Wednesday Workings, May 6, 2026

 

I finished September Sky HSTs.  There are 212 of these purple and black units.  They will be part of the dark block.  Not too much trimming involved with this unit.

A different story to tell with these FG units.  Much trimming as well as a couple of redos =^.^=  Does anyone stitch a perfect FG (without the aid of FPP).  My Bloc Loc rulers don't include one that fits this size so I use the point part of my smallest Bloc Loc ruler and that takes care of the top of these FG.  This is the also goes into the  making of the dark block; 212 of them too.  I already finished the four patch that completes the three unit dark block.  I am ready to put this project into blocks!

I got a package from Kerry this week.  She located a couple of cute fabrics, yes of course with cats.  I will find a way to sneak them into one of my projects.  These cats are, or have been, naughty in their ways depicted on the cloth.  Made me smile.

Kepler

Kan of Korn

Kepler and Kan of Korn were in the package.  Both are trimmed and binding stitched in place for hand stitch finishing.  The labels are not far behind.  I nearly finished Kan of Korn last night; just about six inches, the sleeve, and the label to go.  Did you know the Kepler and Can of Corn are real things?  My Kan of Korn is a 2026 UFO done!

The rest of my day after aqua fit will be last preparations for the retreat.  I've already begun the worst part of taking projects and tools down stairs.  There will be lots of trips on the stairs today.

Happy Wednesday

Design Wall Monday, May 4, 2026

Kittens is looking good on my Design Wall.  None of the kitten blocks have been squared up at this point.  I like what I'm seeing with the pink frames and grey plaid sashing.  I was doing a bit of experimenting with the binding.  The top binding piece shows a bit of pink that I thought would look good.  Instead I think just the grey works best.  I have a jumbo grey ric rac trim that will go between the top and the binding.  I was told on good authority that I should wash the ric rac before using as it shrinks.  So I will be doing that during the next wash day (I have it already inside a pillow case).

The first two Teddy Bears are started.  All bears will be this shade of brown floss.  These bears are cute as can be.

Design Wall activity will remain with Kittens until I can get back to it.  Everything through Wednesday will be preparing for the retreat.  Happy Monday everyone =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, May 3, 2026

Getting the Flying Geese done for September Sky.  They are all sewn.  Need to press open and trim a bit.  Today I am working on the HSTs for the project.  All units are cut.  These are being stitched and will also require a press open and trim.  These parts are the last of what is needed for block assembly.

Cherry Crunch, has lots cut out, but I know not all of it.  I worked on this Friday at Rosie's until the fabrics I had with me ran out.  I have lots of reds in my stash to bring in what's needed.  A few neutrals were cut too.  If I get to this project during the retreat I will just sew until I have nothing more to continue. There would be a big chunk of the project done with what I have in the tote.

Moonflower is all cut and ready to stitch.  Right now I'm thinking it will be my first project to work on at the retreat.

True Blue is well on it's way through cutting.  It is in a similar state as Cherry Crunch; I will sew until my tote runs out of fabric.  

I had hoped to finish Kittens for something to change my Stash Report numbers.  I didn't purchase anything at Rosie's this past Friday so there is no change at all.  I have Kittens on my Design Wall that I will share with you tomorrow.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 121.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 97.75 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 29, 2026

 

Still working to get ready for Sunshine Quilt Guild 2026 Retreat.  September Sky will be one project to work on while there.  I'm trying to get all the units of Block 1 and 2 stitched.  Leaving the block construction for the retreat.

I still have 85 more of these four patch units to go.  I have a start as you can see at the top of this photo.  1 1/2" strips in purples and neutrals.  This after my swim, massage and Tim's hair cut today will keep me busy until tonight's meal preparation.

The second part of this block is a 2 1/2" square of neutral.  I have 66 more to cut and the strips are ready for me and tonight's TV programs.

Teddy Bears are my next cross stitch project.  Aren't they just too cute?  I have most of the floss already but a shopping trip is going to be needed.  Michael's might just have Hobby Lobby beat on price.  I wonder though if Michael's will have all the colors I'm after.  Both stores are easy distance from home.

That's it for my Wednesday =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, April 27, 2026

The final Kitten is complete.  You know what this means?  I'll be enjoying the last touches on this project that will make it into a quilt.  I see a finish this week =^.^=  Next project to be cross stitched is out for floss collection from my threads and then a trip to Hobby Lobby where I will certainly need one or two flosses that I don't have.  YIPPEE

September Sky Block 1 is all cut.  I will be stitching two strips together for cutting into segments to make four patches.  Much of the fabric came from mom's stash.  I added in a bit more for variety.

September Sky Block 2 is all cut.  These will make flying geese.  Mom didn't have much blacks.  I took what I could use for this design then added more fabric.  I also dug into the bin I have of leftover units from previous projects and found lots of the exact size black/neutral HSTs.  I unstitched these and used the black goose for this project.  

The neutrals will be used for another project in the queue.  I have Cherry Crush in the queue that uses "s t r i n g s"...  The making of the string blocks is always so messy, but the end result is always nice.  I also found some string blocks in that bin of leftover units that might just work for Cherry Crush too.

I'll be working to get September Sky Block 3 cut.  It is purple and neutral strips.  That's all for today; enjoy the last week of April.

Sunday Stash Report, April 26, 2026

Thanks Cheryl for a great name for my project.  Kringle's Kaps (aka Santa's Hat Shop) is finished and ready for mailing to Kerry.  I am not too thrilled with how little the white pompom and band don't show up on many of these backgrounds.  It is a very busy quilt indeed.  The chaos was tamed down a bit with the words "JOY" changed from red to green.  I did add in one green hat too.  Can you spot the three hats in red where a cat is featured?  I selected a neutral thread and suggested three different quilting designs for Kerry to consider on which one works best.  I will be binding this 2026 UFO with a solid green fabric that matches the "JOY".  Six 2026 UFOs complete to date.

This is the Sunshine Quilt Guild's May BOM complete.  Don't you love a Batik?  Jane coordinated this spring flower.

This is the Sunshine Quilt Guild's 2026 Retreat BOM.  The combination of Karen and Carolyn coordinated.  Participants were supplied with five fabrics and several ideas how to arrange the 2.5 inch squares and HSTs into a 12 inch block.

I have been preparing for the 2026 Retreat that's just around the corner.  I want to have my projects cut and ready for sewing.  I'm taking as many as I have and will stitch what interests me.  Moonflower and September Sky are nearly at that point.  Another mom quilt is ready.  Might even get to working on the tie quilt.  Like most of you the quilting queue holds many possibilities =^.^=

Here's what's going on in my stash for this week.

Used this week: 15.25 yards
Used YTD: 121.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 97.75 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 22, 2026

Starting off today with a completion.  This daisy is my mom's contribution to her guild's BOM raffle.  The theme is derived from movies or songs that depict a flower.  Anyone want to take a guess on the inspiration in this block?  It was fun doing this for my mom.  Her guild meets the first Wednesday of the month so this block will be in the mail shortly to arrive in time.

This binding is a partial completion.  Something that is coming my way to bind plus a little extra for a second quilt.

Meet Kitten #6.  I stitched these blocks out of order, but it really doesn't matter.  I am stitching the last block (#12) now and it is almost finished.  I forecast this project coming together inside the next week.  I'll need to start looking through my collection of Jack Dempsey patterns for the next cross stitch project to work on.  Once decided, a trip to Hobby Lobby for floss in appropriate colors will follow.

I have all the blocks stitched for Kringle's Kaps (thank you Cheryl for the clever name).  I changed the word "JOY" from red fabrics to green.  Did you notice the one green hat?  All the holiday inspired backgrounds keep your eyes moving about.  There are about six blocks that still need the paper removed and then the top will come together.  This is a 2026 UFO.

Let me close with the Sunshine BOM.  I have fabrics figured out and cut to size.  It is itme to sew!

Today I am headed to Rady's Childrens Hospital to donate Tim's mom's collection of Beanie Babies.  She was a big collector when TY released this toy in 1993.  There are a little over 100 that are sure to put smiles on many faces.

That's it from my sewing room today =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, April 20, 2026

I have placed all the hats made so far on my design wall.  The empty spots are what's still in work on my sewing machine.

These units will be the letters "JOY" that go across the second row up from the bottom on the right.  They each finish the same size block ast the hats.

Two of the six remaining hats are sewn and the stack of fabrics to the right need sewing.  I should have these done today.

That's it for my Design Wall Monday post.  Enjoy your day =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, April 19, 2026

Good morning!  I am so thrilled to show off Kottages.  This was one long project finally finished.  Not certain when the pattern was procured.  100 Houses by Tina Curran made it first to a UFO list in 2022.  I really got to working on it in July 2024.  The picket fence daunted me for several months.  It honestly held me back from finishing.  It turned out to be a simple process of putting it together just tedious.  It can't be seen in the photo, actually in the real life look either, all the effort Kerry took in quilt stitching the picket fence.  The houses look great with different skies and the consistency of two yellow windows and a black door.  Now with the success of an old UFO finish I need to get another old UFO done =^.^=

This fabric came in for Santa's Hat Shop project.  I am striving forward on this quilt.  All backgrounds have been found.  There are about six more to cut into the shapes needed for the hats.  All the reds (and a surprise) hat shapes are cut.  Soon I will be pulling papers out of this foundation project and stitching the three units of the hat together.  Check in tomorrow for how this one is going.  It is a 2026 UFO that has yet to find its "K" name.

The pattern arrived from ETSY/Farmers Attic for the commissioned project I accepted.  It is called Flutter by Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique.  I will be making it with a white background and pastel floral butterflies.  The mom to be is due in May, way before this project can be finished.

So that's it for now.  I have a few individual blocks to finish before next month rolls around.  A binding to put together.  Labels to be sewn in place. The last kitten in the cross stitch project.  Finally making headway on Love Is All You Need a 2023 UFO.  I need to dig out Kaster (Pumpkins For Sale) by One S1ster Designs.  It is the last unfinished 2022 UFO.

Here's what's going on in my stash for this week.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 106 yards 
Purchased this week: .5 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 82.5 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 15, 2026

I cut most of the reds that will be the main part of the Santa hat.  The pattern has both standard and foundation instructions.  I am following the foundation instructions.

I have already copied the templates six times and I will need 28 sets.  Each Santa hat takes two sheets of my favorite Carol Doak's Foundation Paper.  Both the red and the background scraps will have a home in a Bonnie Hunter project that's in my queue.

I am matching the red to the background in this step.  You can see the matches below that are lined up to sew.

After sewing the first six comes the trimming.  It is helpful when the instructions have the size you need to cut to fit in each of the foundation's positions.  These small slivers aren't worth holding on to.

Here's the three sections of the hat.  Next up is to sew them together.  I prefer to pull the papers off before sewing the sections together.

Here's what I have so far.  I just might have this one ready for Christmas!

Design Wall Monday, April 13, 2026

 

The Post Office is crazy in my location on Mondays.  I did use the kiosk today so it turned out not too bad for me.  I have stayed in line before and it can take upwards of 30 minutes until it's your turn with the clerk.  Okay...I'm done ranting =^.^=  This cute charity quilt is in the mail to mom.  I love the combination of fabrics, very much the rainbow.  I'm visualizing pink thread with fish as the quilting design.  I'll  be back later this year to do the binding unless mom's quilting fairy is well enough to take on the job.

This is the pattern I will be using for a commission project.  A family friend has asked me to use her late husband's ties.  It will be a fun and memorable gift to unwrap at Christmas.  There are 14 ties and the plan is to use 13 of them.  One is a bow tie that I'll use in the first border.  First I'll have to get rid of the bow tie's hardware...  A sampling of what's to come.

Another commission in the making is a baby quilt for the friend's niece.  The niece wants something girly in pastels with flowers and butterflies.  I found the Flutter pattern online and got the okay to proceed.  The butterflies will be in a flower print.  I am planning a neutral background.

These two projects are waiting a turn under the needle, but first I have been continuing to cut out Santa's Hat Shop.  There is much cutting.  28 blocks will have Santa's hats, five are plain blocks, and three are the letters of "JOY".  Right now I have 22 background blocks cut for Santa's hats along with the five plain blocks.  I still have a couple of fabrics coming from ETSY suppliers.  I will double up on some of hte backgrounds, but not many.

Still playing around with the wool project, Love Is All You Need.  It is also a UFO from earlier years.  I will be sharing this one with you later when I get further along.

We are having a drizzling day today.  The air smells awesome.  Enjoy your day.