2026 project - Paris - Je t'aime

Paris - Je t'aime by Verushka Karate had previously caught my eye as it would go perfectly with my Nantes cushion. I took a class with Verushka in Nantes in 2024 or 2023. I saw on Instagram that my friend Pippa, received the kit at Christmas, which spurred me on to commit to this project. I have purchased, downloaded and printed the pattern. I now need to put it into a folder to keep some sort of order to the project. I then ordered all of the fabrics except one. I may have some of that fabric in the kit for the cushion. I also ordered some liquid starch as Verushka starches her fabric and hangs them to drip dry and they are beautifully crisp. I have some of the Moda Bella in Christmas red that Verushka had starched for the Nantes show and she didn't want to take anything home with her, so shared her leftovers.

Looking forward to 2026

I have just forwarded a list of twelve projects to Jersey Modern Quilt Group to participate in the 2026 UFO challenge. I finished ten out of twelve projects in 2025.

Part 1 of the Barbara Ana sew along and this is as far as I got in 2025.

Numbers 2 to 4 are the other three seasons. No doubt winter will be chosen before any of the others.

I planned to work on number 5 - Frosty Tiny Town over Xmas but not a stitch was placed in the piece.

Newly purchased fabric purchased last week at Guthrie and Ghani. It is waiting to be washed.

More fabric from Guthrie and Ghani!

Number 8 is the many thimble blocks I've made in the sewalong with Happy Sew Lucky. If only I knew where I'd put them!

Fabric purchased in 2021 from Rosenbergs on a three hour visit with Lizzie.

Jingle all the way has lots of embellishments to add along with a border.

One of many kits from Sew Quirky which is too cute not to make.

Another Sew Quirky pattern which will probably be made into a cushion for Lizzie.

I also have a longer term project that I'll share with you on Friday.

Happy Christmas

 

Last minute finish

 

We are spending Christmas in the UK with our children. We will spend two days in Leeds and then move to the Midlands to Matthew's home. I am sure Matthew will have even fewer decorations up than we have, so I have made some placemats. This is a Kimberbell embroidery pattern, stitched on my Janome embroidery machine and then made bigger with 4" rectangles on each side, quilted and then bound.

WIP Wednesday - Frosty Tiny Town

I have been working slowly but steadily on Frosty Tiny town by Heart in Hand. Today will be the last day that I'll work on it until I have finished a cross stitch ornament for Lizzie. I have worked to the far right of the pattern and then to the far left, I am now working on finishing each motif working from left to right. So far, I have the first house and tree complete.

 

Christmas plans

New traditions are being started in 2025, and we are travelling to the UK to spend Christmas with Matt and Lizzie. First of all, we're travelling to Leeds to visit Lizzie's new home and then we are staying near Stratford upon Avon. Christmas day will be at Matt's home in Coventry and all we've been asked to provide is pate. I envisioned having to take roasting trays and serving dishes in our checked luggage but apparently that is covered.

Lizzie and I usually tackle a joint project at Christmas, but this year's project is very simple. Rosie Taylors Crafts recently posted a video of easy scrappy pom poms. My pom pom makers are packed and I have started cutting 1/4" strips from selvedges.  You can find Rosie's video here.

We are planning a side trip to Guthrie and Ghani on Tuesday or Wednesday but haven't shared that with the boys, yet!

Cross stitch fully finishes II

I started off the month with great plans to fully finish lots of cross stitch pieces. I didn't quite fulfil my potential. My first finish by Barbara Ana was a quick finish as I purchased a 6" hoop butt at Stitch Festiva earlier in the year.

 

It worked perfectly and has joined my seasonal decor.

Again, this was a quick finish once y crushed walnut shells arrived from Amazon. It is by Primrose Cottage Stitches. Yesterday I tried and failed spectacularly to finish a Christmas ornament for Lizzie. However, I picked up oil paint from the store and not acrylic paint. Apparently, oil paint can take a year to cure! It won't be finished for this Christmas.