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

Over the River and Through the Woods - Progress! Other stitchery updates and the Destiny of Dear Nina

Hello dear readers and followers! I hope you all are doing well.

It has been way too long! I call it 'vacation' (from sewing)! 

As you may remember from my previous post, 'dear Nina' had to go to the spa. 

The handwheel (mechanical part) got fixed. Unfortunately, the S-board (motherboard) is pooped and has to be replaced. To make a long story short; the S-board is not available from Bernina Switzerland!! The S-board is not made anymore since the 440 model is +20 years. The S-board is available at Bernina SA, hence a dear friend has offered to take the machine to SA to see if Bernina there is able to do something! 

This has been dragging way too long and finally I have ordered a new Bernina! It should be here by the end of August. I'm sew excited! 

While waiting for the destiny of my old sewing machine and the purchase of a new machine, I'm keeping myself busy doing cross-stitching. 

One of my oldest UFO's is seeing daylight, again! 

This year, I've spent a few hours off and on in the evenings stitching on 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. 

The goal was getting it done before Christmas 2023, that didn't happen! (here). It didn't happen before Christmas 2024 either! Maybe 2025?? I doubt it, but I shall see... 

This is how it looked like end of December 2024. 

There are two sections; sceneries at the top and bottom.

 I started section #3 (bottom) May 9, 2024 (just for my records)

...and this is how it looks like now: All stitchery sections DONE! 

Can you guess I got tired of stitching all those tree branches?! lol

The middle section (verse) are fancy letters. First I thought it was satin stitches (YIKES!). On the pattern it looks like backstitches and not 'filled' completely. And there are those dreaded French Knots too! Oh well, it gave me some practice. 

While waiting for 'dear Nina' to return from the spa (if ever!), I picked up this one again. 

It went really fast stitching the letters; 4 evenings. I even managed the French knots! 

I pulled out the fabrics intended for this quilt to have a look. The pinkish-reddish fabrics are not as pink as they look on the photo.  Stash shopping in Oslo 2010.

The wall hanging can be used all year long since the fabrics are not typically Christmas fabrics. 

These are the fabrics intended for the quilt, but now I don't know.... 

The fabrics are beautiful, they have a rustic/vintage look, but.... a bit too pinkish for me, maybe.... 

I may use these. They are mostly brown, but also red, beige, gold and cream. I may mix some of them with the pinkish. Yet to decide what goes together. 

If I was to buy fabrics for this quilt today, I may have chosen something else, but not sure what.... I think it had been Christmas fabrics.

I'm using Threadworx embroidery floss #10351, a beautiful variegated rustic brown cherry. It may go together with the pink fabrics. Pink and brown, maybe not the red? 

That was a lot of 'maybe'! LOL 

UPDATE: I decided to use all the fabrics; red, pink and brown. All pieces for the stars and flying geese are cut and ready to sew! 

It took me some days getting used to being without the sewing machine, but there are always other things to do. I have prepped a lot of Christmas items for my shop and enjoying cross-stitching again. 

First up; I finished the 'Bits of Blue' sampler! (Plum Pudding Needleart). I've had the pattern for years and started stitching it January 2023 while 'Dear Nina' had another spa appointment. Since then, I didn't touch it, until a couple of weeks ago. It's finished! Another UFO off the list! 

Stitched on 28ct Pearl Linen using #7037 Freedom from The Gentle Art, Simply Shaker Collection. 

I may do the pincushion, mini pillow and peg hanger later. I ran out of floss and more is on the way.

I have a soft spot for Little House Needleworks designs. 

I finished (almost) 'Snowflakes' (Second row, right). I ran out of Crescent Coulors 'Bamboo' and 'English Ivy'. According to Crescent Coulors chart, the 'Bamboo' can be substituted with DMC #822, but it won't be the same. 

It is originally stitched on 32ct Natural Raw Linen from Zweigart. I don't have the 32ct, instead I use 28ct. I'm not sure my eyes had liked the 32ct. 

Another cross stitch pattern I bought years ago, is 'Cinnamon Stick Santa XVIII', 'Wishing Thee Merriness', designed by Sandra Sullivan / Homespun Elegance.

I'm stitching it on 28ct Cashel Linen Zweigart, 'Vintage Beige'. Originally stitched on 28ct 'Sandstone'.

I ran out of floss for this one too. Just not enough to finish the letters. 

Next up is Cinnamon Stick Christmas XIX - 'Rejoice in Peace'. 

As you can see, it's almost done. Satin stitches are used on the tree and sheep. I did not like how the tree turned out with satin stitches. I ripped it and did cross stitches instead. The sheep is done the same way, I'm going to do cross stitches using Wisper. 

I have a couple of cute Christmas ornaments / mini pillows that are done too, but that will be for another post. 

A Flimsy and Pieced Backing

'Dwellings' is a flimsy!

'Dwellings' was born Dec 2022, after drooling over the pattern in Sept/Oct 22 issue of Love of Quilting. 

I can't believe I haven't posted updates on this quilt! There's only the post linked to above.

I've been hoarding Moda Marbles as long as I've been quilting. I had a good selection and realized it is unlikely I'd use those MM any time soon. Using them in small projects don't make a dent! Then I decided 'Dwellings' is the perfect quilt to use some of the MM. 

I have used MM for all the houses, background and sashing, approximately 8 yards. For the roofs I've used grey batik as well as dark pink/purple batik for the cornerstones. I ran out of MM grey and had to purchase more to finish 4 blocks. 

Moda has discontinued a lot of their MM and many I have used in this quilt is not available anymore, sadly. I.e. I had just enough of MM 'wine' for the sashing and inner border. It's a beautiful fabric, and sadly it is one of the many that is Out of Print. 

I wanted something fun for the outer border and came across this colorful houses and trees fabric. Since it is directional, I had to purchase the full length of the quilt. 

That is what I thought I did! My mathematical skills failed (again!); just too short! The fabric is very busy and I think one has to look carefully to see where the two pieces are joined. 

I had a big piece of the house fabric left (approximately 44" x 63") after the border strips were cut. Enough to make a pieced backing without too much (brain) work and measurements! I went through my stash and found a leftover piece of 108" Stonehenge used for backing on another quilt. It was just enough for the top and bottom. Don't you just love those Stonehenge fabrics?!

I had to add more to get the right width. More MM were cut into wide strips and pieced together. 

Most of the time (!) I listen to DH's suggestions. In this case, he suggested I cut the house- and Stonehenge piece into two pieces and add the pieced strips in the center. 

So said, so done! I did listen, but not sure I agree 100%! lol 

I think this will be my goal for April; to quilt and finish 'Dwellings'. 

How to Quilt and Thread Color, Suggestions Please

 This New York Beauty was done and thread basted January 2023.

The blocks were finished March 2021, when did I start it? Let me dig some more...

Can't find anything.... most probably end 2020 or beginning 2021.

UFO #1 - UFO list 2025

Why did I put it aside, you may wonder? Because; 

1) How to quilt it?

2) What tread color to use? 

As you can see, it has a variety of colors; pink, yellow, teal, turquoise, grey and more. 

(The photos don't do justice to the colors. It's cloudy and raining cats and dogs here right now. Photos are taken inside in not so good light). 

For the thread color, I'm thinking grey since grey seems to blend easily with other colors? 

It will be quilted on my domestic sewing machine (no longarm or hand quilting for me). 

Any suggestions? Please let me know. 

HAPPY QUILTING! 

UFO under the Needle

 As you already may have noticed (if you read my previous post), my UFOs/WIPs list is long as a freight train! How did that happen, btw?? 

The RSC color for April 2023 was purple. I pulled out all purple yardage, about 12-13 yards. After making the monthly blocks, I decided to make a purple & white/cream quilt. By March 2024, all the blocks for the quilt were done + I made a smaller quilt using up more purple yardage. You can see part of the quilts here. I did quilt and finished the biggest purple quilt (yet to take photos), but not the small one. 

It was thread basted and it has been sitting on my sewing table since last year! I know why; I got tired of detail quilting all the HST in different colors. 

Yesterday I counted 1-2-3!!! Here we go, lets quilt it! lol

I did part of the free motion quilting (the centre) last night, the remaining this morning.

I have started quilting the HST, which takes time. My goal is to get it done by January 15. 

This is UFO #22-2 'No Name Purple'. 

January 2025 - Time (again!) for UFOs

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Here we go again! UFOs / WIPs 2025! 

I know I'm one week early, but I also know there's no chance I'll get any of these UFOs / WIPs finished before 2025! 

I've been a slug the last couple of years, finished only a few. 

The list does not differ much from January 2024, just added a few more! Haha! 

1) New York Beauty - Finished February 18, 2025

Progress 2024: blocks pieced together, thread basted, ready for quilting

2) PSQ 36-patches

Progress: more blocks added 

3) Wedding Ring quilt

Progress: Zero!

4) Scrappy Christmas Stars

Progress: Zero!

5) Advent Calendar Woodland - Finished 2023

6) Christmas Card Holder

Progress: Decided on fabric

7) Vegetable wall hanging/storage - Finished 2022

8) Basket Quilt

Progress: Zero!

9) Scrappy 4"

Progress: Zero!

10) Pineapple Quilt - Finished 2024

Take photos!

11) Crumb Quilt

Progress: Zero!

12) Irish Chain - Finished January 2024

Take Photos!

13) Got the Blues

Progress: All blocks done

14) Poppy Wall Quilt

Progress: Zero!

15) Scrappy Flannel Quilt

Progress: Zero!

16) Tomten's Quilt - Finished May 17, 2025

Progress: All blocks done, ready for sashing

17) Granny Squares

Progress: Zero!

18) House Quilt (Dwellings) Finished April 10, 2025

Progress: Zero

19) Snowman Wall Quilt

Progress: Thread basted, ready for quilting Finished April 30, 2025

20) Swirling Stars - RSC 2024

Progress: All blocks done

21) Star Streams

Progress: Flimsy + pieced backing, purchase batting

22-1) Bases Loaded, Purple - Finished May 13, 2024

Take Photos!

22-2) No name purple - Finished Jan 12, 2025

Progress: thread basted, ready for quilting

23) Patchwork Potpourri

24) Star Quilt / Brown Orange

Progress: Zero

25) Flag Table Runner - Finished Jan 9, 2024

26) Keep the Home Fires Burning - RSC 2024 - Finished March 12, 2025

Progress: Flimsy + pieced backing, purchase batting

27) A Quilting Life BOM 2024 - RSC 2024 Finished June 8, 2025

Flimsy + pieced backing + batting, ready to be quilted

28) 182 Day Solstice 

Progress: 13 out of 25 blocks made

29) 35 Scrap Jar blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

30) 94 Zipper blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

31) 64 Split 9 blocks

Progress: Made blocks only

32) Kris Kringle KIT

Progress: Zero! 

33) Country Charm

Progress: Blocks made for the center unit

Currently making blocks for this one. 

Knitting / Stitchery / Cross-Stitching

Shawl - (knitting)

Open Finger Gloves (knitting)

Santa (knitting)

Gnome (knitting)

Bed Cover (knitting)

Granny Square Blanket (crocheting)

Over the River and Through the Woods (stitchery)   -  Finished Dec 14, 2025

Progress: First section done. Started third section.

Bits of Blue (cross-stitching)  Sampler finished June 22, 2025

Progress: Zero

As you can see, there are way too many! I'm not saying I'm going to finish ALL by 2025. My goal; I'll be happy if I can finish one per month. 

What about you? Are UFOs top priority 2025? 

I think I'll start with a piece of Banana- Rum Bars I made yesterday! YUM!