So Far This Year . . .
Posted on February 6, 2026 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio NewsAs much as I dislike winter, and how January seems to drag on interminably, this year it seemed to fly right by.
I worked on a lot of stuff. The Final Countdown got me motivated to do a lot of things, especially after updating that frightful list of projects!
I got rid of FIVE UFOs that I decided I was never going to finish.
I downsized THREE projects that I decided do not need to be so large or involved.
And I have FOUR (actually five) finishes!
Sadly, several of the projects I got rid of or downsized weren’t even on my list, so I guess I didn’t have it as updated as I thought, once I started emptying out more bins! So the list only went down slightly, but it’s a start, and this is only February, and I’m determined.
I have not started anything new yet, but it’s been a real struggle. And that’s not entirely true, if you count the baby quilt I am putting together, but the pieces have been laying on my cutting table for months, so I’m not really counting it as a new project. I’m just trying to finish it up quickly for donation.
Here are my finishes . . .
A Butterfly Patch quilt for my granddaughter. This pattern is by Lella Boutique, and is a really fun and easy make. My daughter asked for “pink” and “butterflies” as a theme, so this turned out perfect.
Since the Butterfly Patch is a bit large as a drag-around quilt, I whipped this one out, too. My bestie, Victoria, sent me this adorable Precious Moments panel for her, so I quilted it up super simply so she could use it as a drag-around quilt.
Years ago, I bought a honey bun of “Oh-Cherry-Oh!” (by Me & My Sister for Moda) from a friend of mine who was destashing, and turned it into this bright little wall quilt. It’s just 8″ log cabin blocks, so a really easy make, especially when using a Honey Bun, since the strips are already cut for you. I had the gingham in my stash that I used for the centers and binding.
Also several years ago, my daughter bought me a panel and a coordinating jelly roll, and sent it to me, so I decided I would make something for her out of it. It just took me a while. I added two yards of coordinating prints I found, and made a plan. Here’s my original sketch:
And here’s how the quilt came out. I wanted to incorporate some element of the traditional Honey Bee quilt block, hence the appliqué, which slowed me down, but I eventually got done.
And I had this one finished before the end of the year, all except for the binding. It’s called Prairie Patches, and it’s a free pattern you can find HERE. I finished the binding, and Punkin, the studio assistant, has inspected and approved it, so as soon as I get it washed, it will be donated to my guild’s Comfort Quilt stash.
Punkin gets a bit tangled up in her work sometimes. Just this morning, she has cleaned out a cabinet, and is currently holding down a quilt that needs the binding finished!
I also finished a knitting project, because I’m trying to finish up most of the knitting projects I have started before I start any new knitting projects. It’s a Honey Cowl (free pattern HERE), and it took me way longer than it should have. The yarn came from Neighborhood Fiber Co., and is their Studio Worsted 100% Superwash Merino (color: Woodberry) — I love it, and might need to make something else from this yarn. It was so easy to work with, and feels so good in the finished cowl.
Of course, I’ve been at the longarm nearly every day, and one of my finishes was this beyond-cute flowerpots quilt that my customer, Peggy, made. I love it so much, I really feel the urge to make one myself, but I’m having to fight that for the moment. To make it even more tempting, the pattern is free on Tilda’s World right HERE. (Look under free patterns; the name of this quilt is Put Down Roots.) I may not be able to hold off much longer. I’m gonna have to distract myself with something, because my wish list is looooong.
And, because it’s been so cold, I baked a lot of things, and drank a lot of hot chocolate!
I made a batch of my mother’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:
And not just one, but TWO, of these Macaroon Pies from my grandmother’s recipe:
And it’s starting to warm up just a hair, as I continue to tell myself: “Every day is one day closer to spring!”
What did you get done in January?
Your Punkin looks just like our Gizmo!
Not as much as you, that’s for sure. I’ve been singularly unmotivated by attempting to get back to an appliqué top that has been lingering for far too long. Now my studio is just plain messy and totally demotivating.
Instead I’ve been knitting — this is a knitting blog now, right? — working on MDK’s ‘bang out a sweater’ challenge.
I finished the bear footprints for the border of my bear paw quilt. Then I realised I made enough for a full size quilt and I had chosen to do a lap quilt! Oh well, the extras will be incorporated in the backing! Still have a couple more borders to do (well three quarters of one is already on). I have found fabric to go on another border for another one just waiting to be completed.
You have done so well in finishing all those things. The butterfly is gorgeous and the feathers on the applique – all goes so perfectly together. I rather fancy that macaroon pie!
Ahhhh Punkin and the tape measure!
I’ve been sewing new things, completely (okay, not completely) ignoring my UFOs. Some day I should maybe post about things I’ve been working on. Hahaha. Good for you, tackling that stuff! The cookies and pie look tasty, and I love that mug!
My January was quite productive. I completed 3 UFOs to the flimsy stage, 4 Judy Neimeyer placemats that were on the list, and finished custom quilting a customer quilt.
The butterfly quilt is amazing. Including the quilting. The Precious Moments quilt is …..precious. I’ve been using scrap strips for wonky log cabins as leader/enders. The applique on the Tilda quilt will keep me from even being tempted to do that one. Can you say 10 foot brick wall?
And you have left me with 7 (yes seven) links to research including the recipes from your mother and grandmother. Thanks. I really enjoy your blog.
I am working on clearing out my big bunch of scraps. Trying to make them pretty. Quilting challenge.
I’ve been working everyday for hours on a mystery quilt that many in the quilt guild is doing. I’ve never seen so many triangles in my life ! It’s been hard for me not knowing what the quilt will look like when we’re done. Tomorrow we get together for round 6 of this project so maybe I will see what we are doing. I did take some time to cleanup my sewing room. I have another project I need to do this month. If you have purchased everything you need to make a quilt but haven’t started it, is considered a UFO???
I did a LOT of sewing in January, but didn’t complete much. I sewed most of the blocks for a queen size mystery quilt and the bed-size center of a custom super king quilt but did not finish either yet. The only finishes I have are a new ironing board cover and several costumes for the school play. February will be a finish month, hopefully.
January ended with me being with in 2 that became 4 blocks for the 1930’s ish -Wensleydale quilt top. I had way too much yellow, favorite color as a 12 year old! Not so much now. I did manage to give away a lot of fabric and one kit ( four jelly rolls ) to someone just starting out. Day 6 of Feb. and still deciding on those 4 blocks…. Also in Jan I started a online class on Seminole piecing, and yes I am a week behind soon to be 2! Oh and those WIP from July….Still hanging after being pressed….
you had a lot more energy than I did! I didn’t get 2 baby quilts done, start to finish, cleaned both sewing rooms…. yeah yeah yeah!!!! it has been way too long. I probably only spent about 3 hours but it looks marvelous! I really need to organize fabric but hey, I got the ugly part done. I also got 2 other quilts quilted!
My latest thing is to miniaturize a quilt if I am really tempted to make it, turning it into a doll size quilt. That might be a way to make the Tilda quilt–make one block into a charming little doll quilt.
Really like seeing what you are working on. I’m still working on getting rid of at least one thing daily, which is motivating in itself because I clean and organize as I go. I’ve finished four tops and one quilt and started a new quilt, with the purpose of cutting up and using more scraps.
WOW! Good for you. So much done.
My plan includes a lot of fabric wanting to be a quilt. So far have a quilt for Greatgrand son, 2 toppers with hearts that have been in the wanna be +, one small topper with hearts for a neighbor needing a hug. Looking for a pattern found the pattern for fabric I want out of my life. Cut it thursday and almost finished to go the guild Quilts of Kindness.
Wow! You are amazing! I love all those quilts. Making slow progress here. One finish for January and that only involved sewing down a binding. I have been working my way thru a stash of fabric I have brought home from the church sewing group to make quilts and kits for others to sew. I’ve learned that I committed to more than I can handle. I have made headway and delivered 7 quilt tops and back sets and have some quilt kits made too. Goal is to be able to close the lid on the project box. Getting close😊 I need to move on to get two baby quilts done for new babies coming to our family in April. Starting to feel alittle pressure, the baby showers will be in March. UFOs have been put by the wayside for now. I guess that’s some of the reason they are UFOs. 😂