Goals - A monthly one at least - and ramblings

Early last year I made lists and plans, joining up with Gail and Cheryll in doing some planning for 2020. It had been a couple of years since I'd done any official planning and I hoped that it would help me to achieve a little more quiltyness. Gail was running PHD in 2020; where we finish UFOs and complete anything we start in 2020. (My list *here*.) Cheryll and her WOOFA challenge encouraged us to work and make progress on a list of projects (My list *here*.). I started both of these with a bit of a hiss and a roar but as the year progressed, I just didn't seem to get to them, nor the monthly link ups. On the whole, my quilty sewing dropped off as other things got in the way. I had made great lists though and I did look at them regularly, and that was really useful in helping me to focus and less likely to start something new. So I didn't start as many projects as I was tempted to, they went on my 'one day' list. For some I bought the patterns or fabric so they are on the 'committed to starting one day list'!

This rather lengthy intro leads me to what I am going to do this year. I'm keeping with those lists. I'm committing to focusing on those projects already out and sorted. I'll probably start some new things but will try not to get too carried away. My December (One Block A Day) challenge shows I can do things if I put my mind to it, so I'll try to capture that energy again!

Last year I got the top of young Odie's Lorax quilt completed. And it even got pin basted. Although I've missed the deadline to sign up to Elm Street Quilt's One Monthly Goal link-up I'm setting this goal anyway.

As Odie turns one near the beginning of February, I think finishing his quilt will be an ideal aim for the month.  I have cleared away some Christmas things (paper and other shambles!) and can now get to my Sweet 16 so that's a start.

The MOML and I just had a couple of nights away, our SIL kindly milking for us and looking after the stock. We went further up north to a little place called Mangonui. We've been there before and like the small town feel with just enough eateries and places of interest and close enough to other attractions to keep us occupied. With kiwis not able to holiday outside NZ, Mangonui was packed to the rafters and we were very lucky to get somewhere to stay.

Mangonui doesn't have swimming beaches, it was once a whaling station and is more well known as a fishing settlement. There are a lot of bays with swimming beaches nearby which everyone was flocking to.

Where we stayed, a remodelled 1861 building. Very nice —

The MOML enjoying an ice cream on a very hot summer's day —

This weekend two of our families are off camping and we are dog minding. It feels like a real circus around here.
Big ones —

(I took the boys plus our dog Emma up the back hill for a good run to wear them out.) We've had a little summer rain this last week and the farm is looking a little greener than it was —

Small ones (took him out for a run as well; he had fun chasing pinecones) —

To add to the complications this guy has sore teeth and is having trouble eating. He's on medication and his teeth will be 'seen to' when his mouth clears up a bit, hopefully in a couple of weeks —

Plus Katems (aka Katie Cat) has come home. Some time in 2012 she moved out of the house down to the old pig sty to live. She's been quite happy down there, initially with Jingle who had also moved out (and passed away 2 years ago) and getting fed twice daily when the chooks are fed. She came inside once about 4 years ago and was quite happy until she saw Timmie cat. They hissed at each other and she took off again. Timmie is no longer with us and so far she has been here for two nights. We'd dearly like her to stay at the house so we're doing the best we can to keep her feeling safe (and away from all the dog visitors)! She's coming up for 18 years old, by the way.
Back to being fully domesticated —

As you can tell from the non sewing photos, there's been little sewing around here but,

'til next time,

happy stitches,

December block tally and the New Year

In December I challenged myself to sew a block a day and blog about it. I'd had a very slow couple of sewing months due to life 'down on the farm' and I wanted to kickstart my quilting.

Unbelievably, I met my challenge...... not only did I sew a block a day, some days I managed two or more.
My tally for the month was 64 blocks!!

Initially I was wanting to sew a variety of blocks for a variety of projects but as time got tighter it was easier to fall back on those where I already had the fabrics and pattern out and just sew up one of those.

Five blocks became this —

Two blocks became these —

Foxley Village progressed —

My Scrappy Sprouts project progressed —

I started a new project —

And here are most of the other blocks —

This time last year I signed up to Prairie Moon's  350 block challenge (found *here*). We keep track of the number of blocks we make, which is motivating when the finishes aren't falling over themselves to be counted! My final total was 272 blocks - nowhere near the target but nothing to be sneezed at either.

Since 2021 has begun I've spent little time in The Palace. I met up with my sister at the mid-way point between our homes, and 'handed Mum over'. She had two weeks visiting and it was lovely to spend the time with her. We met at our nieces' new place - they've just bought an apartment together so we were able to inspect that.

And we've had two small children here for an overnighter so their parents could have some time out.

We took them out the back and they had a good run around while the MOML shifted some stock.

Wide open spaces —

Picking flowers and seedheads —

A sign that there were small children in the house. The bunnies had been put to bed —

After they had gone I had some quiet time to myself (much needed!) and sewed up another block for my Scrappy Christmas project —

I have a vague idea where this project is heading but haven't done any maths yet - I'm just enjoying the piecing at this stage.

2021 has got off to a busy start for us. In exchange for the child-minding, our son-in-law is going to milk for us for a couple of days so we are heading up north today. We're looking forward to relaxing a bit :-)

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Day 31 of Block a Day December

Another early morning sewing session this morning saw a few more blocks to add to my tally for the month.

Two more of these ornament blocks which I seem to be hooked on —

The last November block for my Temperature quilt —

And November now all joined  —

And added to the rest of the top —

I won't be getting December's blocks done by the end of the year but hope to have it completed in a week or so!

The last two gifts I made this Christmas were from the two blocks I made at the start of December. I sewed them up into mugrugs.....they do seem a bit big but will also fit a nice little plate of goodies as well as a hot drink.

I backed them with Kiwiana fabric —

And I also received a couple of lovely decorations to hang on the tree.

This one from Lou. She made one a month this year, I'm so lucky to have received one —

And the lovely Di made this —

Thank you so much both of you lovely ladies ♥

We had a town visit today and a quiet afternoon with no more gardening. (That's when I got a little sewing done.) We all spent this evening at ED's for a nice BBQ tea and a good gathering of both sides of the family. Lots of very excited children who would have all taken a while to wind down for bed tonight! Unless this blog post takes me another hour 40 minutes to write, I don't think ANY of us will be seeing in the new year. 
Mum with some of her Great-grandies —

AND I MADE IT - A Block A Day this December - lots of fun - I did actually enjoy the challenge and am thrilled that I have a new pile of blocks to progress my projects - and I even have a new one started -ahem, that wasn't supposed to happen!

Thank you all for following along and your encouraging comments. I really do apologise that I haven't replied to you all and also I really want to catch up on reading and commenting on your blogs too.

Happy New Year to you all.

Let's all hope that that spark of hope and positivity that we feel as we put the 2020 calendars away and bring out the 2021 ones lasts and better things really do happen. That health and happiness return to the world.

Hugs ♥