First Quilt Block 2024

 

My first quilt block for 2024 is done!

This is block one of sixteen for the 

Corinne & Cecile 2024 QAL Challenge

which I introduced on my Saturday post.

My fabric choices took a curve in the journey

when it came time for cutting.

I may still use some of the original choice fabrics,

but I have decided to use this blue background and white and black print

for the bee wings.  The rest of the bee blocks will be scrappy gray and yellow prints.

All these fabrics are from my stash.

The block pattern is a free one from Tilda's World:

Free Bee Block from Tilda's World

I love all the wonderful

Free Patterns @ Tilda's World

It is gray and cold and another winter storm is arriving later this afternoon.

This storm is forecast to start with snow and change to rain and wintery mix.

Another good day to stay in and sew and stitch.

May you and yours be safe and well whatever your weather.

Hugs & Stitches.

Monday Snow Day

 

Monday was officially a "Snow Day" here.

This means schools and many businesses were closed

while we all stayed home and shoveled.

The total snow accumulation for my community is listed as 16.6" inches.

What this number does not tell is that the bottom three inches were so wet they turned to ice as more snow fell and then in the end there was another crusty layer at the top. It started as a coastal storm with a strong onshore wind driving the snow inland. There was a brief lull in the middle which was fluffy light snow and then the winds shifted to coming from the west and a large storm came in from the midwest for several more hours of driving snow. Wind shifted again near the end to bring more wet snow from the coast.  This is what we call a "nor-eastern" in my quilty corner. 

This morning the bright sun came out to illuminate the ice on the trees. This is a sun that brings no warmth.  The ice still clings as darkness falls.

Time to stay inside and stitch.

I am deciding to play with the floss and change up the colors

that are given in the pattern.

Hugs & Stitches! 

Sunday Snow Day

 

Snowy Sunday.

This photo was taken at 12;00 Noon.

At 9:00pm it is still snowing.

We have over 15 inches.

May you and yours stay safe and warm and well.

 

Scrappy Saturday Quilt Start ~ Animal Quilt Challenge 2024

These scrap fabrics landed on my cutting table today to start a new project.

Over ten years ago, I made This Little Blessings Baby Quilt 

for my grand-daughter with this fabric.

I have saved the scraps for a special quilt for another special baby.

Time to sew that special quilt.  

I will have to add more fabrics from my stash to make all the blocks. 

My plan is to make this new quilt sewing along with the ...

Corinne & Cecile 2024 QAL Challenge

A few years ago, I participated in this annual challenge

 and the quilt that resulted is one of my personal favorites.  

So I have decided to try my hand again.

This years theme is an Animal Quilt.

I checked and my choice of animal has been approved. 

I will be making a toddler quilt for my grand-niece who is a year old.

Her nursery and birthday theme and her recent birthday theme was bees.  

I will be using this free Bee Block from the 

Mix and Match Blocks from Tilda's World

and possible the Bird Block and Flower Blocks too for my quilt.

I am not sure of the layout.  

I will let my quilty muse choose the layout as I go. 

The challenge calls for making a quilt with a minimum of 16 blocks.

Hope to have the first block to show you soon!

Free Pattern Friday ~ Cross Stitch Version

 

The grid is complete on my cross stitch

Flea Market Flowers started Here.

Time to start the first flower, this large red and pink one on the upper left.

Here are my planned colors. There are four called for in the pattern.

I may tweak the colors a bit as I stitch as my muse is wont to do. 

Since it is Friday I though I would post this free cross stitch along pattern:

2024 Mystery Cross Stitch Sampler & Fox and Rabbit

Below is 

You can stitch along on their 

Fox and Rabbit Mystery Sampler Facebook Group

where the talented stitchers are inspiring and encouraging. 

I have never attempted one of these masterpieces,

but I love to follow along.

Trying to decide if I should stitch along this year.

I have saved the first step.

Time will tell. 

What are you working on in the new year?

Please share and joint the Hugs & Stitches Party! 

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