Chookshed Stitchers, Tiny 9 Patch Challenge, Blue Courthouse Steps, Ups and Downs

We had a rabbit living in the front yard, hiding under the veranda but it has moved on. I think Ned may have caused that because he happened to catch him on the veranda one day and chased him underneath. 

Deana pulled #2 for us to work on this month for the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge .

I had to look back at my original post to see what that would mean for me. It is the Blue Courthouse Steps project and I am thrilled to be working on this one for February. Here is a photo of all the blocks I've sewn to date. It was good to get them out of their box and give them an airing, :D.

My special freezer paper that can be put through the copier machine arrived.

 I've tried it out. I like the way the freezer paper is thinner than the cardboard especially for the Tiny 9 Patch one inch blocks. It will definitely help with eliminating some bulk and thereby -hopefully- aid the accuracy. Taryn suggests stitching 10 a week but that would be on the machine I think. Of course, I'm sewing at my own pace and enjoying the process very much.

Our landscape continues to be an icy one these days. Of course, the cleats are on the boots when walking but I'm not venturing too far about. Yesterday the sun shone beautifully and we walked - very carefully- along the snow banks skirting the pond. Snow is now firm ice...it was pretty and so nice to have sun on my face. 

 I read a distressing article about the rivers of cloth in Asian countries. Our textile production is far exceeding our proper usage and so much of it is ending up in landfills and clogging landscapes. I shy away from cloth items at the thrift store...except if an exceptional blouse is spied or something new with tags. I thought more about this when I remembered how I'd bought Tony a bag of car washing cloths at Winners and realized I could/should have bought the equivalent thing at the thrift store, just never thought of it. 

Oh my, always something to think about. And there are always ups and downs here at home too. I'm late posting this week...we lost a whole day in the local ER which was distressing but ended well...multiple tests throughout the day all negative and the overall treatment was wonderful. We came home exhausted but feeling so thankful for all that.

I hope your week is going well! 

Sharing this post with It's A Small Town Life, Alycia Quilts, Art Quilts Whatever, So Scrappy, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Songbird Designs and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.