Design Wall Monday, July 6 2026

I am back to working on Cherry Crunch today.  It isn't quite ready for my design wall.  I have finished all the 2.5" x 4.5" neutral strip units, 448 of them.  The red 2.5" squares are next to work on.  I need a diagonal line on them, again 448 of these.  They are all cut and ready.  These red squares are stitched on the strip unit.  That's all the units for the center of the quilt.  It will be surrounded by a neutral inner border.  

Finally a red 4.5" red strip border is to be attached.  I have a bunch of red strips ready to stitch.  I will skip forward to these today.

Later once the whole chicken is in the oven for dinner tonight; I will be marking the red squares.  I also plan to cut another table runner from mom's stash.

I have a book to finish before the SD Library takes it away =^.^=  I am on Part 2 of 4 in the book The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. It is amazing to me the traditions that are passed down in China even today.

Go USA in the chase for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. 

Sunday Stash Report, July 5, 2026

 

Let me start the day with fabrics purchased.  It was a day at Rosie's to get the last fabrics for a few projects.  This first background fabric was needed to complete a table runner from my mom's stash gathered last August.

Next up is the darker pink at the bottom of this photo for Kittens.  The two pieces on top were also considered along with countless grays.  I did settle on the darker pink and the binding prepared along with half way around on the hand stitching.  This is as cute as the Ducks from all that I have cross stitched to date.

I am trying to add to a lone Winnie the Pooh redwork block that my grandmother made.  I found these embroidery transfers, but they are a bit to small.  A suggestion was to stitch them out and than go from there on a design for the project.  Well I really didn't want to go that way so back to ETSY to find embroidery transfers thta were larger.  With a little help from the ETSY Seller, I found larger "Hoop" sized PDFs that she sells.  She led me to understand how to go about using the PDFs.  Needless to say I have the PDFs and now waiting on Amazon to bring me the transfer paper that will work with my printer.  The purchase of fabric here is two whites that closely work well with the original fabric.  Wish me luck with this new for me endeavor.

These last three fabrics had the Rosie's group helping me audition.  The two blues in the first photo one out.  I decided adding, although I like it, the red made the project look too patriotic for my liking.  The blue diagonal print was quite literally found by chance.

Here is the table runner complete.  I have another focus fabric to work with for a second of this design.  I will be working it into my queue =^.^=

Here is the Joe's Ties quilt top complete.  Right now the plan is to use the outside border fabric as the binding too.  I am real excited to have this done in plenty of time before it is needed for Christmas.

Seven fabrics at a yard a piece get added and two projects are ready for quilting!

Used this week: 8 yards
Used YTD: 173.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 7 yards
Purchased YTD: 43.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 130 yards

Wednesday Workings, July 1, 2026

 

Kittens arrived from Kerry.  I ditched the fabric I thought would be nice for the binding and also the jumbo ric-rac that was to be part of the binding too.  I just didn't like either for this all too cute design.

I have in the past used the same fabric that the cross stitch is framed with as the binding, but I'm not sure I like it either.  This project is packed up until I can do some auditioning at Rosie's.  A grey to match the plaid is on my mind.  I will know something for certain soon.

Joe's tie quilt is assembled and also waiting for some auditioning at Rosie's for the borders surrounding the bow ties.  I would like to have something that brightens the project, but keeping it masculine of course.  Black is the obvious choice I suppose.  I think a dark shade of blue might work well.  This fabric will need to work with an outer border.  Lots to match up LOL.

In the meantime I pulled out one of the table runner patterns my mom liked.  Using her fabric all the way on this one.

I have the middle nine patch cut now.  The next one to cut will be the corners.  I plan to use the same focus fabric with the purple.  The flying geese will be a variety of the fabrics on the bottom with the yellow as a background for them.

Hope your day...the first of July...is going well.  I'm all set up with timing to watch USA FIFA World Cup Match later tonight.  Have a wonderful July 4th.  Keep your pets in the house during the fireworks =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, June 29, 2026

This was my Design Wall on Sunday evening.  I have since attached the collar and tie for applique to the blank fabric at the bottom right.  The same tie fabric used has two matching bow ties to fill in the gaps on the bottom left; one turns the corner.  I am debating on what color fabric to use for the first and third borders.  The pattern calls for a dark nearly black fabric.  Joe's ties aren't as vibrant at the pattern so I am thinking something brighter might be better.  Maybe a blue.  I will be auditioning once the 12th block is finished.  Perhaps I will be asking for your opinion on Working Wednesdays post.

I met up with Lorna today for a visit with approximately 70 red/white/blue quilts to the Ronald McDonald House.  These quilts were lovingly made be members of Sunshine Quilt Guild during the 2025-2026 membership year.  The hope was to have each bed with a patriotic quilt for the United States Semiquincentennial or 250th Anniversary of America.  Not sure the quilts will hold out until the 4th of July since one was already leaving the facility before we even left.

If you want to see a cute movie check out Sheep Detectives.  It is a bit silly, but all good fun for any age in your home.  

Sunday Stash Report, June 28, 2026

Since my Wednesday Workings post I have continued to work on Joe's ties project.  I will be sharing an update tomorrow on my Design Wall.  Needless to say it is coming along pretty good.  Tim remarked that the project should be getting close since that is all I have been spending my time on LOL.  Pictured above are the continuing 2.5 x 4.5 string strips in neutral for Cherry Crunch.  I still have a ways to go needing a total of 488 units.

Kassy was bothered by me moving her so I could continue trimming down to the unit size all the sets I stitched at Saturday's Sew In with my Sunshine Quilt Guild in Lakeside.  We had a great showing of 23 members sewing their various projects.  Everyone is always astounded by the sheer number of units Bonnie Hunter requires for her designs.  At this point I have used up all the long enough 1.5, 2, and 2.5 strips.  I debated on whether to start right off cutting into yardage once the 1.5 strips were spent, but decided to refresh my 2 and 2.5 strips instead.  I have a bunch of neutral yardage to do this.  Let me see another 140 units to go...  I will be putting this project away when the trimming is done to finish the Joe's ties project the rest of the week.

For now nothing to report that changes my stash.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 165.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 36.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 129 yards

Wednesday Workings, June 24, 2026

 

I have figured out what techniques work best for me for this project.  The first row of three rows of shirts is done.  This may not be how they will end up arranged in the project.  That will come when all the shirt/tie blocks are finished.  Originally I was thinking I'd need three of each tie fabric to get to the requirement for the pieced border.  I caught my mistake just now and only two are needed.  Five are needed on all four sides (seen at the top).  The corner units are just a bit different so that they turn the corners.

This is the next block and bow ties to stitch.  I do like this wild tie as it brings with it a brightness that hasn't been so far.

Shirt six is a solid tie that I have updated with the shirt fabric.  I doubt this shirt would have been in Joe's wardrobe LOL.

Design Wall Monday, June 22, 2026

Here is the first of 12 shirts that I will put together as a rememberance quilt.  The ties are those of Joe's and the quilt will go to his son as a Christmas gift.  The bow tie is a sample of what will be used for the border.

The photo of the finished quilt that I will be following for the project.  I did remaster the bow tie pattern removing Y seams.  My sample isn't perfect, but I plan to master the imperfections in matching seams.

I am now on the second shirt.  The tie needs to have a 1/4" turn and then applique into place, with the knot to do the same and land where the collar comes together.  Buttons will be put on the collar tips once the quilt is quilted.  Through trial and error I have landed on a double faced fusible to help me tame the ravel of the tie fabric.

Here are more units and the templates needed to make bow ties.  As I mentioned template Y (one the far left) will not be part of the remastered bow tie.  OMG what an ugly template LOL.

The background for all the bow ties will be this grunge fabric.

These are the remaining ten tie/shirt combinations.  I will be working on this project for awhile =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, June 21, 2026

 

Thanks to Pam in getting me started on the blanket stitch that this project was needing to call it a finish.  I helped her with HSTs and she helped me with the scalloped edge.  Of all the hangers I own, I didn't have one that would fit just right, but this hanger will work just as well.  Now to decide where to hang this 2023 UFO...

Katchfly is also a complete finish.  The charcoal binding is perfect for the last touch on this Bonnie Hunter design called Moonflower.  As I worked on this project I thought about how a teal versus the yellow might be fun too.  One is enough for me with this design =^.^=

As for stash, I won't count the wool project of Love Is All You Need.  I will be claiming Kommitted that was finished earlier this week.  I am working now on Joe's ties that is a commissioned project for a Christmas Gift.  Oh boy, trying to update the 1994 pattern...wow we've come a long way quilters!  Nothing purchased this time, yeah.

Used this week: 11 yards
Used YTD: 165.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 36.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 129 yards

Wednesday Workings, June 17, 2026

Kommitted is done and on its way to Kerry.  This project turned out nice.  I am happy that the more red scrappy strip was replaced.  I pieced together the back using every bit of the pac-man fabric.  I added to the pac-man some blue strips on one side trying to stay with the theme of the top; I think I pulled it off.  Kerry should have it in her hands on Saturday.

Kerry is working on my Kittens quilt currently, but before she started on this one Katchfly was completed.  I received it and have already started on the binding.

Inside the Katchfly box was this cute turquoise cat fabric.  Thank you Kerry!  Parts of this will find their way into a project at some point.  I try to "hide" a cat in everything I sew =^.^=  That's it for this Wednesday.  I am having one very busy week with no signs of slowing down until Sunday.

Design Wall Monday, June 15, 2026

I am just as I was yesterday.  No sewing yesterday late afternoon and no sewing today.  Tomorrow for certain will have me in my favorite seat sewing away while listening to Theo of Golden.  

Today I set out for the routine Monday with Aqua Fit at LA Fitness.  It was different since the instructor, Mo, taught her last session last week.  Marissa is the new instructor for the time being.  She has been a standin for as long as I have been attending.

This afternoon several of us retired BAE Systems girl friends/coworkers met at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido for lunch.  Learned sad news from two of the gals.  One has been undergoing cancer treatment, all is looking positive for her.  The second girl's husband passed away a while back.  Surprised at the revelation from both friends.

After a great catching up I picked up my new perscriptionglasses that I had been waiting on since May 20th.  Than headed over to Hobby Lobby to pick up a newly framed print that is mounted over our bed.  Wish my sewing machine was ready for pick up, but Paradise Sewing is closed on Mondays.

I came home to Katchfly from Kerry.  Just love the way Carnations Carnival stitched out in a silver thread.  I will be trimming it down later for binding to be stitched on soon.  She also gifted me with a FQ of turquoise cat fabric.  There should be some progress on Kommitted next time I post =^.^=

Book Club tomorrow at Spices Thai.  Book in review is one selected by me, We'll Prescribe You A Cat.

Sunday Stash Report, June 14, 2026

The setting triangles have all been sewn onto the 20 blocks.  There are three block layouts spread throughout the top.  We had weekend company that prevented me from time in my sewing room to put the final blocks and rows together.  It will not take much time now for Kommitted to complete.  

I will have to piece the back with scraps from the white/blue prints used, but I knew this would be since the cute pac-man novelty fabric purchased would not be enough.

For now this project will wait for more sewing time!  The used category will have a change next week.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 154.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 36.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 118 yards

Wednesday Workings, June 10, 2026

Kommitted is moving forward still.  I have about half of the block's setting triangles stitched.  I thought this would be a simple project to cut and stitch.  A project that would go together quickly.  Well indeed I was wrong coming to that conclusion.  It isn't that its hard mind you.  Be prepared for all the setting triangles that need to be made =^.^=

I decided to take out the fabric log in the block that is missing in the first photo.  I mentioned Monday how it stood out too much.  It will be replaced with the fabric you see above making it more desirable.  (Check out my Design Wall Post on Monday for a glimpse of the fabric that just doesn't work.)

Nothing else to share with sewing except that Cherry Crunch has about half the neutral 2.5 x 4.5 units stitched.  There are 488 to be sewn!

The last meeting of the 2025-2026 Sunshine Quilt Guild Membership concluded with a great potluck.  We had things to discuss for the upcoming membership year, sew in dates for the summer months, and winners to be drawn for several challenges.  I won prizes =^.^=  The most exciting was to win the UFO Challenge.  In this challenge for each of the nine predetermined projects you selected at the beginning of the membership year that you finished, a chance would be awarded.  At the end of the membership year one lucky winner would be selected to win the award.  Kottages was certainly my most difficult UFO to finish in this challenge.

We have guests coming on Friday, so there will be some cleanning going on around here tomorrow.  I hope to get back to Kommitted sometime after our home is ready.

Design Wall Monday, June 8, 2026

Well finally the setting triangles are all sewn.  I thought three different times that enough had been made.  Each block still needs to have the setting triangles sewn to them.  I'm thinking the block on the fourth row from the top and the third from the left needs to hve the red/white strip changed out to something different; it stands out way too much.  Kommitted is well on its way to a finish!

The first of the bears has been finished.  Really like the expression on this bear's face.

I am close to a finish on block two.  The diaper is being stitched right now.  The bear's eyes and his pacifier are ahead.  Perhaps Wednesday for more stitching.

It was a stressful day today with the Sorrento Fire so close.  I did coral the two cats and leave for a few hours.  We are located just at the edge of the evacuation zone.  DH decided to stay home; in hind sight I probably should have done the same.  One never really knows how a brush fire with a slight breeze could spread not to mention the embers.  Well all went well this time.

Sunday Stash Report, June 7, 2026

Klarity is into a top.  I was able to pick up from Rosie's the purple, black, and white/purple fabrics I needed to finish.  Yesterday I set out to put it all together.  It sure is a beauty.  I also picked up the binding that will be used once Kerry does her magic.

These are the fabrics from Rosie's that I got on Thursday.  The top piece is for the binding.

These fabrics came home on Thrusday too.  The one on the left is so darn cute.  Animals doing yoga poses and the words describing the pose.  This piece will be used for Cherry Crunch backing.  Cherry Crunch is in work now.  The one on the right is for Kommitted that has all the blocks and setting triangles finished finally.  The setting triangles took the longest sewing time.  I worked on it both Thursday and Friday during the two day Rosie's sew day.  You can see how it looks with tomorrow's design wall post.

So although there is a bunch added to my stash there is a big used in Klarity's finish.

Used this week: 16 yards
Used YTD: 154.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 13 yards
Purchased YTD: 36.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 118 yards

Wednesday Workings, June 3, 2026

 

Kringle's Kaps is finished completely.  Thank you to my sister, Karen, who started me off with an early birthday gift.  I will admit that this is quite the busy quilt with all the different fabrics.

Klarity is on my design wall in one piece.  I will be picking up the last of the fabrics needed to finish the top and backing when Rosie's sew days begin tomorrow and Friday.  I hope to match a medium purple for the outer border and pick up enough of one black for the inner border.  Some time ago I purchased three different white with purple fabrics to build a gap in my stash.  I am hoping one of these is still available for the backing.

In the meantime I have been sewing on Kommitted.  The three block designs in the top are complete.  Lots of nine patches as you can see.  Lots of blues were used up, but nearly enough to make the blue fabric tote pan to show a dent LOL.

This is the next part.  Using more blue and white fabrics and the Cozy Strip Ruler, which by the way came by way of my mom and not ever used.  Kommitted is close to a finish =^.^=

I plan to work on this at Rosie's and then get to Cherry Crunch if time prevails.  Lofy goals, but that is my style.  Happy Hump Day!

Design Wall Monday, June 1, 2026

 

Klarity is on my design wall today.  My goal of stitching all the rows together was a bit too lofty.  I did get stitched the right side.  I will start at the top left and work towards the middle when I pick this up again.

I have started Kommitted.  The first part is done.  I am working on the second part now.  

The photo above is what this project will look like when finished.

Sunday Stash Report, May 31, 2026

Katchfly is finished.  I pressed it along with the backing yesterday.  Today it will be packaged up along with Kittens and some strips of gray for Kerry's Moonflower.  I have found a charocal large enough for the binding that will be ready for this project when it returns.  This is a 2026 UFO.  I have only four 2026 UFOs left to finish =^.^=

I also finished Love Is All You Need a 2023 UFO.  This was a tough project for me because it was wool and embroidery stitches that I had never executed before.  I will be looking for the appropriate clip board to mount it on.  I still have one 2023 UFO left to finish =^.^=

I have rows to sew together and the border to put on Klarity.  I finished all the blocks at the annual guild retreat earlier this month.  Believe it or not I don't have enough black or purple for the borders and neither enough for backing.  It is a Rosie's sew week where I will be looking for what I need to finish this Bonnie Hunter project called September Sky.  (I will photograph better next time!)

Kommitted is on the table.  Kommitted is from Lissa Alexander, All People Quilt February 2026 issue called True Blue.  Come back tomorrow to see where I am with this next sewing project.

Used this week: 12.25 yards
Used YTD: 138.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 23.5 yards
Net used in 2026: 115 yards