BOM 2025 - UFO Under the Needle

UFO #27 is currently under the needle. (2026 UFO list)  

It became a flimsy and was thread basted in August. 

While I thread baste big quilts, I try to come up with a quilting design. I didn't come up with anything for this one! lol 

Eventually I did a search and ended up with this design, straight lines. Since the center of each block is different, I have yet to come up with a design, they all (12 blocks) have to be quilted differently. 

Not much sewing has happened the last week. I decided to paint the walls in the stairway to the lower ground floor. 

The color was yellow, painted 20 years ago! YIKES!!! It looked horrible! I'm soooo done with yellow! LOL I painted the walls in light grey, almost white, (NCR S 0500 N, as in the other rooms). I love that color, so light and airy. I'll say it is 99.9% done. I have left to do some 'make-up' here and there. 

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Linking up with 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - Design Wall

Stories from the Sewing Room - OMG

Fall Happiness in the mail today

I did not intend to purchase anything new, right?! But then.... suddenly the famous squirrel was sitting just in front of me and demanded me to purchase something! Does it sound familiar? I'm sure it does!

As much as I love fall, I don't have any decor I would like to display. Can you believe that?! I have been smitten by so many of you, for your lovely fall decors. 

...and of course, there is no fall here. However, I have noticed there are a few trees in the Black River Gorges that turn leaves. That's the nearest I can get to fall in nature on this island.

When FQS announced Pumpkin Hollow Row Along (A Quilting Life), I knew I had to grab the F8 bundle, fabric for the border & binding as well as the pattern! I didn't purchase any background fabric, I have a Moda Marbles that can be used. 

Birch and Willow F8s

Border and binding

I want to do some fall cross-stitching too. Another purchase happened today; 

Kim Diehl's Miss Pittypat Pumpkin

I'm in love with Teresa Kogut Designs! 

I had to purchase the 'Hello Winter' booklet! It features 9 wintery cross stitch designs. All so cute!

I don't think I will start any Christmas cross-stitching at this point. I have a few mini-pillows - Melisa's Designs - to finish before I start anything new for Christmas. 

(Note: I'm not affiliated with FQS, except for purchases) 

 

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

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. 

 

RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

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

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

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)