chookshed challenge

so another month in this too-fast moving year.  i've been sewing regularly which is making it move along faster i do believe, trying to make up for lost time earlier this year.  on track for the UFO list to be under 20 when 2025 arrives...first time since i've been keeping the list.  

october is the last month of our chookshed challenge of 10 things to finish/move along this year.  this challenge has been a boost for me to keep going and to pull out things that have been waiting for action.  this month's task for me is project bags.  i've 4 zippers on hand and mean to use them all.  just this morning finished #1....

some time ago bought some seashore theme FQs from a now-closed shop in maine--on board fabrics.  this lobster buoy print was one.  coupled with a lobster it print made a nice project bag.  the vinyl was folded and so had to iron and CAMEVERYCLOSE to ruining but not quite....

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we are on day #11 of rain and not complaining, given what others are suffering from helene...thankfully i've sewing to keep me occupied.  monday finished the 'detour to oz' top...who knew dorothy was a quilter?  now you do....LOL

the color is a bit off due to indoor task lighting nearby....if i can get this quilted this year it will escape the UFO list....

and had a bit of play with another UFO....heart wreath with leaves....i've loved this pattern for eons, since early days of quilting life.  it was featured in a mccall's magazine (dating myself here) in the 1980s i think but too timid to attempt.  

of course this was also before discovering kaffe fassett fabrics....it resurfaced recently in quiltmania and this time i was determined.  only making 4 blocks...not a big quilt...but fingers itching to start...the bright colors were just the thing to give me a boost on a gloomy day.  

october list made.  holidays ahead which are always very VERY low key.  this year more somber due to losing mom and everyone still at loose ends sort of.  i know i am.  my big challenge now is getting enough exercise.  as winter approaches, may have to invest in some equipment as my neighbor goes sporadically, if that, and the weather is going to be dodgy to walk on my own.  who knows, we might even get snow!  

i put my stockings up for sale on another site but no takers yet.  it is difficult with postage being prohibitive.  with no car i have to mail priority from home, flat rate, and i'm sure it dissuades some people.  in the process of starting a pop-up blog shop to offer some pieces at low prices make some room...stay tuned!  

soggy sunday

thanks to ms helene and another small front that swooped in after she left....actually nearly all week was soggy.  it looked gloomy and raw out but actually was very warm...so A/C came on again briefly.  inside sewing and stuff was the respite from rain.   here is the progress...

five festive christmas stockings got finished.....showed the senior center gals how to make them as well.  they do work up quick and are very fun to make.  

with the chookshed challenge deadline looming spent saturday working on my penn dutch wall quilt....

these are just pinned for now until the design wall is empty....then they will get basted and put in a portable project bag as a take along....i hesitated many times hanging on to this pattern from 1981, but now that i see it take shape, am very glad i did.  the top left and bottom right have some vines as well that'll get made at some point.  

with november 1st just a month away, i've posted a verse so meaningful to me....that's my 8-year anniversary since my heart surgery...eight years that i would not have had...eight years (nearly) more with mom and family, eight years of loving my daughter and son-in-law, eight years of sewing and quilting enjoyment, making new friends, moving to a safe place....to say i am blessed is a huge understatement.   life--there is nothing like it.  thank you God!