End of the Month

A couple heart blocks

Tomorrow is the final day of February. Where the time goes. . .I don't know!!!

I finished four projects this month. One project was an online mystery quilt that I started in 2015! If you missed that post, you can read it here. I have a pop up and a bag ready for gifting. I'm again practicing regularly with my machine embroidery software.

I stitched two quilt blocks. One block was supposed to be a heart in bright fabrics including some purple that measured 6 1/2 inches square. The other block could be any design that measured 8 1/2 inches square using browns/earth tone fabrics. I looked at Pinterest for inspiration for the blocks. I found several and decided to give one pattern a try.

Star Patch--layered and pin basted

It is interesting that these are the same blocks, with sashing added to the top block. I like both blocks. Miss K has talked about making a heart quilt so she might like this block pattern. If you want to make a block, the directions are here.

Last week, I layered and pin basted Star Patch. I'm not sure when I'll begin quilting it; but, it is waiting for me!! First, I plan to stitch in the ditch ESS (every stinking seam)! After that, I hope I have heard what the quilt is wanting so I'll know where to start stitching!

Fill stitch manipulation exercise example

The embroidery software lesson this month was about manipulating fill stitches. I enjoyed working through the lesson. Miss J thought that it was interesting as she provided input on which manipulations looked the best to her. The end stitch sample may become a quilt label. I think it would be great for a youth quilt.

I also embroidered the word for the dog wall hanging. I'll save more information regarding that process for a later post. Of course, during the process, the project wanted a different approach. I am having fun playing with different options. Miss J offers her opinions too which has made this project extra special. While it felt great to see progress, I will be a little sad when we finish it!

Laundered faces drying for the next class

In February, I trained: 9 in Lay Rescuer CPRs; 6 as Lifeguards; 9 as Lifeguard Instructor/Trainers; 27 in Basic Life Support CPRs for a total of 51 people. (Year to date, I've trained 160 people.) When I teach classes at the community center, I get to clean the faces and the pocket masks too. I'm including a photo of the supplies drying. I suppose some may find the view creepy; but, I wanted to share the amount of supplies it takes for a class. This class had nine participants attend with 11 participants enrolled. It is funny looking laundry!

We did postpone the community center class because the day before I was to teach, about four inches of snow fell on top of a thin layer of ice. It is rare for Mother Nature to provide us with snow that sticks so late in the year.

This week, she even provided us with a couple days of either no school or late starts because of snow and ice! Because snow/ice is rare for our area, people aren't prepared to drive in it. When they venture out, accidents that clog the roadways happen. Basically, it is a mess! It is smarter and safer to stay home and quilt!

In a few days, I will be speaking to a small guild--My topic is "Finding Your Artist." I'll be showing my challenge and book club quilts as I talk about the how I was inspired to create each one.  This will be a first for me. I'm nervous; but, in a good way!

Also next month, I plan to continue working through my list of projects for the quarter. I am using my
bullet journal. I still find it helpful to review my monthly goals daily. I completed all but two goals that I had listed. I haven't done as well with my habit tracker; but, I plan to do better in March!  All in all, February was a great month.