What I've Been Up To This Week.

Between packing and stacking two cords of firewood this week this is what I have gotten accomplished on the side.

Happy Everything... Blocks 1-3 done.  This is a Sampler SAL hosted by Pat Sloan.  Pat released her Holiday Celebration Book this past year.  All the blocks in this sew along will be found within it's pages.  I love these blocks so far...  There is still time to join and follow along if you'd like.  To see the layout for this beautiful quilt, and more  details on how you can follow along,  go Here:

Old School BOM:  I am way behind on this project, but was able to get two blocks done this week.  Below shows blocks 1-3.  I hated the first block, and I think that is why I just couldn't motivate myself to continue this project.  But the other day I decided to just get a few more blocks done and then decide if I wanted to quit or not.... I"m so glad I decided to give it a second chance.... I"m loving the county look of this quilt with the other two blocks added.  You can find this Block of the Month project also on Pat Sloans web site Here.  If you want to expand your quilting skills, then this project might be just for you.  I personally wanted to and that is why I joined in.  And even though I'm a few months behind, that's ok.  the blocks are online, the video's are on youtube, and you can join in and follow along anytime you want.  They are fairly easy, and fun too.

Paper Piecing with Alex Anderson: This technique is another skill I wanted to learn this year.  I had tried paper piecing many years ago, but just could not wrap my head around reversing the pcs.  Seems much easier now that I'm getting older... maybe since my mind get's things backwards much more frequent on it's own. LOL  Anyway, I have complete two classes so far.  How wonderfully accurate paper piecing is.  If you want to learn and follow along with this sampler, we are starting out with the more simpler block, and will be increasing difficulty week by week.  Intro to this project is HERE.  I'm making mine out of tropical print.

My Summer Soiree, which I discussed last time I posted, has come a long way... until... I ran out of black.  Do you think it's easy to just go down and pick up more black?  Not in my area.  I was in Wal mart so I thought I'd just take a quick peek to see if they had any... nope, no black what so ever.   A few day's later I was in another small town near me which has a quilt/craft store, so I ran in and they had one black.  One, Only One... What's the odds it would be the exact depth of black I was using.. not so good, as it was much darker.  I bought a yard anyway as I may have to make it work.  I have one more quilt shop near me that I will try to hit next week.  If they don't have the right shade of black then I'll use what I have... Here is what I have so far.  This is just a basic layout.. I will be making more changes to this layout as I want the black to come down lower on the quilt by one more row. I love the black/pink checks at the top, and will incorp. that into my border.  I think I'll use my new DARK black. LOL.    This SAL is over, but the information and blocks are still on Pat's site Here.  I put mine on point.  Visit Pat's Facebook group and see some of the WONDERFUL quilts others have made with this pattern... 

Blessings of Summer:  This new BOM was just released this month, and I received my first block earlier this week. I couldn't wait to put it together.  Applique is my heart tech. in quilting.  I was able to finish assembling the block in one evening and finished up the stitching today.  It's gorgeous.  I can't wait for next months to arrive.  You can shop Shabby Fabrics wonderful selection of kits HERE. 

Cross stitch Projects : I finish my Hot Chocolate Cross stitch.  This is the first cross stitch I have ever done.  I think I tried it many years ago in my youth, but this is the first time I really have done anything with this craft.  I learned that you need to lay your floss on the background your using or it can get lost... like my white did.  A darker background would have made all the difference.  But I still like it.

After the hot coco project I decided to do another small project called "Gratitude"

It's so cute.  I am following along with lessons for beginners at Cross Stitch University (Kimberly Jolly is our instructor).  Her lessons include a free downloadable pattern found at the Fat quarter shop.  I'm just practing some of the tech. on my current project, but  I think I will down load the free one used in the classes and use it for my next project and go through these lessons again.  Practice, Practice, Practice.  : )

I'll be adding in a crochet project in November.  This time every year I get the crochet bug.  I don't know if its the cool weather or what, but it's like I crave it... Kind of like one craves pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving.  I crave crochet...  So here is a peek at my 2021 project of the year.  " Casablanca."  

This is a kit club offered by Annie's... and you can find other crochet kit clubs on the site, along with knitting, quilting, sewing, and more..

I ordered Casablanca five months ago, so just received kit no. 5.  I wanted to get a head start on the order, so I"d be ready to go when that crochet urge hits this year.  I have been crocheting since I was a teen, but have never done anything like this.  Can't wait to give this tech. a try. : )

Well, I guess that about wraps it up for my week so far.  Have a great weekend everyone and keep Makin....!!!

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