January Round Up.

I don't usually set monthly goals or post a monthly round up, but I thought I might try it out this year and see how I go.

If you look over to the right there you will see my monthly goals listed in the side bar.

Top of the list is the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge. (Listed in the left side bar).

I'm happy to say I surpassed my own expectations. I had said that I wanted to start the cutting for a project, planning to cut only the background fabrics. But as you see here, I also cut the coloured fabrics.

What can I say? I was on a roll and kept on cutting.

I have tweaked the Chookshed list as I no longer need a second round of cutting.

Next on my monthly goals list is to complete 2 x RSC blocks.

I chose to use the FPP kiwi design by Louise, 

They still need their legs, but I figure I will wait until I have a few more made then add a whole bunch of legs all at once.

Next on my list for the month is to complete at least one Christmas ornament.

Happy to say I not only completed the cross stitching, but I also converted it in to a fully finished object.

Then I started on a second, secret ornament and shared a quick tease.

The cross stitch has progressed a lot further now and hopefully I should complete it this afternoon.

I'm very happy about that.

I also committed to working a minimum of 15 minutes per day on either Cross stitch, crochet or my EPP. 

There was one day when I did none of the above, but as most days I managed more than an hour of something I'm not going to worry about it.

While I didn't often work on my EPP I did make a lot of progress during the Australia day zoom session with Chooky.

If you remember, this project is something I rescued from a Facebook page. No pattern and no idea what the person who started it had in mind. I am becoming concerned that there may not be enough of that red to complete it as I have planned.  I'll keep you posted on that.

My crochet has also grown quite a bit, but sadly no updated picture, here is an older one.

I really need to spread it out somewhere and see how big it is.

And that is the end of my monthly goals. 

The sharp eyed among you may have noticed that I had the applique fish as one of my goals, it sneaked in a few days ago and this morning I sorted out a bunch of pretty blue batik fabrics to use for the back grounds, then went off out for my walk. While I was walking I had another think about it and decided to removed the fish from the list. 

Nice try Susan, but it's not happening.  Maybe I'll collect the patterns and do something later.

That does not complete my productivity for the month though. I also got busy using my grocery receipts as paper foundations and turned a pile of triangle off cuts in to some very lovely placemats.

I am delighted with how these turned out and will make more.

I also made a start on a kit that has been around for a while, taking it along to the local club sew in day and completing the top at home a couple of days later.

Town Square, by Sweetwater.

It was quick and easy to put together and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now to figure out what I will take with me next month.

These sew in days and hopefully weekends will become monthly. I have pushed for them since joining the club almost two years ago. So I really need to attend and support.

Away from my needle and thread I had a very busy month in the kitchen making many batches of pickled onions, relish, jam and marmalade as well as some of the usual baking. Tony and I have a great stash of goodies to keep us going over the colder months and I also took some to work for the residents to enjoy.

January was a good month.

I hope February will be the same.

I think my list of goals will remain pretty much the same for next month so I won't make a special post about them.

I hope you all had a great start to the year, keeping cool or warm and your climate dictates and that you took the time to settle with needle and thread.