Goals, Not Resolutions

Yvonne over at QuiltingJetgirl  is having a Linky party and give away for those posting their goals for 2017.

I read many of the posts. Some are quite detailed in their plans and goals, and I am impressed with what they desire to accomplish. Me, I am just going the easy route. My goals for 2017 are:

• Complete one UFO per month - a completion of a top to flimsy stage qualifies as a completion.
• Follow through on any projects I start in 2017 - no new UFOs.

So that is it....short and simple. Not resolutions, but goals.  And I am linking up here  :

2017 Planning Party

 

This morning I am spending some couch time with my Buddy.

 

And watching the pack enjoy some playtime together.

 

Love my fur babies.

A little more knitting is happening...

 

I am loving this cotton yarn from 

Knit Picks.  I find it much nicer than Peaches & Cream or the other dishcloth cottons which I normally buy at Joann's or Michael's.

This evening I will have a nice dinner with hubby and spend some time with friends.

Hope you have a happy and safe NY.

Take Care,

Jennie

Slipping Away

Yes, December and 2016 are quickly slipping away.  It has been a difficult month and year, and yet good ones. I have intended to blog, but the time has simply slipped through my fingers. Thanks, Lauren, for giving me a gentle nudge.

 

My brother in law passed away on the 18th, leaving my sister, his wife of 61 years, a widow. 

 

Their family at Thanksgiving.

On a happier note, Rob had a clear MRI the week before Christmas. A clear reason for praise and celebration.

 

Here he is getting his infusion and watching UGA football today.

Macy's cheer team is doing great in competition...

 

Mattie came home from school...

 

  

 

She was an exhausted and happy girl.

I got to stand in at a Christmas Mother Daughter luncheon with this sweet girl...

 

And hear Robert and Sara Ashley sing at O Holy Night...

 

It was bittersweet knowing that this would be the last time Robert performs in this beautiful service....hard to believe he will be in college next year.

About the only stitching I have done were these cushions for Macy and Jackson's window seats.

 

A single Lucy Boston Block 

 

And a gazillion knit face cloths and dish cloths.

I am looking forward to 2017, knowing it will be filled with hope, love and promise.  Oh, I know it won't all be easy, but I know who walks with me. There will be no resolutions, but there are things that I hope to see happen. And I will be here to share with my blogging friends!

Happy New Year to all!!

 

 Take Care,

Jennie 

RIP Roxie

Yesterday we said "goodbye until we meet again",to our sassy, feisty Roxie.

 

There is that empty, sad feeling deep in your heart ...even though you know it is the right thing.

 

Roxie was vocal and assertive. Almost catlike in her desire to be independent.  There was never any question about what she wanted.

She and her brother, Rascal, came to us as wild rescues at the age of four months and they gave us a run for our money. But they were worth it all.

 

She will be sorely missed, but we were so blessed to have had her in our lives all of these  years.

 

 

 

 

 

Take Care,

Jennie

Next....

Next should be finishing up the last few Magic of Christmas blocks, but I really need a break from them. So, in keeping with the season, I am moving on to Cozy Christmas.

I have completed 4 blocks and have the appliqué completed on two more. Today I prepped the remaining six appliqués. They are pretty quick stitches.

 

And I marked everything to finish the remaining flying geese and half square triangles.

 

Everything is cut. Think I will order CC flannel for the backing from FQS using my Sew Sampler discount. I have never used a flannel backing...do you need to wash it first? I don't prewash any of my other fabrics.

As I was putting away my fall decor, I realized I hadn't shared this little cross stitch door hanger that I finished in time to decorate for Halloween.

 

My old eyes don't cooperate with much cross stitch, but this one...from Fall PNPS Mag, pattern by Theresa Meloon...was a simple and quick stitch. I like the way it turned out.

Blogger friend Lauren  recently gifted me with this wonderful Antique Paisley Strawberry pinkeep that she crafted.

 Isn't it to die for? Thank you Lauren!!  Be sure to visit her blog, 

Pugs and Rugs and see her lovely rugs and enviable collections.

 

Sara Ashley counties to love hunting with her dad. She knows not to show me photos of her kill :-(

From Bonnie Hunter...

 

Take Care,

Jennie 

More Lucy

Another Lucy block...

 

Just maybe, only three to go...happy dance!!

And a few of the joining blocks.

 

Not sure how many of these I have or how many I need. At least I have a start.

I have also been squeezing a few Wild and Gooseys in...they are so much fun.

 

This week we celebrated Matt's birthday.

 

A few days late, but the spirit of the day was still present.

 

This tiny little gal loves cheer. Not only is she on her regular team, but is also a flyer on the senior team!! Yay Macy!!

 Robert's first visit to UGA since being accepted as an incoming freshman for Fall 2017....inconsolable after a Dawg loss to Tech.

 

Take Care,

Jennie 

Goal Attained

My goal to finish the borders on Cathedral Stars before the weekend ended came to fruition this afternoon. I had stared at that quilt top long enough, and had determined it would not become a UFO!

 

There is nothing in the stash suitable for the backing, so I will indulge myself and get a 108" backing that I won't have to piece. And then, another one will head off to be quilted.

I returned to Lucy for my Slow Stitching Sunday. Actually, it was gluing the papers in the background fabric, but I think that counts.

 

I need to prep the background for four more blocks...96 elongated hexies. 

Linking up with Kathy at

Slow Sunday Stitching.

Christi and Sara Ashley enjoying the GA game...even though the Dawgs lost.

 

Hope to go see Mattie and work with her this week. Wish I could figure out how to add her videos. She is really making progress.

 

Take Care,

Jennie 

A Flimsy Finish

Festive Forest is a flimsy now. 

 

The backing and binding are made and it is ready to go to be quilted. I am good to wait for it to be quilted later. It will give me a new holiday quilt for next year. I don't normally keep up with this sort of thing, but I used 6 1/2 yards from stash for the backing, binding and tree trunks. It was nice to be able to do that.

Here is another Lucy all finished...

 

I was given a new sourdough recipe....

 It produces a lovely soft loaf...actually 2-3 depending on the size. Most of my sourdough recipes produce more of an artisan loaf, which is also good. But this is a nice change. My family didn't bake loaves of bread, so to me there is something magical about a loaf of bread fresh from the oven. 

Tomorrow I hope to get the final borders on Cathedral Stars. That will give me two flimsies finished in a week. A record for me. I am feeling successful!!!

My old Roxie is declining. It is hard to see this strong willed girl failing. 

 

She is not so steady on her feet and refuses her dog food, preferring baked chicken, hand fed to her instead. She does continue to take walks in the yard and ask for her treats. It is not easy, but we love her and try to keep quality in mind.

I am so grateful for the women of my family for sharing their love of making things with me.

 Take Care,

Jennie 

A Bit British

Tonight I am watching....

 

The Crown on Netflix.

So I thought a little attention to Lucy Boston

was appropriate ....

 

Hopefully only four more to go after this one...assuming they all play well together.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Take Care,

Jennie 

Just What I Needed

Sometimes you really need a project that is fun, easy and provides relatively quick gratification. That is where I was after laboring to play catchup on the MOC blocks. This project fills the bill....

 

Festive Forest is proving to be a fun and simple stitch. Between errands and chores, I have assembled all of the tree units today...and I'm loving the results. Hopefully I can squeeze in some more stitching time tomorrow.

To top that off, today was one of my favorite days of the month.....

 

Yep, Sew Sampler from the Fat Quarter Shop!

 

What a deal!! They get better every month.

So true....

 

Take Care,

Jennie