It’s the first Friday of the month and it’s time to see what I’ve been up to – besides what you see on the blog! I’ll also give you a peak at what’s coming up this month. Today is an extra special day because I’ll also be announcing the winner of the Quilted Charm Tote prize pack. That will be at the bottom of the post if you want to check it out first!
This post is coming out about an hour later than usual! I’m still sorting out problems with my pictures. It’s really making things take way too long, but I think I may have figured out what’s going on. Time will tell!
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QAL’s for 2017
Last month I showed you some QAL’s I still needed to finish up from last year. I did manage to finish all the blocks for the Crossroads QAL from the Fat Quarter Shop. However, I need to buy more fabric to do the sashing, borders, and backing. Such a chore to have to go to the fabric store! Said no sewer ever! 😉
I didn’t make any progress on the Seminole Sampler from Morning Glory Designs or the Murder Mystery QAL from Whipstitch. I also decided to turn the blocks completed from My Secret Garden MBOM from Pat Sloan into large throw pillows. More to come later!
Here’s what I have going so far towards the QAL’s I’m following this year. I’m following more than I thought I would be, but it’s hard to resist them!
Down the Rabbit Hole from Sarah Fielke ~> The first portion of this was released on the 31st. I decided to use the fabric I won from the Alison Glass link party for this quilt, so I won’t start anything on it until it arrives.
Kathryn Kerr’s 365 Challenge ~> I have all of the blocks done for January, but that’s a little bit of a cheat! I did them last year! 🙂 The pieces for February are all cut out and they’re all mixed up. 🙁 Since I thought I wouldn’t be doing it, I took all my labels off. I will have to sort them out to be able to sew my blocks. At least they are cut out!
Quilting Life BOM from A Quilting Life ~> I haven’t sewn the first block, but it’s cut out! This is a Riley Blake fabric line – Apricot & Persimmon. My fabric came from Craftsy, but it’s no longer available there. The link takes you to an Etsy shop that has it in stock.
Have a Jolly Little Christmas from Sew Fresh Quilts ~> I really, really want a Christmas quilt, so this QAL is perfect! I’m not loving the fabric I’m using, but it’s the only Christmas fabric I have. I may be finding something else for this!
Milky Way Sampler QAL from Blossom Heart Quilts ~> Well, here’s half of the first two blocks! I really love the colors in this. Just hope I can find some more or similar background fabric! It’s perfect, but I don’t have enough. 🙁
The Children’s Library MBOM from Pat Sloan ~> This fabric is some of my very favorite! It’s called Wonderland and it’s designed by Katarina Roccella. I’ve got January’s and February’s blocks cut out, just not sewn yet.
The Scrappy Stashbuster Club from Intrepid Thread ~> These blocks are going to help me clean out some of my scraps! I really did a poor job matching things up on this block. Since I really like the colors I used, I just squared it off and will be keeping it. I plan to use different colorways for each month.
Designer of the Month from Aurifil ~> Aurifil is going around the color wheel for this year’s DOM. January’s color is blue – in case you can’t tell from my block! I’m not going to embroider the details on the cat, I like just the silhouette. He does need to be stitched down still.
Monthly Mini Quilts from Sew Can She ~> Y’all I think I’m a little addicted to mini-charm packs now! The Fat Quarter Shop keeps having flash sales on them, so I think they’re to blame! I didn’t put a binding on this because I’m still not sure if I want too. These will be hanging on my wall eventually and I’m kinda digging the raw edges. Maybe I’ll go over them with the pinking shears.
I also signed up for another year of the Murder Mystery QAL, but I’ve yet to decide what the colors will be. Last year was just sort of random.
Other Quilty News
I wanted to wait until this was quilted and bound to show it, but I just can’t! I’m so glad to be almost done with this and I know the recipient is too. This is a baby gift and will hand on the nursery wall. What started out as inspiration turned into a very labor intensive quilt for me. I cut and stitched down all the “splashes” one at a time. The elephant is made of patched fabrics and special stitches to give him a crazy quilt kind of feel. I’ll post a better picture when it’s complete.
Labyrinth Quilt and Stitch Along from Fandom in Stitches ~> Here’s my latest test subject for this quilt along. This worm is one of my favorite characters from the movie! My embroidery needs some improving. :p Just look for patterns tested by “Kristie Hudson Cook” to see others I have tested.
CAL’s for 2017
I’ve only committed to a couple CAL’s this year. There are still some I need to finish up from last year lingering around! Plus, I want to learn to knit this year and part of my crochet time will be dedicated to that.
Moorland Blanket CAL from Attic24 ~> I loved the colorway of this blanket so much, I ordered the yarn pack from Wool Warehouse! It had to come all the way from the United Kingdom, so I got a late start. The flow of the stitches is really easy, but it looks wonderful!
Tunisian Crochet Monthly Dishcloth from Petals to Picots ~> For me, this is a step closer to knitting! It’s really slow going because holding the hook is awkward for me. My hands are trained crochet machines! Not much to show, but it’s a WIP!
Check out my Pinterest board QAL’s, CAL’s, and BOM’s for more things to follow!
Other Crochet News
This is my first completed crochet of 2017. I tested a pattern for on of my Instagram friends and I love it! Unfortunately, I made it with an alpaca based yarn and I think I’m allergic! It’s very itchy when I wear it. The pattern designer is Lynda Huckson and you can find her patterns and makes at her Etsy site Little Mouse Crochet UK.
I’m kinda in love with this beanie even though I rarely wear hats. The texture is awesome! It’s called the Snowdrift Slouch Hat and the pattern is free over at Little Monkeys Crochet.
Coming Up on the Blog and News
This month is all about love! Who says it has to be just on Valentine’s Day? I’ve got some great projects and recipes coming up that I just know y’all will love!
- Utensil Organizer ~ Y’all my utensils are taking over my counter space and it is very limited! I’ll be turning the items in the picture into a utensil organizer for the wall. Stay tuned!
- My mantle shelf will be getting a Valentine makeover next week. I’ll be taking another piece of metal flashing to make something “heart felt”! Check out this post to see the feather I made.
- There is a Quiltcon happening in Savannah, GA later this month! I’m hoping to get to go, but not sure yet. I’ll post plenty of pictures if I do!
- Find out what one of my families favorite meals is. Recipe will be included!
Giveaway Winner
Okay, now for what I know y’all have all been waiting for! Without further ado the winner of the quilted charm tote and prize pack is….
~>~>~> JANICE <~<~<~
Congratulations!! Janice, I’ll be sending you an email this evening to confirm shipping details and which bag you want. Here’s pictures of the choices again. I”ve still got to sew the handles and join everything for two of them, but the pictures will show you the quilted pattern and lining.
Drafting Pattern ~
Dot to Dot ~
Floating Floral~
These posts certainly remind me that I’ve accomplished more in the month than I think I did! I hope y’all have a great weekend and I’ll see y’all Monday!
