RSC Coffee with Dad - WIP

Now that 'Swirling Stars' (RSC UFO #11) is near completion (waiting for ordered thread), I continue working on my UFOs and WIPs. 

I accomplished a lot in January, thanks to all the rainy days. What's better stay inside and sew?! 

Some days ago, one particular blogpost comment caught my eyes: Viola at Barwitzki Family challenged me to work on 'Coffee With Dad' - RSC UFO #26, her birthday! 

Challenge accepted! Thank you, Viola! 

Some coffee cup blocks have been trimmed today and laid out on the sewing table. 

The original size is 72 inches / 183 cm. I've decided to make it smaller; lap quilt size, about 60 inches wide, I think... 

I got carried away making these cute coffee cups blocks, which of course, resulted in way too many! It may be two quilts!  

LOOK AT THIS!!!! LOL

How do you hold this cup?! Definitely not in the handle! LOL

I'm quite sure I was tired when I made this one! I did not even notice the handle was sewn on the wrong way when I took the photos for the blogpost last September! Such a stupid mistake! 

I'll redo it, it's an easy fix. 

RSC Blocks turned into Flimsies

 My goal this year is to work on UFOs and WIPs.

My UFO list is long as a freight train. I just have to start somewhere. This is what I did in January. 

I got my DH to pick a number (from the UFO list) between 1 and 31:

 #16, which is the Scrap Jar Star quilt blocks.

I made 35 blocks for the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) in 2024

First blocks made January 2024

What to do with 35 twelve inches (finished) blocks? I didn't want to turn them into a monster bed quilt. First, the idea was a 4 x 6 blocks setting with sashing in between. Then I would have 11 blocks left, to make what?? 

I started piecing the blocks and sashing together. I wanted to use white sashing, but then my DH said; 'it's too much white'! He suggested black. Do I have black in my stash? Yes, a few black/floral yardage, but far from the needed amount. More hunting for a dark color! I ended up with dark brown that has some beautiful small red roses. This is the only suitable dark fabric I have enough of. I think it looks OK.

I figured out a 4 x 6 blocks setting will make it a bit too narrow and too long. I made it 4 x 5 blocks; 20 blocks. It's a nice lap quilt size.

So, that means I have 15 blocks left. 

Pondering for some hours; I decided to make 5 blocks more, to get 20 and make the same size quilt with white sashing. 

The 5 new blocks I made are turquoise, green, yellow, orange and red. I had to dig deep into my stash and scarps to get enough turquoise! 

Fortunately, I already had the HSTs sewn together from when I started making the Scrap Jar Star blocks in 2024! They were just to be trimmed.

I'm sure I'm not the only one having some 'out-and-in-of-the-shelf' fabrics? I pieced together bits and pieces for the back on both quilts. Two of the fabrics were printed in 2004 and 2005. I must have bought them just after my quilting journey began. Now they are on the back of the quilt and out of the shelf for the last time! 

Another goal this year is to use those 'out-and-in-of-the-shelf' fabrics for backing, where it is suitable. Been there for many years, I know for sure they won't be used for anything else. 

These two flimsies are set aside. I'm currently out of batting.

OOOPS! I forgot to take photos of the pieced backings! 

I'm in full swing working on my UFO/WIP list

I got my DF in Norway to choose a number from my UFO list. 

The number is #21: leftover HSTs from RSC blocks 2024 & 2025

I could have kicked him when he chose that number (he had not seen the UFO list), because this is what I did not want to work on! Then I was thinking; yes, why not! Better get done with those dreaded HSTs!! 

Most of the already sewn together HSTs are 3.5" finished. It took me almost a day to trim them all to that size. At this point, I had yet to decide on quilt pattern. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and when I saw a scrappy Ocean Waves quilt; that's what I wanted to make! It looks like most of the Ocean Waves quilts are made using 2.5". I came across 'She Can Quilt' where she has an Ocean Waves block tutorial using 3.5", block finish is 12" (sewn into quilt). 

Never ending triangles, SIGH!!!

 OF COURSE they multiply!!!! Look what showed up in the box with blocks for the below quilt!!! More HSTs! I had totally forgotten about these. 

If a quilt needs a name, this is Remember '70s. 

The first blocks were made May 2023. The idea was to make it entirely in brown and orange, but that didn't work out. I ran out of Moda Marbles 'Chocolate Brown 6851'. Instead, I added Steel Blue 9881-25 and Slate Blue 9882-13. I think these two colors go well together with brown. 

I can't even remember why I didn't finish the blocks at that time (May 2023). I think I was pondering about to purchase the 'Chocolate Brown', or not. When I opened the box, I found I had already cut the background fabric in Slate and Steel Blue, but not the orange for the stars. ??? 

I decided on sashing. The only fabric I had enough of (almost!), is the orange/yellow used for the blocks. I used that one, but it was not enough for the outer border. Instead, I used a very dark brown. Just enough! 

I got carried away making scrappy Zip It blocks! (RSC)

First blocks made January 2024

I had 94 blocks, which I thought were too many. I decided to make it a 10 x 12 blocks setting and needed 26 more blocks. These are fast and easy to make.

Swirling Stars blocks (RSC)

 First block was made January 2023.

Currently quilting this one. I'm custom quilting each block, which takes forever. (Click on the photo to enlarge). My goal is to finish it this month, but even with some hours quilting each day, I'm not sure.... 

I ran out of orange and purple quilting thread for this one. More is on the way, I should get it by end of the month. 

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)

*****************

From the garden/porch last week

Many of you on the Northern Hemisphere are facing extreme winter weather with lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Here, on the Southern Hemisphere, we are into the heat and humidity of summer, or rainy- and cyclone season. January is usually the wettest month, and indeed has it been wet! We've had rain almost every day/night this month. Wet and hot season also means more yard work; pulling weeds! UGH! Everything is growing with record speed, especially weeds! We don't have a big garden, but it is big enough to maintain this time of the year! We've managed to fit in (between rain showers) some yard work in early mornings before it gets too hot and humid. The perfect time pulling weed is when it has been raining, when the roots are easy to pull. The soil in this area is very glue-ish (clay) and sticks to my garden shoes. I forgot to take a photo of my shoes, it had about half inch layer of sticky clay on the outsoles.

  Many households have workers to maintain their garden, but we prefer to do it ourselves as long as we are fit to do it. It's exercise too, even if my poor old knees don't always agree! There's no correspondence between head and body! lol 

Well, be it snow and cold, rain and hot/humid, we prefer to stay comfortable inside. Perfect sewing days, isn't it?! Due to all the rainy days in January, I've been able to do a lot of sewing and I'm happy to have all these flimsies done. 

The last days have been nice and sunny and more yardwork done. 

 Cyclone 'Gezani' missed us, but has made havoc at the east coast of Madagascar as a category 3 hurricane. Another tropical disturbance is looming northeast, it may turn into a cyclone in a few days.

RSC January 2026 - Week 5 - Blue

January Blues continue into February. 

This post was meant for previous Saturday, but that didn't happen. 

UFO #12 - Star Streams is finished! 

It was supposed to be a RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge), but I changed my mind and made it in blue and white instead. 

Quilted in crosshatch design with 1.5" between each seam

Pieced backing. 

The photo didn't turn out the best. Here's another photo, after the backing was done.

- First blocks made: January 2023

- Flimsy: December 2024

- Quilted: January 2026

- Finished: January 31, 2026

 

A Quilting Life - BOM 2025

This is the block shown on my previous post. 

At the beginning of the week I received the white fabrics I'd ordered and finished up this block and others (below).

A Quilting Life - BOM 2026

Block #2 - February

How is it possible to ignore a blue and white scrappy quilt?

I couldn't, and here is the result: 

The beginning of 'True Blue'  

It's a QAL, but can also be done at your own pace.

I've finished Unit #1. 

5 easy 9-patches pieced together with sashing

...and Unit #2

9 easy 9-patches + borders

... and part of Unit #3

1.5" strips and squares sewn together.

I've made 2, need to make another 4 blocks

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)

RSC 2026 Week 4 - January is BLUE

 A new year is here, and so is RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - hosted by Angela at SuperScrappy

I have yet to decide how much I'll participate in the RSC this year. Definitely not as much as the previous years.

I'm drowning in RSC blocks from the last 3 years and my goal is to make those into flimsies (some are done already, it has been some busy weeks sewing). It's even better if they can be finished, at least some of them! 

Last year, I did part of Sherri McConnell's BOM 2025 in RSC colors. I did 6 blocks; orange, green, purple, turquoise/teal, light blue and brown. 

There are 6 more blocks to do and I'll start with the December block in blue.

It's a log cabin block with a small star block in the centre. 

I've done the star block only. Do you know why?? I'm almost out of white fabric! I've used a lot of white lately, that's why. More is ordered and on the way, I should get it by the end of the month. 

I've been going through two plastic bags with HSTs (leftovers from RSC blocks and other projects). They are now trimmed and stored in smaller plastic bags and marked with the size (for another blog post).

What also showed up were 9 blue and white HSTs. I can't even remember what they were meant for, I remember they didn't fit and I put them away. 

A small table topper, measures 16.75 inches / 42.50 cm

I'm working on my UFO/WIP list and happy to say I've finished two UFOs! 

This is #23 on my UFO/WIP list

 I had leftover blocks from 'Keep Believing/Tomten's Quilt', 

enough for a tea cozy and teapot mat

 The other side of the tea cozy

I also finished the wall hanging (UFO #24) 

I had the blocks, it was just to add them together with sashing

Measures 36 x 36 inches / 91.50 cm

I've said many times already and trying to convince myself I'm NOT going to do any BOM this year! Why are there soooo many temptations out there?!

I have sew enjoyed Sherri's BOM's 2024 and 2025. She's doing a new BOM this year, in red, blue and white. You can see the first block (January) here. 

...and here's mine!

 

Blue and red are the colors I have the most of, so why not? It's a chance to use up some of those fabrics. Isn't that a good excuse?! ...and one block a month that won't take much time! 

Fabric requirement is approximately 7.75 yards for the top and 4 yards for the back. That should make a small dent in my stash.

'Star Streams' (UFO #12) is quilted!  

It was thread basted last year.

I got it out earlier this month and discovered THIS!!! 

The highlighted block is the wrong way! 

It's fixed now. I had to undo half of the thread basting, remove that block and turn it the right way. Good thing I discovered it before I started quilting! 

(the photo was taken when it was a flimsy, before thread basting).

....my little helper! 'Helping' me quilt 'Star Streams'! 

Linking up with Angela at SuperScrappy and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

JANUARY 2026 - Time (again!) for UFOs and Goals for the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Here we go again! UFOs / WIPs / RSC 2026! 

I think I'd better start with the UFO's I did finish in 2025: 

You can see them all here. 

1) New York Beauty

2) Keep Believing / Tomten's Quilt

3) Dwellings / House quilt

4) Snowman wall quilt

5) No name purple quilt

6) Keep the Home Fires Burning

7) Sherri McConnell BOM 2024

8) Over the River and Through the Woods

My UFO/WIP/OGP list for 2025 is as long as a freight train and here is an updated list per January 1, 2026. It does not look much better compared to the 2025 list! YIKES!!!

1) PSQ 36-patches blocks

2) Wedding Ring quilt

3) Scrappy Christmas Stars

4) Christmas Card Holder

5) Basket quilt

Update: Out of the box / debating fabrics - February 27, 2026

6) Scrappy 4-inches blocks (Diamond in a square)

7) Crumb quilt

8) Got the Blues - Progress: Thread basted

9) Poppy Wall quilt

10) Granny Squares

11) Swirling Stars RSC - flimsy Jan 27, 2026

Update: Thread basted and started custom quilting (February 8, 2026)

Update: Waiting for ordered quilting thread (February 25, 2026

12) Star Streams / Progress: Thread basted 2025

WIP: Quilting (week #4 - 2026) - FINISHED JAN 31, 2026

13) Patchwork Potpourri

14) Star Quilt / Brown and Orange RSC

 WIP: Making remining blocks (second week Jan 2026)

Flimsy (Jan 11, 2026)

Update: Thread basted February 5, 2026

15) 182 Day Solstice RSC

16) 35 Scrap Jar blocks RSC - Work in progress (end Dec 2025) 

Update: 2 flimsies + pieced backings (first week Jan 2026)

17) 94 Zip It (Zipper) blocks RSC - WIP (Jan 28, 2026): First blocks sewn together

Update: Flimsy (Jan 31, 2026)

Update: Thread basted (beginning February 2026)

18) 64 Split Nine blocks RSC

19) Kris Kringle Kit

20) Country Charm / Progress: Thread basted

21) Half Square Triangles (from RSC and other blocks) - WIP beginning Jan 2026

22) Christmas Table Topper

23) Tea cozy / Keep Believing - WIP (Jan 12, 2026) / FINISHED JAN 15, 2026

24) Small Wall quilt / Keep believing - Progress: Flimsy (Jan 11, 2026)

FINISHED JAN 24, 2026

25) House block (leftover from Dwellings) - 

26) Coffee with Dad RSC

Update: WIP: Piecing together blocks (February 25, 2026)

Update: Flimsy - February 27, 2026

27) Sherry McConnel BOM 2025 RSC

28) Eclipse RSC

29) Scrappy blocks RSC

30) Hollow Nine blocks RSC

31) Scrappy Flannel blocks

Knitting / Crocheting: 

Shawl - knitting

Open finger gloves - knitting

Santa - knitting

Gnome - knitting

Bed cover - knitting

Granny Squares blanket - crocheting

As you can see, there are way too many! It won't be possible to finish them all by end of 2026. My goal is to finish at least one per month. Let's see how that goes! 

What about you? Do you have any goals for 2026? 

HAPPY QUILTING! 

Two Finishes! Tomten's Quilt and BOM 2024

How come I've forgotten to take photos of these two finished beauties?! 

 I think the distraction of my faulty Bernina (in June) is to blame. 

Now, for about two weeks, I've been waiting for nicer weather to take photos, but 'of course' the weather went worse. Today (Jan 1, 2026), the sun is shining from blue sky.

Tomten's Quilt (Keep Believing), #14 on my UFO list 2024 / #16 UFO list 2025

6 blocks were done in 2024 and the remaining 24 in 2025. 

My intention was to make it into a flimsy at that point, which didn't happen. 

 I ran out of the red fabric (Moda Marbles Brick Red) and had to order more. When I got it, I decided to finish it.

There are 9 duplicate mini panels. I wanted to make the blocks all unique, but that meant buying a coordinating panel and that was no-no! As many of you know, I purchase fabric from abroad. International shipping has become extremely expensive. Sometimes the shipping cost comes to more than the item price! From this year (2025), I'm on SFD (Strict-Fabric-Diet)! That doesn't mean I'm not going to buy anything at all, it means only buying what I really need to finish a project. So far, so good! 

How to quilt it, is always my question. Depending on the design, it doesn't always fit the quilt to do FMQ. For me, that is meandering or loopy swirls design. I decided to custom quilt the blocks. It takes time of course, but is well worth it for the final result. 

Aren't these guys too cute?! 

First, I quilted in-the-ditch (in the seamline) around the star spikes, then the snowflakes background. The four cornerstones got an X and I did another seam half an inch inside the HSTs. 

I needed to do something with the small panels (star centers). I did in-the-ditch around the star center panels and from spikes to spikes. Quite a lot of quilting, AND wrestling (arm exercise!), for not to forget those not so nice words! LOL

The backing has small gnomes on dark blue. 

First blocks made: 2022 (or maybe 2021?)

Flimsy: April 2025

Thread basted and quilted: May 2025

Finished: May 17, 2025

Sherri McConnel's BOM 2024

I was not going to do any BOM! 

...and see what happened! 

I couldn't resist Sherri's BOM 2024. 

I had sew much fun making these blocks in RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) colors. 

I like how it turned out in RSC colors. 

You may notice there are two red blocks. I ran out of RSC colors and decided to make one more block in red.

Each block is custom quilted. 

The sashing has white dots on black and small corner stones in a variety of colors

The border is a batik I've had for years. You know the phrase; 'too beautiful to be cut'! lol 

I did a pieced backing for this quilt.

First block made: January 2024

Flimsy: Dec 2024

Finished: June 8, 2025