HQAL, Goals and other things

It's Monday Wednesday, the middle of the week.
It's Saturday !!!
It's the end of February.
Where did this month go. I have been writing this post all week !!!

And now . . .

I'm quickly turning to thoughts of spring.

Yes, spring. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and the forecast was for temperatures at the beginning of the week were in the mid 50s.

Nina was especially enjoying the warmer weather. There's nothing like a back rub in the sun for a dog :)

As I walk the yard with the dogs, I'm think spring. It's still too early, even with this extremely mild winter, to get out and do yard work but I think on it. Spring bulbs are breaking ground, through the snow and leaves. 

(this is from last week)

Even with sunshine, the yard looks neglected and abandoned. Plans for tasks are running through my mind and before we know it, it will be time.

Just to keep my perspective and keep me grounded, this is what it looked like mid-week . . .

 

 

 A gorgeous winter wonderland ! ! 

However, the forecast beginning today (Saturday) is rising temperatures. March will be coming in like a lamb.

This was the third Hand Quilt A Long (HQAL) of the year. This is a group. You are linked, so please share your love with the other participants. They all do beautiful work and are very encouraging. If you want to join, leave a comment on Kathy's blog.

I've been remiss in posting and altogether neglecting my blog. I have not been slacking on my goals, though.

 Here's what keeping me busy:

Home designed by Jenny of Elelfantz.

I took a cue from Jenny and only stitched in two colors. The white buttons were found in a quilt shop in Columbus, Ohio more than years ago than I can even remember. My sister lived there for a while and we loved visiting and shopping in German Village. I've been waiting all these years for just the right project and it finally revealed itself.

Heart designed by Kathy Schmitz. It's all stitched and just needs framed. I wanted it for the month of February and Valentine's day, but it will  put away until next year.

Counted Cross Stitch Heart. This one I knew wouldn't be finished and I'm not rushing. It's been years since I worked on a counted cross stitch, but the patchwork really appeals to me. So I'm just going to work on it daily and it will be finished when it gets finished. This is another one I've had for a long time just waiting for its time in the limelight.

Some other handwork:

Baby Quilt for donation. There is an event that is running for just the next few weeks if you are able to help. You are linked for all the information.

Valentine's wall hanging. 

I've had this pattern for several years and now was it's time. It was a quick afternoon project.

Some sewing to meet my goals:

PLQS BOM

Susan's BOM

F2F swap blocks

My One Monthly Goal/Number Draw finish.

It didn't turn out as planned, but it was finished before I realized. I may end up ripping out the mistakes and redoing, just not right now. Very disappointing finish. Still, I'm linking up to 

And one last swap item, a pin cushion. Honey Do made the wood bowl and I stitched the linen. 

I was blessed to have no outside commitments this week. I was tucked in my home, working on finishing the rest of my monthly goals:

Baby quilt made from the last leftover sheep block. I love how this turned out. I was able to use some of the many 9-patches and the rest of the strips too.

doll quilts (7) and doll gowns (3)

February ended up being another good month.

Thanks for stopping by.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalms 119:105 NIVUK

February Goals

image from yahoo

It's a new month, that means new goals.

Here we go:

1. UFO - #8 Vintage Kitchen

linking up to

Dreamworth Quilts - UFO Number Draw Challenge and

One Monthly Goal

2. 12 Things - #8 Tilda

3. Baby Quilt

- finish two from January

- make a new one

4. Doll Quilt

- make one

5. Doll Gown

- make six - so I can match up quantities to the doll quilts

6. PLQS BOM

7. Susan's BOM

8. Pincushion Swap/Facebook Group

That should keep me plenty busy in February.

Thanks for stopping by.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18 NIVUK

New Month - New Decorations

Image from Yahoo

It's a new month, and for me, that means some obvious decorating.

It's hard to believe how quickly January has gone, but then all I have to do is look at how much I accomplished and I know where it went. It was a very good month, filled with lots of productive blessings. It just shows me how much I can accomplish when I set my mind to things.

The perfect time for me to change things up is on Saturday morning, after a hearty home made breakfast and a clean kitchen.

I have set time aside to change the sheets and straighten our bedroom. It makes Monday a little less chore heavy. With this being the first Saturday of the month, the timing is perfect to make some changes.

One of my favorite places to decorate and not necessarily obvious, is the bedroom. We make all these beautiful quilts, so why not.

I'm finding some nooks that are helping me to use, not just make and store, some of my projects.

This chair sit in an alcove just outside the attic/bedroom. It's a little corner that would otherwise be wasted. It was the perfect place to put this chair. I covered the seat with a little round tablecloth I made years ago and don't want to give up just yet. 

The pillow was made using one of Jenny's designs. I don't know if it's still available, but she has lots of other beautiful designs. It looked a little bridally and I thought it was perfect for Valentine's. The vintage fabric was from an aunt that passed away many years ago.

And this sweet little bunny was purchased years ago from a little shop that was located in a house not far from Mom's. Unfortunately, it's no longer there. She is the perfect little addition.

I am absolutely thrilled with my first UFO finish of the year and couldn't wait for today to come so that I could get it on the bed !!!!

These were also made a while ago, a perfect addition to my new ensemble, don't you think?

Not sure how I came up with the yoyo pillow, if it was a pattern or something I just thought up using some valentine fabric scraps.

"Bliss" is from Crabapple Hill. Again, I'm not sure if this is still available, but lots of other great designs.

Thanks for stopping by.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Psalms 73:26 NIVUK

January Goals

January Goals and how I did :)

1. UFO - DONE

2. 12 Things - some progress made, but no photo

3. Baby Quilt - two of them, from scraps and leftover pieces. Still need quilted.

4. Doll Quilt - DONE, five of them!!
Again, leftover scraps from other projects this month.

 

5. Doll Gown - none yet :(

6. PLQS BOM -DONE, block one

7. Susan's BOM - no, but priority for February 1st.

And what else did I work on?  Yes. There was more !!

Made a stuffed gnome and snack mat for a swap.

Pillow Cases: 

Halloween

Lace Cabin

Sheep

Frogs

Donations - a set of nine being used for some kids for Valentines in another state for a Facebook group.

Little tags - these went in the "gift" box.

Tidings mini wall hangings - these also went in the "gift" box.

A lot happened this month. Not sure where I found all the time. Only two things didn't get done from my goal list. I can't complain too much about that. 

Thanks for stopping by.

‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24 NIVUK