And the new year has started

With the start of the new year, there is the the start of a new quilt.
This one is going to be the result of about 1000 half square triangles from a swap in
2009 through the local quilt shop.  Mine will be all 30's fabric.
As of today I have 27 blocks done, with 4 more to finish.
There will be some pinwheel blocks in the setting triangles.
I am hoping to get this top done before the end of the month.
That is only 310 half square triangles.  I think I have a few more to
use up. There will have to be another quilt in the works to use up
more of those triangles.

This has been a strange winter.
Most of December was warm, no snow for Christmas.
There have been temps up into the 40's and as low as 2 degrees.
We have had slush, rain and finally some snow.
The animals and birds are not quite sure of what to do.
Geese don't know if they should be going North or South.

Saw my official first Robin, January 2, 2016.
Actually saw 7 that day.  They really don't know what direction to go in.

On that same day I came across 2 Bluebirds.  This one was so patient
with me while I took pictures.  Don't you just love the  Bluebird.
He has been the sign of Happiness for ever.

It has been time to work on some new cards.
I used up almost all that I had of Christmas.
Decided to try a few new designs.

Been in need of a few man oriented birthday cards.
My son thought these turned out pretty good. 

Played with a few more birthday cards, but this time feminine.

This female Cardinal is part of the two pair that comer to my feeders
in the backyard.

Finished up a couple more Christmas cross stitching.
This is an envelope pattern by Lynne Nicoletti.
I had seen this on Pinterest, but had a hard time finding the pattern.
I so love how it turned out.

Just another picture of it by my mini Christmas tree.

Made a couple more mini envelopes.
I can use these for gift cards or cash is always good.

My little tree with some new ornaments on it.   

Ron was gone to Buffalo, last weekend for a funeral service.
He left on Friday morning.
I set up a folding table in the family room and worked on more cards.
Added Valentine cards to the recent mix of ones I was in need of.

I love making these cards.
I do everything in stages.
The first part is making the top layer, which is the Iris Folding.
Once you have that part done you have to decide the colors of paper
or card stock to layer behind it.

Then you have to decide how big is the overall card going to be.

Once you have decided the size you need to start putting it together.
Will it be birthday, how about a thank you card.
There is get well, thinking about you, then you have all the holidays.
Most have sayings inside that go with any wording you have
put on the front.
Every part takes time.  I don't like to just throw them together.
Even if  I put 5 cards together with the same design, I take the time to finish each
one differently.  When I see what other ladies have done, there are even more
ideas and possibilities.

It was a good weekend for me, as I got a lot of cards one.
It is so nice to have the weekend to yourself, no housework, no obligations to
anything or anyone.  Ron has due back Sunday night, and by the time he arrived
all was put away until next time.

I hope the first 15 days of your new year have been happy and productive.

Enjoy,
Mary