The Solstice is Almost Here

 I have been counting down the days to the Winter Solstice, looking forward to the days starting to get longer.  

Dear Hubby and I have been walking early in the morning since June.  Since DH has to leave for work no later than 6:30 am, our walks usually take place before sunrise, especially since the end of Daylight Saving Time.  You can see why I'd be paying attention to the length of the days!

The change in the season also heralds a change in my quilting activities: wrapping up projects from 2021 and contemplating the quilty fun ahead in 2022.  There are more projects to wrap up than time will allow, but it's given me goals to work toward.

 

I got a late start on the Two and Four QAL, but did manage to finish the flimsy shortly after Thanksgiving.  The design wall was taken up with another project, so I just spread out the top on the guest room bed for a quick picture.  This was a fun scrap-buster: quick and easy!

 

I started working on this quilt just a few days before Halloween.  The kit (from Fig Tree & Co.) had been kicking around in my stash for several years and was calling out to get made.  It's based on Joanna Figueroa's Navajo Stars pattern, but uses orange, black, and tan fabrics for a Halloween theme.  

 

 

The whole palette has less contrast and color than my usual, but it's good to try new things.  The background fabric is cream with light brown dots.  It doesn't show up well in the photos, but it's a really lovely fabric and I wish I had more of it!

The example from the pattern instructions (here) was heavily quilted, which really adds interest to the quilt.  Something to contemplate for 2022.

 

Once the Navajo Stars were off the design wall,  I pulled out the Sugar Loaf blocks that were a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project in 2021.  The pattern calls for five additional blocks, which will be cut in half.  A half block is to be placed in each of the open areas at the top or bottom of the rows.  I'm still not happy about cutting the blocks in half, but I haven't come up with any better design options. 

I'll be away with my Florida family for a few days, but maybe I can finish the blocks before the end of the year.

Warm holiday wishes to all - whatever holiday you may celebrate!