Christmas in July

Have you ever thought from where Christmas in July originates?

To be honest, I have always thought it came from the Southern Hemisphere. Recently, I did a search and according to this link, it originates from France! Did you know? I didn't!

The month of July is usually the time I start making Christmas items for gifts etc. 

Last year, I prepped some dogs and cats themed mug rugs, using scraps from my stash. (I forgot to add them to my UFO list). I have finished quite some big quilts (so far) this year, it feels good working on something small, like quilting the mug rugs (even if that can be a bit tedious).

I have three Christmas UFOs I hope to finish / make progress.

The first two, I hope to finish before Christmas so that I can display them on the wall.

  Kris Kringle Kit - Teresa Kogut (UFO #19)

Christmas Card holder (UFO #4)

The pattern is in French - UGH! I'll get it done, eventually! 

Scrappy Christmas Stars (UFO #3)

Or should I say ongoing project? I have done 3 blocks only. I shall see if more can be done this month.

It's raining this a.m., showers with gusts up to 56 miles/h (90 km/h) is predicted today. I hope there will be some dry spells so I can do some grocery shopping later. 

 

Coffee with Dad - RSC Finish

...as the title says; Coffee with Dad is finished! 

UFO #26 on my UFO/WIP list 2026

Actually I finished it in May, but didn't take photos at that time.   

An easy and fun quilt to make! 

Drums, daffodils, black cat and colorful gecko

Yellow cat

Geckoes and sunflowers

The pink cat, and favorite coffee batik

Yes, I love cats! It was fun to rediscover some of the fussy cut fabrics for the cups.

Pieced backing

It was difficult to get the colors right. I took the photos in the shade on the porch. The bottom looks a bit washed out compared to the top that have more the right colors. 

I've had this teapots / teacups fabric for years. The idea was to make some table quilts (table runners, placemats, tea cozy etc) which never happened. I had saved it because it was 'too pretty to cut'! lol Well, I just had to trim it a bit to fit the backing.

...and yes, I did incorporate the broken handle cup to the back! 😃

The binding is an 'old' black and white animal print I found in my stash.

First blocks made: January 2025 (RSC)

Flimsy: March 2026

Finished: May 8, 2026

Size: 60 x 83 inches / 153 x 210 cm

All fabrics from my stash

Pattern: Quiltmaker May/June 2022

Other UFO Finishes 2026, take a look here

Swirling Stars - An RSC Finish

Swirling Stars (UFO #11) has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list to Finished UFOs. 

My goal was to finish it by end of February. That didn't happen due to delayed thread order.

The thread was finally delivered on March 25!

It took me some time to decide how to quilt this one. Simple FMQ (Free-Motion-Quilting) is the easiest and fastest, but it doesn't always 'fit' a quilt.

For this one, I went for custom quilting each block. I didn't have a plan fully in my head when I started, it was like 'quilt it as you go and see what happens' on the first big block. I liked how the first block turned out, but knew it would take some hours quilting all the blocks. 

All straight seams, 3/4" in between each seam. 

The small HSTs are outlined.

I don't remember when I purchased this 108" wide backing. I find it perfect for this colorful quilt. 

The binding is red and white gingham.

Finished size: Approximately 67 x 89 inches / 170 x 226 cm

First block made: January 2023

Flimsy: January 27, 2026 

Started quilting: Beginning February 2026

Finished: March 27, 2026

Hours of machine quilting + burying thread tails: 115 hours

Thread used: 

King Tut: 902, 911, 942, 955, 956, 959, 997, 990, 1001, 1018, 1029, 1034.

MasterPiece: 152 (bobbin thread)

Free PDF pattern from FQS

A Squirrel popped in and... / BOM June 2026

...decided what I should do with some of my accumulated 2" squares:

SCRAPPY IRISH CHAIN!

I've been looking for the 'perfect' pattern to use 2" squares. I've always loved Irish Chain quilts and when I came across this pattern, I knew this is the one I want to make!

The pattern uses 2.5" squares and the finished size is 90" (2.28 meters). Since I'm using 2" squares, it will be smaller, approximately 68" (1.73 meters). That is IF my math is right! 

Block A

81-patches block! 

I didn't like the negative space in block B, and not the big rectangle in the center (pattern). Of course, that is an easy way to make the block, especially if pretty quilting is involved. 

I prefer to make it scrappy, using a variation of white / neutrals and a PLUS block in the center. 

(I'm running out of white / neutrals, more is on the way).  

Here is the box with 2" squares from swaps only 

Do you see the '6600 dated April 8, 2017' (blue sticker)?

That is how many squares that box (laptop box) contained at that date! 

Each zipper bag has 100 squares. Some squares are already used and there are quite some left (not sure how many).

I prefer to sort the squares on colors before I start sewing scrappy blocks

Layout for one block A; 81-patches

These two boxes contain my own cut 2" squares

They do not include 2" Christmas prints, which I have a lot of as well! 

...and 13 16-patches happened too (all from swaps)

A Quilting Life's BOM 2026 - June

I'm not that happy with this one, but may let it go as it is. I shall see when all blocks are done. Had it looked better if the background for the star had been white, and the white had been the red?? Maybe not??

I'm happy to say 'Got the Blues' is quilted! It went faster than I anticipated. 

I went through all my blue stash (not much left). I didn't find anything suitable for binding; either not enough, or not dark enough. I did a big SIGH and ordered dark blue for the binding! I also ordered a few more of the Parlor fabrics I didn't have. 

 

Wanderer's Wife / Parlor / Birthday

My birthday was last week! 

...and since I have been a good girl not purchasing unnecessary fabric so far this year, I allowed myself some new fabric for a specific quilt.

I'd better start from the beginning, right?

I purchased Jen Kingwell's booklet 'Wanderers Wife'. (Former Gypsy Wife) end of November 2019! 

Why I bought it? I got drawn to the design, scrappiness and colors. The booklet has been sitting on the shelf since then, in wait for the 'perfect' fabrics. I wanted something special and a bit outside my comfort zone (I'm bored to tears with my current stash!). Going through my fabric stash, I found most of it rather boring and nothing looked like it would fit this quilt. 

I had almost forgotten about it, when these fabrics - Parlor - (Chrystal Manning) were announced to be 'coming soon'. It was like YAY!!!! These are the fabrics for this quilt! The wait was looong; about 3 months before it was shipped from the warehouse. Even if the colors are (were!) outside my comfort zone, I do love them! They look so yummy! Can you hear my excitement?! lol

There are a few prints still available that I don't have, I'd better get them before they are sold out. I don't think what I have is enough for the quilt.

I see there's a new fabric line; 'Sitara' (Chrystal Manning) that will be available in September. It looks like the design & colors may go together with 'Parlor'.

I'm seeew excited about this one, I'm almost out of breath! 

But first of all; there's at least one UFO I have to complete!

  

 

Working on UFOs

My oldest (quilt) UFO; Got the Blues,  (#8 on my UFO list) is currently under the needle! 

I made the first blocks February 2012! It's time to get it done, isn't it?!

I don't have any other updates on this one. It was thread basted last year, and since then; just sitting there waiting for thread and decision how to quilt it. 

Yesterday I quilted about 1/4. It's a big quilt to maneuverer even with the 10" working area on the machine. The quilt measures about 84 x 96 inches / 213 x 243 cm 

My goal is to get it done by end of this month (June). 

That reminds me; I have to check if I have enough fabric for binding! 

Distracted by 99 Charms Quilts

Who is determined to work on UFOs, WIPs and nothing new? Not me! 

As many of you already know, this year - for me - is dedicated to working on UFOs. My UFO/WIP list is long, but there are progress!  

So far this year, so good! I have finished several UFOs (need to take photos!!).

But it comes to a point where other projects are more tempting, like the '99 Charms Quilts'. I just needed to do something else, something new, and these easy, fast and fun quilts caught my attention! 

I have a big shoe box full of 5" squares, which I started to attack! 

First I made 3 quilts - here. 

I needed a break from stitching down binding on two big quilts and this is what happened:  

This one has a mix of brown, orange, red, green, turquoise, teal, neutrals

Blue and white, with bunnies in the centre, and a touch of red

I woke up one morning and the first I thought of was this bunny stripe! I knew I had it somewhere and knew I could use it in a quilt. 

The stripe was long enough to be divided into two. I had some leftover narrow strips I added in between the bunnies stripe. Blue as well as red 5" squares were used to finish the top. 

It's slightly longer then the other 99 Charms quilts

By getting distracted from UFOs as well as inspired to make these quilts, a dent in the shoe box is visible! 

6 quilts = 558 5" squares.

Approximately 11 yards fabric used - for the tops

I'm soooo glad I was able to use that bunnies stripe! The bunnies have been hopping around on the shelf for too long! 

Not empty, yet! 

The shoe box containing 5" squares is not empty (it was full when I started making these quilts). There are still some squares. There should be enough for at least one quilt, maybe two. I also have a small box containing 5" Christmas fabrics. I don't remember how much, maybe enough for one or two quilts. 

I don't think I have enough batting either, except if I do some frankenbatting (which is long overdue!).

Earlier this week I dived into the 'flannel shelf'. I found more than I thought I had! As if that was a surprise! LOL 

I haven't used flannel for a long time and didn't remember what I have. Some pieces can be pieced together. I have two flannels of the same pattern; cute teddy bears on blue and red background. 'Of course' they were not wide enough, not more than about 3" inches missing. I just made it easy by cutting each piece into half and added a strip in beige big dots on cream in the middle. Voila! Done! 

These are backing for the blue and red tops I posted here. 

Of course I forgot to unfold them to show the strip I added in the middle on both!

Oh well, I'll do it when they are finished. 

 

Quilting Weather

Rain = quilting weather.

It was nice in the morning, but got cloudy in the early afternoon with rain off and on. 

What's better than spending time in the sewing room? Well, not actually a 'sewing room'. My 'sewing / quilting room' is the dining room table, because that table is big; 42 x 84 inches / 107 x 255 cm. I love that! 

I have just finished two RSC (UFOs) quilts, the Scrap Jar Stars quilts. Yes, I know; I have to take photos!!! I WAS going to take photos today! Then it got cloudy, dark and dreary! SIGH! 

I have two quilts to be quilted; UFO #20 (Country Charm) and #8 (Got the Blues), both thread basted. (UFO list) 

I'm quilting 'Country Charm' in loopy swirls design.

About 1/4 is done.

My goal is to get it done by the weekend. Let's see how that goes! 

 

RSC Week 21 - Orange

Another week has passed (how did that happen?).

What has happened in your sewing room?

This is the only orange that happened in my sewing room - one 9-patches from 2" squares

In between working on my UFOs - mostly quilting - I've been piecing some scrappy 16-patches. As I've mentioned earlier; I have thousands (I'm not exaggerating!) of 2" squares from swaps as well as my own. Some are used, but there are still a lot. I just have to start somewhere, right? I've yet to decide what to do with these blocks.

Seven 16-patches (2" squares) from swaps

Now that I have 'Dear Nina' back home and in perfect working condition, I uses it for piecing and 'Helena' is set up for quilting. That way I can alternate between the two. It's good to take breaks from quilting big quilts, and piecing together squares is a no-brainer.

Daily life in Mauritius

Quatre Bornes fruit- and vegetable bazaar

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

Linking up with

SoScrappy - RSC 2026

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - DWM (Design Wall Monday)

 

RSC Week 20 - Orange / Small UFO Finish

Another week has passed and it's time to show what I've been up to with orange.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't have any orange yardage left. There are squares in different sizes. I have a few orange 5" squares left and I just couldn't leave these cute cats in the box! 

Two squares + leftover black = two mug rugs! 

The quilting will happen another day.

After finishing four big UFOs (I need to take photos!), it felt good working on something small. 

UFO #22 is FINISHED!

This is the table topper or candle mat I wanted to finish two years (!) ago! I ran out of the black garland lights fabric (narrow border) and it was put on hold. Some of the pieces were already cut, it was an easy UFO to finish!

Measures 14.5 inches / 37 cm square

Small table topper / candle mat, measures 11.25 inches square (28 cm square)

I had some leftover fabric in that bag and whipped up some cute Snowman mug rugs. 

I'm not in a hurry to finish these, the quilting will happen eventually. 

Linking up with

 Angela and RSC 2026 (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - OMG (One Monthly Goal) 

RSC Week 19 - Orange - An RSC FINISH - BOM 2026

Remember '70s has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list (UFO #14) to FINISH! 

I got the idea to make a quilt in orange & brown in May 2023. That year/month, orange was the RSC color as well. Who does not remember the 1970's when orange and brown were popular? I think I had enough of these colors at that time! Orange is not amongst my favorite color, but if I had to choose between orange and pink, I know I would have a big problem! LOL

I have to say I like how this quilt turned out, mixed with Moda Marbles Steel and Slate blues. Such a pity Moda doesn't do these two colors anymore. 

The idea was to make it entirely in orange and brown, but I ran out of Moda Marbles Chocolate Brown. I didn't have any other brown to match and I didn't want to purchase more fabric (and pay a fortune in shipping!). I had to come up with another solution and ended up with the Steel and Slate blues, which was just enough! 

Sashing, or no sashing, I thought? 

I decided on sashing. The only fabric I had enough of, was one in orange/yellow, also used for a few blocks. It was not enough for the outer border. I found a very dark brown in my stash, which was just enough too! The binding has some tiny lighter brown flowers. 

I love pieced backings, but for this quilt I fell in love with this 108" wide backing from Rubin Design Studio (eQuilter) and had to purchase it! It fits perfect in the colors.

How to quilt a quilt, is always my question. 

For this one I went for custom quilting each block. It takes more time to quilt, but I love the look when it's done. 

First blocks made: May 2023

Flimsy / Thread basted: Jan / Febr 2026

Started quilting: Beginning April 2026

Finished: May 5, 2026

Hours of machine quilting + burying thread tails: 39 hours

Threads used: 

King Tut: 911, 992, 930, 1029

MasterPiece: 168, 180

Size: 70.25 x 59 inches / 178 x 150 cm 

A Quilting Life's BOM 2026 - May

was posted this week

An easy block to make

Testing Serpentine stitches

Quilting the Zip Quilt today. 

My goal is to finish this one by end of May.

It has been nice and sunny all week

...this is what we woke up to this morning; dark, dreary, rain. 

Don't even see the mountain in the distance. 

We took advantage of the nice weather and did quite some yard work

These are pink guavas. On the photo they are still a bit 'green' (not 100% ripe). We have to pick them before the birds and fruit bats eat them! 

Ripe pink guava

Linking up with 

Angela at SoScrappy (RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge) 

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - OMG (One Monthly Goal)