A Few Things...

First up, a couple of recent Swoon block finishes.  I am loving how these turned out!  These blocks take me forever, but so worth it.  I feel like last year I focused a lot on improv stuff (a bunch of which hasn't made an appearance on this blog...yet), and sometimes it's nice to just follow someone's else's directions, ya know??   I am trying to challenge myself with fabric selection on this one, and because of this have ended up changing my fabric stack about a hundred times.  I think my strategy will be to cut two blocks at a time, and let the fabric choices just evolve.  We'll see...
I've been enjoying seeing everyone's goals for 2013 all over blogdom as we start the new year.  I love the idea of getting focused and planning what I want to accomplish.  But last year I set out some projects for the year (Swoon being one of them - technically I did START it in 2012, even if it was December), and I didn't make a ton of progress on those goals.  Why?  Because for me, it didn't leave much room for jumping in on new opportunities and challenges.  I like what Melissa and Shana are doing this year in setting a goal for a finish every month.  This seems like a way to focus on just the immediate chunk of time in front of me, and that feels very doable.  So, here's my list of what I want to get done in January.
1.  Bee Blocks
I am starting That Stash Bee this month, where we make two blocks per the person's request using fabric from our stash.  First up was Nicole, and this is what she asked for (tutorial on her blog).

Yay!  I can already put a check by these!
I have two months left for the Modern Blocks Bee, and currently waiting on fabric for this month's selection.

2.  Charity Block for Sew South.
We are making a house block for a charity quilt for Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte.

3.  TMQG City Challenge Project - due this month!

4.  Swoon Block - at least one this month.

I think that's enough for now...

How do I love thee??

Let me count the ways...
I've had fun getting to know my new work-horse of a sewing machine.  I'm still learning all about her, and honestly afraid to stray from straight stitch at the moment.  I mean, she came with 18 different feet!  What on earth do I do with all those?!  My previous machine was starting to give me some tension issues which made free motion quilting next to impossible.  That's kind of a big problem for a quilter! This machine has 11 gorgeous inches of harp space - I feel like I can practically roll around in there.  While I'm enjoying my time with the kids out of school, I wouldn't be lying if I said I'm looking forward to next week when everyone is back in school (wink).  Time for mama to play!  Many, many thanks to my sweet husband who continues to delight and surprise me...
And while I have lots of post ideas in my head about all the projects I did in 2012, or my goals for 2013, or my excitement about Quilt Con, and how much I'm looking forward to Sew South, and some really neat stories about generous people in the crafting community who have been a blessing without them even realizing how much they would impact others, and how these acts of kindness have had a ripple effect...not to mention the new bees for the year and fun project ideas...well, frankly, all this is tempered by some pretty painful things my dear friends are going through with their son who is so sick.  So, for now, I'll just add a few pictures of some recent projects, and maybe those stories will come out later.

My x and + blocks are starting to pile up...

 Here's a bunch thrown up on the design wall - not a final lay out, but starts to give an idea of what the quilt will look like.  All kinds of crazy color - love it!  My daugher has already claimed this as hers, but we'll see...

 Here are some ornament pocket/gift card holders made with Mo Bedell's pattern from the book Pretty in Patchwork by John Adams (Hi, QuiltDad!).

 FINALLY working on my Swoon quilt (pattern by Camille Roskelley) - these blocks are ginormous and take me far longer to construct than I think they should (as is the case with most things I do!).  But I'm in love - the end result will be so worth it.

 LOVED making Jeni's drawstring bags for some Christmas gifts...

...and adding a grommet made these great project bags for my knitting friends.

Let me just say - I so enjoy creating with you all - truly, I do.  I'm looking forward to seeing what we all make in 2013!  Wishing you all a very happy New Year!