Second Quarter Goals for 2025

I really like breaking up my goals into quarters. I can better focus on small steps rather than the whole big picture for the entire year. Plus, as I look out over the next 3 months, I can see what is coming up and what is feasible to get to a finish. April through June looks to be busy with graduation and games and the garden. So here is "the plan". 

1. Kawandi quilt. 

This is to be for a challenge that was given at my local quilt guild. It is due in early May so I need to get busy. Very busy. I have the challenge fabric with dress forms (see centered in picture below). I love the soft colors of pinks, light greens, and grays, and have chosen a few complimentary fabrics of my own. Originally I thought this would be an easy and quick project. Hmm, not so much. It has actually been quite "challenging" as I plan the patches to meet where the stitching will go to be sure to catch all the edges. Nothing is basted beforehand. So it is a true challenge!

I found this dreamy thread. #12  from Garibaldi's Needle Works. I am in love and will picking up a few more skeins the next time I visit Alpha to Omega quilt shop! It glides so nicely through the fabrics without much tangling and is fairly easy to thread into the eye of the needle.  

This is my new favorite and I am swooning over my new purchase from Turkey with these luscious colors.

 

2. Christmas Quilt for Snip-its.

I recently committed to another group of ladies who make simple quilts to donate to various charities. I have several squares that I need to somehow organize into a pleasing arrangement and have them sewn so the ladies can tie the sandwiched top into a quilt. I at least need to make some progress in this project before our next meeting.

3. UFO 

My quilt guild had a UFO exchange (what was I thinking???) and I picked a pretty box that had this fabric bundle inside. I'm thinking of sandwiching the squares and sew simple X quilting stitches to make a rag type quilt. I have the special scissors so that part is covered. Not an inspiring project but need to follow through with it. It will go into the donation pile once finished.

And what a great project to use up my leftover batting pieces! I will be glad to see that box gone.

4. Strip it Earth

This is the one I can't wait to get back to. I love the colors. I love the simple design. And I have the perfect couple to hand it over to when it is finished. 

5. Jaye Bird's BOM

Still trying to get back to this hand embroidery project. Once I get the block traced, it is then ready for evening stitching. Waiting for that sunny day when I can tape it all to the window. 

 

 6. Pillowcases

I have a lot of leftovers from the t-shirt quilt. They are all quality fabrics that are soft and 100% cotton. To use them up, I will make several pillowcases for the grand daughter. She can give away any she has too many of to her room mates. That will allow me to fling about 9 yards of stash! 

This is enough to keep me busy. I hope to have at least three of these items checked off my list, and flinging several yards of stash adds to the excitement!

Happy stitching!
 

First Quarter Finishes

Spring has sprung and April is here! You wouldn't know it in my neighborhood because the weather is cold with snow and two days later it is sunny and in the high 60s. No complaints from me though for I am not a fan of hot weather. 

 

It is beginning to get greener since this picture was taken while walking Boss & Company (Bosco). Thunderstorms are good for that!

And my Christmas Cactus is still blooming! 

My first quarter goals were met and I am happy to report two new finishes. The main focus was getting my darling grand daughter's t-shirt quilt finished. 

It is completely finished and ready to pass on to her! I only need to sign my label on the back once I decide on an encouraging Scripture verse to include.

Overall, this was a fun project - although a tense one for fear of irreparable mistakes. It finished at 76" x 111" and it is quite large but will cover her bed nicely. No clear idea how much stash was busted...T-shirts cannot count. But I did use 3 yards of Kona solid for the sashing and borders, and 3 yards of 120" width backing. I will surmise the total to be 8 yards. 

 

The second finish that I hoped to get completed was my Hidden Log Cabin that I started over Christmas break with the ladies at Stashbusters as a sew along. It is a pattern by Moonkin Stitchery and you can watch her video here.

I used a leftover jelly roll along with some coordinating strips from my 2.5" strip drawer to make a total of 42 blocks. I found a 3 yard piece to use for the sashing and borders to stretch it into a bit of a larger throw size. 

And I used up the remaining remnant of fabric called Savannah plus a bit of muslin in the corner to complete the back. 

It is labeled and ready for gifting. It measures 59" x 68" and I estimate that I used up 9 yards of stash. So far in 2025 I have three finishes and a total of 28.5 yards of stash used up. Not a great beginning but I am happy with getting that t-shirt quilt done! That more than makes up for a slow start!

I recently looked up into the night sky and saw a string of lights moving across the sky. Was it Starlink?  Amazing!

Happy stitching!