busy days

while spaghetti sauce simmers, taking a few moments to 'chat' about the latest...a change in our weather has resulted in a few perfect days...they do happen very occasionally...gave me the oomph to tackle few house chores and some hand sewing on the porch.  great sewing weather!

first, got the numbers appliqued on my 250th and no surprise, they need to be tweaked...i've measured a gazillion times and once more is in order...

they won't be exactly equidistant from the outside edges but they don't have to be wonky either...so once more is going to be the charm i hope...

and while trimming the background from the melons project, the scissors snipped into one of them, so a patch job was necessary....i didn't cut/baste the melons so they are not equal in size.  once one was located, pinned and done...

a mindless task, so my mind did wander about another melon project...had clipped this photo and directions eons ago and now seemed the right time...

a pattern by julie cefalu done for the winter but mine in vintage melons....background hunt in the stash and found this 'downton abbey' print that was perfect!   an hour later had busted the half yard of that and prepped this project...

pulled out all the melons with purpley in them...a good porch sewing project for whenever...

and more slow-sewing applique got done on this that i hope will be finished before december...

all the green swags are done....with minimal background space, outline quilting is planned...the colors are off in this photo....it's forest green and cranberry....

all pieces for the stockings are cut, 2 almost done so it's a matter of a few hours at the machine.  basting is also on the list for today, along with a fennel/onion tart (thank you mary berry!)...

it's been a week of many blessings aside from one sad news that gripped my heart..still God is good all the time and it's just part of our life here...always counting my blessings and thankful for His sustaining love and care....

what weekend???

was so busy hardly noticed there WAS a weekend....only sunday morning service was a reminder...but happy to forget the icky summer weather and electric bill and tackle sewing list.  here is the latest batch...

this mini red/green piece...pattern from summer 2012 issue of fons and porter....so yes i've had the pattern for 14 years.  simple you say?  yes but scrappy is always heavy prepping of all those different fabrics...happy with finish, now to quilt and bind.  it measures about 18x24...while i was sewing it up, that shoebox of kaffe scraps came to mind....and then there's a pretty stripe piece languishing in the stash as well....and a shoebox of 1.5" strips already cut...hmmm...stay tuned!

next a slight detour.  had a few of the vintage melons left to applique to empty a project bag so.....got those done and then assembled this flimsy...

this measures 24x32....i have more melon pieces but this was all the green on hand, so another background will be chosen for another project.  when finished, it'll be offered to the gal who gifted me the melon pieces, made by one of her relatives...no timetable.

had hoped to get all 4 strip stockings done but alas, only got 2 tops done.  will finish the others today and then get them done.  they are a quick project.  

and recently discovered during demolition...the former waldorf restaurant (? cafeteria) in harvard square.  for all you tiny hexie enthusiasts, here's a bit of inspiration? 

the weekend finished with tweaking the numbers on my 250th wall quilt and getting them appliqued....almost done.  this puppy needs to be basted, so basting day on tap.  july is fleeting and 11 days to wrap up the christmas sewing.  it's been a diversion from the wicked heat and the lack of fun in my life, but all work and no play makes this jill pretty dull, even tho sewing is enjoyable.  now, before sewing can commence, gotta hit the bike and pull out that vacuum....have a blessed day!