zooming into 2025

monday was NYE down under and spent time chatting with my quilty peeps there and in other locales...many of us zooming have had mega challenges this year and zooming gives us a fun oasis! chooky leads the pack and many exciting projects and tips were shared.  what did i sew?

mathemagical of course!  i was spelling it wrong and beg your indulgence...it does have an "e" that i've been leaving out....

section 1 is finished!  wow i am liking this very much...holding off on sewing more until i get a couple more prints...i don't have quite enough and don't want to put all the new ones at the bottom.  lots of units got prepped and it should be a quick top finish when the newbies arrive.

moved on to this block...this is #2 of 4.  the applique is a bit difficult as the backing and the appliques are both older kona cottons, very dense weave that don't needleturn easily...but 'light dawns over marblehead' and i tried beeswax, which is keeping my fine thread from fraying and moves thru the fabric easier...

the background square isn't square, so no need to adjust your screen...lol..so respectable progress.  

new year's eve anywhere is always better with quilty friends.  today cookies to bake, exercise, laundry to do, progress on the big clean...tune in tomorrow for my chookshed challenge list...it's a hefty one...so have a happy, safe and healthy NYE wherever you are and whatever you do!

goodbye 2024

like most years, this one had lots of ups and downs...too numerous to mention them all

the best thing?  facilitating a reunion between brother #2 and my mother, her long-time prayer

the worst thing?  sitting at her side praying God to welcome her home--so very hard

on the homefront, my health improved, slowly made connections in the new location, lots of sewing accomplished and streamlined space in the apartment.  there were countless blessings from friends and neighbors and some fun things despite losing car and my independence.  

resolutions?  none...just prayers for lots of situations, including return of my freedom, continued good health, more fun things, more enjoyable sewing....not too grandiose wishes you think?  me either...

and quick announcement...looking to sell these two items:

first, john flynn double wedding ring templates for 12" block EXCEPT small arc pieces, somehow disappeared.  other size patterns in accompanying book....$20 includes shipping.

and this vintage quilt top..yes, in need of repair but not much...it measures about 120x90 and has obviously never been used...colors vivid and true and original.  realize i'll never do anything with it so it needs a new home.  extra squares included to make the repairs...lots of very old fabrics in this top.  price is $50 does NOT include shipping, which would be priority, about $16.  happy to provide further photos/details for serious inquiries.

today i'll be zooming with my quilty peeps down under where it is already new year's eve...and quilting away on the bow ties...i tell ya is there any better way to spend a holiday???  i don't think so...

liberty reveal

remember those Liberty fabrics my daughter gifted me in the spring?  i used them to make this for her for Christmas...called "Savoy Teatime" to remember her scrumptious tea in London...backed it with a pretty Kaffe fabric and affixed my 'gracie quilt' label...

today (saturday) spent getting back to routine after being away and partying friday....few things got done, just important like dishes and preparing the challenge list...and i did start 'mathmagical'....

i think this is gonna be pretty....catch you later!

gap week

quilting group luncheon was friday and now all holiday fun stuff is over.  it's a week to regroup, tidy up, organize, plan, clean and sew of course!  this week hoping to complete a top and the pattern i've chosen is 'mathmagical' an uber-scrap friendly by michelle over at bitsandpiecesquilting.com

just making the top, not the finished quilt....my fabrics are these...

good ol' kaffe and a nice contrasting print for the strips....i hope i have enough of the reds/pinks but might have to dive into the regular stash...today will finish cutting out units and start the sewing...this pattern lends itself to dozens of fabric styles...i've a stash of muslin strips all cut waiting for something and this pattern could be it.  

today it's exercise, clean bathroom, put away some of the Christmas stuff....i received this small frame as a gift and found the perfect photo for it...

the little blond girl is my mom sitting on her mother's lap, taken about 1929 i believe, just shortly before she (grace) died...the older couple were her parents, my greats, and 3 of their other children.  we always believed there was native american blood somewhere and you can see they all have dark hair and eyes, angular features except my mom, resembling her father's heritage no doubt.  

transition to a new year in full-on mode so no time to waste.  nearly all christmas goodies gone...a good thing...back to same old.  let's see how much actually gets done...LOL!

christmas past

the segue back to usual begins now...the living room seems suffocating now with tree and trappings...can i hold out until new year's to deconstruct?  i'll be savoring the last few nights with the comforting ornaments and pretty lights ogling the newest addition...

a gift from daughter who is immersed in all things brit...and what else is new?

a perennial favorite gift...susan branch's lovely watercolor calendar and....

a pretty puzzle for boring january days and....

a fresh supply of batteries for all things techno plus a little crocheted hat ornament.  it's her latest passion and she is now a very happy hooker!  a couple of anonymous gifts came my way for quilty stuff...bought this yellow solid for these hexies...

the colors are more intense than seen here...this is one of my chookshed challenge projects.  the hexies were gifted to me and the colors are so vivid and rich...might get 2 or 3 small projects from them...

and while at daughter and SIL's took this holiday cross stitch project.  hoping to get the stitchery at least done before end of year....

mundane tasks are calling...a holiday luncheon with quilty peeps will wrap up this week.  it was a toughie holiday but me and the sibs got thru...we carried on our tradition of clam chowder christmas eve that provided emotional connection across the miles.  who knows what another year will bring? the strains of an old hymn come to mind...my Lord knows the way thru the wilderness, all i have to do is follow...so i'll keep calm and quilt on!

 

a day early?

not for us in the northern hemisphere...but i want to send Christmas day greetings to all my quilty peeps in the southern hemisphere....throw the shrimp on the barbie!!!   happy christmas and g'day!

Christmas greetings!

 every minute in the next few days is booked so i will post this now....

the budget is busted...

i ran out of cards....

so greetings to friends....

could be quite hard!

but email is free....

a few taps and a click...

and it's wishes to you...

faster than st. nick!

wishing a blessed Christmas to all blog readers...thank you for friendship, generosity, inspiration and fun especially needed this year...

  

throwback thursday

 just a quick post with a couple of christmasy photos from the past....

flashback to 2019....had lots of tiny solid scraps and made these amish style ornaments...gave them all away because i don't have any on my tree...next year, 2025, definitely using up the last of the solid scraps!

this jolly santa was made before then sometime maybe 10 or so years ago. the second made of this pattern from quilters' newsletter i think....the first one given to my mum for her apartment door...i passed it on to her building manager in april....this one with the cheery polka dots was sent to my brother's kids in florida...

up early....cake to bake for brunch today, post-surg check this morning, bingo tonite, sewing gift to bind and few gifts to wrap...that'll keep me occupied.....

making a list

no not THAT list...the list for this....

once again, ten things to move forward, finish or tackle for 2025.  this worked well for me this year and hoping for the same result next.  i have started the list but want to take photos...visual prompts are good!

working steadily on the sewing gift--almost done--plus doing some fun things and watching some holiday specials on TV and youtube.  itching to move on to other things but the gift is a priority of course.

last week at the senior center a large tote was sorted and a couple of things came home with me...

a small neutral that looks like a marsha mccloskey and a yard of a nice jo morton repro...they've been washed and added to the stash.  and was delegated a charity project--baby quilts for the local hospital's stork unit....

not enough squares for 2 quilts so making just one, each baby block alternating with hourglass blocks..good quick project for after Christmas.  

some rough teary spots have popped up with Christmas memories but it's all part of the journey...in addition to my grief, others have suffered sorrowful events that brought tears...and then there's stuff like this...

a tear jerker for sure...thinking next year i might like to take a trip somewhere totally different to record new holiday memories...

not much to show

you've seen the bow ties ad nauseum and my secret sewing project has to remain under wraps until Christmas, so a few more decorating photos...

these three amigos were mom's...they have come south with me but miss the winter...i do too sometimes...i still wait for it but it just never comes!

santa's at the ready....

i did take this to the senior center to work on...more applique...

gatherings still to come, larder stocked, and have been fortunate to have heard mariah carey only ONCE...(i hate that song!!)  budget required slimmed down gifts and cards but still plenty of obejoyful around.  we are still grieving of course, a tough first Christmas, but tears just mean she was loved very much and tremendously missed, that's all.  life goes on, just differently.  now, gotta run and get ready for a night of games with the gals!

this and that

alone time leads to pondering....so just some meandering thoughts...before that a couple of christmas decoration photos...

sturbridge christmas...one of my favorite pieces....that mustard is a jo morton print...i love almost every one of her designs

a traditional trip around the world...i love this too...nothing says tradition like this pattern...no longer on the floor, these now hang along with the nativity....

on my bed is this scrappy tree quilt....

too frequently i meet someone who is recovering from or getting diagnosed with cancer of some sort...

as a senior in a new place with limited resources--money, car, social networks--it is very difficult to make new friends and especially one or two besties with whom i can really be myself....my only BFF is the exercise bike...LOL

peyton place had nothing on senior housing....gossip travels faster than the speed of light

good healthcare is the most important asset in the so-called golden years; i am blessed in that

the material trappings of christmas seem meaningless without the comfort of loving family members

hawthorne said it best.."women derive a pleasure...of delicate toil with the needle."  

i tell people who bask in 90-degree temps there is nothing prettier than newfallen snow, especially on the evergreens in the crisp, cold winter air

new england is still in my blood as i felt energized after a brief outdoors in the cold, snug in my woolen trappings

end of year always spurs me on to organize, ducks in a row, make new year lists, daydream hopes and wishes, stay serene....

just this morning in the local news, housing and retail units proposed down the street with IMPROVED LOCAL BUS...sorely needed especially by our complex where many do not drive

and last by request...

family photos on the wall, close by always....large antique frame is HS grad grandmother grace, died in 1929 only 3 years after that, next to parents...below left our gang of four with me holding youngest sister, now 63...next to us is a collage of small photos various family--many of them school pictures...below is daughter's wedding and a few others below that...so even tho i'm alone much of the time, only sometimes feel lonely...

but now back to sewing...there's that gift that HAS to be finished ASAP...i've got a couple of new project ideas swirling around!

getting there

that would be the bow ties project....now that i'm quilting the sashings, i find it's moving along a bit faster than first thought...in a morning, can get 4-5 of them quilted so december finish it will be.   i have a turquoise binding prepped but don't think i'll use it...not sure if there's enough of the plum left either....stay tuned...

sewing time has been sacrificed to get out christmas decorations....tree is up and quite ornament heavy...

and my folk nativity is getting displayed this year...i think it was done last year but no sleeve, so that was done and can hang on the wall now...

and this cheery placemat came home with me from mom's...i thought the teary episodes were under control but seeing her things in my home without her here has been tough...next year i'll do better i'm sure...

i'll post some other decorations in the future.  focusing on gratitudes and blessings daily will get me thru this first holiday without her, i expect.  after all, christmas is a season of hope and joyful anticipation...

saturday sewing

 cold and windy, ideal indoor quilty weather....finally a finish!

an official UFO, kim diehl pattern, chosen to highlight the gorgeous pink old sturbridge print shared with me by a quilty peep....it is a gorgeous print....only 18" square and no destination, but enjoyed making it...it's all the counts, right?

moved along the scrappy repros project....

only 10 more rows to go....i still have to cut/sew about 30 of the units, but i just needed to see it started....

more quilting on bow ties, the sashings, and hope it will be done in a month.  i've still a gift sewing project to finish, not quite halfway done, so these 3 things will keep me occupied needle-wise...

and while perusing on instagram, came across the 5-minute crafter....i hesitated just a tad too long and am now glued, sort of....but this project was actually needed here and came in quite handy...

pulled out some christmas wall pieces and sleeves were sewn on...so it is starting to feel christmas-y, sorely needed this year of so much sadness and stress. ...the exercise bike and i have become routine and no longer vexed by painful knees, a real plus!  it's just more effort to get into the holiday swing but once tree is up and lights on, should help a lot.....despite challenges i've been greatly blessed by God's care thru willing servant hands in my neighborhood and beyond...

a blessed thanksgiving!

dining solo this year due to illness--not mine!  usual suspects assembled--turkey, gravy, stuffing, squash, boiled onions, egg nog ice cream for dessert!  i'll be dining a la flannels, me and the rockettes!  good time to rack up another UFO finish....

despite the heavily challenging year so far, cannot help but give boundless thanks to God for his constant and unfailing care of family and myself, even in sad moments that still sometimes erupt.  diversion with all things sewing has been my rescue many times and most welcomed.  looking forward to a Christmas season that i hope brings peace, continued health and care for those i love, serenity, joy and maybe some fun too.  i'll just bet you are hoping for the same.....

and the look ahead?  well, boothbay harbor, maine, is on it!

isn't that sooo pretty?  for a crayola devotee like myself it ticks all my boxes!   Christmas quilt on the bed and pulled out cards to get going...this weekend tree goes up with cheerful colored lights and precious ornaments filled with memories...

finally, must always close thanksgiving post with this, a self-portrait of my very favorite pilgrim!  hope she is better real soon!  Happy Thanksgiving all!

november wind down

 as turkey day approaches and 6 days to tree up day, no time to waste finishing this...

just a quick closure and it'll be done....well ahead of turkey day!  up next is this little christmas stitchery...

with only 3 weeks not sure it'll get finished in time but no matter...

senior center friday where some donations were dropped off....this quilt top was included...

a pretty top with corners requiring some applique to finish it...and most in the group do not do much applique so i offered my services...then it'll be turned over to somebody to finish and sell to garner funds for our supplies.  finished items get displayed and sell pretty fast....i also came home with a few pieces of template plastic and some chalk leads for my marking pencil.  it always amazes me that God knows and meets my mundane needs....

the top is quite wrinkly but there are 4 of these to be done...after the bow ties is finished it'll get tackled.  with only 2 blocks left of the ties, it's just the sashing to quilt now.  planning on it being bed ready january 1st...

back to baseline after brief surgery...took me a few days to catch up on sleep and get meds back on routine....saturday back on exercise bike so it's all good.  all tests were negative so peace of mind worth it...

a few flurries fell friday but quickly became rain, which was badly needed.  i've made my list for cooking tasks and already put the christmas quilt on the bed.  the next 4 weeks will be busy and whiz by no doubt, but that's ok...diversion good to keep tears at bay...one sewing gift is tops on the list and a few fun things on the schedule already.  so ducks in a row and let the holidays begin!

last warmish day?

a predicted 68 is probably the best it's going to be until may i think...maryland's mother nature is wishy-washy most seasons except summer...then she is brutal.  the weekend was productive on all things needle related, aside from saturday morning cooking blitz.  here's my wrap up....

the stocking that was half done is now finished...with 5 on hand for the holidays, don't anticipate the need to make more until next year.  but after rummaging in the christmas fabric stash, i think another quilt top is needed...lots of small pieces need a home.  

the repro triangles moved forward as well...now with 160 finished, only 83 to make, hoping to have a flimsy by december 1st...

cross-stitch pilgrims about half or more finished....this was a last minute project with a deadline of course, but will be done i'm sure....they are short so could very well be my ancestors...LOL!

the kim diehl wall piece quilting is nearly done as well....this is an official UFO, just a bit more quilting and then bind to be finished.  

this was a quick quilting detour from the bow ties...happy to report only 3 more blocks to quilt on that, then do all the sashings and THAT will be ready to bind as well...yes, a december finish and maybe in time to quilt another small piece before it's an official 2025 UFO.  

a bit of time spent sorting out under the ironing station.  with no room for shelving in my living room, shoeboxes and such have to live here.  

project bags keep unfinished stuff neat and organized.  the top of the table got cleared off as well with only the dargate basket project still sitting there.  those are a 2025 chookshed challenge task, probably several small wall quilts instead of one large.  

and a new addition!  meet marcy....

my pin money for 2025 will pay her off but she was a necessity.  without a car and few opportunities to work out at the senior center, this was sorely needed to keep the heart happy.  it has an additional benefit for my knees as well.  only calamity was a broken great toe during assembly... first week logged 100 minutes of cardio, which is quite acceptable for me and cardioman agrees.  even better, it helps my mental health.   and good news, i've enough living room space left for a nice recliner for evening quilting comfort...that'll be next!

going to be a surreal holiday season, first without my mom.  every day i think of things i would like to tell her but i know that's normal for everyone with such a loss.  tears are popping up a bit more frequently, but the exercise and keeping busy helps.  i can't imagine the void will ever be filled....