PHD in 2025

This year will be my seventh attempt to earn a PHD. Ms. P Designs USA is again hosting the 2025 PHD challenge.  The rules are simple, 1) finish twelve UFOs and 2)Finish all new starts (unless they are mysteries/BOMs that run into 2026).  I've never finished more than seven quilts in one year. I'm hoping that all the progress last year will help me finish 12 this year. Even if I don't get that far, if I can reduce the total number of UFOs this year I'll be happy.  

Last year's efforts reduced the number of UFOs that just needed assembly, that leaves me this year with six quilt tops to be finished, two projects that need assembly and lots of projects that still need the blocks finished.  I've already planned for three new projects this year as I've learned, focusing only on UFOs isn't fun.  The plan is to pull one quilt top per month get it out for quilting and one project that needs the blocks finished. I'll work in the ones that just need assembly somewhere in there.  

The finished quilt tops have shown up on other posts this week, but I'll add them here as reference for later. 

Chocolate Marshmallows (Seabreeze Quilts), Squared Away (SoScrappy), Chilhowie (Bonnie Hunter), Malted Mystery (Meadow Mist Designs), Indigo Way (Bonnie Hunter), Betty (Meadow Mist Designs)

Quilts to Assemble 

Kate's Choice (my quilt as you go project) and the 2024 Guild BOM. 

Projects that still need the blocks constructed. 

Celtic Solstice (Bonnie Hunter), On Ringo Lake (Bonnie Hunter), Good Fortune (Bonnie Hunter), Wild and Goosey (Bonnie Hunter), Simply Sensational Summer Scrap Quilt (Kevin the Quilter), Marble Mystery (Meadow Mist Designs),Old Town (Bonnie Hunter), 2025 Guild BOM.

A sub goal for 2025 would be to get all my versions of Bonnie Hunter mysteries into quilt tops by the end of the year.  There are 4 on this year's PHD list.  it would be nice to get them all made into finished quilts, but that's not likely. 

I'm planning 3 new starts for next year, the 2025 SAHRR (Quilting Gail), 2025 Meadow Mist Designs Mystery and the 2025 Bonnie Hunter Mystery.  Hopefully I can hold the line at those three. If I can do as well on finishes this year as I did last year, the number of UFOs should go down.  At least that's the plan.  Here's my PHD Report tracking card for this year. 

 

 And here's my project tracker for this year. 

I'm dreaming big this year, I've never had more than 12 projects on my PHD.  I won't finish all of these, but if I can make progress on each one, it will have been a good year.    

PHD in 2021

It's the last day of 2020.  The pandemic has made life challenging in so many areas, but the year has been good in that I've been home to sew more. That helped take a small bite out of the UFO list.  Playing along with Quilting Gail's PHD in 2020 challenge was also a good motivator.  Gail is again hosting a PHD in 2021 Challenge, as my UFO list still has 22 projects on it, I'm definitely playing along again.    

I've selected 12 projects to focus on for 2021. My plan is finish at least 8 of the quilts on the list. I've never finished more than 7 in one year, so 12 would be a real stretch. So earning my PHD isn't likely, but I'll settle for a MS (mostly stitched) for 2021.  But by listing 12, if I hit a snag with any one project, I'll be able to switch to another pretty easily. 

Here's my project list for 2021.  

Here's what I'm starting with for each projects.  

1. Red, White and Blue Stars

Red, White and Blue Stars, Self Designed

This is my oldest UFO from 2005.  It started as just blocks at the beginning of 2020 and it made it to finished quilt top before the holidays caught up with me. I'm excited to get this one finished.  It needs the backing made before it can be prepped and sent out for quilting.  I'm hoping this will be finish #1 in 2021.  

2. Unity

2020 Bonnie Hunter Sew-In-Place Quilt Along

I had allowed myself three new starts in 2020, one of those starts could be anything that caught my fancy.  When Bonnie Hunter surprised everyone with mystery quilt along to help quilter's cope with the stay at home orders back in March, it seemed to be the perfect project for that open slot.  I never keep up with Bonnie's mystery, but really enjoy them.   Hopefully this will be my second finish in 2021.  

3. Morewood Mystery

Morewood Mystery by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs

The other annual mystery that I enjoy is from Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs.  This was one of three new projects I allowed myself in 2020.  The last clue doesn't come out till April, so this will probably be a mid year finish.  

4. Grassy Creek

Grassy Greek, the 2020 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

The third new project on my allowed new starts list for 2020 was Bonnie Hunter's annual holiday mystery quilt along. I decided to make only half the units to start in hopes that I'll be able to finish this one up by midyear.    

5. Cabins and Fans

 Cabins and Fans, self designed

This was my 2017 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt. I started with the end in mind hoping that would mean I would end the year with a finished quilt.  I did get all the blocks done, but didn't get them assembled into a finished quilt.  This quilt will be a graduation thank you quilt that needs to be finished before May 2022.  I'm hoping to get it finished and off the list by mid year. We'll see how that goes.  

6. Scrappy Butterflies

Scrappy Butterflies Block is available in EQ 7 Block Library

These butterfly blocks were my 2013 RSC blocks.  They've sat and sat because I've not been able to come up with a setting. I really don't want to just sash and border these blocks.  So I'm going to play around in EQ8 and see if I can come up with something that's just a bit special. I may or may not end up finishing the quilt this year. But any progress would be good.     

7. Squared Away Sampler

 Squared Away Sampler
designed by Mari (The Academic Quilter) and Angela (Soscrappy)
The 2018 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Project

This sampler was my 2018 RSC project and became another set of blocks I didn't know how to set.  I'm going to do a simple sashing, probably with an on point setting, but I couldn't decide on the fabric for the sashing.  I'm going to look at how others finished theirs and see if that inspires a choice I'm happy with. If this one gets finished, it will be in the second half of the year.  

8. Chocolate Marshmallows

Chocolate Marshmallows, pattern by Amanda Bergamin
of Sea Breeze Quilts

These blocks were started as part of a quilt along over at Sea Breeze quilts back in 2014. Another set of blocks that I've not been able to come up with a setting for.  It may be time to just sash them and maybe come up with a fun border treatment. Anything to just get them off the UFO list.  

9. On Ringo Lake

On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter 2017 Mystery Quilt

On Ringo Lake is the 2017 Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt along.  It's been so long since I've looked at this that I'm not sure exactly where I'm at. Making the sashing blocks?  If I get this far, I'll have to figure that out.  

10. Neutral Gems

Neutral Gems, from the pattern Gems by Donna Lynn Thomas,
found in the book Patchwork Palette

Neutral Gems was started in 2013. That's the year I played along with Cat's Patches New FO Challenge and started a new project every month.  I can look back now and see that year of starting 12 new projects is probably one reason my UFO list is still so long in 2021.  If I remember correctly, there is still some block construction needed to move this quilt along.  

11. Grandmothers Flower Garden

Grandmother's Flower Garden

My second oldest UFO.  The blocks didn't work out how I planned and I'm not really in love with this project. But I want to finish it.  So the path forward will be to figure out a path forward and finish this as either a table runner or other small project.  

12. Celtic Solstice

Celtic Solstice, the 2013 Bonnie Hunter Mystery

This was my first attempt at a Bonnie Hunter mystery. I was seriously unprepared for the amount of stitching it required. I really do love how my version was working out, so I'd love to finish this project. The picture pretty much shows where the project stood when it got put into a project box. I'll have to pull out all the instructions and decide how much is needed to finish a throw sized project.  

That's the working plan for my PHD in 2021.  You can see what everyone else has decided to work at the PHD in 2021 Linky Party. 

Weekend Stitching - Mysteries of Christmas Past

Stitching time was pretty much nonexistent this last week.  Between playing catch up on special projects at work, Christmas shopping and wrapping presents, my stitching time has been pretty limited.  I'm using a single fabric for Good Fortune's Clue 4, so not much to show off there.  The plan is to find out where clue 4 fits in and see how my color choice of black works with the other pieces.  If it doesn't work, I can change it out.  So for now, I'm not going to cut those rectangles.  

So while there is no progress to show on Good Fortune, it's been a while since I posted about the current leader and ender project. 

On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter 2017 Mystery Quilt

I'm up to 18 blocks for On Ringo Lake, last year's mystery.  I need 32 blocks for an on point setting and 35 for a straight setting.  So I'm close to half way.  There is a growing stack of block parts over at the sewing machine, so there should be some more blocks going up on the wall soon.  Hopefully this one will be ready to assemble when I finish all the block parts for Good Fortune.  

Good Fortune is my sixth Bonnie Hunter Mystery.  Celtic Solstice from 2013 is the only other one that I've started, but not finished.  

Celtic Solstice the 2013 Bonnie Hunter Mystery

This was my first Bonnie Hunter mystery.  I've since learned to keep up with the blocks as a leader and ender project through the next year.  I've finished all the other mysteries that way.  

The 2014 mystery was Grand Illusion.

 Grand Illusion, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2014)

This is probably my least favorite of the Bonnie Hunter quilts that I've made.  Next was Allietare in 2015, my favorite finished mystery quilt so far. 

Allietare, The 2015 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

Allietare was donated to the Quilts of Valor program, so I'm sure it found a good home.  

My next favorite BH mystery was En Provence from 2016. 

En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

En Provence went to live with my niece and she loves it.  

My holiday vacation starts Thursday afternoon, so I'm looking forward to clue 5 of Good Fortune.  Hopefully we'll start assembling the blocks. 

Linking up with the regular Monday show and tell linky parties.

Monday Making
Monday Design Wall  

Design Wall Monday - a Quiet Weekend

It was a quiet weekend.  Drama Teen elected to go spend the night with a friend on Saturday.  So we had the house to ourselves.  It always amazes me just how quiet it is around here when DT is off somewhere.  Even when she's gone, I still listen for her.  I guess it's a "mom thing".  Does it go away when they leave for college?  

So there was no Drama Teen who needed to be carted somewhere and it was so cold even My Guy just wanted to stay home.  I got my wish of a "stay at home" weekend. Though it's hard to tell from what's up on the design wall, that meant a lot of time in the sewing room.  Most of the activity this weekend focused on cutting fabric, not so much stitching it back together.  But there have been a few additions to the design wall.  

Celtic Solstice grew by two blocks.

Celtic Solstice
a Bonnie Hunter Mystery

I've got lots of 4 patches and split triangles made, but I need to cut more fabric to make more chevrons and triangle in a square blocks. Since I need to focus on some other projects, CS is probably coming off the design wall later this week. 

A few more Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler blocks were completed.  

 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler
By Angela Feldbush of Soscrappy

I'm enjoying making these little blocks.  The Tic-Tac-Toe one was a bit of a challenge to get it all to line up, but it came out OK.  

Finally, I pulled out all the pieces of the Drama Teen's Jigsaw quilt and finished up another block. 

Jigsaw
pattern by Alyssa Clancy for Lehmann Quilting

I promised DT a bed and bath redo this year.  Since this quilt is the center piece of that, it needs to get done.  These blocks are simple to sew, but keeping up with which tabs go in which blocks has been a challenge.  Two more blocks are kitted up and ready to sew.  Hopefully those will show up on the design wall next Monday.  

That's what's up on my design wall at the moment.  Check out Patchwork Times to see what's up elsewhere.  

Design Wall Monday - A Little Progress

The weekend was way too short.  That's what happens when one spends Friday night and most of Saturday somewhere else other than home.  It was nice to get to stay home on Sunday and stay out of the cold.  

Most of yesterday afternoon was spent in the sewing room. It's the only real sewing that got done this week.  I finished two more blocks for Celtic Solstice.  

Celtic Solstice
a Bonnie Hunter Mystery

I love the secondary pattern in this pattern.  

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler blocks was the other project that got some attention yesterday.  

 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler
By Angela Feldbush of Soscrappy

Pink is this month's color, but I wanted to finish up the blue ones before I put those scraps up.  Only one got added to the design wall, but there are two more in progress.  So far I've not duplicated any scraps in these blocks.  

That's it for me this week. Hopefully this week won't be so crazy and there will be time for some stitching.  Check out all the other design walls linked up over at Patchwork Times.  

Design Wall Monday - Mainly Scraps

It was definitely one of those Mondays at our house today.  I fully intended to get a blog post written, but that didn't happen with all the chaos.  

There has been some progress on a few projects.  A few blocks have been added to Celtic Solstice.

Celtic Solstice
a Bonnie Hunter Mystery

One additional block for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler is done.

Plus, I finished butterfly block number 2 of what was supposed to have been last year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  

 Scrappy Butterflies
Block is available in EQ 7 Block Library

Progress will be slow this week.  There is a swim meet on Tuesday and Saturday.  District Science fair is this weekend.  I'm judging Friday night, My Guy will judge on Saturday.  Drama Teen will also be going on Saturday as Science Fair participation counts as one of the three major projects for her biology class.  This is just going to be one busy week.  

I'm linking up, though it is rather late, with Judy over at Patchwork Times.  

Design Wall Monday - CS and RSCS Progress

Monday morning always seems to come as a bit of a shock, especially after having a three day weekend.  It's just hard to switch gears from the home front back to the stuff going on in the office.  

Having Friday off meant that I got in some significant stitching time.  Progress was made on Celtic Solstice.

Celtic Solstice
a Bonnie Hunter Mystery

I've got pieces made for several more blocks, so this should grow a bit more over the next week.  

In order to make a bit a dent in my scraps, I started the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler being offered by Soscrappy as part of this year's challenge.  

 

I'm having fun playing with my scraps.  Sampler block 5 is cut out and partially assembled.  I also finished the Inverted Star block which is the original project I had in mind for the RSC this year.  It's also this month's planned NewFO project.  

Inverted Star (available from Craftsy,
from Common Threads  

Mon Ami is January's UFO.  The label got made this weekend and the binding is sewn to the front, and I've started stitching the binding to the back.  

Modified from Mon Ami
by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company

So I'm on track with this month's goals.  It would be nice to end January with a finish.  

That's it for what's going on in my sewing room.  There's more January progress posted over at Judy's Patchwork Times.    

Design Wall Monday

It was a slow weekend around here for a change.  My main goal was to get caught up on laundry.  The piles had gotten a big large since we were gone for a lot of the holiday, then I got sick when we got home.  The piles are much smaller this morning, so we'll have clothes to make it through the week.  I managed to fit in a bit of stitching both days this weekend, though from what's up on design wall you can't tell much happened.  

All the pieces of Celtic Solstice are sewn into blocks.  

Celtic Solstice
a Bonnie Hunter Mystery

It doesn't look much different than last week in the picture.  I need to cut some more pieces in order to finish more blocks.  

Scrappy Stars has been my leaders and enders project for the last few months.  One more star was finished this weekend. 

Folk Art Christmas Stars

by Robyn Pandolph

Only 2 or 3 more stars left to make for this project and I can start setting them together.  Scrappy Stars is my oldest UFO.  It would be nice to finish it this year.  

In between stitching on the machine, I've been pressing fabric and cutting scraps.  I'm determined to get my sewing room better organized this year.  I'm hoping that getting all my fabric where I can see it will make it easier to resist purchasing any more.  

That's it for what's new on my design wall.  Check out all the other cool design walls over at Patchwork Times.   

Monday Design Wall - Celtic Solstice

Some Monday's are just harder than others.  I'm still dealing with the dregs of that cold I had last week and it's cold outside.  I know it's not as cold here as it is up north, but I'm sitting in our home office with a quilt draped over me because the heat just can't keep up.  I'm not looking forward to heading into work, our building is notoriously cold in this kind of weather.  Drama Teen was supposed to go back to school today, but they've canceled school.  I'm not sure if it's because of the 4 to 6 inches of snow we got yesterday or if the bitter cold caused them to make that decision.  Of course she's delighted to have one more day of holiday break before she starts the second semester.  

Now that the holidays are over, I've had more time to sew.  I made enough progress on Celtic Solstice to be able to put some pieces up on the design wall and check out how well the secondary design shows up.  

It's going to look good.  I'm still not thrilled with the lighter brown, but it looks OK.  It definitely has a southwestern feel to it.  No one at my place has claimed it as their own, so I'm thinking this may be this year's QOV.  

Bonnie is supposed to have one more linky party so everyone can show off how their blocks look together.  I'm also linking up to Judy's Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the eye candy at both blogs, there will be a lot of it.  

December NewFO - Celtic Solstice Mystery

Hard to believe it's the last day of 2013.  Especially since I've been sick since just after Christmas.  What I thought was just sinus crud morphed into a cold and I've been in bed most of the time since we got home from our Christmas trip to see the family.  Consequently, not much has happened in the sewing room.  I'm hoping the worst is past and that I'll feel more like myself my last two days of vacation so I can enjoy some play time in the sewing room.

I did find time to start Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice mystery before Christmas got so hectic.  That's my December NewFO.  Last night I did manage to stitch up 2 blocks of clue 5 that was released last Friday.  That was all I managed before the cold medication kicked in and my eye lids got too heavy to hold up.  

None of the clues are finished, but I've been starting on each new clue while working on the older ones.  

I've made the most progress on the 4 patches, there's another 10 of those piled in stack that aren't on the design wall.  I should at least be able to start assembling the blocks when we finally get to that point.  

Looking back at this year, I've started 12 quilts.  

Of those 12, I've finished two.  So that's 10 projects left on the WIP list (I don't consider a project a UFO till it's a year old). It's been a good year for starts in my sewing room.  Now I just need to get working on a few finishes.  

Check out all the NewFOs over at Cat Patches.  I'm also linking up with Bonnie Hunter's Week 5 linky party.  I'm a day late to that linky, but that's better than never.  

Other than some lingering congestion and a bit of a headache, I seem to be over the worst of the cold.  I hope that means some significant stitching time is in my future this afternoon.  That's probably the most excitement I'm going to be able to handle this New Year's Eve.  

Monday Design Wall and Celtic Solstice Progress

We survived the weekend ice storm with no power loss and no damage.  But it's still bitterly cold outside.  Other than a quick trip out with Drama Teen to get our hair cut and pick up coffee yesterday, we didn't venture out all.  Well that's not quite true I did venture outside in an attempt to get some cool shots of all the ice clad trees.  I lasted all of about 5 minutes.  The north wind was very persuasive in convincing me that the photos I had were good enough and I quickly scampered back inside.  My Guy only lasted another 5 minutes and then he was back inside too, saying it was just to cold to stay out.  That's rare for him, he can usually take the cold much, much better than I can.  

I have some last minute wrapping to finish up this morning, as well as a bit of laundry, then I'll be done with my chores until after Christmas.  I've not had a lot of time for stitching with all the pre-holiday prep work, but I did get a good start on clue 4 of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice mystery project.  

The photo also shows my progress on all the other steps.  Not as much as I would like, especially for the pinwheels. But I should have a few bits and pieces to assemble into blocks when we get to that part.  I've been enjoying the process, even though I've not had a lot of time for sewing.  After Christmas, I should be able to spend a couple of days in the sewing room just stitching.  

Safe travels to those on the road or traveling by air this year.  May you have a blessed holiday season and a joyous time with your families.  

For more design walls check out Patchwork Times.  For more Celtic Solstice progress, check out all the posts over at Quiltville.    

Monday Design Wall and Celtic Solstice

It's been another hectic week here at Life in Pieces.  My Christmas shopping is done, now it just all has to get wrapped.  I've recovered most of my files from the now defunct lap top.  All the photos are on backup drives now, so I can at least access them for posts.  The plan for the lap top is to have the e-geeks determine if it's worth putting a new hard drive in it, but I won't be able to mess with that till later this week.  So I'm making do with My Guy's desk top and the Nook.  

I have spent some time in the sewing room this week, though more of that time has been spent wrapping presents than it has been sewing.  I did get a chance to sew for a bit last night.  I made a start on clue #3 of Celtic Solstice.  

Just 2 pinwheels completed at the moment.  I do hope to get back into the sewing room for more than a few minutes sometime later this week.  Drama Teen needs some help with her Science Fair project tonight, so I'm not sure there will be any time left to sew after that. Hopefully, Tuesday will offer more opportunity to sit down and stitch for a bit.   

That's it for the design wall this week.  Check out more design walls over at Patchwork Times and you can see all the fun progress on  Celtic Solstice over at Quiltville.  

Monday Design Wall and Celtic Solstice

It's been one of those weekends here at Life in Pieces. Our Jeep decided Saturday night not to accept either of our keys and wouldn't start.  That meant a walk home in subfreezing temps. Thankfully we weren't all that far from home.  Then on Sunday the hard drive died in my lap top.  So I'm on My Guy's desk top computer this morning.  Most everything important is backed up some way or the other, so it's not as bad as it could be.  I'm just going to have to get used to not having a computer in the sewing room until I can get that one fixed or a new one ordered.  

Moving on to more fun stuff, I did get to sew a bit yesterday.  I finally got started on Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice.  I got all the fabric pressed, pieces cut for clue 1 and clue 2, and made up a few blocks for both clues.  

Celtic Solstice
designed by Bonnie Hunter

   
I'm making my version from yardage rather than scraps.  I've wanted to do one of Bonnie's mystery for years, but never had the time to get all the fabric together.  It won't be scrappy, but I'm at least able to participate rather than watch from the side lines. I'm liking the teal/brown combo, though I am a bit concerned that there isn't enough contrast between my two browns.  I'm going to try to make at least some blocks as each clue comes out even though I've not finished all the blocks from the previous clues.  Hopefully that way I'll be able to keep up with most of the steps.  

That's it for my design wall this week.  I'm linking up with Judy over at Patchwork Times and with Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice progress post.