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Another month for the record books. I finished two things in April, Peacock River and the stitching on the Tiny Modernist SAL.

I started The Short List many years ago to create goals to work toward and a way to focus. I change things up as my goals and interests change.

Project 1 (stitching): Floral Butterfly embroidery kit by Bucilla. I have a little over a week on this one and expect to finish it this month. It came with framing materials.

Project 2 (UFO): The membership quilt. The two sections are complete and ready to quilt.

Project 3 (original ...

May snuck up on me. I got up one morning and there it was, not nearly as warm as it ought to be.

I didn’t finish anything in April. As it sometimes happens, the finishes will come all at once. Good thing there are projects in the wings to prevent the mad scramble for new projects.

I started The Short List many years ago to create goals to work toward and a way to focus. I change things up as my goals and interests change.

Project 1 (stitching): The Tiny Modernist Holiday 2022 SAL. If I don’t finish ...

This month is flying! I just realized I had to get this posted and fast.

I didn’t finish anything in March but made progress on many projects. The list has grown.

I started The Short List many years ago to create goals to work toward and a way to focus. I continually change the categories as my goals and interests change.

Project 1 (stitching): The Tiny Modernist Holiday 2022 SAL. I’m closing in on this one. Once a project gets to a certain point, all I want to do is work on it until it’s finished. That ...

No change in the numbers.

The second border is on all pieces of the membership quilt, which I decided to name Remember Me.

One more border to go and the sections will be ready to quilt. No idea how I will quilt this one, but open to suggestions.

Fabric In: 18.5 yards

Fabric out: 2.675 yard

Net Fabric In: 15.825 yards

How did you do this week?

When March rolls around I think of Spring. The days are longer and I want to spend time outside. The weather doesn’t always cooperate, but a girl can hope.

I finished both the pinwheel quilt and the table runner in February. It always feels good to add new projects to the list.

I started The Short List many years ago to create goals to work toward and a way to focus. I continually change the categories as my goals and interests change.

Project 1 (stitching): The Tiny Modernist Holiday 2022 SAL. The border stitched up faster than the solid ...

My February OMG was to finish a table runner. I bought a couple boxes of fabric at an estate sale which contained some strip sets. I added the red vertical strips (from the box) and quilted it with the serpentine stitch on my machine. It’s a perfect fit for its new home.

I’m linking to Elm Street Quilts, where you can see all the other February OMG finishes.

The pinwheel quilt is now complete.

There is no pattern for this quilt. I picked up the HST pieces off the charity table at Guild more years ago than I care to admit. Once I sewed them together, I figured out a pattern that would use close to that number. The quilt will be donated to Safehouse, a battered women’s shelter in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I’m glad to have finally finished it and hope it brings joy to someone who needs it.

Now I’m on to the next project.

Happy 2023! I love the start of a new year with its feeling of a clean slate and endless opportunities. It’s a time to re-evaluate and change directions.

I started The Short list many years ago. Some years it works better than others. I continually change the categories to reflect my goals and interests.

I have goals this year to finish eight sewing projects, two stitching projects and fully finish three projects I have already stitched. I define the categories rather than choose specific projects because picking projects in advance never works for me. The Short List will reflect ...

Finally, something that resembles progress on pinwheels.

I sewed the first two rows together, but not to each other.

The quilt is much brighter than it looks in the picture. I’m hoping it will bring a smile to someone that doesn’t often have something to smile about.

Onward.

The new month came quickly, leaving me scrambling to figure out the next projects. So many choices, limited time.

I met my goal last month of finishing the Pumpkin Patch top, and then finished the quilt shortly after. The next project on the mindless list is a quick sew.

Project One: I’m still stitching My Sewing Treasures by Bobby G Designs.

Project Two: I haven’t worked on the band sampler. I’m debating if I stitch the rest of the bands or just the final colored band to balance it out.

Project Three: I’m sewing a simple ...

I’m sitting here watching the rain pour down wishing for a warm sunny spring instead of whatever this is. On the plus side, the weather encourages me to stay inside and sew.

I finished my April OMG, the Margo Handbag.

I have too many projects going again. No more adding projects to the active rotation until I finish a few.

Project One: I’ve stitched about 25% of My Sewing Treasures by Bobby G Designs.

Project Two: The band sampler will return from time out once my Guild demonstrates the stitches for the next two rows at the meeting ...

Sewing about half the pattern for The Margo Handbag by Lazy Girl Designs was my OMG for April.

I sometimes stall when sewing bags. I like the idea of making them, but sometimes find them fussy and tedious. They tend to take me longer than they should.

That wasn’t the case with The Margo Handbag. The directions were very well written and separated into simple steps. I found it easy to pick up where I left off the night before. I don’t always have a lot of mental power left after working all day. The clearer the instructions ...

No fabric in or out.

I haven’t made enough progress on the bag to post another picture. The only other active project is My Sewing Treasures.

I think I’ve stitched a few more spools since I showed it last. Somehow it ended up wonky in the frame, but the stitching is straight.

Fabric In: 0.5yards

Fabric Out: 2.75 yards

Net Fabric Out: 2.25 yards

How did you do this week?

I’ve been working steadily on the Margo Handbag.

I have a love-hate relationship with bag making. I like the idea of making purses, but I don’t always enjoy the tedium of it. I sometimes find the instructions lacking, but this Lazy Girl Designs pattern has great instructions. That’s making a huge difference.

I’ve already made enough progress to hit my OMG. It would be even better to finish the bag by the end of the month.

I finished my February OMG, the challenge quilt top.

I will continue to keep the list small, but not quite as small. I’m feeling the need for more variety.

Project One: My Needle Arts Guild started a band sampler stitch-along. We review the stitches for two bands at the monthly meeting, with a goal of finishing those bands before the next meeting. This project will continue into May.

Project Two: This is a challenge quilt for my Art Quilt Group. The top is quilted and three sides of the facing are sewn. It needs a sleeve, a label and ...

I finished my January OMG, the felt tree ornament. That means something new gets added to the list.

I will continue to keep the list at just a few items. That’s about all I can manage right now.

Project One: My Needle Arts Guild started a band sampler stitch-along. We review the stitches for two bands at the monthly meeting, with a goal of finishing those bands before the next meeting. This project will continue through April.

Project Two: This is a challenge quilt for my Art Quilt Group. We have size requirements, plus it has to include paper ...

I chose finishing a Christmas tree ornament as my OMG for January. Nothing like getting a head start on next year.

The pattern came from an Oxmoor House book published back in 1986. I think I bought the book at a thrift store many years ago. I know making this ornament has been on my wish list for quite a while.

I’m linking to the finish party at Elm Street Quilts.

Like everyone else, I ended last year thinking about plans for this year. 2021 was not a prolific year in the sewing room. I spent far more time stitching and finished a lot of projects as compared to prior years.

I’m not a fast sewer or stitcher. I’m usually one of the last people to finish in class. I rarely have extended for creative hobbies.

That said, I will continue to have a Short List but a much smaller one. My goals this year are to use what I have, finish what I’ve started and do the ...

I chose finishing a cross stitch towel as my OMG for December. It wasn’t done by Christmas, but shortly after.

A member of my Needle Arts Guild passed away suddenly this year. Her family let the Guild members take whatever they wanted from her stash. I took this towel and one magazine. I’m pleased to have finished it in the same year it came in.

I’m linking to Elm Street Quilts for the OMG finish party.

For my November OMG, I chose to fully finish the Noel cross stitch piece. I decided to finish it as a cube rather than frame it. I thought it would look nicer sitting on a table than hanging on the wall.

I used the tutorial by Vonna at The Twisted Stitcher. I found the correct size styrofoam brick at Hobby Lobby. I already had the fabric and trim in my stash.

I’m very pleased with the results. Vonna’s directions are clear and it came together easily. It was a lot more fun than lacing a frame.

I’m ...