Doing Some Prepping

Today I decided instead of piecing the top of my Valentine Mystery Quilt, I would do a little prepping on my January block for a Girl's Life since January is almost over.  Don't know if I'm getting slower or just paranoid about cutting the fabric incorrectly because I am only given so much and I don't know if I would be able to match or even find the fabric at my local quilt shop if I cut it wrong.  So, I measure with my ruler and then with the tape measure before I cut.  I also decided to watch the first tutorial on piecing the block and will watch the one on embroidering the piece another day.  But, I did get it all prepped and now the real work begins.

Since I embroider using a hoop, additional strips are added around the block and then will be removed when all the stitching is complete.

Also, got basket #6 traced and ready to be stitched.  So thankful for my light box.  It makes it so easy to trace the design.

Basket 6

Baskets four and five are now stitched.

Basket 4

          

Basket 5

Since we are supposed to get more snow tomorrow, I may decide to hibernate in my sewing room and piece the mystery quilt.  February is almost upon us and I would at least like the top to be done.  I may not get it quilted, but at least I can place it on my table and enjoy it. 

"X" Blocks finished

Today has been a somewhat cold and dreary day with light rain showers.  So, I was happy to hide out in my sewing room and complete week 3's "X" blocks.
It seemed like it took as long to trim all the HST to 3 inches as it did to piece
each block, but I'm happy to say the four blocks are done and I'm all caught up.

Monday the final instructions for assembling the blocks will be posted.  I  think I've figured out the layout, but will just have to wait and see.  It's been fun to see everyone's blocks as they've posted them on FB.  Many have used their own fabrics from their stash and they are quite striking.  So many talented quilters out there!

Look What Came Today!

So excited to go to my mailbox and find the long awaited package from Stitches of Love.  I signed up for their BOM stitchery, "A Girl's Life" that will go for 12 months. 

The box it came in is adorable and makes me smile.  Almost too cute to open!  Inside, wrapped in tissue was everything needed to begin... pre-printed pattern, background fabric, instructions, thread, and border fabrics for the January block.
Can't wait to get started and just hope I can keep up.  I think it's good we have a whole month to stitch before the next one arrives.  Of course, this month is half over, so I may be behind for awhile as I'm still working on my baskets and quilt blocks.

Today I also cut the fabric for week 3 "X" blocks that I am doing for the Valentine Mystery quilt.  Was able to sew, cut the HST's and press them...all
64 of them.  Tomorrow I hope to trim and start piecing the blocks together.

Snowy Day

The snow arrived on time and stayed most of the morning.  We got about 4 inches of heavy wet snow.  The scene out my door was beautiful this morning with the snow coming down.  This was taken as the snow let up.

I was able to get outside and do a little shoveling after the snowplows came by.  The sun came out later and the temperatures warmed and we did have a little melting.  Nice to see clear roads tonight.

Today was a stay-in, don't go anywhere day for me after clearing the driveway and sidewalk.  Finished basket #3 and started on the fourth one.  Love the different colored baskets and the bright flowers.

  

Still waiting for my first kit "A Girl's Life" to come.  Hope I hear from  the company soon.

Red Skies At Night....

....Sailors delight.  Red Skies in the morning, sailors take warning.  Growing up my Mother always quoted this little saying to us.  Well, I'm not sure this is going to hold true for the next several hours as we are expecting a heavy snowstorm beginning about 3:00 a.m. lasting until about 11:00 a.m.  It's hard to believe that a storm is upon us as temperatures hit the low 50's today...almost shirt sleeve weather!  Not looking forward to dropping back to the low 30's.

View out my front door

Today I was able to do a little sewing while catching up on my wash.  Have now completed week two of the Valentine mystery quilt.

Ten heart blocks finished!  This has been a fun project as the blocks have been quite simple and easy to do.  Just what I need and like!  Can't wait to see what next weeks blocks will be like.  Then the fourth week will be the assembling and finishing of the top.  If I'm lucky, it may just get quilted in time for Valentines.

Two Done!

Basket #2 is stitched and #3 is underway.  These are so fun and easy to do and I'm loving all the bright colors used.

These finished pieces will not be pressed and trimmed until all are completed.  My goal, to begin with, was to do two a month minimum.  But am hoping to do more each month as I know that once Spring arrives and I can get out to work in my yard, my time will be limited.  

Basket three is started and with the snowstorms that are predicted for the next four days, I may be able to finish this and at least get started on #4.

First Weeks......

Just completed the first weeks "O" Blocks for the Love Supreme Mystery Quilt.
Loved that they were so easy and simple to do.  The instructions and diagrams were clear and easy to follow  The blocks went together quickly once the fabric was cut. The completed block is 10.5 inches

The background fabric is fun as it has writing on it.  I think it must be German, but I'm not sure.  I would never have thought of using this, but I do like it and it makes a nice addition to the block.

Am debating about cutting the fabric for next weeks blocks so that when the instructions are posted on Monday, I'll be all set to sit down at the sewing machine.  Instructions suggested we cut out each weeks pieces and label them, but I like just cutting a week at a time.  So, depending on time and mood I may or may not cut anything until Monday.  

You've Got Mail...

...Snail mail that is.  So excited to go to my mailbox and find the fabric had arrived for the Valentine Mystery quilt from Ft. Worth Studios.  The pieces are beautiful, so bright and cheery.  This is going to be a fun new project!

There was even a little packet for some hot chocolate.  Perfect for a cool, cloudy day.  But, I think I may save it to have when I download my first pattern.  I can slowly sip it and study carefully the instructions for the first block/blocks.

fabric for blocks

Backing

Looking forward to the challenge and just hope I can get it done for Valentines!

First Project

Just completed my first project of the New Year and only 19 more baskets to stitch.

Couldn't believe how fast this little basket of flowers stitched up.  It was so fun to do and such a nice change from all the winter stitching projects I did.  Have the second one traced and will probably start on it later today.

As I was downstairs finishing putting away Christmas decorations, I decided to bring up my Valentine tub.  Not sure if I'll put Valentine's up right away, but at least I won't  have to go back down stairs and dig it out of storage.  With the gray days and inversion creeping, plus the snow we've received, it might be nice to add some Valentine decorations now.  The pinks and reds will certainly brighten up my home.