February's OMG

Success.  Got this done during the first week of February.  "Now why do I wait so long?" I keep asking myself while scratching my head.

It didn't take that much time at all.  

Just finding it, pulling it out, pressing, cutting, measuring and then sewing and pretty much in that order.    Piece of Cake!

With our traveling itinerary I'm planning on quilting this up in March or April so it'll be ready for next year. 

I wrote this on the 7th of February to be able to link it up with Heidi at Red Pepper Quilts!  But I'll be able to add this link to the Q-1 finish link up with Debbie at The Quilter's Table.  Love all the incentives and gentle pushes I get from friendly bloggers.  Thanks ladies!

editing this on 3/1/16 - Since we're traveling and my lap top isn't agreeing with me I couldn't link this one up on time either, the link has closed but I am so glad it was done in a timely manner. 

I added a brown dimple dot I had in from stash to help set this off and altered the pattern to do my own thing. Thinking that small reveal of cream before adding borders would be a nice little pop of contrast.  That's how I roll and am happy with it.  Now I bragging,  but I have the brown binding all sewn and set too for after it's quilted.  Hoot hoot!!!  Future Note to self - Stop your procrastinating Woman!
Also I'm thinking of trapunto-ing (if that's a word) the hearts, flowers and the vase too then quilt the heck out of the rest of it.  Anyway, that's my plan, we'll see if it sticks.

Thanks Heidi for challenging us with this One Monthly Goal.  Two for two is my tally so far for the year.
So far, so good!  I hope I can keep up this momentum!



TTFN,
Jane

Just keep going, just keep going....

Life is still fast paced so I find myself humming this 'titled post phrase' gently and softly to myself.  Just keep going, do the work, are you living in JOY?....

And the answer is YES!  The youngest Grandson's Mit Hockey team won the tournament out of town yesterday and he scored 8 times in 4 games. Wish we could have been there for that but traveled in the opposite direction with PGD's basketball team.  No win for her team, but they played well with a lot of heart. Way to go little miss and little man!  I told his Mom to pat him on the butt and tell him "Good Game!" from me. LOL I know I am a wicked-funny grandma right?  LOL
We also fit in visiting with the eldest PGS#1 at his home this past Thursday night and brought him the requested Venison Stew Dinner with a banana cream pie for dessert.  It was a nice visit and the first time we saw his new to him Home since he moved there a little over two weeks ago.  Seems like a really nice place with many kind people around to help out.  I think it will be an awesome place for him to reside as he continues to do so well with his new surroundings, responsibilities and priviledges.  Just after arriving he had to have his wisdom teeth removed.  He was so grown up and understanding about all of that and I was able to attend him there with his other set of grandparents there too.  Way to go Bob!

Stash Report #6 finally has movement:

Fabric Used: 2.5 yards
Fabric Used this year:  2.5 yards
Fabric Added this week:   0
Fabric  Added this Year:  5

Net Gain of 2.5 yards

This added up thankfully with the fabrics &  linings used for the two finished January projects of the Twelve days of Christmas Apron and Hungry Hungry Caterpillar Pillow shown on January 31, 2016.  I've also slated another 2 plus yards on the current project, but can't tally those numbers in until it is totally finished.  But measuring the borders and binding cut and sewn so far I have 1.25 yards.  Maybe I'll be able to hit a ZERO mark by March, fingers crossed.  I'm linking this stash report post up with Judy from Patchwork Times.

For Slow Stitching Sunday that I'm linking up with Kathy, I have a huge section of preliminary Crosses to stitch on that I might be able to finish when we watch the Panthers vs the Broncos at my son's home this evening.
I'm not a huge football fan, I like to watch it for the commercials.  8~ )
So I'll be happily stitching away if the lighting is right during game time.   Note to self:  maybe bring that "Ideaworks" little portable lamp - just in case it could be helpful.

There are many threads hanging as I don't carry the threads on the backside when there is a break in the pattern.   Started to stitch some of the finished crosses above when I thought to let those threads hang out (park method style) until I could finish stitching them tonight or while traveling or visiting with friends, etc... a new to me technique.  Will not need to follow a pattern for this part now, just have to cross those slashes.(You can click on the photo if needed to see the detail of what I'm talking about.)

I plan on taking a little break from blogging so you won't hear from me for awhile.
Everything is fine.  I just didn't want you to be worried, but find life is getting too busy just now.
I'll be back.

Take Care,
Jane

OMG for Feb, Gotta love it!

With the OMG challenge
(which stands for One Monthly Goal!)
for February
I intend
to get this
Valentine Panel wall hanging done. So apropos, don't ya' think?
Thanks Heidi for the incentive and encouragement!
This is another pig that's been around for ages!

Then with the UFO challenge  through all People quilt number 5 being selected for this month, means that my Red and White Challenge will be my "focus project" this month.  Just love the incentives both of these programs offer.  Not sure what to do for pics for the latter though since many friends follow my blog and are doing their own thing for the Red and White Challenge that the CVQG guild is hosting.
I'll share just a glimpse of the fabrics I need to use for the red and white.

I did pretty well in January getting that Hungry Caterpillar pillow totally finished.  Beside that I did get the Christmas Apron done and all the counted cross stitch wording stitched onto the bottom of The Red Thread designed by Bent Creek that I've been persistent with.  8 < )

Grabbed this pic as a thread audition.  The pattern calls for that weathered barn but I'm leaning toward using the  Weeks Dye Works Bark so the red thread in the calendar blocks stands alone as the red thread.  

The only project not worked on or realized was that Hockey seat cushion - so I'll be trying to whip that up this month too.  
Fingers crossed about that since this month is a super busy one!  DH and I are celebrating our 42 anniversary tomorrow, the grands are here this week after school, we PGD#1 have a basketball game on Saturday and another out of town PGS#3 hockey tourney (travel time about 2 plus hours one way) this coming weekend AND the eldest grandson PGS#1 wants us to visit him this weekend before we head south for a vacation!   Yep; busy, busy, but we're loving it.  Maybe we could visit the eldest some evening since it's only 3 hours traveling time in a totally other direction to see him and celebrate our anniversary dinner in Lake Placid.  I'll work it out.

Stay well and be happy.
Jane