It's time to confess!
I did NOT accomplish my One Monthly Goal!
But, that’s okay.
I have made a lot of progress, and my purpose,
to have it ready by the time I travel to North Texas,
can still be accomplished,
since I’m not going until mid-March.
Why DIDN'T I accomplish my goal?
Wellllllll,
I kind of got sidetracked
by sneaking small projects into my sewing time.
One of them was a lot of small pieces!
Why DIDN'T I accomplish my goal?
Wellllllll,
I kind of got sidetracked
by sneaking small projects into my sewing time.
One of them was a lot of small pieces!
I just couldn't resist
piecing this Koala Love quilt block
by Sew Fresh Quilts.
It's not too fancy. I just used Kona Solids scraps,
a leafy tone-on-tone for the background,
and some Texas A&M fabric for the heart,
and the back.
I inserted a hidden zipper
and bound it with a solid maroon.
This will make a lovely, one of a kind gift
for an ATM student or graduate.
The pillow is 18" square.
Speaking of making lovely gifts,
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!
 |
| Picture courtesy of Sugar Free Quilts |
This sweet pattern, by SugarFreeQuilts is paper pieced,
finishing up at 20" square.
And there is still time to make it!
I'm always looking for something different
and fun, and this pattern fills the bill.
I haven't decided if mine will be another pillow,
or a mini wall hanging.
I'm tending toward wall hanging,
because it will be easier to store away.
Just one more thing.
Let's talk about donating blood.
As I was reading through the statistics,
I found these numbers staggering.
"Approximately 60% of the population
is eligible to give blood at any one time,
but less than 5% of those who are eligible
actually make a donation."
Aren't we always looking for a way to make a difference?
This act of giving only takes about an hour or less of your time,
every 8 weeks, if you are able,
and it's cost free.
Win-win.
Congratulations to all of you who DID
accomplish their January OMG!
Stay sweet!
Karen
35 comments:
Your koala pillow is adorable and so is the heart project , you do lovely work . Unfortunately I'm unabke to donate blood due to a childhood illness but I sure know the importance of that gift , Bill wouldn't be here today except for the gifts of a few people .
What a fun koala bear!! I Love the heart quilt...super cute. I donate blood every time they come to my hospital...gallons and gallons!
Love the koala cushion, that is a really great pattern!! The heart quilt is lovely too. Not much happens for Valentine's day in this house 😁😁. I used to give blood but the testing gave a false positive for communicable disease one time and now they won't take me. My blood is good but once you get a black mark you are written off. My Dad gave blood nearly all his life, he had the kind of blood that was used for what used to be called blue babies, sometimes he got a call in the night to go donate. It is a wonderful thing to do.
I've only donated blood once in my life and I was underweight at the time and they almost turned me down - but I did it and I was glad to do it even though I almost passed out afterwards I guess because I was so skinny. I haven't been able to donate the last 32 years because of autoimmune diseases and medications I am on because of it. I do wish those that could would though. I have one brother that does every other month like clock work. Most just do not think of it.
there is always next month for OMG!!
What FuN projects...the Koala & the Valentine...LoVe them both.
It's a wonderful way to make a difference...GiVe BLooD ... xox
Super cute projects. Love them both.
Your koala pillow and Velentine quilt are very sweet. Your pillow finishing looks amazing.
I donated blood when I lived in the US. In Japan it is very complicated for those of us who cannot read Japanese.
Love the Koala pillow, and the Valentine piece is sweet too.
Love, love your Koala pillow. It's one of the cutest things I've seen in quite awhile. The Valentine Pillow is tempting, but will probably just remain tempting for now. Prior to my cancer, I donated on a regular basis. In fact, many years ago, my mother was in critical need of blood (the hospital did not have her type and was unable to locate any) and since we had the same type, they put me up on a table next to her and I donated directly to her. That would never happen now, but I felt it was such a privilege to do it.
Love both the Koala and Heart projects and you reminded me that I bought the Koala pattern and a cushion is a great idea..
Blood donation is a wonderful gift....
I love the koala pillow.... progress towards you OMG still counts....
Hugz
Nice finish.
Cute Koala
Such lovely projects Karen! Love the Koala!! You are right about the blood donations my sister is a haematologist and they really struggle getting enough blood supplies, especially for the rarer blood groups! Enjoy your week! Christine xx
Very sweet stitchings!! I have tried to donate blood numerous times and have always been rejected due to anemia. My dad was type O and he donated regularly. Sadly, I don't know one person who donates blood.
xx, Carol
O, so sweet~ your show and tell is inspiring and positively wonderful! Don't be so hard on yourself about monthly goals- the month's not over yet and you're doing what you love, what could be better?!!
Your koala pillow is just adorable. Using the A & M fabric is brilliant too. I started donating blood about 20 years ago. It’s so easy, fast and life saving.
Even if you didn't hit your goal, you did accomplish a lot this month! I know how those squirrel projects can jump into our studios. Cute pillow!!!!
As I piece the twin tree blocks I have been thinking of koalas that perished or that were rescued with burns etc. Your koala is so sweet and I am sending him lots of love and hugs. It is ok to miss deadlines - they were arbitrary anyways.
Mr. Koala is my favorite.
I used to donate all the time, and I walked in one day and they said, "Oh, you turned 65, you can't donate any more." I was so sad! I'm perfectly healthy and still making lots of dark red blood, so why not? But that's the rule. =P I like Mr. Koala. That is so cute, and looks like I could do it. The A & M fabric, front and back, and the great binding are wonderful finishes. I know your sweetheart piece will be just as lovely, whatever you make it into. Thanks for the links!
Your projects are so lovely and look like a lot of fun to make. I attended Texas A&I ages ago when I first came to this country. It was my first time leaving Thailand to a foreign country. I was so frighten but many fond memories there. I agreed with you about blood donation. My husband does it all the time. The first time he took me with him, they determined that I was too underweight to donate. Then life happens so I've never done it.
At least you were sidetracked by a super cute pillow! Love how great it looks. :)
Your koala pillow is just so cute!! Thanks for the link too. I really need to make one of these.
I think the koala cushion is both the perfect excuse and the best distraction. It looks adorable.
I admire those who donate blood regularly. Your Koala is precious! Fun Valentine to sew. I agree a wall hanging takes less storage than a pillow...unless you merely remove the pillow insert to use with each seasonal pillow displayed. January and I did accomplish my own goal of finishing a little Wool Felt panel. On to February now...<3
You may not have achieved your OMG, but you did end up with a lovely pillow. So cute, and a lovely colour combination beautifully framed with the maroon solid. I donated blood for years, I was on the register for stem cell donation too, although I was never called. There is always someone in need and I believe we all have a duty to look after our neighbors, whoever and wherever they live.
I am not a goal-setter, and you’ve just reminded me why. I don’t want to fail. Though I sure wouldn’t call that adorable koala pillow a “fail.” It’s so darned cute! No wonder you got sidetracked from your intentions. I’m afraid that’s what would happen to me all the time -being side-tracked - so I just don’t bother to set goals. I’m all about “no pressure.” My self-imposed deadlines are enough! As for blood, no one would want it! I’m glad I’ve never donated, as I am sure I’d feel guilty about giving the gift of life that’s overloaded with plaque-forming proteins. Whew. I couldn’t live with myself. Bless others who can and do donated!
What a fun, creative way to get sidetracked!
Karen that is the cutest Koala pillow! I love the fabric you chose for the heart. Clearly your heart is in the right place with your mention of the need for blood donors. Thanks for the reminder!
OMG can wait, your pillow is so cute!
Karen, your Koala cushion is so sweet, I'm not surprised you were sidetracked by him! (And I know buying the pattern was supporting a good cause). For years I was always anaemic and wasn't able to donate blood (undiagnosed health prob) but I have no excuse now - thanks for the reminder to investigate it again.
Loving that darling koala! So darling! And the valentine project. So sweet!
Love the small projects, the Koala Bear is very sweet...before you know it, March will be here!
My husband graduated from Texas A&M...love love the pillow. What a cute little topper. You are right about donating blood.
Your koala pillow is adorable and it turned out so well! You have so much fun with your quilting, I admire that.
Happy sewing,
Judy
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