January PHD Update

Hi Quilting Friends,

Happy January! Here’s my January PHD update, with a decent amount of stitching to report.

January was a good month, with a weekend trip to San Antonio to visit our younger son for his birthday, game nights with our older son and our neighbors, dinners out with friends, and time for some sewing too. The weather was warm, then cold, then warm, then cold again, which is typical for Houston at this time of the year. The magnolia tree in the backyard has been blooming, which means Spring will be here fairly soon.

I’ve commenced the “Game Room to Studio” makeover project, sorting and organizing the many random things that have been stored there. I’ve donated several boxes of gently used items, prepared some things for our community garage sale in the Spring, and sent a significant amount of stuff away with the trash guys. There is still a LOT to do, but progress is being made and I’m excited to continue creating my space.

PHD in 2022 Project List

Project #2: “A Time to Play” Wall Hanging

I’ve been tracing and cutting the applique pieces. Wow! That big deciduous tree has a LOT of leaves. This is going to be a beautiful quilt, and I’m having fun so far.

It will be necessary to have more fabric for the sky and water background, as well as the outer borders and some of the landscape areas, so a raid on Susan’s batik stash, as well as a trip to the quilt shop are in order. The local quilt shop has a nice selection of batiks, so I’ll just have to bravely suffer through it, LOL.

Project #4 & #5: Gray/Black & Tan/Brown Scrappy Baskets

I’ve finished making the black/gray basket, which was my “One Monthly Goal” for January. Here are some pictures –

My “One Monthly Goal” for February is to make my tan and brown scrappy storage box. This won’t take long, since I’ve already sorted out the scraps. Ready, set, and go!

Project #6: Star Party Sampler Quilt

I’ve finished writing the instructions for all of the blocks for the sampler quilt, so I can begin sewing when I’m ready.

Project #7: RSC 2021 String Block Quilt

I’ve purchased fabric for the back of the quilt; black background with splashes of rainbow colors. I’ve layered & pinned it, so I can begin quilting when I have some time to do so.

Project #9: Scrappy Christmas Quilt

I’ve made the blocks for this project and stitched them together to complete the quilt top, which measures 54″ x 64″. Here’s the quilt top-

I’m sort of regretting that striped fabric that I’ve included, but perhaps it will blend in when the quilting is all done. I don’t think that it needs a border, do you? Now I will take a break and figure out how to quilt it, and decide what fabric I want to use on the back.

Project #14: Crayon Box Scrappy Quilt

I’ve started adding the sashing pieces between blocks, but there really isn’t much to see yet. I’ll share a photo when I have the quilt top completed.

New Projects

I’m trying to resist the temptation to jump into new projects that I won’t have time to finish this year, but it isn’t easy to do so. So much inspiration, such limited time! I must choose wisely, but it may be beyond my ability to control myself.

Polar Bear and Yeti Pals Mug Rug

I created this cheerful mug rug for the “Polar Bear Plunge” blog hop, and it makes me smile when I use it for my hot (or cold) beverage and a little snack when I get home from school. I’ve always adored yetis!

Jet Airliner Pattern

I designed and stitched this fun jet airliner at the request of a customer who is stitching a quilt for her little grandson, adding it to our inventory of foundation pieced vehicle patterns. Click on the picture to puchase the pattern.

Ongoing Projects

The “Rainbow Scrap Challenge” color for January was RED! Here are pictures of my RED blocks –

Sawtooth Star

Carolina Chain

I was able to complete nine light blocks and nine dark blocks, for a total of eighteen blocks.

Progress Tracking

Here’s my updated task list, with shading where a task has been completed. My favorite part is when an entire line on the spreadsheet is colored, like Project #4!

If you’d like to use my task list, download and personalize one for yourself:

Here’s my UFO list for PHD in 2022-

Happy quilting,

Sharon

Linking up with Quilting Gail

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal February Link-up