. I’m trying to go through my panels and get them quilted and gone. All of my New Starts, except for the March Island Batik project are completed. So, there isn’t any new UFOs developing in that area!

My 2021 UFO finishes. You can read about them HERE, HERE and HERE.

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=a3325ea8d75a7b860d96

Do you need some help with your PHD in 2021?

Spirit Bear Quilts is using a technique called Kanban to help her focus. I had not heard of Kanban prior to Spirit Bear blogging about it. Visit THIS BLOG POST to read about how she is using it and also see the link for further explanation.

Sharon @ Ms. P. Designs has a colourful task list spreadsheet … it’s free for you to download! I know in the past, several people have found this spreadsheet very useful.

NOW … what I want you to do …. follow the questions below:

If you answered “YES” to any of the questions – give yourself a cheer “Well done!

If you answer “YES” in the orange, Great! You are making progress!

If you answered “NO” in the orange block … I want you to do some analysis. Answer the following questions as honestly as you can. This is just for YOU … you don’t have to tell me what’s happening. I just want YOU to know why the UFOs are sitting there, not touched.

  • Why didn’t I work on an UFO?
  • Do I hate them all?
  • Do I really want to decrease my UFOs?
  • Would I be happy if I gave some of my UFOs away (for someone else to finish)?
  • Did I start too many new projects?
  • Have I been to ill (mentally or physically) to work on them?

Answering the above questions MAY help you to understand why you’re not working on UFOs.

Rainbow Scrap Table Topper

January’s colour is pink. I do not decorate with pink. Nothing even close to pink. Ever. So, to fulfil this months Table Topper challenge, I used my embroidery machine and made a pretty mug rug. It is a free pattern from Kreative Kiwi. The pattern has “Happy Mother’s Day” written on it, but I obviously skipped the saying. This was such a quick little project that it didn’t even make it to my “New Start” list!

I used scraps of Island Batik fabric and Hobbs 80/20 batting for this project.

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 I’m still working on the SAHRR but can’t show you any current pictures. Want to know more about the SAHRR? check it out HERE. We started the reveal of our centre blocks last week. See my centre block and the centre blocks that many others have made HERE! Tomorrow, we’re showing the 3rd round! There will be a link on Anja’s blog for everyone showing their 3rd row!. Be sure to check out all of the bloggers that are co-hosting with me! Here’s the list:

#2 I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!

#3 Moorewood Mystery: Block A are all pieced. The final clue comes out on Thursday … and I hope to work on it! You can learn more about the Moorewood mystery quilt HERE.

Quilting: 

I’m quilting the current guild mystery quilt. Sorry, but until the guild members have the final clue, I can’t show it to you. I don’t want to ruin their surprise!

Stash Report

I

Nothing finished, nothing bought!

  • Fabric Used this week      0  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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 each day

  • January –  31 / 31
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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:

Total success this week!

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin √   done
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin √   done
  3. Finish Piecing Moorewood Mystery Block A √   done
  4. Make the PINK table topper √   done
  5. Web the top for February’s Island Batik Challenge! √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  3. Work on the next Moorewood Mystery clue
  4. Work on March Island Batik challenge.
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

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Linking to:

Moving Along in January

Last week I said that the Winnie the Pooh quilt needed some more quilting, specifically Winnie, Eeyore and the moon. A loving friend told me that if I left it, they would pop. So, I’m going with her advice and am considering this a UFO finish! That made for a super quick finish!!! This will be another donation quilt for the guild. It was a fun quilt to quilt. There is Hobbs 80/20 batting in it. It was quilted with CanSew beige thread.

Another Holiday Seclusion Quilt

Somehow, I missed putting Valda’s quilt on my blog last week. It’s a beauty!!! You can see all the other ones from my guild HERE.

Design Wall

Piecing:

#1 I’m still working on the SAHRR but can’t show you any current pictures. Want to know more about the SAHRR? check it out HERE. We started the reveal of our centre blocks last week. See my centre block and the centre blocks that many others have made HERE! Tomorrow, we’re showing the 2nd round! Be sure to check out all of the bloggers that are co-hosting with me! We’re taking turns hosting and having a linky party. It’s Emily’s turn this week!… here’s the list:

#2 The fabric is stilled pulled for the RSC21 Table Scraps Challenge table runner. I have an idea of what I’m making, but I haven’t gotten any further than that!!

#3 The February Island Batik challenge is up on my design wall. I’m using some wonderful fabrics and they are all so pretty!!!

#4 Moorewood Mystery : Half of Block A are pieced. I’m doing them as leaders and enders … so they will be done before the next clue comes out on Feb 4.

Quilting: 

Nothing being quilted at the moment …

Stash Report

I

Winnie the Pooh was 2 yards of fabric

  • Fabric Used this week      2  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 4 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 each day

  • January –  24 / 24
  • Percentage = 100 % 

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:

Even with sewing a LOT this past week, I didn’t get much on my list completed. But I’m fine with what I DID get done!!

  1. Finish current round of Stay at Home Round Robin √   done
  2. Finish next round of Stay at Home Round Robin partially done
  3. Piece Moorewood Mystery Block A partially done
  4. Make the PINK table topper not done
  5. Start cutting for February’s Island Batik Challenge! √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   not done !!! I have been doing SEW well with this – except for this week!! And this week I was Zoom sewing with other Island Batik ambassadors and we showed our studios … mine was a total mess!

This week’s list:

  1. Finish piecing the current round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  2. Start on the next round of Stay at Home Round Robin
  3. Finish Piecing Moorewood Mystery Block A
  4. Make the PINK table topper
  5. Web the top for February’s Island Batik Challenge!
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

OK … the Winnie the Pooh quilt was a quick finish this week. All it took was a decision! (grin)

I KNOW that not all my UFOs will be finished this quickly. But it is nice to have 3 considered done!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Grey and Dull Sunday

The perfect day to stay inside and quilt … or write blog posts!

I have another UFO finish!

This is my Holiday Seclusion Mystery … scrappy Island Batik fabrics (from Stashbuilder bundles) and Island Batik solid grey. Graffiti or Wild quilting was done … lots of different motifs, swirls, feathers, flowers, vines, McTavishing, pebbles … It was SEW fun to quilt! Hobbs fusible batting was used. I LOVE it! No shifting at all. This will be a comfort quilt, so I backed it with a grey flannel … so cosy!

Yes … I made this bigger … However, I started planning the design with 9″ blocks and quickly realized that most people would not want to make a quilt with smallish pieces in such a short time frame. I then switched the pattern to a 12″ block for the mystery. But of course, I didn’t want the work I had done to go to waste, so I just continued piecing the smaller blocks. Same pattern, different size!

For Instructions on the Holiday Seclusion Mystery, see the Holiday Seclusion Mystery tab at the top of my blog HERE.

Continue reading

January Stitchin’

I’ve been working on a few things … A few Zoom quilting days keep me focused! And steadily sewing away!


Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m still working on the SAHRR but can’t show you any pictures. Want to know more about the SAHRR check it out HERE. We start the reveal of our centre blocks tomorrow. So make sure you return and visit each of the SAHRR co-hosts!

AND … Hearts on Fire quilt just needs borders and the RSC21 Rainbow Scrap Challenge table runner needs to have a fabric pull!

Quilting: 

January Island Batik project is almost done! Pictures to follow later in the week!

A Winnie the Pooh panel is in the process of being quilted. I thought I was done with the quilting – but there’s a few areas that need something.

Holiday Seclusion #1 Mystery was finished this week:

Continue reading

PHD in 2020: End Results

Here’s the list of participants in PHD in 2020 … and links to their blog posts where they tell about their success …

There may be more successful participants, but these are the ones I know about! Didn’t they all do a fantastic job! It’s not easy getting your PHD … especially in Quilting! There are so many new designs, patterns, techniques … the list goes on … and we want to try them ALL!!!

Anyhow … visit these awesome quilters and congratulate them!

My First UFO finish of 2021

This was my 2 colour quilt for the Seclusion Holiday Mystery. I finished the binding while Zoom sewing with my sister and cousins on Sunday! It’s nice to have one finished so early in the year!

This quilt measures 42″ square. It is quilted with a light pink Aurifil thread. The fabric is Island Batik. The peach/pink fabric I bought years ago and the white is Island Batik solid. It is backed with the peach/pink fabric. There is no point in showing you the back because the quilting does not show at all.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

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How were my 2020 stats?

Every Sunday or Monday, I give a recap of what’s on my Design Wall, a Stash Report, Stitchin’ Time, a “To Do” list and my PHD … SEW … here’s what’s happening in the studio and a summary of 2020.

Design Wall

Piecing:

First off, one person asked me how I was doing with Bonnie Hunter’s Mystery Quilt. The answer is simple. I’m not doing it this year. I felt that I had too much on my plate. I think this is the first time in 17 years that I’ve not done the mystery. In some ways I feel guilty for not doing it, but I also feel a great relief that I don’t have to sew like crazy to try to keep up! And, it’s also one quilt that isn’t on my 2021 UFO list!

I’m adding borders to the scrappy Holiday Seclusion Mystery. Borders are also being added to the guild mystery quilt. Sorry, no pictures. It’s a surprise for the guild mystery quilters.

Continue reading

PHD in 2020: Last Edition

My wish is that 2021 brings you a year of HEALTH and HAPPINESS as we quilt together!

2020 has come to an end … what a year it has been!

But I just want to focus on quilting … and how have you done with your PHD in 2020? Did you get at least 12 of your UFOs done and did you get all of your Starts in 2020 done? (All, except for those that carry over into 2021 or were started late in December.)

Here are the UFOs I completed …

Linky Party … not happening …

OOPS … I have too many linky parties happening at the same time and am not permitted to host another one at the same time (unless I pay for it … and I don’t make any money from this blog … and it already costs me $$$ to have a blog with lots of pictures) SEW …

If you were a PHD participant in 2020 – please email me with a link to your final PHD post and I’ll post the links at a later time. You have until Jan.7, midnight Pacific time to let me know. quiltinggail@yahoo.ca

Thank you!

Are you interested in PHD in 2021?

You can read more about it and sign up HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2021

Just so there is no confusion, I’m starting this post by giving you Quilting Definitions:

  • a PHD in quilting terms means Projects Half Done
  • UFO in quilting terms means UnFinished Objects
  • My own definition of UFOs for the PHD includes all projects started in December 2020 that are not complete by December 31.

Do you have 12 or more UFOs???

Do you feel like you’re drowning in UFOs???

Do the UFOs you have make you feel guilty???

Do you want to decrease the number of UFOs you have???

Do you want to make sure that your UFO list does not increase???

Join in the PHD in 2021!!!

Sew … what do you need to do???

  1. List 12 UFOs that you’d like to finish next year. If you have more than 12 … that’s OK – we only need to know about 12 of them. (And if you want to change one UFO to another – that’s allowed).
    • put your UFOs on a blog post, an Instagram post or a Pinterest page
  2. Keep track of your UFOs … some people like to list the steps left in completing the UFO
  3. You MUST finish EVERY project you start in 2021 (with a couple of exceptions). By finishing EVERY project you do not add to your UFO list! These are called “Starts in 2021.”
    • Exceptions include:
      • Project is a “leader & ender” that goes until it’s got enough pieces to complete
      • Projects that are started in 2021 and can’t be finished in 2021 because
        • you don’t have all the steps to the mystery or the quilt
        • a project is started in December ’21 and there’s not enough time to finish in 2021.
  4. Every month, link up and show us your PDH progress.
    • Again, link to a blog post, an Instagram post or a Pinterest page.

Here’s a link to an Excel sheet (2021 UFO Tally) that you can use for tracking your UFOs. You don’t have to use this sheet – but I’m offering it to you to get you started. This is what I use.

SEW …. what are MY UFOs?

My list of UFOs is at the right. I have put a few aside and these are the ones that I want to work on in 2021. However, I might change my mind and pick a different one to finish. AND I sincerely hope that I do not find a single UFO as I go through my stash!!! On the right is my list of UFOs. I am aiming to complete 12 of them this year. I can’t show you a picture of the first 4 on the list, but there’s pictures of the the rest that I hope to complete.

With having 4 UFOs that were started in December added to the list, that brings my total of UFOs to 22. I’ll be happy to finish 12 of them.

#1 Stay at Home Round Robin … this was started this week … I know it won’t be finished by the end of the month … but it needs to be finished by the time the Stay at Home Round Robin is completed. You can read a little bit about it HERE. We’ll be giving you more information at the beginning of January.

#2 & #3 Holiday Seclusion Mystery … I have 2 in progress … one is ready to be quilted, the other is still being pieced. And obviously, I can’t show you a picture of them until later.

#4 Guild’s January Clue-Sew Mystery … currently being pieced … and will need to be completed by the end of the mystery in March.

#5 T-shirt quilt …. I’m not about to drag the bag out, but I have a zillion t-shirts from Echo Lake Bible camp and I promised to make a quilt with them. I’ve been promising for quite a while. Time to get it made, don’t you agree?

Next in line are the panels

#6 These are 2 panels that I bought at separate times … one was bought in St. Jacobs, Ontario and the other was bought several years later in New Holland, Pennsylvania. I plan to combine them into one twin sized quilt.

#7 These are another 2 panels that I plan to combine into a single quilt. The date on one of them says “2004.” But I know that it was bought after that since I didn’t get back into quilting until late 2005.

#8 Birds … I made this into a small quilt for my aunt several years ago. I liked the panels so much, that I bought enough to make 2 quilts.

Next are the kits that are languishing … for too many years now …

#9 Town Table Topper

#10 #11 #12 These kits were bought in Newfoundland. Two of them include applique … which is not a favourite technique of mine. I’ve been often known to call it “CR-applique” … pronounced CRAP-plique.

Linky Party

You have until January 15, 2021 to officially join the PHD in 2021. Here’s the Linky Party to join. Remember, it can be a link to a blog post, Instagram post or a Pinterest page.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a3325ea8d75a7b860d96

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

What’s in this blog’s future?

I thought I’d let you know what plans I have for the next little while …

Holiday Seclusion Mystery

Holiday Seclusion Mystery will start on December 26 and end on December 31. It’s a fun and simple mystery. This mystery is not related to the holidays – except for when it’s occurring. However, if you use holiday themed fabric, then it will relate to the holidays.

I’m busy sewing up the mystery and 2 tester s are also sewing up a storm.

Fabric Requirements

  • Background:  1 ½  yards
  • Scraps:   1 – 1½ yards …. (if making a 2 colour quilt, 1 yard)

Come join us!

Island Batik Projects of 2020

There will be a post of all the projects I’ve made with Island Batik fabrics in 2020.

The Best of 2020 Linky Party

This is a fantastic linky party!!! Everyone post links to their 5 BEST posts in 2020. How they choose the posts is an individual choice! It starts after Christmas Day.

My Stitching Resolution Blog Hop December 30th

Carla, from Creatin’in the Sticks is hosting a ONE day blog hop. And the challenge is about our stitching plan for 2021. Carla says “Let’s share new ideas and inspiration.  All you have to do is finish this statement in a blog post:

My stitching resolution for 2021 is _____________________________.

It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with.

PHD in 2021

This will be the 4th year that this program has been running. I started it to decrease the number of UFOs that I have. In 2018, I had over 60 UFOs and I keep finding more, tucked away in containers with other stuff. I will be starting 2021 with 17 UFOs … will I get them all completed? I hope so, but who knows. My goal is to finish at least 12!

When I started the PHD in 2018, I realized that I have a passion for starting new projects and not finishing them. Well, the passion is for starting projects and passion for finishing them just didn’t exist. That’s how the number of UFOs grew. SEW … for me, one important aspect of the PHD in 20?? is to complete the new projects that are started. It’s working!

Stay at Home Round Robin with 6 Blogging Friends

The Stay at Home Round Robin that I hosted in the spring was a LOT of fun! This time, 6 blogging friends and I are hosting it together. It will start on January 11. Each week, one of us will post which border our Round Robin is suppose to have and there will be pictures! We’ll be giving you more information soon.

My blogging friends (in alphabetical order) are:

Heart’s on Fire Blog Hop … Jan. 21, 2021

Carol, from “Just Let Me Quilt” is having “Heart’s on Fire” blog hop. She states that the challenge for this hop is “Make something with a heart in any color, BUT NOT RED…get creative!” SEW … I need to make something with a non-red heart … what will it be??

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

I Won!!!

I won fabric and a book! I donated several quilts last year to the Charity Baby Quilt program. Usually in June, they draw names for prizes. Of course, with Covid, and no in-person meetings, that did not happen. At the last Zoom guild meeting, my name was drawn. I received these in the mail. I love that the grey and pink fabrics are so “not me!” It’s going to be fun to play with them … and yes, there will likely be a baby quilt or two made from them. There’s a total of 4 yards – which I will add to my “bought” amount below. Thank you Nora and Carol for facilitating the Baby Quilt Program!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I showed you this last week … it’s still in the same state.

Hopefully, I can start on my SAHRR.

I did make a few Covid ornaments: They are approximately 2″ x 4″ with small pieces of elastic on each end and “2020” embroidered on them. I plan to stick them in a few Christmas cards.

Quilting: 

Scrappy 4 patches: Is still waiting to be quilted.

Stash Report

SS yellow

Nothing finished. No shopping and nothing added.

  • Fabric Used this week     0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       292.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought Gifted this week:   4  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      66.5 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   226 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! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – Nov: 320 / 334
  • 30 min days/  Dec:   13/13
  • Total days in 2020: 333 / 347
  • Percentage = 95 % 

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. Work on SECRET project √   done
  2. Work on Mystery (Dec 26-31) √   done
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Finish  SECRET project top
  2. Finish on Holiday Seclusion Mystery (Dec 26-31)
  3. Make a Christmas gift
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I have ONE UFO to finish and I’ll have completed my PHD in 2020. YEAH!!! However, I have made no progress on it … So the chart below is exactly the same as last week.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

PHD in 2020: December 1 Report

WOW!!! Can you believe it’s December?? One month left to complete at least 12 UFOs and finish off your 2020 starts!

SEW … how have you been doing? I know that some of you are doing fantastic and have already met your goals … and some have “given up” on 2020 and have their list ready and waiting to start in 2021!!!

YES, there will be a PHD in 2021. Personally, I’m hoping to finish the rest of my UFOs next year!!! However, I realize that I will need to be disciplined to finish every new start – otherwise my UFO list with grow and I actually hope to never have a HUGE UFO list!!!

I did not finish a UFO in November. BUT … it is sandwiched and ready to quilt. Priorities got in the way. Here’s a picture of most of the 2020 UFOs that I completed. Next month, I’ll be sure to include them all!

If you look closely at the list … For the starts in 2020 … my IB Dec should be finished within the next week. The Morewood Mystery can’t be finished until the spring … it’s an ongoing project. Connected … I have to wait until I have all the parts to decide what I’m going to do. I have all the parts, but they’re in sealed envelopes that I can’t open until I’m told it’s time to open them! Doesn’t it sound like fun??? It is!

Linky Party

Link to a blog post, Instagram or Pinterest to show us your PHD in 2020 progress!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a3325ea8d75a7b860d96

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Catching Up

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???

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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

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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

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

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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).

SS yellow
  • 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:

Busy week

Yes, I’ve had a busy week. Since Covid started, my calendar has been pretty blank. A couple of weekly Zoom things, daily walks and not much else, you tend to get use to it! Then BAM … all of a sudden, I had 2 dentist appointments (cleaning and fillings), a blood work appointment, a doctor’s appointment, a short guild Zoom meeting, a family Zoom quilting day, as well as the usual 3 weekly Zooms … Oh me, oh my … I felt almost overwhelmed. And to think, I used to have all those appointments, work full time and still managed to get a lot of quilting done! Sigh … Enough of my week … back to what’s important to me: Quilting!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy 4 patches: On point was the final decision on making this little quilt. I know it looks like a mess at the moment! I have some of the setting triangles sewn on … some are pinned and one row ready to be sewn together. I got most of this done at the family Zoom quilting day!

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PHD in 2020: Nov. 1 Report

SEW … how are YOU doing with your PHD in 2020?

  • Are you getting there?
  • Are you thinking of starting?
  • Have you given up?

Where ever you are with your UFOs … if you’ve made any progress at all … that is good! Very good!

This year, I have done (in my opinion) extremely well with finishing UFOs. So far, I have finished 17! And when I consider that one UFO turned into 3 quilts … (Florabunda) … and another UFO turned into 2 quilts … (Dog & Cat) … Yup … I’m pretty pleased!

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