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....

december rolls on

even though most of the world is in a holiday frenzy, things are quiet and serene here in middle earth maryland...my shopping is done, most cards mailed, christmas dinner contributions planned, apartment decorated.  one thing was missing tho....

christmas pillowcases!  i had changed bed linens and put the quilt on but oh no!!  no christmas pillowcases!  as providence would have it, a member of our friday group donated a couple bags of stash detritus and therewas this christmas print....geese with neck wreaths...pulled out a green toile for the cuffs and here they are....made a skosh larger than pattern as my pillows are quite fluffy.  

quilting the pumpkin panel and cutting out more kaffe tumblers rounded out sewing for the week.

another gift arrived last week....a sortof santa dropped by with my very own sleigh!!

i joke and tell people my apartment is furnished by Uncle Sam aka Medicare....only half right!  the PT admonished me sternly to NOT depend on it too much....so i still exercise and walk as much as possible, but no longer confined to quarters.  there is a plaza close by and various other places PLUS the ever-enticing library....only dependent on weather...going to store by myself is a definite high.  

a scale (from Medicare) helps monitor for fluid retention but this time of year it can be a grinch, so taking this advice....

wishing you a blessed and calm week....remember the reason for the season!

a momentous day!!

much anticipated day when i finally have finished my quilt....it was a long and sometimes uncertain hiatus...thanks be to God and all his caregiver servants...i dedicate this quilt to them!

say hello to 'wildest dreams'.....72" square, blocks are hand pieced and top is machine pieced, then densely hand quilted by me...definitely a humble quilt as it took a bit to get back in my quilting groove but i love it just the same....a very satisfying feeling of accomplishment.  with my very last PT visit yesterday, putting my patient persona on the back burner for a very long time...i hope!  next???

since snow is in the forecast....not us but getting closer...time to get this autumn panel done and put away until next year....just some outline quilting and bind for a speedy finish...then either Baskets I or II  will take its place....another finish this year???  hope springs eternal!

my tree is up and this little sentiment is just perfect for me....love love love multicolor christmas lights...especially on pine trees with snowy boughs....

decorations are nice but i never forget the real reason for the season...especially with the blessings i've received this year....

onward to christmas!

 as a true mainer, this is the kind of tree i love....

with a lot of free time over the holiday, cruising the 'net i found ancestors on both sides who were in maine in the 1600s...so there you have it....what else did i do to keep busy?

finished this little snowmen wall quilt for dear daughter who visited and now resides in her home...a quick wash and it might be on her door already!  she spied the red/green economy block scrappy and requested that as well...

turkey day awoke late and spent most of day quilting, now on last side of 'wildest dreams'...cruising instagram and reading blogs...baked cookies...pulled out christmas tote....texting family in maine....today absolutely must clean fridge and more quilting of course!

word to the wise sewist...

have a blessed day!