After Christmas sewing

  Christmas Irish Chain/9-patch

I started this a few days before Christmas, just to give me something Holiday-ish to work on once gifts were completed.  I got it put together yesterday and it is ready to quilt once I have a backing for it.
It is lap size so I will get some nice flannel for the back so it can be used for cuddling. 

I have some very lofty goals this year for quilting, one of which is to try to do a Christmas gift item every month.  That is the goal that will be left in the dust very soon, I am sure, but it would help me out so much when Christmas comes!


 

Up closer, so you can see some of the scraps used.  I have a few more  quilts in mind with these squares.  I have plenty of them!

Step 3 of the Frolic Mystery. 
I am skipping step 4 for now because I want to see how those quarter square triangles will be used. before I cut them.  It also might be a step that I end up simplifying for the quilt, we will see.  I love Bonnie's quilts but they are very hard for me to stay focused on with all their small pieces.  I have a bunch started that haven't been finished.  Maybe if I simplify this one a little, it will see a finish this year.

Orca Bay is one that is high on my finish list this year. 

Step 5 is done except I am 10 squares short and ran out of grey.  Off to the fabric store tomorrow, I guess. 
I also started a Star Wars scrap quilt that I need some white and grey for so it will be a necessary trip for sure. 

Also accomplished today, the layout for my daughter's "Ghastlies" quilt.  I do not have enough fabric to complete the borders though so that will also be a trip to the fabric store soon.  Cutting to commence soon. 


Look at all I can accomplish when I have vacation and am home alone.  I even did an hour on the elliptical yesterday- none today. 

Hope you all are feeling accomplished and doing what you love as the new year approaches.  This is the LAST FRIDAY OF 2019!

Midweek update

Here is where I am with the Frolic Mystery- again, not committed yet but you gotta have something to do when you can't sleep.  So, if I end up completing this quilt, it might be called "Insomnia".

Here's the majority of my cookie baking crew, all decked out and only slightly messy at this point.  It was a great time with family that I don't get much of anymore.  Treasured moments for sure!

Here are the pajamas for PJ day at school this week.  I made the shirt with my Cricut and the pants are warm and fuzzy.  Fun to wear!
Yesterday was flannel day and today is Christmas hat and sock day.  The fun goes on all week, trying to motivate students before they take finals next week.

Made a little progress on my Neat Ripple afghan.  The pattern is from Attic 24.  LOVE HER!  But I don't know how she makes such fast progress on her crochet.  It took me about 2.5 hours for 4.5 rows.

Hard to see but the above are the results of my GoodReads reading challenge for 2019.  40 books so far this year and still counting.

And, the solar panels have been installed but await the inspector's approval before they can come in to use.  I'm less than thrilled with the appearance but hopefully our cooling bill this summer will make up for it!

Gratitudes to get me through the week:  2 great kids who are working hard on college finals, a lovely home to keep us warm and cozy, an amazing spouse who puts up with all my craziness and crafts, Secret Santa week at work to remind us all what is most important- making others smile!  Being healthy enough to worry about getting healthier, canine companions who have been devoted friends for many years and will be greatly missed when they are gone which is almost certain to happen for a couple of them in 2020, a fresh new year on the horizon.  And lots of quilting a crochet projects to keep me busy!

Happy Hump Day!