Best of Life In Pieces for 2022

Just a few more days left of 2022.  I'm ready for a new year, 2022 wasn't one of my better years on several fronts.  I'm hopeful that 2023 will be happier and more productive than this year has been.  Maybe this year more than past years,  it's important to look back at what did go well. Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs is encouraging us to look at the Best of 2022.  

 

Here's my best of list for 2022 for Life in Pieces. 

1. Most Views (368): Still Mostly Here

I took an unannounced break from blogging from early June to late  September this year.  This post was written in response to the many emails in June/July asking how things were going on my end. Thank you to everyone who reached out.  It wasn't a good time for me and I'm not sure I would have have come back to blogging without your encouragement. 

2. Most Comments (22): First Finish of 2022   

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence) was one of only two finishes for 2022.  The quilt started as my 2017 Rainbow Scrap Project and the setting is self designed.  It's one of my favorite finished quilts.  

3. Most Link Ups for 15 Minutes to Stitch (19 - Weeks 2, 6, 18)

All three weeks had 19 link ups, which is better than the max link ups in 2021 by one.  The average number of link ups for 2022 was 13, which is the same as 2021.  I really appreciate all bloggers who came back to link up after 4 months of hiatus. Thank you!  

4. Most Fun Finish: Finishing Potions

Potions (Reactive Intermediates) was made specifically for Grad Girl's undergraduate research advisor.  I will admit piecing those flasks gave me a few fits, but it was such a fun project to work on. The filling solutions were all pulled from my scrap bins. I had such a good time deciding on the colors and fabrics. 

5. My Favorite Family Photo Challenge Post: Week 34 - A Panorama

It's hard to pick a favorite set of photos from the challenge, but the panorama shots are some of my most favorite from this year.  It's been such a fun family activity because Grad Girl can still participate from college.  It's been interesting to see how we each interpret the prompt each week.  We still have 3 to 4 months of cards left in the deck.  My Guy got a new deck of photo cards for Christmas, so the challenge will continue once this deck is gone.  

That's my Best of Life in Pieces for 2022.  It was a year of real highs and lows for me, I'm hoping that 2023 is more of the highs and a lot less of the lows.  

First Finish of 2022: Cabins and Fans (AKA Fluorescence)

With all the craziness going on the last few weeks I didn't get photos of my first finish till last Monday.  Our house is on the dark side, so you need both a sunny day and a free afternoon to get decent inside photos. Cabins and Fans, renamed Fluorescence by the Scientist in Training, was finished on February 24, 2022.  

Fluorescence (AKA Cabins and Fans), self designed
Started Jan 6, 2017: Finished Feb 24, 2022

Fluorescence started out as my 2017 Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  Since I tend to stall out on figuring out a setting for my RSC projects, it seemed wise to work out a setting before I get started on making the blocks.  All the blocks started out as a paper pieced fan block.

It appears that even with a completed design in EQ, an RSC project needs to marinate a few years before it gets added back to the in progress list.  Even though all the fan blocks were made in 2017, quilt assembly didn't start up again until April of 2021.  

Trudy didn't disappoint on the quilting. 

The quilting is easier to see from the back.

This quilt will be going to one of the SITs college mentors, the professor that requested her as a teaching assistant.  Here's the label (minus the message to the professor)

I will miss working with these colorful blocks. I've played around in EQ with making a version with a white or gray background and the colors just don't seem to pop as much. I have some other versions drafted in EQ with a combination of  two blocks (one of which does have a log cabin block).  With the push to work down the UFO list, there haven't been any new RSC challenge blocks the last couple of years. Maybe a few more projects will come off the list this year and I can add a new RSC project to next year's list.  

Linking up with Monday Making, Monday Design Wall, and Patchwork & Quilts.  

PHD in 2022: February Progress

I'm a few days late on posting the progress on my PHD in 2022, so I won't be able to link up with Quilting Gail this month. But I still want to celebrate all the progress in February, especially since the last weekend was so chaotic and stressful.  I really need to celebrate something! 

So here's my report for February. 

No new starts, that's worth celebrating.  My Guy seems to have problems avoiding squirrels, so far I've done well at avoiding the quilty ones.  Even better, the report shows the first finish for 2022!  

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence, self designed) is labeled and bound. I didn't get my glamour shots of the quilt till yesterday afternoon, I'll do a full post on the finish soon. 

Unity (Bonnie Hunter 2020 Quilt Along) is moving along slowly. 

Just three more stars left to finish off the last pieced border.  I'm hopeful of seeing this project reach completion this year. 

Macaron Mystery (Meadow Mist Designs 2021 Mystery Quilt along) has a few blocks finished.  

I'm really happy with all my fabric selections worked out.  These blocks go together fast since all the subunits are finished.  

Rhododendron Mystery (Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery Quilt Along) is moving along a lot slower. 

One block A and one block B were finished last month.  Those little hour glass blocks in block B take a bit to construct.  I think this one is going to be another slow moving project. That's OK, as long as it's progressing, I'll be happy. 

Potions (Flying Parrot Quilts) is zooming along. 

All that's missing for Potions to be a finished quilt top is the last border across the top.  That has since been added.  All the flask blocks were finished, the rows assembled and the sashing added last month.  This quilt has a May deadline, so I'm happy that this project has stayed on track. It should be ready to go out for quilting in a week or so.  

So one finish, no new starts and progress on four other projects on my PHD list for 2022.  Not a bad start to the year.   

To Do Tuesday for the Week of 2/22/2022

February has apparently become the whiplash month for weather.  The high yesterday was in the 70's, today we won't hit 40 F. Tomorrow we have a winter weather advisory the runs into Thursday.  I'm ready for spring already! 

Moving right along.  It's Tuesday, time to link up with Linda of Texas Quilt Gal for To Do Tuesday.  I checked off most of the items on last week's To Do List. 

To Do List for 2/15/2022

• Potions: Assemble rows ✔
• Cabins and Fans: Finish stitching down binding - progress
• Macaron Mystery: Work on January and February clues ✔
• Rhododendron Mystery: Work on blocks A and B ✔
• Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders ✔

Four check marks out of a possible five isn't a bad week at all. Assembling the rows for Potions took a lot of my stitching time, so there wasn't as much progress on the other projects this week.  That will probably be the case till Potions goes out for quilting.  

So what's on this week's list? Pretty much what was on last week's list. 

To Do List for 2/22/2022

Potions:  Add background sashing strips, assemble quilt top

Two of the background sashing strips have already been added.  Just 4 left to stitch on, then I can start sewing the quilt top together.  

Cabins and Fans: Finish stitching on the binding.

I worked so hard on Potions, that I didn't quite finish the binding. Just one more corner left to turn and this will be a finished quilt.  That should definitely happen this week.  

Macaron Mystery:  Continue working on Jan and Feb clues

I finished all the block A's this weekend.  Now I can start working on the block B's.  I'm really looking forward to seeing this quilt come together. I'm really happy with my fabric choices for this one. 

Rhododendron Mystery:  Work on blocks A and B

It takes a bit of stitching to make enough hourglass subunits to make a block B.  I'm focusing on those right now as they will take longer than the components for block A.  

Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders

  

One more block on the design wall since last week. It's been slow, but steady progress so far this year.  I'm looking forward to finishing this project.  

That's my list for the week.  Good luck with your to do list.  

To Do Tuesday for the Week of 2/15/2022

Valentine's Day was pretty low key.  We treated ourselves to a fancy take out dinner. It was really good.  Unfortunately the glass of wine I had with dinner made it hard to do much in the sewing room, I'm such a light weight on that front. Consequently I was in bed pretty early last night.  It's a good thing that the last item on last week's to do list was checked off over the weekend.

To Do List for the Week of 2/8/2022

• Potions: Finish all the flask blocks ✔
• Cabins and Fans: Attach binding and start hand sewing ✔
• Macaron Mystery: Work on the January clue ✔
• Rhododendron Mystery: Make hour glass blocks for block B ✔
• Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders. ✔

  

The list is all checked off for last week.  Fingers crossed I can do it again this week.  

To Do List for the Week of 2/15/2022

Potions: Assemble Rows

Potions: Pattern from Flying Parrots Quilts

All the blocks are done and the dark blue for the shelves is ready to stitch to the rows when they are assembled.  This week the plan is to get the blocks all stitched into rows. If I get the "shelf" part sewn on as well, that's a bonus.  That will just leave the row of background fabric that goes above each row to stitch together, cut to size and stitch on to finish the quilt top assembly. There is a possibility I'll add borders, we'll wait and see how it all looks once it's assembled.  

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence): Finish stitching on the binding

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence): self designed

I've stitched past two corners, so just 2 left.  That should be doable this week. 

Macaron Mystery: Work on January and February Clues

Macaron Mystery: Meadow Mist Designs 2021 Mystery quilt along

I did put one block together to see how my fabrics were going to work in the final layout.  I like it. Hopefully once Potions is out for quilting, I can concentrate on finishing up these blocks. 

Rhododendron Mystery: Work on blocks A and B

Rhododendron Mystery: The 2021 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt Along

I finished off a B block this week.  Those hourglass blocks aren't my favorite think to make.  I've got a ways to go on this project. I'd like to have it finished before the next Bonnie Hunter kicks off in November. 

Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders

Unity: The Bonnie Hunter 2020 Stay at Home Quilt Along

Half the blocks needed for the final pieced border are up on the design wall.  At some point, Unity will probably become my focus project, but for now it will stay the leaders and enders project. 

That's my list for this week. If I can stay on track with Potions and finish the binding for Fluorescence it will be a good week.  

Linking up with Linda, The Texas Quilt Gal for To Do Tuesday.  

To Do Tuesday for the Week of 2/8/2022

We are already a week into February. With it being such a short month, we'll be at the end of it before we know it. January always seems to drag, but February just flies.  It's Tuesday, so it's time to draw up a new To Do List and link up with Linda of Texas Quilt Gal for this week's To Do Tuesday.  Before getting to this week's list, I should look at the progress on last week's list.  

To Do List for Week of 2/1/2022

• Potions: Make 7 flask blocks ✔
• Cabins and Fans: Trim quilt, make binding, print label ✔
• Macaron Mystery: Work on January clue ✔
• Rhododendron Mystery: Work on Block A and Block B ✔
• Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders ✔

A check mark on each item feels good.  Though the last three items aren't progressing really quickly as my focus is the first two items on the list. The emphasis will be the same in this week's list.  

To Do List for Week of 2/8/2022

Potions: Finish making all the flask blocks

Potions: pattern from Flying Parrots Quilts

I've finished just over half the flask blocks. Now that I've got the assembly mostly down, the last few blocks should go pretty quickly.  

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence): Attach binding to front, start hand stitching to the back.

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence): self designed

The quilt is trimmed, label and binding made, so all that's left is to get the binding on the quilt and stitched down.  With the focus on Potions, I won't get the hand stitching done this week, but this should be finished before the end of the month.  

Macaron Mystery: Work on the January clue.

Macaron Mystery: Meadow Mist Designs 2021 Mystery quilt

Not a lot of progress this week, but the pile of dual flying geese blocks has grown a bit. I've been stitching one pair of geese with all the flask blocks, so it's slow going.  At least there is some progress. Work will pick up once Potions is out for quilting.  

Macaron Mystery: Make hourglass blocks for block B.

Rhododendron Mystery: Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery Quilt

 

Not a lot of progress on this project either, but I've been adding a set of HSTs with each set of flask blocks I make. Slow progress, but at least progress hasn't completely stopped.  

Unity: Stitch flying geese as leaders and enders.

Unity: Bonnie Hunter 2020 Stay at Home Quilt Along

Progress on Unity is slow and steady.  I've been sticking in the occasional square in a square block to the leaders and enders pile. Hopefully by the time Potions is a quilt top, I'll have all the pieces needed to finish off the last pieced border.  

I'm on track with Potions and none of the other projects have stalled. I'm happy with progress to date. I'm off on Friday, but My Guy isn't. I'm hopeful of getting in a nothing but stitching day then. Good luck with your To Do List this week.  

PHD in 2022: January Progress

The second round of snow didn't amount to much, but 6" of snow is a lot more than we normally get.  We've been told to work from home for another day. So my commute will be from my recliner to my home office today, no walk across the parking lot in the cold.  

I'm participating in Quilting Gail's PHD (Projects Half Done) again this year as additional motivation to get a few more projects off the UFO list.  

I had a solid month of stitching time with lots of progress, but no finishes yet.

But no new starts and there's been some progress on 5 projects.  Really not a bad month.  

Cabins and Fans (Fluorescence) is quilted. 

This will be my first finish for 2022.  The label is designed, it just needs to be printed and rinsed.  The plan is to get the quilt trimmed and binding made this weekend.  

Unity (Bonnie Hunter 2020 Sew in Place Quilt Along) has been progressing slowly, it's been my leader and ender project for a while.  

The last border is under construction, a quarter of the way complete.  Unity will probably be my second finish for 2022.  It's been slow going, but at least the project never completely stalled out.  

Unfortunately January wasn't the best month for the Macaron Mystery (Meadow Mist Design 2021 Mystery).

There was progress, just not a lot of it.  I made a start on the January clue, but didn't come close to finishing it.  The reveal came out yesterday. I'll be playing catch up for a couple of months. 

There was more progress on the Rhododendron Mystery (Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery), 

Several block A's are made, but block B is going to be chore to finish up.  Rhododendron is likely to become my next leaders and enders project.  

Potions (Flying Parrot Quilts) has been my main focus for January. 

There was just one block completed at the end of December.  All the test tube and beaker blocks were finished in January.  All that's left is the flask blocks, but those are going to be really fiddly.  Fingers crossed I can stay on schedule with those.  The plan is to have  a finished quilt top by the end of the month.  

No finishes, but no starts and lots of progress on the project with a May deadline. I'm calling January a success. I've got to get to eat breakfast now and then get to work, but you can check out more January 2022 PHD Reports over at Quilting Gail.  

To Do Tuesday for 2/1/2022

Welcome to February!  January always seems to be such a long month. Maybe because it's typically so much calmer than December?  It's definitely still winter, the forecast says ice and snow starting for us tonight. Thankfully we are farther north and in a valley, so we are likely to get mostly snow.  Ice storms are the worst.  

It's Tuesday, so it's time to link up with Linda over at Texas Quilt Gal for To Do Tuesday. I was doing so well on my To Do List till Saturday. Let's just say my weekend didn't go as I had hoped.  There was no sewing time.  It's a good thing I did so well at keeping up during the week.  

To Do List for 1/25/2022

• Potions: Finish beaker blocks, cut fabrics for flasks - progress
• Cabins and Fans: Trim quilt, make binding - no progress
• Rhododendron Mystery: Work on A and B blocks ✔
• Macaron Mystery: Work on January clue ✔
• Unity: Make flying geese as leaders and enders ✔

Three out of 5 with progress on another one really isn't a bad week.  Losing the weekend stitching time usually impacts the to do list. I'm hoping for more check marks this week.  

To Do List for 2/1/2022

Potions: Make 7 flask blocks

Potions: pattern by Flying Parrots Quilts

 

All the white pieces are cut for these blocks. I still need to cut the background pieces and the colored pieces.  That should go pretty quickly and then I can start on the assembly.  

Cabins and Fans: Trim quilt, make binding, print label

I didn't touch the quilt, but the Scientist in Training approved the final label for the quilt and gave me the note to the recipient. The label is meant to look like a laboratory notebook. This professor is in charge of the undergraduate chemistry labs, so that seemed fitting.  The SIT decided on the name.   So though I didn't trim the quilt or make the binding there was still a bit of progress on this project. 

Macaron Mystery: Work on the January Clues

Macaron Mystery: Meadow Mist Designs 2021 Mystery Quilt Along

 

I got way behind this month. With my focus on getting Potions done, there just wasn't much time to work on this clue.  The photo shows all the assembly that's left to do on last month's clue. This month's clue comes out on Thursday.  I won't be caught up by then, but maybe I can make some headway on that by the end of the weekend.

Rhododendron Mystery: Work on blocks A and B

Rhododendron Mystery: Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery Quilt Along

  

I finished one block A and stitched more on the one block B.  Progress on this one is going to be slow as the plan is to focus on Potions and Macaron this week.  

Unity: Continue to make flying geese as leaders and enders

Unity: Bonnie Hunter Stay at Home Quilt Along

This project continues to move along slowly and that's OK.  It will be finished this year, maybe late this year, but definitely this year.  

That's my list for this week.  Good luck with your to do list this week.  

To Do Tuesday for the Week of 1/25/2022

This is the last To Do Tuesday for January.  Already?  I'm close to finishing up my One Monthly Goal for the month, so that should get done.  I won't have any finishes this month, but there has definitely been good progress as last week's To Do List shows.  

To Do List for 1/18/2022

• Potions: Make 5 beaker blocks ✔
• Rhododendron Mystery: Work on A and B blocks ✔
• Macaron Mystery: Continue to work on the January Clue ✔
• Unity: Continue making flying geese as leader and enders ✔

So four for four this week.  Potions is my "get it done project", so I'm not doing as much with the other three projects. So long as I can see some progress at the end of the week, I'm happy.  It will be more of the same on this week's list. 

To Do List for 1/25/2022

Potions: Finish the beaker blocks, cut pieces for flask blocks

Potions: pattern by Flying Parrots Quilts

Just four more beaker blocks left to make. As long as I've got time to sew, these should get finished this week. I'm on track with this project. The goal is to have the quilt out the door for quilting by the end of March. 

Cabins and Fans: Trim quilt and make binding

Cabins and Fans, self designed

Cabins and Fans is back from being quilted and it looks good. The Scientist in Training needs to send me the message for the quilt label as this is a gift for one of her mentors.  But I can get going on the finishing steps.  I'm hoping for an early February finish. 

Rhododendron Mystery: Continue Working on the A and B blocks

Rhododendron Mystery: Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery Quilt Along

 

One more A block up on the design wall. I've decided to go with a 4 by 4 setting, so I'll need 16 A blocks and 9 B blocks.  Those hourglass blocks are going to take some time to make.  I suspect this will be my next leaders and enders project once Unity is finished.  

Macaron Mystery: Continue to work on the January Clue

Macaron Mystery: Meadow Mist Designs 2021 Mystery Quilt Along

This is the project I've made the least progress on so far this month. The next clue doesn't come out till the first week in February so I have time to make a bit more progress on these subunits.  

Unity: Continue making flying geese as leaders and enders

Unity: Bonnie Hunter Stay at Home Quilt Along

The last set of blocks needed for the last pieced border are coming together slowly.  Once Potions and the Cabins and Fans projects are finished quilts, I'm going to bump Unity up to the top of the to be finished quilts. It's getting close.  

That's my list for this week.  Potions is my focus, so if all I make progress on is that, I'm doing well.  Good luck with your lists this week.  Linking up with Linda of Texas Quilt Gal for To Do Tuesday.