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

Flimsies, Pieced Backing and Frankenbatting

 I'm happy to say I have two RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) flimsies!

Keep the Home Fires Burning

I had sew much fun adding all these blocks together! 

...and Sherri McConnell A Quilting Life BOM 2024

Finding the 'right' fabric for the border and sashing for a scrappy quilt can sometimes be a challenge. Since it has 'all' colors, any of these colors could be used, I guess. My DH suggested black for the sashing. Hm.... What do I have in my stash? Definitely not a big choice. A few strips left of Moda Marbles, one yard black Grunge is hiding somewhere... I ended up with a fabric I've had 'forever'; white pindots on black, that was just enough, only a few strips left! For the border I've chosen a gorgeous batik in dark blue, purple and turquoise.

The last days I've worked on pieced backings for both flimsies.

I've pulled out fabrics from my stash, some been there 'forever'. You know those fabrics that are pulled in and out of the shelf until you get damn tired of them, leave them and forget about them. That's the case for these pieced backings.

'Keep the Home Fires Burning' is square, approximately 73"x73" (185 cm square). I have to get the quilt (all three layers) on the table to see if the backing fits. The sides are only an inch bigger than the quilt! YIKES! (Don't ask me where the math went! ...or my brain?!!) I may not get it straight on the table, I may have to get it on the floor getting it straight. I shall see... My poor old knees won't be happy!

Fabric requirements for this quilt is approximately 8-1/2 yards for the top and 5 yards for the backing (total 13-1/2 yards) 

It was easier to do the pieced backing for the BOM. I found some half yards and FQ's hidden at the bottom on a shelf, under a lot of Christmas fabrics!!! I know why they were 'hidden' there; I had no clue what to do with them and not sure I liked them that much either. A few were a challenge win years back. 

Fabric requirements: Approximately 11 yards for the top and 4-1/2 yards backing (total 15-1/2 yards) 

For these two quilts: All fabrics from my stash, a total of 29 yards. This is according to the fabric requirements. 

Even if not visible (as I can see!), it sure has made a dent in my stash. 

Some time ago I learnt a new word; frankenbatting. 

If that is new to you, you can learn more here. 

I have done frankenbatting for years without knowing it's a word for it. lol 

Do you do frankenbatting?

A couple of days ago I had to go into the city again. On my way home I stopped at Bagatelle Mall to get a few groceries and have a look at the Christmas decor. I'm not a big fan of malls, I find them rather boring. Malls have popped up everywhere on the island the last years. 

One of the entrances

...and even a decorated Banyan tree

 I enjoyed admiring their Christmas display

Have you decorated the tree? That's what I'm going to do this weekend!