OWL pincushion done

One of my monthly goals is finished and the other two are coming along fabulously.

Threads used are pictured in the background and besides the "needle-holding flags on the front right,
did my version of a chicken scratch stitch to attach to the pincushion base.  

I placed a couple layers of wool hanging off the front edge as a place to hold my sewing needle when not in use.  It's edged with fray check so hopefully it'll stand up  to the wear and tear.  If not I can always cut it off as if it was never there.
Time will tell.

I also did my version of a  "chicken hen scratch" stitching to attach that black wool to the cotton print background.   I felt that with this piece an organic look would complement it best.  Stitched wonky Xs , /, \  and even l's both long and short.  Actually, the stitching was done at UNO's while sipping a martini and having lunch waiting for the Christmastide service to begin in between a couple of hockey games.

It was a very busy Sunday.
Shhhhh, I'll never admit I went to church after having a martini.  My first time,  BTW but  I felt so guilty in a very pleasant state!


TTFN
Jane

March's OMG project

With a 2 for 2 record for 2016 with the OMG challenge organized by Heidi from Red Letter Quilts, so far I have another lil' monster on my want to do list and which I have continued to procrastinate with so think it should be produced.  What is it you say?

It's March's Patchabilities that I've wanted to get done for the past couple of years!  I really should be embarrassed about it not but will forth wit publicly declare that it shall be done this month!  I really mean it this time.

I borrowed this photo from the Patch Abilities blog 2014, but this is what mine will look like too.  I believe I have the shamrocks wire holder too that came with the kit, but can't find my pattern now.  Will be on the search for that next.

Still away from blogging and am writing this on the 7th of February, but will return shortly.   Hubby and I are on a little quest.



TTFN, Jane

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

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

OMG January by the skin of my teeth!

One Monthly Goal for Janauary  just finished!

The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar pillow is completely done.   Yippee!!!!
Just 37 minutes left until the OMG deadline ET, how's that for pushing it to the edge since I started sewing on it this am after seeing the thread challenge sponsored by Kim  at Persimmon Dreams  knew how this one would fit the bill in several arenas I want to play in.

A panel was used for the front and I had a nice butterfly fabric in the stash to use for the backside with an older white on white fabric used for the lining fabrics.  The butterflies worked like a charm surrounding the poem copied onto fabric using the fusible computer printer fabric made by Tailor.   Worked like a charm.
In progress quilting playing with many threads.....

Using the blue Fine Point Mark B Gone Pen to draw in the flamed curves on the face of the sun before quilting helped me to stitch it.  Pay no mind though that I didn't follow it exactly, ah hum... I call that creative license!  VBG

Some more of the details showing the lining with a few of the stitched elements of it.....

I free motion quilted the rest as I saw fit and had fun while doing it.  The worst part was trying to follow that cobweb.  It had so many starts and stops to get that one stitched.  So I had many thread tails to bury when it was done, but now that it is, am glad I took the extra effort with it.  Was tempted to use a razzle-dazzle thread for that spider then decided not to make it too offensive since PGD#1 deoesn't care for them to begin with.

This project only me took four plus years to get done and it all started when PGD#1's teacher gave her the laminated poem when she left first grade.  That's when my WHIMM started then luckily found the panel several years ago so it turned it into a PIG at that time and then there- that -little -pig -sat.
PGD#3 loves the way the dragonfly is quilted with that glow in the dark lime thread.  Am happy about that!
This completion also strikes a ufo off my Q1 FAL challenge list for 2016, Yippee Skippee!

Thank you so much Heidi for this incentive to push this little PIG to the finish, Kim for challenging us beyond our normal and the incentives offered.  For your entertainment, check out finish up January check in blog post and see all the wondrous eye candy other quilters have managed to complete in January.
Another plus is that a little over a yard of fabric has been used!  Finally movement for the stash report in the using direction for next week.  

2016 desires

Going to keep it real and not try to be so wordy here.

The two phrases that seemed to align themselves to me for this year are:

"Do the Work" 

&

"Live with Joy"

My intentions for 2016 area:

1. Lose 60 pounds this year.  Will do this by loosing 5 pounds a month, sounds very doable.
2. One Monthly Goal finished (that will get me at least twelve projects finished by year end!   8 )
3. A minimum of One book read each month, perhaps sometimes two - I really enjoy a good book.
4. Continue purging duplicates, downsizing and re-organizing my stuff(s)
5. Literally, stop spending so much on my crafts and make do with all that I have.  With that in mind,  I plan to track all of my expenses in these arenas: quilting, cross stitching, beading, knitting, etc.  Though I will allow some expense in order to finish projects with a reward of purchasing something after a minimum of  5 UFOs, PhDs, PIGS, WIPs or WHIMMs are done!  No since painting myself into a corner!!!!   LOL  
6. Bust the Stash while also tracking it for Judy's stash report over at Patchwork  times.  Also plan to store my projects out of sight into bins (in the basement if I have to) so I can alleviate this monkey mind of mine that switches into high gear just walking into the sewing room. Keeping only one project out at a time.   Then continue Reorganizing my sewing studio, it is such a MESS since that stacked drawer fiasco happened.  DH just mentioned perhaps we should build an appropriate space to contain my creativity.  

So I'll stay true to my authentic self.  Keeping joy, love, and an open heart all the while staying grounded while pursuing my passions and creativity.

Due to the One Monthly Goal and the APQ ufo of twelve items for the year I'll announce this first listing of my January focuses I'll work on:

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar Pillow Kit

• Make the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar pillow with the teacher's poem printed onto fabric.  It was given to my PGD#1 several years ago by her teacher.   I had a whimm so purchased the panel around 2 plus years ago and it's remained a pig.  It's regretful that it's not even started yet so I'm glad 2016 will change that.  

• Keep cross stitching the surround for the Red Thread piece designed by Lizzie Kate shown here. Hopefully I will be completely done stitching this by the end of February.

Apron panel with a lining fabric 

• Make an Apron for my sister in law's Christmas gift for 2016. Another January goal.

Fleece for bench warmers at ice arenas

• Make a Hockey, butt-warmer seat with the fleece I purchased in 2015.  My last January goal!

Here I go again, four listed 

and I only needed to mention one!  8{

My List of Twelve projects for the year to complete per the All People Quilt Challenge follows:

1. Wool Candle Mat
2. Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar pillow ***** JANUARY's selection
3. Posh fabric scalloped table runner
4. Seahorse Community doll quilt
5. Red & White Challenge for CVQG
6. BQ2 quilt with Fairies
7. Braid Quilt Queen to King size
8. CXS - The Red Thread by Bent Creek
9. CXS - Rabbit Run, Just Nan designer
10. Kim Diehl Kit (pig)
11. Purse/bag Miranda started in 2011?
12. Mystery Project

The number drawn for January is Number 2 so that will be finished first.  I was a day late to sign up to the one Monthly goal with Heidi over at Red Letter Quilts but will try to be more timely next month.

TTFN -  Jane