Mystery QAL - the fiinishes

I know we keep saying how fast time is going by, but really ??? !!! It's the end of March . . . already?? !!!

Sunday is Easter, although in my church we celebrate "Resurrection Sunday" because Jesus was resurrected. 

The purpose of this post is to see how far we I got with my chosen project.

There was only one requirement to participate in this group - a specific fabric.

This isn't a fabric I would normally purchase if I were shopping, but I really liked it. I know it came in other colors. I liked this very pale blue. To My delight it played very well with My other color choices. This also encouraged me to step a little out of my comfort zone

My pattern comes from the lovely Ms. Jacquelynne Steves. This was a free block of the month a couple of years ago. I signed up, but as usual had too much going on at the same time and never got to make it. It turns out it was a bit of a challenge for my limited experience. I managed to get it done and learned much from the challenges.

I chose this print for my feature center blocks and I mentioned, the required fabric wasn't hard to work in. That's what I'm reading from all of the participants.

I had some objectives going into this project:

1. It sounded like a lot of fun.

2. I got to choose my own pattern, so I could do something I wanted to do.

3. I wanted to use fabrics from my stash.

4. I wanted to try something new.

I accomplished all of my objectives.

This was fun, because it was completely different from the other QALs I've done.

I chose a pattern I had never used before, so I got to try something new in that I don't have a quilt that is completely pieced. Typically, I make something with an embroidery focal point.

And I wanted to use fabrics from my stash. With the addition of the required fabric and my chosen focal fabric, I was able to create something that didn't look like all my other quilts because I was able to use other fabrics from my stash that I haven't to date.

I pushed and pushed this week to get this baby done. It's been an extremely hectic month with both Mom and Honey Do have surgery two weeks apart.

And here is my "Mystery".

The top is completely finished. I still need to sandwich, quilt and bind it. I'm still calling it finished for the purpose of the QAL. I'll do the rest as  one of my goals for April.

It's not perfect by any stretch, I'm not perfect. I learned a lot . . . Give myself time to work on something I've never done before . . . Work on it a little at a time (the deadline is closer than you realize) . . . Enjoy the process and the learning . . . I have a pretty good eye for color. I especially liked discovering that about myself 😜

Here's the link to see what everyone else did. I'm looking forward to seeing all the beautiful projects and fun ways we all used this fabric.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIVUK

Goals for the week of March 18, 2018 . . . Spring ??

All of my ambitious goals didn't get accomplished last week. Mom is having surgery on Friday (March 23), Honey Do had a medical embergency on Tuesday (March 20). I'm opting for monthly deadlines this week in an effort to get caught back up.

Goals for March 18, 2018:

1. Bear Challenge

- draw off, assemble Yellow Bear

2. Color Challenge

- cut out, assemble Yellow block

3. Starry Bright

- cut out, assemble March block, post completion

4. Mystery QAL

- assemble blocks five and six

- decide on layout

- complete top

Four goals, doable - we'll see.

Many of the blogs I read this week all mentioned the first day of spring.  I thought I would share our's . . .

Your eyes do not deceive you !!!

That's about six inches of snow in my back yard !!!

School was cancelled today, hopefully for the last time this "winter".

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3 NIVUK

Happy St. Patrick's Day

(image from Yahoo)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I wish everyone a blessed day whether you celebrate or not.

We're not Irish, so the extent of our celebration goes as far as food.

We get farm fresh eggs and Farmer Bob gave me a dozen "green" eggs. These are all that's left after breakfast. It's hard to tell, but they are a very pale shade of green.

And corned beef and cabbage for dinner. I made a lot this year. Leftovers make great sandwiches.

Our day started early and busy. Breakfast . . . Cleaning up the kitchen . . . Changing sheets . . .  Laundry . . .  Sewing . . .

I had lots of goals this week. My priority for Saturday was to finish the robe I'm making for Mom.  My week was insane so I didn't get it done for my visit on Friday.

Saturday was chilly. It didn't feel to me that we got near the 50 degree mark that had been forecast, but that didn't stop us from going for a stroll in the newly renovated metro park.

 

These are the bird feeds outside the stewardship center. The room is set up with couches and you can just sit and watch.

West Creek,   almost 10 miles long with lots of little fingers branching off. There are sections that flood every spring.

What a gorgeous day we had, even though it ended up feeling really cold by the time we finished walking.

This quilt hangs in the stewardship center. At one point patterns seem to have been available for purchase. The hostess couldn't tell me if they still were, but I'm going to continue checking. I would love to try and make this.

This post is late because of an unforeseen medical emergency. Everyone is fine - you can keep breathing. But it was a good post and wanted to share it with you.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Prov. 4:7 NIVUK

Goal report March 12, 2018

Goals for March 12, 2018

1. New Robe for Mom DONE

2. Dresden Plates
- finish January DONE

 

- work on February and March
no progress

3. Bear Challenge
- draw off, assemble Yellow Bear
no progress

4. Color Challenge
- cut out, assemble Yellow block
no progress

5. Starry Bright
- cut out, assemble March block
no progress

6. Mystery QAL
- assemble blocks five and six
no progress

7. April Showers
- quilt, bind, hang DONE

 

8. Charity Sew
- quilt one of two baby quilts
no progress

9. Holly Cottage
- finishing stitching one of four remaining blocks 
one  two more block done

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIVUK

It's Wednesday . . . Already ? ? ?

It's Wednesday ! ! !

Already ? ? ? 

As hard as I try to use my time efficiently so that I don't feel  like I'm wasting it, it just flies by !!

I spent Monday working on April Showers. 

It was a relatively quick finish. I had it all sandwiched and ready to sew. I did simple quilting all around the blocks and sashing.  I spent Monday evening sewing the binding and had it done before bedtime. I love my evenings to continue to be productive and lately they haven't, so this was a nice finish for me.

And here it is, hung and finished. I love all the "rain" themed prints I've been collecting. The design in the center is from Michelle Ridgway. I wasn't able to find it on her website, but you might have better luck. I will tell you I've had it for a very long time, so it may no longer be available. But I do love it.

The time I had on Tuesday was spent spent cutting out a new robe for Mom. I didn't get pictures yet, but I will. My goal is to have it done and to Mom on Friday.

Wednesday, my car is in the shop getting new breaks ($$ ouch !!!) and I'm at the library. I have about an hour to play.  I guess I'll be spending some time on Pinterest :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIVU

HQAL March 11, 2018

HQAL

(Hand quilt along)

It has been a very productive week. This is what I got done by hand over the last few weeks:

April Showers

Holly Cottage

Dresden Plates

Wish I could share more, but my time is limited and at least I got this much done.

The link will take you to Seeing Etc. And Kathy has a whole list of us participating. I'm going to see what everyone else got up to.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

Colossians 2:6-7 NIVUK

Goal report for March 5, 2018 and HQAL

My goals for the week of March 5, 2018:

1. Dresden plates
- finish January block some progress, not enough to even show
- work on February block no progress
- set up March block no progress

2. Mystery QAL
- continue sewing blocks DONE, block 4

- decide on layout, sashing, borders still thinking about this.

3. Bear/Color challenge blocks
- pull fabrics DONE

4. UFO - April showers
-  continue stitching DONE
decided on layout and begin sewing

5. Charity sew no progress
- quilt first baby quilt

6. HQAL Report
(added after original post) DONE


Goals for March 12, 2018


1. New Robe for Mom


2. Dresden Plates
- finish January
- work on February and March


3. Bear Challenge
- draw off, assemble Yellow Bear


4. Color Challenge
- cut out, assemble Yellow block


5. Starry Bright
- cut out, assemble March block


6. Mystery QAL
- assemble blocks five and six


7. April Showers
- quilt, bind, hang


8. Charity Sew
- quilt one of two baby quilts


9. Holly Cottage
- finishing stitching one of four remaining blocks


This is very ambitious, but some things are really close to done :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

Colossians 3:16 NIVUK

Goals for the week of February 26, 2018

** I meant to post this over the weekend, guess I was a little preoccupied :)

Goals for the week of February 26, 2018:

1. Dresden Plates
- continue stitches January and February blocks some progress made
- set up March block no progress made

2. Mystery QAL
- sew blocks together some progress made

Block one

Block two

Block three

3. Download/print BOM patterns DONE
- Bear Color Challenge
- Color Challenge
- Elefantz BOM
- Starry Night


4. UFO - April Showers  DONE
- pull floss and begin stitching

5. Charity Sew
- quilt one of two baby quilts
not yet

The only progress was getting the quilts pinned and ready for quilting.

So Honey Do is having surgery this week and should keep me fairly close to home. I'm hoping I'm not being too optimistic about how much time I will have for sewing this week.

My goals for the week of March 5, 2018:

1. Dresden plates
- finish January block
- work on February block
- set up March block

2. Mystery QAL
- continue sewing blocks 
- decide on layout, sashing, borders

3. Bear/Color challenge blocks
- pull fabrics

4. UFO - April showers
-  continue stitching

5. Charity sew
- quilt first baby quilt

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Mystery Progress . . . Musings

I have been making a little progress in my Mystery QAL

 

Three of the six blocks are completely finished and four has been started. As pleased as I am with my progress I had hoped to be further. I still feel like I'm on track to finish this top by the end of the month.

(image from Yahoo)

Honey Do went in for surgery Monday. Praise God there were no complications and was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

While I waited during surgery and recovery in Monday, I worked on this month's UFO project.

All the stitching, button and bead embellishments are done. Now I just have to decide on a layout for the wall hanging. And I think I've decided.

Now that Honey Do is home, I'll have a little more time to work on my projects.

In the meantime, I pulled out Holly Christmas to see if I can get the stitching finished on the last few blocks before I start making the borders for them. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the Day

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIVUK

Saturday Sewing

Winter has made another appearance in the northeast on Friday. After a day of rain (Thursday), the wind came in and with it the snow. We were blanketed with 4-6 inches of compacted snow. All the rain lay under it, making it heavy and difficult to shovel.   It was very pretty and with temperatures rising, it won't last long. In fact, it was already starting to melt just with the sun shining on it. The rest of Friday was spent making visits to the vet and grocery store and spending time on the phone making appointments for Mom and getting prescriptions taken care of. Saturday, after breakfast and dinner preparations, was spent at the sewing machine. Block two of Mystery QAL is complete and I began work on Block three. Thanks for stopping by,  Wishing you a day filled with kindness. Verse of the Day

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10 NIVUK