mid-month update

november is flying by and temps are slowly cooling...winter jacket on board and cool weather dish recipes dusted off.  not quite clam chowder weather yet but may not wait...LOL!  with only fitness to schedule, plenty of time to sew....almost ready to construct the flimsy of the splash of color project...

53 blocks done, only 11 to go.  these are so quick to sew up.  it's the fabrics of course, vibrant colors make them fun.  when the top is done, will give it a wash before hand quilting--batiks lose their stiffness when laundered.  and the amish granny is coming along as well...first thing this morning picked up thimble and needle for some stitching...

almost done with first border, so a november finish is probably definite.  the apple green is a kona cotton, which is really too densely woven for easy quilting.  have switched my brand to moda bella solids, a medium woven between amerian made solids and the kona solids.  

and thanks to patty over at elm street quilts, a $25 gift cert to fat quarter shop came my way....so my mailbox will soon receive these goodies...

some bigger perfect circles from karen kay buckley for the tree of life wall quilt and some yellow solid for another wall quilt not yet started.  i seldom use yellow and have seen some pretty examples, so one is on my WHIMM list to start in the new year.  thank you patty!

since it's november, time to recert for my subsidized apartment....it feels more like signing up for the inquisition but must needs i guess.  the detour of the hip has not detoured my resolve to find and have a real home again, someplace where my health isn't attacked nor my belongings, with a population that's a bit more lively and less resemblance to a nursing home.  i can't stop aging but i refuse to be old...

bonnie hunter was right!

when it comes to ugly fabric, per bonnie there isn't any, just cut it smaller and it'll work....turns out she was spot on!  while assembling my 'splash of color' blocks i pulled this blue/white batik..not exactly an ugly fabric and it's blue, so it'll work, right?

sewed up a couple of blocks using it for the biggest triangle and nope, didn't work at all.  i was really disappointed as i like this fabric a lot (it's blue remember).  but, the bonnie hunter angel on my shoulder whispered "cut it smaller"....and voila!

okay this WILL work!  so big triangles became small ones and will get used.  these blocks are piling up and their bright colors are lifting my mood this sunny sunday.  and have you looked up lately?

i'm seeing tons of pine cones on fir trees everywhere (click on photo for closeup)....in my neighborhood (new england) that is a bad winter harbinger for sure.  it's nature's way of providing enough food for birds in the frozen season.  will see if it holds true for maryland as well i guess.  ****  one monthly goals are on track and the challenge quilt is moving along as well.  next is to come up with a november mini--my kind of work!