Quilt Diary: January Challenges Updates

I’m sitting in sunny Kissimmee, Florida this morning.  It is 77F here with a slight breeze.  A perfect day.  Unfortunately, due to hockey, we do not get to take advantage of it.  We have a game this afternoon and we can’t have the twelve year old running around using up all his energy.  I brought my computer out to the lanai (no wait I’m in Florida so I mean patio) to stare out at the gorgeous weather and start this blog update.  Back home in San Jose, CA, it is 42F and raining.  I am definitely in the better spot!

APQResolution & One Monthly Goal Progress (January = #2)

I was a little slow out of the gate this month.  I was not quite prepared to start on this resolution.  I am feeling lucky that the first random project is one that just needs to be quilted and bound-New Year Eve 2010 quilt.  I ended up not touching it until late Saturday afternoon.  Even then, not even one stitch was sewed as I had grand ideas of throwing this quilt on my long arm.  I spent several hours refamiliarizing myself with my longarm to no avail.  I could not get it to sew one darn stitch.  Finally after playing around for two hours, I just pulled it off and onto the table with my domestic machine (Bernina 880).  It is now Sunday and I am thinking I have to simplify what I am doing.  After much thought, I decided on straight lines.  I started off with a beautiful variegated thread which kept breaking every time it changed colors.  After making through my first straightish line, I changed to a lavender top thread and a med gray bobbin thread.  I never looked back.  I finished up my two rows last Sunday and met my #onethingwithamy (Instagram) for the week.

Since I knew I was traveling (and had been ignoring all other projects which is so not like me), I did not set this as this week’s goal with Amy.  I secretly promised myself that I would sew 15 minutes every day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before we took off for Florida, which I did. I am happy to report I ended up finishing Wednesday morning two more rows of this quilt.  I have never done an all over straight stitch before and I am absolutely loving it.  The texture is amazing and perfect for this quilt.  I can’t wait to get home on Monday to finish quilting the center.  I have already begun to think about the stitches I will use for the two borders.  Once again, I don’t have time for fancy so they have to remain simple.

You can find both #apqresolution and #onemonthlygoal on Instagram.

Quilter’s Planner Sewalong 2020

I spent some time laying out a plan for the SAL in my planner and am happy with where I am headed and the colors of this project.  I purchased the fabric needed for the blocks and sashing.  I held off on buying the backing as I have not decided if I will do a pieced back with the leftover fabrics.  This project was designed for the Quilter’s Planner and are fresh springy colors.  I went heavy on the teal/aqua for my quilt.  This week I went ahead and labelled all the fabrics and cut my first block.  Next week should find me sewing together the first fairly simple block. People have started posting their blocks on Instagram with #qp2020sewalong.

Quilter’s Planner January Photo Challenge

Once again, I am participating in the photo challenge hosted by Quilter’s Planner where we share photos of quilty things as well as explore the 2020 Quilter’s Planner.  I am loving my new customized planner.  I never use the weekly layouts (monthly only) so was only too happy to pick the weekly spread to be pages of “dots”.  I am working myself into a routine, but it definitely works better with my style.  I like to make lists and jot down notes of things that happened, even doodle a little here and there.  Take a look at #qpbestyearever2020 on Instagram to see what other quilter’s are sharing.  Always great ideas and beautiful projects.

Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Quilt

I am still plugging away at this sidelined English Paper Piecing sew-a-long originally started by @gnomeangel a year ago.  She dropped it and has now started a new Farmer’s Wife SAL for those interested where she is focusing on the 1930’s book.  She is naming this one how to complete a Famer’s Wife Quilt in a year.  They are machine piecing this time so I am no participating in the new SAL, I continue to plug away at this one and post my blocks under the #fw1920eppsal with several others out there.  I was able to complete Block 37 – Flower Pot on the plane yesterday.

Sugaridoo Bernina Quilt-A-Long

We are on Row 1 which she released last week of December.  I still need to sew the freezer paper foundation paper piecing row next week.  I’ve printed everything out, pulled my fabrics, and am ready to hit the sewing machine for this one.  The Instagram tag is #sugaridooberninaqal if you want to take a look.  We are only in month two if you would like to jump in.  You can visit Suigaridoo’s website or Berinina’s.

365 Block Challenge

I am still working on this challenge that I started in 2018.  People are starting to post finished quilts and they are so amazing.  I have not done anything new on this one but I have on my January list to finish 10 blocks.  Honestly, finishing one would make me feel good right now, just to get back on track.  Every time I start another daily SAL challenge, this poor project gets booted to the side.  Check out Instagram tags #365blockchallenge #365quiltchallenge and add any year to either of those tags.

Cotton Cuts Cosmos Mystery Quilt

Clue 6 arrived a week ago.  I moved it to the sewing room.  With my struggles with the NYE Quilt for #apqresoltuion, I have not started this clue.  Now that things are on track for the big quilt, I will have some time to sew up this clue.  Update you next time.

Lost and Found EPP Sew-a-Long

This SAL is being hosted by Paper Pieces.  Finishing one of these blocks’ 1″ hexie with their corresponding tiny triangles for a total of 12 units is my #onethingwithAmy this week.  I needed a boost for myself.  I finished 10 of the 12 units on the plane ride to Florida and I will get some time to work on this block while we are here.  #hockeyandepp I am looking at how the units go together.  Everything else will be 2 inches or bigger.  I think it will go together fairly quickly.  I snagged a little granola container off the plane to put all my tiny triangles.  Even the 1″ hexies will fit in there if they are standing up.  What a find!

Monthly Color Challenge 2020

LOL!  I know I am crazy, but I joined this monthly challenge too.  The idea is to use your stash although she gave instructions for if you wanted a background fabric.  I am sticking to the original challenge to use up some scraps.  The theme for 2020 is Colors of Birds.  The Finch is January which transcribes to Yellow!  Maybe that is how I got sold on it.  Yellow is my favorite color after all.  I downloaded the pattern this week and signed up for the challenge.  I have not done a fabric pull yet but I am thinking I will use my Alison Glass stash which I have plenty of for this color challenge.  This is the same stash I use for my Farmer’s Wife blocks.

Wrap Up

Honestly, I restrained myself.  I saw at least 3 other challenges that looked real interesting, but I did NOT sign up for them.  I figured my plate was full.  The most important one, I joined this year is the APQ Resolution.  I have dozen of quilt tops that need to be finished.  A large number of them are on the list, plus a few past challenges to work on this year.  @gnomeangel started another 100 day challenge that I am passing on.  Off to get ready for some hockey!

Safe Travels and Happy Quilting!

Peggy Stockwell