My February Stitching Goals Report - By the Skin of my Teeth.....

Time to check in with how I went with my stitching goals for February.  You can see what they were back  here.  I finished the last goal I could fit in just now.  There are still six hours left in the month.  Nothing like leaving things to the last minute.

1    ONE MONTHLY GOAL

My goal was to complete the quilt top of Moda Blockheads 3. 

I was very happy to meet that goal in the middle of the month, just in time to deliver it to my quilting fairy along with the Vintage Linens quilt.

The sad news is that I wasn't the only one who was delivering quilts, so unfortunately I was not able to receive both quilts back ready to add the binding.

The happy news is that I received a phone call late on Friday afternoon to let me know that, as I only wanted edge to edge quilting on Blockheads 3, it was all done.

Therefore, I went over straight away to pick it up and on Saturday morning added the binding by machine and then had a marathon stitching session on Saturday afternoon, while watching the car races up on Mount Panorama, hand stitched down the binding.

Phew!  But it was so worth it to have this quilt finished this month.  I'll do a proper post when I can get a better photo of the finished quilt.

2.    WOOFA CHALLENGE

My main WOOFA Challenge goal this month was Blockheads 3, so that was easily ticked off the list.

In the background, my other goal was to progress the Scrub Stitchin' bag.

This is what I was working on until late this afternoon.  I have the EPP panel stitched together.  It looks so nice and fresh.  I haven't added the stitchery panel, as I think it will be easier to add after I have appliqued the EPP panel to the body of the bag.  I'm pleased to have made some progress, and will continue to work on it next month.

3.    VINTAGE LINENS QUILT

As I have already mentioned, it is still with my quilting fairy.  It would have been nice to have it finished, but I didn't expect to have Blockheads 3 finished, so a fair trade off.  Fingers crossed it will be quilted this month.  I have the binding all ready to go, so once I receive it back it will be all systems go.

4.    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

My goal was to complete the stitchery on two of the Love and Hugs blocks from last year.  As I've often mentioned, hand stitching is not my favourite thing to do, so it takes a bit to get me motivated.  Therefore, these were only completed in the last few days as well.  Thank goodness for goal setting, or nothing would happen.  The silly thing is, once I start I do enjoy it, and many of my favourite projects have hand stitching elements.  I just need that kick up the butt to get me started.

5.    ONE PROJECT A MONTH.

I was starting to despair that there would be no finish this month, as time was running out.  Now, I have one almighty big finish in Blockheads 3, so that makes me smile.

6.    CUT OUT A NEW QUILT

Fail!  I wanted to have my new blue quilt cut out and ready to go, but it didn't happen.

I worked out a cutting list, and was just waiting to finish my other goals before starting.  Now, I've been thinking about it, and have decided I will use a slightly different method to construct my blocks, so need to create a new cutting list.  I know this all sounds rather cryptic, but it will make sense once I do make a start on the quilt.

So, not too bad an effort.  

I'm now in a really strange place, as I don't have any long term quilts on the go, for the first time a quite a few years.  Time to think about which of the many lovely options out there to work on.  I won't rush into any decision just yet.

Thanks to all the wonderful ladies out there that set the challenges I am following.  They are the motivation I need to achieve my goals.

One Monthly Goal - Blockheads 3 Quilt Top is Finished

My goal for the month of February was to complete the Blockheads 3 quilt top, now that the last block pattern has been released.

Here are the final five blocks ready to add to the quilt.

I took a photo of each quadrant of blocks as I finished making them and used those photos to make a mock up of the quilt.

My plan was always to stitch the blocks in a fairly random order within each quarter with no sashings.  However, looking at this, I realised it was going to be way too busy, so decided to add some one inch sashings.  

On Saturday I spent all morning fiddle faddling with layouts on my "design floor", but I was not having any joy.  In the end I separated the blocks into four quadrants again and added two vertical sashings and two horizontal sashings and a few random grey cornerstones to each quadrant, while still keeping the layout rather random.  I then just added a simple white border. It seemed to work and calmed the quilt down a bit.

That looks much better.  I have the binding all prepared as well.  It took the best part of two days to get to this point.  Much longer than expected.   It finishes at 74 inches square.

Now I just have to wait for my quilting fairy to return from her holiday later this week and I will be able to deliver two quilts for her to work her magic on.

I will be linking up with Elm Street Quilts at the end of the month.

My Goals for February

Well, here we are, already into February.  I cannot believe how quickly January disappeared.  Anyway, it is time to set my new goals for the month.

1.    ONE MONTHLY GOAL

I'm looking forward to working towards my goal this month, as it is to make the final five blocks for Block Heads 3 and then turn them into a quilt top.  There are a total of 56 blocks in the quilt.

I cannot see me getting the quilt bound and completed in February, as my friendly quilting fairy is currently on holidays.

2.    BLOCK HEADS 3

The pattern for the last block is released tonight, so I have five blocks to complete before the fun part of playing with the layout and putting the blocks together into a flimsy.  I'm so looking forward to seeing how this comes together, after working on it for just over a year.

3.    WOOFA CHALLENGE

I'm making Block Heads 3 my main WOOFA project, but will also continue to work on the Scrub Stitchin' Bag.

My plan is to at least get the EPP rows stitched together, and hopefully add the stitching panel to it.  If I get that much done I will be happy.

4.    VINTAGE LINENS QUILT

The quilt top is done.  I just have to wait patiently until my quilting fairy returns from holidays in the middle of the month.  The binding is prepared, ready to add. So, hopefully, it will be finished in February.  I so hope this comes off.

5.    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

I have a nicely traced out pile of stitcheries ready to work on from the Love and Hugs Australia patterns that were released during 2020.  My plan is to make a tree skirt......unless I change my mind. I will have a goal of completing two stitcheries in February.  If I don't set a number, I may only do a few stitches.

The pretty biscuit tin from Christmas is the perfect home for this project.

6.    ONE PROJECT A MONTH

As per above, I hope to finish the Vintage Linens quilt.  It would be nice to have another finish, but if I do, it will be a bonus.

7.    HAND WORK

My Scrub Stitchin' bag and the Christmas stitcheries fit the bill on this one.  We'll see how much we get done.

8.    CUT OUT A NEW QUILT

If you saw my recent Friday Fun Day post you will have read that I bought some fabric at Spotlight in Bathurst and then had to make the trip to Orange to buy the rest of the range.  Well, I'm actually going to cut out a quilt and use it as a leader and ender, rather than file it away for "one day".  Also, this means that the girls that asked about my purchase get to see the fabrics.

The fabrics are a Jocelyn Proust range.  The designs on this range are more detailed than a lot of her other ranges, but still feature Australian flora and fauna.  The quilt will feature some largish blocks, so that the fabric designs will still be visible.  I don't have a photo of the pattern to share, as I'm just taking inspiration from various quilts.

Phew!  I'm tired just reading back over that list.  However, you may notice that there aren't really all that many projects, just a few projects fitting into several goals.  That's smart, I reckon.

Now for my non stitching goals.

1.    READ A BOOK

Any book.  Just read a book.

2.    TRY A NEW RECIPE

This is always fun, as I never know what recipe I will try.

3.    FRIDAY FUN DAY

Likewise, we never know what we will end up doing.  It is a day that we really look forward to.

4.    MOTORCYCLE RIDE

We only commented today that we really need to get out on the bike.  We haven't been for a ride for ages.  If the weather isn't too hot this month we may try to go for a ride somewhere.

5.    WEEKEND AWAY IN THE CARAVAN

    

I know now that this won't be happening.  However, we do have some trips lined up in the not too distant future, so they are something to look forward to, so long as travel restrictions stay as they are now.  Fingers crossed.

Now, I'd better get a wriggle on and get started.  

Our Non Stitching Goals for January

As usual, I had a few non stitching goals in January as well, as I set out here.

Here is how we went:

1. READ A BOOK

I smashed this one.  I read four!

Firstly, I decided to read the final Maigret book, so that I can get them packed away to pass on to someone else.  They are a quick little light hearted read.

Next, I came across Cedar Valley by Holly Throsby at a garage sale.  I had read about it, so was keen to see what it was like.  It was intriguing, rather than gripping and I found the ending a little unsatisfactory.  I then read some reviews and it appears that I'm not the only one who felt that way.  Mick has just started reading it, so I will be keen to hear his thoughts once he has finished.

Then, wouldn't you know it, I came across another Maigret book in an op shop, also as a vintage Penguin, so of course it had to come home.  It didn't take long to read either.

Now I have my little collection ready to pass on.

The final book I read was "The Lost Man" by Jane Harper, the author of "The Dry".  I have read "The Dry" twice, but we are yet to see the movie.  I found this book in an op shop when we were in Orange on Friday.  I was rather happy to find it, as it is one I was keen to read. After we returned home from our drive, we both sat out on the back verandah and read a book from cover to cover in one sitting.  I loved this book.  She is such a great story teller.  Mick hasn't got to it as yet, but I know he will also love it.  Now I have to find her other books.  Yes, I could buy them new or go to the library, but we enjoy the hunt.

2.    TRY A NEW RECIPE

I smashed this one too.  I don't have any photos to share, but tried several new recipes.  My cousin gave us a nice marinated lamb recipe, which we tried on Australia Day, when we had the neighbours over for a barbie in the evening. Fiona from Bubz Rugz sent me a recipe for Ratatouille and Halloumi Bake, which was also delicious.  I have decided to start with Weight Watchers again, as quite a few of the kilos I lost have found me again - maybe COVID baking has something to do with that - and I have tried a few of their recipes, some will make it into our everyday rotation, while others won't.  It has all been a bit of fun.

3.    FRIDAY FUNDAY

Yes, we had our day out to Orange.  We never know if this will happen or not, or what it may end up being, but I can say that we did enjoy our little outing in January.

4.    MOTORCYCLE RIDE

We didn't really expect this to take place, as we don't particularly enjoy riding in the heat, so we are not surprised that the bikes stayed in the shed.

5.    WEEKEND AWAY IN THE CARAVAN

No, this didn't happen either, but we didn't expect that it would, what with school holidays and the COVID situation during the month.

So, a couple of failures, but plenty of wins.  

We may not have had time on the bikes or with the caravan, but we did go out to Oberon Dam so that Mick could take the kayak out for a spin with the new motor and pretend to try to catch a fish.  No, he didn't catch any, just took the fishing rod for a ride around the dam.

We were surprised when an actual yacht rounded a headland of the dam and parked for a fish and swim.  There was also a little trimaran which had pedal power as well as a sail.  Rather ingenious.

Mick likes taking the kayak out to this dam, as there are lots of interesting rocks and bays.  The water level is still really low, despite the drought having pretty much broken in the area.  It is still at only 32.3% of capacity.  I suppose, as Oberon is very high in the Central Tablelands there isn't a great deal of area for water to run off from that is higher.

While Mick cruised around I was going to stitch.  However, I also took a book out and ended up sitting in the shade reading.  It was a rather relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

January is usually a nice and leisurely month and this year was no exception.  We did enjoy ourselves.