January PHD Update

Hi Quilting Friends,

Welcome back to PHD in 2024! If you didn’t get a chance to link up with your list of twelve projects that you want to finish in 2024, no worries. You may join us at any time; the more, the merrier!

We’ve chosen the projects for this year, so how can we approach getting them finished? It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you are faced with a stack of unfinished projects. Where do you even begin when the stack is SO large? How do you decide what to do first? 

I use a task list to stay organized and on track to meet my goals. This method works well for me, and perhaps it will work well for you too.

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“The Task List”

• Make a spreadsheet (if you prefer digital) or create a chart (if you prefer paper) that lists your projects (just twelve for now). 
  • I’ve created a spreadsheet template that you can download and use as a starting point for your own list. You may print it or use it digitally; your choice! Keep reading for that link.
• Break down each project into smaller steps, the “Tasks”.
  • Add a brief description of each task in the row of cells for every UFO project; 1 or 2 words will usually be sufficient
  • Tasks like quilting or piecing can be broken down further if desired
• Choose just one task at a time, and complete it. 
  • Which task sounds most enjoyable right now? Choose it first, and enjoy!
  • Which task are you least fond of doing? Do it first if possible, and it’s done forever!
  • How much time do you want to spend today (or this week)? Choose one task that can be completed in that amount of time.
  • Did you choose a project with a deadline looming? Start on it first.
• Complete the one task the you’ve selected.
  • Organize your tools and supplies.
    • This helps you to avoid distractions when you’re hunting for something that you need for your task. (Look! Squirrel!)
  • Grab a beverage (for hydration) and a snack (for energy).
  • Add music or TV in the background, if that helps you to focus. Alternatively, mute the phone and close the sewing room door if noises distract you. 
  • Stitch away!
    • Such fun!!
• Now here’s the really fun part!
  • When a task is finished, shade its cell to indicate “DONE!”.
    • If your task list is digital, shade the cell background.
    • If your task list is on paper, color the cell with a map pencil or marker.
  • When the UFO is finished, shade its cell, and then shade its number too!
    • There’s something SO satisfying about shading those rectangles. . .

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My January Update

My progress has been somewhat limited, since I took Princess Nina to the quilt shop for her “spa day” in early January. (I can’t believe that she’s been working with me for a whole year already!) Luckily, I have Nina (my Bernina 1530) as a backup machine for “emergency stitching” while the Princess is away. Here’s what I’ve been stitching on this month-

Project #1- Carolina Chain Scrap Quilt

The quilt top is finished and ready for quilting. I spent a good bit of time playing with the layout, but finally decided that I wasn’t making improvements as I moved blocks around from here to there and there to here. I stopped playing around and stitched the blocks together already. The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter, and is available HERE. I used up a LOT of scrap fabrics to make this quilt, but my scrap bins are still full. Go figure!

I purchased fabric to use for the back, so I can begin quilting it now that Princess Nina has returned from the spa.

Project #4- “It Moose Be Love” Challenge Project

We’re scheduled to share our project on February 21, so I’d better get busy executing my plans. No hints at present about what I’m working on, but it is coming along nicely so far.

My “One Monthly Goal” for February is to complete and share this project.

Project #12- Black & White Frankenbag

All done, and I had SUCH fun making my black and white Frankenbag. I used the easy tutorial from Agile Jack, HERE. I added a zipper placket at the top as well as two inside pockets, one with a zipper closure and one split pocket with a carabiner on a loop to hold my key ring. (Yay for never having to dredge the bottom of my bag for the keys again!)

This project was my “One Monthly Goal” for January, and I’m happy to have it completed.

New Projects

I LOVE making scrappy zip bags. This month I made two bags; one in black & white to coordinate with my new Frankenbag, and another in greens for my January #RSC2024 project. Making bags uses up some of my scraps, and I have opportunities to practice my FMQ moves. (Note the fun feather quilting on the last image.)

I’ve also pieced a green batik place mat from some leftover 9-patch squares, and now that Princess Nina is back I will quilt and bind it. It looks really dark in the photo, so I’ll definitely post a better image after I’ve finished this one.

We recently had a cold snap in Houston, where the temperatures dipped below freezing for two nights in a row. (I know. Some of you have dealt with sub-zero temperatures recently. This is Houston, and we literally aren’t built for freezes.) I decided that Astrid & Freya would be more comfortable if they each had a flannel blanket to cover them while they nap. I happened to have a bag of flannel scraps from the pajama pants that I’ve made for Mr. Fix-It, so I cut a stack of squares and made two puppy blankets. 

The blankets aren’t terribly beautiful, but they are cozy and warm. The girls love their new blankets. (They are not spoiled, much .💕)

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This is my 2024 task list, updated to reflect my progress in January-

As you can see, some of my projects and their tasks are clearly defined while others are still under consideration. The shaded cells represent completed tasks, and the shaded row is a completed project.

Here’s my PHD tracker for January, shaded where I have finished projects-

How are your PHD projects coming along? Link up your January update post to share with us.

Until next time,

Happy quilting,

Sharon

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