February 2024 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 February:  I know you are probably thinking that with February being all about love, that I would focus on that type of Joy.  Well, in a way I am.  How about loving ourselves and being Joyful Women?  It's very hard to project joy when we are so very unhappy with our own worlds.  This month, let's focus on being a Joyful Woman and trying not to let the issues overwhelm.  They won't go away, but they don't have to dictate how we interact with others and our own selves.  Yep, be good to yourself.  Love yourself.  We can do it! 

Now, 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 - A new month for the Dear Jane sew-along. This is the Dear Jane LINK if you wish to join in and the February blocks are:  

I'm using my own random number generator, running a UFO Challenge in the Facebook group, and awarding prizes.  This month it is: 9 and for me that is the Skillbuilder BOM that I signed up for in August of 2022 at Merc on the Hill in Liberty, MO.  Unfortunately, that amazing shop is no longer in business, but I still have the memories.

I am still on the cruise and today we are in Cozumel, Mexico.  Here is the LINK to all of our antics and fun.  

Prettiest beach I've seen in quite a few years.

Friends -- I am indeed a Joyful Woman on this opening day of the month.

Such story here --- check the link.

Some photography fun.

2nd - Our final sea day of this cruise and your LINK to it all.  Come along to a pasta class that makes the BEST pasta I've ever had.  No lie.

We finished our jewelry collection.  Woot woot.  Packed and ready to depart tomorrow.

3rd - An early morning debarking and the trip home happens today.  Here is the requisite LINK for you to peek in on some fun.  We say good-bye to our menagerie and head out.

Fun moment --- 

We get home at a decent time and Kelly heads onto her house.  Another five hours for her.  Goodness.  I have had such a fun time and she is the EASIEST roomie every.  When do we leave for the next cruise?

4th -  Home with my sweetie today and he is ready for a trip.  We booked New York City for Mister's Birthday later this month - just like that.  Flights and hotel are done.  We haven't been to NYC since 2008 and are ready for a return.  Hoping to make it up to the village Mister is from.  Also, had a phone call from Elena today so we shared a memory that Mister has up in the office.  She's a freshman now.

5th -   With the month already started AND another trip coming up, I have to get going in order to accomplish ANYTHING on February's list.  First, go through the mail.  Yep, it seems as though the minute I go away, my stuff arrives.  A couple of sale items from MSQC.

A new project.  I know, I know.  I couldn't resist this one as I want to learn how to do some crazy quilting and this is a small, simple way to become educated.  Not happening right away though.

The front of the project.

Charms for November

Barn Star BOM

Merrie Halloween block and I've already ironed it into place.

Joy-Filled is laid out --- time to start putting the puzzle together.

Projects for this week are cut and ready to go.

Time to do laundry.

While there, I get the embroidery finished on my last block from previous months.

Done and heading home again.  I'm getting in the rhythm of this.  Will make another trip right before NYC.

6th - Out to the studio this morning.  I've loaded Sunny Patches and it's ready to go.  I'm just not sure what I want to do yet, so will think for a bit more.

Applique on MH block is done.

Working on the borders for JF

Binding for JF and Skillbuilder are done.

The center is sewn and first round of borders attached.

Hand embroidery finished.  It's been a GOOD day.  I had hands on numerous projects and feel good about it.

7th - Getting in the swing of things.  Out to the studio first thing and I took one look at the fabric in this quilt and instantly knew how to quilt it.  Talk about simple.  A couple of hours later, it is off the frame.

I quickly load Skillbuilder as it is also ready to go and is my #9 for this month.

Today,  I made the pancetta and cherry tomato sauce from the cruise, only used spaghetti squash instead of pasta.  So, so good.

Final borders are on JF and I discover that I'm short a wee bit of backing fabric.  ARGH.  Quick ebay order and I should have it in a couple of days.

Label for Skillbuilder is also done.

8th - Doctor this morning.  Those are just the best days, right?  The whole blood work again.  UGH.

Take my mind off things - label for JF is also done.

ALSO - I made the February paper-pieced project.  Woot woot.  Love it and TA-DONE!

A second TA-DONE today.  Binding is on Sunny Patches.  Another busy day and it feels good.

9th -  Spent some time online today developing pictures, paying bills, balancing books and doing the taxes.  The only sewing that happened is the two Barn Star blocks and I still need to trim the bonus HST's that come as a result of these blocks.

10th - Each day is blogging in the morning to get all the posts from the cruise up since almost 600 pictures are STILL there after culling.  Wow!  Little HST's get trimmed and this one can be put away now.

Forever My Valentine is laid out.  This is going to be so fun when finished.

For Christmas, Rhiana sent us a gift card to a new to us Mexican restaurant here in Dallas.  Beto and Son.  Today, we are using it for lunch and some time together.

While eating, Mister hears some drums and it takes us a few minutes to realize that there is a dragon dance going on outside the restaurant.  The neighboring cafe - Sum Dang Good Chinese is celebrating the Chinese New Year.  I go out to watch for a few minutes.

Enjoy - I'm not doing a separate post today, so here ya go.

Bread pudding for dessert - it's HUGE.   All in all, not a bad place.  Would we return, probably not.

11th - Just spending the day with my sweetie.  I was up early and working on the blog, but other than that --- time with him.  Our nightly visitor stopped by and I managed to get a blurry pic before startling him/her.  It's a grey fox.

12th - Early morning dentist is always fun, but today I need to get back home right away as Mister has to go into the office.  I have the house all to myself for the day and that RARELY happens.  It's a prepping day.  Cutting all the composition book parts that I need for five books, pulling Dear Jane fabrics for two months, pulling HP fabrics for the month and gathering all I need.  A lot happened, but I feel like I didn't use the hours the best I could have.

Evening stitching - a POD block done.  Notice my Easter Egg?

13th - This month's POD (HP) blocks are getting sewn.  The first one goes super quick, the second takes a bit longer.  Blogging time and research for New York occupies the rest of my day.

This evenings hand stitching - one more POD block done.

14th - Happy Valentines Day!1 For us, its a work day for Mister, so I'm sewing.  Time to get going on those DJ blocks.  Four are finished and another one is ready for applique.

I've pretty much finished the book.  LOL  Mister says that's a lot of tags.

Dinner at Thai Opal happens for our Sweeite's Night Dinner.

The food is sooooo good, as always.  What a wonderful evening together.

15th - Back to work today on DJ blocks.  I spent the ENTIRE day (other than my blogging portion) working on that corner block.  There are 70 something pieces in it and wow, what a chore.  The other two went pretty easy (one was prepared yesterday and I just had to do the hearts today).

Evening hand stitching - another POD block finished.

16th - Started the day with making sure the blog is TOTALLY caught up.  DONE!!!  I'm breathing a bit easier as I have another trip right around the corner and that will bring with it, many pictures.  Now, onto the remaining DJ blocks.

Can I get a Halleluiah?  All DJ blocks are finished and ready to post.  All that I have to do is pull papers off the final three pieces.  But first - time for a meal.  I decided to try a spicy chicken thigh with cauliflower mash and some yellow squash.  Yum.  Love how it turned out and it feels good to cook a wee bit this week.

Mister asked how long the blocks were going to stay on the floor in the main living room.  I guess that's my clue to get the top finished.  And it is.  Top is done and backing is as well (the fabric behind the top).  This one is now ready to go to MSQC for quilting and then it will come home and embellishments will begin.  I'm hoping for a 2024 finish, but time will tell.

All parts done and ready for next step.

Papers are out --- the DJ blocks for March are ready to go.  Woot woot.  That is one huge relief with tomorrow needing to focus on trip preparation and then gone for 5 days before coming home to the end of a short month.  So much to do, so little time.  Am I Alice in Wonderland?

No handwork tonight.  I'm actually kind of done in.  

17th - I have to take time away from sewing a bit today.  House is cleaned up and all my "stuff" is put away as we travel tomorrow and I truly dislike coming home to array.  Once that is finished, I settle in for some handwork in the hopes of finishing one more POD block today.  We shall see.

A few reading breaks in between book titles is helping me to finish up this month's easy ready.  I have to tell you that when I hit this paragraph, I was literally laughing out loud - hard.  This is so me.

Book is done and now it's time for some more chores.

Finishing everything up at the laundromat (nope, still don't have a washing machine) will allow me to get packed and ready to fly.  I'm actually starting to like this  method.  Less than two hours and we are done for another two weeks.

I'm packed and ready to go.  Now to finish up my block - TA-DONE.  That's it until we get back.  I'm opting out of taking things with me.  However, I'll still post fun things I find along the way.

18th - We are up, up, and away.  Off to New York City for Mister's birthday.  It's a big one, so gotta do what he requests.  Oh -- don't think I mind.  I am soooooo excited.  Here is the amazing LINK to all that happens today.  Give it a click.

Hello New York City.  I see you out there.

We met up with our nephew for a nice day of sightseeing, chatting and dinner.

Grand Central Station on a Sunday night --- most empty we'll see it.

19th - It's Day2 of our adventure and here is your LINK.  We are walking fools and loving every minute - besides, it keeps us warm because it is dang chilly here - about 40 right now.  Ya gotta click the link to read about these pics --- it's worth it.

20th -  The Day 3 LINK is right here for you to see our fun.  Today, we are off to Mister's home town of Hastings-on-Hudson. I'm super excited to share this with him as he has not been back since he was a child.

In the afternoon, we stopped in the Garment District and were treated to these two pieces of art.

And popped into a fabric store --- remember, it's the "garment" district.  Not a quilt shop, but still very cool.

While there, we did manage to find a quilt shop and stopped in at Keaton Quilts.  What a fun shop and here is the Spotlight LINK for you to check it out a little more.  There was a quilt guild meeting and sewing away, while visiting and laughing - felt good to be a part of it for a few minutes.

21st -  Good Morning and here is the Day 4 LINK for you to share.  We are starting the day at the 9/11 Memorial and I have included many pictures on the other post.  Here is one of the reflection pools in the plaza.

A ferry to Staten Island netted me this lovely picture.

and this wonderful ride.

Ending the night with such a fun dinner experience.  Truly - read the post.

22nd - Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mister!!  We are off for our 5th and last full day here and, of course, I have a LINK for you.  Some unique moments for sure -- Winnie-the-Pooh

This is a women's ceremonial dance apron from Southern Cameroon.  Traditionally, young Kirdi women wear colorful, intricately beaded aprons called pikuran at dances, marking the passage to adulthood and the prospect of marriage.  The design communicated the social status of its owner.  Kirdi, meaning "pagan," is a term applied to a number of cultural and ethnic groups in Cameroon, indicating that they retained traditional animist beliefs and resisted conversion to Islam.  Aprons such as this were treasured and passed down through successive generation.

Tapestry maquette by Faith Ringgold in 1988.  She began her career as a painter but is best known for her "story quilts," an art form influenced by her family's tradition of quilting that also encompasses her love of painting and storytelling.  This quilt if one of four marquettes that together constitute an illustrated honor roll of contributors to African American literature and Harlem literary life.  This smaller version was created for a proposed public artwork for the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center.

Union Square on a beautiful day.

Perhaps the sweetest thing to happen to my hubby in a long time.  

Saying good-bye to New York in our own way.

23rd -  Well, that's it for this trip --- here is the Travel home LINK  where I share the trip home, the change in my book, and the beauty of the back yard.  Believe it or not -- I'm kinda tired today.

Hello Dallas - 

The mail was delivered this morning (wrong, but it is here) and today's treats include a Sew Sampler box - 

And an incorrect shirt.  Fun times getting this fixed.

24th - It is just too nice to stay in.  We are out and about and here is the take a peek LINK just for you.

I do manage to get my new Pressed Flowers block cut, along with the binding and borders for this one.

I have also laid out the blocks, thinking I can start setting it as a leader/ender.

25th - Mister is doing yard work and I don't really want any part of that but also don't want to just sit while he works.  Therefore - out to the studio I go and within a couple of hours, I have the Skillbuilder quilt done.  This is my number 9 UFO and I only have a few days left to get it bound.  Quickly, I get it trimmed and the binding sewn on.  Now, I can work on it in the evenings.

Out for a bit together --- just enjoying the sunshine.  At Intrinsic on the patio.

When back home, some binding happened.

26th - I felt like cooking.  Steelhead Trout on Black Rice with a lemon/garlic sauce.  Oh, and some peas.  Love peas.

I sewed ALL day (when I wasn't cooking) and made five composition book covers for grandkids that have requested them for their birthdays.  First one is in a couple weeks, so I'm ready.  TA-DONE!

27th - Pressed Flowers block for this month is finished AND

The top is as put together as it can get.  So are the binding and borders.

AND - I've webbed Summer Moon.  It was a good day.

I'm also sewing the rows on Loyal Union as a Leader/Ender.  Making progress.

I finished the binding late this afternoon and just got the picture before it was too dark.  UFO #9 is TA-DONE.

28th - Back to the machine this morning --- this is crazy.  Doing the rows on Summer Moon and Loyal Union one right after the other.

Summer Moon is SET and ready to go off to MSQC in July.  All parts are done and I used a wide back so nothing to do there.  Woohoo!!  Oh, and I STILL have rows to do on Loyal Union.  Goodness.

Evening work - half of a POD block embroidered.

29th - It is the last day of the month and I have been working on pictures and blogging like a crazy person --- really tired of the computer.  Let's take a break because I just heard the mailman and maybe I have a BOM.  I do!!!  Merrie Halloween is here and it's straight to the ironing board for me.  It's ready for applique.

Back to the office and I've printed Sophie-Claire patterns out, added seam allowance lines and pasted the small parts to the same page for photocopying.  I have to make 15 copies for a new block exchange that I put together.  Because I don't have enough to do this year.  Oh well, I'll get 'er done.

While I'm printing, I do the book titles for this month's POD block and get them pinned on.

For the evening, I finish up another POD block.  I only have TWO left of the book blocks to embroider and I can start putting this together.  I'm still working on the blocks that go beside the bookcase, but am happy to see this going somewhere.

February --- I did pretty good considering I was on trips throughout it.  It was a short month and I still did almost everything I set out to do.  Hopefully, March will go well too.  (I still have my tally at the end - this is just something I can carry around with me)

Well, even with an extra day, February is gone and March is here.  How can we add joy to our lives this month?  Let's try some music.  It can calm, excite, and take us to a different place if we play it right.  Dance a little more (naked, all alone?) and let your home exude joy.  Turn off the television and put some tunes on the stereo that will take you to memory lane (in a good way) and just let the joy wash over you.  Go to a concert in a park (free, usually) or take in a local musical.  Let the music help you feel alive.

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:   

Sunny Patches - quilt and bind  DONE

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

Alphabet project from MSQC 2022 - 

Second Half Moon Rising project from MSQC 2022 - 

*Snail Trail Quilt from MSQC 2022 - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind
BAD blocks as leader/enders - 

*Summer Moon - set, quilt and bind 

*Rhododendron Trail - 

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

Midnight Flight - 

Daybreak -

*Round Robin (mine) - backing, label, binding, quilt and bind

Row by Rows - 

*Skillbuilder - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind DONE

*Joy-Filled - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind  Ready to quilt

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

Desert Sky - 

*Ruby Jubilee - 

Feathered Star BOW - 

*Pat Sloan quilt - Porch Swing

Designer Mystery 2022 - 

Current Projects:

Designer Mystery - current

Pressed Flowers BOM - current

Loyal Union Sampler -  working on sewing rows together

Dear Jane - Current

Country Christmas BOM  - 

Harry Potter BOM - new blocks made, making progress on embroidery, 5 blocks done-done

Barn Star BOM - current

Forever My Valentine BOM - ready for MSQC to quilt

Merrie Halloween BOM - current

One Block Wonder - 

Looking Through the Lattice - 

Periwinkle Star - 

Paper-Piece Project - DONE

New for this year: 

Turtle Items

Gnomeo and Juliet

Pillow Exchange

Penguin Mug Rugs

Composition Books for kids - DONE

Items being held for MSQC in July

*Anna's Baskets - ready to quilt

Barbara Brachman Civil War Sampler - ready to quilt

Oh Happy Day - ready to quilt

UFO Handwork Items:

Hand Quilting -- 

Stocking - in Montana, will work on there

Wool Wall Hanging - 

Links to Previous 2024 Monthly Posts - 

January