Planners and Journals

I have Planner/Journal Envy.  Doodles, fancy scripts, colors, stickers--oh my.  And it isn't that I haven't tried--not once, not twice--too many to count.  Although I  am a prolific list maker and those planners looked perfect for my little obsession.

I have returned to my tried and true Word document.  Instead of doodling I play with colors and maybe a little clip art.  It isn't fancy but it definitely works for me!







And now a little stash reporting.  I completed four quilts and pleased with the results.  My PhD's are organized and ready to be worked on.  I will start a new BOM on January 1, Home Again with Erin Russek.

As for knitting, I have one more hat that I will finish tonight or tomorrow.  I will be checking in at Eat Sleep Knit for my new team assignment for the Yarnathon and start planning my first quarter projects.

2020 Here I Come

For the past few years I have joined Quilting Gail's UFO challenge.  This year I plan on joining in.  I managed six finishes this year.  Here is my list for 2020.  Many of my other UFO's are hand applique which makes them a little more labor intensive than the pieced blocks.

30"s Euro Swap

Camp Ode May

Guild Ohio Stars

Meg's Birthday Gift to Me

Dinosaur Strippy

Garden Sunshine

Aunt Millie"s Garden

Underground Railroad

Joy of Life

Home Tweet Home

Guild Sampler

Friendship Swap

Guild Churn Dash

Blogging Day 9

I took on the challenge to Blog for 31 Days.  So there were a few days that got away from me, but I am using this challenge to be a more consistent blogger.  The prompts have been very helpful but I am going to veer away from them for the time being.  This time of year I begin planning for the new year--knitting and quilting challenges.  But I also spend lots of time reorganizing my sewing area and my knitting stash and my life in general!
I am working on a binder for 2020 that will help me keep track of what I am doing.  Does anyone use a binder to keep track of stuff?  I am off to tackle a few yarn bins.

Day 4 Blog Writing Challenge My Favorite Tools

Where to start!  I love gadgets and new notions.  While I was packing, unpacking and repacking,  I handled everything I owned several times.  It was a chance to really evaluate how beneficial each item was.  I have used and worn out several seam rippers.  And this one has stood the test of time.  It doesn't roll under furniture and stays where I put it.  While I wouldn't say it is my favorite tool, it is the one that gets the most use.

Now for my all time favorite notion--PRE WOUND BOBBINS.  These are amazing especially for machine embroidery.  I hope manufactures start making a jumbo size the goes with the newer embroidery machines.

Day 3 Blog Writing Challenge--My Machines

I have a Bernina 180 that is more than twenty years old and is still going strong.  Old Reliable is my go-to for piecing and general sewing and can even handle a little free motion quilting. 

But there is a new girl on the block! One of my favorite things to do is machine embroidery.  My Viking Epic moved in last year and we are still getting to know each other.  With a new granddaughter coming in the Spring, I have some big plans for this gal.  I have also started using machine embroidery for quilting and am liking the results.

A Finish

I have another notch to add to my belt!  Aunt Grace's Garden Party is done.  This is such a good feeling.  I am determined to whittle through my UFO's in 2020.

This my UFO list that I started with January 2019.

1. Aunt Mindy’s Flower Baskets--DONE

2.    Return to the Thirties

3.    Aunt Grace’s Garden Party--DONE

4.    Hocuspocusville--DONE

5.    Leftover Jelly Roll--just need to finish the binding.

6.    Schoolhouse Churn Dash

7.    30’s Four Patch Euro Swap

8.    Guild Sampler

9.    Home Tweet Home

10. Camp Oda May Path A

11. Turning Twenty in the Spring

12. Joy of Life

It doesn't look like a lot but I am happy!  Look out 2020

Get It Done December

I finished most of what I started out to this month.  The Linen Stitch Cowl wasn't turning out to my satisfaction and I decided to frog it.  Not sure what will get finished this month, but I am not going to stress over any of it.



NOVEMBER

Knitting

• Jarita Tee--seaming and neckline--Done
• Q4 ESK Knitting Project--Scandinavian Scarf--Done
• Advent-urous Linen Stitch Cowl--frogged

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 11--needs applique
• Aunt Grace's Garden Party Binding and Label--DONE
• Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Machine Quilt--DONE

Read: The Piano Teacher--on hold

DECEMBER

Knitting

• Mystery Afghan KAL

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 11--finish applique
• Quilt Doodles Month 12
• Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Binding and Label
• Judy's Challenge #6

Smocking

• Inset for Daygown

Read: Off Kilter

November's To Do List

I have been soooooooooo off my game the past few months.  And just when I think my get up and go has come back, it takes a detour.  So I am going to approach the next two months with an opened mind.


OCTOBER

Knitting

• Mystery Afghan Clues 5, 6, 7--hibernating 
• Jarita Tee--in progress
• Q4 ESK Knitting Project--Scandinavian Scarf--in progress
• Stay Put Shawl for charity--Done

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 10 Done
• Judy's UFO Challenge # 8 Guild Sampler--hibernating
• Aunt Grace's Garden Party Binding and Label--in progress
• Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Sandwich Done
• Joy of Life--prep block 8--hibernating

Machine Embroidery

• FSL Ornaments Done
• Decorative Christmas Hoops--no

Read:  When the Lion Feeds

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Knitting

• Jarita Tee--finish
• Q4 ESK Knitting Project--Scandinavian Scarf
• Advent-urous Linen Stitch Cowl

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles: Month 11 and 12
• Aunt Grace's Garden Party Binding and Label
• Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Machine Quilt, Bind

Little Miss Crawford

• Smock and construct Baby Day Gown #1

Read: The Piano Teacher

October One Monthly Goal

My One Monthly Goal for October is to bind and label Aunt Grace's Party.  I am committed and it is "in writing".  I am going to link up with Elm Street Quilts.

October's Plan

Happy with my September progress and looking forward to October.  I am feeling a little energized and hope the momentum continues.

SEPTEMBER

Knitting

• Mystery Afghan Clue 5 and Clue 6--in progress still on clue 5
• Jarita Tee--one sleeve left

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 7-9--DONE
• Judy's UFO Challenge # 5 Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Next month
• Hocuspocusville--Binding and Label--DONE
• Joy of Life Block 7 Done

Crafty Stuff

• Christmas Placemats--Done
• Christmas Table Topper--Done
• Tablerunners--7 completed
• Pillowcases--3 completed

Read:  When the Lion Feeds--in progress

OCTOBER

Knitting

• Mystery Afghan Clues 5, 6, 7 
• Jarita Tee
• Q4 ESK Knitting Project--Scandinavian Scarf

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 10
• Judy's UFO Challenge  
• Aunt Grace's Garden Party Binding and Label
• Leftover Jellyroll Quilt--Sandwich 
• Joy of Life--prep block 8

Machine Embroidery

• FSL Ornaments
• Decorative Christmas Hoops

Read:  When the Lion Feeds

Stash Report

I made a little dent in my stash and I am very very happy.  Unfortunately, my camera cord has gone visiting.  But I made 3 pillowcases, 7 table runners and one small quilt top from leftover jelly roll strips. 

Fabric in this week:  0 yards
Fabric out this week:  10.25 yards
Fabric in YTD: 28.75
Fabric out YTD:  70.75

No change in my yarn numbers.

Making Progress--Stash Report

While I have been lax with posting, I have been making some progress on a few projects.  Not sure why I am in such a slump but hopefully it will end soon!

I did have a BIG finish this week.  The binding and label are finished for Hocuspocusville.

And a finish from last week that I didn't get around to posting.

Fabric in this week:  0 yards
Fabric out this week:  22.75 yards
Fabric in YTD: 28.75 yards
Fabric out YTD:  61.50 yards

I had one little yarn finish.  I have been learning Tunisian crochet and made a scarf for the Red Scarf project.

Tunisian Simple Stitch

I needed to update my Yarn Inventory.

Yarn in this week:  0 yards

Yarn out this week:  200 yards

Yarn in YTD:  10238 yards

Yarn out YTD:  6650

(I think I need to get busy!!!)

September's Road Map

Still in a little slump but I have a plan.

August 2019

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019-- continue clue 5--in progress
• Cables and Column Scarf--Done

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--complete months 1-8--need to work on month 7 and 8
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#1 Aunt Mindy's Flower Baskets--DONE
• Binding and Label Ode to the Thirties--DONE

Read:  When the Lion Feeds--working on it.


September

Knitting

• Mystery Afghan Clue 5 and Clue 6
• Jarita Tee
• Tunisian SS scarf

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles Month 7-9  Done
• Judy's UFO Challenge # 5 Leftover Jellyroll Quilt
• Hocuspocusville--Binding and Label Done

Crafty Stuff

• Christmas Placemats Done
• Christmas Table Topper  Done

Read:  When the Lion Feeds

Stash Report

I have been a little lax in posting (more on that later) but I have managed a few finishes.

Fabric:

In this week:  0 yards
Out this week:  12 yards
In YTD:  28.75 yards
Out YTD:  38.75 yards



Yarn:
In this week:  825 yards
Out this week:  420 yards
In YTD:  10238 yards
Out YTD:  4700 yards

 

Goals for August

July  2019

SET UP NEW SEWING SPACE--DONE AND READY

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4 and begin clue 5
• Felted Tote

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--in progess
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#12 Joy of Life--at least block 7--on hold

Read:  When the Lion Feeds--in progress


August 2019

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019-- continue clue 5
• Cables and Column Scarf

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--complete months 1-8
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#1 Aunt Mindy's Flower Baskets
• Binding and Label Ode to the Thirties

Read:  When the Lion Feeds

BOM's Away Monday

I started Quilt Doodle Designs 2019 BOM in Jan.  I wanted to do fusible with machine blanket stitch which I have never done.  Well, I bit the bullet so to speak, surfed YouTube and took the plunge.

 


It was slow work but I am pleased with my progress.  I have a few more applique blocks to complete.

A Little Caking

I have been in a bit of slump the past two weeks.  Not sure why, but I haven't accomplished very much nor even written a list for the week.  I started with this small task and it feels good.

I am sure that all of my English teachers are rolling over in their graves to see that I made the word cake into a verb.  But I did and I am sticking with it.  This is how I spent a few hours, a little less than two hours to be exact.
Each and every "cake" is ready for a specific project.  All but two of those skeins should be used up by Oct. 1.

It feels good to be back.

PhD Report

I have been disappointed that I have made very little progress with my quilting  projects.  But this week I finally started to set up my sewing space.

 I found several more kits and UFO's to add to the list. 

I should be finished by the end of the week and I hope to sew SOMETHING.  ANYTHING.

Plans for July

June was not especially productive.  The Big Guy finished radiation and we went to a my niece's wedding in PA and visited with The Big Guy's twin brother.  It was a lot of driving but it was nice to visit with family.

This is what I wanted to do this June 

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4--halfway done
• Pawley's Shawl--needs blocking
• 1898 Hat

Quilting 

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--maybe this month
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#9 Home Tweet Home--nope
• Joy of Life Block 7--in progress

Other

• Juvenile Pillowcases for James and Malcolm--4

Read  Something in the Water When the Lion Feeds

But I am hoping July will be more productive (but I say that every month).

July  2019

SET UP NEW SEWING SPACE:  yes it is ready for me to start unpacking.  I am beyond excited.  It feels like a little normalcy is creeping back into our lives.

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4 and begin clue 5
• Felted Tote for ESK Q3 challenge

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--I hope to start working on all of the blocks
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#12 Joy of Life--at least block 7.  I have three blocks to finish.  I will be happy to finish just one block.

Read:  When the Lion Feeds

Stash Report

I love having a few finishes.  I have several long term projects in the works.  But I made some pillowcases for "the boys" and I will get to deliver them later this week.

A total of 4 yards has left my stash!  Yeah for
progress.



Fabric in this week:  0 yards
Fabric out this week:  4 yards
In YTD: 9 yards
Out YTD: 19.75

No finishes in my knitting world but I am moving right along.

WIP Wednesday

Mostly knitting to talk about this week.  I think I have fixed my mistake on my mystery afghan KAL and have done a little work on Pawley's Shawl.

Mystery Afghan

Joy of Life Block 7

I just realized I don't have a recent photo of my Pawley's Shawl progress.

Slow Stitching Sunday

The past month or so has not been especially productive me.  I finally got around to prepping Block 7 of Joy of Life.  This is the first time using Ricky's Stable Stuff and then glue basting my pieces to the background.  I have always done needle-turn and got tired fighting with the freezer paper.  I really like the idea of prepared edge applique.  I hope to start stitching tonight.

Preparing Pieces for Gluing

Glued and ready for stitching

Stash Report

A new month and time to get back on track.  Blogging has taken a back seat for the time being.  But I am (hopefully) back to planning, list writing and returning to my routine.  The Big Guy only has six more radiation treatments.

Fabric in this week:  0
Fabric out this week:  15.75 yards 
Fabric in YTD:  9 yards
Fabric out YTD:  15.75

Aunt Mindy's Flower Baskets

Dinosaur Pillowcases

Yarn in this week:  5076 yards
Yarn out this week:  1100 yards
In YTD:  9413 yards
Out YTD:  4280 yards

1898 Hat

Waffle Socks

Faded Beanie

Slow Stitching Sunday

I am prepping the pieces for Block 7 of Joy of Life.  I am determined to finish this project this year.  Hopefully I will finish this part tonight.

Plans for June

May was a very busy month.   I was in Philadelphia for my niece's bridal shower. And the following weekend I went to New Orleans.  The Big Guy is still having radiation but will be finished in two weeks.  It takes a five hour chunk out of the day which is the main reason I have not been blogging.  But I do get a lot of knitting done while on the road each day.

May 2019 Goals

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4--to be released May 15--in progress
• ESK Q2 KAL--faded beanie--needs pompom--finished
• Waffle Socks--finished

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--didn't touch
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#2--Return to the Thirties--didn't touch
• Joy of Life Block 6--finished

Other

• Dinosaur Pillowcases--2--finished and delivered!
• Juvenile Pillowcases for James and Malcolm--4

Read

• Galway Bay--on hold
• Day of Atonement

June 2019

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4
• Pawley's Shawl

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--Work on Blocks 1-6
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#9 Home Tweet Home--probably not going to happen
• Joy of Life Block 7

Other

• Juvenile Pillowcases for James and Malcolm--4

Read:
Something in the Water

Get It Done April and May

APRIL 2019

Knitting:

• Jarita Tee--in progress--didn't touch
• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 3--next clue May 15
• ESK Q2 KAL--faded beanie--needs a pompom
• Top This hats:  ladybug and racoon--done

Quilting

• Delft Blue:  stitch block 3--on hold
• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--practice machine blanket stitch
• Judy's UFO Challenge--Turning Twenty in the Spring--nope
• Camp Oda May Path A--keep going--round 3--nope
• Joy of Life Block 6--in progress

Machine Embroidery

• Simply Dreaming--Get Started!--on hold

Other

• Dinosaur Pillowcases--2--maybe in May
• Juvenile Pillowcases for James and Malcolm--4--maybe in May

Read

Raven Black  Galway Bay

May 2019

Knitting:

• Mystery Afghan 2019--Complete Clue 4--to be released May 15
• ESK Q2 KAL--Faded beanie--needs pompom
• Waffle Socks

Quilting

• Quilt Doodles:  Garden Sunshine--piece April and May
• Judy's UFO Challenge--#2--Return to the Thirties--needs binding and a label.  
• Joy of Life Block 6--21 leaves to applique

Other

• Dinosaur Pillowcases--2
• Juvenile Pillowcases for James and Malcolm--4

Read

• Galway Bay

Knitting, Quilting and more stash report

No machine sewing this week.  But I did add 9 yards of fabric.  One of my lovely daughters gave me a gift certificate last year for my birthday and I didn't want it to go to waste.

I have some tote patterns and zippered cases that I would like to make.  And I thought these fabrics were very pretty.  

Fabric Stats:

Fabric in this week:  9 yards

Fabric out this week:  0 yards

Fabric in YTD:  28.75 yards

Fabric out YTD:  7 yards

As far as yarn is concerned--nothing in but neither have I finished anything.  I have three WIP's

Mystery Afghan KAL

Faded Beanie

I also have a pair of socks on the needles.
Yarn Stats:
In this week:  0 yards
Out this week:  0 yards
In YTD:  4337 yards
Out YTD:  3180