Chookshed Challenge Mid-Month Check-in Linky Party

 Hello Chookshed and Blogger Friends.  I hope all is well with you.

I have barely been sewing 15 minutes a day.  I joined some reading challenges and have spent way too much time reading.  I have, however, got a good start on my Chookshed Challenge.  My Nutmeg quilt blocks have all been sized.  For some crazy reason unknown to me, the designer of this quilt made all of the blocks different sizes.  I have had to add borders and trim.  I do like the way it is turning out.  It is ready now to sew the sashing and blocks together.  It has been awhile since I actually assembled a quilt together with sashing.

I also finished the recipe block for Let's Bake.  I hadn't worked on it in awhile.

Below is the linky party.  Feel free to link up and share your Chookshed progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

This weekend I am doing a Chaos Reading Challenge to mark the middle of the month for the  "Get a Clue" reading challenge.  We are playing Clue and I am on Mr. Green's team.  The goal this weekend is to earn as many points as possible.  We get 100 points for any book.  Short ones are recommended.  I came home from the library with the shortest books I could find.  Today I have listened to 8 books thus far and it is only 2:48 pm.  Tomorrow I intend to actually read.

Among the ones I listened to today, a few were classics:

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

I don't know as I have read it before, but I saw parts of it performed at state drama competitions in high school.  If you don't recall, this is the story of  a man who is obsessed with another man's eye.   As creepy as Poe's writing is, I must say that he really is a good writer.

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

This story felt familiar like possibly I had read it before.  Creepy - yes.  Well written - absolutely!  I actually liked it in a weird sort of way.  This story is about a man who loves hunting, but gets bored with hunting animals after many years.  He buys an island and captures unsuspecting men to be hunted instead.  He wants to hunt a creature that matches his own intellect.

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

I was not really a fan, but it was short.  This is a vampire story with old, harder to understand writing.

January sewing

I did a few things last month.  I made some progress on my Aussie/NZ quilt.

Two cockateils

I finished some Vesta blocks.

I also finished Duck Duck Goose.

I made progress on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is still much to do to bring it to life.

Stitching progress

Pieced a Sydney Ferry

Cut and partially pieced three sunflowers

15 minutes report: 100%

January reads

 This year I joined a few reading challenges and started my first ever reading journal.  It is still a work in progress, but oh am I enjoying the record keeping and creativity in it.

One of my reading prompts was to read a book I knew nothing about.  I headed off to my town library where the librarians know me pretty well.  I asked them to pick something out for me.  This is what I came home with.

I have since returned City of Bones and Cinder, I mean, I can't read them all right now.  I have started the Tattooist of Auschwitz and Scythe because I was interested in both just a few pages in.  Shadow and Bone as well as Court of Thorns and Roses were books I had heard of before.  I decided to wait on them for that reason.  If you have read any of these, let me know what you think about my choices.

This month I read 2 books and listened to 7.  That far surpassed what I thought I could ever do in a month.  Here are my reading journal pages.  Remember, I am a beginner at this.  My theme is shoes.

I started off January with a plan to read these books. My reading journal theme is "shoes"; hence, the shoe boxes.

I have read them all with one exception.  Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy is not moving fast enough for me.  There is some great history in it, though.

In addition to those, I read Peter Pan, Poison Study, and Eat Like a Girl.

Here is my take on my January reads in no particular order.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo:  fantasy, fast paced, 2nd book in the series, LOVE the characters!  This was a great read for me, but I preferred the first book, "Six of Crows" better. This is a fantasy set in a rough kingdom controlled by an evil man. The characters are loveable and well developed, each having special gifts. The author is a master at surprising you with twists and turns.

The Women by Kristin Hannah:  Vietnam story about the nurses and coming home.  Intense, fast paced, educational. 5 stars for me. She is a favored author.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon:  Historical Fiction, the main character is a real woman from history and a midwife. I fell in love with their sweet marriage and the characters. It is a stark difference in women's rights from then and now. A 5 star read for me.

A Christmas Memory by Richard Paul Evans:  Absolutely touched my heart!  It is an easy read, and a true story about the author.  It bleeds true kindness and love from a neighbor to a lonely boy. I know the title implies it is a Christmas read, but I didn't get an overall seasonal vibe from it. You could read it anytime of year. The message is love. Another 5 star read for me.

Denine by Chris Forster, our very own quilt blogger Chris.

This story is raw and true. Chris holds nothing back as she shares her life with us as a young mother dealing with not only the normal challenges of motherhood but adding a severely disabled child to her "mom" plate.  It is also a story of how a husband and wife both feel emotional pain but show it in very different ways. I learned that just because a man does not communicate his pain in the same ways as a woman, does not mean he isn't hurting too. Having spent precious time with Chris and her sweetheart in their home last May, her story is most meaningful to me. 

Peter Pan by J M Barrie

I chose this because it is a classic.  I love the characters, and the narrator did a great job. Tinkerbell and her jealous plots to be rid of Wendy made her character more dark to me than in the movies. I wished I would gave read it years ago before seeing the Disney version and the movie "Hook".  I stead of painting my own picture of the story,  my mind saw the movie characters. 

Eat Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz is an educational read about great eating habits.  It is the companion read to "Fast Like a Girl", a book that is literally changing my life for the better. I am learning how to cut bad foods from my diet and prevent dementia which is my main goal. Pelz teaches about how our amazing bodies are self healing when we do intermittent fasting properly. I am also down 21 lbs from following her teachings.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder was a 5 star read for me as well. I was riveted! I love a fast paced, intense book, and this fit the bill. The main character, a woman, goes to prison. What crime did she commit!  Murder. You have to read the book to understand her motive. She is released from prison to become the ruler's "food taster" where she is taught to detect poison in his food and eats everything before he does. 

This mystery will really keep you guessing, and you will fall in love with the characters.

Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher is a fairy tale/fantasy. Parts of it sucked me in while other parts lost me. The ending felt rushed and underdeveloped.  Most of the book is a parody.  The Godmother is only allowed to give curses rather than gifts. The prince is not a good catch. The heroine is a strong and timid protagonist who needs the help of others to achieve her quest. The Dust Wife character is hilarious! This book pulled me from places of intense emotion in reality to mystery to fantasy to "what is going on" to unordinary love.

Disclaimer: I listen while I sew.

Kristi's #10

 Howdy!

Thought I would give you an update! I was so pleased you drew number 10!

My number 10 is to make a square japanese rice bag. It's a small to medium sized lined drawstring bag with a square bottom. There are lots of resources on the internet or youtube, so I won't pick a specific one. I've been working on this embroidery piece (using techniques from Jennifer Clauston's book "Foolproof Flower Embroidery") to incorporate into it. I have just the twigs in the background to add. Then I'm thinking quilty scraps in pinks and taupes on the outside, with one color lining. I'm traveling at the end of February to see family, so I was hoping to give it to my sister for her birthday!

February Chookshed Challenge Number Revealed...

February Chookshed Challenge Number Revealed...

Google's Random Number Generator chose #10

My number 10 is to make progress on my Wonky Houses.

and Nutmeg

It would be lovely to have one top together.

Please join the linky party to show us what your number 10 looks like for February.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

January progress from the group...

This will be updated as I get around to visiting your blogs.

Completed quilt (Sue, Romany Quilter Jenny)

Tops Done ( Rose Marie, Jeanette)

Blocks made (Lyndsey, Denice, Maria, Kate, Janice, Deana)

3Advent Calendar Items (Jo)

Completed Cross Stitch (Narelle)

Quilt Basting (Grace)

Hexie progress (Lin)

You can find their works at these links.

2025 PARTICIPANTS

Amira Little Mushroom Cap

Betty Rainbow Connection Quilters 

Chookyblue

Chris Quilting at the Farm

Deana Dreamworthy Quilts - you are here!

Denice's Day

Grace City Mouse Quilter

Hanne Quilt Corner

Jannimary

Jeanette - 3 Cats & a Quilter

Jenny Bird on the Border

Jenny Romany Quilting

Jo Butter Z

Kate Life in Pieces

Karen's Corner

Kiwikids Page

Kristi - not a blogger; you can find her here

Lianne Makes Stuff

Lin St Victor Quilts

LouLee

Lyndsey Sew Many Yarns

Maggie - Patch Maggie

Maria Life on the Block

Maureen - not a blogger; you can find her here

Narelle Pins and WhiskersPam's Progress

Rose Marie Applique' and Patches

Sharm Country Fragrance

Susan's Sewing Space

Quilt Blogger with a reading challenge

Hello Bloggy Friends.  I know you come visit for the quilty posts, but I think this year I am going to add in some of my reads.  I started off 2025 wanting to become a Booktuber.  I just don't have the time right now.  The next best thing for me is to throw in some posts on my existing blog.  Here it goes!

I have created a year long challenge for myself that begins February 1, 2025.  There are 17 reading prompts that I want to visit some time during the year.  This challenge will also be posted on StoryGraph.

If anyone out there wishes to join me, each prompt can be loosely interpreted to fit your reading desires.  Do them in any order you wish.

My entire reading journal for 2025 has a "shoe" theme; hence, the shoe shopping spree.

Here is the city.

These are the shoe shops to visit. A vague interpretation of the prompts is listed.  Feel free to add your own interpretation if you participate:

1. Glass Slippers.  Read a book about magic, a castle, or has a fairy-tale-ish feel to it.  It could even be a modern day "Cinderella" story.

2. Sneakers.  Sneak in a book that you didn't plan on or read a book about a "sneaky" character, espionage, or hidden secrets.

3. Ruby Red Slippers.  Read a book that will bring you home.  Perhaps the setting is in a place that feels like home to you, or the story has a character that you can really relate to.

4. Dancing Shoes.  Read a book that makes you want to dance, or is about a dancer, or has dancing in it.

5. Gothic Shoes.  Read a Classic or Modern Gothic novel.  Generally such novels combine the genres of horror and romanticism.

6. Cowboy Boots.  Git yer boots on partner and read a book about a cowboy, horse, cow, the old West, or a cow dog.

7. Mocassins.  Read a book about an indigenous people who are native to any country.

8. Hiking Boots.  Read a book with a rugged, nature setting or one that is set on a mountain or in the mountains.  Another interpretation may be a book about a character that does hard things using "a hike" more as a metaphor.

9. High Heels.  Read a book with a strong female protagonist, a classy lady, a model, a "girly girl", or a queen/princess.  This could even be interpreted as a book with a female character who thinks she is in a higher social class, or is paraded around for show by men.

10. Barefoot.  Read something that is a little bit tender for you.  Perhaps it is a topic that draws out emotions that are sensitive.

11. Waders.  Put on your waders and go fishin'! Don't worry, you won't get your feet wet because your waders will protect you. Perhaps this is a book that you didn't expect to get "hooked" or "reeled" in on.  This could also be a book that "slops you through the mud or rain".

12. Flip Flops. This book may flip flop among different narrators.  It could also be one that has a beach or lake setting.  Go ahead, feel the sand between your toes.

13. Loafers.  This is a slow, lazy read, one that you take your time with.

14. Blue Sued Shoes.  Read a book about Elvis or music or has blue as the predominant color on the cover.

15. Running Shoes.  Read a book about a character that is running.  It could be from danger, the law, their past, or themselves.  The character can run to something or away from something.

16. Athletic Shoes.  Read a book about an athlete or an athletic event.

and FINALLY...

17. Seek medical care at the hospital for your blistered feet.  Read a book that is painful to finish.  Maybe you decided not to finish it at one point and went back and finished it.  This could also be a read where the setting is partially in a hospital or a character deals with physical pain.  Another interpretation is a blistering "hot" read in temperature or otherwise.

Chookshed Challenge January Report

 The last week of January is upon us. How has your number 6 come along? I have made good progress on my Aussie/NZ. Most of my work has been designing and cutting. That will just make it easier for me to sew up a little each month.

Below is the linky party if you want to join in. I will link my post after a few more days of progress. 

I did sew my Sydney ferry boat. Circular Quay was a joy that I didn't except to enjoy so much.  I cannot wait to return.

I will be adding the boat name as well. I love it!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Baby steps forward in the sewing room...

 Hi bloggy friends. How was your past week in the sewing room? Me, I mostly cut and designed.

My number 6 is to work on my Aussie/NZ quilt. I have been trying to create our Sydney experience which is pretty much Circular Quay. I have a start on Sydney Harbour Bridge.  I still need to create and fuse the bottom of the bridge, pylons, and greenery.  Right now it looks like city buildings or maybe even big boxes floating in the water.

I have also drafted a ferry.  It is ready to paper piece once I select the fabric for it.

I still have Jo's paper pieced pattern of Storm at Sea with the little sail boat floating in the waves. I intend to add it to my harbor along with the Opera House.

This is a roughed in look at my design wall.

I cut out my Sunflower blocks for a Sew Fun Sister's BOM I am doing.

Some progress has been made on my stitchery.

My daughter sent photos of our newest family member. He is a keeper.

My 15 minutes is at 100% thus far in 2025.

Thanks,  Kate, for keeping me going.

I am linking with Life in Pieces.  Check out her cute 2025 button.

Mid-Month Check-in from Maureen

 My challenge for January was to start making 3.5" blocks for my Colourwash quilt. This will go on and on for a long long time. Made using scraps. Sixteen (16) so far...yay!!

I have been following Terry Rowland on YouTube as a prompt. Still a bit of a learning curve as to the 'quick' no fuss cutting but it will happen. I have hundreds to go so surely I will get faster. 

Cheers until next time and thank you for placing this on the blog.

Maureen 

Kristi's Chookshed Challenge Progress

 Good morning!!  I had a whole lot of fun trying this technique out!

 

The technique I wanted to try is a folded corner technique where the folded edge is rolled back and tacked down to create curves.  It’s similar to how a cathedral window block is made.  The magazine Today’s Quilter ran a block of the month series using this technique in their 2024 issues.  I chose the Lily block from Issue 111 to make.

 

Here’s my fabric pull. This is from a set of ½ yards that I purchased at a sewing expo last year.  It has a few other large-scale florals as well, which I’ll use when I put the block in quilt.

Then I started making units! The underlying structure of the block is a 9-patch. So there are 9 units. The folded edges are on the medium blue flying geese, the white flying geese, the light green triangles (sky part of the flying geese) in the top four units; the center diamond in the middle; and the dark blue triangles in the bottom 4 units.

Then those are laid out into a 9-patch, ready to be sewn together!

And here’s the block sewn together.

 The next step now is to roll back and tack down all the folded corners. I decided to do this part by hand as I felt it would create a neater finish rather than stopping and starting the sewing machine at various places all over the top of block. It took me about 4 evenings to do the hand stitching. It was lovely sewing by the fire place! Here’s the finished block with a framing border. I just love the curved edges! 

I thought you might enjoy seeing the back! Because of the many layers needed to create the folded edges all the seams are pressed open.

My plan is to use this is some type of medallion quilt that is lap sized. I think a medallion style quilt will give some good design options for the large-scale florals that came with the set of ½ yards. And I’m considering using this in as the center piece for the SAHRR (Stay at Home Round Robin) hosted by Quilting Gail | A scrappy quilter and not a perfect quilter which starts next week!

 

Happy stitching!

Kristi

Linking to the middle month check-in post.