seeing red

christmas stuff has disappeared and it's valentines everywhere....so whipped up this little fabric box for a possible workshop...

then it was on to the rainbow scrap challenge for january, also red.  decided to make 4 blocks every month that'll give me a total of 40 at year's end.  the pattern chosen is a bonnie hunter pattern that i've not seen done anywhere...it's crayon box, fitting for a challenge that uses crayon colors.  

and have you made any houses yet?  got 2 done with 2 more to go...with my scraps could make several entire quilts but UFOs are beckoning....

knowing what it's like to be completely displaced from home and goods, my heart goes out to these fire victims and happy to do what i can and spread the word.  i never suffered thru a fire, which has to be so much worse...another day of overflowing blessings!

new year, new quilt, new PIF

got all my 2019 calendars up....this is susan branch's yearly offering.  she is a wonderfully talented watercolorist who lives on martha's vineyard and california (a new england transplant).  warning, be careful when you visit her website for you will be tempted beyond your credit limit...LOL!

and just before 2019 arrived, finished my postage stamp quilt!   have yet to trim all the ties but it's done and on the bed, waiting for its inaugural sleep.  a great feeling it is to finish a long-term project, meaning years i hauled around those small pieces, always cutting up more for this day.  and now i don't have to cut up any more that size...win/win!

and with the new year comes a new opportunity to pay it forward.  you remember lori of humble quilts?  she posted a photo on her blog of a quilt shop owner who is collecting house-theme blocks to make into quilts for fire victims.  lori offered these directions for a quick block, 10" finished, that won't take a bit of your time today while you make plans for the year ahead!

this uses 2.5" strips and i'll "see" if can rustle any up....do you think?  this was karma indeed as my plan for the RSC was to hack away at this overflowing bin of 2.5" strips.....

hoping to reduce these with planned projects and whittle this pile down significantly....now that the postage stamp is done, turning my attention to finishing up the red/cheddar donation quilt that needs to be out of here before the month is over.  quilters, to your machines!

2018 tally

first of all...closest thing to a tiara i own, but the sentiment is real!  one of my tasks today is to make a hair appointment....about time!

spent sunday tying my postage stamp quilt, binding today, will be close but hoping to finish before midnight.  progress for 2018 was good considering my slow start.  my frankenbatt bag is nearly empty...

as far as UFOs go, managed to knock off only 6 (postage stamp will be 7)...eeeks....with 14 new projects started aka  UFOs for 2019.   regarding stash, due to generous donations, ended the year with acquiring 96 yards but used up only 29 1/4 yards...not counting the postage stamp that will give close to a 60 yard gain.  so even though i personally lost weight this year, the stash is now considered morbidly obese...LOL!  a few big finishes for the coming year will go a long way to slimming it down.  my charity efforts will ramp up slightly the beginning of 2019 but don't intend to let them get out of control like last year.  ***   a rainy new year's eve but the christmas tree lights are cheery....plenty of sewing to do and no real household tasks pressing....as always, delighted to have another day to bask in the love of my family, to love them back and spend time sewing up a storm....happy new year to all!