January OMG - Brrrrr.....

Here it is - January 30, 2019 - at the edge of the Wisconsin northwoods we are in the heart of the Polar Vortex. As I write, it is -23 below and wind chill factor is off the charts...

I have just met my January OMG - https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/01/one-monthly-goal-january-finish-link-up.html  With a color palette of numerous Invisifil threads, doing a tiny zig zag stitch around all the raw edges, the blocks for Old Glory (Blackbird Designs) are done. 

The main blocks are now finished except for adding berries and doing some embroidery. This project is a combination of machine and hand work. The berries/circles are made by using Karen Kay Buckley’s Perfect Circles - my go to method. Still have to make a bunch of those...

Have also decided to simplify a few of the blocks and eliminate some of leaves, etc. - and rather than “appliqueing” tiny stars, will embroider them. 

There is still much to do on this - lots of scallops in the border, and then ultimately layering and machine quilting. I miss my hand work and am itching to return to that...like those very current “squirrel” moments, I get distracted very quickly...

Have just received this adorable pattern from Lynn over at Sew’n Wild Oaks Quilting - check out her Etsy shop - so many temptations there!

There is a bin of leftover 1” strips from my Settler’s Trail quilt which will be perfect for piecing log cabins and more mini 9 patches...this quilt finishes to 31” X 31” - perfect for centering on our dining room table.

Motivation for quilting during January kind of dropped away - not sure why except to think with the super cold temperatures, all I can focus on is deciding on how many layers to dress in...

Stay warm out there and if you live in a warmer climate, would you be willing to share? 

Happy stitching everyone!

Pat

This and that...

...and mostly trying to stay warm as we settle into more typical January weather here in the northwoods...still not much snow cover to speak of...if you step out onto the porch to gather more wood for the fireplace, you can hear the wind blowing over the tree tops...and you don’t linger...our nights call for extra quilts as temperatures drop below zero...

This is the first winter I have experienced problems with my finger tips quickly growing cold and numb and I dress in multiple layers. Mr. Outback reminds me that I am still on this weight loss journey (a good thing!! And now on track after a major Christmas cookie melt down which added 2 pounds back on) and “am older” (thanks for that reminder!) so staying warm becomes more of a challenge...

At any rate, keeping closer to home has meant time to continue decluttering (will it ever end?) and in the afternoons when we are blessed with sunshine coming in my sewing room window, there you will find me...

Four house blocks have been mailed off to California - following through on a request from Lori’s Humble Quilts blog...you can find out more about that (HERE). Always fun to fussy cut little faces peeking out of those house windows and hoping the quilts that these blocks go into bring a smile to someone’s face...

Work continues on my Old Glory quilt which will eventually be donated to our local nursing home. Playing with those Invisifil threads I mentioned last time...a tiny zig zag stitch gets the job done...

Have also resumed giving attention to Ann’s Legacy - yet another lovely Di Ford pattern from her first book. I opted to add tiny hexies (measuring 1/4” for each hexie) in place of some of the appliqued flowers, just to put my own little spin on things.

When learning that Di will undergo 9-10 months of chemo after being diagnosed with leukemia, each stitch I take (along with hundreds of other followers) on this project, will be with a prayer for her complete recovery.

Stitching with friends, immersing myself in lots of books at bedtime and pouring over maps as I begin plotting out a major trip later this year...life is good during these quiet days that are beginning to offer longer periods of daylight...

”Silver white Winters that melt into Spring...”

...What are your favorite things....?

Pat

January OMG - linking up!

Oh my - it is 2019 with a fresh, new calendar staring at me...

All ready, the mind is in a swirl thinking of the next 3-4 months of winter here in the Northwoods...typically these months are the most productive for quilting. So what is off the starting block for jumping in to Patty’s OMG for January? Hmmmm...I could pick and choose from way too many applique projects that are in the works...but all of them are slow going...

Just finished piecing a “trial” block - Tree of Life...I could make more...this is a quilt I have been wanting to try...

but...

Nope - have to try and stay on task and chip away at some of those old UFO’s...So here we go - my goal for January...these are most of the blocks...think a couple more are still packed away...

Completing the assembly of Old Glory (Blackbird Designs) - I opted to do fusible applique on this project months ago - simply because it needs to get done and go to its new home...in honor of my Dad and Mom who were residents at a local nursing home...hoping the staff there can find a place to display it when completed.

If you follow Kyle over at Timeless Reflections, she has been sharing her use of the Invisifil Threads for machine applique. A number of months ago, I ordered a variety of colors that I thought might work with Old Glory (Red Rock Threadsin Nevada stocks them).

Most of my blocks are about ready for that stage, so that will be the focus over the next 4 weeks...

Can I do it? Wish me luck!!

Meanwhile - off to the Bernina dealer with my machine for a “well baby checkup” - it needs a thorough cleaning and pampering so its good to go for the next 3 months!

Happy New Year Stitching everyone!
Pat