Welcome February!

And just like that, January 2026 is history. The months go faster and faster, don't they? A lot of folks complain about how l-o-n-g January seems to be what with all the nasty weather present in many areas, but I've never minded the month, regardless of where I am. Admittedly, January is a lot more agreeable in Florida, than in some places! *smiles*

 I have a January wrap-up collage to share, and a whole bunch of new stuff to tell you about. Let's get the collage out of the way first, and then I will share the new stuff in some upcoming posts.

TOP ROW: The first finish for 2026 was hand quilting and binding this single block that came from my Aunt Margaret's stash. She passed in 2016, and my cousin passed along her quilting stuff to me. This sweet block was hand-pieced and tucked in amongst quite a lot of interesting fabrics, blocks and unfinished projects. Next is my annual jigsaw puzzle, which was quite the challenge. I generally do one or two every winter, but this was so tough, I decided one would suffice for this year. At 1000 pieces, that orange foreground took forever. The first quilt flimsy of the year is this layer cake baby quilt. I am planning to finish it in time for the birth of our next grandchild in early April. 

MIDDLE ROW: I've watched loads of tutorials for making bags and pouches and wallets, and this particular one just looked too easy. After acquiring the snap kit, I have gone nuts making a bunch of these, and continue to make more - 2-3 at a time. It's a very satisfying fast finish. We took this selfie to send to granddaughter Cate, just to remind her of who we are - ha! We sure do miss those kiddos! The second flimsy of the year is my Wensleydale quilt. I absolutely love this quilt, and look forward to quilting it ASAP. 

BOTTOM ROW: We have a farmer's market near us where we get our eggs and select produce. They also have quite a nice array of flowers and herbs. This cheery table full of blooms is a sampling of their offerings. I have met a new group of quilter friends through a shuffleboard buddy, Charlaine. I went with her to a nearby community center where like-minded fabric enthusiasts meet and share and sew. I look forward to this becoming a regular feature of my Thursdays. Last, one of our favorite restaurants is The Freezer in Homosassa. Steamed shrimp fresh off the boat! Eight of us met for a leisurely outdoor lunch last week and stuffed ourselves full. Delicious.

Our winter in Florida is one month down, and two months remain. February is a short month, but it will be packed with fun, I'm sure!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne