New Year and a New Month

 Here's January Monthly Marker

For this year's markers I thought I would share some mini quilts from a challenge that I took part in 2016.  The one above is called Blue Monday, which marks the time in the middle of this month when its a long way from the pay day of December to the pay day in January with the bills from Christmas coming through. 

So its a time of New Year Resolutions and to think of the year ahead.  I'm going to keep things low key this month and do a bit of sorting out and not get too bogged down with things to be finished.  That can come later.  I have got some knitting on the go but that is done in the evenings, but I made a start between Christmas and New Year.  It is another Harvest cardigan, a free pattern by Tin Can Knits .  I was going to start this later this month, but a friend wanted a ball of chunky wool to finish her cardigan and Wool Warehouse had the same dye lot as the wool she was using, so I ordered the yarn  for this cardigan as there's free postage when you order over £25.  The yarn I'm using is King Cole Fashion Aran in blue Jura colour way. Last year I made the same design in Fashion Aran Combi in a brown colour but that is now discontinued, but it is a lovely snug cardi for this time of year so I had no hesitation in using Fashion Aran again for this one.

Above is the back, below the front view

So far I've done the shoulder shaping and the sleeve stitches are on waste yarn.  Theres still some increases on the front but after that it's garter and stocking stitch until I get to the bottom.  

I've got to do an 'audit' of any sewing projects that are outstanding and find where I am and what to do next.  As ever social media always tries to find a way of drawing into a shiny new project, but no, I must try not to succumb!

In recent times I've taken to doing some paper crafts but again do not want to get drawn into card making if I can help it.  I have been thinking about whether to carry on with ATCs, but I would like art of some sort.  I have enjoyed seeing Art, Paper Joy's daily ephemera You Tubes last month and it is tempting to start art journalling.  I think that I miss the creativity of postcards that I used to make and swap years back but I do need to be organised and have a 'kit' of things to be able to pick up and go with.  So I think I need to focus on that.  

Last autumn I took the decision not to make any blocks for Siblings Together Bee for the time being, so I'm free to be able to look at what quilts need finishing too.  I also picked up a pack of quilt blocks ready to join together so will have a go at that.

So, right, lets get on and get off that computer!  I'll be back next week.

(After 3 posts from me already, you'll be glad of a rest!)