Tuesday 28 February 2023

February Wrap Up

It seems only yesterday that it was the start of the month and I had ages to complete everything that I wanted to.  In some ways, I achieved much more than I expected at the start of the month, as we were supposed to be in New Zealand.  On the other hand, when that fell through, I had grand plans in the back of my mind.  Some were achieved, others will be carried over to the future.

So what did I get done?

ONE MONTHLY GOAL
My goal was just to have my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks made.  A minimal goal, as we were were supposed to be travelling. That was completed in the first couple of days.

I’ll link up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over to see what the other ladies got up to.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

See above.

HAND STITCHING

I had hoped to make a small start on the second EPP borders on the Blue Quilt.  
I far exceeded expectations on this front, completing the second borders and being over half way done on the Dresden sections.  That was definitely a win for the month.

However, I didn't spend any time with my cross stitch kitten in February.  I'm not too worried.  There is no deadline and I have to be in the right mood for this one.  It will happen, all in good time.

15 MINUTES A DAY
I am really happy with how this is going too.  I missed just one day in the month, so my figures to date are:

15 minutes day/February = 27/28
15 minutes days in 2023 = 57/59
Success rate = 96.61%

I am very happy with that.

Pop over to Kate at Life in Pieces to see how the other ladies went.

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS
Not so much stitching during the evening, but a couple of hours in the morning made up for it.

Thanks to Cheryll for making this possible.
I have some other regular goals that weren't mentioned at the start of February, but I did try to work on.  I seem to have so many goals each month, which probably accounts for me flitting from one project to another all the time.  At least I can't get bored with anything.

UFO/WIP
This is where the Twister Quilt comes in.  Borders added.
Also, the bibs have been completed.
As well, I finished off some little butterfly magnets that have been hanging around for quite some time.

DONATION PROJECT
The little premmie baby quilt fits this bill, as do the  bibs.

LEADER AND ENDER PROJECT

I did fall down on this one.  Not much was done.  I need to get more fabric prepped.

KNITTING OR CROCHET
A little crochet happened, but has stalled at this stage.
I'm off and running again on my scarf, which is very enjoyable.  It is so lovely and soft and light.

ONE FINISH A MONTH

Exceeded, although they are all small projects.  The premmie baby quilt, bibs and butterflies.  Still, better than nothing.

USE MONIQUE.

A big fat fail.  Next month.

STOP PRESS
After initially preparing this post I went into the sewing room and put another baby quilt together.  It is rather cute.  Now I have something to practise quilting on.


Now on to the non stitching goals, which weren't mentioned at the start of the month.

READ A BOOK
Yes, I did read two.

TRY A NEW RECIPE
That only took place today.  We made another batch of tomato sauce.  I've only ever made Grandma's recipe and it is really dark, made with brown sugar, malt vinegar and lots of spices.  It has quite a bite to it.  We wanted to try to make a more traditional red tomato sauce.  We found a recipe in the Trunkey Creek School cookbook.  The ladies out in that small village are known for their excellent country cooking.  The recipe uses white vinegar, white sugar and only has cloves and cayenne pepper for the spices.  The taste is quite different - less spicy and sweeter - and it is red.  It will be nice to have the different varieties to use.
They look quite different, don't they.

HAVE A FUN DAY OUT

We ticked that box several times.  February sees the start of so many community events, as the weather is generally stable and will now start to cool down a bit.
Oh, and yesterday we went out to a mate’s place and picked some blackberries.  We had hoped to get enough for jam, but they weren’t all that good.  Despite all the rain we received at the start of the year, February has been rather dry and therefore the berries were rather small.  We did get enough to have a few with pancakes or in a breakfast parfait.  Just a nice taste.

There was also the little market I went to and fishing at Oberon Dam.

We were out and about quite a bit.  Such fun.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE

No, not as such.  Just Mick taking the bikes into the show.  It is too hot for pleasant riding at this time of the year.

USE THE CARAVAN

No, and we didn't expect to.

WALK

I've eased up on this.  Slack!  I need to ramp it up again.

So, that wraps up February.  A month that ended up being very different to what we originally expected, but enjoyable just the same.

9 comments:

Karen's Korner said...

How did you find time to go to work????? So many achievements both in and out of the sewing room. I was interested to read your comments about the snaps. I have trouble with those plastic snaps....I am convinced that it must be me that is the problem as others find them very easy. I found that they sometimes pull out after a couple of uses. I now use velcro as the closure on the bibs that I made.

Maria said...

After cancelling your NZ you sure kept very busy for February…
Cute donation finishes…

Cheryll said...

Well you certainly kept yourself busy & out of trouble by the looks of this post. You'll remember February fondly I'm sure...xox

jude's page said...

I'm with Karen, how did you ever have time to go to work? Looking foward to hearing you spend time with Monique!

loulee said...

Turns out it's a good thing you didn't head over here. You'd have gotten very wet. I still took my few days off this weekend and shall sit n stitch.
You made a busy month of it, lots happening as always. Happy March.

Jenny said...

Seeing everything listed just shows what a busy month you had! I rather like the design of your new little baby quilt, I just may have to copy that one if you dont mind.

Fiona said...

You got through quite a heap of things last month.... thats a cute baby quilt to practice on

Hugz

cityquilter grace said...

wow a whole lot of everything going on! the first year i was fully retired, i sewed like a madwoman...every day, all day. you sure crammed a whole lot of everything into the shortest month!

Anne-Marie said...

You had such an amazing month. Wow!