ALYoF: January is in the bag!

My progress on almost all of my projects started this year has been really slow.

I'm not feeling overly motivated by any one thing, so I seem to be doing bits and pieces of several things!

So, it was rather surprising to me that I actually finished both of my January goals.

I'm just going to show the cushion cover for the link-up.

Last year, I won a bundle of Lush Uptown from a giveaway at Fabricworm .

This is a really pretty fabric collection, with a lot of variation in the design.

There is, however, large birds and deer in the focus fabrics.

So, it was a bit of a challenge deciding what to do with it.

I am so not a fan of birds.....but I guess they are okay on fabric!

At least these ones don't crash into my windows all summer long!

I had been wanting to do more EPP after a successful first attempt, and I also wanted to make a cushion using the tutorial by Katy@ I'm A Ginger Monkey.

So, I got busy and finished it this week. 

Wow! What a lot of hand sewing!

This is a 20" cushion, and is now my favourite size!

I added some Basic Grey Grunge to the Lush, as well as some sort of Kona grey. :-)

For the quilting, it is just straight lines using Aurifil Grey #2600

For the backing, I used some Grunge with a strip of Lush for the hidden zipper closure.( can't find the photo!)

Now, I plan to do another one! There is a fabric in the collection with the deer, and woods on it.

I'm so pleased to have this one done.

Linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes.

I also did finish the Sew Delicious Sweet Pouch Swap, but it hasn't arrived in Australia yet, so I don't want to post the photo.

I like it alot, so I hope my partner does too!

A Lovely Year of Finishes- January goal setting

I wasn't sure I was going to join is again since I didn't do all that well with goals last year!

But, this is a great way to at least plan to meet some goals.

I have 2 projects that I want to complete for January.

The first is to make a pouch for Janine in Australia for The Sweet Pouch Swap. 

I already know what I'm going to make, so just need to pick fabrics.

The second goal is to finish the EPP cushion cover I started last month.

It's definitely taking me longer than I thought, but it should be do-able for the end of the month!

 Linking up!!

Just another day in Paradise....

Well, who wouldn't be just thrilled to be living in Saskatchewan right now??

The last couple of days have seen the temperatures plummet to -50C  with the blowing wind!!

I'm not complaining...we have heat, electricity and plenty of food.

Which is more than some parts of the country this winter!

So, I'm curling up in a comfy chair with the TV on, and some EPP to keep me occupied.

This is the Spring Carnival pattern by Katy Jones(I'm A Ginger Monkey)

The new year also brings on commitments to quilting bees!

Our Happiness Circle @ do.Good Stitches, is doing flying geese blocks for a Remixed Geese quilt using Erica's tutorial. So much fun to do these blocks!

A new quilting bee on Flickr is Canadians Quilt {bee}.

Most of us are from Simply Solids: a modern {bee}, and we had so much fun making blocks for each other, that we started another round!

One of my favourite quilts came out of the Simply Solids bee!

For January, Jaclyn asked for a star block, and I thought this would be the perfect time to try out the Confetti star block by Amy Friend on Craftsy.

Love this block, and I think it is one I'll be using again. I made 2-6.5" blocks and used a low volume fabric to make it 12.5"

My first swap of the year is

The Sew Delicious Sweet Pouch Swap.

We will make a pouch and fill it with candy, and other goodies! Woo hoo!

My swap partner is in Australia!

Not sure what treats to send her though. It needs to be something that will travel well from the cold to the heat!

Now I need to shift a cat off my lap and get stitching!

It would be this very helpful cat.......

yes......the tree is down now!