December 2020 Quilt Update

 

Hello December!!  Take a good look at the box.  WE ROAR!!  This has been quite the year.  We have made it to the last month and although our Roaring 20's beginning was not quite what we had hoped for, it has had some definite good come from it.  Take some time to help your spirit this month.  Count your blessings.  Allow your own heart to ROAR with joy.  You've earned it.  I know I have.  We are only a month away from a brand new theme and year.  It'll happen --- and we'll share another journey together.

If you are new to the 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 a 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.

In years past, I have set goals for each month and I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track.  I AM still in UFO mode around here and trying oh so hard to use or clean out the stash.  It will be an ongoing project this year.  If I want something to come in -- something has to go out.  That is one goal.  The balances change each month (hopefully) 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.)

2020 Finished Quilts

Each year, as I age, I am in awe of how quick the year passes.  This year, even with all of it's challenges is not any different. Zoom!  Even with all the trials, I cannot complain.  I have a sweetie who loves me and is just so dang supportive.  What more do I really need?  Perspective -- such a great word.

At any rate, I didn't finish as much as I had hoped this year, but I'm still please and there is always 2021 to keep on working the list down.

January - My youngest grandson is getting a "big-boy" bed and needs a quilt.  Gammy to the machine.

2020 Finished Non-Quilt Items

Each year I try and create one post that includes all that I have managed to finish.  It's the only way I know what took place and have it in one quick and easy spot.  This post contains all that are not a QUILT or QUILTED Wallhanging.  That doesn't mean these aren't quilted as well, just my way of keeping things a wee bit separate.  Got it?

Here's the month by month:

January - With a granddaughter turning 4 this summer and a trip to Utah on the horizon, I want to deliver a finished tea set.  I can lose the worry of mailing it this way and I'll just hide it downstairs until the time is right.  Mister and I worked together on the box and it is now ready to go.

April - With the pandemic looming -- focus went to masks.  I didn't take pics of the multitude made, but a few were recorded just as a choice for grands.  Some had elastic and some had shoelace ties.  Personally, I prefer the shoe lace ones.

Grassy Creek - Clue 5 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 Happy Day After Christmas!!  My wish is that all had wonderful day in whatever form that means.  For me and my sweetie --- it was quiet.  Very quiet!  However, today is a happy day as we receive another step in the Grassy Creek Mystery.  I am so ready to cut.  We have some chores today so my first bit of time only allows for the cutting, but it goes pretty quick and I'm thankful to be able to use of LOTS of the bits left from previous clues.

Grassy Creek - Clue 4 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

Week four has arrived and I am blessed to have a friend to sew with today.  We stayed up late last night talking so she is still snoozing, but I am raring to go.  Fresh gingerbread scones are in the oven, coffee is made and I'm ready to cut.  Neutrals and gray.  Easy peasy.  I get down to the last few sets before running out of neutral variety (which is stored in the guest room --- don't analyze me -- yes, I know I have a studio -- the neutrals are happier in the house --- they told me) and she wakes so I can complete my task.  These went reasonably quick and I'm ready to move on, but first I have one block left from yesterday's adventure.  Once it is finished (four hours later), I am ready to move on.  Whew.

Grassy Creek - Clue 3 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 

Week 3 is here and I'm on top of it this go round.  I quickly set up the cutting area and locate the red (constant) and orange (constant) along with my neutrals (scrappy).  My Companion Angle ruler and I just slice, slice, slice.  I love this week's unit.  It's such a great start, but I have lots of irons in the fire today and move onto cutting a few other things.  Once those are tackled, I am ready to sew.

Grassy Creek - Clue 2 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

As you know from my previous post, I am working two clues at once.  The first is cut, the Chex Mix is still baking away and I'm onto cutting for the second part.  Gray has been put away and green (constant) along with neutrals (scrappy) have come to play.  I have grabbed any gold or neutral strips that will play nicely and my Companion Angle Ruler and I are ready to go.

Grassy Creek - Clue 1 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's taken me a couple of weeks, but I finally have the chance to focus on this mystery.  Starting it also earns me a BINGO mark and if you don't understand that, well ya just need to read my monthly updates.  Bring on Grassy Creek.  I am making Chex Mix this morning so living my life in 15 minute increments and that's perfect for cutting pieces.  With my gold (scrappy) and gray (constant) fabrics in tow, it;s time to slice.  Oh wait, do I have some gold strips out in the studio that will work for this.  Must check and, yes, I scored quite a few.