PHD in 2026: June Update

Hi Quilting Friends,

Summer is officially here in the Northern hemisphere, and it arrived in Houston with our typical hot, humid, rainy days and nights. We have adapted after 40+ years in this climate, but sometimes I really miss those refreshingly cool Montana summer nights.

Mr. Fix It and I have had a “sporty” June, watching a few NBA playoff games and several World Cup matches on TV.  We enjoy watching “fútbol” since the action is non-stop. Our neighbors have joined us to view several matches, so we have a real cheering section. Astrid and Freya are soccer fans too; they wake up and celebrate with us whenever a goal is scored.

We spent Fathers’ Day weekend in San Antonio with our family there.  These guys cooked a delicious breakfast for everyone.

The cabrito (baby goat) was delicious, served in soft tortillas with rice and beans on the side; here’s Mr. Fixit with his lunch!

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And now down to business! We’re at the midpoint of 2026, and perhaps you’ve already finished up the “easy” projects from your list. (I know that I have!) How do we get over the hurdles that lie between us and a finish on those more challenging projects that remain to be completed this year?

Let’s begin by applyling this quote (which may or may not be from Mark Twain; my research was inconclusive) to our PHD projects:

“If it is your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, eat the biggest one first.” 🐸 🐸

When choosing between tasks, begin the day with the one from your list that is the most important, the most challenging, or the most likely to be procrastinated (the “frog”). Starting your day with the frog sets a tone for productivity, and makes the rest of the day seem easy by comparison.

For example, I keep a bucket near my cutting table that I use for scraps that need to be sorted and yardage that awaits a return to its shelf.  I often procrastinate on emptying the bucket until it’s overflowing, mostly because it’s a boring job and I’d rather be sewing.  This might be OK for a while, but eventually the disorder becomes a distraction that interferes with my workflow.

This time it had been at least four months since I had emptied the bucket, so I ate that frog earlier this month.  I put away the fabric pieces, and then sorted and stored the scraps before I did anything else in the studio.  At that point I was on a roll, so I went on to cut out most of the pieces for Project 12 (which I had also been procrastinating).  That’s two frogs consumed in a single day! I was able to keep going on activities that were more engaging for me after eating my frogs, since action builds momentum.

I’m going to try this strategy again, starting my sewing session by eating a frog, next time I find one hanging out in my studio. 🐸

Do you have a frog in your studio?  Perhaps there are several frogs who are waiting to be eaten! 🐸🐸🐸 Try eating that frog first, and see what happens next.  Please share your results in the comments.

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Here’s my PHD update for June.

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Project #2: “Each Dawn A New Day”

This was the piece at the end of May-

And here it is at the end of June. If you look closely, you’ll see several shades of blue that I’m stitching around the planet and below the compass rose. There’s not a lot left to stitch, so it shouldn’t take long to finish.

My progress on the cross-stitch project has slowed significantly, partly because I’ve done hand work for other projects that were prioritized, and partly because stitching the background sections is not exciting. Up until recently, I stitched on this project while watching TV with Mr. Fixit.  However, I’ve had difficulty focusing on it while viewing the NBA playoffs and World Cup games, and that’s about all we’ve watched lately.

I’ll keep working on it, however slowly, since I can see that I’m going to love this picture when it is completed.

Project #5: “New” FPP Blocks (4 designs)

My plan for Project #5 is to design, stitch, and create patterns for four new foundation paper pieced blocks, adding to the inventory available from Ms P’s Pattern Shop.

I created a drawing for a scrappy foundation pieced wonky flower block last fall, and Susan worked her magic to create a piecing diagram for it. 

I stitched a few colorful flower blocks from my batik scraps to see where they take me. . .

What do you think? I like them even better with an appliqued circle or a button in the center, like this-

What would you make with these colorful wonky flowers?  Maybe a throw, a runner, or a pillow?  A pretty pair of hot pads?  Its finished size is 7″ x 7″, and I’m open to suggestions. It could become a great RSC block for next year; we shall see!

The downloadable “Wonky Flower” block pattern is available for purchase, right here.

I’m awaiting inspiration for the other new FPP designs.  Maybe I’ll create another tractor, a different flower, a star, or another wonky block?  I just don’t know yet, so stay tuned!

Project #6: “New” Coffee Mug Throw Quilt

I’ve decided to make a throw with the FPP coffee mug blocks that I’ve been stitching for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge each month, and the design is “percolating” in my brain. I haven’t actually started making anything yet, except the coffee mug blocks, but I have a pretty good idea about how it will look when it’s all finished. Here’s a slideshow of the coffee mugs that I have so far-

Project #10: Play with “Toys”, Cubix Runner

The Cubix runner is pieced, basted, and ready for quilting. Yes, this is a full-color photo. The background fabric is printed with snowflakes in shades of gray with silvery metallic details, but it’s beauty doesn’t show up well in this image. I’ll work harder next month to capture it with some close-up pictures. I think it will be stunning!

My “One Monthly Goal” for July is to get it all finished up, but first I need to make a stop at the quilt shop for the perfect thread. (I hope that they’ll have what I’m imagining.) Ready? Set. SEW!

Stories from the Sewing Room One Monthly Goal July Link Up

Project #11: Scrappy Zipper Bags X 12

The RSC challenge for June was “Pastels”, and this is the small zipper bag that I created out of leftovers from Project #12.  Read more HERE.

This cute little bag will be part of Gaby’s birthday gift, and it is bag #10 of the 12 that I plan to make this year from my scraps and stash.

Project #12: Honey Bee Bag from Kit

My “One Monthly Goal” for June was to make the “Honey Bee Bag” for Gaby, my sweet daughter-in-law, who has a July birthday.  Ta-done! Read more HERE.

Project #13: Lupine & Laughter Mystery Quilt

It’s a wrap!  I’ve finished up the quilting and binding on this scrappy beauty.

My scraps and stash fabrics were more than sufficient to make this 80″ x 80″ lovely. I used the color palette suggested by the designer, mostly because I had plenty of scraps in those colors, but also because I think it’s a pretty combination.

I’m not sure what I’ll do with this quilt now that it is all done, but I’m certain that I’ll find an excellent “home” for it.  I have several great nieces who don’t have a quilt from me (yet).

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New Projects

Nope.  Just nope.

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Ongoing Projects

Click the images to read more.

Coffee Mug Blocks

“Signature” Blocks

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PHD Progress Update

This is my updated PHD task list, shaded to show the finished tasks and looking fine (if I say so myself).

This is my updated PHD tracker. As you can see, I’m back on schedule with 6 finishes for the year, despite my slow start. Yay!

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Party Time!

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June Update: PHD in 2026

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Thanks for stopping in today!  I can’t wait to see your progress toward PHD in 2026.  Have a wonderful July, filled with friends, family, fun, and fireworks. 🎇

Happy quilting,

Sharon