Hexagons Turned "Pink" - Friday Finish

The hexagon quilt went from reading "blue" to reading "pink."  I was just going to finish it relatively neutral, but then Grown Up E wanted it for her godson's sibling.  So I held off finishing until they found out it the gender.  Good thing - it's a girl!  Having Little S home for the summer to unsew is a real help.  She loves to unsew!!

reads blue

My goal was to use up all of the pink stripe for border and backing, so I did some very careful math and just have a 3.5" piece left that isn't even WOF.   

now it reads pink

I have been doing more photo albums/scrapbooking this week and less sewing, but just doing a bit each day got me to quilting finished today.  I have to clear off the table to trim the top and make binding, so that will have to wait for a good stopping point in the photos.   I am pleasantly surprised with this progress!

What I'm Working On

 How did I do for  June 30 - July 6

• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch FINISHED
• finish hexagon potholders for the girls NO PROGRESS unless you count scowling at them!
• cut pieces for leaders & enders FINISHED
• donate random craft supplies to Grown Up E and the public library FINISHED - Lots of stuff went out!!
• cut fleece for project for public library PROGRESS - made a plan to do it the next craft day so I can use their big tables
• clean sewing room especially under the cutting table FINISHED under the table - Oh so satisfying!  Too bad I didn't take pictures.

I usually try to work on the photo albums in the summer since I can spread the supplies out and leave it out.  Over the weekend I started getting organized for that, so my sewing time will be less.  The only urgency I have is to get the hexagon quilt ready for Grown Up R now that the godson's sibling has been revealed to be a girl!  The baby isn't due until January, but summer is a good time to get things finished.  I broke it down into baby steps so maybe I will have good progress!

Borders are too blue for a girl.

TO DO LIST FOR July 7-13

• hexagon quilt - take blue borders off
• hexagon quilt - add pink borders
• hexagon quilt - prepare backing
• hexagon quilt - prepare batting
• hexagon quilt - start quilting
• hexagon quilt - finish quilting
• hexagon quilt - prepare binding
• hexagon quilt - attach binding
• clean off the table top, deal with remains of recent projects

Fun Little Blocks

I was having fun with the blocks for the Sew Scrappy Spools quilt (Lori Holt).  I still have no big plan, but am enjoying the process.  I have only been using fabrics from my precut scrap users systems.  Nothing larger than a 3.5' strip was harmed in the making of these blocks!  These are small, but fun.  I can't help but compare them to the small Dear Jane blocks.  

One of each style block.

When I was sorting and putting away the fabric from my MIL I found some red, red/cream striped, and green 6.5" squares in the bottom of the precut squares box.   It looked like there were enough to do something with, so I planned for a D9P.  I found a fun print that coordinated for motivation.  

Fun coordinating fabric for the D9P

I ran out of the original striped blocks and found a small similar piece in the stash and then another piece that was close enough.  Then I dug in a found a similar green. I used these as leaders & enders when I was working on the Sew Scrappy blocks.  I had just enough fabric to eeek out one more single unit for a 5 x 5 layout.  

Impromptu D9P

The blocks have been joined, but is put away for now.  I have to decide how I will use the Hawaii fabric.  It isn't quite enough for a backing.  Also wondering if I should add borders of some sort.  There is not enough of the fabrics on the front to do anything else with them.  It is already about 54" x 54" which is not a bad size.

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/last two weeks = 6/7

15 minute days/June = 24/30

15 minute days/July = 4/5

15 minute days/2025 = 183/204

Success Rate = 90%

Not enough movement to measure this week.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards

Used year to date: 73.35 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards 

Acquired year to date: 24.5 yards

Net used in 2025: 48.85 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces to show progress.

"Pick Me, Pick Me" - Friday Finish

Little S's cross-stitch birth announcement was my oldest UFO/WIP/PHD.  Whatever I called it, it still wasn't finished after 19 years.

Since I don't watch TV, there wasn't a time to just sit and work on it, so I called it my travel project.  But then I traveled less and less and was nervous to take a needle and scissors when I flew.  Now my eye sight is not what it used to be.  

All the pieces are ready to go!

But.... it kept showing up on the PHD list with a "pick me, pick me" look!  I did not want Little S to have to finish it herself.  That would be the ultimate disgrace - not only did it take me 19 years to finish, but she had to do the finishing.

So... on a slow weekend I turned on my really bright Ott light, put in eye drops, and got to work.  It turns out that the personalization was already gridded and there were only two sections where the backstitching had not been finished.  I told myself I could do one of those parts each day and I'd be done in a week.

Before

Then a nice thunderstorm rolled in, which was very welcome since we haven't had rain in about a month.  So I stayed in the groove and got all but one of the backstitching sections finished.  That even included restitching two of the personalization sections.  It turns out that my initial stitching was less than accurate, so that made the spacing not quite right.  But I made it work.

Finally Finished!!

It is far from perfect, but I am pleased.  My new goal is to get it framed before the end of summer.

June PHD Report

More finishes to report.  Having a list is definitely helping me stay on track.  

At the halfway point of 2025 I have:

• 8 finishes from the original 14 PHD projects
• 3 unplanned starts with finishes!  
• 1 moved from wishful thinking to planned start
• 2 quilts with progress, but are now waiting for someone else's part

With six more months in 2025 and one of those being a summer vacation month, I think I can finish this list!  Time will tell, but I am on the right track.

Unexpected New Start & Finish - baby quilt & burp cloths for nephew's first baby.

Hand delivered to Guatemala in early June.

To be delivered later this year.

Big Finish - Little S's cross-stitch.  I got that done just under the wire on June 29.  Whew.  I have been putting that off due to poor eye sight, but didn't want to have her finish it for herself!

Oldest UFO - almost as old as she is!

Progress - After I got the borders on the hexagon quilt, I found out that Grown Up E's godson will have a sibling.  She likes this quilt for the new baby, but I will wait until they find out if it's a boy or girl before I finish it.  What I choose for a backing will make a difference.  If it's a girl I might change the borders as well. 

Will it be for a boy or a girl?

Progress - Dear Jane is out for quilting.  That was a big step - more emotional than physical.  The backing only needed squaring and ironing.  The top only needed ironing.  The long-armer said 6 weeks.  I can hardly wait!

Another oldie - 10 years in the making!

Planned New Start - Sew Scrappy Spools by Lori Holt.  I received a gift card from a student, so I finally bought the book.  Seeing "buy the book" on my list each month was definitely a motivator!  My plan was to read the book and think on it and eventually start making blocks, but they are really simple.  They use sizes that I already have in my scrap users system, so I started right away.  I don't know how many I will actually make, but for now I am enjoying picking pieces for one block each day.

Fun little blocks!

Miss P Designs USA is challenging us to get those PHDs done!  I am determined to get my PHD in 2025.  Thanks for the motivation.  Check out other June PHD reports at Miss P Designs USA.

What I'm Working On

 How did I do June 23-29

• iron Dear Jane  DONE
• drop off Dear Jane for quilting DONE
• add border to hexagon quilt DONE
• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch NO PROGRESS
• work on Little S's project bag DONE
• cut pieces for leaders & enders DONE
• clean sewing room especially under the cutting table PROGRESS

Yes, it is at the longarmer.  We will meet again in about 6 weeks!

TO DO LIST FOR June 30 - July 6

• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch
• finish hexagon potholders for the girls
• cut pieces for leaders & enders
• donate random craft supplies to Grown Up E and the public library
• cut fleece for project for public library
• clean sewing room especially under the cutting table

Slow, But Still Productive

Making a larger project bag for Little S was a priority for the summer.  She is in the fiber arts club at college and they have weekly meetings where they sit around and do hand sewing of some sort.  It warms my heart that that is a real thing.  She picked the fabrics and focus and I got it done.  You can check out the details HERE.   

New Project Bag

All the fabric from Guatemala got sorted and I filled a box for Grown Up R.  I added a few pieces from my regular stash that she was interested in and got that mailed this week.  She made her 200th Etsy sale this week.  Woohoo!  

Borders will get scalloped after quilting.

Dear Jane is out for quilting.  As much as I would have like to hand quilt Jane, that just wasn't going to happen.  When I called to make an appointment, I discovered that my favorite longarmer retired.  Arrgh.  So I had to hunt around and find another.  Senor G asked if I was sure I wanted to send Jane to an unknown, Little S told me not to worry.  In addition to "no appointment needed", the rest of the drop off/check in procedure was also very different, but the quality of the samples seems to be fine.  They are a small business/quilt shop and don't have a lot of designs to chose from, but will order Baptist Fans for me.  I thought that was a good sign.

Before borders

I added borders to the hexagon quilt and made a backing.  But then found out that Grown Up E's godson is getting a sibling!  She likes this quilt, so I will wait and finish it when they know the gender.  The backing I prepared is neutral/boyish.  But if it is a girl I will switch and make it more feminine.  I forgot to take a new picture.

I was feeling unproductive this week, but looking back at what I did, I was hardly slacking!  I guess there have been so many BIG sewing finishes lately that I got used to that.  This week I also worked on a few projects around the house that had been saved for the summer.  All in all a good week.

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/last two weeks = 6/7

15 minute days/June = 22/28

15 minute days/2025 = 177/197

Success Rate = 90%

Slight movement in the right direction this week.  I'll take it!

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 2 yds for Grown Up R and 0.71 for project bag

Used year to date: 73.35 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards 

Acquired year to date: 24.5 yards

Net used in 2025: 48.85 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces and Patchwork & Quilts to show progress.

New Zipper Project Pouch for a Friday Finish

Since Little S gave away her hand stitching project pouch to her little cousin when we were in Guatemala earlier this month, making a new one moved waaaay up on the to do list!  Read about that trip HERE!

She chose the colors and asked for a specific star block as the focus.  I just had to make sure it was bigger than the last one.  It is approximately 12" x 14" so should fit her projects more easily.  

It has 3 inside pockets.  I need to work on installing zippers better, but overall it does the job and she is happy. 

No instructions.  I just made it up as I went along.  The front is padded, quilted, and lined.  The back just has a lining.  For the use it will get I think that is enough.  I boxed the bottom corners on this one and I think that will make it more useful.

This is a big check off for summer sewing.  Whew!

What I'm Working On

 How did I do the week of June 16-22:

• sort fabric brought back from Guatemala - some will go to Grown Up R and some will stay with me DONE
• make burp clothes for N&A from the baby bear fabrics DONE
• add border to hexagon quilt PROGRESS - choose fabric
• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch  NO PROGRESS

I also got things done that were not on the list, so it was a productive week overall.

Adding a border should not be difficult.

TO DO LIST FOR June 23-30

• iron Dear Jane
• drop off Dear Jane for quilting
• add border to hexagon quilt
• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch
• work on Little S's project bag
• cut pieces for leaders & enders
• clean sewing room especially under the cutting table

Will this be in the hands of the longarmer next week?!?!

A Mixed Bag - Literally!

I was so tired this week that I was afraid I wouldn't get much done, but I did.  I think I was still getting over the jet lag from Guatemala, plus helping out at VBS every morning this week and a few other commitments.  But knowing that this was a week of my summer break that I wouldn't get back was motivating.

Before .... Half a bag (suitcase)

I got the fabric I brought back sorted into what Grown Up R wanted and what I would keep.  Instead of putting my part in a separate bin so I would remember it came from Dona Cristy like I did last time, I sorted and cut it down if needed and put it away right away!  approximately 5 yards added

After ....  My part already processed!

I finished the burp cloths for N&A.  They will get tucked away until the next trip down to Guatemala.  I am still trying to figure out how to do a blanket with flannel squares sewn so that I can make the edges raggedy on one side, but have the other side be a whole piece of the large print coordinating fabric.  I'll figure it out eventually.  1.13 yards used

Three burp cloths done.

Little S needs a bigger project bag for her cross-stitching.  She wants it to have a star on the front.  I got the star made from the fabrics she chose, but the rest needs more brain power than I had this week.

Star block for Little S's project bag.

My sister asked for 40 10 inch squares of solid fabric for a craft project at the public library where she works.  Since I was at a lull between sorting fabrics and figuring out how to do the flannel quilt and how to do the next step of Little S's project bag, it was the perfect time to choose fabrics and cut.  I am way ahead of the July 4 deadline!  2.78 yards used

40 10" squares for library project.

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/last two weeks = 7/7

15 minute days/June = 16/21

15 minute days/2025 = 171/190

Success Rate = 90%

Fabric in and out this week.  I keep waiting for gaps and holes to appear in the shelves, but nothing yet!!!  

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 3.91 yards for burp cloths and 10" blocks

Used year to date: 70.64 yards

Acquired recently: 5 yards from Dona Cristy

Acquired year to date: 24.5 yards

Net used in 2025: 46.14 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces to share progress.

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate to show stash movement.

Dog Toys from T-Shirts for a Friday Finish

Most of the read alouds for my class this year included a dog as an important character.  I look for things that are age appropriate for the students to show kindness and compassion, so it seemed like a natural next step to make dog toys when I found myself with a huge stack of t-shirt parts left over after making a t-shirt quilt.

A quick check with Grown Up R who works at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in NC confirmed that this was a realistic idea.  She had done it.  They didn't last long, but it worked.  Next a search for how to.  I used a variation of this DIY tutorial.  Then I put out an all call to the parents to send in old tennis balls.  

Since the shirts I had had already been cut, my strip width was whatever I could do with what I had.  Some of the toys ended up looking like they had little bonnets and that was okay.

The first try with the students (4th graders) was a lesson in patience, but they were motivated.  We had to determine who even knew how to braid - most girls and one boy who explained that he had a little sister!  They had to form a pair or trio and choose colors.  For the first try they did the cutting of the strips to braid, but it turned out to be way too difficult with school scissors.  

Thankfully I had taken my small mat and rotary cutter, so I precut the next round.  At first they couldn't figure that they were precut, but once they did it was smooth sailing.

This was one of the only projects this year in which the boys and girls worked in harmony.  No fighting, not bossing, just work.  It was so good to see those who could not braid be the "holder" for the "braider" with just as much confidence and ownership.  Since each t-shirt strip was cut in 3 smaller strips, it didn't matter how many large strips there were, the braiding would work when they mixed colors.  It made me think this would be a good project when we learn multiples.  They loved making different color combinations.

Over two work sessions the last week of school we ended up with close to 30 dog toys.  Each student who wanted to took one home and the rest will be donated.

What I'm Working On

 How did I do on the list for June 2-8?

• prepare a backing for the dragonfly quilt DONE
• prepare binding for the dragonfly quilt DONE
• try yet again to pack that box to send out to the quilt finisher!  DONE - Not just packed, but mailed, and received!
• prepare hand work to take on our trip this week - yikes! DIDN'T HAPPEN

Lots of potential in this mess!

To Do List for June 16-22:

• sort fabric brought back from Guatemala - some will go to Grown Up R and some will stay with me
• make burp clothes for N&A from the baby bear fabrics
• add border to hexagon quilt
• work on Little S's baby cross-stitch

It's a random list, but since I finished several big projects before the trip, I am having a hard time figuring out what is next.  Also, we are helping with VBS at church every morning this week, plus some other commitments.  School is out, but there is still a lot going on.

Good Trip to Guatemala!

Warning: We just got back from a trip so this might be long-winded and picture-heavy! 

It had been 1.5 years since Little S and I had seen the family in Guatemala.  It is the country of her birth and the timing was right to celebrate her birthday there this year, so we went for a visit.  

Birthday lunch with her abuela!

Right before we left, I got a quilt made for my nephew and his wife who just found out they are expecting.  It was a quick quilt from a panel and coordinating fabrics.  I didn't know that their baby theme is bears, so that made this even more special.  They were very touched and that is what makes it worth it.

They loved it!

My MIL and I share a love of all things fabric!  When we moved from Guatemala to Florida she was the recipient of my stash, which was considerable since we had an outreach within our church to teach women to sew while making baby quilts for children dedicated in the church.  

We helped organize her stash, since she doesn't let anyone else to touch it except me! Mostly that involved straightening the shelves and filling in the gaps with fabric from the boxes.  She is still sewing quite a bit at 81, but it is helpful to have things organized and with poor eyesight she appreciated us matching up fabrics that would work well together.  

We emptied 2 large boxes, which just made a small dent, but it is progress. I took enough fabric for myself and Grown Up R to nearly put us overweight on our return luggage!  We were also able to purge stuff that had accumulated on the shelves that had not purpose whatsoever. She ended up with a large pile of projects that are already finished that could be gifted or sold and also a pile of quilts that just need backing and finishing.  Some we were able to easily find a backing for.  I told her about the challenges in the US to finish projects and use up what you have.  She seemed interested, but time will tell, especially since she is recovering from eye surgery.  No matter what, it was time well spent on something we enjoy together. 

Little S and Cousin E

Little S took her embroidery to work on in the down times.  Her little cousin (7 yrs) was fascinated and wanted to start her own project.  Well, I knew where all the possible supplies were!  We got her a piece of scrap aida (much softer than what we have in the US), a big needle, and thread.  She sat beside Little S forever working away on her project of Xs and dashes.

Little S ended up giving Cousin E her project bag.  I need to make her a larger one, so this seemed like the perfect recipient for the small one. 

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/last two weeks = 9/14

15 minute days/June = 9/14

15 minute days/2025 = 164/183

Success Rate = 90%

Time to catch up on recent acquisitions!  

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 4.39 yards for baby bear panel quilt 

Used year to date: 66.73 yards

Acquired recently: 12.5 yards for bear panel and coordinating fabrics

Acquired year to date: 19.5 yards

Net used in 2025: 47.23 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces to share progress.

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate to show stash movement.

Baby Bears for a Friday Finish

Just after we found out that my nephew and his wife were expecting their first child, I found this fabric at my favorite thrift store.  I have been very good at not buying anything new, but Little S pointed out that this was not only super cute, but would be a good gender-neutral quilt for N&A.  The price was right - total 12.5 yards of fabric for $20!

I had planned to work on it during the summer and send down to Guatemala with Senor G in the fall to arrive in time for an early December baby.  But school was in its last days, so I decided to try to get it done to take down on our trip now.  The panel made it easy.  I just added the coordinating block fabric as wide borders and the backing.  

The block fabric wasn't wide enough to go all the way around without piecing and I didn't want to piece it poorly, so I looked for something in my stash for corners.  The yellow cherry fabric was perfect.  The red plaid was an option, but is better as the binding.  One of my favorite combinations ever I think.

For quilting, I went with my current favorite of a diagonal grid in the center panel.  Then straight lines in the borders, overlapping in the corners.  It was done in just a few days.  Whew!!  

They loved it.  N could not take his eyes off of it for a photo.  That made me glad that I had rushed to get it done in time to take now.  I had not known that their baby theme is bears, so this was just perfect for them.  Photos just aren't the same as being there to see someone's reaction.

Later this summer I will work on a flannel backed blanket with the large print coordinating fabric and some burp clothes.

May PhD Report

Another productive month.

I finished the cute dog panel baby quilt.

Puppy Baby Panel

I also had a new start and finish!  When I was packing the box to head to the quilt finisher for Hurricane Helene relief in WNC, I had space for one more.  Since I didn't have anything the right size in the works I decided to try for a "quick" quilt.  Large bricks for the win!!

Dragonfly Bricks

June is the start of my summer vacation since I'm a teacher.  I have had a really productive spring.  We will see if it carries over into the summer.  Other than a trip this coming week, I have no firm plans.  But there are a lot of things that need to be done on the house.  When I get back from the trip I am sure I will get into a summer groove and figure it all out.

 Linking up to Miss P Designs USA to share PhD progress.

What I Am Working On

 How did I do last week May 26 - June 1?

• sew the columns for the impromptu dragonfly quilt  FINISHED
• prepare a backing for the dragonfly quilt  NO PROGRESS
• prepare binding for the dragonfly quilt  NO PROGRESS
• try again to pack that box to send out to the quilt finisher!  NO PROGRESS
• cut 300 2" squares from linen for a VBS craft project  FINISHED
• cut strips from t-shirt for students to make dog toys  FINISHED
• prepare hand work to take on our trip the following week  NO PROGRESS

I knew that I had possibly over-planned and with the addition of the emergency dress hemming, I am still pleased with my progress.

This week includes my one and only day of post-planning to pack up the classroom for the summer.  Then I will focus on preparing for our trip.  I will make a list and accept whatever progress I can make.  I would love to get the dragonfly quilt completely ready for shipping before the trip.

 To Do List for June 2-8:

• prepare a backing for the dragonfly quilt 
• prepare binding for the dragonfly quilt 
• try yet again to pack that box to send out to the quilt finisher!
• prepare hand work to take on our trip this week - yikes! 

Plenty of Variety

It was the last week of school with students.  I had thought maybe I would not get much sewing in, but I was motivated to get the dragonfly brick quilt top finished this week.  No lesson plans or papers to grade worked in my favor.  I got a few columns ironed and added each day and then it was done!

Not the best randomization, but it will do.

My progress was interrupted by cutting up the remains of t-shirts from a huge t-shirt quilt for dog toys.  Most of the books we read aloud in class this year had a dog, so it seemed fitting to make dog toys.  I had intended for them to be donated, but the students were so excited and quick at making them that they each took one home - and there are still plenty left for donation.  

Lay out the strips and tie around the tennis ball.

Super successful!  I will write a detailed post about that project later.  Since the t-shirt remains ended up in my stash after giving the quilt to the client, I am going to count that as fabric out of the stash as well.

Choose 3 and braid!

I was distracted by a last minute call for help from an old friend who needed a formal dress hemmed.  Thankfully, it was a relatively simple hem.  She didn't want to keep the train and the lining was not attached at the hem.  Bonus: time spent catching up while pinning!

I surprised myself with 100% stitching time in May.  Woohoo!  All those little bits of time are adding up to finishes.

 15 Minute Report

15 minute days/week = 7/7

15 minute days/May = 31/31

15 minute days/2025 = 155/169

Success Rate = 92%

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week:  5.37 yards for dragonfly brick quilt + 10.5 yards for dog toys

Used year to date: 62.34 yards

Acquired last Week: 0 yards

Acquired year to date: 7 yards

Net used in 2025: 55.34 more yards used

Linking up to Life In Pieces to share progress.

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate to share stash movement.