Wednesday Workings, May 27, 2026

 

Here is where I stand with Love is all you need...  I have finished the outline of the heart and the thread that shoots off from the Fly Stitch.

This is where I need to teach myself how to accomplish the Fly Stitch.  Note on the heart outline where it goes.  I decided to mark the wool to help me out a bit.  My first try on the heart had stitches way too small.  Rip out the stitches insued =^.^=  This is a more or less night time sewing project so you know what I will be up to tonight.

I have the last blocks of the two rows sewn together.  I will need a bit more time tomorrow to add them to the top portion.  Then the back needs to be prepared.  It took a long time ironing these blocks.

Kringle's Kaps came back from Kerry.  Look close how she was able to help bring out the pompoms and the bands on this way too busy quilt.  I auditioned three fabrics to use for the binding and both of us came to the conclusion the top would be calmed down with a solid red binding.  So that ends my Wednesday!

Design Wall Monday, May 25, 2026

 

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It is also a time for cook outs and that's what we will have later today.

I have been working on a 2023 UFO.  It is long past time for it to be finished.  I finished quite a bit so far on this 8" square (less the tongue at the bottom).  I started the outline of the heart.  So this is where I will pick up when time allows today.  The bottom is overlapped under the 8" square.  The entire piece gets backed with a neutral plaid open weave cotton.  I didn't put as many hearts inside the big heart because they were just too little for me to handle.  Even cutting the tiniest hearts were a challenge.  All of this is wool and pearl cotton embroidery thread.  Oh goodness what was I thinking when I purchased this kit years ago at Primitive Gatherings =^.^=

This is also a finish LOL!  It is the May BOM with Sunshine Quilt Guild.  I added the strings on the bikini bottom, but they can easily be removed if the winner doesn't want them.  Carolyn who coordinated the BOM provided the white background fabric and we were free to use whatever fabric we desired for the bikini.  Fun block to make.  Winner will be drawn at the June meeting.

Still working on Moonflower...lots of pressing happening...my least favorite part of quilting.

Sunday Stash Report, May 24, 2026

Now it is time to press each of these blocks and start stitching together in rows.  My Moonflower is looking pretty good.  There is no border for this Bonnie Hunter design.  It will finish with a gray binding.  I like the way the secondary design comes into play.  A star is formed as well as the center of the flower.  I will need to move a few blocks around because the center of the flowers are quite prominent.  This will be somewhat challenging as I did not use a lot of variety in the yellow fabric.  Game on =^.^=

I did finish the secret project and look forward to the gifting that will come soon.  Next up after Moonflower is September Sky.  September Sky is in shades of purple with black and neutrals.  Quite a bit of sewing was done at the recent retreat I attended in Temecula.

Nothing changes stash numbers today.  There should be a change next week.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 126.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 102.75 yards

Wednesday Workings, May 20, 2026

 

I am working on a secret project right now so I won't be sharing any pictures quite yet!

I am also working on Moonflower, but today is one busy day for me.  Little machine sewing going on and tomorrow I have jury duty.  Looks like I won't be in my sewing room until...perhaps the weekend.

Hope that you are having a special week =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, May 18, 2026

I made quite a lot of progress on Moonflower yesterday.  There is still pressing required and a bunch more to sew, but it is coming along nicely.  I will be back at it today.

There are still quite a lot to sewn into 1/2 blocks.  It is going a lot quicker than I had though it might.  I am finding the need to choose the right combination of fabrics.  Can't have the same fabrics touching each other.  Everything was sewn randomly, you wouldn't think this problem would exist.

Head back here on Wednesday to see how far I get on this 2026 UFO.  Enjoy your week ahead =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, May 17, 2026

My Kittens is complete =^.^=  Like all my projects...I like this one too!  I have a jumbo gray ric rac to add between the top and the binding once it's quilted.  Now to decide on what quilting design to put in the sashing?  Kittens will be mailed to Kerry sometime this week.  I have some strips for Kerry's Moonflower to share that will be included in the package.  It has been hard to locate charcoals.

Speaking of Moonflower, I have all three rows of the 1/2 block sewn.  Today I am working to put the three rows together and then the block of two of these 1/2 blocks to make one block.  This should go together pretty quick.  I am starting to think of a "K" name for my Moonflower...help me please.

For now I will claim Kittens as used fabric and happily report that no fabric was added to my stash.

Used this week: 5 yards
Used YTD: 126.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 102.75 yards

Wednesday Workings, May 13, 2026

Sharing with you today is Kepler.  A completion before a UFO =^.^=  This comes to me via a friend's sister.  It is the last project to finish that I have from her.  This will be a charity quilt.

I am still working on Kittens, but hope to have it into a top this week.  I have all the fabrics needed to pass on to Kerry.  Next up on the design wall will be September Sky.  September Sky will fill every inch of my huge design wall.  After September Sky comes down Moonflower will take its place.

In the evening I have a binding project to work on that should be done by Friday.  Friday is Rosie's Sew Day =^.^=

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Design Wall Monday, May 11, 2026

 

Today I stayed in my comfy chair with two cats and charity quilts to bind.  I finished all three of these in time for tomorrow's guild meeting.  I also sewed in place several of my own projects labels.  Tonight I have another quilt to work on and then there is one more after that to finish.  Kittens is on my Design Wall as I last shared with you.  September Sky is next up since I finished all the blocks at the retreat I attended this past weekend.  I need a day of rest after the last three days!

Tomorrow's Sunshine Guild Meeting is the annual challenge reveal.  I just didn't have the time to finish mine or frankly start it.  I did have a pattern to springboard into and will make it this year yet.  It was difficult to come up with seven different techniques in a project.  I didn't have any issue with seven different colors.  It is a terrific challenge.  I am looking forward to sharing my grandmother's handiwork.  My maternal grandmother was a quilter and enjoyed stitchery.  I just finished scrambling her projects up to load in the car.  I also have a project from my maternal uncle that is knitted that I'll bring as well.

I'm in for bringing goodies too =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, May 10, 2026

 

Happy Mothers Day!  Today is the day to celebrate our mothers.  In the past I would have my mom with me at the annual Sunshine Quilt Guild Retreat.  Mom isn't traveling as she once did so I miss her (and so do the others at the Retreat).  One of the activities this year was to bring a photo of your mom.  I had to dig deep because most everyone's mom is not known to the rest of us.  My mom photo was her at La Jolla Cove taken in the 90s.  It actually stumped some that know her.  Happy Mothers Day (as well as Grandmothers).

We have a token exchange and door prizes each year.  This was my winnings; less an excellent cookie from Christy =^.^=

I had hoped to get much further along than one block on Moonflower, but I didn't check my project container one last time to make sure it was complete.  Sadly, I was missing the 2 1/2" neutral squares.  I was able to find enough to make one block and this is it darn it all.  I did get all the HSTs sewn.  This was the first project to tackle.  I put it away and started in on September Sky.

September Sky took me all weekend.  I had all the individual units of the two different blocks sewn in my project container.  Thankfully I didn't forget anything here.  The blocks at the top took me all day Friday and Saturday; finishing up on Sunday morning.  They will get ironed next and onto the design wall once Kittens is together and off the design wall.

No other projects were worked on (I had two others...just in case).  No quilt shops in Temecula currently.  Not a place to shop and not a finished project.  Stash stays the same as last week.

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, 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 =^.^=