ufo challenge 2026

Kris Kringle Panel Kit - Progress / Card Holder from Grandma's Red Needle

Happy October!

How is it we are into October already?! I'm not sure how that happened?!

This week I've been working on the Kris Kringle Panel Kit

UFO #19 on my 2026 UFO list

I usually don't buy kits, but I couldn't resist this cute guy!

I love Teresa Kogut designs. I haven't done any of her cross stitching designs, not yet, but I have a few I really want to purchase. Maybe a Christmas gift to myself?!

The top is done

The pattern is well written and very easy to follow. I was a ...

added by Astrid 2 weeks ago. under beads , card holder , christmas , christmas quilt , kris kringle , ufo challenge 2026

182 Day Solstice Challenge - UFO#15 FINISHED! from Grandma's Red Needle

Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' is FINISHED!

This is UFO #15 on my UFO list 2026

I'm so glad I did this quilt in RSC colors.

I really love how it turned out.

Layout direction

https://patsloanquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pat-sloan-asymmetrical-layout-directions-solstice-challenge-1.pdf

I changed the layout a little bit, for not to get blocks with the same colors next to each other. Two (the turquoise blocks at the top) are a bit close, but that's OK.

Here are some of the blocks

Block #9 - Among the Stars

Block #8 - Never ending love

Block #5 ...

added by Astrid 3 weeks ago. under finished ufos 2026 , pat sloan bom , rsc , rsc 2026 , rsc2024 , rsc2025 , solstice challenge , ufo challenge 2026

Card Holder - UFO #4 from Grandma's Red Needle

Now that 'Solstice' is finished (yesterday), I'm moving on to another UFO.

This is UFO #4 on my UFO list 2026. I don't have any records of when I started working on this one, it may have been in 2020 or 2021 since it appears on the last years UFO lists.

I'm giving this one another try!

The 'problem' is; the pattern is in French! ... and I don't know French! My DH speaks French, which helps a lot, although he is not that fluent in 'quilting language'.

I'm also using Google Translate from French to ...

added by Astrid 3 weeks, 2 days ago. under card holder , christmas , ufo challenge 2026

RSC Week 38 - Solstice Update from Grandma's Red Needle

It's Saturday and time for RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) update.

This month is purple.

Even if my intention has been to piece together some purple nine patches, that has not happened. My goal for this month is to finish '182 Day Solstice Challenge', and I'm happy to say I'm almost there!

Since the RSC color is purple, I'm quilting one of the two purple blocks today. The other purple block was quilted earlier this month - here.

It's a big block, it measures 24" / 61 cm square, finished.

When the purple block is done, I have ...

added by Astrid 4 weeks ago. under pat sloan bom , rsc 2026 , rscpurple , solstice challenge , ufo challenge 2026

Unboxing Kris Kringle Panel Quilt Kit from Grandma's Red Needle

I was going to continue quilting 'Solstice' this Monday morning, but after a couple of seams, this is what happened:

Mini-Bug found the best place to rest after being outside for more than two hours!

I need to move the quilt to be able to sew, but that won't work as long as he sleeps there!

I have a couple of UFOs as WIPs:

- Solstice: continue quilting, 10 blocks out of 25 left to quilt

- Basket Wall Quilt - waiting for binding fabric

This morning, I unboxed the Kris Kringle kit (Teresa Kogut). I purchased the kit in 2023 or ...

added by Astrid 1 month ago. under christmas , christmas quilt , kris kringle , quilt kit , solstice challenge , teresa kogut , ufo challenge 2026

RSC Week 37 - Purple / Solstice Update / Blogger Problems from Grandma's Red Needle

First of all: BLOGGER PROBLEMS!!!!

While others have had problems, I haven't, but now it seems to be my turn.

I read blogs every day, from my 'Reading List'. About 3 days ago, I noticed there are NO NEW BLOG POSTS from any of you! I was thinking; that can't be?! I checked out a few blogs from the comment page, and yes, there were new posts, which do not show up in my 'Reading List' since some days!

I have not changed anything, it must be Blogger??

Any of you facing the same problem?

Any solution?

I ...

added by Astrid 1 month ago. under pat sloan bom , rsc 2026 , rscpurple , scrap-buster , solstice challenge , ufo challenge 2026

Basket Quilt Binding - Opinion Please from Grandma's Red Needle

The last days I've been working entirely on finishing the Basket Quilt (#5 on my UFO list)

I quilted the last piece yesterday, trimmed the sides and added a sleeve. It's ready for the binding, but I can't for my life decide what color to choose. ...and since I don't buy unnecessary fabric (strict fabric diet!), I don't have anything that fits. I have to purchase fabric for this one, to be able to finish it.

Can you believe I'm out of black?! I had a small piece I tried, but to me it ...

added by Astrid 1 month, 3 weeks ago. under basket blocks , basket quilt , scrap quilts , scrap-buster , scrapbuster , ufo challenge 2026

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 is a FLIMSY from Grandma's Red Needle

UFO #27 (UFO list) is finally a Flimsy!

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

The quilt consists of 12 blocks. I did 10 of the blocks in RSC colors (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) last year. Somehow I dragged on the last two - see my previous post.

I couldn't decide on what color to choose for the house block. For the Dresden Plates block; I was not veeery eager to do it since I had never done any before. As I can recall, I think an alternative block was suggested. I 'survived' doing the Dresden Plates block! LOL

It always takes ...

added by Astrid 2 months ago. under a quilting life , bom 2025 , flora and fauna , garden , rsc 2026 , rsc2025 , rscyellow , ufo challenge 2026

Christmas in July from Grandma's Red Needle

Have you ever thought from where Christmas in July originates?

To be honest, I have always thought it came from the Southern Hemisphere. Recently, I did a search and according to this link, it originates from France! Did you know? I didn't!

The month of July is usually the time I start making Christmas items for gifts etc.

Last year, I prepped some dogs and cats themed mug rugs, using scraps from my stash. (I forgot to add them to my UFO list). I have finished quite some big quilts (so far) this year, it feels good working on ...

added by Astrid 3 months, 1 week ago. under christmas , mug rugs , quilt blocks , scrap-buster , scraps , ufo challenge 2026

Coffee with Dad - RSC Finish from Grandma's Red Needle

...as the title says; Coffee with Dad is finished!

UFO #26 on my UFO/WIP list 2026

Actually I finished it in May, but didn't take photos at that time.

An easy and fun quilt to make!

Drums, daffodils, black cat and colorful gecko

Yellow cat

Geckoes and sunflowers

The pink cat, and favorite coffee batik

Yes, I love cats! It was fun to rediscover some of the fussy cut fabrics for the cups.

Pieced backing

It was difficult to get the colors right. I took the photos in the shade on the porch. The bottom looks a bit ...

added by Astrid 3 months, 2 weeks ago. under coffee with dad , finished ufos 2026 , rsc2025 , scrap quilts , scrap-buster , ufo challenge 2026

Swirling Stars - An RSC Finish from Grandma's Red Needle

Swirling Stars (UFO #11) has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list to Finished UFOs.

My goal was to finish it by end of February. That didn't happen due to delayed thread order.

The thread was finally delivered on March 25!

It took me some time to decide how to quilt this one. Simple FMQ (Free-Motion-Quilting) is the easiest and fastest, but it doesn't always 'fit' a quilt.

For this one, I went for custom quilting each block. I didn't have a plan fully in my head when I started, it was like 'quilt it as you go ...

added by Astrid 3 months, 3 weeks ago. under finished ufos 2026 , rsc2023 , ufo challenge 2026

Working on UFOs from Grandma's Red Needle

My oldest (quilt) UFO; Got the Blues, (#8 on my UFO list) is currently under the needle!

I made the first blocks February 2012! It's time to get it done, isn't it?!

I don't have any other updates on this one. It was thread basted last year, and since then; just sitting there waiting for thread and decision how to quilt it.

Yesterday I quilted about 1/4. It's a big quilt to maneuverer even with the 10" working area on the machine. The quilt measures about 84 x 96 inches / 213 x 243 cm

My ...

added by Astrid 4 months ago. under got the blues , log cabin , ufo challenge 2026 , ufo's

Quilting Weather from Grandma's Red Needle

Rain = quilting weather.

It was nice in the morning, but got cloudy in the early afternoon with rain off and on.

What's better than spending time in the sewing room? Well, not actually a 'sewing room'. My 'sewing / quilting room' is the dining room table, because that table is big; 42 x 84 inches / 107 x 255 cm. I love that!

I have just finished two RSC (UFOs) quilts, the Scrap Jar Stars quilts. Yes, I know; I have to take photos!!! I WAS going to take photos today! Then it got cloudy, dark and dreary! SIGH!

I have ...

added by Astrid 4 months, 3 weeks ago. under country charm , scrap-buster , ufo challenge 2026 , wips

RSC Week 20 - Orange / Small UFO Finish from Grandma's Red Needle

Another week has passed and it's time to show what I've been up to with orange.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't have any orange yardage left. There are squares in different sizes. I have a few orange 5" squares left and I just couldn't leave these cute cats in the box!

Two squares + leftover black = two mug rugs!

The quilting will happen another day.

After finishing four big UFOs (I need to take photos!), it felt good working on something small.

UFO #22 is FINISHED!

This is the table topper or candle ...

added by Astrid 5 months ago. under christmas , finished ufos 2026 , rsc 2026 , rscorange , table toppers & runners , ufo challenge 2026

RSC Week 19 - Orange - An RSC FINISH - BOM 2026 from Grandma's Red Needle

Remember '70s has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list (UFO #14) to FINISH!

I got the idea to make a quilt in orange & brown in May 2023. That year/month, orange was the RSC color as well. Who does not remember the 1970's when orange and brown were popular? I think I had enough of these colors at that time! Orange is not amongst my favorite color, but if I had to choose between orange and pink, I know I would have a big problem! LOL

I have to say I like how this quilt turned out, mixed with ...

added by Astrid 5 months, 1 week ago. under bom 2026 , fruit and vegetables , fruits , remember 70s , rsc 2026 , rscorange , ufo challenge 2026 , weather

RSC Color for May is Orange / A Squirrel popped in from Grandma's Red Needle

Who sent the squirrel?!

...and one can't work on UFOs all the time, right?

I've been admiring the '99 Charms quilts' in RSC colors at GraceandPieceQuilting. Nancy has done a fabulous job on those quilts, using 5 inch squares from scraps, and quilted beautifully!

I got inspired!

I have a shoe box full of 5" squares and wasn't sure how to use them. Not that it was a priority to use them, but after admiring Nancy's quilts, I decided to do the same. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy!

There were squares in colors I have more ...

added by Astrid 5 months, 2 weeks ago. under 99 charms quilt , flimsy , remember 70s , rsc 2026 , rscorange , ufo challenge 2026

RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back! from Grandma's Red Needle

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt.

Last week was 'sewing week'.

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did ...

added by Astrid 5 months, 4 weeks ago. under a quilting life , bernina , bom 2025 , mauritius , pat sloan bom , quilt blocks , rsc 2026 , rscpink , rscred , solstice challenge , ufo challenge 2026

Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings WIP from Grandma's Red Needle

I'm still waiting for the quilting thread! SIGH!

The 'problem order' made it through US Customs and has made it to France! Scheduled to arrive next week.

Meanwhile; progress on the Basket quilt

The 4 scrappy 16-patches corner blocks are done

The small 4-patches - measure 2.5" square - for the second border is done; 72 out of 72!

************

Mini-Dwellings is UFO #25 on my UFO/WIP list

The small house block has been sitting on my sewing table for weeks. The idea is to make a small wall hanging, but I wanted to add that little extra to make ...

added by Astrid 7 months ago. under basket quilt , dwellings , mini-dwellings , quilt blocks , stitchery , ufo challenge 2026 , wips

Basket Quilt UFO - WIP from Grandma's Red Needle

It took me some days deciding on how to do the basket blocks, since I was not that eager to do the original block design. Then I saw Melva's beautiful Basket block and knew right away my blocks need a 'flower pot'!

I think the left one looks much better and I decided on that design.

I also get to use up my basket weave fabrics that have been sitting on the shelf for some years! What I don't use for the blocks, will be used for a pieced backing. I made 5 of the design to the ...

added by Astrid 7 months, 1 week ago. under basket quilt , quilt blocks , ufo challenge 2026

Coffee With Dad - An RSC Flimsy, Another WIP from Grandma's Red Needle

As the title says; Coffee with Dad is a Flimsy!

Viola at Familie Barwitzki challenged me to work on my UFO #26, since 26 is her birthday. Now that Swirling Stars is on hold, waiting (forever! due to shipping error from the online shop!) for ordered quilting thread, I accepted the challenge.

In my previous post I mentioned I had too many blocks for one quilt.

That is absolutely not true! I don't know where my head was, or better say brain (it must have melted in the heat these days!), when I figured out I need 36 coffee ...

added by Astrid 7 months, 2 weeks ago. under basket quilt , bom 2025 , coffee with dad , fruit and vegetables , mauritius , nature , rsc 2026 , rsc2025 , rscred , ufo challenge 2026

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