Friday, January 31, 2014

January NewFO Challenge

January should have been a productive month for me. This is our slowest month at work Life has a way of altering plans I did get two project started; although I am planning on re-starting one of those, and I worked my hands to "the bones!" ordering online fabrics for future NewFOs.

My friend's table topper has become a flimsy. The plan is to finish this one over the weekend. My friend so the piece up on the design wall, She loves all the yellow (not my favorite color) and has plans for the piece on a table in her Florida room  I will do a simple muslin backing, straight line quilting and use the same green for the binding as the borders. The pattern is designed by Sherri of A Quilting Life. I got the pattern while it was free on her Craftsy site.

This is my first attempt at cross-stitch in quite a while. I had forgotten how much I loved the craft. This is also the re-start project! I bought even-weave from JoAnn's and went with the most inexpensive - Big Mistake! The fabric has no give for the half-stitches. In fact it takes a bit of "jabbing" to get the needle through the actual holes. I have ordered a nice, much more expensive bit of fabric and plan to redo this Swoon block. I will find a use for this. The block is rather cute!

The project is a sampler of 16 cross-stitched quilt blocks being offered one at a time by Little Miss Shabby.

My intent is to complete a quilt for each of my five grand -nieces and nephews for Christmas 2014. This is the fabric I have selected for my oldest niece ...
This niece loves Yellow! Did I mention yellow is not my favorite color? I may come to love it by the time I get her quilt done. lol I will be using Sue Aubrey of Quilt Times's Stepping-Stones pattern from her Pick Four book. I've done this pattern in cream and purple and love the crisp Irish chain as well as her fabulous instructions. I'm hoping to cut over the weekend making this a NewFO for February.

Thankfully Panama City, FL (my home) missed the really bad effects of the winter wonderland which hit the Southern states over the past week. All of you from up North will laugh BUT the South is NOT prepared for any amount of snow or ice. The results are totally negative. It has been bone chilling cold here. We got enough ice to effectively shut down this city for two whole days. And, it slowed down my shipment from The Fat Quarter Shop! Very bad! Things are back running again. Hopefully my fabric will arrive over the weekend.

On a personal family note -  my nephew, Scott, is once again out of the hospital and recovering at home. The traumatic head injury, along with other injuries, he suffered from the hit-and-run are going to make recovery long term. Your prayers are much appreciated.

Ms Cha Cha Cat is keeping the sewing table warm!

I am linking with Barbara of Cat Patches for the January 2014 NewFO Challenge. Please drop by her blog to check out all the new projects her many creative friends have started (and finished!) during the month.

Stay warn where ever you are! Until next time - Happy Quilting!






18 comments:

Linda M @ Pieceful Kingdom said...

I love those colors for your niece's quilt. They go lovely together. Prayers for your nephew's recovery. I hope he heals quickly.

carla said...

Hi!!! You have a lot of wonderful starts!!!! Will be a great year!!!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love your mini and the small cross stitch quilt block is very cute. Best wishes and blessings for your nephew.

Cherry said...

Don't you just love the way the 'special helpers' have to be involved in every NewFO?! Great start to the new year.

Anonymous said...

Ordering fabric is very time and energy consuming. LOL. I too have great nieces and nephews to sew quilts for. I made one for each new baby one year (3 total); there are two who were there before the quiltmaking--one has a quilt, the other is in design and hunting-and-gathering stage. And 3 or 4 to go. Hope I have a list somewhere.

Dasha said...

I have some of that turquoise fabric you showed as planned for your niece. It is really pretty. A long time since I did cross stitch. I was in my once favourite cross stitch store just after Christmas, and really hankered to do some. I nearly bought a pattern, but then thought that I have a couple at home waiting to be done - maybe my NewFo for later in the year. LOL

quiltzyx said...

Nice job on the table topper - I know how it is when you need to use colors that really aren't in your comfort zone!

I do like the colors you've picked out for the first of your nieces' quilts. Who knows, maybe yellow WILL grow on you. :)

Healing energies to your nephew.

Lesley said...

Lovely table topper, and your cross stitch is wonderful. Sounds like an ambitious plan to make all those quilts...love the fabrics! I will continue to pray for your nephew and his family...

Lynette said...

Hey! You have a black cat, too! We just got a little black kitten a month ago. They're so cool. I laughed at your comment about yellow and your grand-niece's quilt maybe making you start to like it. That happened to me with orange. I always *despised* orange - I mean, I really hated it, not just didn't like it. Then my youngest daughter took it on as her favorite color when she was little, and I had to suck it up and work with it on several things. The funniest thing is that it eventually grew on me, so that now I actually like it. weird!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love the cross stitch and all of your blocks etc, but love the kitty the best....grin.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Your first swoon block would make a cute mug rug. I'd never heard of a 'Florida' room until my BIL moved to Florida (West Palm Beach) many years ago. He's now in New Mexico, and, after this winter, I bet he's missing that Florida room and the warm temps. Hi Cha Cha cat!

Jane said...

It's going to be a cheerful quilt, you'll love yellow by the end :)

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love the little quilt - such tiny pieces. I have lifted your nephew up this morning asking God for quick healing, for strength, and for grace to accept the slowness of the healing process. blessings, marlene

carla said...

Hi!!! This FO is going to be so fun!!!! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your sweet comment!!!!

Brown Family said...

I love to cross stitch, but just do not find the time. That is a cute project. I like the colors for your nieces quilt. Good luck on getting them all done.

Nan Brown

Rosa said...

Beautiful projects.Love your fabrics choice.Happy sewing!

~ Toni ~ said...

Looks like you have some really get NewFOs for January. Best of luck working with a color that is not your favorite.

Mari Bein said...

Olá.
Como não amar os gatos.
Parabéns pelo quilt.