January just flashed by within a couple of eye blinks, or so it seems..how did we get to February so quickly??..it's like we're on fast forward, don't you think?? i sure hope this month doesn't go by in a flash..it's all just a bit too scary :((
Having said that, i'm really pleased [and surprised] at how organized and creative i've been in my studio, this past month. I've alreday finished one small quilt, and three quilt tops are waiting to be quilted. One of them, Pink Lemonade has been basted and i'm planning to start quilting it tonight.
As part of the 'small quilt-a-month' challenge, Kathy will be choosing a pattern, for the group, from one of her books, each month. The challenge is to finish the quilt within that month. Each month, Kathy will present us with two choices, ie the pattern as shown in the book or a smaller version which she has designed for us. We're doing it as a small QAL, with weekly prompts on her blog and motivation along the way, to keep us on track.
January's quilt challenge was ::Crosses Mourning:: from 'Prairie Children & Their Quilts'
i chose to make the smaller version....with four crosses. As i was choosing the fabrics from my stash i knew i wanted to combine a few older cw prints with a few new ones. To my delight i still had some vintage purple paisley fabric from the 1960s, which i've had since my teens....perfect!!!
so, here's the finished top...
sandwiched, basted & hand quilted....
it's all a bit too much for Elmo...time for a cat nap on my fabric, if you don't mind!!
Oscar's happy to nap on the floor...on my fabric, of course LOL!!
and here's my finished 'January' quilt...
and in case you're wondering about the dragon....
2012 is the year of the water dragon, which happens to be my sign, in the Chinese Zodiac. My brother, Henry [who's a potter] made the dragon for me, and i've got a purple one as well..lucky me!! It just so happens that 1952 [my birth year] was the first year of the water dragon, how about that?! It comes around every sixty years, which makes me think it's highly unlikely that i'll be here for it's third incarnation, but you just never know. OMGoodness, i'll be a really, REALLY old dragon by then LOL!!!
In the early hours of this morning, 1am [est] Kathy announced Feb's small quilt challenge. She chose another pattern from the same book, this time it's ::Broken Dishes:: the smaller version has redwork embroidery in the centre block..which i really like. For those who are going to make the smaller version Kathy suggests that we make it in red & white, as a Valentine project..nice :))
i've chosen a few of my fabrics and over the next couple of days, i hope to start cutting & piecing... but first things first, i really should finish quilting my pink lemonade quilt, shouldn't i??..wink!!
Beautiful! I love the dragon, too.
Posted by: Susan | February 03, 2012 at 04:51 AM
You really did a great job finishing your January Challenge quilt Marian! It looks wonderful!!! Nice story about how the dragon came about too!!! Have a great weekend sewing!!!
Posted by: Merilyn | February 03, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Well that lot is going to keep you out of mischief - you old dragon you!!!!!
Posted by: Helen F | February 03, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Just wanted to let you know that I have your entry for my giveaway (will be drawing winners tomorrow).
Your blog is wonderful! I'm finding all sorts of reasons to come back and visit often.
I live about 90 minutes away from a city where Kathleen Tracy had classes this weekend. I really wanted to go but couldn't get time off work. I enjoy her projects and books.
My goodness, you're a busy quilter!
Posted by: Vivian | February 06, 2012 at 04:00 AM
Well done you!! I shall look forward to seeing you complete a quilt for each month now.... you've set the standard!! Seriously tho', you're going to have such fun.
Posted by: Meredithe | February 06, 2012 at 08:39 PM
I love your little Mourning Crosses quilt...that fabric is awesome!!! And when I saw Elmo on your quilt, I said OMG! Max has a twin! How old is your Elmo? Max is 10 years old, and a very spoiled little girl....
Posted by: Sharon | February 11, 2012 at 01:28 PM
LOL!! Sharon, youre the second person to say that, this week! Elmo & Oscar are both 6..got them as kittens and they are best mates. Elmos a ragdoll with a tiny bit of Siamese in him, from his mums side. Oscar is a black moggie, ive always loved black cats..think i mightve been a witch in a past life LOL!! thanks for visiting :))
Posted by: Marian Edwards | February 11, 2012 at 02:11 PM
love your mourning crosses quilts!
very nice fabrics...
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | February 17, 2012 at 12:19 AM
Your choice of fabrics is really wonderful, beautiful work !
Posted by: Béatrice | February 18, 2012 at 06:10 PM