Design Wall Monday - March 16, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

This time of year I spend a lot of time watching basketball, and today I will fill out my brackets, choosing which teams I think will go far into the NCAA tournament.  Our family has a pool, and it is fun to compete with my grandkids.  I usually pick Big 10 teams, but the league has expanded so much that there are now 18 teams in the Big Ten (new math) and I don’t follow some of the newer teams in that league.  

While watching basketball, I will be finishing my last block for my Indigo and Shirting Jane Stickle quilt.  I just have to make a star for the top of the final corner kite.  I feel nostalgic about finishing such a long and pleasurable project.  So I am going slowly now at the end.  I sewed the center 169 blocks together and am now working on sewing the outside triangles to each other.  Here is a picture of the quilt on the design wall today:

The missing corner kite is not there (right lower corner).  

When I near the finish of a big long project, I spend a lot of time thinking about what I should finish next.   It is fun to look through the UFOs and dream a little.  We shall see what happens next.  

The weather here has been cold and rainy, and we are so ready for spring.  I did see some spring like pictures on some of your blogs this past week and it was so encouraging.  

I also saw a Robin Tuesday, always a good sign of spring here in Grand Rapids, MI.  It is the state bird of Michigan, but winters elsewhere.  Smart bird.

What are you blogging about this week?  I’m looking forward to reading your blogs and looking at your beautiful projects.  Thanks for joining our Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  You are appreciated.

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Design Wall Monday - March 9, 2026

 Good Morning Quilters!

It was a very productive week here.  Last Monday, I reported that the indigo/shirting Jane Stickle quilt had 15 more pieces left to make.  Thirteen triangles and two corner kites.  

 I got my paper-piecing brain in gear……meaning I stood backward and upside down.  In that state of mind, with three seam rippers nearby, at the ready……I tackled all the thirteen remaining triangles and one of the two remaining kites.  While paper piecing, I make every mistake you can make.  

Mistakes I made this week:

1)  adding a piece too small to cover the intended piece of paper, my favorite mistake.

2) sewing two pieces of fabric to the paper, but then discover they weren’t both “right sides together”

3) Sewing a shirting fabric to the paper when it was supposed to be an Indigo piece….se picture #1 below.

4) sewing a group of paper-pieced fabrics (a unit) to the top of another unit when I was supposed to sew it to the bottom on that unit.  Or to one side instead of the other side.

5) cutting (trimming) the seam allowance off of a paper-pieced unit by mistake.  Usually at bedtime……a signal that I’m done for the night.

But by concentrating very hard while thinking backwards and upside down, I persevered.  

Here are pictures of the one corner kite made this week..  I only made one mistake early in the block, and decided to leave it.   The seam rippers were tired.

Here is a picture of the very center part:…five paper-pieced units:  

My mistake was the very center unit should have been Indigo center with four Shirting corner triangles.  Mine was the opposite.  I decided it was a “small” mistake.

Next picture:  This first five units are now the very center unit of this next group of five units.:

Next picture has the above five units sewn together for the center piece.

Next picture shows the above pieces sewn together and turned on point for the center unit. Eight units to sew together.   It’s now beginning to look like the left bottom corner kite  and I can see the finish line, 

Here is a picture of the completed corner kite:  the last corner kite that I have yet to make is mostly appliqué, so it won’t give me any trouble.  Or, I should say…. it better not!

What is on your design wall this Monday?  My Jane Stickle blocks will be on my design wall as I sew the blocks together into a quilt top.  Hopefully I will have them assembled by next Monday.  I so enjoy seeing all of your pictures and reading your blogs.  Thank you for joining our Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  I appreciate your participation so much.   

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Design Wall Monday - March 2, 2026

 Good Morning Quilters!

I am back at it making Jane Stickle quilt triangles to complete my Indigo/Shirting version.  This week was very busy and I was pleased that I finished two. They are Left Side 2 and 3.  I have about fifteen yet to make and they are all paper pieced with appliquéd pieces…….not my favorites.  I shall persevere!

My finish of the little cross stitch project has renewed my enthusiasm for getting projects finished.  Here is a picture of the finished little quilt on top of my bed sized copy of Jane’s original.  

My large quilt was quilted with Baptist fans, but for the little quilt, I just quilted it simply with a line of quilting between every block.

What is on your design wall this week?  If you happen to be new to my blog, the “design wall” is not to be taken literally……any picture of your work in progress or finished work is welcome..  Please join us below.  Thank you to all who participate.  

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Design Wall Monday - February 23, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

I hope you are not caught in the blizzard that has hit the east coast.  Here in Grand Rapids, we are not in this storm, but we still have snow on the ground.

An accomplishment this week:  I quilted downstairs on my sewing machine!  First time since knee replacement January 7th.  The project?  I am quilting the cross stitch Jane Stickle little quilt.  I just quilted simple lines between blocks.  Here is a picture of it on top of my bedsized Jane Stickle quilt.  It was such a fun project.  I will finish quilting it this week, and I hope to get the binding on it this week too.

I love it!   It has renewed my interest in finishing my indigo and shirting Jane Stickle quilt.  So what are you working on this week?

Please click below to join our Design Wall Monday Linky Party to showcase your blog and a picture of your work.  Thank you to all who participate.  You are appreciated.

 

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Design Wall Monday - February 16, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

Have you ever been obsessed with a quilting project and wanted to work on it nonstop?  Once in a while it happens to me, and this is how I have felt lately about this Jane Stickle cross stitch project.  At the rate I am going, I will be finished with it by next week’s post.  18 more blocks to go!  It has been so much fun.

Here is what it looks like right now:

When it is finished I will jump back into quilting, as there are many quilts that are waiting for me.

Tell me if you have ever been smitten with a project so much that you didn’t want to stop working on it.  Join our Design Wall Monday Linky Party below and show us your pictures and link to your blog.  A big thank you to all who participate.  I appreciate you.

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Design Wall Monday - February 9, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and I am a romantic at heart.  Here are two of my favorite quilts that I have made to celebrate Valentine’s Day:   This first one is king sized, so I am showing it in two pictures………the bottom half showing in the first picture in the entry hall with Miss Penny Lane and the top half is in second picture (upside down) as it is hanging over the railing to the lower level.

‘’

This quilt utilizes a simple four patch design (3 parts red and 1 part toile) to resemble hearts.  

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.  I hope you are able to hug someone this week, or hold their hand.   It is great to have a holiday that reminds us of our love for others.

I am still cross stitching on the little Jane Stickle quilt project, and am getting better at it.   Here is a picture to show my progress so far:

It is halfway finished now, and I am really enjoying it.  I am at the point in this project that I want to work on it nonstop until it is finished.  Do you get that way sometimes with a project?

What are you making progress on this week?  And what Valentine’s Day decorations or quilts do you display ?  Join our Design Wall Monday Linky Party below so we can look at your blog and photos.  Thank you for all who participate.  I am sending all of you a big Valentine’s Day hug.

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Design Wall Monday - February 2, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

Can you believe one month in 2026 is gone?  February came so fast for me, but I guess it is understandable, since I’ve been on the couch most of January.  My knee is feeling much better and the swelling is going down.  I’ve ditched the cane and am walking without any assistance.  But also I’m not out much in the ice and snow.  

While recuperating and icing my knee, I’m working on the cross stitch of Jane Stickle’s quilt.  If you want to know more about the kit, see my blog post last week.  It seems to be going fairly fast, and I’m on the second quarter of the pattern.  I miss quilting, but will get back to it when this little project is done.  

Here’s what my progress looks like so far:

What are you working on?  Please post your picture below and ad a link to your blog post.  We have such talented quilters here, and I always enjoy reading your blog posts and looking at your pictures.  Thank you for faithfully participating.

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Design Wall Monday - January 26, 2026

 Good Morning Quilters!

Recovery from knee replacement surgery is going well for me.  The PT visits are going well, and I have graduated from a walker to a cane.  

What is happening re my quilting?  Well, I got out an old UFO and started working on it.  The project is quilt related, but not a quilt,  Years ago I bought a Jane Stickle inspired cross stitch project.  I love all things about the Jane Stickle quilt, and bought it on a whim.  

While I recover from surgery, I thought of this project and decided to cross stitch while I am resting with one leg elevated with ice on my knee.  It has turned out to be a fun project and after a slow start, I am moving along on it.  It’s a counted cross stitch kit called “Quilt Sampler VI” by Linda Myers.   Here is the picture of the kit:  

And here is my progress on it so far:

So no quilting this week, but several Jane Stickle inspired blocks were cross stitched.  

I am praying for all who are experiencing this frigid winter storm.  I pray your power stays on, and that you are able to stay warm and dry.  Still hunkering down here in Grand Rapids, and I know things are much worse in other places.

What project pictures could you share with us this week?  I always look forward to seeing your pictures and reading your blogs.  Thanks so much for participating.  You are appreciated.  

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Design Wall Monday - January 19, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!

Some bloggers pick a word to guide them in a new year.  I have sometimes done this in the past.  When I was thinking about it today, I mused that my word for 2026 has been “slow” so far.  

And also the word “snow”.  Here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we have had steady snow this past week, and many schools are closed today.  7 - 8 inches are on the ground now and more is coming.  We are all hunkered down here and are not going outside unless necessary,  

Here is a picture of Penny Lane to show you what we mean by  “all hunkered down” here.    

Slow is the word when recovering from knee replacement surgery and I am not very patient with not being mobile.  I hope to move to a cane from the walker after this week.  Our Grandson Connor has been here helping us, and he puts me though my PT exercises three times each day.  He is flying home tomorrow and we will really miss him.  

My Physical Therapist has purposely avoided training me on going down the stairs because she said I would go down there and sit at my sewing machine for hours.  Haha. She promised we will work on navigating stairs during our next visit.  

What is happening on your quilt design wall?  Slow or fast progress?  Snow or no snow where you are?  Click on the link below and join us.

Thank you to all of you who participate in our Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  You are appreciated.

 

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Design Wall Monday - January 12, 2026

 Good Morning Quilters!

There won’t be much to my post this morning, as I am recovering from knee surgery.  It has been five days of resting with these activities:  one leg up high, walking with a walker, taking pain pills, doing PT exercises and sleeping.  Every day I feel a little bit better, and yesterday I only required two pain pills.  Progress is being made.

Picture today is of our “extra great grandson” Roman, who was born this December to Ben and Destiny, who are family to us…….Roman has my reaction when someone tells me to bend my knee……”You want me to do WHAT?”  

Our grandson Connor is visiting us to help out, and he pilots me through the PT exercises three times each day.  He is a big help.  He’s 25 years old and is encouraging to me through all of my recovery.

DH is in charge of meds and they both are good at “heating up” all the food friends and neighbors have left for us.  God is good.

So, cheer me up with some pictures of your work!  Join in on our Design Wall Monday Linky Party,  and we will show Connor what you quilters are doing.  His Mom crochets and sews little bags and pillows.  Very talented.  

Thanks for all of your prayer support - I am recovering as fast as I can, and your prayers are being answered.

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Design Wall Monday - January 5, 2026

Good Morning Quilters!  Happy first Monday of the new year!  I am looking forward to seeing what plans you have for 2026.  As for me, I am delaying my  reflections  on a “year end/new year beginning” until a little later this month.  I am having left knee replacement in two days, and I will have lots of time to think about these things while I am recovering.  

Here is a report on two projects in the works:

#1 UFO which is a combination of Moda’s Collection for a Cause - Faith kit that I am revising to include some six inch blocks that were part of the 365 block of the day challenge by Kathryn Kerr a few years ago.

Here are three options for the next round.  I think I have a favorite, but I’d like your input, so tell me which round you’d like me to add next. 

#1 is a round of six inch blocks separated by neutral squares, so each block can show off by itself

#2 is a round of six inch blocks next to each other all the way around, perhaps more interesting, but busier.

#3 is a round of six inch blocks, alternating darker blocks and lighter blocks, busier yet, but with the advantage of getting rid of most of the darker blocks.

Please vote for #1, #2, or #3

Number 1

Number 2

 

Number 3

On the second project I’m working on, In The Round, the blocks are 12 across by 15 blocks down.  I have all the columns sewn into strips, and four column strips sewn to each other.  It is going well.  And I am attaching at least one strip to the ones finished each day,  It involves pressing seams on strips in opposite ways, pinning each intersection all along the strip, sewing the 1/4 inch seam to attach a strip, and then pressing the seam just sewn.  Very peaceful and soothing, and slow.   Very calming to me as I am nearing surgery.

I don’t have a current picture as I took it down from the design wall in strips and those strips are by the sewing machine.  But here is a picture of the quilt kit.

What are you planning for 2016?  I am looking forward to reading your posts.  Thank you to each of you who link up with Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  I appreciate you very much.

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