December 2021 Monthly Quilt Update

 

As we come to December and the last month of another year, our theme is reaching it's end as well.  In that regard, I am attempting to pull together all of the last 11 months and just recognize that I AM many things -- not all are angelic, but not all are devilish either.  I AM who I AM.  It's okay.  I work to improve and that's is all part of who I AM as well.  Enjoy the you!

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 an ongoing UFO mode around here and trying oh so hard to use or clean out the stash.  It will be an continuing 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.)

January Color Your World - White

 

Welcome to January AND 2022 AND Color Your World!!  I am so excited about this new theme and cannot wait to share all the fun ideas I have for it.  I've made a few changes with the monthly theme posts and this is the first of the new format.  I want to really delve into our colors and a little blurb in the Facebook group page isn't going to be enough.  I want you to be able to apply it in your quilting projects and designs and stash.  Let's embrace it all and see where it takes us.  Our monthly project will be featured here along with a BINGO card for those who wish to play.  So, here ya go and enjoy --- oh yeah, grab that cuppa.

2021 Finished Quilts

 Another year is in the books and as I look back, I really didn't make very may large quilts this year.  Oh, I made a ton of tops, but the quilting just didn't happen.  Part of that was my machine in the shop and the other part ---- either lazy or intimidated.  It's gotta be one or the other.  Hopefully, in 2022, I can knock down that stack of tops that are ready.  Here's a look back at the many mini-quilts and a few others that DID happen.

January - This little Row by Row became a wall hanging for my sister's camper.  How fun.

2021 Finished Non-Quilt Items

 For some reason, this is just not my most productive year.  I think I was busy all the time, but there just aren't a lot of items to prove it.  For what it's worth -- I had fun.  Here's to the extra projects in 2021.

March -  At our March retreat, we did barn quilts.  Part of my reasoning behind these is that I want to make a large one as a gift and needed to practice.  Why not let everyone play along.  We did and they were grand.

Rhododendron Trail - Clue 5 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 It's week 5 and I am ready!  Well, at least I'm caught up and ready to stay that way.  There are no promises here, but ---- I can see my way out of the fog.

Cutting is first up and fortunately, all we have is some pink triangles today.  That's not bad at all and it doesn't take too long with the help of my Easy Angle Ruler.  Zip, Boom, Bang.  Done and matched up with the sets they will be sewn to.  Clue 1 and 3 are back to play.  That is as far as I get today, but it's progress and I'm happy with that.

Rhododendron Trail - Clue 4 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 Week 4 - Oh my.  At what point do I get to be caught up.  This week releases to find me cutting parts 2, 3, and 4 all at once.  What a crazy time.  I am,  once again, however, so very glad to have the scrap users system in place.  I am able to pull quite a few strips to give some variety and speed up the cutting a wee bit.  When there is this many pieces to cut --- any shortcut helps.

Rhododendron Trail - Clue 3 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Trail

 Clue 3?  What in the world is up with me?  It's the 10th of December and I haven't really even worked this mystery at all.  Wow.  Talk about life taking a detour now and then.  At any rate,  I am truly practicing the "little engine that could" mantra. " I think I can, I think I can . . . " Or is it Dory?  "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . "  Whichever is the winner, I'm on that track.

12/16 - Yes, it's almost a week after release, but I'm making progress.  Today is cutting day.  For EVERYTHING on my list.  It seems crazy and perhaps it is, but that's the way I roll right now.  (The reason for the pic is that I'm cutting clues 2 and 3 at the same time - need pink for 2)

Rhododendron Trail - Clue 2 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

 Week 2 has arrived and Flying Geese are on the docket.  I do love making these units and remember when they were such a challenge.  Oh what a difference a specialty ruler can make.  However, I'm still behind on my life and won't get to cut on release day.  I'll get there and perhaps at some point will even be caught up.  

12/16 - It's happening.  I am cutting for this clue.  I've decided to get all the cutting done that I need for the rest of the month in order to enjoy the holidays without a mess everywhere.  Hey, it's a lofty goal, but a girl has to try now and then.  Fabrics are on the table and ready to be cut into small pieces that then need to be sewn back together.  Kinda crazy, right?

Rhododendron Trail - Clue 1 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's here!!  It's here!!   Black Friday as arrived and the first clue is release.  I am finally feeling better, BUT --- due to losing so many days sick, I am crazy behind on an upcoming party and company arriving the first along with everything those entail.  

11/29 - yep it takes three days but I can finally look at this a bit.  I REALLY need to work on cleaning up the dining room to decorate so take a few minutes to cut so that one visit with the vacuum is all that is required.  I am so thankful for strip bins because they give more variety as I go and I'm able to use quite a few in this step.  Out comes the Easy Angle Ruler and with in one hour ---- I'm cut and ready to sew.