Wednesday Workings, December 18, 2024

 Part 4 is complete for Krakow.  Like the melon colors.

Part 4 is complete for Indigo Way.  Got to really get to thinking about a name for this project.  Looking very patriotic in this part.

Also finished Sunshine December BOM.  It will be ready when the time comes.  Thanks Jean for a cute project.  I know it took some time to cut each of the paper foundations, but it will make the turned in blocks more true to size.  Really liked the background you provided.  Hope you have more for the winner.

If I don't start putting the parts of the mystery projects together soon I will need more clips!  Celebrate...it is Hump Day =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, December 16, 2024

 

All cut and ready to sew is Part 4 of the 2023 Winter Mystery, Indigo Way by Bonnie Hunter.  What you see are the wrong side of the light blue.  These units are teamed up with the solid red that I choose to use.

All cut and ready to sew is Part 4 of Krakow, the 2024 Winter Mystery, Old Town (Starowka) by Bonnie Hunter.  Once again you are seeing the wrong side of the melon.  These units are to go with the neutrals.

I had a rather busy weekend getting Christmas doings done =^.^=.  I was happy to get my Christmas cards in the mail.  Today was Aqua Fit class, preparing all three meals at home, and Monday Night Football.  Tomorrow will be a busy day breaking bread with friends for both lunch in San Marcos and dinner in Del Mar.  Life is good...  I should be able to get these two parts complete and finish stitching the rows of Grandma Alice's for Austin project together.  I will be leaving the last stitchery row off until the stitchery is finished.

Just a little over a week before traveling to Maryland for Christmas with Mom and Dad!

Sunday Stash Report, December 15, 2024

Friday I met up for the day with Kerry.  We exchanged Christmas gifts.  Look at all the fun things that came to me =^.^=  Kerry was equally as happy with her various sewing related trinkets.  I will be visiting her in January for a few days.  Unless I go for a day trip only our plans for RD2CA were cancelled this year as she has a trip scheduled with her Mom.

I know I shouldn't have done it, but darn it is hard to resist adding to my collection.  Love this Margaret Le Van Alley Cat called Kittypatra Queen.  If you come to visit make sure you see my collection.

Nothing finished or purchased this week.  I'm close to a finish on Forest Friends stamped cross stitch project, ready to start the last two blocks of Grandma Alice's stitchery project for Austin, cutting Part 4 of both Krakow and Indigo Way.  Yesterday I adorned our home with outside Christmas lights and finished our Christmas Letter.  Let the Christmas Cards sending begin!

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 268.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 139.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 129.5 yards

I'll leave you with this black cat that I chuckled about at first glimpse.  Mine would look as angry if I tried to dress them up with a bow...no matter what color that bow might be =^.^=

Wednesday Workings, December 11, 2024

 

I finished the snail yesterday.  The last stitches were the shell, the darker brown, round and round.  Next up is the beaver.

The darkest brown is done.  I am working on the logs now.  This is the 11th block to stitch.  Getting real close to a completion on the stitching.  I will be framing these blocks with a sage green.  I am hoping to find a small scale forest animal print for the sashing and the border.  Wish me luck on this venture!

Kondensation finished completely on Monday.  It was a mission to have the binding done before Tuesday's Sunshine Quilt Guild Monthly Meeting.  I always aspire to show my quilts completed; accept of course on this here blog =^.^=

Sunshine's meeting was a pot luck with the spirit of the holidays.  I won the door prize by sitting in a secretly selected seat at one of the nine tables.  The snowman platter and tin of peppermints was the prize.  Pam did a great job on reading a story; a game actually of left, right, or around, passing a gift to others who participated.  My take away was the handmade table runner and box of See's Candy.  I also got a special gift from Jo of the cup with goodies inside.  DH has already decided he likes the cup.

We had one of our sponsors at the meeting who brings wide backs a plenty at great prices.  I picked this piece up for Krakow, the Bonnie Hunter 2025 Winter Mystery.  I looked at other fabrics for backs needed for Indigo Way, but nothing jumped out.  

Today I will be working on Grandma Alice's project that Austin will own when finished.  I have sewn the snowball blocks and will tackle the sashing next.

Hope your Wednesday is terrific =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, December 9, 2024

Grandma Alice's stitchery that I am finishing for Austin is on the Design Wall today.  You may wonder about the two blocks center right and bottom right.  I actually thought she had finished eight blocks.  As it turns out one block was only partially stitched.  I wanted nine blocks...what could I do to fill the spot?  Stitch another!  Yes, I can pull this off =^.^=

I used the partially stitched portions of the design to trace another block!  

I placed it on my light box and started with a pencil tracing it onto the white fabric that is a very close match to original blocks.  This same white fabric will be used in the center of the sashing.

I flipped the block around to do the rest of the block.

With floss that was found in my Mom's "floss container" (believe it or not).  I am set to finish the block already started and the one just traced.  Just can't believe the luck that comes to finish this project into something of a keepsake for Austin.
 

My friend Sue helped me find a masculine sashing that compliments the project.  Not on my Design Wall, but ready to use are the white centers of the sashing.

Austin is somewhere around 6' 7" tall and when the seams are sewn the project will shrink up a bit.  I may be adding a border so that it ends up being big enough for him to use.  I definitely have in mind right now to use the darkest blue for the binding.

This project will keep me busy while I wait for Part 4 to be released on Friday.  Enjoy your week ahead =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, December 8, 2024

This is Part 3 of Indigo Way.  Indigo Way was Bonnie Hunter's 2024 Winter Mystery.  I am making only half the units.  It's a catch 22...on one hand I want a smaller finished project and on the other hand I want to use up fabrics.  Gosh what to do?  I suppose I wouldn't mind making the larger project, but I do use my check book for the quilting.  These larger quilts have an extra number behind the dollar sign =^.^=  

My project is all set for Part 4.

Part 3 of Karkow is complete also.  I have the same feelings about making the full size project on Bonnie's 2025 Winter Mystery called Old Town (Starowka).  Bring on Part 4!

I am getting excited to use the coral to melon color fabrics.  Notice the one red fabric strip in the bottom left corner.  I only had two 2 1/2 inch strips, but wouldn't it have been great for a back?

Nothing to note changes my stats this week.  I'm doing incredibly well using up stash.  Only wish I could stop purchasing.  Oh well, shopping is necessary when you are working to use up your stash =^.^=  Tomorrow I will be sharing my Grandma Alice's blue cross stitch project that Austin will receive when finished.  I leave you with a recent funny cat image.  Enjoy these picketing cats.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 268.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 139.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 129.5 yards

Wednesday Workings, December 4, 2024

Kondensation finally made it home.  It was in transit for a bit longer than usual.  Have to say I was getting a bit concerned.  Apparently it was delayed in San Diego.  I have it trimmed down and looking for a fabric to bind it with.  I'm thinking a dark blue.  Kondensation is a 2022 UFO.

Part 2 of Indigo Way is complete.  I did like Bonnie Hunter using just one red fabric for the project.  This red is a rich one =^.^=  Indigo Way is a 2024 UFO.  Any ideas for a name for it are welcome.

Part 2 of Old Town (Starowka) is also complete.  Funny how both Winter Mysteries used red and neutral fabrics.  The reds are scrappy in this project.  I am calling this project Karkow.  This is a 2025 UFO.  I always start my yearly UFO list with Bonnie Hunter's Winter Mystery.

I have been stitching the snail.  This week hasn't seen much progress on this guy!  Forest Friends is also a 2025 UFO if it makes it into next year.  I have been stitching pretty fast.  There are just three blocks yet to stitch.

I leave you with a very satisfied kitty.  This is imparts how I feel having both mystery projects stitched and waiting for Part 3 that comes Friday.  Hope your week is going fine. 

 

Design Wall Monday, December 2, 2024

Here is my Design Wall today.  This is Part 2 of Old Town (Starowka).  Each unit is sewn into a two patch that will be sewn to a second two patch to make...a four patch.  I have started doing this as you will note from the ten that are done on the top left.  This will go together quick once I sit down to the sewing machine.

Part 2 of Indigo Way is cut.  I will be using the same red throughout the project.  I purchased enough for the full quilt, but presently this is only half the triangle in a square units.  I really would rather a smaller project if it can be achieved.

The 2024 Jolly Box arrived.  The pattern is cute with a bunch of scarved snowmen.  Looks like I will need a white for the snowmen.  Haven't read the pattern yet, but I don't see enough in the FQ pack.  Also included in the box are buttons for the snowmen and thread to sew them in place.  A snowmen tray and gift tags in the box too.  I have ordered the finishing kit.  I am hoping fabric is in the finishing kit for the snowmen.  If not there might end up being scrappy whites...hey that might be cute too.

Hope you are having fun decking your home with Christmas spirit and working with your fabrics.  Happy Monday =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, December 1, 2024

Kendra is complete.  I just love how it turned out.  I was sitting back admiring it and thought it could be displayed at Christmastime, but much of these greens have a shamrock print in them.  I already have several Christmas quilts so this one will wait for St. Patrick's Day.

Kristmas Kandy Kollection is complete too.  This one is definitely a Christmas quilt.  It will be displayed during the month.  Can you believe we are in to the first day of the last month of 2024?

Part 1 on both Bonnie Hunter's Winter Mysteries are finished.  Pulled reds for both Part 2s.  It was nice to dig into my 1 1/2 inch strips.  Seems I'm always adding to this drawer rather than using in a project.  I am doing my darndest to use rather than purchase =^.^=

I am expecting Kondensation back from Kerry and the 2024 Jolly Box from Fat Quarter Shop.  Thought both would arrive on Friday or Saturday, but alas that was not to be.  Gives me something to hope for tomorrow.

No purchases were made this week and the yardage for these two quilts has already been counted.  Thanksgiving is behind us and now we look forward to Christmas.  I have two events on the calendar for this week.  Do you have any events on your schedule?  Check back tomorrow for progress on the Mysteries.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 268.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 139.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 129.5 yards

 

Wednesday Workings, November 27, 2024

Part 1 of Old Town (Starowka) is finished.  Like Indigo Way only half as many units will be made.  If it is decided to make this the original size of the pattern I can always make more units =^.^=  So now I am ready for Part 2 of Old Town (Starowka) when it is released on Friday.  This also frees me up to move to Part 2 of Indigo Way.  I like these aqua to turquoise fabrics.

The deer, squirrel, and panda are finished.  The words "panda" still need a stitch or two, but the animal is done.  Next up is a snail.  The snail is the tenth of 12 blocks to stitch.  Looking like I will have this project stitched with plenty of time before Levi is born in February.

Wishing you a very fulfilling Thanksgiving.  I am off to do a bit of cooking and binding =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, November 25, 2024

Nothing is on my Design Wall today, but Part 1 of Indigo Way is complete on my sewing cabinet.  I have fabrics ready to cut for Part 1 of Old Town, but this has yet to take place.  I will be making half the quantity of units for now on both projects.  I wish to keep them smaller than the size the pattern calls out.

Kristmas Kandy Kollection is all set for a few hours of stitching.  I just love the look of a stripe binding; especially when it is on the diagonal.  Don't get me wrong a stripe can also look great horizontal.  I have cut out a block of each of the two designs in this project with a gold background in hopes that Mom will get the enthusiasm to make one of these projects too.

Kendra is also ready for a few hours of binding.  This project will a be a bit more challenging to stitch at night since the binding is black with a small green clover.

This last project to share is a Sunshine project put together by Lorna.  It is hoped that it will be quilted and ready for a possible purchase at Summers Past Farms Craft Fair.

Hope your Design Wall or Sewing Cabinet has something fun in the works =^.^=
 

Sunday Stash Report, November 24, 2024

I could start off today with my first finish of the past week, but this one certainly fits the week ahead.  Kork is a 2024 UFO that I am happy to have completed.  It took a variety of fabrics in orange and brown mostly from Squirely Girl fabric line.  (More on the pattern name and designer by the tag "Kork" below.)  Kork is a small project pieced and applique.  I put a chocolate brown on the back.

Next finish from the week past is Kolorado.  This one never got to a UFO list, but it has been around since 2016 or there abouts.  It was a "row by row" project from Ruth's Stitchery out of Colorado and a gift to me from Marti.  (more on the pattern name and designer by the tag "Kolorado".  I enjoyed the little bits of applique and one of my favorite techniques, paper piecing.  I used the red/black check as the borders to carry the theme of the tree skirt made last year.

My last finish are these ornaments for the Summers Past Farms Craft Show that Sunshine Guild will participate.  It runs December 7-8; something fun to do if you enjoy craft shows.  This pattern was in the December 2024 issue of Better Homes & Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting periodical.

As for purchases, 3.25 yards towards the Bonnie Hunter Winter Mysteries (2024 and 2025) that I am working on at the same time.  I stopped by Lowe's for paint chips on my way home from a sew in on Friday.  I was having a hard time with the aqua to turquoise fabric in the 2025 Mystery Old Town and needed a solid red for the entire yardage in the 2024 Indigo Way hence a stop for fabric too.  I am busy in to cutting and sewing on these two projects.  I am even using the Acuter on the 2024 project with the 2.5 inch die.

Fun finishes and fun starts last week and into this week.  =^.^=

Used this week: 8.25 yards 
Used YTD: 268.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 3.25 yards
Purchased YTD: 139.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 129.5 yards

Wednesday Workings, November 20, 2024

Someone was at Rosie's on Friday purchasing fabrics for Bonnie Hunter's 2025 Winter Mystery.  I am going to have to start sorting out my fabrics soon for this one called Old Town (Starowka).  I am planning on making her 2024 Winter Mystery (Indigo Way) at the same time.  Both will be using her suggested colors.  Those of you who know, Bonnie brings to us big quilts with many units will think good grief!  I will be making each of them a smaller version so I can keep up!

Kolorado is finished with the exception of the applique.  There is a snow board leaning up against the house, head lights on the truck, skis on the barn, and finally the barn quilt above the barn.  I will be working on these later tonight.  The outside boarder was chosen in part because it uses the same fabric as the tree skirt I made last year.  This will be a finish come Sunday.

These are Christmas ornaments that I will donate to the Summers Past Craft Fair that Sunshine Guild will participate in early December.  They are made to look like iced cookies with sprinkles.  I have a bit more to stitch before they finish.

Kork is ready for the final steps adding sashing and boarders.  There is an orange plaid fabric used in a few of the acorns that will also become the binding.  This will be a finish come Sunday.

To break things up a bit and because it would be nice to donate the top to the Summers Past Craft Fair event, I got this project going.  Lorna put it together with donations to Sunshine Guild.  The printed blocks in Christmas scenes are surrounded by either the green or the red and pulled together by matching four patches.  There is a beige plaid for an inner border and the plaid for the outer boarder and back.  The red comes back again as the binding.

Cross stitch project Forest Friends moves right along.  I still need to get floss 632 to finish the deer.  I suppose I could move on to the panda, but I would rather complete the deer first.  I do have other hand work to keep my hands busy!

Happy Wednesday =^.^=