Brenda, of Songbird Designs designed this BEAUTIFUL quilt!!! I tested the pattern for her, but I made it a bit longer by adding extra rows of flying geese. Isn’t it a stunning pattern? Visit Brenda HERE to order your own copy!!!
I used fabrics from my stash, but Brenda used Island Batik “Snowed In” fabric collection.
Five blogging friends and I will take you on the adventure of creating your own SAHRR (Stay At Home Round Robin. ). This will be starting on January 15. You can read more about it HERE.
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Usually I start the year off with a bang, but this year, I’ve only managed to sew 6 out of 7 days.
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
Helen Godden’s ’23 Christmas Countdown. My sister and I zoomed together as we quilted our Countdowns. I used Aurifil thread, black, red & white for the outlining and quilting. Inktense pencils were used for the colouring. Aloe vera gel made the colours stand out more. Now, I need to add binding.
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
The zipper bags I made used 1 yard of fabric. You can read about them HERE.
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
To Do from last week:
To Do for next week:
Here is a list of all the things I hope to do in 2024. I don’t make resolutions … they are just promises that I’m unable to keep. So the list works best for me.
Five blogging friends and I will take you on the adventure of creating your own SAHRR (Stay At Home Round Robin. ). This will be starting on January 15. You can read more about it HERE.
This will be my 6th year as an Island Batik Ambassador. I am so looking forward to all the challenges and working with the most wonderful fabric in the world! You can see all my 2023 Island Batik creations HERE.
I’m doing this challenge again in ’24. It’s fun to make all the blocks that Jen has designed. They are always a little different than the usual blocks, but she makes them easy and fun. The block is free for each month, then there is a small charge for it. Here is a link to January’s block. It’s green. I will be using scraps of Island Batik fabrics. You can see my 2023 Colour Challenge quilt HERE.
I will not be doing the PHD in 2024, because I do not have enough UFOs! I’m very happy about that. However, Sharon from MS P Designs is hosting it! Visit her blog if you wish to take part.
This is going to be my word for 2024. The one main thing that helped me reduce my UFOs was to finish what I started. So, I’m committing to finishing what I start. Now, this doesn’t happen on it’s own, I need to be accountable for it. So, I’ve developed a tracker to assist me and I will give monthly updates.
Here is the tracking you can use if you wish:
And, since I can’t start the New Year without new projects, I’ve started 3! Here is my commitment:
Yes! My daughter asked me to make some zipper pouches with Shweshwe fabric. She picked out the fabric and chose the zippers.
I will continue to join in many Linky parties. They are a fun way to share what I’m working on and to see what others are doing! These include, but are not limited to:
Carol (from Just let Me Quilt) and Joan (from Moose Stash Quilting) have a fantastic line of fun blog hops planned for 2024. I hope to participate in each one.
This song is fun!!! The intro is a bit long, but it tells a bit of the story … if you just want to listen to the song, start at 2:10. And yes, my husband loved it!
Please be careful when you’re sewing. I inadvertently sewed through my finger. I’ve never understood how that can happen … now I know. The needle went right through through the nail and out the other side. I refuse to show you the actual injury … there was blood involved, but none got on the fabric!
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
2023 Result:
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
2023 Result:
I am pleased with all the fabric I’ve used this year. I had been secretly hoping that I’d use at least 100 yards from my stash – and I did!
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
To Do List from last Week
To Do List for next Week
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!
Here’s the start of ’23 Christmas Countdown. My light box is the back door window … where I traced the design.
Here’s a picture of Gardenia prior to being a flimsy and partially quilted. And the Fall Mystery quilt.
Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)
Moose Stash Quilting: It Moose be Love (February 20, 2024)
Yes, I almost have all my UFOs finished … however, my sewing area is NOT perfectly tidy! 🤣
And the following meme is so very true!
Yup, if you don’t work on a quilt, it just won’t get done!!!
Last month, I told you that I would no longer be hosting the PHD in 2024. I’m handing over the torch to Sharon, from MS P Designs. Sharon and her sister, Susan, are fantastic designers and wonderful quilters! I’m sure you’ll have fun getting to know them!! Their blog post will be open in early January … make sure that you follow them to keep updated on the PHD in 2024.
I want to thank each and every one of you that has joining me over the years, working on your PHD. You have inspired me to keep working on my UFOs … and for me, until this year, I’ve been very successful at completing my PHD. But, without YOU, I wouldn’t have been so motivated to keep going!
This month, I finished
Here’s my tally sheet:
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Here’s my Task Sheet of my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished with my UFOs and what I need to do.
You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.
After all these years, this is the first year that I did not achieve my PHD in 2023! I still have 1 more UFO to complete and 2 New Starts. The Gardenia quilt is half quilted and the Fall Mystery quilt using Island Batik fabrics needs to find a backing.
However, I must admit that working on my PHD and finishing all new starts has definitely reduced my UFOs over the years!!!
If you find that being accountable and working on your PHD helps, be sure to follow Ms. P Designs!
Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs hosts a yearly linky party where you post your best quilt of the year. Unfortunately, often my best or favourite is the latest one I’ve worked on. And, true to my nature, I have more than one … I have 2 !!!
I’m loving both the Christmas Tree Skirt and my Vanishing Star, using Island Batik’s Celtic Fields.
This has been my 5th year as an Island Batik Ambassador and I absolutely LOVE it! At the end of each year, I have had a post with all of my Island Batik projects: both the challenges and others that I have also done. You can see each year below.
3 Table Toppers were completed for the Sew It Show it Challenge: Shades of Blue. See HERE.
This was little basket was made for the “One gift a month” challenge. You can read about it HERE.
This Lone Star quilt was made with “Naturescape” and given as a wedding gift. You can read about it HERE.
This puff quilt was February’s Island Batik challenge! I used “Fruit and Veggies” collection by Kathy Engle. My brother-in-law claimed it for himself! You can read about the puff quilt HERE.
This quilt was made for the Sweet on You … Sew it – Show it challenge and you can read about it HERE
A “Dust Off a Quilt Book” had me searching through some old books and magazines. One of the first quilting books I ever bought was the inspiration for this quilt. You can read about it at This Post.
This quilt used the “Bamboo Blooms” collection by Kathy Engle and is in the Spring/Summer ’22 Island Batik catalogue. You can see the catalogue HERE.
This was my SAHRR (Stay at Home Round Robin). You can read more about it HERE.
The March Sew It – Show It Blog Hop was “Little Green Apples.” I couldn’t resist using fabric with apples on it from “Fruit and Veggies” collection by Kathy Engle. Of course, the By Annie Clam Up Bags are awesome bags!
In March, the Island Batik challenge was “It’s All Up to You.” You can read about them HERE. I made a couple of quilts for this challenge. The first was this Bargello:
And the 2nd was the Ruler Quilting quilt. This is the same quilt, it’s reversible.
This quilt was in the May / June edition of McCalls Quilting, but I couldn’t tell you about it until the magazine came out. See THIS POST for more information.
We were challenged to make a Crazy Quilt, showcasing Aurifil thread. I got an awesome collection of thread called, “Golden Shrimp Plant.” You can read more about this quilt at THIS POST.
This is my finished Bonnie Hunter Mystery: Chilhowie. I used only scraps of Island Batik to make this. You can read more about it HERE.
I was doing the “One Gift a Month” challenge and made these little gift bags. You can read more about them on THIS POST.
May’s Island Batik challenge included using the Sandalwood fabric collection and the Wedge Star Studio 180 tool. You can read more about it HERE.
I made a 2nd Baby Stars Quilt using a variety of Island Batik scraps and stash. I quilted this one with Alpaca fleece from Prairie Spirit Alpacas. You can read more about it HERE.
It was fun to make this blue & green Hugs and Kisses quilt. You can read more about it HERE.
May’s “One Gift a Month” was to make bowl cozies. However, it was June before I made them. This POST has all the information.
June’s Island Batik challenge was “Fly Away.” We were to make a project with flying geese. I used a beautiful 10″ stack of fabric called “Maple Island.” You can read more about this table topper HERE.
I was asked by Kelly Young to make a pieced back, using her book “Perfectly Pieced Backs” that debuted in June. This was the back for the above table runner. This POST discusses the several backs that I made.
This quilt was made with left-overs from the Lone Star that I made earlier in the year. It used the fabric collection “Naturescape,” solid grey and a blender. I made a pieced back, using a few more of the left-overs and various Island Batik grey solids. You can read more about it HERE.
“Perfectly Pieced Backs” has links to several quilt tops that can coordinate with the pieced backs. This is one of Kelly’s designs, along with the back:
This was a quilt I donated to “Comfort Quilts” at the guild. It will go to the BC Cancer Agency at Surrey Memorial Hospital. You. can read about it HERE.
The following quilt was made in 2021, using Accuquilt dies. It was donated to Canadian Quilts of Valour. It was given to to the longest serving combat doctor in Canadian History in July. See this POST for more information.
I made a picnic tote for the Sew-It Show-It Picnic Party Blog Hop. I used scraps of the Wild Blooms collection. See This Post for more information.
I made this trivet for the “One Gift a Month” challenge using fabrics from the Winter Sky collection. See HERE for more details.
I made the Call Me bag byAnnie. It’s a free pattern and easy to make! It’s a fantastic little bag, perfect for my phone when going for a walk! You can read about it on THIS POST.
This month’s Island Batik challenge was “It’s All Up to You.” It’s always fun to do whatever we want … I made this cozy, cozy robe … The lining is Island Batik rayon and the outer is from my Island Batik stash of left-overs! Lots of Details HERE.
The Sew-It Show-It Call Me Crazy Blog hop had me making this cute and useful book cover. It was fun to make and the pattern was free. See this Blog Post for more details.
Pieced to Perfection was September’s Island Batik Blog Hop. I made 2 quilts using a Carol Doak pattern. They look quite different, but most of the blocks are the same, with different fabrics. I use the “Copper Patina” fabric collection. Read more about it HERE.
I LOVE using the Accuquilt to cut fabric for quilts. Island Batik’s October challenge was to use the North Carolina Star block, along with fall fabrics. It was a fun challenge and I loved the result! Read more about it on THIS POST.
I made this quilt as a pattern test for a fellow Island Batik Ambassador. You can read about it and find the link to the pattern HERE.
The Sew-It, Show-It Monster Mash Blog Hop had me making a pumpkin to hang on my front door. I’m starting to like a bit of improv and this was the result! You can read about it HERE.
I made a boxy zipper pouch for a retreat gift using Jelly Bean (See this POST)
“It’s in the Bag” was November’s challenge with making a byAnnie bag. I made both the large and small Take a Stand bags. You can read more about them HERE.
This quilt was made for Island Batik’s Fall/Winter catalogue. It used “Flutter Wings” by Kathy Engle and Almond. You can read more about it HERE.
I also showed a collection of projects made with “Wild Blooms.” HERE
I made this East Coast inspired tree skirt for a niece and her fiance in Newfoundland. You can read about it HERE.
This quilt was from the BOM “Classic Cars: Colour Challenge.” There are several posts throughout the year of the individual blocks, but you can read about the final quilt on THIS POST.
In my July Island Batik box, I received a 2 1/2” strip pack of Pin Dot Florals, with coordinating fabrics. More details can be found HERE.
This is my final Island Batik quilt for 2024. It was made with the Celtic Fields fabric collection. All of the pieces were cut with the Hunter’s Star die that the quilt guild owns. Obviously, I arranged the blocks in an alternate pattern and I call it “Vanishing Hunter’s Star!”. You. can read more about it HERE.
Of course, none of these projects would have been made without the generosity of Island Batik and their Industry Partners!
Here’s a few of the Christmas project’s I’ve made using Island Batik fabrics. They are in various places in my home for Christmas!
In July, my Island Batik box contained a surprise package of Celtic Fields by Kathy Engle. It came with Doughnut (the neutral, on the left) and Celtic Mini Knot Red-B (from the Celtic Fields collection, on the right). I used some of the fabrics from this collection to make the 2 Take a Stand bags (see HERE) (I was given extra for this) and I still had the 1/2 yard cut of the collection. It was the perfect collection for a Turkey Trot Blog Hop where I chose to feature fall fabrics.
I used the Hunter’s Star Accuquilt die to cut out all the pieces for this quilt. There wasn’t enough of the ‘Doughnut’ neutral for this, so I added several other Island Batik neutrals to the mix. Some were unlabelled small pieces, but larger pieces of Snow and Egg White were added in.
My intent WAS to make a scrappy Hunter’s Star quilt. Then, when I was dividing the blocks up by colour, it emerged into this:
I decided to border 2 sides of the quilt with “Large Netting Pineneedle” (dark green) and the other 2 sides with Celtic Mini Knot Red-B (from the collection).
My quilting friends decided that I should call it “Disappearing Hunter’s Star.” But, since the Hunter’s star block wasn’t actually cut (like most disappearing blocks), it has morphed into “Vanishing Hunter’s Star.” That’s it’s official name now.
Quilt Stats:
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
The Vanishing Hunter’s Star used 14 yards of fabric.
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!
Here’s a picture of Gardenia prior to being a flimsy and partially quilted. This was started in February. It’s hard to say if it will be totally done before the end of the year.
Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)
Moose Stash Quilting: It Moose be Love (February 20, 2024)
Earlier this year, as we had a parade for the 2023 SAHRR (pronounced Stay At Home Round Robin), we announced that we would be doing it again in 2024.
For the past 4 years, I have done a SAHRR and have made different quilts. The first year I did it on my own and then for the next 3 years, I had some fantastic blogging/quilting friends join in the fun!
Here’s the quilts from previous SAHRRs. The last 2 on the bottom right are ones I did on my own. It’s so much MORE fun with others! Here’s the LINK where you can see all the quilts made last year.
As you can tell, except for the 2 I did on my own, the rounds are all different. This year promises to be different as well!
This is a common activity in many quilt guilds. A round robin (in quilting terms) is where each person makes a centre block. This block is put in a bag or container, maybe with extra fabric, perhaps with a notebook, and the bag is passed onto another quilter in the group. They are given instructions as to what kind of border (or round) they are to add on to the quilt. Sometimes the next person will make a border for each side, or one side or two sides of the block. It’s then passed on to another quilter and it continues on … when the quilt centre and all the borders are completed, it is returned to the original maker of the centre block.
That’s correct! You and your centre block and the borders all stay home. You have to make the decisions as to what to add when given directions. How big, how many … it’s up to you. We will let you know what each of us does and there may be short tutorials on some of our blogs.
There’s nothing to join, no sign up. All you need to do is follow our blogs.
On January 15, we will show you our centre blocks … We got together once and I’ve seen plans of a few of the centre blocks: all of them totally different! This will give you some ideas of what you can make or use (do you have orphan blocks?)
Then on January 22 (and each Monday following) we will give you instructions as to what the next border/round is to be. Again, we will all show you our centre blocks with the first border to give you some ideas.
Here are my blogging co-leaders in the order of what we will be doing and the linky parties we will be hosting each week. (There will only be one linky party each week … and we’ll direct you to it …)
We reached out to several companies that we all LOVE and many of them agreed to sponsor the SAHRR 2024!!! We will keep track of all of the participants that link to our Linky parties each week. We will make a list and use a random number generator to choose the winners for each prize! So, if you link up to 3 Linky parties, you will have 3 opportunities to win! If you don’t have a blog or Instagram account, contact me, or one of the other co-hosts and we will post your SAHRR on our blog. This way you still have an opportunity to win!
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What if I don’t want to make that round? It’s your quilt – you can leave it out
What size do I make it? That’s up to you … you are sort-of the designer here.
Are the rounds hard? No … each round is pretty simple … squares, rectangles, half-square triangles with perhaps a surprise.
What colours do I use? That’s up to you … you can follow what one of the SAHRR leader uses or have your own colour scheme.
What if I miss a round? You can leave it out, or go back to the blog where the directions are given.
Will you cut my fabric for me? No
How often will the quilt police check on me and my progress? There are NO quilt police!! None!!
Make sure that you follow each of the SAHRR leaders so that you don’t miss their posts.
Start thinking about what you might do for a centre block.
Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!
A Quiltery (put your foot down), Inquiring Quilter (Wednesday Wait Loss) and Quilting & Learning (Free Motion Mavericks) all Featured my Classic Car Colour Challenge Quilt. You can read about it HERE.
First, I want to show you a secret quilt I was working on earlier this summer and it no longer needs to be a secret. In my July Island Batik box, I received a 2 1/2” strip set of “Pin Dot Floral,” a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Megan Best of Bestquilter. It was paired with a 2 yard piece of Azure (from Brilliant Blues) and a 2 yard piece of Icicle (from Tantalizing Teals). How lucky was I???? So VERY VERY lucky! I immediately knew what I would make with this strip pack!
It’s a lone star that is loosely based on a Youtube video by Jordan’s Fabrics, but of course, I did my own thing. You can watch the video HERE. This quilt takes a LONG time for me to piece because Every. Single. Intersection. needs to be measured and pinned. But, it is worth it in the end!
Here’s a couple of photos of me using “Charming” a Silly Moon ruler to make arcs on all of the pieces.
The large flowers in the corners, and the smaller ones in the ‘v’s were quilted using 2 different “Drop” rulers (Silly Moon). I used “Kite” in the Azure border. Then a flange binding finished the quilt!! I’m in LOVE with this quilt. And I’m keeping it!
It is 62″ x 62″. I used Aurifil #5007 (light grey blue) for the piecing and quilting. Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle.
Here’s a list of a few of the places you can get Pin Dot Floral:
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
Last week, I told you that I might buy some fabric when I was in California. On the left is 4 yards of Porcelain fireside that I bought at Essem Fabrics (here at home) to back a few quilts. Rosie’s Calico Cupboard was dangerous! The fun sewing machine fabric was too fun to resist (1/2 yard) and same with the cardinals (3 yards)! On the right is Island Batik fabrics: 4 yards of “Egg Shell” and below that is 4 yards of “Flour.”
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
I was away for several days, so not a lot got done.
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!
Here’s a couple of pictures of me quilting the “Not a Hunter’s Star” on my domestic machine.
Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)
Moose Stash Quilting: (February 20, 2024)
My sister had a meeting to go to in San Diego … so I went along. We flew into Palm Springs and then headed to Del Mar on the coast. It was a winding road and so different from the roads in BC and Alberta!
We went to Quilt in a Day. It was a fun shop to visit. Absolutely NOTHING said “buy me.” But I certainly helped my sister buy fabric for baby quilts, gifts and a Christmas fat quarter bundle! We were driving the black-top white convertible Mustang that is under the red & white barn quilt!
We went to a few beaches … watched some surfers, walked on the sand, saw 5 whales …
I had a fun stop at the Island Batik warehouse. No pictures were taken, but if you want an idea of what the warehouse looks like, you can watch this Youtube video.
Rosie’s Calico Cupboard in San Diego was fun!! And dangerous (in a good way!) These photos are from their website as I was too busy drooling to take any pictures. I bought some Island Batik fabric, a Christmas fabric and something ‘just for fun!’ I’ll show you my fabric on Sunday!
And you see quilt inspiration everywhere … even on a high end car! Hexies on a Lamborghini!
And to show you a finished quilt … Here is the monthly Classic Car Colour Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen. HERE. And … shhhh … I have it on good authority that she will be hosting another Colour Challenge in 2024. Check out her blog in the near future for details! You can read more about my quilt HERE.
I’m writing this blog post ahead of time. I’ll be in Southern California when this goes live.
I told you about this project a few weeks ago. I have downloaded the pattern and that’s as far as it’s gone. I will likely work on it between Christmas and New Years. If you want to join, you can access the free pattern HERE. All of quilting directions are on Helen’s Youtube videos.
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
As I write this, I have not bought any fabric, but I am in California with my sister and visiting a few quilt stores, so I might be changing some numbers next week!
I’ve finished some projects in the last few weeks: (Placemats & napkins: 9 yards, Tree Skirt: 7 yards, Classic Car Colour Challenge: 9 yards)
Yearly Tally:
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
After looking at my list, I realized that I STILL had NOT cut out my Malted Mystery fabrics … and the cutting directions came out in July, I decided to put the fabrics back in my stash. It obviously is not a priority for me at the moment and hasn’t been for several months. I had good intentions, but I have enough on my plate for the time being. Thus Malted Mystery is now striked off my list.
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!
Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)
Moose Stash Quilting: (February 20, 2024)
This was all of my 12 Classic Car colour blocks. They were so fun to make!
When you see the finished quilt, below, you will see that I obviously moved the blocks around.
Jen designed the borders and you can find the pattern on her website HERE. The border used Island Batik’s solid grey and solid black. Aurifil #2600 (Dove Grey) was the thread I used for the quilting. I did “Wild” or “Graffiti” quilting in the centre. The outside was quilted using Silly Moon’s Rocket ruler. Jen will be having a parade of all the finished quilts on January 15th.
And here is the finished quilt:
Jen will be announcing the 2024 Monthly Color Challenge on December 15!
December’s Island Batik challenge is to “Select a holiday that holds special meaning for you, such as Halloween, Christmas, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Easter etc. and make a project of any kind.”
Here’s my story:
When we went to Newfoundland in August, my niece and her fiancé graciously took us to the East Coast Quilt Company in St. John’s. As they waited for me, sitting on this fabulous sofa, I told them to look through the book I was buying (The Quilted Stash) to see if there was anything they wanted.
They chose the dark blue tree skirt (photo on the right) … and the pattern was not in the book! No fear, it was early in our trip and I knew I’d be visiting a few more quilt stores. I looked for the pattern, but with no luck. After I got home, I looked on-line and the stores I searched were sold out.
That’s no problem!!! I figured I could use some of the appliqué designs in the book, add a few others and the tree skirt could happen. (As it turned out, I used none of the designs in the book!)
The extra bonus (for me) was that Island Batik’s December challenge was to create something inspired by my chosen holiday!!! The inspiration was Christmas and the dark blue tree skirt.
The reindeer and the sleigh were cut with the Accuquilt die “Go Sleigh & Snowflakes. ” The trees were cut with the Go! Holiday Medley.
A simple zigzag outlined the sleigh and reindeer, while a stitch with intermittent stars outlined the trees.
I found a free colouring book page of some Jellybean Row Houses (famous in St. John’s) here. I simplified the page and made a row of 5 houses. Here is a couple of pictures of some of the actual Jellybean Row Houses, followed by my 5 houses.
Some of the family ancestors were fishermen. My husband fondly remembers many fishing days in a small dory.
The dory was from a Row by Row from Fibre Lily in 2017. I finished the Row by Row in July ’22 and you can read about it HERE.
Many older houses in Newfoundland are called “Salt Box Houses.” I found a colouring picture of one HERE.
The rugged coast of Newfoundland has many lighthouses! The lighthouse is a simplified and smaller version of one I designed in 2019.
Here is the tree skirt, prior to the applique, with snowflakes I decided to not use. The skirt was spray basted onto black 80/20 Hobbs Batting … and then the appliqué began.
The first picture shows a tree mid-appliqué. The garland was stitched first, and then the outline. The stars were quilted using the smallest “Twinkle” ruler from Silly Moon Quilt Company.
Here it is on the design wall, before we took it for a photo shoot.
The photo shoot was a bit of a bust. We went to a nursery that has tons of trees, but it was hard to get pictures with the trees squashed together. Then we went to a hardware store, and again, it wasn’t easy. Most of the trees had huge cones around them. I have a geranium still blooming and it worked for the centre, as well as the shrub. I refuse to dig out my own Christmas tree until later in the month, so, it will have to wait until it travels across the country and arrives at it’s destination!
Size: 52″ diameter
Fabrics:
All Fabrics were from Island Batik: The tree skirt body was cut out with 18o wedges and was made with “Ravine.” I love the mottled dark blue/navy. The reindeer and trees were from “Celtic Fields.” The sleigh was from a 10″ square from the “Cheers” collection. The rest of the elements were from my Island Batik scrap box. The binding is “Ice” … I had to chuckle at the name of the fabric as it was perfect for the binding and very typical of Newfoundland winters!
Thread: I used a large number of Aurifil Threads
Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik, Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Accuquilt
Visit the rest of the Ambassadors to see what they are celebrating and their chosen projects!
Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts
Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Reed Johnson ~ Blue Bear Quilts
Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You
Randi Jones ~ Randi’s Roost
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney ~ Quiltery – For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Elita Sharpe ~ Busy Needle
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail. You are here!
Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
Anorina Morris ~ sameliasmum.com
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique
Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia
Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts
December brings us to Carol’s yearly “Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange” challenge. Carol, of Just Let Me Quilt, hosts many blog hops throughout the year. I do have some Christmas to show you, but Carol had said that cookies are optional, so since I haven’t done any baking, you don’t get any cookies! 🤣
The guild I belong to donates placemats to Meals on Wheels. They have requested that one side be Christmas and the other be something else.
Throughout this year, I have made 4 placemats, using left-overs from various quilts. They are around 12-13″ x 18-20.” I enjoy using up left-over blocks, squares and whatever to make them!
These 2 pictures show you the Christmas side and the “Left-over” side of the 4 placemats. Since they are going to a variety of different people, no two need to be alike!
When I was at a retreat in October, a couple of ladies were making self-binding napkins. I thought I’d make a set of placemats, but I couldn’t remember all the steps. Google to the rescue! I found a Youtube video by Shabby Fabrics (HERE). I went through my box of Christmas fabric and my box of green fabric and was happy to be using up my stash. No shopping needed!
The only thing about the placemats that I didn’t care for was the lack of batting or filler. I didn’t really want placemats that were just 2 pieces of fabric. Sew, I cut out batting the same size as the top fabric and treated the batting and fabric as one. To adjust for the extra width of the batting, I cut the backing/self-binding fabric 1/2” bigger than in the directions. It worked like a charm. Yes, there is no batting under the self-binding portion that frames the placemat, but I can live with that!
And, 6 reversible napkins to go with the placemats. I’ll be using this set on Christmas day!
Visit each of the following bloggers to see their Christmas projects and maybe even a cookie or two!
DECEMBER 4
DECEMBER 5
DECEMBER 6
DECEMBER 7
December’s Classic Car colour is Orange. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …
Again, I used Island Batik scraps …
As you look at the above pictures, you’ll see SNOW on the last 2. I did these blocks last winter as I knew that I was assigned December! We, thankfully, do not have any snow yet!
Come back on Dec. 7 to see the finished quilt and the awesome borders Jen designed!
The Cambridge Dictionary defines Creativity as :
| the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas |
This certainly applies to quilting. I see this a lot with some of my classes or original patterns. Different people will choose different fabrics or place them in alternative ways. It always fascinates me and I am in awe of what people do!
I remember years ago, I was teaching a class at the guild and one participant approached me and asked, “Is it OK if I make the quilt bigger?” of course, YES! Then, “Is it OK if I have it off centre?” of course, YES! I love that people can view my classes as a starting point for creating something new!
As I was looking up the official definition of creativity, this statement caught my eye, “Too many rules might deaden creativity.“ Well, “duh” I thought:” “That’s why the quilt police have no business being anywhere around anyone who is quilting!”
OK … so what does this have to do with working on my PHD or getting those UFOs done and gone … or simply gone?
I want you to think 2 things about your UFOs … are they UFO’s because you don’t think they measure up to the ‘rules?’ Are they UFOs because they lack the creativity they once sparked?
Quilting is a journey. One where you are always learning. ALWAYS. So, if there is a ‘rule’ that is impossible to conquer … ignore it, and carry on, doing your best. Just to be honest here, I’ve been quilting for YEARS … and I’m still working on getting my points to match, getting those seams to nest nicely … I’m a work in progress. Those who have taken classes from me will be laughing … I’m sure they can hear me saying similar things!
Now, about that UFO that lacks creativity that it once sparked … Why? what’s gone wrong? Is it really that bad? If it is – give it away. OR … are you just bored with it? Will a few hours of work on it help get it done? If so … do that!
We have ONE month left to complete our PHD in 2023!
When I started the PHD in 2018, I had more than 56 UFOs. I know there was many more, because my original post (HERE) about this mentioned 29 more: which means there was at least 85. And I know I found even more as I moved into my sewing studio and open every single box, carton and container!
When I first started, the idea was to finish HALF of your UFOs in the year. I must have been crazy!!! The only way to do that is to not start a single new project and to work 24 hours a day. Impossible!
Later, I decided that 1 UFO a month was reasonable, along with finishing EVERY. SINGLE. START. I know that stopped me (sometimes) from starting every new project that caught my eye!
And this brings me to the current state of my UFOs … after this month, I will have 3 UFOs to complete. That’s not enough to carry on with the PHD in 2024.
PHD in 6 years has worked for me to get my projects under control! I know that I finished most of them, but I also put a few on the ‘free’ table at the guild.
So … is there someone in blog land that would like to do the PHD in 2024? Let me know!!! (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)
This is what I wrote before: Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This runs from October 1 to November 30th. WIPS is Works in Progress. And, for my PHD in 2023, I want them Gone.
This has worked well for me as far as tidying/cleaning my sewing space! The only days I didn’t do the cleaning was when I was away at a retreat. Sewing each day was easy. And several WIPS were completed!
Now, if I can only keep tidying/cleaning every day, my room should remain half decent! Thanks Leanne for the motivation!
This month, I finished the “It’s in the Bag” challenge with byAnnie (Take a Stand) (HERE). A retreat gift (see this POST). The Layer Cake mystery quilt first used a Kansas Troubles Layer Cake which was a UFO You can read about it HERE. And the Necessary Clutch wallets were a UFO finish! (see This Post)
I have finished 2 UFOs this month … the wallets and the Colour Challenge ’23 … However, I won’t be showing you the Colour Challenge until December. So, this leaves me with 1 UFO to finish before Dec. 31. And the “Panel Birds” is ready to quilt.
As for the Starts in 2023 … well, that is another story … I have 3 that need quilting and binding: Gardenia, Fall Mystery with IB fabric and the Not Hunter’s Star. It’s touch and go as to whether I will finish all 3 or not!
Here’s my tally sheet:
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Here’s my Task Sheet of my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished with my UFOs and what I need to do. I made a little progress on the wallet this month.
You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.
Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs hosts a monthly linky party where you post your favourite quilt of the month.
I’m loving the byAnnie “Take a Stand” bags!!! They are so pretty and so useful!!
Free Motion Mavericks featured many of my “Wild Blooms” quilts. (HERE)
For the Love of Geese featured my tree skirt (HERE)
How do you feel about free motion quilting? Most of you know that I really enjoy free motion quilting on my domestic sewing machine. It’s taken a LOT of practice and I’m still learning. Helen Godden is an excellent teacher and her youtube tutorials are great!
I have completed 3 of her tutorials: 2 Christmas ones and the Flower Power sampler. I used Inktense pencils on each of them. They were fun to make!
Helen is having another Christmas Countdown. You can access the free pattern HERE. EDIT: Apparently the link isn’t working … Helen posted on her FB page that the site was “melting.” and to try again later. In the meantime, you can go to her FB page and see her video. HERE.
How it works: each day from Dec. 1 – 24, Helen has a youtube video showing you what to quilt. It doesn’t take long. She offers hints along the way. It’s easy! And it is a fantastic way for you to practice free motion quilting!
It was from following along in the you tube videos that helped me do the FMQ on the Pangolin and the Elephant quilts. These were done for an Island Batik challenge using Aurifil Thread. You can read more about the Pangolin HERE and the Elephant HERE.
SEW … are you going to join me in doing the Christmas Countdown?
Links to all the clues can be found at the top of my blog HERE.
Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. I decided to not only sew every day, but to also clean/tidy each day!!! I’m managing to find things to tidy or clean each and every day!!! It’s never ending! But, what do I expect when I’m tearing my room apart to find specific fabric for another project? Or, when a project is finished, I need to put the excess fabric away …
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
I didn’t have the right colour for backing, so I ran over to Essem Textiles and bought 2 yards of flannel to back this quilt.
Yearly Tally:
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
After looking at my list, I realized that I STILL had NOT cut out my Malted Mystery fabrics … and the cutting directions came out in July, I decided to put the fabrics back in my stash. It obviously is not a priority for me at the moment and hasn’t been for several months. I had good intentions, but I have enough on my plate for the time being. Thus Malted Mystery is now striked off my list.
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Sorry, no pictures to share!
Just Let Me Quilt: Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop (December 4)
Just Let Me Quilt: White Rabbit (January 23. 2024)
Wild Blooms is an awesome fabric collection!
I made 2 quilts for the Island Batik ’22 Fall / Winter Catalog: “Stepping Out” with a black background and an light background (Sprinkles). I LOVE how the different backgrounds give the quilts a totally different look!
I was very excited to have another quilt in a magazine!!! The magazine put out a call for quilts that are “out of this world.” I immediately thought of this star quilt that’s been in the back of my mind! I submitted the draft (from EQ8) and it was accepted.
After, “talking” with Island Batik, the fabric collection, Wild Blooms, along with Ravine (a basic) was selected and they sent it on it’s way very quickly! It arrived and the top was completed before I went on holidays last year. I LOVE quarter square triangles and it was a fun quilt to put together!
After my holidays, there were a few very intense days of quilting (and shoulders complaining!) then Nova was on it’s way to the publisher!
The directions for making this quilt are in the magazine and digital copies are still available.
I also used Wild Blooms to make this crazy quilted composition book cover. You can read more about it HERE. (and find the links to the pattern).
And, I made this cute tote bag, using Wild Blooms …. using left-overs from the Nova (the star quilt above).
I made the following quilt as a Pattern Tester for Brenda at Songbird Designs. You can order the pattern from her HERE.
This Picnic Tote was made for a Sew It-Show It Blog Hop. See HERE.
And now, all I have left is a few scraps … but the joy I had in making all these projects is huge!
Can you tell I LOVE this fabric collection?
Where you can find Wild Blooms:
Please note: Clues are removed. Please contact me if you wish to have a copy of this pattern.
A close up of the quilting:
Here’s the quilt my pattern tester made: She used the extra 4 patches for the back.
Please enter your quilt in the link party below. The link will stay open until Dec. 6. It doesn’t have to be finished, just show us the fabrics you’re using and your progress so far!
Quilting Gail 