Hand Quilting Continues -

Did you think I'd forgotten this project in the Swirl of Squirrel that is happening over here?

No way, Jose!

It was put on a short hiatus while I worked on the binding for the finished king string monstrosity.

But once that was on the bed, with an icy weekend ahead of me, this has been back on my lap and I've been stitching away enough that my fingers get sore by the end of the evening and I have to set it down.

These colors and fabrics are bringing happiness and light during the darkest coldest months ahead.

Here is where I was on Sunday morning.

This is part way up the 3rd side of the first round of free-hand fans.  As of last night I've completed another side and am now on the 4th side of that first round.

And Ivy comes in at night because it is too darned cold outside!

Truth be told - she would prefer to be outside, but with Lola sequestered in the basement during Ivy's "in" time - Ivy has given up meowing at the back door to be let back out and will settle between my knees for a snuggle while I stitch with the hoop in my lap.

She is no dummy!

Folks have asked if I have released the pattern for this quilt yet.

Nope.

It can't happen until the hand quilting is done, and we are looking for a spring release date.  I'd at least like leaves on the trees and some green grass for photos.

There is a lot of quilting yet to happen, but it's marching along in my evening TV watching time.  Some things can't be rushed, and hand quilting is one of those things.

The light from the window highlighted the stitches on the backing perfectly!

As much as I love machine quilting - and I do - there is nothing that compares to the tiny stitches made by the simple rocking of the needle by hand.

The machine stitching you see is my machine basting, done with large stitches so they are more easily removed.  I remove them section by section as I move the hoop.

Yesterday we very much a desk day.  I spent most of the day taking step out photos for Friday's Indigo Way  Part Four release.  Yes, it was an early start to get that finished - but I have a reason!

I'm headed out for a holiday lunch today, and perhaps a round of shopping, and I needed to clear the weekly calendar.

I'm free to play today! And temps should be in the low 40s by afternoon - which is downright balmy after what we had through the weekend.

Winter Cardinal (Which is the working name so far) is back in progress - I'm about half way done with the blocks I need, and I'm loving the festive feel of this one.  More to come.

You'll be proud of me - I left the black/neutral pineapples completely alone - but I'll reward myself with the sewing of a couple more come the weekend I think.

December, 2019 - Ruhpolding Bavaria.

I was with my Craftours group on a tour of Bavaria/Austria.

You might think that December travel is too cold of a time to travel - but let me tell you - Bundled up warm, festivities surrounding you.  It was a wonderful way to catch the Christmas Spirit.

One year from now - we'll be here!

This photo was taken by Jim West, owner of Craftours and he wrote:

"Tonight, we reserved the entire Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) for our Craftours group! It was off the charts, from a private tour and Champagne reception, to a personal welcome from Lady Carnarvon herself. Sophisticated Christmas magic! "

Photo I took 12 years ago - from my FB memories -

You might think that December is the wrong time to travel - but it is magical!

We'll be in Ireland/Scotland in June. Kenya is coming up in September! This is a repeat tour (as is Ireland) as it is so fabulous everyone asks when I'm going back as they want to come too. We finish up 2024 with Christmastime in England, one year from now.

Visit my Craftours Page with all of my tours in one place! I would love to have you join me. And yes, spouses, friends, siblings, non-quilters, adult children are all welcome.

So what's up on deck for you today?  I really enjoyed the sharing in yesterday's comments section!

What are you doing to bring in some holiday spirit today?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

No matter how much I love a busy retreat season and all of the fun that comes with it -I really really love being home!

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Especially the slower mornings with time to enjoy the sunrise.

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Have you ever wanted to make an ocean waves quilt? There's a free pattern with two different block sizes under the Free Patterns tab at the top of my blog.

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Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!