Time for Easy Street and a Weather Report

Starting a new "non-Christmas" project in December is probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but I like to live dangerously. :)

I was finally able to spend some time on Easy Street. I couldn't resist diving into Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt. And judging from the blogs I have read, there are an awful lot of us joining in. In fact, many of you are finished. I'm behind, but what's new? I've only had little patches of time here and there, but I've been chipping away at the clues and have started piecing blocks:

When Bonnie posted the 3rd clue, I was hoping to get to that one by the time she posted the 5th. That did not happen. These colors are a departure for me, but sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone is a good thing. I like the green, but there is a lot of it. 

 I love Bonnie's design and this version is going to be a new project for me.

DH and I went to town the other day to run errands and I left the house with this pile:

And no, they are not late Christmas gifts. :) I struggle with getting things into the mail. I can get things gathered up and probably locate the perfect box eventually, but getting them actually INTO the mail is hard. Still, I rarely make a trip to town where I do not visit the post office. I keep hearing how they are struggling financially and I wonder how that can be. There is always a line and I am always leaving my money there. However, I do love sending little bits of happiness.

We did get some rain last week and we are thankful for every drop. And yes, .5" is cause for celebration in this parched land:

As ranchers, we are very mindful of the weather and puddles are blog worthy during a drought:

New Project

We have a dear couple who have been treasured friends for years...going on 2 decades. Yikes. Their daughter is delightful and getting married and of course a quilt must be made! I was initially thinking of Easy Street. Those used to be 'Haley' colors, but alas, children grow up and now we are looking at a more subdued color palette. Her Mama said their colors are more on the masculine side in grays and creams and yellows. I am thinking a chevron quilt. With the exception of the grays I bought for easy street, and some cream, my stash isn't much help.

I started browsing on the Internet and here are a few selections I am contemplating:

What do y'all think? This is SO out of my comfort zone, but I am delighted to make something they will love! Maybe 3 yellow, 3 grays, and 3 creams?

I'm thinking of adding some of this darker gray I bought for Easy Street, but did not use. Binding, perhaps?

I'm thinking I ought to wait until I have the top pieced before making that decision.

Snow Shots

Now that the kids are gone and I can no longer take pictures like this when it snows:

Or this:

... the horses alone, have become my subjects:

They no longer pay attention to the lady with the big , black, clicking box stuck in front of her face:

Look! A horse with 4 ears!

Alright ranch lady, I think you need to go find yourself some kids.

Gettin' it Done - January

I figure I am going to need all the help I can get this year in tackling my UFO's. I wouldn't be concerned except for the fact that new and irresistible projects keep popping up, demanding to be made.

Judy, over at Patchwork Times is having a monthly Getting It Done! party. 4 goals a month. That's all. I think I can handle that. Some months, probably better than other's , but I am nothing if not optimistic and I think this may be just the kick in the britches I need.

January Gettin'  it Done! Goals:

1. Finish my snowman quilt - actually, I already got this one finished the other day, but it was a UFO coming into the New Year so I am counting it.

2. Bind my Western Made in Cherry Quilt - aka: Barn Star Quilt

3. Finish making all the parts for Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street and piece the blocks.

4. Piece a baby quilt for a friend's 1st grandchild.

5. Adding a 5th one in case #1 doesn't count. LOL  Piece the leftover blocks from my Western Many Trips quilt together.