January Summary

January was an extremely productive month for me. I've set the bar high.  Can I continue at this pace?

Who  can resist starting a new project or three?  Barbara at Cat Patches decided she didn't have enough UFOs so started a group to make NewFO's. This month, I started my Farmer's Wife quilt, which will be ongoing for several months,

And a Schnibbles Full House, which I hope to complete in the next few days.  Perhaps I'll be binding it while watching the Super Bowl?

I'm new to OPAM this year, and I managed to finish two projects in January.  There should have been more, but I got distracted and started new things instead of finishing what I had.

The bread cloth above also counts for Christmas Through The Year.

Earlier in the month, I posted my finishes for the Ornament Challenge, Sew It's Finished, Block Swap Adventure, and the Inchy Swap.  Yep, I feel good about January.  And now it's on to February!!  More projects to start and to finish, and to dream about. 

Contentedly checking off my list.....Sunny

 

It's All Your Fault!

My Sunday morning appointment called Saturday night to cancel, so I had an entire day to get some quilting done.  Yes, actual quilting.  The sewing table was all cleared off, as is necessary when I quilt.  There are three sandwiched quilts to choose from.  Should I start with the easiest one?  Or the one that will take the most time?

Perhaps I will take some time first to think about the design for the applique border on my SAHR.  I just finished a border and you all said such nice things about it, and I'm eager to continue.  So I looked at images of applique online, and I pulled out many books from my shelves and leafed through them.  Next came the graph paper and the colored pencils.  (SQ1 rather than EQ7)  I started sketching, and getting ideas for some template shapes.  I think we're all ready to go with this now, but I have about two fewer hours for quilting. 

Then an email popped up on my computer from my friend Vickie, with a link to this site:  4Patches4Hope.  It is for a cause that I will gladly support, so off to my scrap basket I went, and I made a few 4 patches and prepared them for mailing today.

Then I saw yet another Schnibbles Full House on someones blog.  I really want to make this, but I cannot purchase any new fabric.  So what's a girl to do?  Think hard.  Get creative.  I remembered that a couple of years ago I received 2 charm packs and another Schnibbles pattern for a gift.  I hesitate to say this in public, but I've never really cared for the pattern, so it never got made.  Perhaps it's time to decide that it never will be made, and use the charms for something else?  Excellent idea!  I bring you an almost completed modified Full House.  The fabric is Old Primrose Inn, and I thought it would be perfect for constructing some houses.

So, how's the quilting coming along on those three quilts?  Well, that's a topic for another day.  When I actually do some quilting.

 

Contentedly sewing the day away.....Sunny

Progress on SAHR

I got a little behind schedule on my SAHR, so I'm just now sharing my Nov/Dec border.  It was to be either pinwheels or hourglass blocks, and I took the easy way out.  I wasn't originally planning to put the blocks the entire way around, but I can't count so I ended up with more than I needed.  So, they went all the way around.  Sorry the picture isn't the greatest, but it was windy outside, and I was using my slow camera.  But you get the idea!

And now I must go plan an applique border.  I'm looking forward to this one. Hopefully, there will be less math involved.

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
Lao Tzu

Sunny

Foto Finish

This week's optional theme is 'White'.  We haven't seen much white here this winter, so I went back into the archives and found some from last year.

Go visit Cat Patches Foto Finish if you'd like to see more interpretations of White.

Contentment is not shoveling snow on a Saturday morning........Sunny

All Things Friday

I've been too busy sewing and stitching this week to do much blogging, and now it's time to share!

My first Christmas gift of the year is a cross stitched bread cloth.  I've had this pattern for many many years, and I recently learned that a friend has dishes in this pattern, Winterberry, so the time was right!

This will also count as a Sew It's Finished project, and as OPAM!

I managed to stitch three ornaments for the One Ornament a Month challenge.  I haven't decided yet how to finish them into ornaments, but the hard part is done!  I'm going to kit up a couple more, because these little projects are so handy to have when I have to sit in a waiting room somewhere.

I also finished 5 more Farmer's Wife blocks for Jamie and 5 for me.  I had to put them aside to work on a few other things, but I can't wait to get back to them.  So much fun! 

Three flimsies made it through the sandwiching process this week, and I had every intention of having some quilting done this week, but that hasn't happened yet.  Instead, these took over my sewing table.  Apparently I can't count, so there will be a few extras.  Perhaps a cushion?  Or perhaps they can be used later in the quilt?  These are for the SAHR (ahem....Nov/Dec assignment)  Hopefully they will be attached before bedtime tonight, so I can move on to the current applique assignment!

If you heard a loud crashing noise the other night coming from my direction, it was my Rowenta being thrown out the window.  I cannot keep it turned on for more than about 6 seconds and I just couldn't take it any more.  At first, I could get it to turn back on if I flicked my wrist a certain way.  Then I had to shake it all over the room, and finally, I had to actually unplug it and plug it back in.  When that quit working, I gave up.  I read a lot of reviews on irons, and it doesn't seem that there is a really good iron out there, so I just went out and bought a cheapo, and will see how long it works.  I specifically looked for one with an *ON* button, and found this.

It shuts off after 30 minutes, but it has an ON/RESET button, it's not just motion activated.  My fingers are crossed!

SUNSHINE SQUISHIES

Many of you joined Allie's Army to help a friend in need last Fall. Allie collected blocks from around the world, and then spent hours and hours joining them together so our friend Kaaren of The Painted Quilt could be wrapped in our love. Well it's now time for more 'boots on the ground' .  Please go to Red Quilts or Happy Cottage Quilter if you'd like more information on joining Operation Sunshine Squishies.

And now I must bid you adieu so that I many continue to contentedly trim some more blocks!

Sunny 

Wordless Wednesday

Scrapbookers and Card makers

I seldom do paper crafts any more, and I'm tired of the clutter.  I have a box of ribbon, and various paper embellishments looking for a new home.  Will it be you?  They are older, and not the 'current must-haves'.  Sadly, this one will have to stay in the US.  If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll draw a name on Tuesday the 24th. 

Contentedly decluttering......Sunny

One Two Three Flower Wednesday

I am a person who needs a certain amount of structure in my life.  So One Flower Wednesday is a wonderful way to keep me on track!  I started sewing my flowers together a few months ago, and it quickly became apparent that I need to continue tending my garden.  If you'd like to see more pretty flowers, visit Karen's blog for links to other participants in One Flower Wednesday.

I also did some Farming today!  This makes 7 blocks, of the 12 that I'd like to complete by the end of the month.  My partner had a head start, so I'm trying to catch up with her.

Contentment is a choice........Sunny

Farmer's Wife Update

I was hard at work in the sewing room today.  I finished up the BSA block that I started a couple of days ago, and it will be in the mail tomorrow.  This was a specific block that Vickie requested.

I had to do a little reverse sewing, but I'm getting good at it lately.

Then I debated between working on Farmer's Wife blocks, or prepping some flimsies for quilting.  Since I'm making FW blocks for a partner, I decided they should be my first choice.

I still need to add the handles to the flower baskets, but didn't want to attempt them when I was tired.  At this rate, we'll be done in no time!  LOL!  I have a few errands to run tomorrow (today?) and then I hope to finish a few more blocks.

Contentedly farming......Sunny

SAHR - January/February

Okay Ladies, how are we all doing?  I'm still not finished with my Nov/Dec border, but I'm going to go ahead with the next assignment as promised.  I know that some of you are all caught up and ready to move on.  Next up will be a border with Applique!  You choose the size and the technique that you prefer.  Feel free to add floaters between borders if needed.  And the applique can cross the lines onto another border if that might be appropriate. 

I Googled "applique borders" to find these beautiful samples.  There are many more if you need more inspiration.  Our next assignment will be on March 1, and then we should be back on track for monthly assignments.  Are you having fun yet?

Contentedly searching for inspiration.....Sunny

Foto Finish

This was taken on one of my Autumn walks.  It was my favorite picture of the day.

Linking up to Foto Finish at Cat Patches

When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

 La Rochefoucauld, Francois De

Sunny

Mail Call :-) and Friday the 13th :-(

Oh My!  Look at this absolutely amazing basket block that I got from Vickie!

As usual, I had a hard time capturing the colors, but believe me when I say it is beautiful, and exactly what I was hoping for!  Thanks so much Vickie.

I also received this 1/4 yard piece of fabric in the mail.  You have no idea how excited I was with this.

As you may recall, I decided to add an additional border to my Christmas quilt, and was unable to locate any of the fabric locally.  So off to the sewing room I went, anxious to finish the border.

Happy Friday the 13th to me:

Guess what I did the rest of the afternoon!

Contentedly frogging.......Sunny