Christmas Through the Year

Finished 2 projects to use as gifts next year.

My Blackbird designs mini X-stitch ornament and

another Primitive Gatherings Wool Stocking.

I think these will be great with a candy cane and twig to go on the top of packages.

A big thanks to Darlene and Cheryl for keeping us motivated.

I have a good start on my Feb. ornament as well.

It will be hard to stay on track with these goals when I am so obsessed with these:

the nursery and 

the patriot's home.

However, true to my promise, finishing up my 1880 Sampler is my primary February goal.

Cross your fingers I can accomplish it.

And BTW, I did finish all the applique on my Easter table runner!

Quilting it is on the list for Feb.

Construction Zone

Although our housing industry is in a slump, there still seems to be a lot of building going on in blogland.  

Here are my first few houses for Jeanneke's Building Houses from Scrap. 

You can find the link on my sidebar.

 Beware though!  They are addicting.

I thought I would be lucky to make perhaps just one block a week; but once I got started, it is all I want to do.  I have decided to paper piece mine (the pattern is available on her website.)

I just love choosing the fabrics for each house and fussy cutting out what I want in the windows.

They will be such fun to use in small quilts to give as Christmas presents next year.

Unfortunately, my machine is about to go into storage.

Having a big party here (baby shower) soon, and I need to focus my attention there.

With that said, I apologize for not posting the border instructions for the 1880 Sampler Quilt.

I promise it will be my priority in the first week of February. 

 Just keep working on those HST units until then. 

January's Goals

Over the holidays, I buttonhole stitched the first 6 blocks of my

 Lori Smith Fit to Frame Number Six 

small quilt.  

Today I cut the wool shapes for the next two blocks.

This is a WIP I have promised myself to complete 

before I start on another new project...

Country Whig Rose by Kim Diehl. 

I continue to make progress on my DD's wedding quilt 

with a few new flowers added to the garden.  

I do have the wool prepped and half way stitched down for this month's stocking.

I have yet to start on the 110 HST's needed to border my 1880 Barbara Buchner Snyder Sampler,

 but that will be my machine project for the month.

So, the only other goal I have for the month is to finish at least one UFO.

This adorable Easter Table Runner is calling to me.

Can I do it?

Check back at the end of the month to see.

What are your goals this month?

A New Year Full of Joy

I so enjoyed my holiday break with my family and hope everyone had a merry time as well!

However, I am glad to be back in my sewing room, full of new energy and inspiration. 

First, I would like to share a few gifts I received from some dear quilting friends in Texas.

Kay presented me with this needle keep, exquisitely adorned with her ribbon embroidery! 

Rosie always has a way with words, and this plaque proves it.

(We are WWF addicts...contemplating a 26 step program soon!)

She included another special gift...

...because the biggest change in my life this new year is that I will be a first time grandma!

While eating my way out of my jeans and enjoying a white Christmas,

I did get some handwork completed.

The first stocking from the Primitive Gatherings Woolen Stockings collection,

and...

another X-stitch ornament.

Darlene, of Quilting Daze, and I have challenged each other to complete one ornament per month and one extra to share.  Darlene has also taken up the gauntlet for the Christmas Through the Year bloggy club.

I am joining and setting my goal to finish a stocking a month and an ornament a month.  I will also try to throw in a gift a month as well, but don't want to pressure myself.   

I have a few other commitments already!

Besides....

I will have all those things to make for my new grandchild...sex to be announced at birth!