To Do Tuesday #61

Hi Everyone! I have not been feeling very quilty for a while. Sigh. I know it has to do with the fact that I have never been a monogamouswoman when it comes to my projects whether it be work or play. I blame my ADHD on my inability to stay with one project. Through July and August I saw myself slowly losing interest and momentum. So after a two week hiatus, this week I got back on track and do MY thing which is working on mutliple things at once.

I want you to know I admire those persons who can pick a project and work on it day after day until it is finished. You are amazing people and you blow me away.

I will be linking up with Carol at Quilt Schmilt today. Thanks Carol for hosting To Do Tuesday. I really enjoy reading everyone. One of these days I am going to get my computer fixed so it will stop blocking me from posting on blogs. If you haven’t checked out Carol’s blog, take a peek at what she is doing as well as all those people linking up over at her blog.

What Got Done This Week

As I have mentioned, it has been a while since I visited my sewing studio. Totally fell off the wagon. What got me back on track was actually deciding to work on finishing a cross stitch project called Triple Play Pillow. It has 3 different pieces that I stitched over the last year. I had already purchased all my supplies and now it was time to sew the pillows together.

I wrote down finishing instructions (which I have been tweeking as I work on the pillows to what works for me). Here are a few photos in process.

I did work on a couple of 100 day blocks while working on this triple play pillow project. We are finally moving into the teals which I adore. Here is what I finished since last time I shared.

I also was able to finish a 365 block as well. I would like to finish the all the blocks through August and then go back to pulling together the 72 blocks for my first white border.

I was able to finish one more block that is my leaders and enders project that I started in March with Pat Sloan. I call it my Day Dreamer project. I am making 4 of the same block that will eventually be made into one giant block. Here is #2 of 4. The other two are almost done.

APQ Resolution 2023 Status

We are have arrived in the last third of 2023. Many of my tops are ready for quilting but this month’s still needs to be assembled.

• January – Mama Gypsy – ready to quilt
• February – Rainbow Half Square Triangle – needs borders
• March – Tula Pink Tiny Beast – needs borders
• April – Rainbow Log Cabin – needs top & bottom borders
• May – Halloween quilt – ready to quilt
• June – Princess quilt – ready to quilt
• July – Charming Sunflowers Squared – ready to quilt
• August – Hawaiian quilt – ready to quilt
• September – Dorothy’s Double Sliced King quilt – assemble blocks

To Do List for Week of September 12th

While I plan to still work on 100 days and 365 block challenges, I need more variety. This week I am headed out of town to Denver so only get 3 days in the studio so it is even more important to work on what works for me in the moment. I tend to get more done when I do that. With that said, here is the list I will be choosing from:

1. #100days100blocks2023 goal for this week is to finish through at least block 60
2. #365blockchallenge goal for this week is to do 8/26 & 8/27
3. Continuing working on my leaders and enders project: Daydreamer Double 4 patch blocks
4. Cut August & September Monthly Color Challenge blocks
5. Free motion quilt Shamrock Ridge wall hanging
6. Welcome Friends (August banner) do some stitching
7. Work on Queen of Diamonds EPP project
8. Finish prepping FFO: Triple Play Pillow tops for Summer Basket
9. Cut blocks 11 & 18 for my Sweet Childhood Memories
10. Sew HST blocks for Patriotic Table Runner
11. Cut Large wheel blocks for the Tula Pink Butterfly quilt
12. Cut Scrappiness is Happiness blocks: Neighborhood & Patchwork Star
13. Schedule longarm service
14. Organize threads

Afterthoughts

I have to remind myself from time to time that quilting and crafting is about the journey not the destination. When I realized that I was not enjoying the journey anymore, then it was time to change the path. Quilting is a legacy from my grandmother and the women in her family that goes back generations. While I am sad that none of my children or grandchildren don’t seem interested, I do want to leave a piece of me with each of them just as my grandmother left pieces of herself with all of us. Even my own children have quilts from their great grandmother. They both treasure those quilts a lot.

The other thing that many of us in the family have from my grandmother’s sewing room is potholders. I mean I have potholders that she made (which were obviously orphan blocks) that are as old as 20 years old. I just love those potholders. When I started quilting, that was one thing that I have made lots of and given to many people. The quality of my potholders have morphed over time, but they are always appreciated. It’s crazy, but I get just as much joy from making those potholders as I do the quilts.

The one thing that is all mine is placemats. I am the first quilter in the family to make these for myself and family. Once again, I use scraps and/or orphan blocks. I just love the creative process of making the placemats. I tried using “patterns” but I have ended up doing my own things and have some really cute placemat sets. Above is a small sampling of some I have done. In the beginning, I didn’t take picture of the placemats and/or other small quilted projects because they weren’t QUILTS. So I don’t have a lot of the ones I have made documented. Doesn’t take away my enjoyment of the mini quilts in all their glory!

Today’s thoughts to myself and you, love what you do and do what you love!

Peggy Stockwell