PHD in 2021 April Update

Hi Quilting Friends,

April has zipped by again! How does that happen every year? My back yard looks pretty good, and the herb seeds that I planted earlier this month have started growing well. I’ve enjoyed spending time outdoors while the weather is fine; summer heat will arrive soon, and then I’ll want to hunker down indoors with the AC. Just one more (very long!) month of school, and then summer vacation begins. We’re all counting down the days until it arrives. I hope that you’re also having a nice Spring!

Here’s my April update:

Project #1: Make the “Southwest Critters” Quilt

I have finished putting the quilt top together, with some (not boring, like my original choice) sashing fabric that we had on hand in the stash at Susan’s house. I will wait to show the entire quilt until it is time to publish the new pattern, but here’s a sneaky peek at part of it. (The colors in this image aren’t true, because I snapped a quick picture indoors while it rains outside.)

Project #3: Make something with this great coffee print fabric

All done! I posted this project for the “Stitchin’ in the Kitchen” blog hop. This set has gone to “live” in San Antonio with my son:

The coffee mug pattern is available in Ms P’s Pattern Shop, if you’re interested.

Project #13: Mariner’s Star table runner and place mats

My “One Monthly Goal” for April was to piece this set of four place mats and the table runner, using the star blocks that I pieced in the Fall. All done! Here’s a picture of one place mat in progress:

My “One Monthly Goal” for May is to quilt the place mats and table runner, and to finish the binding too. I really love how they are turning out so far! Ready, set, go!

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal May Link-up

Project #18: Finish the “Monster Mashup” quilt, pieced in 2020

I’ve purchased the backing for my quilt, which I found on a recent trip to the quilt shop. It was in the clearance section, 45% off, and I just love a bargain! The backing fabric has cute little ghosts on an orange background, which will be great with the quilt’s theme. I can begin to think about quilting it, now that I have the backing on hand.

New Projects

Red, White, and Blue “Road to Oklahoma”

I currently have 50 completed blue blocks and 50 completed red blocks, and I’ve used up nearly all of my stash of 2″ red, white, and blue scraps. I’ve been playing around with layouts, but haven’t settled on one yet. Which layout do you like best, of the options that are under consideration?

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RSC 2021 Blocks

The color for April was blue (bright or light), and so I’ve made two more Sawtooth Star blocks, one with a white background and a second with gray background. I’ve used up this gray from my stash, so I’ll need to find more gray fabric to make my May blocks. I doubt that I’ll be able to match this fabric, but it’s a scrappy project and that’s OK.

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I also made twelve blue string blocks from the 1.5″ blue strips that I had on hand. That makes a total of 36 string blocks so far this year. I’ve started browsing Pinterest for layout ideas, but I don’t have a plan so far. I won’t need to decide until I wrap up making the blocks later this year.

Here’s my task list spreadsheet for 2021:

And my UFO list for 2021:

Happy quilting,

Sharon

April PHD Progress – Linking to Quilting Gail