Fourth Quarter Goals

What? Did I say fourth quarter? I am thinking it is still August. But no, fall is here and I have much to do outside to get done before snow flies. And finish "putting up" the harvest from the garden. It is looking pretty sparse out there now, but the pole beans just keep producing so we just keep eating them! 

Fall and winter is a time to look forward to though. The shorter days and longer nights makes my sewing room so appealing. Any others think the same way? I mean, when the weather is nice I feel guilty for not being outside tending the chickens, weeding and tidying the gardens. Now is the time for slow cooked meals and long hours in the sewing room. Ahhh, so here are my goals for the last remaining months of 2026... 

1. Montmelleck. Honestly, I just need to get past this last row of broderie perse so I can go on to the next row! All that is needed are the corner blocks appliqued so I can attach the borders and move on. 

 

2. Tilda's Santa Doll. I have his body made and stuffed. Oh what a job that was turning those skinny legs and arms and then stuffing them! He will be so darn cute when finished. I need to pull some fabrics and begin quilting his little clothes. The patterns are cut out and ready.

 

3. Christmas Irish Chain. This quilt is all finished except it needs its binding sewn on. Attaching and sewing the binding is my favorite part of quiltmaking so it will be an easy finish. Especially since it is a Christmas quilt and it wants to be displayed this year!

 

4. Company Picnic. Another quilt ready for its binding so I can say it is done. I love the cheerful colors in this quilt. And the backing is gorgeous! Made with 2 honey buns and 3 yards of background.

 

5. Stay At Home Round Robin. If you have read my previous posts earlier this year you would know about this fun medallion quilt. Sadly, there was an accident and a few blocks bled, so I need to gently tear/remove those and replace so I can send this top off to my long arm quilter. I want to get it done before next year's round robin begins.

6. Vintage 16 patch. This is a quilt I made in the 1990s from 1970s fabrics. It has fabrics from my daughter's first birthday dress I made for her. And several maternity blouses I made when I was expecting. It is not what others might think of as a pretty quilt. It is more a sentimental thing ... I even found a couple of blocks with fabrics from dresses and blouses I made in high school! It has been taking me down memory lane as I have been hand quilting it. Once finished, it will probably live in the back seat of the car for when we go to games, etc., and I need something to snuggle under for warmth. Done in reds, browns, and blues. Do you notice the Holly Hobbie blue print? Yep, that was a maternity top!

 

7. Purple and Gray leftovers. I am not sure what to call this one. It was pieces leftover from a Bonnie Hunter mystery that I gave up on, but have these units made and ready for something. So I have arranged them into  blocks and will have enough to make 25. Anxious to see what develops. 

 8. Allocated. Another scrappy project I started and is a good one for days I just feel like feeding fabric over the dogs.

 

I am sure I could add more to this list. I often come upon something that makes me readjust my plans (aka squirrels) but this is a good start. And then there is that procrastination box that holds so many orphans....

Happy stitching! 

 

 

 

Finishes So Far

I can hardly believe that we are in the last quarter of 2026. Summer flew by and now we are in a grand rush putting things away and cleaning up before winter sets in. Do you, dear reader, find yourself super busy this time of year? The thing that gives me anxiety is the fact that as I age, it takes me longer to get things done. Not to mention I only have so much mental energy. 

So here we are, and I have been accomplishing a few finishes in the sewing room. I will write a new post listing my fourth quarter goals later. 

Gray Grunge Leader/Ender , I nearly forgot to report this finish.

I purchased this gray grunge fabric several years back and decided to just make neutral four patch blocks to alternate with the simple gray squares. I made a few snowball blocks as you can see and set them diagonally to add a bit of interest. It measures 90" x 90" and is seen hanging here on the quilt rack my son-in-law made for me. I've enjoyed looking at it all summer!

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Strip It Earth, was completed and has been laying on our bed all summer. 

This lovely quilt finished at 94" x 94" which is the perfect size for our queen-size bed. It was all done in solids with Parchment colored Kona for the background. And the label was made using the same block pattern only miniature size. It's so cute!

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2026 Guild Challenge Tote, using the feature fabric in the hexagon flowers and on the straps.

I used the thick foam stabilizer and it certainly gives the bag stability. These challenges are my favorite part at our annual quilt show. We have to incorporate at least 2 square inches into something we make. I marvel at the talent and creativity of the ladies and their entries.

And, of course, the raffle baskets are lots of fun too!

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250th Anniversary Tote Bag,  this is the second tote I have made this year so I think I am good for having enough tote bags.

 

This tote bag project was another workshop at our guild. It is always fun to gather together and sew up something nice.

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2026 Winter Barn Quilt Wall Hanging, another guild workshop project.

I really loved this project! I love old barns and I love the snow so that was the direction I went in my making this wall hanging. I hand-stitched gray rayon thread throughout giving it a bit of a twinkle. I embroidered an owl in the moonlight and made a mini dresden to act as a wreath. I still have to iron on the rabbit appliques and embroider a few more wisps of grass on the left corner before our next week's meeting with show and tell. 

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Machine stitched Trees Wall Hanging, another guild workshop project. 

This is the project that gave me the idea and confidence to machine stitch the trees in the Winter Barn Quilt above. I pushed my comfort zone in choosing these colors. I have mixed feelings on the final result, but it is done and is hanging in the sewing room until someone says, "That is pretty!". And I will say, "It's yours!" 

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And finally the best of all...

Uncle Sam on a Bicycle Stamp. 

This has been on my wish list to make for at least 20 years! It is a pattern from an old Workbasket magazine issued with a date in the 1980s. I almost gave up on it because it was so intricate to sew but I wanted it finished to enter in the County Fair this year. And to my delight, it won first place! 

His face, hands, and shoes were painted on. I embroidered the wheels, spokes, and other details. And he has actual sleeves and lapels on his coat.  (I did say it was intricate!)

All our fair entries this year. Hubster got a red ribbon on his turned bowl. My pumpkin quilt earned second place. And my Elderberry Apple Jelly came in fourth. (last year we won nada. Ha ha! )
 

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