New Year!

 I can say I am officially in the New Year.

My whole family: 2 kids, DIL, and 2 grandboys as well as spouse all got together for almost a week in Louisiana. What a wonderful time together.  We truly enjoyed Natchitoches and the winter displays it had. Lights zig zagged up and down streets, on the bridge, and along the Cane River downtown. 

We toured Melrose Plantation, which is rich in local history.  And the textiles: loomed coverlets, quilts both pieced and appliqued were amazing.  Then the crocheted bed cover was also beautiful.  The workmanship was excellent, precise and very small.  No photos were allowed. 

We also celebrated Jensen, the youngest grandson's 6th birthday. 

Now we are back home, with cold weather and some blowing snow. That makes it a good time to stay indoors and do some cleaning and quilting.  Great start to a new year. 

So I have 2 things in progress: 

These are 2 of the 10 Edyta Sitar's half square triangle papers I have done. Each provides you with 28 units. I am exchanging them with Pieceful Gatherings' Quilt shop in Fox Lake, IL

The other is a beginning of the Quilt Along by Corinne et Cecile of France: 

This year's challenge is half applique and half pieced blocks none  of which can be the same. 

My take on this is 

             

The left is one of the gnomes by Stitch X Needlework Designs; the right is a different one traced.

So my appliques will be these characters in reds/greens with lots of embroidery.

The pieced blocks will be various Christmas trees.

Onward into the new year.  Lots of plans. Lots of goals. Lots of hopes. 

May you and yours welcome the New Year and all that it brings.