Stich Along

 Hello All!

When Covid hit, I was needing something to distract myself, and a cousin has posted some Blackwork she was doing each week.  I had done cross stitch before, but not Blackwork.  I checked out Peppermint Purple { Blackwork Patterns & Cross Stitch Patterns – Peppermint Purple  }and found I quite liked her designs.  So I started the 2020 Stitch along.  This is where she publishes a pattern each week, and we add to our growing piece.  Many followed exactly the colours, many did their own colour choices.  Some adapted for one reason or other. I miscounted my cloth needed and so I missed out on the last couple months of this one.  She did give me permission to publish this.  So here it is!

This was a free weekly stitch along, and we needed to join her Facebook page to get the updates. 

 {  (20+) Peppermint Purple | Facebook } And she's doing another one in 2021!  Also free!  Such a generous lady, who lives in the UK, I just figured out!  A lot of her patterns are downloadable after purchase, so you are good to go.  Lots of encouragement from the other members too!  It is quite peaceful focusing on this once a week.  A little "ME" time.  

If you are curious, check her out!  Beginner friendly!!

Hugs and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

 Hello!

Now that most of my cards have arrived, I can post this year's card.  

This year was not as bad as previous year's in the motivation department.

I happily worked on these and looked forward to sending them out, compared to the last few years of just giving up, or forcing myself to do so.  Winter blues, or SADS is common, and it hits me usually in late October, early November.  I have a light box I use each morning and oddly, this year's Covid restrictions motivated me!  

I wanted to make a little tea kit to share with some members of our Quilt Guild who were really feeling isolated, so I made some large mats or Mug Rugs as some say.  Combined with a tea packet, a treat and my card I went around to their houses to leave a surprise.  Some I had to notify ahead of time as they lived in apartments, but most I just left and ran.  Brought Kara with me and I finished feeling quite up!

In each card, I also usually include a letter with our updates of the year.  

This year I decided to share a poem I found on the internet....

I've since discovered the author is Shawna Hickling from Calgary, AB, Canada

Hugs to all!

And I wish you a healthy and happy 2021!

Jewels Into Hearts

 Hi!

Since we live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario we have an international bridge to the US at our disposal.  Since March 17 though, it has been closed due to Covid-19.  Scrolling Pinterest, I saw a fun quilt with hearts that were English Paper Pieced.  I can do that!   

So I ordered the 1" jewel paper pieces and once they finally arrived, I stared making hearts. I decided to keep them in blues and teal, 1 for each day the bridge is closed.  I thought that it would make a nice wall hanging....

I believe that this will now be a quilt...

And I have started to pester my friends and family for 5" square pieces of blue fabric.  I want to make each heart a different fabric, and so I need help!  We are at day 262 and still counting!

Here's what I have so far...