What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 I thought I had started quite well, finally finding some little pockets of time to sew after a very unproductive month and then this happened... on 20th, which stopped me in my tracks in some ways....

I also made 3 more thimble blocks so I now have 5

one mini alphabet letter

And nothing more really. Everything is quite ...

 Another month which has disappeared VERY quickly with very little sewing really! And this partly because of a big trip that was scheduled late October... I had a business trip to Japan so took the opportunity to extend by a couple of days to enjoy Tokyo. So there has been a lot to prepare before and a lot to do...

All I managed to achieve this month is to see these 2 thimbles for Happy Sew Lucky QAL

And to add the button and sew the hems on my coat. Still no hood though. 

I started block F11 for my ...

Wow I can't believe we're about to start the last quarter of the year. Where does time go? Still a very busy month but I have taken some time to sew this month and I'm happy I did!

And I also tried my hand at Ikebana with my first ever floral arrangement. 

Finally I ...

 Well, August is over by a few days already, so holidays is over, work holiday is over too and I hardly have anything to report really. I don't think I've turned my sewing machine on in August at all sadly

 Another month gone and I can't say I've had much sewing time, far too much happening otherwise. School year finished early July for all 3 children, with exams and exam results for 2 of them. We then had the Main Square festival over 4 days, too much music and partying to find some sewing time!

We then FINALLY sign on our new house. It's been quite a long time coming and very eventful until the 11th hour but we signed mid July. Now we have the keys, there is a lot of work to be done before ...

 Finally a month which hqs been rather productive on the sewing front. And I have also spent another afternoon in a fabulous cake making lesson to learn how to make a delicious kiwi insert and strawberry mousse on a almond base. It was a lot of work but very yummy!

Otherwise the month has mainly be dedicated to make the teachers' presents: 10 pouches + 1 pencil case.

I finally finished a nightdress too

and made 1 block for the Modern Scape quilt-along. I am so behind on all the quilt-along now...

Linking to June Furtle

Céline

 Well, what can I say? Time has escaped me and my sew-jo has completely disappeared so I've done hardly nothing this month... too much "life" going on to find time for anything else.

I started a night dress, but not with my favourite pattern, that I still can't find despite tidying my sewing area.... despite being a very easy and quick sew, it's not yet finished. 

I finished Dear Jane block F1 (no sashing yet) and blocks #16 & #17 for Modern City Scape for a total of 3 blocks

 Another busy month here which including a work trip in the UK for 4 days. I have managed some sewing but I've also felt really tired at times and found it difficult to find much energy. Maybe the lack of spring weather has not helped...

I've managed to keep up with 2 of my quilt-along: the Modern City Scape and the Birthday blocks making a total of x blocks and I also made March blocks for the Ravenbrook Scrap Quilt Along (still some catch up to do on this one...)

 The week has been rather busy at work and at home and it doesn't seem that this will quieten down any time soon. I think once more sewing will take a back seat for a little while...

1. Make block #14 for the Modern City Scape - Done

2. Make Birthday blocks #16 - no progress

3. Sew the Ravenbrook Scrap Quilt Along blocks for February & April - no progress

4. Work on the Hexie blocks - no progress

5. Complete Dear Jane block E13 and finish row E - Done

6. Sew the dropped sleeves blouse- no progress

This week again I ...

 With a quarter of the year already gone, it is a good time to take stock of my progress (or rather lack of!) on my UFOs... I had prepared a list of the PhD challenge in January and I fear there isn't much to report...

1. Harry Potter (started 2019)  - no progress

3. Gipsy Wife (started 2017) - no progress

 March has been quite busy with some holidays, a big birthday, still a lot of stress as we are continuing to try to move house and of course quite a lot of work. I have tried to steal some sewing time to face the chaos! I have also spent a lovely afternoon learning to make a yummy and beautiful cake with my mum

Only one finish this month with the tote bag for my friend's birthday.

February has been far less productive than January on the sewing front... on the other hand we had 2 birthdays to celebrate (for the girls) with several parties/meals and cakes... and the month has been quite a rollercoaster for our family actually so I guess I have done the best I could? I am still trying to keep up the Tuesday lists to keep the motivation and focus and that definitely helps.

Let's have a look at how this month went...

I made a few blocks this month for the new quilt-alongs I joined: 2 Birthday blocks and ...

 Wow, what a start for the year! I have finally taken some time to sew, regularly. Not always a massive amount of time but some time. And it has made a difference I am happy to report.

I have also started (too?) many quilt alongs, and I know it will be a challenge to keep up with them all but I'll have to try... 

I have also managed to blog a lot more than I had for a very long time (maybe simply because I had things to blog about!)

Let's have a look at how this month ...

 So the year is over and I haven't fettled many finishes sadly. I had written a mid-year report but I don't think much has changed since when only 2 out of 15 entries had seen some action.

Well at least, I now have one big finish with the Impromtpu quilt

4. Farmer's Wife 1930 quilt (started 2015) - no progress

5. Enchanted Star (started 2019) - no ...

It is January 1, 2024. First day of the new year - one day to reflect and introspect before the onslaught of work and responsibilities.

A review post is always tricky. What do I include? What do I leave out? And how do I say it? Should it be just quilting? But my feelings are so entangled with the threads of my quilts. Can you really keep your work and thoughts in water-tight compartments?

Unable to separate my feelings from my work

I will try to focus on my quilts and if my feelings seep in so be it. Here are ...

 Sadly no sewing at all in December but I am happy to report very little crafting, almost all involving the Cricut that I finally seem to have tamed!

First there were many more Pillow Case Holders for the school plus one for my friend with a little diamanté

And finally, not Cricut related but I finally finished the center part of the Nutcracker Parade during the holidays.

Linking to December Furtle

Céline

 I had great hopes when I joined Gail's PhD in 2023 challenge in January but I didn't do that well after all...

Of the 12 projects I listed; only 3 are now completed: the Impromptu quilt (initially started in 2013), the mini Storm at Sea (started in 2010) and the Messenger bag.

One more has seen some progress: I made more blocks for the Harry Potter quilt but the top is not yet finished.

I unearthed 2 projects but didn't manage to work on them in the end so no progress for the Morgan Jeans or the ...

 2023 is not quite over but we're nearly there... it has been a mixed bag in terms of sewing and crafting for sure with some productive times and some completely empty ones sadly. Life for our family has continued to be quite difficult overall so that's had an effect on my motivation, time and energy for crafting for sure. Now looking back at the year, here are my Best of for 2023.

A busy month, a difficult month, a month with difficult memories but also a few happier moments. Lots to progress this month still for all of us and not necessarily enough energy or time to sew as much as I had planned/ wished.

A collection of pillow card holder, even though I forgot to take a picture, with more in the making at ...

Well, compared to last month I have at least something to report. Whether my sew-jo is back, the question remains open...

Next on my list was to unpick and redo the hem of my Aquarius dress, still not perfect but much better now. I still haven't taken pictures with the dress and now winter has come I'm not sure when I'll do it!