New Year, New Projects

I just loved this block-of-the-month club by Don't Call Me Betsy. Paper piecing is still a challenge for me, so I'm hoping to get a little better at it. Membership is only $10 until January 5 and includes pdf patterns for 12 blocks and one bonus block you get when you sign up. I want to use up some fun solids for these blocks. I love the colors Elizabeth used for her example. I may copy them exactly so I don't get confused.

These improv Love blocks by Tonya have always intrigued me. I was lucky to score a free copy of The Quilt Life with the instructions. If you've never done improvisational letters, Tonya's book walks you right through it.

In another free copy of The Quilt Life I found this pretty Heart Strings quilt. I really need another project to tackle my drawer of color-coded scraps. This quilt looks fun and easy. Right up my alley. And as if I haven't found enough projects to tackle in the new year, I love this idea of using orphan blocks from Karen at the Selvage Blog. I have orphan blocks out the wazoo.

Another fun giveaway bundle arrived Christmas Eve. This one came from the talented Julia at Hand Knitted Things. She has some adorable creations on her blog. One of these days, I'd love to learn to knit. First, I'm going to master the touch pads on my computers. I'm a mouse girl from way back. I need to learn these newfangled devices.

My Christmas ham. I slathered this spiral cut beauty with whole grain mustard and brown sugar and then drizzled honey on it. I poured orange juice in the bottom of the pan and basted every 15 minutes. It was delicious. We have so much leftover. I think ham salad, bean soup, and ham sandwiches are in my near future. Inspector Gadget wanted to toss the bone after he carved off the meat. What is wrong with him?! That's the best part. It was Christmas so I didn't bonk him on the head.