Tag: RBD Block Challenge 2026

Penguin Party quilt top in-progress, made from aqua and pastel flannel fabrics

craftygoals: April 2026

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Happy April! We made it through Gray February and Cold & Dreary March; we are LEGIT into spring now and I’m so happy!!!

Debrief: March #craftygoals:

  1. Guild Show & Tell Quilt: Seeing that it’s April and I’ve yet to succeed in this area once again, I’m starting to think this may not be my year for making progress on this in this way? I’m even struggling to attend my guild’s monthly meetings! The kids are super duper busy and their activities inevitably conflict with guild meeting almost every month. I’ll keep trying, but I’m definitely not beating myself up over this. I’ve only got two and half years left of minor children parenting; I’ll lean into guilds and the like once this chapter has closed.
  2. Secret Project: Is off the ground! More on this when it feels right to share.
  3. Penguin Party Quilt: A LOT of work done on this! Getting close to completing the flimsy top!
  4. Easter Say-It Sew Along Banner: Never got to it, boo.
  5. Renaissance Graduation Quilt: Was able to put a little bit of work in on it, nothing much.
  6. Rachel’s Graduation Quilt: I have received a number of signed blocks back, but haven’t done any sewing on it. I still need to distribute some more blocks for signatures.
  7. Smitten EPP Quilt: Put in a few work sessions on it. Doesn’t appear like it accomplished much because it’s in that stage of work…sigh. Slow and steady, consistency, etc…it’ll get there eventually.
  8. Jingle Bell Socks: Made a lot of progress on them! First sock is finished.

April #craftygoals:

Time-Sensitive Things That Need Working on ASAP:

Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge Sew Along: It’s my hope to get completely caught up by the end of the month. I’ve sewn up five of the released ten blocks thus far, and there will be another three released in April, so eight blocks over the course of the month. Two a week, if conditions are favorable.

Block 1 in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in pinks, blues, and green
Block 2 “Spin Around” by Amy Smart in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in blues, and green
Block 3 “Starry Bloom” by Cherry Guidry in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in blues and pinks
Block 8 “Turning Point” by Sandy Gervais in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in navy and pinks
Block 10 in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in pinks and blues

Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Sew Along: I am caught up on this, and will hopefully complete the four blocks that are released in April on-time. Goodness, am I enjoying this sew along! I am using a goodly portion of my lime green scraps, but am worried that there were too many scraps to begin with and I’ll still have enough leftover for another four quilts. Oh, I also hope to get all the setting blocks sewn up in April, but it’s not the end of the world if they’re not completely done. I did get them all cut last week and will probably just use them as leaders and enders.

Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Block 1 "Idyllic", sewn by Cara Brooke of That Crafty Cara
Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Block 2 "Twinsies", sewn by Cara Brooke of That Crafty Cara
Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Block 3 "Cabin Life", sewn by Cara Brooke of That Crafty Cara
Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Block 4 "Spring Wind", sewn by Cara Brooke of That Crafty Cara
Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Block 5 "Little Love", sewn by Cara Brooke of That Crafty Cara

Renaissance’s Chef Clothing Tailoring: Renaissance started pastry school! She has to wear a chef uniform and the pants are a disaster. I’ll need to spend some time hemming the length and maybe taking in the waists.

Rachel’s Prom Dress Tailoring: We are awaiting its delivery and I’ll then push forward with whatever tailoring needs to happen. Odds are there will be torturous hemming. Last prom dress ever. [insert bittersweet Mommy feels]

Things to Work on After the ASAP Projects:

Machine Stitching:

Jelly Bar Quilt blocks in-progress, made with pink and green cat fabrics
  • Graduation Quilts: I’m still collecting signatures, and I don’t technically need Rachel’s until June, so we are doing perfectly fine with hers at the moment. There are three people who have expressed interest in signing blocks for Ren’s quilt and I need to get that done so that I can finish up that step and plough through towards completion on hers.
  • Penguin Party Quilt: Getting really close to finishing the top, so it’d be good to complete that soon. No rush at this point in the year. I don’t know when I’ll get this sent out for quilting; might need to wait until after graduation and all its craziness. (Tangent: I discovered a new-to-me local quilter! I’ve reached out to her and she is super nice and looking forward to working with me in the future! Yay!)
Penguin Party quilt top in-progress, made from aqua and pastel flannel fabrics

Hand Stitching:

English Paper Piecing: I always hope I’ll be able to put in some time on the Smitten EPP Quilt, especially since the weather has turned so nice. Maybe I’ll remember to put the bin into the car so I can work on it while waiting for the kids to come out of practices. I always think I’ll be able to work on stuff at Nathaniel’s track meets, but I end up talking with other parents and y’know, social interaction is healthy and good. As previously stated, there aren’t many years left in this stage of parenting, so I’m going to lean into it all while I still can. There are many empty nest years ahead of me for extra sewing.

Knitting: Keep making progress on the Jingle Bell Socks. Maybe make progress on a Christmas project I’m kicking around in my head.

Handknit sock in-progress in red, white, and green self-striping yarn

Nicer weather, gardening, track meets, prom prep—lots going on in April! I like to start with a big list of goals because it’s my vibe, but I’m totally OK with just enjoying the spring weather and finally being able to be outside in the sunshine again.

Block 10 in the RBD 2026 Block Challenge Sew Along sewn in pinks and blues

March Check-in: Riley Blake Designs 2026 Block Challenge

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It’s the last Tuesday of the month, and if you’re participating in the Riley Blake Designer Block Challenge Sew Along, that means it’s the catch-up and showcase day for the blocks that you’ve made thus far. So here are the blocks I’ve made:

Block 1: Four Corners, by Lori Holt

Block 2: Spin Around, by Amy Smart

Block 3: Starry Bloom, by Cherry Guidry

Block 8: Turning Point, by Sandy Gervais

Block 10: Plus One, by Amber Elliot

I am behind on the schedule, but I have sewn up five of the ten released blocks. It’s a new color palette for me and I was getting really nervous that I had accidentally imagined that these colors would work with each other, but as more blocks go up on my design wall, the less anxious I feel about the palette. I think it’s going to work out very nicely in the end.

The story behind the color palette is: My front room’s couches are a weird shade of green that I originally thought was an aqua/teal blue when I picked them out in the showroom eight years ago, but have had to concede that they are indeed a bluish-sage green of sorts, which does not match my otherwise aqua and teal décor in that part of the house. So I’m pivoting my color palette in that part of the house, and this quilt will be a part of that transition. I’m still figuring out what works, color-wise.

I stumbled across two images of throw pillows designed by Caitlin Wilson, which use that weird shade of green in a color palette that looks really pretty to me, so I decided to embrace it. I’m already a collector of blue and white china patterns, which are featured in her particular decorating aesthetic, so I’m going to accept this happy discovery as kismet and move forward with it enthusiastically.

I am using Riley Blake Confetti Cotton Solids in the following colors to match the colors in the pillows:

  • “Couch Green”/Sage Green: Raindrop
  • Jade Green: Cozy
  • Navy: Oxford Blue
  • Powder Blue: Boy Blue
  • Medium Periwinkle: Periwinkle
  • Dark Periwinkle: Forget-me-not
  • Dark Pink: Grapefruit
  • Light Pink: Peaches ‘n Cream
  • White: Cloud

I will be substituting my own design for one of the blocks because I’m just not into it. It hasn’t been released yet, so I don’t know when that change will pop up on my schedule, but it’s the one block that looks like the sun rising behind mountains—no offense to the designer of that particular block, but it just doesn’t match well enough to the other blocks to make me happy and I’m going to lean into the fact that I am the boss of my own quilts and can make substitutions when I want.

The sew along will end at the end of May, so we’re getting there…I’ll need to up my sewing time on this! There will be another three blocks released in April, so the goal is to have those three, plus the five I’m behind on, sewn up…so I guess I’m shooting for two blocks a week for the next month. Fingers crossed!

Patterns for the blocks are free and can be found here on the Riley Blake Designs website.

craftygoals: March 2026

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I am so tired of reporting that I was sick and it affected my ability to move forward on my crafty goals each month, but alas, such is what I need to report. Yet again. Ugh. February kicked my butt, but that’s pretty normal for this time of year EVERY SINGLE YEAR, so I’m not too terribly upset about it, just annoyed. I caught that nasty flu that was going around and that took me out for two weeks. And then, because I was lying around for two weeks, my back spasmed once I got back on my feet and I was down and out with that flare-up for ten days. I finally got to moving around somewhat normally, enjoyed a couple days of productivity, and then BAM(!) migraine for two days. Then another migraine for six days that require an ER visit to shut down. ARRRRGHHHH. So, y’know, basically four weeks of no real progress on anything. I remain optimistic that my luck will trend upwards in March. Always optimistic…

Debrief: February #craftygoals:

  1. Rainbow Coin Strip Quilt: Can’t quilt when you’re sick. Sigh.
  2. Secret Project: I’ve made a lot of progress on this, but it’s not ready to unveil.
  3. Penguin Party Quilt: Did make progress here and there.
  4. Rachel’s Graduation Signature Quilt: I’ve gotten a few of the blocks signed, and am in the process of getting the blank blocks sent out to various people. I am killing this.
  5. RBD Block Challenge: I am almost done with Block #1. Let’s just ignore the fact that SIX of the blocks have been published. Progress is progress.
  6. FQS Sewcialites 3 Sew Along: I am done with the first block! Yay me! I’ll get to working on the second block this weekend. I haven’t photographed it yet, sorry.
  7. Jingle Bell Socks: Coming along nicely in the stolen moments.

March 2026 #craftygoals:

Time-Sensitive Things That Need Working on ASAP:

Guild Show & Tell Quilt: I’d still like to finish the Rainbow Coin Strip Quilt to show, and I’ve got the Sew Many Stars BOM Christmas Quilt on my list for March. I’m so far behind, so I have only the faintest glimmer of hope to get both of these done, but hope I will!

Secret Project: I had to push it back a couple of weeks due to the illness and injury, plus I grossly underestimated how much behind-the-scenes learning I was going to have to do to pull this off, but it should be ready to unveil sometime in March. So excited!

Things to Work on After the ASAP Projects:

Machine Stitching:

  • Penguin Party Quilt: I’m going to commit: I want to finish the top for this THIS MONTH.
  • Easter Say-It Sew Along Banner: Easter is April 5 this year so I want to sew this up in March so everything is ready for the big day.
  • Renaissance Graduation Quilt: Hoping to make more progress on this. I’m still waiting on some signatures, so I’m doing the best I can.
  • Rachel’s Graduation Quilt: I don’t know if I’ll get to touching this, but it’d be great if I could get some signatures back so I can start assembling the blocks. It’s largely dependent on others’ efforts/timeliness, so I’m keeping my hopes low so I don’t feel disappointed if nothing happens this month.

Hand Stitching:

English Paper Piecing: It’d be good to get work done on Smitten. It’s a weird time of year, whatwith the weather changes and garden needing more attention, so I have no idea how this will shake out.

Knitting: It’d be great if I could finish the Jingle Bell Socks.

Embroidery: I don’t have anything in the works for March.

There’s a lot of stuff to get caught up on in regular life before I can really get into the craft room, so this might be a low achievement month. However, sometimes things come together easy and then I get to do lots of crafty stuff, so we’ll see. Gardening needs to start happening too…it’s that time of year! So much fresh goodness coming our way with more light and sunshine as well. We made it through the darkest part of year, friends! Good job! Enjoy the upcoming spring!

Sorry there’s no pictures to go with this post, but if I take time to do pics, it takes up time to craft. I’m going to get caught up eventually and then it’ll be Picture City ’round these parts!

Rainbow Scrap Quilt in-progress, featuring scrap fabrics in pink, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and white.

#craftygoals: February 2026

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Happy February, everyone! I don’t know what it is about this year, but I feel like it’s gotten off to a productive start!

Debrief: January #craftygoals:

  • Bowling Senior Night Stuff: Turned out GREAT! I’m so pleased with the sashes, and the baskets and bowling pins looked really good, too. Her senior year feels incredibly real now that we’ve done the bowling senior night. Graduation is in our sights!
High school senior girl bowling senior night with personalized sash and gift basket in maroon and gold
  • Lori Holt Say-It Sew Along Valentine’s Banner: I put in so much work on this, and then realized I’d messed a really important step and there was no saving it. I’m not even going to post pictures of any part of this project. So annoyed with myself. I cut up some really cute fabric for it, too.  It’ll stay on the To-Make list though, I really love it. Next year, fingers crossed.
  • Rainbow Coin Strip Quilt: Nope. Hoping to put in work on it soon.
  • Penguin Party Quilt: Got a little bit of work done on it.
  • Smitten EPP Quilt: Also got a little bit of work done on it. It’s in the super boring part of attaching the rows together and it is thankless, no-ending-in-sight work. Slow and steady will win the race. I guess.
  • Jingle Bell Socks: Got a little bit of work done on these, too.
  • Christmas Alphabet Embroidery Sampler: Didn’t touch it. I’m not sure I even know where it is in the craft room, ha ha ha. I don’t know, man, this one might go into the archives until the Christmas spirit strikes again. It just needs to be framed, but it’s not like I’m going to display it anywhere when it’s done, so it’s just not a priority. Maybe I’ll feel like tackling this tiny task after graduation.

February #craftygoals:

Time-Sensitive Things That Need Working on ASAP:

  • Rainbow Coin Strip Quilt: As part of my “Quilt Guild Show & Tell” goal where I want to have a finished quilt to present at each month’s quilt guild meeting, I’m hoping to have this one done in time for February’s meeting.
Rainbow Scrap Quilt in-progress, featuring scrap fabrics in pink, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and white.
  • Secret Project: I’m really, really excited about this, and that’s all I’m going to say. Hopefully I can tell you more at the end of the month!

Things to Work on After the ASAP Projects:

Machine Stitching:

  • Penguin Party Quilt: As always, hoping to make some significant progress. I WILL FINISH THIS QUILT THIS YEAR.
Penguin Party quilt made with pastel plaid flannels
  • Rachel’s Graduation Signature Quilt: The fabric has arrived and I’ve put out requests for signatures, to which many have responded. I’m hoping to get all the blank blocks sent out to people by the end of the month so they can get signed and returned to me well before I’ll get started with the actual sewing of this.
  • RBD Block Challenge 2026 Sew Along: I’ve committed. The fabric finally arrived. I’ve even cut the pieces for the first block. It’d be great to get caught up on January’s blocks and stay on top of February’s blocks.
A stack of Riley Blake Confetti Cottons fabric in shades of green, blue, peach pinks, and whites.
  • Fat Quarter Shop Sewcialites 3 Sew Along: It starts at some point in February, and I’m hoping to sew along. I’m going to work from my scraps and use up the huge amount of yellow-green/leaf green scraps I’ve accumulated over the years, paired with pinks, reds and yellows. Think “summer fruit” color palette.

Hand Stitching:

English Paper Piecing: I’ll try to get more work done on the Smitten Quilt, but I also think it’s going to go back into hibernation until after graduation. We’ll see…

Knitting: I hope to get more work done on the Jingle Bell Socks. I’m not terribly worried about them at the moment, we’ve got all year.

February is always a good month for getting some crafty work done, so I imagine we’ll see some progress on things. There’s some birthday work to do, and I think I need to start busting out some seed starting things pretty soon, so gardening will start taking up more of my time come March. It’s the last of the cozy winter months, better use it well!