Card Holder - UFO #4

Now that 'Solstice' is finished (yesterday), I'm moving on to another UFO.

This is UFO #4 on my UFO list 2026. I don't have any records of when I started working on this one, it may have been in 2020 or 2021 since it appears on the last years UFO lists.

I'm giving this one another try! 

The 'problem' is; the pattern is in French! ... and I don't know French! My DH speaks French, which helps a lot, although he is not that fluent in 'quilting language'. 

I'm also using Google Translate from French to English, or Norwegian, but there are some phrases that does not make sense at all! It took me some time to figure out this translation: 

Pour les pattes de suspension - translated to: For the suspension brackets! ?????? It took me some time to figure out it's 'hanging tabs'! LOL

French quilt patterns are usually in metric, not imperial, which makes it even more tricky. I've been using imperial since I started quilting, about 20 years ago. 

I also believe the pattern is 'over-explained' (for newbies). 

Batting is not used for this one. Instead, Vliseline S80 is used. Alternative is Pellon 70. 'Of course' I have Pellon 71F and 72F, not 70! However, I do have 'Stiff Stuff' (Lazy Girl Design). What I have read, it can be used as an alternative to the S80 as well.

Or, I can use thin cotton batting instead of interfacing? 

If you have any experience using interfacing, please let me know.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Fabric is chosen and the trees were done some years ago. 

I can see how it is done, but my brain and hands don't cooperate! LOL If the pattern is stubborn, I can be even more stubborn! 

I really like this card holder, it's a fun design. The pattern appears in the French magazine 'Elena Patchwork' Septembre 2011

RSC Week 38 - Solstice Update

It's Saturday and time for RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) update. 

This month is purple. 

Even if my intention has been to piece together some purple nine patches, that has not happened. My goal for this month is to finish '182 Day Solstice Challenge', and I'm happy to say I'm almost there!

Since the RSC color is purple, I'm quilting one of the two purple blocks today. The other purple block was quilted earlier this month - here. 

It's a big block, it measures 24" / 61 cm square, finished. 

When the purple block is done, I have left to quilt the orange (to the left) and the red between the purple and orange blocks. 

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE! 

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Linking to 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 

Unboxing Kris Kringle Panel Quilt Kit

 I was going to continue quilting 'Solstice' this Monday morning, but after a couple of seams, this is what happened:

Mini-Bug found the best place to rest after being outside for more than two hours! 

I need to move the quilt to be able to sew, but that won't work as long as he sleeps there!

I have a couple of UFOs as WIPs:

- Solstice: continue quilting, 10 blocks out of 25 left to quilt

- Basket Wall Quilt - waiting for binding fabric

This morning, I unboxed the Kris Kringle kit (Teresa Kogut). I purchased the kit in 2023 or 2024, but never got around to make it! 

This is UFO #19 on my UFO list. 

It comes with the pattern

panel (this is half of the panel)

...and fabrics

I'm excited about this one, as I am with everything Christmas! 

The pattern is 12 pages, including the templates for the stars. I'll have to read the pattern properly (for once!) before I start cutting! 

Do you decorate with the same wall quilts for Christmas every year? I have a few I made years ago that I do love and find difficult to replace. It's also fun to make something new to display. 

Dentist appointment this morning, have to get ready!  

RSC Week 37 - Purple / Solstice Update / Blogger Problems

First of all: BLOGGER PROBLEMS!!!!

While others have had problems, I haven't, but now it seems to be my turn.

I read blogs every day, from my 'Reading List'. About 3 days ago, I noticed there are NO NEW BLOG POSTS from any of you! I was thinking; that can't be?! I checked out a few blogs from the comment page, and yes, there were new posts, which do not show up in my 'Reading List' since some days!

I have not changed anything, it must be Blogger?? 

Any of you facing the same problem? 

Any solution? 

I know some of you have set up blogs you follow in the sidebar, maybe that is what I have to do to be sure I get your latest posts?

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RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color for September is purple. 

I was thinking I do some purple 9-patches, but that didn't happen.

This month, I'm giving priority to quilt my scrappy 'Solstice'

One purple block was quilted (that counts, right?).

It involved some wrestling, as you can see on the photo (below)

I'm custom quilting each block (25 blocks) and I'm happy to say I'm a bit more than halfway!

 Two sides are done, I'm currently quilting the centre block. It's a big block; 32" (81 cm) square (finished).

HAPPY QUILTING

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Linking up with:

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts   

 

Rainy and Windy Weekend Sewing

How was your weekend? I hope you had a good one. 

Here, it was 'quilting weather'; intermittent rain, strong wind and cold. With high humidity, it feels colder than it is. BRRR! While writing this (Monday morning) it's pouring rain.

Two quilts (UFOs) were thread basted;

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice

It measures approximately 87 inches / 220 cm square. It's a monster to quilt on my domestic sewing machine, but it will be done, eventually. My goal is to finish it by end of September (this year!). I forgot taking a photo of the flimsy and the pieced backing. It will all be revealed when finished. Patience, please! 

After spending some hours prepping and thread basting these two quilts, I was not ready to start quilting any of them right away.

Instead, I pulled out the box containing 5" squares and made two 99 Charms Quilt tops! You may remember I made some earlier this year (here and here).

 I had squares of some odd 'red'. I don't know exactly what colors they are; they are not red, not pink, not purple, but something in between. 

I came up with the idea to mix them with purple, black and brown. Most squares are from the box, I just had to cut a few to get enough. I don't know how many times that grape fabric has been in and out of the shelf, same with the floral William Morris fabric (left and right side of the quilt). I'm so glad these two are out of the shelf forever! lol 

This one I have just added rows in the same colors. I had to cut 2-3 squares of some colors to get enough. There are still squares in the box, a mix match of colors. I'm quite sure there are still enough squares for one quilt, whenever I feel for making another one.  

As you may have noticed, a few purple squares are added to these two.

Tuesday Update:

Currently quilting 'Solstice'

I started quilting 'Solstice' today. 

I'm custom quilting each block (25 blocks!). If I can do two per day, I should reach my goal this month. 

Wish me luck! 

Linking up with 

OMG - Stories From My Sewing Room

So Scrappy

Sew & Tell - Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

RSC Week 35 - Yellow

The RSC color for August is YELLOW.

Not much yellow has happened in the sewing room,

except two Scrappy Irish Chain blocks

81-patches blocks

White, cream and yellow squares are from my stash, the others from swaps (here). I started this project to use up some of my 'zillion' 2" squares. The pattern uses 2.5" squares and finish at 90" square. Using 2" squares, it finishes at 68", that is IF my math is right!  

What else happened in the sewing room this week?

My Secret Sewing quilt is done. I can't show any photos until it is delivered (end of September).

Jolly Tree Farm has been tread basted and is ready for quilting

We've had nice weather most of the week, which we took advantage of and did some never-ending yard work.

Our two bougainvillea are in full bloom

My DF Kari figured out the name of this flower

It's called Walking Iris, native to Brazil

I posted about it here

What are your plans for the coming week? 

I seldom make plans, they almost always fail. What I would like to do, is to prep A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 for quilting. I'm not doing a pieced backing for this one. I have a piece of 108" wide backing I'm going to use. It's washed and drying on the line. 

I also have Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice' flimsy (+ pieced backing) to prep for quilting. I don't have any photo of the flimsy. 

Weather wise; A cold front is approaching from the South (Antarctica), causing intermittent rain, strong wind and drop in temperature by 4 degrees Celsius, from this (Friday) afternoon. BRRR! 

Is it still hot where you live, or is there any sign of fall? 

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Linking up with 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

 

 

Basket Quilt Binding - Opinion Please

The last days I've been working entirely on finishing the Basket Quilt (#5 on my UFO list)

I quilted the last piece yesterday, trimmed the sides and added a sleeve. It's ready for the binding, but I can't for my life decide what color to choose. ...and since I don't buy unnecessary fabric (strict fabric diet!), I don't have anything that fits. I have to purchase fabric for this one, to be able to finish it.

Can you believe I'm out of black?! I had a small piece I tried, but to me it looked too dull. Dark green or dark red? Don't have! SIGH! 

If I had had more of the black with purple and teal, I would have chosen that one.

Something low scale black with tiny flowers? Dots? 

I'm having a hard time to decide! 

What had YOU chosen for binding? 

Your opinion, please!

 

 

RSC Week 34 - Yellow / Christmas TRs

The RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color chosen for August, is yellow.

After finishing BIG BLUE (Got the Blues, #8 on my UFO list), I felt for working on something smaller. What's better than piecing together some 2" squares to 9-patches

I got 8 9-patches

A mix of my own cut squares and swaps. It didn't make a dent in the box containing 2" squares, but at least 72 squares are out of that box! 

I did some Christmas sewing for my DF in Norway

Placemat

Small table topper

Skinny table runner

These are made from upcycled Christmas curtains (cotton). They belonged to my friend, but when he got tired of them, he gave them to me! I rediscovered them when I was decluttering and decided to make something to him - to remember his curtains! LOL, as well as to myself. His items are on the way to Norway. I have yet to make something for myself. I have yet to decide, it may be some placemats. I love the bullfinches, they are so beautiful. We always saw them on the bird feeder during winters in Norway.

Earlier this week, when we went shopping, we came across this cute little guy

He was sunbathing on a wall.

I believe this is the Mauritius Lowland Forest Day Gecko, which is native to the western coast of Mauritius. It's not often we see them, I was really happy getting a photo of this beauty. 

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Linking up with

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 is a FLIMSY

 UFO #27 (UFO list) is finally a Flimsy!

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

The quilt consists of 12 blocks. I did 10 of the blocks in RSC colors (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) last year. Somehow I dragged on the last two - see my previous post. 

I couldn't decide on what color to choose for the house block. For the Dresden Plates block; I was not veeery eager to do it since I had never done any before. As I can recall, I think an alternative block was suggested. I 'survived' doing the Dresden Plates block! LOL 

It always takes me some time deciding on sashing and border fabrics, when needed. Suitable fabric (from my stash) is usually not enough and I'm not purchasing fabrics this year unless strictly necessary to finish a project. 

I dived deep into the fabric shelves and pulled out a red fabric I had totally forgotten about it! Not easy to see on the phot, it has black cherries and tiny white dots on dark red, from STOF France, 100% cotton. I bought this fabric in Port Louis some years ago. If I can remember the name of that shop, I'll go there again! I know that shop has moved to another location and right now I can't for my life remember the name of that shop or the location it moved to. 

I'm pondering about backing. I may do a pieced one? I have a piece of 108" backing in my stash, I may use that one? I'm sure there are fabrics just sitting there that are waiting to be used. You know... Those 'ugly' fabrics! I shall see.... 

In the garden

I don't know the name of these. We picked up a few wild plants on one of our hikes some years ago and now it has spread beautifully. I love it, because it prevents weed from growing.

The flower bud

The flowers stay for one day only. 

Amaryllis in full bloom. It has a beautiful red/orange color.

Linking up with 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

  

Jolly Tree Farm QAL / A Quilting Life BOM 2025/2026

 Hello everyone! 

First of all: THANK YOU to those of you who have commented on my previous posts! I'm sorry I've not been able getting back to you. 

I'm online again! After two weeks off due to the PSU on my desktop PC failed. Long story short; DH managed to fix it (install a new PSU), by communicating with our DF and data-guru in SA! Thank you so much, A! I hate using my mobile phone for 'computer work', it is way too small and I tend to lose patience (very fast!)! 

Sewing, cross-stitching as well as decluttering have been done. 

The RSC color for August is yellow.

I did finish the last two blocks for A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

This is #27 on my UFO list 

BOM 2025 - January

BOM 2025 - November 

This is the very first time I attempted a Dresden Plate block! What a pain! 

It didn't turn out that bad though. I have yet to applique the 'plates' to the background fabric. 

Those of you who have made Dresden Plates, do you applique by hand or machine stitch? I've never attempted hand applique, not sure how that will turn out. 

A Quilting Life's BOM 2026

BOM 2026 - July

BOM 2026 - August

Jolly Tree Farm Mystery - QAL 2026

Rejoice Fir-ever block #2

Block #1 - Spruced Up 

Block #3 - Feelin' Pine & Dandy

Block #4 - Tree-Mendous Holiday

This weekend I 'plan' working on assembling these two quilts. Let's see how that pans out. 

UFO #8 (Got the Blues) has to be finished too. I got the fabric for the binding about a week ago. 

And... my 'secret sewing' is done, except for the binding. I can't show it until the recipient has got it (maybe not before October). 

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Linking up with: 

Angela at Super Scrappy

Melva at Melva Loves Scrap

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

My Treat: Jolly Tree Farm Mystery QAL

After all the sorting / decluttering I've been doing the last couple of weeks, I need a treat, right?

Good progress on my 'secret project' too, ....and not to forget the UFOs I have finished so far this year! (I still need to take photos!!).

I think I have deserved to have fun with something new! 

I couldn't resist FQS's 'Jolly Tree Farm Mystery QAL'! 

Any of you quilting along?

I've printed all the released block patterns

I'm not purchasing the recommended fabrics, I'm using from my stash. 

I remembered I have a Christmas half yard bundle (Nose to Nose - Susan Winget), but it does not contain any green and it has only one dark red/black. Hmmm.... no, I don't think so.

That means I have to dig deeper into my Christmas stash! GOSH!! I'm so tired of my 'old' boring fabrics! There should be some green, red, gold, and white/cream fabrics, I'm sure. 

Later in the day

These are what I pulled out; white on white background, green, red and brown for the trees and gold for the star blocks, all scrappy

My 'plan' was to pull weed today. This is what happened instead: 

Block #1 - Unfinished size: 11.5 x 18.5 inches / 29 x 47 cm

Yet to trim to size

I took this photo after dark in lamplight, not a good idea. The background fabric is white, not 'cream' as it looks like on the photo. 

 

Christmas in July Sewing / Going Through Stash

 Well, not much 'Christmas in July' sewing has happened since this post. However, some already prepped dog and cat mug rugs have been quilted, that's all. 

I got sucked into decluttering accumulated fabrics and other crafts.

Some of the jeans will be donated and some are cut into useable pieces. I'm not going to use the most worn areas, and I see there are some spots too that won't be used. I will get to that eventually.

My goodness, jeans take up a lot of space!  

Flannel shirts from a DF are also cut into pieces

The small heap with quilting cotton is sorted and some small pieces cut into squares. 

(I forgot to take a photo before I put it away)

I rediscovered this beautiful bullfinch Christmas fabric. Originally Christmas kitchen curtains (cotton). Too beautiful to be donated, right? 

I'm going to make some placemats and two table runners.

It looks like there is a color difference, actually it's shades.

I'm also doing 'secret sewing' that can't be revealed until it's delivered. 

We discovered this guy in the garden the other day

If not mistaken, this caterpillar (about 4.7 inches / 12 cm) is the Death's Head Hawkmoth. 

It's an impressive moth and we don't see them often. We saw one closeup some years ago - here.

Take a look at this YouTube video if you would like to see them hatch. An amazing process. 

Linking up with:

Angela at So Scrappy

Melva at Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts