Back To It

With everything going on in December, I fell behind on my flower garden block-of-the-month project.

 10” block

But as of today, I’m all caught up. December’s block is Crocus by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time. I’ve made several of her patterns,

 6” block
including yesterday’s little green guy, and they are always well done and easy to follow. 

January’s block is Remembrance Day Poppy by Sarah at Full Bobbin Designs, another of my favorite FPP designers. Now I just need to get February’s block planned . . .

Ribbit

First project of the weekend - a hoppy friend for the flower garden.

Koi Pond

Done! Ok, the top is done - still need to do the backing and quilting and binding . . . 

This was on last year’s Plan, from gorgeous fabric I found in Colorado in 2021, so it’s barely had time to age. 

At 44x60”, it’s perfect for hanging on the tv room fireplace once it’s back from the longarmer. 

Cuties

I coulda been sewing but what’s a grandma to do when the cuties come calling?

And they bring the grand pup along too. 

This is Fox, a red mini poodle pup, and Donovan looooooooves him.

There were tears when dad insisted that yes, grandma could hold the puppy (but not for long.) 

Happy again. Such cuties. 

The Plan 2023, Part 2

Part 1 of this year’s quilting plan was kits; Part 2 is using up some of the fabric bundles I’ve accumulated. 

The quilt with the Tula Pink Daydreamer (purchased 2021) and True Colors (2022) layer cakes is current at the longarmer but I’m not calling it ‘done’ til the binding is on. (Done 2/2023)

I bought the echinacea/coneflower fat quarters in early 2021 - so gorgeous! - and that quilt is headed to the longarmer this week. Whoo!  (Done 2/2023)

The Firefly bundle from Ruby Star Society was a Christmas gift from Matt and Mary. Can’t wait to use it!

Thinking about using this pattern 

with the Alison Glass Sun Prints 2021 bundle I bought in January. 

I’ve started two projects with these gorgeous Carolina Lillies but nothing has clicked.

Maybe I’ll find the perfect pattern this year??

Love Tula’s Tiny Coordinates Dots and Stripes so much. Maybe I’ll just add them to everything . . .

Alison Glass Sun Print Luminance Lights (bought 1/2022) to go with the Sun Prints above. 

Orbit fat quarter bundle, on sale for little more than shipping. Loved them so much I ordered a second batch. Sparkly!

Ombre Confetti Metallics, two separate purchases. I buy these whenever I see them in a bundle. Sooooooo pretty.

Rusty Gold

One of Pop’s favorite things is searching local swap meets and antique stores for what he calls “rusty treasure,”

old metal bits he can remake into . . . something.

This time he found a $15 set of cast iron eagle uprights,

added an acacia plank from the hardware store,

and voilá -

a new, grandgirl approved bench for the bedroom. Sweet!

The Plan, Version 2023

I’ve been working on this post for over a week, but every time I get ready to ‘send’ I find another kit. Or two. sigh. I’ll amend this as needed but today’s posting day!

Since last year’s Quilt Plan worked pretty well at keeping me (kinda) on track, i thought I’d try it again. I liked having something I could refer back to and update as I finished projects. 

First up, 2022 carryover projects I still want to do:

• 2020 Temperature Quilt (January-July is done)
• Tula Daybreak quilt
• Dreamy Dan
• Purple Koi quilt (Done 2/2023)

This year’s emphasis is going to be on the kits and fabric bundles I’ve accumulated. I won’t get through all of these(!!) but listing them keeps me focused. 

Alison Glass Pineapple Bullseye foundation paper-pieced kit, this year’s birthday present from hubby. Gorgeous and intimidating.

Amish With A Twist, a Christmas present from Matt and Mary. Beautiful, perfect colors and also intimidating.

Showering Stars tablerunner, perfect July 4 decoration. . .

One Yard Apron, love that fabric!

Dresden Rainbow wallhanging.

Retro Ornaments from Lo & Behold Stitchery; love the non-traditional colors.

Pre-cut Summer Stellar wallhanging kit, just sew and go.

Spectrum Mini, with the gorgeous Deco Glo fabric collection.

Sewing machine cover kit.

A Flamboyance! A cute and silly flamingo pincushion.

Celebrating The Season laser cut applique kit.

Found hidden on a shelf behind unrelated fabric, Reginald “Reggie” Raccoon - another laser cut kit (they had a sale, I went a bit nuts. . . )

and Mindful Mandala kit, also an impulse sale purchase. Hoping one of the grandgirls will like this. (Done 12/2023. Backing for Cheyenne’s Moon quilt.)

Wrong Turn

We must have gotten lost on the way to Jac’s school this morning

because we ended up at the zoo with her and Donovan.

Bad grandparents. Bad!

 He’s right behind me, isn’t he??

The weather was too good to be indoors

 Admiring the super tall bamboo

so we’ll call it an “educational field trip”

and never do it again start planning the next one. 

The matching snakes, which they picked up in unison at the zoo store,

are named “Peanut” and “Rose”. 

Donovan says his is a rattlesnake 

and Jac decided hers is a water cobra because the spot pattern matched the zoo’s snake.

Works for me.