Hi Quilting Friends,
Happy Halloween! I hope that you’ve had a wonderful October. It is easy to forget how quickly these last months of the year zip along, with so many celebrations to keep us busy. It is both fun and exhausting, but mostly fun. 😊 Don’t be scared; here are a few fun Halloween pictures that I wanted to share.
I’ve busy sitting around, waiting for my foot to heal and to get released to “normal” activities. As a result, I have loads of time for handwork, reading, snuggling dogs, napping, etc. I saw the orthopedic doctor yesterday, and I can now wear two normal shoes, with a few restrictions for the next 4-6 weeks. This is such a relief!
We had several fun outings this month, including a visit to the Houston Mounted Patrol stables, a Halloween party at my nephew’s home, and Halloween cookie day with our neighbors and their children, along with game nights and dining out with friends. All in all, it has been a good month!
I usually try to write something helpful or inspiring at this point in my PHD update, but I’m drawing a blank today despite several false starts. So perhaps a teaser is in order instead!
It’s not too early to begin thinking about twelve unfinished projects for your “PHD in 2027” list. I’ll share our guidelines in mid-December. (They will be very similar to our 2026 guidelines, FYI.) Here’s the new logo-
Feel free to share this logo on your blog and with your quilting friends to spread the word! I’d love to “see” new faces join us to work toward our “PHD in 2027”. The more, the merrier!
Here’s my PHD update for October.
Project #2: “Each Dawn A New Day”
Here’s my counted cross-stitch project at the end of September-
And here it is from earlier this month, with the brass charms attached and in its gorgeous new 11″ x 14″ frame. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube to learn how to frame a cross stitch piece. Framing is easy to do, if you take your time and make small adjustments to ensure proper placement as you go.
I love this! I’ve hung the finished piece in my bedroom, where I see it first thing each morning. “Each dawn, a new day. Each day, a new beginning.” sets the tone for a great day, don’t you think!
Project #4: FPP Stars Quilt (To Be Continued. . .)
No real progress, and I don’t anticipate it happening soon. I’m waiting for inspiration to arrive, and then I’ll have a better idea about how many additional blocks I need to make.
While I wait for inspiration, I will set this project aside with the intent to continue it in 2027. This gives me plenty of time to consider design options without rushing through the process.
Project #4: Autumn Angel Cross Stitch
Project #4 is now “Autumn Angel”, a counted cross stitch kit that I have had in my stash since the late 1990’s. This piece finishes at just 5″ by 7″.
The kit-
Progress this month-
I’ve had a LOT of time to sit around and stitch. It should be easy to wrap this project up by the end of this year.
Project #6: “New” Coffee Mugs Throw
This project is progressing nicely, as shown in the sneaky peek! Read more HERE.
My “One Monthly Goal” for November is to finish “Caffeine Addict” and publish the pattern. Ready? Set. SEW!
Note to self- add the link please!
Project #7: “New” Christmas Bells Place Mats
My “One Monthly Goal” for October was to finish the Christmas bells place mat set. Ta-done! Read more HERE.
For a limited time you’ll receive a 40% discount on your choice of these coordinating designs, with your purchase of “Christmas Bells”.
Project #9: Project from Stash or Scraps, “Trail Mix”
I’ve had my eye on the “Trail Mix” quilt pattern for several years now, and so I’ve decided that this is my next big scrappy project.
I probably won’t have time to finish it this year, but I can get a good start on piecing the blocks with a promise to myself that I will wrap it up in 2027. This is OK for PHD in 2026 for two reasons-
- Projects that are started during Q4 may be continued into the following year
- I started in October, which is Q4
- PHD requires 12 (or more) finishes in 2026
- I’ll have this requirement covered by finishing either “Caffeine Addict” or “Autumn Angel”
I’ll focus on shades of purple, red, and blue scraps because my scrap bins are overflowing with these colors. This should be fun, and I hope to see a significant decrease in my scrap collection once I’ve finished this project.
The quilt requires several different types of blocks, so I’ll start with the ones that require the largest pieces and go from there.
I’ve finished stitching the 32 four-patch blocks (about 1.25 yards of scraps) –
And the 38 double four-patch blocks are also complete (about 1.5 yards of scraps) –
New Projects
I made another scrappy zipper bag, this time in shades of grey. Read more HERE.
This festive table mat coordinates with the Christmas place mats. I found the ornament block in my “orphan” drawer, and I’m still not sure why I made five of them instead of the four blocks that I needed for the place mat set. Isn’t it pretty with the fussy-cut poinsettia flower in the center? I used leftover strip sets and background fabric to complete a 13″ by 13″ square mat.
I’ve used almost all of the cream and gold snowflakes background fabric from my stash, with a little less than 0.25 yard left, so this may be the last of the pieces for this series. I may still add some matching hot pads, we shall see!
I have made sixteen place mats, a runner, and this table mat, so I have loads of options for making merry!
I attended a crochet class at our local community college, and made this cute crochet pumpkin! It was fun, quick and easy, so I made two more for gifts. (One for my sweet neighbor, and one for my lovely daughter in law.)
I have WAY too much time in the recliner and I’m not great at being idle, so I decided that the “girls” both need a crocheted Christmas elf collar cover. 🎄🎄🎄 I used this tutorial, and the pups don’t hate them.
I may end up making more collar covers for the other eight pups in my family (2 for our son, 2 for my nephew, and 4 for my niece). I have plenty of yarn, bells, and time on my hands.
Ongoing Projects
“Signature” Blocks
I opted to stitch my October blocks using transition fabric. Read more HERE.
PHD Progress Update
This is my updated PHD task list, shaded to show the finished tasks. As you can see, I’ve made a swap for Project #4 and a decision for Project #9, with progress on all remaining projects.
This is my updated PHD tracker. I need one more finish to earn my PHD, assuming that I don’t get too carried away with ‘New”.
Party Time!
Now it’s your turn! Share your link and visit the others to support and encourage.
We would appreciate a link back from your post to this post. Here’s a link to copy and paste.
Happy Halloween! I hope that the little goblins in your neighborhood leave some candy for you!
Happy quilting,
Sharon
