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. 

December Report - The Year of the Finished Project

I completely missed posting how I did on my November goals last Thursday.  Last week was both hectic and tiring, so a post just didn't get written.  Better late than never.  So here's how I did on my Year of the Finished Project Goals.  

1.  Mon Ami
       Bind and label
            binding made, but not attached.

2.  Back to Square One
         Clue 9                                          Done
         Clue 10
         Clue 11

3.  Jigsaw
        Make 24 blocks














4.  Neutral Gems
         Make 4 blocks                                  Done

5.  Road to Brenham
         Make 24 quarter square triangles       Done

6.  Scrappy Stars
         Make 5 blocks

7.  Scrappy Trip Around the World
          Make 2 blocks                                  Done

Only 4 out of 10 goals were completed, but progress was made on all the projects.  Since that's my goal, is to do a bit each month, the challenge is working well for me.  

December is going to be a challenge.  The first week in December is already gone and I've not done much sewing at all.  It will be a busy month, but I have hopes that I can make some progress on all my projects.  Here's the goals for December:

1  Mon Ami
           Bind and label
           Mail 

2.  Back to Square One
            Clue 10
            Clue 11
            Clue 12

3.  Jigsaw
            Make 10 blocks

4.  Starburst
            Make blocks 1 to 5
            Keep up with new blocks

5.  Neutral Gems
            Make 4 blocks

6.  Scrappy Trip
            Make 2 blocks

7.  Scrappy Stars
            Make 5 blocks

We'll see how much gets done.  It doesn't hurt to dream big, but I also know that I really want to start Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice mystery.  Check back in January to see if how it all turns out.  

I'm linking up with Lynn at Never Too Hot to Stitch for the 2013 Year of Finished Projects.  

Design Wall Monday - December 2nd

I'm not really ready for Monday.   I was off all last week, so that makes it hard to get back into the groove this morning.  Even more so because this work week is packed full with end of the year stuff. 

Even though I was off, we spent a lot of the week visiting family. That means not a lot got done in the sewing room.  I did manage to finish the first block for the Starburst Quilt along.  

Starburst
pattern by Alison of Little Bunny Quilts
(links to pattern found here)

Neutral Gems has been progressing a few blocks at a time.  More than half the blocks are finished now.

Neutral Gems
Pattern is "Gems" by Donna Lynn Thomas
found in the book Patchwork Palette

I didn't get as far on Back to Square One as I had hoped.  Only two of the star blocks for the last pieced border are completed.  

Back to Square One
by Judy Laquidara (pattern available here)

Bonnie Hunter's new mystery started up on Friday.  I've got the fabric now, but it still needs to be washed before I can start cutting. Hopefully that will happen sometime this week. 

That's it for what's up on my design wall this week. For more pretties, check out the links over at Patchwork Times.    

November Report - The Year of the Finished Project

As it's the first Thursday of the month, it's time to link up with Lynn over at Never Too Hot To Stitch for a report on how I'm faring this Year of the Finished Project.

I've done much better this year in starting projects than I have been at finishing them.  My last finish was back at the end of June.  Still I've been making steady progress on a number of different projects. Here's how things looked at the end of October. 

Mon Ami
     press, package and send out for quilting     Done

Back to Square One
     Finish Clue 7                                               Done
     Finish Clue 8                                               Done
     Finish Clue 9
     Finish Clue 10

Neutral Gems
     Make 6 blocks                                         Done

Christmas Angels
Make 29 Triangle in a Square blocks        Done         

Road to Brenham
     Make 18 B/W HST                             Done
     Make 18 W/W HST                            Done
     Make 36 Quarter Sq Triangles            15 completed

Scrappy Stars
     Make 5 blocks                                    4 completed

Scrappy Trip Around the World
Make 5 blocks                                         Nada

October was a good month, progress was made on 6 of 7 projects. Mon Ami is on it's way back from being quilted, so I may  have a finish for this month.  That will probably be the last one for 2013. The next likely finish will be Back to Square One.  I'm really hoping to get caught up on that one this month, just in time for the last clue.  The other goals for November include:

1. Mon Ami
     Bind and label

2.  Back to Square One
     Clue 9
     Clue 10
     Clue 11

3.  Jigsaw
     Make 24 blocks

4.  Neutral Gems
     Make 4 blocks

5.  Road to Brenham
     Make 22 quarter square triangles

6.  Scrappy Stars
     Make 5 blocks

7.  Scrappy Trip Around the World
     Make 2 blocks.  

That's still a pretty ambitious list.  I'd like to finish Jigsaw before Drama Teen's birthday.  Not sure that's going to happen, but I've moved it into second on my list.  The blocks go fast once you have them cut out.  Scrappy Stars only needs 9 more star blocks and it will be ready to set together.  It will be nice to get the one off my to do list as it's my oldest UFO.  Hopefully, this plan will set me up for some early finishes in 2014.  

Check out all the other progress reported over at Lynn's Never To Hot to Stitch.  

October - Progress on Monthly Goals

This is my last work day for the week.  We'll spend tomorrow morning at the oral surgeon since Drama Teen is getting her wisdom teeth out.  I'm hoping to get some stitching in as we've been told she'll mainly sleep tomorrow. I'm sure the rest of the weekend will be spent trying to keep her comfortable.  It's a miserable way to spend Fall Break, but she's looking forward to having it all done. She's being pragmatic about it. Get them out now and she won't have to worry about it later when she's trying to deal with college prep tests.  Plus if she does it now, she'll have Mom to fuss over her.  

Yesterday was the 15th (already!).  I've been setting monthly goals as part of Lynn's ( at Never to Hot to Stitch) Year of the Finished Project challenge.  Reviewing my progress at mid-month helps me stay on track.  So here's what's done and what's not.  

Mon Ami
     Ready to take to the post office for shipping

Back to Square One
     Clue 7 Done
     Still need to finish Clues 8, 9 and 10

Neutral Gems
    Three of six blocks completed

Christmas Angels
     Completed 29 Triangle in a Square block, so this one is done. 

Road to Brenham
     Finished 14 of 18 black/white HSTs
     Finished  2 of 18 white/white HSTs
     Finished 2 of 36 quarter square triangles

Scrappy Stars
     Finished 1 of 5 blocks

Scrappy Trip Around the World
     No progress on making at least 5 blocks.  

Not bad for mid month.  My main goal is to get caught up on Back to Square One.  Not sure I'll get all the way to completing clue 10, but I get closer each month to getting caught up.  I need to get busy on both Scrappy Stars and the Scrappy Trip blocks, so those may make their way to the top of my "to do" list this weekend.  

Design Wall Monday - October 14th

It was a nice weekend.  No place we had to be, so a bit of housework got done as well as a bit of stitching.  This will be a short week for me as I'm taking Thursday and Friday off.  Drama Teen has to have her wisdom teeth out on Thursday, so I'll be nursing her most of that time.  Still I hope to get in some time for stitching those two days.  

This weekend was a productive one in the sewing room, though all that got accomplished doesn't show up on the design wall.  But there are enough changes there to make it worth while to show both design walls today.  On design wall number one is Back to Square One. 

Back to Square One
by Judy Laquidara (pattern available here)

All the Economy Blocks are finished.  Now I just have to sew them together along with the Log Cabins.  I'm really happy with the colors I chose for this project.  

On design wall number two is Neutral Gems.

  Neutral Gems
Pattern is "Gems" by Donna Lynn Thomas
found in the book Patchwork Palette

The first four rows are made and all sewn together.  So that's half way for this project.  I've been sewing the blocks together in groups of 4 rather then sewing them together in rows and sewing the rows together. With all the matching seams, that just seemed to be a better way to put this one together.  

That's it for this Monday.  I'm linking up with Patchwork Times today as usual.  Check out all the other eye candy posted for Design Wall Monday.  

October Report - The Year of the Finished Project

Hard to believe that we are already three days into October.  I have a feeling that from now until Christmas, the days are going to fly. October is wrap up time at work, I've got a number of reports that need to be completed by the end of the month.  Though I have deadlines at work, not so much with my sewing.  I'm not trying to have anything done for Christmas this year.  However, since it is the first Thursday of the month, it is time to see what progress was made on September's sewing goals.  I'm linking up with Lynn over at Never to Hot to Stitch for her 2013 the Year of the Finished Project.

My September goals were pretty ambitious.  Not sure what I was thinking when they ended up on the blog. But all in all, I didn't do too bad.  

Mon Ami
     Make backing          Done
     Send out for quilting

Back to Square One
     Finish Clue 5          Done
     Finish Clue 6          Done
     Finish Clue 7
     Finish Clue 8
     Finish Clue 9

Neutral Gems
     Make 5 blocks          Done

Scrappy Stars
     Make 5  blocks          Only 3 completed

Christmas Angels
     Make 9 4-patch blocks         Done

     
       Additional progress:  Finished 14 Triangle in a Square Blocks

Road to Brenham
     Make 32 red/black HST's          Done

      
     Additional progress:  Finished 32 black/white HST's

I need to take the time to press out Mon Ami and it's back so I can send it out for quilting.  I just haven't wanted to spend the time with the iron.  Back to Square one was 5 clues behind in September.  Looks like it will be just 4 clues behind in October, so I'm gaining some ground there.  It's fun to see the progress with Neutral Gems.  The only goal I didn't make this month was making 5 of the Scrappy Stars, but the addition of 3 more is still progress.  Both Christmas Angels and Road to Brenham are ahead of plan.  I like making a few of the HSTs and Triangle in a Square blocks at a time, that way I don't have to stand at the cutting table and trim dozens of them before moving on to the next step.  Making a couple every time I stitch on the other projects makes those blocks a lot more palatable to me.  

So what's the plan for October?  

Mon Ami
      Press, package and send out for quilting

Back to Square One
     Finish Clue 7
     Finish Clue 8
     Finish Clue 9
     Finish Clue 10

Neutral Gems
     Make 6 blocks

Scrappy Stars
     Make 5 blocks

Christmas Angels
     Make 32 Triangle in a Square blocks

Road to Brenham
     Make 18 black/white HST
     Make 18 white/white HST
     Make 32 quarter square triangles

Scrappy Trip Around the World
     Make 5 blocks  

Another ambitious list for October.  I think this one is doable, but I'll probably have to scale back for November since holiday activities will start showing up on the calender.  

That's it for my efforts this month.  Check out all the other project progress over at Never Too Hot To Stitch.  

Design Wall Monday for September 23, 2013

It was a gorgeous weekend, once I got over the sinus crude that started up Saturday afternoon.  Sunday morning was a bit rough, but by mid afternoon, I was feeling more myself.  Well enough to spend some time in the sewing room.  

The third border has been added to Back to Square One, but it doesn't look all that different than it did last week, so no pictures of that project this week.  Neutral Gems is up on the other design wall.  Not a ton of progress on this project, but it hasn't shown up on the blog in a while, so here it is. 

Neutral Gems
Pattern is "Gems" by Donna Lynn Thomas
found in the book Patchwork Palette

Drama Teen is lobbying for this to be her quilt.  She loves the colors and the pattern.  That's not what I had in mind, but I do have another ongoing project that I could gift to my friend if I let DT have this one.  We'll see, it's not like DT really needs another quilt.  She's already asked for a batik one that I hope to get started on this month.

That's it for my design wall this week.  There's more design walls to check out over at Patchwork Times.    

September - The Year of the Finished Project

It's the first Thursday of a new month.  That means it's time to link up with Lynn over at Never Too Hot To Stitch to report progress on my August goals for The Year of the Finished Project challenge.  

For August I picked 3 projects to focus my efforts on.  

Mon Ami
     Sew blocks together          Done
     Add borders                      Done
     Make backing
     Send out for quilting

                

Mon Ami as of 7/31                   Mon Ami as of 8/31

Lots of progress on this project this month, especially getting all 5 borders added.  I'm very happy with how this one is turning out.  Not quite a finish, but I'm getting really close.  The back is almost pieced, so I'm hoping this one becomes a finished project by October.  

Back to Square One
     Finish Clue 4          Done
     Finish Clue 5
     Finish Clue 6
     Finish Clue 7

                               


Back to Square One in July              Back to Square One in August

This is Judy Laquidara's Medallion Mystery for this year.  I was finally able to start the quilt back in June.  Which was 6 months after everyone else started.  I'd like to catch up, but I'm not there yet.  Those little Economy Blocks take forever to stitch together.  

Neutral Gems
     Make 10 blocks          Finished 4

 

Neutral Gems in June                      Neutral Gems in August

In addition to finishing up 4 blocks, I started sewing the blocks into rows.  I love these fabrics and really like the secondary designs that show up when you put the blocks together.  So though progress has been slow, it's been moving along in the background.  

So what am I going to do for September?  Once Mon Ami goes out for quilting, I want to focus on Back to Square One and see if I can get caught up on all the clues.  Then there are 3 other projects, I'd like to make some progress one.  Christmas Angels and Road to Brenham are new projects started in the last two months.  Scrappy Stars is my oldest UFO.  Scrappy Stars got put away while I worked on finishing up several quilts that needed to done back in May.  I'd really like to make some progress on it this month.  Here are my September goals:

1.  Mon Ami
     Make backing
     Send out for quilting

2.  Back to Square One
     Finish Clue 5
     Finish Clue 6
     Finish Clue 7
     Finish Clue 8
     Finish Clue 9

3.  Neutral Gems
     Make 5 blocks

4.  Scrappy Stars
     Make 5 blocks

5.  Christmas Angels
     Make 9-4 patches

6.  Road to Brenham
     Make 32 HSTs

Is it doable?  Probably not, but I'm sure I can make some progress on each project and that's really the whole point.