January Handwork and UFO's

I'm a list girl.  I used to (ok I still do) have little scraps of paper with lists and check lists.  I love the satisfaction of being able to check off a ta-done.  :) Now I make lists in my phone - and its fun cause I set them up as tasks so that I can still check them off.  With all of that being said, I have my lists of goals, want to's and hope to's for 2019, (all subject to change of course) and was thrilled to find out that  American Patchwork and Quilting/ All Peoples Quits had already posted January's random # for UFO busting.  I'm posting a little early for January but the UFO number gave me an excuse.  Random number is..... Number 3.  
This year I have 3 categories of quilting goals.  Handwork and UFO's - Quilts to Quilt - and New and Retreat Projects.  Unfortunately even with all of that it still won't finish all I have going on but hopefully get me closer.  :) I also will be picking something each month to be my "One Monthly Goal" which may or may not be the same as my APQ random number.
So in the Quilting category - Here is Cat grout quilt.  

It's a funny name for a winter type quilt but when this quilt top was being made I was at my friends cabin and her cat threw up on it.  Well we've been calling it Cat P*ke quilt which isn't a very nice name so I am re-naming it Cat Grout quilt because the quilt has grout.  I know TMI... This is already sandwiched so I want to get it quilted and bound so I can wash it.
Next category is Handwork UFO and #3 is this one: 
 
I have the pieced blocks done and part of the embroidery blocks.  I want to finish them up and get top done if I can.  
Not sure if I'll get a chance to start the quilting before the first of the year but I'm working on the embroidery in the evenings while I watch TV with hubby.  I will also work on it a little on Friday if I have time at the cottage.
Have a blessed day!
Lynn 

December OMG Finish

I did better this month than last and got my OMG done sooner. Unlike last month and a few others I didn't wait until the last month to finish it up and get right down to the wire not knowing if I would get it done or not.  I'm much happier doing this way. My One Monthly Goal was to get 2 each of 2 different styles of place mats done.

Hubby really likes this set.

Then next was to get minimum two of this style. Here is the first 2 I got done. The Cardinals are on a cream background.

Bonus was to do 2 more - this background is green.

Hard to see the color in the triangles here is a close up - 

So now I will link up to One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts. You need to click the link and go see what others finished.

 

Thank you so much Patty for all your work and efforts to host these and find donors for us.  I'm already looking forward to next year, lining up in my mind what I'll want to get done and possible goals. 
I was able to get all but one OMG completed on time this year so in 2019 I'll shoot for all 12.  

Happy New Year everyone - Happy Sewing!

Blessings - Lynn 

Distraction is Finished

As I stated in my last post I had a NLIP (not like I planned) distraction come up. I got a request from my Daughter in law for a bowl cozy. So I did a couple different styles - then to use up the fabric I did a couple pot holders.  And as I'm showing Hubby he said too bad you didn't make her a little bag.  Well I had just enough fabric left to make a little bag.  

Here's another view of the bag

Nice little gifts, was able to use up scraps - Win win. Now I need to get this wrapped up and ready to go.  I want to mail on Monday in hopes of getting there by her Birthday. 

Next I really need to get back to finishing my other 2 place mats that are for my One Monthly Goal - and 2 extra (cause I wanted them) place mats. 

I have/had lots more on my list for this month but I've been busy helping Sis with her UFO's.  Well see how this next month plays out.  :).  

Have a Blessed Day!

Lynn 

Half Way There

I'm having kinda a slow going month here.  And by the looks of things I may have to revamp my wish lists and goals for the next few months.  :)
Sis has been coming over on the days my hubby golfs, which are my cleaning, cooking and sewing days and I think we visit more than we sew.  LOL  That's all good, but I'll need to keep that in mind when setting my goals and scale back a bit.  :)  
I did get half of my OMG goal done which is good.  That is one of two sets of place mats. The goal is to get 2 each of 2 different styles done.  Here are the 

I'm actually doing 2 more in this style but need to finish the goal ones first.  
Then as always I have a NLIP (not like I planned)  My daughter in laws Birthday is on the 31st.  I have been trying to figure out what to get or do for her and finally she mentioned that the bowl cozy I gave her is missing.  Yay - an Idea.  So I found some shark fabric (yes she likes sharks) and matching fabric to make her some new ones.  

That and the other place mats will be my focus for the rest of this month.  If I get anything else done will be a bonus at this point.  
Have a blessed day!
Lynn 

One Monthly Goal December

My last One Monthly Goal for 2018. I had a hard time deciding.  I want to finish more UFO's - but I'm at that point in the year where the UFO's are going to rollover to another year. And since I don't have any sewing that needs to be finished for presents right now, the Christmas Cards and Present wrapping takes front row over sewing wishes. 
But after the wrapping is finished, when presents and cards are mailed. There will be time...by golly.  So that means there will be time for want to's. 
I want to make place mats.  I want to make place mats for myself.  I only have 2 quickly thrown together one each for hubby and I.  So now since we just got a really nice new dinning table - I want some nice ones for us.  In the last couple of days I played and made these - 

So for my OMG...I want to use this fabric

and this pattern

I wanted something that would let a lot of the feature fabric show.  
And after I get those done - (Or maybe before) I want to use the same herringbone design that is in the first set I already made, and use this fabric with the snowman border as the outer border.  

Well that is my plan.  2 Each of each type. 
Now I'm going to link up to One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts.  

Go check out some others goals.
Blessings,
Lynn 

More Ornaments

Last winter while my Sister was still here, my quilting friend Susie did a drive by to us both.  Susie does drive by's because she lives about a mile up the road and will drop stuff on the driveway for me to do.  So we call them drive bys.  Anyway she gave us both a kit from "All through the Night" that had 12 pre-printed ornaments in it.  They each needed some embroidery and embellishments with wool and or beads, then assembled.  Sis and I both are finished and are both giving Susie one back, and then passing the rest on to friends and family.  Here are mine. 

They were a lot of fun to work on and I'm sure they will be enjoyed by those who receive them. 

I still have one more set of Ornaments this year.  Wow 3 sets in one year.  We'll see If I get these done for this year or if they will carry over to next year. 

We'll back into the sewing room, I need to figure out what my one monthly goal will be for December.  I'll post about that later.

Blessings,  Lynn 

Reflections

Last month of this year - and what a year.  I'm probably reflecting on the year too early - I've been thinking about all the stuff that has gone on this last year and it started this month. 
Last year at this time - I was anticipating major surgery on my neck and going through all the red tape of getting referrals and approvals. (Bronchial Cleft Cyst removal) That happened on Dec 15, 2017.  Yay - I am doing great!  That is probably a big reason why my reflections are starting early.  I am so thankful for my good health this year.
Through out the rest of the year we had a plethora of other items that happened, normal things really but it seemed like the year of stuff - good and bad.
Our fur babies both had lots of reoccurring health issues - which in the end resulted in our boy Pepe aka Pepper going to doggie heaven in October. Not fun for sure.
I've had a couple of my older friends need to be moved into assisted living situations. Hence a year of posts about sorting measuring and selling fabric and tools for them. 
I also lost a friend that was way too young, too close to my own age, pass.  And news of another friends son whom is newly a father himself with his wife, needing a bone marrow transplant. 
We had cars break down,  needing tires, and batteries.  We had pipes burst with water leaks in our crawl space, Central Air failed in the peak of the 120 degree weather and during one of our children's visits.
But not all was bad or challenging - we had a lot of good too. 
We had a reconciliations of a relationship with another person that had been tender for several years. 
We had some wonderful visits from cousins and siblings and most all of our children and grandchildren. (Our 2 oldest grand children (and family) didn't make it.) We laughed and played and made memories, that I'm sure will be recanted at our next visits. 
We were able to golf and sew to our hearts content,  which is what Hubby and I like to do the most. And no matter what came up - we had what was needed emotionally or financially to take care of it. I guess that's why even though we've had all these things happen, I can still say it's been a good year. We've had the bad and ugly, but we've had the good too. 
I'll post more later on my quilting and what my goals are for the rest of the month and year. But for right now I'm reflecting and being thankful.
Blessings,
Lynn 

Down to the Wire!

It's been happening a little too much lately...getting down to the wire and not sure if I'm going to make the finish line for the One Monthly Goal or not.  
I think one of the biggest mistakes I make is thinking - Oh I still have lots of time.... Then things come up and distractions happen and NLIP (Not Like I Planned).   
Well my OMG this month was to get the Secret Santa Ornaments done.  There needed to be four of each A Santa, An Elf, A Snowman and An Angel.  

Here are the first four that I made and already gave to Gloria and Cheryl.

And here are the rest - 

16 Ornaments total - Whew.....
Now I'm going to link up to Elm Street Quilts OMG. Please go and check out some of the other finishes.
So Glad I got them done - I am NOT going to let myself do this next month.  (Famous last words I'm sure) 
Have a Blessed day - 
Lynn 

What's Up?

There is not a lot to report from my end of things. I am working what little sewing time I have had lately on the Secret Santa gifts/ornaments.  I also have been helping my Sis get her UFO's done. She only has 3 - isn't that disgusting?  
First up - Yesterday I helped her make a pillowcase.  She's done them before but it's been a couple years so just needed a refresher. 

She's going to send that to her FIL law, along with the quilt for her MIL.  Just a love gift - not for Christmas.  So I made a label for her to put on the quilt. I got it printed on muslin and then she pinked the edges and fused on the back of the quilt and she 

finished the binding.  
Here's a picture of Sis when she finished the top at the retreat last February -     

Here is it quilted and a close up of some of the quilting.

Below is one of the table toppers I made at the last retreat - I had planned on giving one to my Sis and Brother-in-law, but she asked for one and offered to finish the binding on it herself - so here it is in their snowbird 5th wheel home.

So what am I doing?  Well we have been doing a lot of shopping lately.  We have 90% of our Christmas shopping done - that is good. And on top of that we did a couple days of picking up groceries from a local farmers market and a couple grocery stores. Hubby and I are on a healthier eating plan.  (nicely said huh?)  And - well I have been a little consumed with all the planning and prep for that.  
On the happier note 3 days in I'm down 2 pounds so I guess it's working.  I have to say it hasn't been too hard. Here's a look at last night's dinner. 

It was delicious and hubby said it was a definite do over so win win.  
Now for the next two days I need to really stay focused and get those Secret Santa ornaments done so I can do my finished link up to OMG.  :) 
Hope you have a blessed day - 
Lynn 

For Easton

I had another of my NLIP (Not Like I Planned) moments.  I saw where my daughters ex brother-in-law had a new baby boy.  Well you just have to make a quilt for a new baby.  :) 

It went together really quick sine it was a panel. Then I did some free motion quilting on it, and here you go.  A nice little gift for baby Easton. Now I just need to get it in the mail.
Meantime I am still working on the OMG ornaments, and since the month is almost over I need to finish them up.  
Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn  

Santa Gifts

Thursday is our November meeting for the CRQ guild where we are doing secret Santa's.  So for this meeting I made a mug rug for both my Sister (Randi) and I to give to our persons, and then the coaster that Cheryl made for us to give them. C for my person and D for my Sisters person.

I'll be wrapping them up and giving at the meeting.
Then as us four friends are making stuff for each other, I'm making the wool ornaments - I got 2 each of them for Cheryl and Gloria done and gave them to them at the SNR guild meeting last night.  

I need to finish the other two angels and snowmen for Randi and I to give, then do the elves and Santa's for us all to give.  I will keep you updated on all the other stuff we are doing too.  

What else have I done... Well we are getting a new dining room table.  Right now we have a 5x3 glass one and we are getting a 4x3 wooden one.  So I had a couple of scrap pieces of fabric one was flannel so I put them together for a quick little table cloth. 

 Below is the flannel.  More Fall like so can use for longer if I want. 

I have no idea where I got either of these pieces of fabric but it should work well for a Thanksgiving this year.  And now of Course I'm thinking ahead to what I have that I can make for Christmas and Winter.  

As I was sewing I had a helper....

She kept bugging me and wasn't satisfied with just being petted or even laying on my quilt.  

I thought she wouldn't like the sound of the machine as I sewed but she was funny. 

She acted like she wanted to figure it out, tilting her head one way and then the other.  Thanks Pumpkin for all your help. 
I'm going to do some more sewing today so I guess we'll see if I have a helper again or not.  

Have a blessed day - 

Lynn