Last week I decided to tackle the “hard” sewing things instead of the “kit” things, so I started off by making my dragon block for the Moonbeams quilt. I knew I could do it!

This was my sketch– I dissected it into little stitch ‘n flip units as best I could:

Then I patiently made the pieces one by one:

And after four nights, there it was!

I am getting a close to a finish on this quilt, so I just kept going and slammed the “Tree of Life” blocks together. I’m really happy I swapped out the white tree for leaves made out of the new greens I bought. You can see I did a bit of an “ombre” look.

Now, let’s put it all together! I think my greens really brightened up the whole thing.

I am one left-facing dragon and two fancy borders away from a finish. It was time to start looking for a background fabric! The background blue is long sold out, but I’ve always wanted to try ordering a custom print from Spoonflower— have you ever done that?

There were tons of actual Dungeons and Dragons designs, but I went with this dragon print. It probably won’t be an exact match to the dark blue on the front, but I think my recipient will love it. It’s probably one of those digitally printed fabrics that is going to get a white mark every time my needle pierces it, but we will cross that bridge. It was bit pricey at $20/yd., so I’m hoping for the best.

As part of my craft space uber-sort, I decided not EVERYTHING has to be out! I pulled out a ton of old kits, Sew Sampler boxes and Frivols kits and packed them back into the attic. Not having all the clutter is really helping my sew-jo. I did pick out six small projects to make this year, which is totally realistic. Here’s #1!

This was a “Little Box of Figs,” from Fig Tree Quilts, from quite a few years ago. I don’t “prefer” butterflies, as they told me to say in charm school. As a matter of fact, I hate them. Dragonflies are much preferable. But it occurred to me my dear little granddaughter due in May might prefer them– heehee. And it’s a perfect size baby quilt. I do think the color my daughter-in-law is planning in the nursery is coral. I easily got the butterflies done in two nights.

And I also dug up this old project! I think I bought this kit in Michael’s quite a long time ago as well. I always loved my stuffed animals as a kid, and those “amigurumi” little crocheted ones are so cute!

Only one problem– I don’t know how to crochet! So, of course, I picked the hardest one to make.

Apparently, I started it– and it looked like it was going well. But I think I kind of got lost on what “round” I was on. The instruction book is quite good, but I’d love the crocheters in my audience– I know you’re there– to weigh in. How many hours do you think this kitty is going to take, and do you think I can pull it off? Because I think my granddaughter just really needs this little kitty, too!

The set of the week is for everyone who bought our custom birch display board. It started with the 2025 tiny sampler, but I had a lot of requests for something we can swap out each month. This stitches in just six minutes! It should be fun, and yes, I will go right through to January, which we missed. There’s also a hand chart available on the website.

I’m still buying stuff– but how could I resist this set of fat quarters at Marden’s for $12.99? I also just had to get the jelly roll.

I SOOOO wished this had been blueberries! There is a blueberry version of these fabrics. Our blueberry patch is prolific, but our apple orchard is still in its infancy.

But just look at this cute blackboard look fabric!

It has come to my attention I could probably retire San Francisco Stitch Co. and just go into business re-selling fabric from Marden’s. Mr. SFO takes me every weekend! I don’t prefer shipping, though!

Here is the appalling cross stitch– my row of snowmen is almost done. These designs were from an ornament kit, so I’m having to arrange them myself. I’m also really proud of myself– I am going to close this out without forcing myself to stitch all 24 designs! For all-or-nothing girl, it’s quite an accomplishment.

I’m going to do a row of three floral themed blocks across the top– the rest of the designs, well, I really don’t “prefer” them, so why keep going? The piece will end up being a fun, long rectangle shape, and I going to hand paint a cute red frame for it. DONE.

So that was last week– this week is getting cut short a bit because I have a few appointments over the next couple of days– just routine medical stuff, but those kinds of appointments take a lot out of me! Everything is a long drive here, too. I know I promised the tour of Sugar Meadow for embroidery ideas, but it’s been in single digits for the past few days and that did not happen. I may have to go with what I see just from my window. I did make it down to the lake once, but by the time I got this one shot, I was completely chapped!

Hope you are safe and warm, and
SEWING!

xox
Carol