UFOs

Another UFO is done!

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YEAH!!! I have a UFO finish for Friday!

This bag is from the pattern “Charming Bag” and you can get it at Fibre Expressions. I believe that the designer is either the owner of the store or her daughter. Anyhow … you can order either the pattern or a kit. I used a Charm Pack called “Sew & Sew.”

Before, Covid, Fibre Expressions was at most of the quilt shows that I attended in the lower mainland. I would often see a quilt covered car outside of the show, but didn’t know it was theirs! Check it out HERE.

Here’s a picture of the side of the bag with one of the ties. The ties are super handy when you don’t have the bag stuffed full! (grin)

This is a nice easy bag to make and will be great when I go to guild meetings or to quilt shows.

This leaves me with only ONE, yes, ONE UFO to complete for my PHD in 2020! WooHoo!!! (well, yes, I do have new starts to finish as well …)

Someone asked me if I’d be running the PHD in 2021! And the answer is YES! I will have 14 UFOs left and so hopefully, I will get those done next year. I think it will be a wonderful feeling to NOT have any UFOs.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Last Monday in October

/ quiltinggail / 7 Comments

How can this be? Sometimes it seems like the days take their sweet time … and I turn around and it’s close to the end of another month!

SEW – What’s happening?

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’ve been slowly working on my Charming Bag. The last picture I showed was of it pieced together. (HERE). If you go back to the last picture, you’ll notice that the ties are not in the picture. That’s because I forgot them. Thankfully, I remembered before it was quilted … it was a simple matter of taking about 3/4″ stitching out and inserting the ties.

It is now quilted. Nice simple 1/4″ lines. I like the look … and it’s what the pattern suggests. Aurifil # 2625 (grey) was used for the quilting and the edges of the ties.

Quilting: 

Quilted the above bag …

Stash Report

No finishes … no shopping …

SS yellow
  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       277 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50.5 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                    260 yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

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

  • January – Sept: 260 / 274
  • 30 min days/  Oct:   25 / 25
  • Total days in 2020: 286 / 299
  • 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. IB November: Sandwich not done
  2. Work on Secret projects √    done
  3. Work on Charming Bag √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. IB November: Sandwich
  2. Work on Secret projects
  3. Finish  Charming Bag
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

From the Heart Blog Hop

Did you see the post HERE? It’s a wonderful blog hop that’s happening now. Make sure you check it out. Plus … I want to know what YOU are going to make from all the inspiration!

Here’s what I made:

Are you interested?

If you’re interested in applying click HERE. You can read all about the program and what is involved. It’s a fun program to be in and one that has expanded my quilting abilities! I LOVE being an ambassador!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

A Not Finished Friday

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

OK … so I don’t have a finish … but I do have a part of my Charming Bag finished. The front and back are now pieced together. It’s exciting to see some progress on this UFO!

Did you notice that I didn’t use charm squares from the pack on the bottom? I used grey fabric because I thought it would keep it cleaner. We shall see.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Ruler dislike!

/ quiltinggail / 34 Comments

I have the cutest ruler by Omnigrid. It’s 4″ x 8″ and I’ve had it for simply AGES. I went to trim some squares, using the 45o angle to centre the half square triangle. It just wasn’t working for me. Then I looked at the ruler … the 45o line ends up 1/4″ from the corner. Now, if I were to use this ruler, I would have to move it 4 times to get it correct. Not happening.

I pulled out my 6″ x 12″ Olfa ruler and look where the 45o angle is … right in the corner. I’m a much happier quilter!

I’ve looked at my other rulers, including a 2.5″ and 6.5″ Omnigrid square rulers, and the 45o ends in the corners! Is it me, or is this weird?

Continue reading →

What’s Happening in the Studio? Monday, Oct. 5

/ quiltinggail / 9 Comments

Design Wall

Piecing:

Scrappy Repro is now webbed together. (See How to Web a Quilt) And next up is borders … I’m thinking a burgundy for the 1st border and a neutral for the 2nd … or who knows … I need to audition some fabric before I make that decision!

Guild “Clue-Sew Fall 2020” Mystery Quilt: Sorry, no pictures … in the piecing stage …

Quilting: 

I finished October’s Island Batik Thread Painting Challenge and shared that HERE. I used the fabric collection “Deco Revival.”

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes. I needed backing fabric, so I bought 4 yards.

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   4  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      50.5 yards (I added my husbands amounts in … )
  • Net Fabric used                    244  yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!

I only sewed one day while we were away.

  • January – Sept: 260 / 274
  • 30 min days/  Oct:   4 / 4
  • Total days in 2020: 264 / 278
  • Percentage = 94% 

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. Web Scrappy Repro √   done
  2. Work on the guild mystery quilt (I’m leading this challenge, so I can’t show you until the Mystery Sleuths have all the clues.) √   done
  3. Start November IB challenge √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.   √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Scrappy Repro: Add Borders
  2. Work on the guild mystery quilt
  3. Start November IB challenge
  4. 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:

PHD in 2020: October 1 Report

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

UFOs

I haven’t finished any UFOs this month … Scrappy Repro is close … but it’s still a UFO and it’s still NOT finished.

Here’s a recap of the UFOs I’ve completed this year! There’s a total of 15, but some of them turned into 2 or 3 quilts (Dog/cat and Florabunda) … but they counted as 1.

New Starts

  1. I’m hosting a mystery quilt for our guild … so of course, I can’t show you that until they have all the clues.
  2. A couple more Island Batik projects … which I will show you when the time is right!
  3. “From the Heart” blog hop is later this month, and that project is still a WHIMM (Work Hidden in My Mind)
  4. Meadow Mist Designs Morewood Mystery

Linky Party

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Show your PHD progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=9c9b10dbdecdfb9300b0

Favourite Finish of the Month

I was going to link up to Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs for my Favourite Finish for September. At the time this is going live, I don’t see her link … I’m going to post it anyways and will link up when it’s available!

This purse, pattern byAnnie, is my favourite!!! I also think this is my favourite purse EVER!!! I’ve been using it a lot! It has tons of pockets and I’m able to keep everything organized! You can read about it HERE. This purse was made for the Island Batik blog hop “It’s in the Bag.”

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Last Monday in September!

/ quiltinggail / 11 Comments

I just feel like I haven’t gotten a lot done this month … but that is probably because I was away for almost 2 weeks!

3 Housekeeping / Updating things

First

Did you see my post about when we were visiting friends who live off-grid in the wilds of British Columbia? I showed a picture of a quilt being made by one of the girls. I thought she was at least 14 or 15 … and it turns out she’s actually 13!!!! WOW!! Oh to be able to quilt at that level, using scissors (no rotary cutter) is amazing. You can see the post HERE.

Continue reading →

Holidays Part 2: Shopping

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

Ah yes, shopping. While we were visiting my sister in Edmonton, we just happened to visit a couple of quilt stores!

Our first stop was Quincy’s Quilting in Leduc (just south of Edmonton). I bought a couple of rulers and no fabric. And yes, there was a lovely sleepy dachshund in the store!

At Lori’s Country Cottage I bought a few Studio 180 rulers and my husband bought some fabric … I didn’t buy any fabric. Do you remember in August, for the Island Batik challenge, I used the “Four Patch Square Up” ruler and how much I LOVED it? (see HERE) Well, I bought 4 more Studio 180 rulers. I can’t wait until I’m able to play with them!!!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I finished all the blocks that I need for the Scrappy Repro quilt. And here’s some of the blocks – ready to be organized into groups to start sewing them together.

Quilting: 

I’m working on October’s Island Batik challenge (sorry, no pictures, yet)!

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes, but my husband bought fabric from the sale area at one of the quilt stores. He rationalized it all. The red might be enough for a backing, the bug fabric will go in the quilt he’s planning (for me to make) and the green is to add to my stash because he thinks I need more green). I think he is an enable-er.

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        261 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      35 yards
  • Net Fabric used                    237.5  yards
  • Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards

Stitchin’ Time

On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!

I only sewed one day while we were away.

  • January – July: 239 / 243
  • 30 min days/  Sept:   10 / 20
  • Total days in 2020: 249 / 263
  • Percentage = 94% 

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.”

2 week’s ago list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro √   done
  2. Welcome Fall project √   done
  3. Work on Oct. Island Batik project √   done
  4. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on Scrappy Repro
  2. Work on Oct. Island Batik project
  3. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.  

No changes from the last report …

BLOG HOP

This is Week 3 of a delightful blog hop. So many projects that are not quilts, but are using Island Batik’s wonderful amazing fabrics! Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations! 

WEEK 3

September 21

Carolina Asmussen

Sandra Walker

September 22

Jennifer Fulton

Pamela Boatright

Jennifer Strauser

September 23

Denise Looney

Maryellen McAuliffe

September 24

Megan Best

Jennifer Thomas

For your opportunity to win some AWESOME fabrics – a fat quarter pack of Urbanization or Nouveau Soul check out the Rafflecoper at Island Batik’s blog.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Family Zoom Quilting!

/ quiltinggail / 14 Comments

Yes! We Zoomed again … although it was only Terry and I quilting. Cousin Connie felt she needed to be outside in her garden and at the lake (can you blame her?) and my sister, Lynn was not feeling well, but she did visit with us from time to time.

I finished my “Hello Fall” project! So you’ll see that during the “Hello Fall” Blog Hop … my day is Sept 22. And if you ask me, it’s just stinking cute!

The other project I worked on was the “Scrappy Repro” UFO … I managed to finish up all the blocks and decided on a layout where I won’t have to match seams. Yup, I know that’s being lazy – but I’m not totally in love with this project any more, so it’s just got to be DONE.

Here’s a picture of my blocks in progress today!

Continue reading →

PHD in 2020: September 1 Report

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I finished UFO #15 on Sunday … YAY!!! You can read about it HERE. I have finished 3 since June … (and 12 from January to June.) Yes, I know there are 4 quilts below, but the 2 dog/cat quilts in the middle counted as 1 UFO …

I have 2 new starts … one in July, one in August. They are both Island Batik projects … and you know that means I can’t show you yet …

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Show your PHD progress.

Click here to enter

Favourite Finish of the Month

I’m Linking up to Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs for my Favourite Finish for August.

This Carpenter’s Star is my Favourite finish for this month. You can read more about it HERE. and see close-ups of the quilting HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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A Star is Done!

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

The Carpenter’s Star … in all it’s starry glory! Is done! I’m in love with it! If it didn’t have a specific destination, I would be keeping this one!

There are swirls in all the background (whitish) pieces and mostly straight lines in the coloured areas. All of the quilting is free motion on my domestic sewing machine.

Design Wall

Piecing:

… This UFO is going to come out to play … Scrappy Repro

Quilting: 

The Bouquet Murder Mystery quilt is in the process of being quilted.

Stash Report

SS yellow

The Carpenter’s Star is finished! It used 6.5 yards for the top and 4 yards for the back …

  • Fabric Used this week      10.5 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        241 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    217.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   21 / 23
  • Total days in 2020: 231 / 235
  • 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 weeks list:

  1.  Finish Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel   √   done
  2. Make label and bind Carpenter’s Wheel √   done
  3. Make backing for Bouquet Murder Mystery  √   done
  4. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt. not done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √   done

This weeks list:

  1. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.
  2. Bouquet Murder Mystery :
    1. finish quilting
    2. make label
    3. bind
  3. Work on Scrappy Repro
  4. Welcome Fall project
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

Carpenter’s Star was started in July and finished this week! No new starts this week. No UFOs finished … but one is almost there … hopefully by next week!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

More Dollar Store Treasures

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

In my last post HERE, I talked about back to school and dollar store items for your sewing room / studio. I had forgotten to mention that I also like black Sharpies. I used them when I made the wall hanging from Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt Along. I also use them when a light thread shows through on black fabric. The flowers in the wall hanging below were outlined with black sharpie prior to being coloured and sewn. All of this as per Helen Godden’s instructions.

Tips and Hints from Others

Norma, from “Notes from Norma,” said that she spent around $15 at Dollar Tree and here’s what she bought … “little plastic containers with lids for my embossing powders, a 2021 calendar for my studio, envelopes, plastic spoons for containers, cosmetic wedges to use with inks when stamping, index cards, glue tape, toothbrush for spattering ink, sponge brushes.” Now … you must go visit her blog to see her fantastic work!

Emily, from “The Darling Dogwood” said that she likes little post-it notes for labelling tiny pieces (which she’ll later pin) and kid’s glue sticks. She said this about them, “I like the Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue sticks, but do have to warn you that the shade of purple when the glue goes on will freak you out that you ruined your project–you didn’t!” It’s good to know that the purple will not ruin your work!

One friend, Roseanne, from “Home Sewn by Us,” commented on how clean my gloves were … I was caught!!! I have a nearly new pair that I use for videos and pictures, but in real life … well, you decide … the ones on the left are what I usually wear. I’ve washed them, I’ve soaked them … they are still dirty looking. However, when quilting on white fabric, none of the “dirt” comes off. Do you have any hints on how to keep these quilting gloves looking clean?

Wendy, from “Pieceful Thoughts,” said that she has another tip for the shelf liner: “cut a small 2″ square and place it between your small square ruler and fabric. It will keep the ruler from shifting.” What a great idea!

Bonnie, from “In Stitches with Bonnie,” couldn’t figure out how I used the hair ties. These are the small hair ties … they are cloth covered elastics. You can see in the picture how small they are. When my thread and bobbins are in the drawer, it’s super easy to figure out which bobbin goes with which spool of thread. Plus there isn’t miles of thread all over!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Bouquet Murder Mystery: There is progress on this UFO!!! The borders are on! Now to piece the back!

Quilting: 

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38e3

The Carpenter’s Wheel (Star) is in the process of being quilted! I’m outlining all the star points with Stitch in the ditch and using my straight ruler to fill in the blue portions.

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes, no shopping, no change in the numbers …

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        230.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    207  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   14/ 16
  • Total days in 2020: 224 / 228
  • 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 weeks list:

I kept my list short, because I knew I wouldn’t be available to sew every day … but I got it done!

  1.  Start Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel   √   done
  2. Add borders to Bouquet Murder Mystery  √   done

This weeks list:

  1.  Finish Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel  
  2. Make label and bind Carpenter’s Wheel
  3. Make backing for Bouquet Murder Mystery 
  4. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

No new starts this week … no finishes … there is progress being made on the UFO I’m working on!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

Monday, a day after Zoom Quilting

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

Yes, today is Monday … a holiday here on the West Coast of Canada (BC Day) … a beautiful day that promises to not be tooooo hot!  Perfect!  Edit: the afternoon became hot and muggy! ULK!

Yesterday, my sister and a cousin in Ontario Zoomed together while we quilted.  It’s a lot of fun!  My sister invited the other cousins to drop in and visit … one said that watching us quilt would be like watching paint dry!  We had a good laugh about that!

The tumbler quilt that I started in July received the final stitching of the binding as we Zoomed!  When quilting this quilt, I practiced ruler quilting.  I used Silly Moon’s Turkey ruler to do the waves across the quilt.  With how inconsistent I am, I made sure that the ‘waves’ were all started in a different spot.  That way, you wouldn’t notice the one or two waves that were different! ~grin~

I didn’t like how the waves of the turkey ruler would go up and down the quilt … OK … honesty here: I couldn’t figure out where to line it up with sloping seams … so I just used a straight ruler and went up and down that way.

The batting is Hobbs 80/20 (my favourite!) and it is quilted with Aurifil 2311.

The tumblers were all cut with the 3½” Accuquilt tumbler die.  It certainly didn’t take long to cut them out!  You can read more about the sewing together of this quilt HERE.

jvQOF0b0SSaeMTrl9ryk7A_thumb_38f1

And do you see that skinny border?  Last month, Terry (my cousin I was zooming with) had shown us this cute little flower that she uses in a skinny border.  Of course, at the time, I didn’t draw it out … so when I was quilting this border, I attempted to do it.  It was a fail … but a GOOD fail …. I came up with this bow with ribbon between it … how sweet is that?  Don’t you just love it when things like that turn out?

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38f2

The back … oh the backing!  I didn’t have enough of any one fabric to make a diagonal slash with another fabric in the middle … SEW … I used LOTS of different fabrics from the front and pieced them together.  Most of them were cut 11 – 13″ wide, with the blue cut 5″ wide.   And yup! It used up stash!  But I still can’t figure out how the “floral” box is still full!

7yFNq8wsQpmNTucgfX0XUA_thumb_38f4

Design Wall

Last week, I missed my usual Monday report … so here’s this weeks.

Piecing:

IMG_5868I’ve pulled out this UFO: It was a Murder Mystery quilt that I started in 2010 at a Wild Rose Retreat in Orting Washington!  It was a fun retreat!  (Um … I haven’t been to a retreat that wasn’t fun …!!!)  Anyhow, one of the shop’s owners was ‘murdered’ with a pinking rotary cutter … the evidence was the rick rack around his neck and the red fat quarter next to him … and the weekend went from there.

The instructor for the Mystery quilt and murder was Sherrie Jaqua and we ended up making the Bouquet block … an asymmetrical block.

When I pulled out the container, I realized that the top was done … I just need to add borders … sew that’s what’s on the design wall.

Quilting: 

The Carpenter’s Wheel (Star) is ready to be sandwiched … the quilt was webbed together and the border was added after this picture was taken.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38e3

Stash Report

SS yellow

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38cdDog/Cat Quilt #2 used 8 yards of fabric.  You can see more details of this quilt HERE.

The Tumbler Quilt (above) used 8.5 yards of fabric …

The snowman from Christmas in July used 1 yard of fabric.  So the total used in the last 2 weeks is 17.5 yards.  No shopping, no fabric purchased.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_34a2

  • Fabric Used this week      17.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        230.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    207  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 – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   2 / 2
  • Total days in 2020: 212 / 214
  • Percentage = 99% 

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.”

2 weeks ago list:

I’m not surprised that I got everything done … I had 2 weeks!  grin!

  1. Sandwich, Quilt & bind Dog/Cat #2   √   done   
  2. Finish IB July project  √   done  (see HERE)
  3. Work on IB December project as a leader & ender …  √   done 
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done 
  5. Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson.  √   done 

This weeks list:

  1. Sandwich & Quilt Carpenter’s Wheel
  2. Add borders to Bouquet Murder Mystery
  3. Work on IB Sept project
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.
  5. Photo shoot and blog about IB August project

What’s in the plans for August?

  • August’s Island Batik challenge
    MorewoodMysteryLogo
  • Morewood Mystery!!!   Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a mystery quilt.  The cutting directions are up.  I haven’t had a peek – but if you want to know what the finish looks like, she will give you a peek.  With this mystery, she will be releasing a clue once a month, so it should be a nice leisurely mystery.   Are you going to join in on this mystery?

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM

No UFOs finished so far this month! (it’s only been a couple of days) … but the Bouquet Murder Mystery is out of the box … so hopefully there will be progress on it!

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 3.17.25 PM

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

 

PHD in 2020: August 1 Report

/ quiltinggail / 21 Comments

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM

Did July just fly by?  I almost feel like I’ve missed this month.  But no, I’ve been here, sewing and quilting away … but it feels like the month flew by SEW fast!  I don’t often feel that way, but this month, I do!

And yet, when I look back on the month – a LOT of things have happened!

I think that the highlight of my month was receiving the Island Batik boxes.  Oh – yes, it is a highlight for every single ambassador and we all LOVE it!  Seriously!!!  You can see my Unboxing post HERE.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38d6Then there were the 2 “Christmas in July” posts.  There was the Island Batik one where we were challenged to use the awesome Accuquilt Go!me fabric cutting machine, make a quilt, or ??  and gift it and the Go!me to a new quilter  It was fun!  You can read more about that post HERE.

The other Christmas in July was a blog hop – with a TON of eye candy and lots of inspiration for your quilting mojo!  That post is HERE.

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UFOs

I did finish 2 UFOs this month!  WhooHoo!!!  And have 4 more to finish by the end of the year.  I should be able to manage that!

The first UFO that I finished was Summer Solstice.  It is a Judy Niemeyer paper pieced pattern that seemed to take ages to do.  Well, I guess 4 years is close to “ages” – right?

You can read more about this finish HERE.

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The other UFO finish actually turned into be 2 quilts … but they both got done! You can read about them HERE and HERE.

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Starts in 2020

I had 5 new starts in July.

The tumbler quilt is now quilted and just waiting for binding! Sew close to a finish!JShsBo8cT0KKmmxeR4gemA_thumb_38a3

I did start my December Island Batik challenge while waiting for my boxes to arrive.  But that has been put on the back burner for now … And since it’s a secret, I’m not going to show you any pictures! You’ll just have to wait for December!

I started this blue Carpenter’s Wheel … and the blocks are all done.  It just needs to be webbed together!

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My July Island Batik challenge was started AND finished …  that was the first Christmas in July post! (See above)

And the August Island Batik challenge has been started.  I am using the Studio 180 “Four Patch Square Up” ruler and a Fat Quarter bundle of Mesa Verde.  I’m liking how the squares are coming out perfect!!!  And, if you know me – that’s highly unusual!  I more of a “fudge” it quilter than a perfect quilter!

How are you doing?

… with your UFOs and your PHD in 2020 progress? Here’s the linky party to show us!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Favourite Finish of the Month!

This is difficult … again … I like both Summer Solstice and the Island Batik Christmas in July … It’s hard, so hard to choose!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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A UFO and Friday Finish!

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YEAH!!!

I’m beyond happy to get this UFO ticked off my list!  That’s 14 UFOs completed this year.  And one of them turned into 3 quilts (click HERE) and this one turned into 2 quilts.  I’m not counting the extra quilts as extra UFOs.  I don’t want to add to my list and don’t want extra UFOs.  Sew, they get done!

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UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38c9When I started working on this UFO, I realized that I actually had almost enough blocks for 2 quilts … so 2 quilts it became.  This one has the backing that I posted previously.  It was fun to quilt … bones, stars, hearts, paws and swirls.

Here’s the 2 quilts on the clothesline:

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Both quilts used a dark grey thread and Hobbs 80/20 batting.  These will be gifted to special people that have played a huge role in our dogs’ lives.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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It’s not a Race!

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments

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.

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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!UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38c9

Stash Report

SS yellow

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. FiOaRMozTJC4F8d7x83UrA_thumb_38b6

  • 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. MorewoodMysteryLogo
  • 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.

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AMIn 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? Screen Shot 2020-07-19 at 9.59.08 PM

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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TGIFF

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

That’s right, today, I’m hosting TGIFF.

I have finished ONE of 2 Dog/Cat quilts.  This was a UFO that had several blocks done … way more than was needed for a single quilt.  I made a few extra blocks and will get 2 quilts out of it.  Here is the largest quilt … the smaller one will be completed in the near future.

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This quilt was FMQ with swirls, dog bones, hearts and paws.

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Make sure to link up your Finish or your Non-Finish …

Linky Party

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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PHD in 2020: Mid July Report

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

Screen Shot 2019-12-06 at 11.47.00 AM

In June, I had no UFO finishes … and that was right after I added 6 more to the total that I needed to complete in 2020 to achieve my PHD in 2020!

But have no fear … I finished one UFO on Sunday.  Summer Solstice was completed!  Wow – it was a great feeling to have this one done!  You can read more about it HERE.

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In the meantime …  July has started off with 3 new starts … the Tumbler quilt, the Island Batik December quilt and a Blue Carpenter’s Wheel.

OK … so you’re asking why, oh why, am I working on December’s Island Batik challenge when I have July, Aug., Sept., Oct., and Nov. challenges to do?  Well it’s quite simple.  I have not received my July boxes YET.  I assume they are stuck in customs somewhere … Anyhow, all of the monthly challenges up to December need to use either fabric, thread, or a tool that is included in the boxes.  I’m hoping they will arrive soon!

And, I should start on my Christmas in July project … my day to share that project is July 30.

If you look at my chart below … you can see that I have 5 UFOs to finish before December (Purple section).  And, I promised myself to finish the ones in the far right column first … Dog & Cat has turned into 2 quilts and #1 is currently being quilted.

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Here’s the mid July Linky Party for PHD in 2020!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TGIFF

This Friday, I’m hosting the TGIFF linky party … so be sure to come back and browse through all the wonderful Finishes (or not finishes) … I promise there will be lots of eye candy!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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Another UFO bites the dust!

/ quiltinggail / 34 Comments

YES!!!  Summer Solstice is done, Done DONE!!!

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This is a Judy Niemeyer pattern that was started in 2016.  The outside beige border and burgundy borders were suppose to be paper pieced … but I didn’t like the look for this quilt, so I just used solid fabrics.   There was a lot of set in seams in this pattern, but for all the procrastinating that I did, they turned out just fine!

  • fabric purchased at Fabric Depot in Portland in 2015.
  • 60″ x 60″
  • Flange binding
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting
  • Aurifil thread #2370
  • Combination of Free Motion quilting and Ruler quilting on my Janome Continental M7 (Domestic machine)
  • Backing is pieced diagonally (the picture is not the true colour … the quilting pictures show the true colour!)

I kept the quilting simple … mostly swirls … and I used a straight ruler to outline the lone star and the New York Beauty points.

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Design Wall

Piecing:

  • Island Batik: Secret sewing  sorry, no pictures …
  • Blue Carpenter’s Wheel

Quilting: 

  • Dog/Cat #1 is under the machine … hopefully #2 will soon follow

Stash Report

SS yellow

The pattern for Summer Solstice called for 9.5 yards of fabric and I bought an extra yard of the 2 fabrics I used on the back … for a total of 11.5 yards.

  • Fabric Used this week      11.5  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        203 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      20
  • Net Fabric used                    183  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – June:  181 / 182
  • 30 min days/  July:   12/12
  • Total days in 2020: 191/ 193
  • Percentage = 99% 

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. Finish quilting  Summer Solstice  √   done
  2. Bind Summer Solstice  √   done
  3.  Finish piecing Tumbler quilt and add borders  √   done
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done
  5. Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson.   not done

This week’s list:

  1. Quilt Dog/Cat #1
  2. Bind Dog/Cat #1
  3. Quilt Dog/Cat #2
  4. Bind Dog/Cat #2
  5. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.
  6. Work through another Artistic Digitizer lesson.

What’s in the plans for the rest of July?

  • July’s Island Batik challenge MorewoodMysteryLogo
  • Working on project for Christmas in July (Then and Now) Blog Hop
  • Island Batik boxes should arrive soon!
  • 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.

UFO in 2020 

I’ll give the update on the 15th!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!   
Gail 

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