Monday Meanderings -- 2 - 16 -- 2026

It's warming up!  Finally after two full weeks of temperatures below freezing we are finally hitting 32º and above.  Today's high was 44º.  But it rained all day and that means I was in my studio most of the day.  But I can't really show anything I got done!  I also took a nap. Let's see what I did get done this week. It was a great week of getting goals done. 

2/9/26

✅Mail quilt blocks MB, Joan, and Many Hands and Many Hearts — Done.

✅Begin planning on Feb UFO Challenge — started, evaluated fabrics, came up with a tentative plan.

✅Finish back stitching zippered bag and add buttons — The bag is done! 

✅Work on snowman block — definite progress on several parts. 

✅Continue knitting on hat — several more rows finished. 

✅Continue putting Magnificent Mystery blocks together — 13 A blocks are done, 1 block B. 

And I have pictures to share of many of these goals!

These blocks are from the mid 1990s. Three quilters from different parts of the US met on a chat group from the internet. I don't remember what project we were involved with.  It might have been a row robin or a secret pal block swap.   The three of us decided to make some blocks and swap them. Julianna Phillips, from Washington,  made the compass block and the hand along with a block for us to sign which I will put on the back.  I have no recollection of the blocks I made nor the ones Terri Willet, of northern Virginia, made. At the time we lived in Georgia and I remember flying up to Va to meet up with Terri to attend a national quilt show with her.  Later in the year we moved to Maryland. I have held these blocks since 1996 or so. At first I didn't think my skills were up to putting them into a quilt. Then, they spent several years in a box unchecked. Finally, this year I put them on my UFO Challenge list and it came up this month. 

I laid out the blocks similar to quilts in the book Circle of Nine Quilts by Janet Houts and Jean Ann Wright. I have tentatively decided I'll put some of them on point and then figure out the other four, probably not on point. Here are some closeups of them. This will be centerpiece of the quilt. I'm not committed to this background fabric. Or, any of the other ones I have. 

One of the side blocks. Any suggestions on fabrics to use with these blocks? I was thinking of using a turquoise. Unfortunately, I'll have to take these to a quilt store and find new fabrics.  

Next up is what's been finished on my first snowman block. I decided I needed to mark the embroidery for future stitching. Here's what I've done so far. (This is one of 6 blocks.) You can see some of the outlines where the wool will go, and the markings that will be embroidered. (See the beginning of the tree needles? I learned the Fly Stitch to make it. There's a lot more of that stitch coming on that tree.) I also did some of the embroidery on a little bird that is going to be on the left bottom.

And here is the finish on my cross stitch zip bag. I was tickled that I finished this in less than a year. Right now it is holding my supplies for my snowmen. This week I finished the back stitching and sewed on the buttons. (Check last week's pic to see the right colors. This is way off!) 

This coming week has some repeat goals and new ones. Will see how I do on them. 

2/16/2026

Work on Feb UFO Challenge blocks 

Quilt one of my tops

Work on snowman block 1

Continue knitting on hat

Make more dash blocks 

 

After a day of rain some of the snow in our front yard is melting. The back yard is still mostly covered as we don't get much sun there.  I'm hoping all the snow will be gone at the end of the week -- at least the snow in our yard.  It's going to take a lot longer for the piles of snow from streets or parking lots to melt. 

I've been doing really well on stitching every day.  Here's this week's report. 

Week ending 2/15/26  46 days days of 2026.

  46 of 46 days  100%

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the UFO Challenge blocks.  I probably won't get the top together this month but there's always next month to finish it off. 

Please take a look at these Linky parties. You never know what great ideas you can find across the internet. 

Stitching Time 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie

Monday Meanderings -- 2 - 9 - 2026

Weather is still a major issue here.  It has continued to be much colder than usual and we had a little extra snow this week.  That means I stayed in the house most of the time and sewed! And, I got a lot done this week! 

Here's my goal list.  Most everything is checked off. YEA!

2/2/26

✅Work on the spools quilt — top is finished. 

✅Work on snowman block — little bits of progress made.  

✅Start new knitted hat — about 3” are done. 

✅Work on outline stitching on zippered bag — left section done. 

Make 4 more dash blocks✔️✔️✔️ — 3 out of 4 done. 

Mail quilt blocks MB, Joan, and Many Hands and Many Hearts — Oops, they aren’t even packaged! 

I finished the spool top. And, I really like it.  I've got to find (or buy) something for the backing.  But, am I'm actually done with this?  Does it need a border?  It can't be very big because I want to use it on an existing hanger that isn't much bigger than the top is now.  Maybe it just needs a binding in that same blue?  What do you think?

Here's what I've done on the zippered bag. I've finished about a third of the backstitching.  I should have finished it but instead worked on the other hand stitched items on my list.  I'll be showing them once I have enough done to actually see. I plan on using this bag for my knitting projects. 

Here's what I'm working on this coming week.  (Hopefully I'll actually mail out the  packages!) 

2/9/26

Mail quilt blocks to MB, Joan, and Many Hands and Many Hearts

Begin planning for Feb UFO Challenge

Finish stitching on zippered bag, add buttons

Work on snowman block

Continue knitting on hat

Continue putting Magnificent Mystery blocks together

I had another week of sewing every day.  I went back to last week's statement and I realized I had the wrong number of days -- one too many.  So this number is correct. 

Week ending 2/8/2026 -- 39 days of 2026 

  39 Of 39 days 100%.

Sunday I spent the afternoon off list! Sharon is back from a trip and we decided to work on our Magnificent Mystery quilts together on FaceTime. Evidently the February instructions are for the rest of the quilt. But first there are a lot of units to be sewn into blocks and half blocks.  I laid out the two main blocks and took photos.  (I had them on design boards one with turquoise edge, the other with a red and white check edge.) 

I am going to need to remake some units in the half blocks as I switched up the placement of some colors.  It won't take much to make the correct blocks.  I like what's been done so far.  I finished 7 blocks of 13 like the top block and just the one of the bottom one.  We'll get together again to have another try at finishing these blocks. 

I hope you can spend some time surfing these Linky parties to keep up with what quilters are doing around the world. 

Stitching Time 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

February 2026 Mysteries and Sew Alongs

Check out https://quiltingwithtamara.com/blog/2026_block-of-the-month/ for a creative block of the month called Block of the Month with a Twist.  If you scroll to the bottom of Tamara’s info page there are links to her Free Quilt Block Library which features 12” blocks and her Scrappy Quilt Patterns. The Scrapy Quilt Patterns piqued my interest. 

Jessica Dayon is sharing The 2026 Scrappy Sampler Block of the Week with two blocks released each week. The first 8 blocks have already been shared but are available. Or you can just save them and make them later.  The blocks will be available through the whole event which lasts until March 26th. Get more information https://jessicadayon.blogspot.com/2025/12/announcing-2026-scrappy-sampler-block.html . One issue with this quilt along is  you must go to the You Tube video each week and check the written description for the link to written directions. This takes you to Google Docs where you can save the document. Mine saved to my download file.  A little more time but so far I’ve been impressed with the blocks. 

I Still Play With Blocks started 2/1. For more info and to join go to https://cottonandjoy.com/pages/block-of-the-month-2026?utm_campaign=2026-013DayBlitz&utm_content=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk

This is not a free event. $$

Here’s a different take on a quilt along. Check out Gnome Angel’s Bookish Quilt Club.  You’re going to be prompted to choose a book, a fabric, and a technique based on the monthly prompt.  It sounds like a fun way to get some reading in and try or use new techniques.  Check the information page: https://www.gnomeangel.com/gnomeangels-bookish-quilt-club-2026/ . 

Snuggles Quilts is offering a wool block of the month starting with the February block available on January15th and every 15th day of the month for the year. This year is Sheep Year. Sign up for Deanne’s newsletter and get more info: https://snugglesquilts.com/block-of-the-month/ . If you are interested in doing  wool applique this might be for you. There appears to be a lot of information on how to do wool applique at this site. 

Material Girlfriends is offering a 6 month block of the month called Bona Fide. Basic info is available now with directions starting February 15. https://materialgirlfriends.com/2026-sew-along-bona-fide/.  Check out their free Interwoven Hearts pattern — it’s a quick 30” sq Valentine’s Day table topper.  (Hint — Scroll through the rest of the free patterns.  There might be one that talks to you! ) 

If you notice an upcoming mystery or sew along feel free to send me the link.  

Monday Meanderings 2 - 2 - 2026

A week later and our snow and ice hasn't melted at all.  It's been below freezing for the whole week -- very unusual for our area.  Luckily another big storm skipped us and hit further south.  This week the temp is suppose to go above freezing.  Hopefully some of the snow will melt but not make black ice on the roads.  (I don't ask for much do I?)  

I've had a good week with goals.  

1/26/26

✅Finish sewing machine block — done.

✅Cut & sew binding on panel quilt — done.

✅Work on Snowman block — I did as much as my hands could deal with at one time.

✅Finish cross stitch zippered bag — done-ish. All the cross stitching is done, next up is outline stitching.

✅Make a few stash dash blocks in r,w,b — 4 new blocks done. 

I finished the sewing machine.  The 3 spools on the top center have been sewn together.  Then I started the "filler" for the space between the spools.  I'm pretty happy with the first section. I'm looking forward to finishing the rest of this. I've even got a place to hang it in the sewing room.  

Here are the 4 scrap dash blocks made. I'll be making more over the next few weeks until I have enough for a big lap quilt. I started these because I have 4 left over blocks in r,w,b and I wanted to use them. Plus, I like the look of this block and it's pretty easy too. 

 

I haven't been taking photos of the hand work projects.  Maybe this week I'll remember to do that. On to this week's goals. 

2/2/26

Work on the spools quilt 

Work on snowman block

Start a new knitted hat

Work on outline stitching on zippered bag

Make 4 more dash blocks

Mail quilt blocks to MB, Joan, and Many Hands and Many Hearts

That looks like a big list but it really isn't; although most of it is hand work. 

I did do a little off list work.  I found a blog that showed a fast version of a 16 patch block.  Here are 2 of the 4 blocks I made from the directions given. The directions were from 2013 and the blog has been removed.  The page was saved on the Way Back Machine.  The idea is to use 2 fat quarters. You cut 4 strips 4" wide by a bit over 16" of each fat quarter. Note: I didn't have enough room on my design wall to actually show the 4 blocks I made.  They go together quite fast and are 14" finished so you can make a quilt pretty fast.  The down side is even though I have a lot of fat quarters, many of them have already been used.  I'll be going through some more of them and some of the left over cut offs from backing fabric to make some more blocks. (And, yes, I might be making some of the blocks by a different method.) 

I also finished the baby koala quilt top this week.  It wasn't on the list but it was pretty fast to sew up. (the turquoise color isn't correct but this is the best I could do this afternoon. The second picture is closer.) 

This pattern worked well using 3 columns of blocks. You can see the pattern picture on last week's blog.  I was tickled that I could squeeze these blocks out of a fairly small piece of fabric.  Now to find some backing fabric.  It'll will go in the to-be-quilted closet for a while.  

You might have guessed I succeeded in maintaining my 15 minutes of sewing this week! 

Week ending 2/2/26 33 days of 2026: 33 Of 33 days -- 100%

That's it for tonight. Take a look at the Linky parties I join. Hope you can do some surfing using these to start you off. 

Stitching Stuff 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

 

Monday Meanderings -- 1 - 26 -- 2026

⛄️ ❄️ WOW  ❄️ ⛄️

We've had snow and sleet and icy rain.

How about you? Hubby has cleared the driveway, sidewalks, deck, and backyard walkways multiple times. Actually 4 times!  I, on the other hand, hung out in my studio and did some quilty stuff (cut a baby quilt out) but mostly goofed off, read, and tried to finish my puzzle. Earlier in the week I did participate in this: 

I was tickled to be able to pick up my Bernina on Wednesday.  And, to see this sale going on at Button and Bolts quilt store in Richmond.  Even though I was trying to hold off buying any fabric I couldn't resist two pieces of orange.  Each had about a yard and a quarter.  And, since I'm low on orange fabric I finished two bolts and added the fabric to my stash.  I didn't know the sale was going on when I left the house or I might have come prepared to buy some fabric for backings. Oh well! 

I did fairly well on my goals this week. 

1/19/26

✅Work on cross stitch zippered bag — making great progress. 

Make binding for panel quilt — didn’t happen & ✅stay at home round robin — binding cut, applied, and halfway sewn down.

✅Work on snowman block — small amount done on 1st block. 

✅Cut out a quilt — baby quilt with koala fabrics cut out.

Here's the block layout for the baby quilt. In late December someone brought some crafting "stuff" to my stitching group.  I went through the fabric and thought this one would make a great baby quilt even though there wasn't very much fabric.  This block is just laid out, not sewn. But it will be a quick sew.  (And, it wasn't the only fabric I took.)  

This is another pattern from one of my favorite baby quilt books, Even More Quilts for Baby by Ursula Reikes.  Here's the pattern. Unfortunately all three of Ursula's baby quilt books are out of print but they are great basic books if you can find one.  I frequently use mine although I often change them to fit what I have. 

My version of Simple Patch will have 9 blocks and be 39.5" x 39.5".  Perfect for the local hospitals' requirements. 

Here are this week's goals.  With snow and ice all over I'll probably stay home most of the time. No, we don't expect much melting as the temps are staying cold. In fact several nights will be in single digits.  I think the pup will be sent out in the back yard rather than taking her for a walk! 

1/26/26

Finish sewing machine block

Cut & sew binding on panel quilt 

Work on Snowman block

Finish cross stitch zippered bag 

Make a few stash dash blocks in r,w,b

This is the bottom part of the sewing machine block I'm making for the center of the spool blocks. I still have a lot to finish this 12.5" block.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it works with my spools.  (See spools here.)

I've continued to be successful on my 15 minutes of stitching. 

Week ending 1/25/26 24 days of 2026 

24 of 24 days 100% 

This week should be pretty quiet because the streets are going to stay icy.  I'll stay home and try to make progress on my many projects! 

Take some time to visit these Linky Parties.  

Stitching Time

Oh Scrap!

Quilting Patchwork Applique

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings  

I've missed linking with the Monday postings for several weeks. I could have sworn I did it last week but ... I'll make sure I actually link up this week. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie