Christmas 2019 Projects

Two of the after Christmas goodies that I bought were these two felt stocking kits.   Normally for kids, I thought they'd make cute "gift wrapping" for little goodies that I'll purchase over the year for a swap that I'm in.

The kits were designed for kids to glue them together but I did a simple straight stitch on them.

First up was Santa.  I substituted buttons for the snowflakes, eyes and nose. 

Then came the snowman.  I didn't like the string of lights at the top so left it off.   Then again substituted teeny buttons for the 1/4" felt circles used for the snowflakes, eyes and buttons on the snowman.

These will now go into my quilting tote where they will be ready for me to put my shoebox together in November of this year.  I'm happy to say that these won't end up in never-never land where all my other kits are.


Gratitudes:
1. Platelets are up, albeit way too high now.  Time will tell how long they take to settle down.

2. Meeting with a friend (my realtor) tomorrow about the first commission of the year.

2019 Plans and Goals

I've finally laid out at least the basics of what I want/need to get done this year.  Basic categories that I'm using this year are below, along with a few of the things that already have due dates or are started.

To look at what all is on the list, go to the 2019 plans/goals  page on the blog.


Donations / Gifts
Hands 2 Help - Last Years Row by Row quilt - due in the spring
5 Quilts for Campfire Victim Family - 4 kids, 1 adult, Hopefully by Feb.

Publication Possibilities

UFO's

Commissions
Memory pillows (~15) - Meeting with customer this weekend

Swaps
MQG Mini Swap Quilt, due mid-February - Designed, ready to start sewing
F2F blocks - due end of January & end of February -
           Fabric purchased some block designs decided on

BOM
Remaining Military Bears
Figure out what to do about posting / hosting patterns and for selling them
Next up?

Challenges/My Quilts
Stretching Art 20th Anniversary, due end of Feb. - Being quilted

Scrappy Quilts


Studio
Sort thru and downsize in craft room -
        totes are labeled (generally) - being sorted through and contents downsized now

For Sale
Etsy Listings - Passport Wallets
Ebay Listings


Gratitudes:

1. For the commissioned work that is starting to come in this year

2. For the knowledge that what I end up owing after the time in the hospital should be doable, altho it will take a while to pay off.

Fabric decisions

First choice I need to make is what fabric to use as binding for my quilted London tea towel quilt.

I have two choices if I don't add an additional fabric to the quilt - I can use the leftover cream tonals shown at the bottom.   This would lead to a binding that will blend with the final border and background of the quilt.

Or I can use the tan print shown at the upper left.   This would place a "stop" at the edge of the quilt.   this fabric was used in some of the blocks in the quilt.

I can't decide which I like better.......any ideas or opinions?

The second fabric decision I'm debating on is which of three fabrics to use as background with these print fabrics.  Finished product will be a mini quilt.   Top one is a light silvery grey Kona, the middle is a cream/white mottled tone-on-tone fabric, and the bottom is a taupe sateen.   Prints are various African Shweshwe fabrics.   I think I'm leaning towards the silvery grey, but no firm decision yet.   Any opinions?


Gratitudes:

1. Headache tonite isn't as bad as over the weekend.

2. I've got a follow up appt for thursday with my hematologist.  Hoping for good news!

Arizona Shopping, part 2

While in Arizona I shopped some of the Christmas clearance sales at Joann's and Hobby Lobby.  And found some goodies that will make appearances in future projects along with tutorials.  Gotta love it when you can find goodies at 75-90% off of retail.

First up is this gift card tin that looks like a spool of thread.   I've an idea for repurposing is and will post more on that....first I need to find my felt (or buy more...lol) so I can attempt the idea.

Then came these little cross-stitch kits.  Eventually these will end up as gifts for someone.

I'm always looking for things that I can use to embellish quilted postcards.   These are a couple of packages of aluminum ornaments meant to be strung on a twine garland that Joann's was selling this year.  But I think they will be great on a Christmas postcard, or winter postcard.  The ornament on the right will most likely end up on a card as well.

I've used large silk poinsettia flowers before on postcards, but until this winter had not been able to find any small ones.  5 cards of them came home with me this year.   The flowers will need some disassembling from their current state to be usable, but that shouldn't be hard.  I'll find some silver and gold buttons to use for the centers on the flowers.

And I've an idea for the bells on flower stems that I'm looking forward to trying as well.

I found these embellishments at Hobby Lobby.  They too will end up on quilted postcards at some point.

These kits from Joann's were too cute to resist and will be used as "gift wrap" for future Christmas gifts.  The kits have glue in them because they are meant for kids to make, but I'll do a quick stitch on them to put them together.


Gratitudes:

1. That while I may be surprised by things that happen with my health and other issues, God is always in control and is never surprised.

2. All the bruises from the hospital stay are starting to fade.....a good thing after feeling like a human pincushion!

Military Bear BOM - Delayed

The next block for the Military Teddy Bear BOM will be delayed until February because of all the hoopla with the Craftsy debacle, my vacation in December and an unexpected trip to the hospital last week for me.

Thanks in advance for everyone's patience!

Moira

Arizona Shopping, Part 1

While on Vacation in Arizona I did a wee bit of shopping.

I found this etched glass bowl at a second hand store that I'm considering turning into a pincushion.

These two layer cakes by Michael Miller fabrics were found at a great price at Tuesday Morning.  

 These are both Michael Miller fabrics that I found on the bolt at one of my fav fabric stores in the Phoenix area.  And I got them for the great price of $3.99/yd.   These will be used for the next time I need a backing for a MM contest.
















These lovely little scissors were found at the same store as the Michael Miller yardage.  Most will end up as gifts somewhere along the way.

Two pieces of quilting cottons, one that will end up in a little purse or a passport wallet.   And the other is a lovely neutral.

And two batiks, one for my stash, one piece for a gift.

Gratitudes:

1. For safe travels on my vacation.

2. For the swift treatment of my platelets this week, including the night in the hospital.