March 12, 2023

HQAL Update

I’m working steadily along on my clamshell quilt. Lots done but it doesn’t look like it. I cut all the fabrics in strips and traced the “clams” and am now slowly cutting them out.

Traced and not yet cut.

My plan was to do most of the tracing and then cut and then stitch. After that, assembly will happen.

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Connie

March 5, 2023

SAL Update

I worked on J’s Christmas stocking a bit this time. This is where I was last time:

SAL Update: 1/22/2023 and 2/12/2023

And this is where I am now:

SAL Update: 3/5/2023

Not a lot of progress but some. If I work on it a little bit every day for the next three weeks, the stitching should be done. Then the back stitching. Keep your fingers crossed!

The other stitchers taking part in this SAL are linked below. If you have time, please stop by their blogs and see what they’ve been doing.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, 

Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

February 12, 2023

SAL Update

I have completely lost my stitching mojo for this project. There really is no reason – it’s not on time out or anything – I just haven’t been stitching on it. Other things have claimed my attention. Oh, well, I vow to get some done on it for the next update!

SAL Update: 1/22/2023 and 2/12/2023

Please take a look at the other wonderful stitchers participating in this SAL:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, 

AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

January 29, 2023

HQAL Update

I’m working on a clamshell quilt and for these three weeks I played with fabrics. I know that I want white to play a big role so the quilt does not look too “busy” and I have the white on white fabric that I like, that part is done. For the rest of the quilt, I would like to use very colorful fabrics.

1/29/2023 HQAL Update

Some of these were pulled from my stash and a couple have been purchased. All of them make me happy and that’s what I’m aiming for – if I’m going to be working on this for what feels like FOREVER, I want it to make me happy!

This one is my favorite right now. I’ll have to pay attention and fussy cut, but seeing this one in random places on the quilt once I’m done will make me smile!

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, Connie, and  Cathie 

January 22, 2023

SAL Update

Not a lot to report this time. After the last big rain here we discovered water on the floor of our sunroom (my studio) and when we pulled some of the cabinets away from the wall, we discovered mold. UGH! I’ve been packing up my studio trying to figure out what I will need in the immediate and what I won’t. HINT: I’ve already packed away some things that I needed! It’s very slow going and always with the use of a mask.

This is where I was the last time:

SAL Update 1/1/2023

And this is where I am now:

SAL Update: 1/22/2023

I managed to get a little more done on the bottom part of the stocking and although I took a picture of the top part, I realize that there is nothing new up there.

At first I was so bummed (I still am) but now I’m trying to look at this as an opportunity. None of the personal items are affected and for this I am truly grateful. In going through all the cabinets (yes, the whole room has to be emptied) I am taking time to organize (in boxes) and then give away things I’m not going to use. Today we have to take an entire wall of 8 foot cabinets off of the wall and move them – I’m not excited.

I know the others who take part in this SAL will lots of lovely things to look at!

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, 

Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

January 8, 2023

HQAL Update

I’m so glad to be back for the HQAL (Hand Quilt A-Long)! I took a break for a bit and am grateful that I was allowed to rejoin. I had been working on a Grandmother’s Flower Garden, but for many reasons that project is residing in the time out pile.

I took a class through Stitches On Line to learn how to do a Clamshell Quilt. It was really fun so that’s what I’m working on now.

HQAL Update 1/8/2023

I’ve decided to do mine with a row of white and a row of some rainbow colored fabric (I had fun picking out skads of rainbow fabrics!). Each stack represents 10 clamshells – so there are 20 white clamshells and 10 each of the other two fabrics.

I haven’t decided if the colorful rows will be all one design or if I will mix them up randomly. I also had the idea of making “squares” where each square had only one design so even that looked like patchwork. I guess when I have more clamshells cut out and prepared I can play around with placement.

The pattern

This is the pattern I am using. I bought it from the designer because I liked her as a teacher and wanted to support her and it came with the plastic template.

So far I am enjoying tracing, cutting and prepping the clamshells. It’s very soothing to sit and do this in the evenings.

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, Connie, and  Cathie 

January 5, 2023

Fox and Rabbit 2023 SAL

I have been a member of the Fox and Rabbit FB Group (previously known as Linen and Threads) for several years. The patterns are so pretty and I’ve always wanted to start one of their SALs.

Yesterday I jumped on the bandwagon and started this SAL!

Fox and Rabbit 2023 SAL
Part 1

This is a free SAL and can be found on the Fox and Rabbit website. I am using 18ct white Aida cloth and DMC #820. This project is being stitched 2 over 1.

Homemade Floss Drop

I saw a Youtube video on floss drops and decided to make my own. The paper is scrapbooking paper from Michaels.

Back of Floss Drop

I cut the threads the length that I usually work with and now am getting used to just pulling out one thread at a time with my needle. It’s actually much easier than what I usually do which is bobbinating the threads.

January 1, 2023

Happy New Year and SAL Update

Happy New Year everyone! We have had a lovely vacation with the whole family. We left on 12/24 and stayed at a beautiful cabin in Tahoe – 10 of us for 9 days!! We head home today. There is no better way to spend the holidays than with family.

Now for the SAL update. There was quite a bit done this month. This is where I was last time:

SAL Update 12/11/2022

And here is where I am now:

SAL Update 1/1/2023
Santa’s face, beard, hands, cuffs and part of his jacket.
More done on the gifts.
Just a wee bit done over here.

I hope your holidays were fun and relaxing! Here’s to a very stitchy New Year!

This SAL is hosted by AVIS and is not like other SALs in that we are not all stitching on the same project. Instead we work on a project of our choice and post about our progress once every three weeks. I really like this kind of SAL and am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful group of stitchers. If you get a chance, please check out their stitching.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, 

AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

December 11, 2022

December SAL Update

I am so happy to be working on this project. It seems to be coming along nicely, I guess that’s what happens when it’s worked on regularly! Here is where I was at the last update:

SAL Update 11/20/2022

And this is where I am now:

SAL Update 12/11/2022

Since the canvas is painted, it’s pretty hard to tell what has been done.

The entire tree has been done (sans some of the ornaments), the fireplace, parts of the stockings and some of Santa.

The cat has been started and some more has been added to the presents. I might not get as much done in the next three weeks because of the holidays and family in town, but I’m still going to try to work on it most days.

The people in this group are what make this SAL so fun. We get to choose our project and then show our progress every three weeks. It’s super fun to see what everyone has been up to. If you get a chance, take a look at the others participants:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, 

Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

November 20, 2022

Oct SAL Update

I’m excited about this update because I worked on the Christmas stocking!

SAL Update 9/18/2022

This is where I was the last time I updated. I have worked on this for about an hour everyday for the last three weeks and this is where I am now:

SAL Update 11/20/2022

The painted canvas makes it very hard to see the progress in a picture. The top portion of the stocking is done.

I think it’s a little clearer in this photo. It took me a little bit to get used to the “tent” (?) (half cross stitch). The dragging of the thread on the back to make sure everything is covered is also new to me.

Left side closeup

Right side closeup.

It’s really fun to see how much progress can be made in just three weeks. Providing I actually work on it!!

Please stop by and see what the other stitchers in this SAL are working on:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, 

Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, 

AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret