January 2021 Monthly Update

 

Hello January and 2021!!  I know I speak for everyone that we are taking a collective breath and crossing fingers and toes for a less stressful year.  One of the things I discovered in 2020 was that taking stock of our own capabilities turned out to be a blessing in many ways.  I think as a nation we discovered one another - friends and family - again and have come out stronger for it.  This year let's have that continue with looks inward.  I AM!!!!  What does that mean?  For me -- it gives me a chance to add a word behind it each month.  To perhaps take on a challenge that I have put off or feared.  To step outside the box and show strength.  There are many times last year when I was writing the monthly themes and Helen Reddy came to mind.  Losing her in September only intensified it.  When I think of "roaring" she comes to mind - I am woman, hear me roar???  We've done the last part of that sentence, let's try the first part --- I AM _________.  Fill in the blanks each month.  It can be with more than one word --- it can relate to our craft of quilting or go more personal.  I'll try each month to share one of each to keep y'all involved in my own process.

Are you ready?  I AM READY!!!  Bring on 2021 and all that it entails.

Grassy Creek - Clue 7 (Part 1) - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt Reveal

Oh happy day!!!!  It's the REVEAL and I LOVE it!!!  I have dedicated today to working on this mystery so let's see how far I can get.  Some quick cutting and I am able to lay out the little center star block.

Grassy Creek - Clue 6 - Bonnie Hunter- Mystery Quilt

 

Happy New Year!!!  It is year 7 for me to spend this day working on a Bonnie Hunter mystery.  In the calm quiet of the morning, while my sweetie is still sound asleep, I have fabric ready to go.  For this clue, I have to switch my gray as I just don't have enough of the first one left.  I know Bonnie is doing strings on this, but I opted out of really scrappy and am staying with the plan.  My neutrals are scrappy and I've retrieved all the strips that remain in the bin from previous weeks.  Will they be enough?

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.