
Yes, friends, Quilting Gail and her talented co-horts are at it again. The Stay at Home Round Robin for 2026 (better known as SAHRR 2026) is on, starting this week. For readers who are unfamiliar, I offer a link to Gail’s post, which explains it all.
https://quiltinggail.com/2025/12/18/announcing-the-2026-sahrr/
. As usual, there will be six rounds, plus the kick-off round. That’s happening now. Each participant makes or chooses a center block from which to build the quilt, then adds a border to it each week. This will be my sixth year to make one. The thing I love about SAHRR is how it provokes my creativity while providing a gentle amount of structure to keep me corralled and focused. For 2026, I want to make an art quilt that tells the story of our Costa Rican adventure last September. My DH took terrific photos, which support my memories of what we did and saw.
My center block is a fiery-billed aricari, a smallish toucan.

Using one of Bill’s photos as my subject, I painted the background fabrics with Jacquard Dyna-Flow, fused appliques into place, stitched them down, and painted details with Jacquard Textile paint. I’m pretty happy with my choice. If all goes well, I will draw on other vacation photo images to incorporate into future rounds.
I’m aware that my choice is complex and unconventional. But that’s just me. If you want to participate in SAHRR 2026, you can start with any block you have left over from a past project, or sew up a new one. There are no rules, only suggestions.
To see the co-horts who are providing the weekly clues, check out their posts from the list here:
The Schedule
- January 14 Each of the co-leaders will be sharing their centre blocks (you will have to visit each of their blogs to see them). Gail will host the first linky party where you can show your centre block.
- January 21: 1st Round: Brenda @ Songbird Designs
- January 28: 2nd Round: Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
- February 4: 3rd Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
- February 11: 4th Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
- February 18: 5th Round: ME!!! @ Quilting Gail
- February 25: 6th Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
- March 25: Parade: showing all of your finished SAHRRs!

I always enjoy seeing the different interpretations of the prompts. I’m sure this year won’t disappoint.
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I’m so glad you are joining in again this year! What a fantastic idea for your quilt! I look forward to watching your progress.
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Thanks Wendy.
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I’m excited to make another SAHRR too. Your center is beautiful. I haven’t chosen mine yet. This is my 5th year.
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I think it would be fun to see other’s work on the same theme. I will stop by their blogs. And your center block is so colorful and bright — I can’t wait to see the end project!
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Thank you. I’m hopeful I will make it to the end. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the weekly prompts.
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That center block is awesome! I look forward to seeing how your quilt builds from the center piece. Nice way to remember your tropical adventures 🙂
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Nothing like the quantity of travel that you and John had in ’25, but definitely memorable.
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What a fantastic centre block!!! I really look forward to watching your quilt grow as you add memories of your trip! Thanks for joining in the SAHRR ’26 and for linking up!
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Thanks, Gail.
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Great center block, Laura Kate! Love the toucan and the painted details. It looks like a Bird of Paradise flower??!! Thanks for joining us this year.
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Yes, it could be, or a ginger flower. Those two get mixed up in my head.
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Wow! what an amazing choice for your center block! I loved watching your project for this last year come together and I am really looking forward to where you will go with this year’s start!
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Thanks Kat. It’s lovely to see your comments. I am enjoying your posts especially the Wednesday Unravelled ones.
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So rich and creative. I love the little toucan. Great start for this year’s SAHRR.
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Thanks.
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Hi Laura Kate, what a wonderful centre block. I’m really looking forward to seeing your progress on this piece. 🙂
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Your bird is wonderful. What a character! I can’t wait to see what you add to him in the coming rounds :
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Thanks.
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Wow! I like how you created your center block. Thank you for explaining your process. I look forward to seeing your progress on your quilt!
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Thanks, Jill.
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Wow – that block is just gorgeous! I love that you incorporate your painting into your quilting.
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Thank you
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