My Quilty World: November 2024 Life and Quilt Update

Our theme this year, JOY!!! I believe we all need a bit of a help in adding this to our lives. If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post. I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot. Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth. Here we go for November: This month has a tendency to turn our thoughts to those things we are grateful for. When I saw this --- I knew this was the perfect month to allow this type of joy to permeate our souls. Be joyful, y'all.

If you are new to this blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?" I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily. I just can't. Sooooo, what happens is I document each day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place. See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too. It's a great system for me. There will be links throughout this update that go to related posts of MINE. They will open in a new window so that you can keep your place here. Just click on the hyper-links if you wish. There are NO ADS. Never have had them, don't intend to start unless my whole world gets turned upside down.

In years past, I have set goals for each month that I NEVER was able to reach. However, I NEED that guideline to follow, so I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track. UFO mode will continue around here with minimal purchases (those who know me know that this has been a miserable failure so far the past couple of years, but I'm gonna keep on trying), but also a few fun and new items will make an appearance now and then. The "hopeful attempts" will change each month and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.

Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun read and perhaps a new idea or two. (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story. It is what it is.

1st - I'm using my own random number generator, running a UFO Challenge in the Facebook group, and awarding prizes. This month it is: 12 and for me it is Summer Moon. All this one needs is binding so perhaps I can manage to complete one after failing miserably the past few months.

This is just a repeat from last month: Our Sew Along is continuing and this is the Dear Jane LINK if you wish to join in and the October bag of unfinished blocks. September and October seemed to be catch-up months for health, both through travel and relaxation. I think it was much needed, but I didn't make progress on my own blocks for this project. I still have hope to catch up before the end of the year, but . . . there is the possibility that it will carry over into next year and I'll start with January and go through June for a finish to get quilted in July. That seems reasonable.

We are starting out the month with a group trip to the Houston International Quilt Festival. Here is the LINK to all of our first day fun and some amazing quilt eye candy.

Before lunch.

After lunch as more arrived.

We've all met up - gang is all together.

2nd - It's our second day of fun in Houston and here is the LINK to all of the amazing eye candy that we were able to take in. We are decked in gold and sharing in the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

3rd - Back to reality again. Upon my return home, Jen and Faye were off to their respective abodes and I opened my mail to find a couple more Chucks. My collection is almost complete - just one or two more. At least until they release another one.

Out with my sweetie and time together. It's meat raffle night - nope - we didn't win anything AGAIN.

4th - Cleaned up and unpacked from the trip. All my many treasures together once before moving to their respective homes.

Extra Chucks to trade for upcoming ones as I'm not really shopping right now.

5th - Election Day - gonna be a wild ride this year, I believe. Did my civic duty but had a sour taste in my mouth of some people outside the polling place. Sad.

6th - Sewing machine is set up in the living room to get some binding on the quilts that were returned from MSQC.

Making progress. These are ready for hand stitching.

7th - A start on November's paper piece project. It's ready for borders, applique and quilting.

A couple more bindings attached.

8th - It's a pasta kinda day. Instead, though, I'm using Spaghetti Squash to go with the wonderful sauce recipe from my class on Carnival last January.

Simply delicious.

Parts for the panel quilt project arrived.

The last of the bindings are on and now I have a huge stack of handwork ahead of me.

Binding leftovers - heading for the swap table at retreat.

Trying the pillow strips AGAIN.

Applique ironed on - making progress.

9th - Out and about with my love. Thought we would try a new coffee shop, but it just turned out to be a "hidden" Starbucks. Ugh.

Attempt number two is a success.

In the evening - we had a gray fox run through the yard and I tried a photo -but failed. All you can see is the outline in the lower right of the picture.

10th - Mister in the kitchen and a beautiful crepe breakfast.

11th - Working on the Snowman Quilt again. I've finally made it to the quilting stage.

Starting the staging for an upcoming retreat. Crazy how I can make such a mess.

TA-DONE!!!

12th - Kitchen fun - some banana bread to leave for Mister.

A simple towel project is TA-DONE!

Ooooh - a unicorn Chuck has been received.

13th - Spent the day preparing to be gone for 10 days. Laundry, shopping, packing, preparing foods. It's retreat time.

14th - I am off to retreat bright and early today. Here is the LINK to all of our shenanigans, if you have the desire to check it out. First up is meeting Stephannie and Debi for coffee.

Onto the center and all the processes of setting up. The Sophie Claire exchange is happening today as well.

So much love for these women.

15th - With the exchange complete, I am starting to work on layout for my quilt top.

Pillow exchange ready to go.

And the recipients.

Blocks are bordered and rearranged once again.

Beautiful sunset tonight.

Ladies hanging out late with me.

16th - Breakfast out -- so, so good, but so, so much.

Those who responded to my five minute warning for breakfast out.

Mrs. Claus working on spreading happiness.

Group photo for the first session --- so much love for all.

17th - Woohoo -- my bordered blocks are now sashed and set.

Late night fun.

18th - Break time so out for dinner.

Gotta say - the wings were good.

19th - Making hot cocoa bombs for the girls and our movie night.

Dinner out at Pastafina's - tradition.

20th - Beautiful ornaments for all made by Cindy. Love, love, love.

A little relaxin' is happening.

21st - Fun times preparing for game night.

Close your eyes --- LOL. These are shirts.

The winner of the Ugly Sweater Contest.

Group photo for the second session.

22nd - Out for breakfast for Stephannie's birthday.

A bit of shopping.

My treasures. Can't wait until September and the Crabapple Hill Retreat.

An example of the finish for one of my patterns.

Milkshakes to end the fun.

My heart is so full when with these amazing women.

23rd - My new bag is complete --- TA-DA. It will hold retreat supplies.

I also finished a bag that I gave patterns and zippers out to all as a gift. This is their example.

Pajamas all around today -- proof in the last ladies picture.

24th - And just like that --- retreat is over once again and I'm thanking these ladies for all of their amazing help. Onto the next adventure and hugs to all.

Retreat treasures -

Upon my arrival home, my sweet man had a gift for me. A new Rowenta!!!! The exact same model that I've had for years but has quit functioning.

He tried - it just didn't happen. Solved the problem in a fine way.

Out with my sweet man follows and we are off to Celestial. Out on the patio are some cool signs.

25th - Prepping for upcoming cookie party craft project. While I was at retreat, Mister cut up a fence post and made the bases for us.

More Chucks in the mail. Am I finished yet?

26th - Just a nothing day. Seriously. I just sat around in recovery mode.

27th - It's just a perfect soup day.

Unpacking and repacking to head to Jens for a few days.

I'm feeling a bit out of control.

BUT - no time right now to worry about it. I'm typing and printing and cutting recipes for the Cookie party that is just right around the corner.

28th - Happy Thanksgiving! We are on the road to Abilene to spend the holiday with Jen and fam. Here is the LINK to check in on our fun.

Jon is home from college and has made Grandpa and I Ugly Dolls. We LOVE them and they are all hand sewn. How cool is this?

29th - Today's task is to assemble Ouiser at Jen's house. This machine and frame is now on it's fourth owner and still running strong. The boys pitch in to help and we manage to get it done with a lot of re-dos happening.

Family photo before leaving - well, with all who are still there.

Binding on the drive home - so much to do before year end.

And a little Black Friday fun once back in Dallas.

30th - We have been wanting to try Fish and Fizz for quite some time and I notice that the truck is out tonight and at a brewery that is new to us - Glen Echo Brewing. Off we go. We get there just as the truck is closing up, but they make us a dinner anyway. Hooray and it is so yummy. The beer - not so much. Oh well, can't win them all.

Once back home, I finish up the binding on Summer Moon and that is my UFO for this month. Woohoo - I did it!!

This one is TA-DONE!

My goal sheets are so outta whack that I've decided to let them die the rest of this year and will attempt new ones in January. One needs to learn when to let go.

After 12 months of a Joy theme --- can you Own Your Joy? Have you learned how to find it and how to embrace it in your own life. Now is the time to finish that up and be at peace and know joy. It's been a great year.

Thank you for reading this far. If you made it here, kudos to you. Hope you have a great month and find a way to bring joy into your life. Stay creative Y'all.

I've tried to make a COMPLETE list here so that I have only one place to look it all up. I apologize in advance for the boring nature of this to y'all, but it helps me. I've made quite a few category changes this year - anything to help stay on top of things.

Projects ready to quilt by me:

UFO's to finish: *means on UFO Monthly Challenge sheet

Alphabet project from MSQC 2022 -

Second Half Moon Rising project from MSQC 2022 -

BAD blocks as leader/enders -

*Rhododendron Trail -

*Sandcastles - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind

Midnight Flight -

Daybreak -

Row by Rows -

*Rachel's Sewing Room - quilt borders and attach all parts

Desert Sky -