I started this quilt for my mother-in-law a few years ago, but she passed before I got it quilted, so it went into a ufo pile where it lived until  just before Christmas, when I finally quilted it.  Then it went back to wait until now.  Today I squared it up and put the binding on.   It is finished! Tomorrow it will get washed and laid out to dry so the binding will be straight.

This is called the BQ pattern and I love it for large pieces that I don’t want to cut up.

Now I’ll go work on supper and then knit for awhile on the socks.

I love winter rain because it is better than frozen.   I don’t have to break ice for the livestock, the bunnies can use their water bottles and my hands don’t freeze when caring for them.    The freezing days we do have give me  sympathy for the Midwest folks with all the low temperatures they are enduring..  The temperature here today was up to 45 and will stay in this area all week, with nighttime temps in the lowest 40s.   With livestock, rain often times equals mud, which is one of the reasons these sheep wear coats..

In the sewing room, I started  binding my BQ quilt and worked on my Celtic Solstice blocks, which in photos have not been pressed or trimmed.

I think I learned the toe up cast on for the socks.   At least I was finally – after several attempts – able to get both socks on the needles and started.  Here is the pattern I’m working

I started the day with my trusty seam ripper.  It seems that some days that little piece is overworked.

For more fun, this little lady, Lacey, is going out of heat and there is quite a commotion at times.

Here is her friend, Beau. 

 In addition to that, look at these boys.  How did they all get on the wrong side of the fence?

I still don’t know.  However they spent the day chewing weeds in the garden.  I’m really glad the beds were covered with straw as they didn’t bother that and I still have beets and garlic out there plus the strawberries they ignored.   Days bring their challenges, but I love my mini farm and its tenants.   Challenges are designed to strengthen a person (or wear them down).

 I have much for which to be thankful.

Today is a beautiful sunny day, but froze last night,   which means bunnies need water dishes instead of bottles   The dogs must think spring is coming as we will be expecting Great Pyrenees pups in about 9 weeks.  It also means fence repair as they have been getting out of different pastures.

Happily for the last two days I’ve reached the 10,000 step mark on the fitbit and looks like I will again today.

As for the blogging,  this is a real process!.   One that has consumed to much of the last  days.   So for now, we’ll move on to projects.  Eventually you will find a button to see yarn in and yarn out as well as the same for fabric.  For now I’ll send you over to Judy’s blog where you can see what others are doing in those departments.  And soon I will put up a list of BOMS that I’m following, though it seems I get myself on overload there as well.

Fortunately the ufos are all in the quilt list.   January’s  goals are here.

Today I am working on Bonnie Hunter’s Celtic Solstice quilt top in a baby size.

I’m also trying to learn a cast on for toe up socks.

I’d love to hear how your are doing with your goals.  Are you working ufos,  leaning new techniques or ?

A fresh start

As the 2014 begins, I hope you are having as much fun as I in listing the projects you would like to make and other things you’d like to do. My list changes drastically as the year goes on, because there are so many fun things that I find on the net that get added to my “to do” list. So far I have

Family – I want to spend more time with each of the children and their families. And one daughter says she is interested in learning some of my skills.

• Quilting 59 on my current list which changes a lot this time of year all the new ones showing up as BOMS

• Sewing 53 items on this list

• Embroidery 30 items, again soon to expand.

• Knitting 20 pair of socks plus a couple sweaters – this list is incomplete

• AG doll clothes So many patterns and outfits these girls would like, but they take a back seat

• Learning skills The big one this year is EQ7, watch Quilt Show videos, watch spinning videos and learn to spin to garment to be made. How to digitize some designs I want. How to blog.

• Health My goal here is to lose at least 30 pounds and get a daily exercise program – probably walking to be a habit. I received a Fitbit for Christmas. http://www.fitbit.com/one?gclid=CJ-89_CC27sCFVaVfgodL0cAsQ So no excuse.

• Spinning there is plenty of alpaca, angora, mohair and wool sitting here waiting. In addition, I have rabbits, one angora goat, sheep and alpacas, dogs – all of whom will produce more fiber.

• DIY projects Not so many here. Though I am working with bees and hope to get them more productive this year. repair and sell my treddle sewing machines, clean out a couple rooms that homeless things go to. Reorganize the sewing room. There will be more added to this list

• Charity projects I am making receiving blankets and quilts for the church There are pillowcases and little purple hats to be made for the hospital though I have taught my DH how to do the crochet ones. He is doing a great job. I’ll sew the fleece ones. I like to make a few quilts for street mission

I know better than to plan to get all of this done in one year. And it is a fluid list. At the same time, a list keeps me from wondering around wasting time. I can look at my monthly list and choose which to do.

Do you make lists of what you’d like to accomplish? Does your list look anything like mine?

I have placed some fun and tempting badges at the side at which you may want to look.