March Progress

My guild had a small patriotic project and I chose to sign-up.    This was a quickie and a patriotic piece so I didn’t hesitate.   I have been refraining more and more from jumping in to all the projects that are offered by guild's and at my EGA.  I used to participate mainly because I wanted support each group’s programs.  I have since decided it is ok to be more selective.   Like everyone else, I have my own ‘store’ of projects many that have been collecting dust longer than they should have. 

 

Once I finished work on my two WIPGO assignments, I threw myself into working on my Civil War Quilt.   The final shipment, Month 13,  arrived mid-January and I was still on Month 6.  Oy!     Long ago I accepted that I am a one-trick pony when it comes to genres’ of crafting. I made a pledge to make quilt work a priority in March.   The challenge was not to finish but for some sizable progress.    I managed to compete 8 blocks, a bunch of the sashing pieces and cornerstones.   From there, I started making more rows. 

As you can see, I am still waiting for a warm, non-windy day to take what I have done and lay it out on the patio for a good look at it.  It seems I just don’t have the floor space inside.

I next up, I need to make a whole bunch of the 9-patch cornerstones.   I have enough sashing cut and assembled; I have 7 more blocks assembled that are not sewn into rows yet; and, only 15 more blocks to cut.   Block by block, I am getting there.   Watch out rainy days in April because I will be back at it.

I put about 7 hours of work on American Sampler.   I am not one to keep track of my hours but I managed to dedicate my daily stitching time for a week on this one.   This is about 3/4 of page one of 6 pages.  It is slow going but I can see progress.     Another tree, a complete set of wings, a flag, some border work, a flowering vine, a bee skep, shrubs and a fence.   

Unfortunately I did not touch my French Alphabet yet in March.  I will be going to Salty Yarns for a small stitching-only get together this coming weekend and it is all I plan to work on for the weekend.

Outside I have been picking up sticks and watching the daffodils start to peak through the soil.    Early in March, we had an unseasonably warm day and I tackled one of the beds I usually neglect.    This past week I managed two more yard days and was able to clean two more beds.  Last year I had absolutely no mojo for the yard.  I feel like I am going to change that this year with my early start.  It does feel good to have my hands back in the dirt!   My focus will be maintaining what I have established already.   For the veggie garden, I am thinking maybe planting blueberries and blackberries and fewer vegetables.   The jury is still out on that.   

Hopefully in April I can continue  to get my WIPGO’s done, complete the monthly HOD ornament, have some quilt progress and the yard work.  Just writing it, I know it will be a tricky balancing act!  We shall see.

Thanks for stopping by.   I love reading your comments which I appreciate greatly -  I am just not so good at following up on them.   I go in spurts with that task.  For now, just keep on stitching, keep on creating and find beauty in everyday things.

February Progress

I continued to make small steps on both my larger projects.   Once WIPGO for the month is done, I focused on both The French Alphabet and American Sampler.  

With the French Alphabet, I put in some border work, finished off the remnants of some letters on the current pattern page I was working on and then started on a new page.    Three pages done and nine to go!  Thank goodness for photos.   They help me see I am actually making progress.  5th line down, I am getting some of the personalization done:   RThompson is starting to take shape. (If only I have finished that “M” and it would be more clear.)

For American Sampler,  slow progress but progress.   I have actually  managed to work on this for an hour each time I pick it up.  Sometimes that hour is spent on frogging but that is all part of it.  My eyes seem to be getting used to stitching on this piece.

I am getting closer to a finish on Quaker Friends.   I take this to my weekly stitching group to work on there.   This will be another WIP done when I finish and that will be 2026!     

Each of these three prices are motif based and although that makes some stitchers crazy, I am not having a problem changing between them.  

I inspired myself by completing two large samplers last year so I feel good about all my prospects of finishing in 2026.   Even though the French Alphabet and the American Sampler will be multi-year projects, I know I will get them done.  So I did some Nashville Market shoppping…. Thankfully I only saw three patterns from Nashville Market that I want.    I pulled the trigger on only one ……Kitten Stitcher’s pre-order…….Warrior Patriot from Plum Street.  More incentive to complete my two larger WIP samplers.   This pattern appears no where on my  radar but I just really liked it.  With the exception of my WIPGO projects, I am not in the market to start anything new, especially not another big project!

That’s my month of stitching progress.   Being at Diane’s for a week and then having a big snow storm, contributed to my progress.   Once the weather warms and I find myself outside, the progress each month will slow.   But that is ok, I already have ideas for the yard and garden swirling in my mind.  I will have to learn to strike that balance.  

Time for me to catch up on your blogs and comments.  As always, thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching and creating.