quick update

 eye on limited use time so it's a quick post...yes infection hangs on...despite 2 drops around the clock...little use and definitely no reading, sewing, long movies...i had signed up for peacock to watch olympics and do manage to see a bit of them...before eye issue did redo on chair...seat was dodgy so just made a cushion instead...works fine...

obtained freebie king flannel sheet that provided batting for some small projects...got those cut and pulled backings as well, ow ready to baste when eye decides....

feel like 7 dwarves all in one...angry, mad, cranky, furious, scared, bored and despondent...if i had a car, i could have facilitated the care of the eye on a timely basis and might have forestalled this lengthy episode...and more bad news as state has cut my SNAP benefits yet again, 2nd time this year...what i get now wouldn't keep a sparrow in sunflower seeds very long...but God's eye is on the sparrow and hoping it's on me as well....nearly impossible for me to sustain even a meager lifestyle here in MD anymore...

had to sell little featherweight for a financial burden, now resolved.  it was a teary parting indeed, but no longer traveling and sat unused most of the time.  still i really enjoyed using it...the losses keep piling up...seems since mom passed, life has become more and more empty...or maybe that i just don't care anymore...oops vision time expired...will leave you with a shot of her favorite place...pemaquid point, maine....

catch up?

not yet....a fine winter day here with actual melting...but it isn't snow or ice or cold that has detoured me....it was this!!

 a nasty painful eye infection!  no sewing, TV or reading whatsoever...and yes i am THAT grumpy!  on a very slow mend so short post....life is still good....mostly

snow sewing

 i saw this on facebook...LOL

i've lived in MD for 10 years and never seen as much snow as we got over the weekend...no real marathon sewing for me as i've lots of free time to sew even without storms, so just more of the same really.

did some quilting on my double wedding ring quilt, hoping to finish february...i zoomed some with my quilty peeps down under (and elsewhere), doing some applique on the vintage melon squares.  applique half done on this project...these are twosies for now....

finished my chair (finally!).  done but definitely not perfect...back to upholstery school for me i guess....basting day planned for this week.  

was given another bag of drumsticks, so made small chicken pie and baked/froze the rest for future.  did make a batch of cinnamon rolls.  with another week of frigid temps--single digits every night--have pretty much slipped into hermit mode.  thankfully stocked up on library books.  

despite boredom so very thankful for warm, comfortable shelter, a real blessing.  so many in my complex gripe about every little inconsequential thing, one reason i avoid them.  though not my dream home, it is more than adequate for me.  counting my blessings every day...hope you do too!

not extreme makeover....

those batik blocks?  originally thought about placemats but eureka!  my chair needed a makeover...requiring just 2 blocks.  

today the other half gets finished....definitely an improvement....

what else is going on?  a quick scoot monday to store before deep freeze...tuesday AM was 17, wednesday early only 11,  which is like 40 below to marylanders, but not this yankee gal.  my sweet knitting mom and LL Bean have me well supplied with warm stuff.  even so, ocean dreams have been forefront in my mind...summer IS coming!

with a weekend storm brewing, lining up tasks...a mega basting day is on tap....can't finish if basting isn't done.  these are next in queue....i might even machine quilt a couple to hurry up the finish list....

and what is better on cold days than warm, comforting soup?  my repertoire is limited to a few, but this is a cold weather staple....chicken noodle!  a 5# bag of drumsticks given to me resulted in a big pot, most going in the freezer for quick thaw meals later.  

and with january over half gone, chookshed challenge of  the "semiquin" is progressing....basting is nearly done and applique of this and quilting of the DWR will be taking up remainder of month.  photo deceiving but dates at bottom are even and, more important, equidistant from edges...

prepping for a few days hibernating....remains to be seen how much actual snow we get and doubt we will lose power, so all that is needed (and on hand) are meals, snacks, sewing supplies, binge watching schedule and exercise bike...LOL.  so thankful to be warm and cozy inside without a real care about extreme weather...definitely a blessing!  

catching up

confined to quarters temporarily due to weather...so what's a quilter to do but surf the net?  i confess to spending too  much time on instagram, which lured me to this website...she was working on a simple black and white quilt on instagram but the pattern is not yet on her website...

this is just perfect for a certain gal with a shoebox full of 2.5" strips....there are plenty of ideas there for good scrappy projects....there you have it, i'm an enabler...

so did the housework get done?  but noooooo!  instead more of this--the tumblers is now a flimsy....

and nann, another like-minded enabler, showed some batik squares on her blog that sparked my mojo...i have some batiks (no surprise)...might try just one, you know, for research purposes...my squares are a bit bigger than hers tho....

there is a project for these that i might get to today.....used up 3 pieces of fabric with these...bit by bit it's going.....

and today, like every day, dreaming of days at the shore....

even in winter, the beach is never far from my mind....i thought i was writing this at 9 pm but nope, it's nearly 9 am....the hours are undistinguishable when it's gray and gloomy 24/7....wishing you a sunny and blessed day!

busy weekend

winters in maryland are mostly cloudy, dreary, but we've had sun for a couple of days, always welcome in january (but not always in august!)...no snow of course, we seem to miss when snow falls south or north of us...

if you need a jolt in your mojo, i can recommend this...

a short film from the 1980s featuring some interesting quilters....watching it at different stages in my quilty life has prompted different reactions, but always entertaining

so about the weekend....sewed up several tumbler rows until i ran out of light value ones...maybe today this will finally be a flimsy...

next, my personal challenge of using repro fabrics...two squares made, one more for january...shooting for 30 in all for a top measuring 60x72..the most difficult part is choosing which fabrics..simple blocks, few pieces, quick construction

and peeking out behind them is this....

that's the welcome sun shining on the design wall...these are pinned....have to tweak the bottom numbers a bit to make sure they are even...not sure if it's how it's hanging or what...then it's baste down the design and begin applique...the eagle is from a lori smith pattern...i've nixed a large quilt but love the pattern, so this fit the bill...

and sorry, lori, but make every effort to stay away from your pattern site and quilt show vendors who stock them...i'm a pushover for so many of them...LOL

and sunny sunday scooted down to the library to pick up this....

recommended to me by librarian peep...but being a mainer, quite familiar with the eel, or elver, industry.  like most seasonal work, it can be fraught with tension, rivalry, even violence,  it happens with fish, shellfish too....hard to establish boundaries in a vast ocean and the pathways of its creatures amid governmental controls and sometimes nefarious behaviors...so definitely a very good read!

a bit of independence and tweak in the daily meds has perked up life considerably...life is indeed very good...but i still want a car....have a delightful monday!

goodbye Christmas!

tree, lights, decorations all packed away for 11 months....have reclaimed my ironing table and tackled underneath..

found 7 shoeboxes with fabric but no lids in sight...hmm now where could they go?  with 340 square feet, not many places to hide....did manage to fling one, the slide out type, in the process.  

while spaghetti sauce simmers, working on the tumblers.  plan is to use up the ones i've cut, since the goal was to bust stash.  

now that i can "motor" to the library, can reserve things more easily....my name came up on this new book and scooted down to get it....have read all the others...like meeting up with old friends...

except for monday shopping shuttle, trapped all week waiting on replacement keys...good time for serious housework....or maybe not? everyone knows, housework only comes before sewing in the dictionary....LOL!  have a good day....me i'm praying for sunshine!

new year = new start right?

 

after an uber busy gap week when all manner of tasks got completed, time to get back on the sewing and quilting track.  you've seen my list and while #3 was chosen, must work on the semiquincentennial project.  would like to have ready for july but contingent on unexpected detours.  the applique pieces have been cut and background chosen...i tried lots of different neutrals, but this one seemed the best. it's a muted olive green...not enough white on hand but not sure it would work.  

miss sunny was oiled, lubricated and glammed up ready to work....we played with these....added 3 more on right side as afterthought...plenty of fabric of course...these are the tiny tumblers, about 2" height....

the stash shelves got re-orged as well....some uglies were pulled and are getting flung...the back wall is more visible now and re-acquainted with exactly what's on hand...jotted down some ideas to use more.  top shelf left is a tote of all plaids/homespuns....on the right is shoebox with whites/muslin scraps and next a few commercial patterns i've saved...

the bottom shelf has finished things that are going on the closet shelf soon i hope. 

that leaves this annoying situation...these are under the ironing table.  some things to be basted, project bags with UFOs, precuts in plastic containers.  box is poly stuffing.  some will go on the stash shelves but don't think it will all fit...yet that is.  

so the goal this year, as you can see, is.... 

have a groovy, far out, awesomely blessed day!

and away we go!

exciting starting a new year....days ahead of promise and hope for health, family, fun...at least that's my list.  

also hoping for lots of sewing time as i've an ambitious list of things to make and or finish

2025 accomplishments?  finished 8 UFOs, acquired some small wheels, survived yet another medical event, did lose some weight, did NOT keep up with the kardashians, did see maine family briefly, learned to live with grief, ramped up exercise routine, sewed for charity...that's about it.  a pretty mundane lifestyle i guess.  

this week finished the re-do on the pumpkin wall quilt....i am thinking the panel was off...i trimmed it to keep the leaves border but now realize it was off....

got in some quality zoom time with the gals down under in their summer duds....plenty of quilty chat and barbie plans....i worked on my vintage melon squares and finished almost half...

the moderator IS doing the chookshed challenge again this year...my list at the ready.  started 2025 with high hopes and list of 10....all was well until july, then detour!  here the 2026 edition...

1) baste and applique semiquincentennial wall quilt (new!)
2) W-I-N-T-E-R  wall quilt (new!)
3) wensleydale
4) mark and baste whole cloth WQ (new!)
5)  hearts/wreath applique
6) alaska blocks
7) vintage melon blocks/applique/baste
8) tree of life WQ border top and baste 
9) alaska blocks
10) red/green applique WQ top finish and baste 

also a personal challenge of some blocks using my healthy repro fabric stash....plus whittle down the hand quilting pile, knocking off the last 2 bed size quilts..

in the not-really-resolutions department, tighten up the budget along with maintaining/improving my health, ongoing culling of unwanted stuff and increased independence.  not the least is keeping my faith strong in a world of increasing chaos, violence, absurdity.  on that note i close, wishing you peace, joy, contentment, health and faith to guide you on the journey. a blessed happy new year!

busting scraps

gap week tasks proceed with good result so  far....several drawers of sewing related stuff have been tidied and streamlined....but brief detour required for some housekeeping sewing....

a bit of early morning cooking revealed my potholders had outlived their shelf life...so pulled a few orphan blocks, an ugly FQ, some leftover batting and binding strips...voila!  quickly sewed up 4 with 2 more to finish....definitely not blue ribbon worthy but they are functional...

had planned a library trip today but somehow the scooter keys plus another set had eloped from my purse.  i put them there last wednesday before going to daughter's and had no need for them until today...but now missing....it was a nice day for a trip and replacing them is an unplanned expense...

have been able to up my exercise thanks to the eliquis, a welcome benefit...i have a fitness center membership but can't get there without a car, a real disappointment for me....

no doubt many are gearing up to welcome the new year, but just so you know...and probably would rather not...LOL

keep calm and quilt on!!

onward to 2026!

hope your Christmas was as enjoyable as mine....spent a few days with daughter and son-in-love just basking in each other's company, refilling the hugs tank....the best gift of all!  my gifts were sorta spread out thru december but i did receive a couple more.....

a lovely gift of handmade soap from a quilty peep...she is so creative in all she does!  a set of blueberry print flannel sheets was tops on my list and will keep me cozy!

now begins a week of tidying the apartment, culling unwanted stuff, a few sewing tasks culminated with deconstructing christmas...if i had space i would leave my little tree up laden with its lifetime of memories in ornaments...it's comforting altho a bit bittersweet to relive special moments and people represented by them...days already beginning to lengthen and soon harbingers of spring will appear, every day overflowing with thankfulness....and so it goes...

a blessed Christmas!

busy with few last minute cooking tasks...when done, it'll be time to enjoy the day.   hoping you have loved ones close because that's all that really counts....all the rest is window dressing....we celebrate the birthday of a King, not the jolly fat man or most everything else that comes with him...may the warm memories of this and past Christmases remain with you in the years ahead...

one week to go....

are you almost ready?  speaking to my quilty peeps here, many busily finishing handmade gifts and cramming in decorating, baking along with usual....calm and bright in my neighborhood.  some early gifts came my way this week....

way to go Santa!  totally surprised with this bundle of neutral threads that both my vintage machines will love...

and just yesterday this arrived....

a box chock full of quilty and hand made goodies...oh and some chocolate too!  pretty sure mrs. claus is a quilter aren't you? 

the next gift received was from my drug plan....they have now included eliquis, the blood thinner, in my coverage.  wahoooo!  i've been off anticoagulants since july (a bit of russian roulette), but another bleeding related surgery had to be avoided.  thanks be to God for this potentially life-saving benefit.  i feel so very blessed....

in addition to little jaunts with the scooter (when weather permits), been quilting on the DWR and applique on this project, just about ready for basting and added to the quilty pile...

all the kaffe scraps have now been cut into tumblers too...

end of the year always finds me excited with anticipation....a new start, a clean slate, the decks cleared and raring to go...i wish i could inject that feeling into all whose lives are less than pleasant, as there are so very many, even within my small sphere, with various burdens.  i've learned to live with my grief while others are just starting that journey.  i've been blessed with excellent healthcare, caregivers whose care and advice have enhanced the quality of my life.  even tho i am what many consider poor, my life overflows with blessings every day....praying you find blessings in your life as well...

four finishes

a cold and snowy weekend just the ticket for finishing up some things that were lying around annoying me....

a pin cushion and ornament meant for a swap that i had to drop...

next came the 2 remaining microwave bowls just needing a sew up from where they were turned...

a lobster print and a crab print.....equal opportunity!  next a stitchery done last year but never finished....

it was photographed lying on a table and not wonky at all...just a sleeve and ribbon to hang.  the stitchery was a freebie by anni downs of 'hatched and patched', a shop in australia...these are free every christmas...you can hop on over and get this year's...

now the table can be tidied to move on to other stuff, like the kaffe tumblers and continue quilting on the scrappy DWR....plenty cold here and we did get about an inch of white stuff sunday...homemade chicken soup ready and more cookie baking.  also this week a bit of garment sewing on the list to use up some free fabric.  i'm already in the new year mindset and getting my UFO ducks in a row.   it's been a low key, pared down holiday season and quite enjoyable, able to relax and take in many excellent holiday specials online.  have a blessed and peaceful week!  

weekend update

temps moderate today so will harness the sleigh and head to local grocery for a few things and get a good dose of fresh air before another cold snap...on the quilty front it was a hit and a miss this week...

the last border on the pumpkin sent this to wonky world...i did measure twice...can only think the HSTs and their bias edges were the culprit...so off with the binding and tweak the border, then rebind...it looked ok before the border was added so might just leave it off...stay tuned....

the quilting hoop was promptly filled with this...

the scrappy DWR.....it's the next-to-last bed size quilt in process....so darn cozy having a big quilt on your lap in winter....the apartment is warm but the quilt is snuggly...

my favorite christmas decoration?

dear woodstock in his nest waiting for santa....it was a school art project by my daughter made from fragile construction paper...i just had to recreate in fabric and keep for always...

most of my christmas decorating and prep is done so i can relax in the evening with my hoop and watch specials on TV.....

my little tree lights are on when i'm home to enjoy every day.....my family has to make extra effort to be joyful...we've no little kids that exude that frenzied excitement and losses seem to multiply that want to overshadow...but we focus on each other and the real reason for the season, hanging on to a few traditions to remind us of our shared love....