Monthly Roundup ~ January 2018

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Blog News

There are some changes coming to the blog!  My usual post time is 5 p.m., but I’m moving this out to 7 p.m. to accommodate some schedule changes in my teaching job.  I’ve also added a new monthly post, which you can see below.

I’d like to welcome all new subscribers – I’m glad to have you here!  In case you didn’t know, there’s a page with free adult coloring printables available only to subscribers.  You should have received a password with your welcome email for this month.  I send out a new password at the first of every month.  New drawings will be added every month & sometimes they will “coordinate” with other patterns on the blog.

Weekly Posts:

• Mondays ~> Sewing, quilting, & crochet posts
• Wednesdays ~> DIY, gardening, & organizing posts
• Fridays ~> recipes, health, & life lived posts

Monthly Posts:

• 2nd Monday ~> QAL, SAL, CAL {Something coming up soon!}
• 3rd Monday ~> Craft Room De-stash Challenge from C’mon Get Crafty
• 3rd Tuesday ~> Pinterest Challenge from My Pinterventures
• 3rd Wednesday ~>  Garden update {On pause until Spring! – I’m starting to feel the need to dig in the dirt!}
• 1st Friday ~> Teadoddles Talks interviews {Back for February!}
• Last Friday ~> Monthly Roundup

Life Events

It snowed in the deep south y’all!  We of course had a “snow day” because no one here is prepared for driving around in the snow.  ; D

We’ve had such cold weather here & I want to hibernate so badly.  My new teaching hours mean I have to leave the house at 7 a.m., which means I have to bundle up.  We have to leave our outside faucets dripping when it freezes to prevent pipes from bursting.  These are frozen drips from my outside faucet!

Although I prefer colder weather, it’s been much too cold for me this winter.  I’m ready for some warmer {and consistent} weather soon!

Crafty News

I’m still adjusting to working more hours away from home, so my crafting is happening mostly on the weekend.  I still have some fun finishes to show you & plan on sewing the weekend away!

Crochet ~>

I finished my cardigan & I’ve worn it several times & really love it!  The pattern has pockets but I decided to leave them off.  Now I’m thinking of adding them!  I used Lion Brand Homespun in a green {not sure of the name!} & the pattern is from Make & Do Crew,

Here’s the cuff, which I made shorter than the pattern.

Monday I shared the first part of my crocheted pixel & lace heart pattern.  I’m hoping to write more crochet patterns this year as I finish up some UFO’s.  That means I’m not taking on any new CAL’s this year.  I want to focus on making some of the amazing patterns I’ve collected over the years & pattern design.

QAL’s~>  

Okay, so I am saying no to more QAL’s than I usually take on, but not all of them!  They have to meet certain requirements – teach me something new and/or use scraps.

I have all the blocks done for the Stars in the Night QAL I started in 2016!  Well, all the blocks I’m going to make, which are not all by the pattern.  I drew out a new plan for them loosely based on the original design & I just need to cut out the pieces.  Then I can sew it up & have another flimsy & empty box!  Yay!

My goal is to finish at least one UFO for the month.  I joined the American Patchwork & Quilting UFO Challenge, but have yet to make a list.  I’m getting there!  ; )

My friend Monique issued her first challenge of the year in her Facebook group!  The heart block at the top was the challenge & after I made it, I decided to make more hearts & love blocks.   These still need to be stitched down & some need to be traced, but eventually I hope to have enough to make a lap quilt.  I found the other patterns here & have some more cut out to sew.

I want to make more mini quilts, so I decided to join back up for the monthly minis at Sew Can She.  My first experience with EPP & I like it more than I thought I would!

I really want another Christmas quilt, so I also joined up for Quilt Doodle Doodles QAL, Snow Much Fun.  This is the first block, I just need to stitch on the details.

My last new QAL {for today!} is from Alida {TweLoQ} Designs.  It’s called Starry Bright Sky & incorporates new techniques throughout the QAL.

There are also side blocks that are all about incorporating texture into quilting.

I really like this QAL because of the patterns & the fact that if I don’t post a picture of the block I made, I don’t get an email for the next block.  Motivation!

If you need some more patterns to collect {ha!}, check out my Sewing ~ Quilts & Crafts ~ QAL’s & CAL’s Pinterest boards.

Coming up in February…..

Okay y’all, there are lots of fun things coming up in February!  There will be a QAL coming up on the blog, more crochet patterns, & of course lots of new DIY projects.  Right now, I have a pile of sewing calling my name, so I’ll see y’all later!

Hope y’all have a great weekend!

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