December 2018 Quilt Update

Welcome to the Monthly Update.  What does that mean?  Well, it's just little ol me trying to recap what took place during the month so that I can keep track.  I kind of use it like a journal.  Please sit back and enjoy a peek into a month of my life.

Any links that you click in this post will open in a DIFFERENT window, allowing you to continue reading this without losing the page.

So . . . . If you have followed me in the past, you know that I have set CRAZY goals each month and it's tough when they just don't happen.  I think goals are wonderful - believe me, without them I fear my lack of  movement.  The thing is -- I just don't want another year of unattainable goals making me feel stressed.  I have a busy year ahead with lots of surprises, family happenings, and retreats.  Those items alone give me PLENTY of deadlines to deal with.  As a result, I am introducing the new goal section - hahahaha, it's the same, only reasonable.  Let's hit the ground running . . . or not.  How about a hot drink and a good read?  See, life is good.  Oh, and the goals each month are at the end of the post now.

The previous 2018 monthly update links are located at the end of this entry.  I hope that you make it that far.

1st -   The last month of the year has arrived and as I look back, I'm certainly glad I pulled back.  I haven't felt crazy pressure this year BUT I also didn't have very many UFO finishes.  I'm pretty sure that won't change this month, but one never knows.  At any rate, I AM still sewing and that's a good thing.  It is the last month (as I said before but it bears repeating) so 2018 is going to be put to bed and that is a GREAT thing.  So what does today have in store?  How about some early morning cutting on Bonnie's mystery?

2018 Finished Non-Quilt Items

Each year I try and create one post that highlights all that I managed to finish this year.  It's the only way that I truly know just what took place in a quick and easy spot.  This post contains all items that are not a QUILT.  That doesn't mean that they are quilted, just not something to cover up with to keep warm.  Does that make sense?

Here we go - month by month -

January:  Rockin' Bobbin, a local quilt shop, asked me to make samples for a class they wish to offer and I am happy to help out.  I think they turned out pretty cute but I do like the table runner more than the placemats.  The napkin rings are kinda cute too.  These are not mine to keep -- just being a nice person.

2018 Finished Quilts

Another year bites the dust!  It's one I am oh so ready to say good-bye too and it is reflected in the number of actual finishes for me.  I wish I had more, but at least there are a few here to look back on.

January:  A new grandson is expected in March and this is his quilt.  All handstitched on royal blue tricot.

A New Theme

Howdy Y'all! Good Morning and Happy New Year's Eve to one and all. This past year we have been finishing UFO's. Many chose not to purchase new fabric so they wouldn't be tempted to start additional projects that would become UFO's. I attempted that as well. Note the word attempted. At any rate --- I release myself and anyone else who tried not to purchase a lot of new fabric. For one day! (Did that make you smile? --- It's like eating potato chips --- one will just not work.)

Hahahahaha! Shop like a wild woman today if you feel the need --- tomorrow is a new year and with that comes our new theme.

When is the last time you saw me post on being in the studio sewing? Right? It's been awhile. Why is that? Well, because I keep losing it to the chaos. However, I have had a epiphany and have decided to pass it along to everyone else.

Working on the Bonnie Hunter Good Fortune Mystery allowed me to discover that I didn't touch a single piece of yardage. I have used long lost strips, strings, and cut off pieces from other quilts. It's been crazy and so while at it I have also been going through each box/tote/drawer/baggie/etc. that can be found. Even old projects were opened to determine at just what stage I left them so many years ago. I lost the living room the day after Christmas and expect it to be gone for at least another couple of weeks for this project to complete. (Does that mean I found the studio? Oh my heck no, BUT I have been systematically emptying it out and returning crisper, cleaner bins that are not overflowing. I KNOW what is in them.)

So what does this mean? Well, for me I am going to embrace the fact that I am a fabric hoarder. I'm going to enjoy each minute of it. I'm clearing out what I KNOW I won't use and the What Was I Thinking? stuff to pay it forward for new fabric hoarders that are just beginning to bloom. Nice, right? (Shhhh --- enabling is fun.)

The etc. at the top? A clue to the 2019 group theme, of course. So . . . . . (drumroll please) . . . .

Good Fortune - Clue 6 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

This month is just zooming by and my mountainous mess in the living room continues on.  I am sorting and organizing like a mad woman.  I have found so many items, long forgotten and with classes coming up in February, am actually finding places for them to be used up.

Along with this comes today's clue in Bonnie Hunter's Good Fortune Mystery.  Clue 6 is strings once again and I am at the point of needing to sort through the neutral strings so everything else comes to a halt.  It's STRINGS y'all.  My absolute favs to work with.  Making a quick trip out to the studio to retrieve the neutral sting bin, I am soon back sitting by the tree and out they come.  A quick turn of the bin and after removing just few along with sorting by whites, creams, and toasty -- I have located my paper scissors that have been missing for quite some time.  Hmmmmm.

Good Fortune - Clue 5 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's December 21st and the new clue for the Bonnie Hunter Good Fortune Mystery has posted.  She is being gentle on us with our holiday time, but even still I just can't even do more than look at what we are doing.  Mom H. is still in the hospital (albeit rehab) and we are running all the time along with trying to make sure everything is done that we need to do for Christmas.  It's just kinda crazy here.  The best part?  I don't let it bother me anymore if I don't manage to do the clues the day they are released.  It'll be okay.  I'll get to them when I can.  Such growth on my part, right?

12/26  Christmas has come and gone even my pavolova is just a memory.  So sad and yet, onward we go.  I promised Mister that I wouldn't make a mess in the house until after the holiday --- that makes today free and clear.  I've kind of come to terms with the fact that I need to clean the tubs and bins so might as well start with the ones I can use today.  Pulling all the yellows, neutrals, and oranges nets me enough to cut the beginning of the parts for this weeks clue.  I am truly LOVING that this mystery (x 2) has almost entirely come from my version of Bonnie's Scrap Users System.  It's amazing.

Good Fortune - Clue 3 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

12/7  Don't you just love this time of year?  Each Friday we wake excited and eager to see what is in store for us with Bonnie Hunter's mystery and today is just such a day.  However, all I get to do is look right now.  I am hosting a party in my home tomorrow and today is prep and clean day.  No sewing for me, but such great eye candy.  We are making chevrons, which I love, AND using the bonus triangles as well.  Perfect!!!  Now, I'm off to clean.

12/13  Almost an entire week has gone by and my life went crazy.  A party on Saturday, many trips to the hospital for my sweet mother-in-law, and some doctor and dentist appointments thrown in for good measure seem to have kept me from my fabric.  Oh, and the raccoon -- that crazy raccoon that I spent part of a day extricating from my studio.  However, all that is behind me now and I have pulled the strip bins for this clue.  It looks like the Scrap User's System will once again pull through for me.  It is so fun to use up this older stuff and keep my new fat quarters and yardage still intact for what is yet to come.

Good Fortune - Clue 4 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's Friday!!!  That means another clue is released in Bonnie Hunter's Good Fortune Mystery.  It also means something else, just for me.  What could that be?  Well . . . .

I have not finished Clue 3.  Yep, it's been a bit of a crazy week here on the homestead and sewing just didn't happen.  Between doctor visits/tests, several days at the hospital helping my sweet MIL, and a raccoon that decided to hang out in the studio - let's just say it's been interesting.

However, the new clue is out and it is strings!!!!  Oh I do love working with strings and this clue looks so fun that I quickly gather some papers (and cut them lickety split) along with one of the string bins from the studio (the other one is neutrals only).  This puppy is heavy.  I know it doesn't look like much from here, but believe me -- there are a LOT of strings in here.  The only question now is, are there any in the colors I need?

Good Fortune - Clue 2 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It seems as though this time of year just comes and goes so quickly.  I want it to slow down so that I can savor it a bit.  Am I alone?

Bonnie Hunter's yearly reader appreciation mystery is already in week two.  If you would like more information on it, please click on THIS LINK.  It will open in an new window and leave you right here with me. 

Half-square triangles are the units this week.  Woot woot!!!  These used to scare me to death but mastering the Easy Angle Ruler has made this job as easy as can be.  Now, it's just time -- time to cut and time to sew and time to press and time to clip.  It's not difficult, just TIME.  Lots and lots of it.  Ah, that's not really true either.  I spend one evening cutting and why is it more time isn't required for cutting?  Well, because, once again, I have everything I need in the strip tubs already.  The Scrap Users System really does work.