A break in the program...

For me, a goal to complete a project each month often means that is the only project I work on, lest I not finish in time.  However, after chatting to my cousin last Friday, I cleared the decks and started something new.

I am quite possibly the slowest crafter around, but when I heard the news, I gave myself a stretch target of designing, embroidering, cutting, piecing, quilting and binding a quilt (albeit bassinet sized) in a long weekend.  Sadly, my cousin's little nephew was grew his angel wings unexpectedly at just 13 days old.  All I could do was offer words of support, having lost my own gorgeous nephew at 7 months old, but also wanted to make a little memory quilt to send to his family.

His funeral is on Wednesday afternoon, and remembering the focal point my nephew's quilt was, on his coffin at the funeral, and later, displayed with his keepsakes until my sister was ready to put them away for safe keeping, I was hoping to get this one in the post on Tuesday for express delivery.  Unfortunately I am not going to make my self-imposed deadline, as I had a whole day out on Saturday with two kid's birthday parties, and we spent a good chunk of the public holiday on a family drive to look at some kittens (we are hoping to buy a little ragdoll kitten as a therapy cat for Master A).  When we got home, I had washing to catch up on, ready for school and work, and didn't set to start quilting until 9pm, with an early start at work for me today.

So rather than rush it, I admitted defeat, put it aside and got some much needed sleep.  It's been a while since I did any actual quilting, so I opted for safe, straight lines, but now I have given myself a few extra days, maybe I can attempt a little free-motion work in the background or outer border.

Here it is, laid out ready for pin basting.  I am doing well so far this year, trying not to buy new fabric if I can help it, so I can get the stash under control.  I can happily say this was all from stash, the only thing I purchased was the applique design, which is so sweet, I know I will use it again.  This is from Applique Download, where Michelle was really prompt to reply when I had trouble getting the design quick smart. It stitched out perfectly - I will definitely go back to her store.