Trying to set up a #QuiltingChallenge with my mom. She is competitive, and so am I. #Quilting is her forte, but it is not my forte at all!

We decided the due date is Christmas 2024 at 7am, queen size, at least a 14" drop, at least 54 trees, and it must be completely finished (i.e., quilted and bound). Whoever loses has to feel the "pain". We are still negotiating the pain portion. /1

So far, ideas have ranged from 12 quarts of homemade canned peaches, a cross-stiched certificate of bragging rights, a gift certificate for commercial quilting, etc. 🤣

#sewing #competition

/2

We've decided the loser has to make a handmade gift for the winner. I'm sure we both already have something in the works for the other we could just finish. 🙄 I think I will just focus on my own personal goal of stash-busting!

First load of #fabric washed, dried, and folded. I'm getting closer to being able to start on my first block! Yay! #quilting #sewing

/3

I guess I'm going to have blue trees in this "holiday forest" #quilt. 💙🌲 I've also found some browns for the trunks. 😌 /4

Here are the greens and some whites all washed, dried, folded. I did find some already cut out pieces, but I washed them and I think I can use them. I think I can finally start making a block now! 😄

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/5

Absolutely LAST stack of red "scraps" washed, dried, folded and I'm off to start making a block now! 😄

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/6

Okay, first blue 💙 block is done! I submit to you all for review. 😂😅 *takes a bow*

P.S. There has been a recent development and a revision has been made to the rules: the amount of tree blocks has been lowered from 54 to at least 48 tree blocks. 🤨

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/7

Talked to my mom after she saw the picture of my first block. 🤨 She wanted to know how long it took me, said she had a "moment" where she was worried that I could possibly finish before she could! 🤣 Said she was still deciding what fabric to use, piecing, etc., but now figured she better make up her mind fast. 😂 Already playing her mind games!

The great race has begun. Let the games begin! Look out! Hahaha *evil, wicked laugh* 😈

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/8

UPDATE: First red ❤ block done. Second block, overall. No fun when you run out of a particular fabric and have to end with another...

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/9

So, my opponent has apparently not even started. Something about piecing and color motif is still undecided. (However, she has been known to cheat during a game of Monopoly.) The question is: has she started or has she not started? 🤔 Maybe she just wants me to THINK she hasn't started and she is already four blocks in? 🤨

Today, we talked about barriers to working on blocks. My biggest barrier is the stairs, hers is the cold. 🤔🤨

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/10

I talked to the opposition just now. I'm firmly in the lead, so I told her I was #winning. She made a comment that she was banking on #gardening season when she knows I will lose steam and then she will come from behind to take the lead from me! 🤣 She's totally got a point there...

Working on a green block now, which is a bit difficult, trying to make sure things don't clash with limited options... 🤔

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/11

Third block; first green 💚 block.

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/12

Fourth block. I'm starting to have feelings for it. 🤔

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/13

I think creating stuff/making art is a form of therapy and is a good emotion-focused #coping mechanism for me. I get stressed out easily. Maybe that's why I keep wanting to go up there and make a block? 🤔🤨 (I'm not a quilter, it's not my thing.) Otherwise, I don't know WHAT THE HECK is happening to me! LOL 😅😂

#Quilting #QuiltingChallenge #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/14

Good Morning, CoSoNauts. ☕🍳 I woke up wondering about the weirdest thing: how to use quilting stencils. 🙄🤪 Now I'm obsessed with choosing which ones I want to use on my #QuiltingChallenge. 😂Fascinating stuff! 🤔

#Quilting #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/15

I've been thinking about my #QuiltingChallenge a lot lately. 😅😂 Haven't gotten anything done really since what, February? 🤔 My opponent was correct that I would get very distracted by gardening and outdoor projects.

However, the haying is done, the garden is doing it's thing, and I think I am in a lull until the canning begins. I think it's time for some #XmasInJuly, don't you agree?

#Quilting #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/16

Made another tree block for my #QuiltingChallenge. This one is wonky and I cannot figure out why! 🤔🤨 Whatever, that'll teach me to pay closer attention, go back over the directions, etc. I'm a little worried blocks made during the summer when I'm in a rush aren't going to turn out very well! 😅😬

At this late point in time, I would have to make 3 blocks per week, if I want it done by deadline. Even then, that's a tight timeline!

#Quilting #Sewing #Fabric #StashBuster

/17

I talked to my opponent to wave my newly finished #quilt block in her face! (Basically I said, "neener, neener, neener!" 😂) She is looking into getting a #sewing table for her bedroom, so she could more easily work on whatever project is most pressing.

Sometimes I think she is way ahead of me. letting me think she has never started, other times, I'm pretty sure I'm competing against myself. Either way, I'm still motivated! #QuiltingChallenge.

#Quilting #Fabric #StashBuster

/18

Trying to stay busy and distracted, so had a #XmasInJuly session with my mother/opponent. SCOOP: she hasn't even started, she picked out her #fabric while we were on the phone! 😄 It's been confirmed that I am solidly in the lead. 😌New block just dropped. #QuiltingChallenge.

#Quilting #Sewing #StashBuster

/19

Here is a glimpse of the fabrics my opponent chose. I think I would call this more like folksy/folkart? 🤔 Not sure. #QuiltingChallenge.

#Quilting #Fabric #sewing #StashBuster

/20

I spoke to the opposition today and turned it into a lecture. (She hasn't been in her sewing room for months and months.) I told her I was going to tell you all that she conceded. That perked her up and she indignantly said, "I did NOT!" I told her she better get busy! 😂🤣 I also told her how mad I was going to be if she didn't whittle down the fabric in there and make it into something before she gets too old to sew! 🤨 #QuiltingChallenge.

#Quilting #Fabric #sewing #StashBuster

/21

My Peeps, I need to have a reality check on this #QuiltingChallenge. It's only like 8 to 9 weeks until deadline (Xmas Eve)! 🤯 I got really sidetracked by the Halloween placemats. 😬

If I want to win, competing against myself & against my opponent (believe you me, I DEFINITELY want those bragging rights!), then I think I'm going to have to make this into #QuiltingBootCamp?! 😲 (41 blocks left to make, & quilting, & binding! 🤪) Can it even be done?

#Quilting #Fabric #sewing #StashBuster

/22

I spoke to my opposition and she asked if I was conceding, and I said NEVER! AAARRR! 🤨🏴‍☠️ (She hasn't made a single block yet. I think I'm competing with myself, which is fine.)

Let #QuiltingBootCamp begin then! It's one block 🎄 per day STARTING NOW! If life gets in the way and I don't make a block, I have to make two blocks the next day to make it up. 😬😅 I'm going to be sweating!

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/23

New block 🎄 done. I timed myself. Took me an hour and ten mins to fussy cut scraps and make one block. 😅 I'm slowly getting faster...

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/24

New block 🎄 dropped! (This one got a wee bit crooked...Oopths.)

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/25

New block 🎄 done. Ran out of this particular background fabric before I could finish the block. 😬

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/26

Block 11 🎄 done. I've been trying to get this block done for days. 😤 FINALLY finished it! I'm so far behind, I'm losing faith. I'd have to make two blocks a day for a week, I think, to keep up with the most recent timeline I had set... 🤔😔

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/27

Block 12 🎄 done. I'm now out of decent thread, awaiting my order of new thread (and some goodies I got myself, last purchase until after my bday in Jan.), and having to use crappy old thread while I wait. 😬

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/28

Block 13 🎄 done.

#QuiltingChallenge #Quilting #Fabric #Sewing #StashBuster

/29