182 Day Solstice Challenge - UFO#15 FINISHED!

Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' is FINISHED! 

This is UFO #15 on my UFO list 2026

I'm so glad I did this quilt in RSC colors. 

I really love how it turned out.

Layout direction

https://patsloanquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pat-sloan-asymmetrical-layout-directions-solstice-challenge-1.pdf

I changed the layout a little bit, for not to get blocks with the same colors next to each other. Two (the turquoise blocks at the top) are a bit close, but that's OK.

Here are some of the blocks

Block #9 - Among the Stars

Block #8 - Never ending love

Block #5 - Gramma Anna's Basket

Block #10 - The Coffee Shop

Block #22 - Weather Vane

Block # 19 - Board Games

Block #12 - Jacob's Ladder

Block #11 - Quilt Math (top right)

Block #23 - Eureka! (bottom right)

Some other blocks

Pieced backing

I have used squares and rectangles in brown and red.

Size: Approximately 85 inches / 215 cm square

All fabrics and thread used are from my stash

Batting was purchased

All blocks are custom quilted on my domestic sewing machine

First block: May 2024

Last block: April 2026

Flimsy: April 2026

Thread basted: August 2026

Quilted: September 2026

FINISHED: September 23, 2026

Thread used: 

King Tut: 926, 956, 958, 962, 963, 977, 997, 982, 1017, 1020

Masterpiece: 118, 134, 149, 159, 160, 162, 168, 176,  180, 183

Mettler: 0611, 0667, 0732

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Linking to:

 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

OMG - Stories from my Sewing Room 

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 

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   

 

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

 

 

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

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

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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)