Resolve

I have come to realize that I am sorely lacking in resolve. The online dictionary defines resolve as “Firm determination to do something”.  I cannot tell you how many times I have resolved to not have so many projects in the works. Obviously my resolve is overpowered by the lure of new fabrics, favorite patterns and intriguing techniques. I continually fall down the rabbit hole of internet shopping, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. All of this to say that, yes, I have been sucked down once more.

I had resolved that I would not be tempted by any of the holiday quilt alongs. Too many irons in the fire, you know. And when 

Temecula Quilt Company came out with their Secret Santa Sew Along, I knew it would be cute, but I passed it by. Didn’t even so much as glance at the steps as they posted on their blog. And then one sleepless night in the wee morning hours, I saw someone’s post with the finished product....

And before I knew it, there were stacks of fabric in reds, greens and creams (all from stash, mind you),waiting on the cutting table for yet another start. Resolve, out the door you go once more.

On a brighter note, Step Five of the six steps is cut and ready to stitch.

Month Two of Pretty Priscilla was completed....

Just in time!

This arrived in the mail the very next day!

I am really loving the fabric choices and the inviting presentation of this BOM from Pretty Fabrics and Trims.

Poor little Casper was attacked by a neighbor’s dog last week (yes, our county does have a leash law and our dogs stay contained with an invisible fence). He had to have sutures in his ear and was pretty pitiful.

Thank goodness it wasn’t worse. He is healing nicely and back to his perky little self.

Time to get ready for our annual Happy Hookers Christmas Party at Kathie’s. Hope all of you are having a great week.

From Bonnie Hunter...

Take Care,

Jennie 

Alas, The Reveal

Today is the day for the reveal of the FQS Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt. 

Mine in progress.

I chose beautiful blues and tans from Laundry Basket Quilts.

It goes beautifully in my family room.

It was simple and easy to make.

Next to get it quilted!!

Thanks FQS for the opportunity to make this quilt.

Take Care,

Jennie 

Post Thanksgiving Blogpost

Much has transpired since my last post. Life continues to be busier than I ever expected, and sometimes more so than I would wish. Today has been a lovely day of rest, with naps and a bit of stitching involved.

The Linda Brannock Flowers QAL with my Prim Folkart group is drawing to a close. I have one appliqué Block to complete before the end of the month. Because I had fallen miserably behind, I have already completed three blocks this month in addition to making the remainder of the half square setting triangles.

This pic doesn’t show where I am now, but is close. I can possibly get the final appliqué Block done by the end of the month. If I do, completing the setting should be a breeze. Then in December I will add the border.

I started the Milkweed BOM through Homestead Hearth last month. The pattern is by Michelle McKillop of the Jen Kingwell Collective. 

It is a bit different from anything I have done before and I love it. Michelle has used vintage embroidered linens in hers, and though HH doesn’t provide them, I have plundered my collection and will add them also. It was one of the things that drew me to this quilt.

I won’t add them to the edge units, as you can see above.

I also started Pretty Priscilla, an EPP project from Sara Edgar Pretty Fabrics and Trims. Here are the first four blocks....

Love her fabric selections. I am working on the next four today....

And since I really needed another EPP project, I took a class from Mary Lou at InTown Quilters and Yarns last weekend. The class was a take off on the traditional Nosegay quilt block using modern fabrics, and was dubbed Wildflower Bouquet.

My block uses Moda grunge dots for the vase and a variety of Kaffe’s for the flowers. I can tell that I will be making more of these. After all, I have a layer cake of assorted Moda grunge dots....lol.

We will finally post our Fat Eighth Quilts for the Fat Quarter Shop on the 28th. Seems there was an issue with fabric delivery at their end. 

The Grady Lunch Bunch girls drove to Newnan last week for our monthly get together. We enjoyed a great meal at Sprayberry’s and never stopped talking.

Our little man is settling in nicely with his new family.

And loves sharing his dad’s lap.

Hope that all of you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Take Care,

Jennie

On the Design Wall

The blocks for the FQS Fat Eighth Fruitcake Stitch Along are all done....

And on the design wall, ready for fruit basket turnover.

Hope to get them assembled tomorrow and borders attached. The big reveal will be October 23rd. Keep an eye out on the FQS blog for this event!!

I finished up this cone of Auriful thread last week. That’s a lot of stitching.

Had fun at our annual Crafter’s Retreat at Sweetbriar Ridge Crafter’s Retreat cabin.

 Our group project was these cute Christmas trees...

Thank you, Jill.
I worked on this EPP project.....

And got this runner half bound....


Sara Ashley’s school celebrated Homecoming last weekend. Here are a few pics....

Take Care,

Jennie 

FQS Quiltalong

It was great to be included in a new Quiltalong sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. This is my third Quiltalong with them, and this pattern just might be my favorite.  It is called Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt and is a part of their Shortcut Series.

I was gifted with a generous gift certificate from the FQS, and I purchased these great fabrics (Laundry Basket by Edyta Sitar) for my quilt...

And I added these four from my stash...

Everything is cut out and ready to go...

Once again, I failed to finish the TAW.... I was almost there, but then I had a section that rippled and needed to be removed and corrected.......Ughhhhhhh. This quilt is a true example of why you should not make UFOs. Our stitching and rotary cutting abilities change as we gain in experience, which was the case with this quilt.

The left side is completed and is all good...the right side is not.

I made a fateful trip to the shelter three weeks ago to help my friend choose a kitten and came home with this....

Yes, this sweet little boy was picked up as a stray. No chip or collar and no one had called searching for him. He is housebroken and has lovely manners...and so sweet. Can you tell that I am smitten with little Casper ??

Sara Ashley celebrated her seventeenth birthday!!

Was asked to the Homecoming Dance...

And inducted into the National Honor Society...

Did I mention how proud I am of her???

Take Care,

Jennie 

Back to One Monthly Goal

My One Monthly Goal (link up is at Elm a Street Quilts) for September is....

This ancient TAW UFO. If you think that this looks familiar, well, it is because I posted about it here in July....when it was my OMG for that month. So, I have made progress, but it needs to be a finish for this month. 

And, yes, Diet Pepsi is a necessary quilting tool...lol.

I need another finish to catch up to my personal challenge of a top every month, or 12 for this year. The race to finish Glorious Gardens threw me behind, but it was worth it to see that one through.

My work table looked like this yesterday.

Drives me nuts and decreases my productivity, so in a jiffy it was back to this....

Whew!!!

Family at Ebeneezer Stone Farm on Sunday....

As we gathered to celebrate Rob’s birthday ...

And to dedicate Ebeneezer Stone Cemetery...

It was a beautiful day and God treated us with double rainbows...

Take Care,

Jennie