Sanity Requires Quilting

I did it...I jumped into a new quilt project. I've started Bonnie Hunter's mystery, "En Provence." I'm linking to her Monday progress post here.

I didn't have enough off-white fabrics or magenta yardage so I am awaiting a package from Hancock's of Paducah and also awaiting the template Bonnie is using for the mystery. That probably translates into no further action on this project until the weekend.

But I can pull out the quilt I was working on before the new puppy arrived and Christmas preparations took all my time..."Full Bloom." I managed to get all the big blocks cut and glued in November. Each of these blocks took at least two hours to put together.

I have 48, 8-inch blocks to make of single flowers. I need to glue all those parts into place. Then I will start doing the top stitching to permanently hold everything in place. 

I've also resurrected a set of dresdan plates...I think there is common train of thought in all my current projects...colors. A bit dreary this time of year but not in the studio. I found this background green batik on sale for $5 a yard and I think it was just what I had been searching for the last few years.

My first job today will be to take down the Christmas tree which the animals used as a base for playing tag with each other. I only had one ornament causality. I put up handmade ornaments that wouldn't lead to an emergency room visit if a puppy ate part of it. I made that mistake the last time I got a puppy in December. 

Oh...and Breakfast Club meets on Thursday to make it's annual mystery quilt. I'm still on the fence about attending...I better decide pretty soon.

Christmas Delivery

I picked up my present last weekend...

This is Logan...11 weeks old. He's a Gordon Setter just like my girl McKinley.

McKinley visited the groomer yesterday...so pretty!

It is a little crazy at my house this holiday season...because I also have a a seven-month-old kitten, Eli, who thinks he's a dog...when he's not playing tag with the dogs...he sneaks into Logan's crate. Eli doesn't look much like a kitten anymore. I know he weighs over 12 pounds at this point and can reach the top of the kitchen counter tops when he stretches his full length. 

I have delusions that I might still start Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt, "En Provence,"...it could happen! I really love the colors and the name of the quilt. Her inspiration photos call to me!

In the meantime...finishing up a few projects during "nap time."  Got the backing and hanger on this Bucilla stocking called, "In the Workshop."

Instead of cross stitch, I took some little redwork projects to stitch on when traveling. These are from a set of 12 ornaments from an Australian designer, Lynette Anderson. A cute little button will finish each ornament...or I may combine them for a mini quilt. I can't make up my mind but since I have nine more blocks to make...I've got some time to think about it.

Not sure how much posting I will get done for the rest of 2016...just to be on the safe side...

I wish you a Merry Christmas.

I think it will get here much too quickly!