a really old UFO

this pattern, "woven ribbons," by darlene zimmerman appeared in a 1998 issue of american patchwork and quilting.  i tore it out and filed it away because its scrappiness called to me.  some time later, i had some WOW scraps with a holly pattern and lots of christmas scraps from tree skirts and other projects.  i decided to make a scrappy christmas quilt.  today i once again pulled out the shoebox and found that i still like this a lot.  so, in the bottom photo you'll see the quilt in progress.  in addition to the WOW scraps, i'm using up plain old white scraps as well.  this quilt will also be quilted, but there isn't that much white space and plenty of color in this scrappy.  this is the only strip done so far, with about 20 more to go, but it's a good way to spend the hours and keep the old viking humming!

scrap tales

with this set of scraps (whites, solids, batiks), i decided to see what they could be used for and made up the block at the bottom.  alas, it's totally without zing....scrappy yes but boring!  so, back to the drawing board.  i decided to use the solids to make some mini 9-patch amish blocks and put the others aside for now.  the whites are leftovers from backings and backgrounds of other projects and i just can't simply toss them.  i do have a scrappy christmas in progress to use them up, but i'll still have some left over i'm sure.  the big problem with white fabric is that it simply STOPS any action in the quilt completely.  sometimes i use it purposely for quilting space, but

usually prefer to have more zing in my projects....

we have liftoff!

the 3 eagle chicks at wildlife center of virginia that were rescued after their mother was killed near the nest at norfolk botanical gardens are starting to fledge.  two have flown from the nest onto a nearby fake branch within their enclosure.  the 3 chicks, a misleading description since they each weigh about 10 pounds, won't be leaving the enclosure for the last time until august but they will soon get some additional room to strengthen their wings and polish their flying technique.  it's been educational and fun to watch them grow; sometimes they act just like human toddlers!  i'll miss them when they are released, but it's what they were born to do.  a calendar will be issued later this year with photos of the parent eagles, a tribute to the mother, dubbed "lady legacy," and of the chicks, proceeds of which benefit the wildlife center.  the president of WCV calls the chicks the center's rock stars due to the unprecedented worldwide interest prompting 24-hour online streaming for all their fans.  if you want to check them out before they are gone, it's www.wcev.com, the local TV station with a link directly to the eaglecam.  one caveat:  sometimes there are dead rats or fish in the nest!

we've not forgotten

he went to war a young man from a small town in maine and came back having seen too much unpleasantness and with residual health issues.  even though he saw some exciting landmarks and Bob Hope, he couldn't wait to return to maine soil, forever changed and not all for the better.  no doubt that's true for far too many.  on this special day and every day that we enjoy our freedoms, we salute you all. 

a surprise gift!

wow, what a surprise in the mail today!  these are hand-dyed solids, a HUGE collection of small pieces, from cherrywood fabrics.  the $$ for hand dyed fabrics isn't in my budget, but is obviously in somebody's.  and solids too, double wow!  mmmm, thinking amish little quilts here....even if i could afford the yardage, i couldn't choose just one or even a few of these gorgeous colors!  turquoise maybe, or royal blue, or eggplant, or lime green?  well, whoever you are, thank you!  **** it's an at home retreat this weekend for the stashbusters.  means little to me because i sew nearly every day anyway.  i worked some on my mystery project and later will quilt on the pinks project.  so far the weather isn't bad at all.  would be great if it holds all weekend.

mystery project continues

here is a photo of ONE of the fabrics i'm using in my current project, a bit of a mystery until the unveiling.  that's my antique sewing table underneath.  you can see the sun coming in through the blinds so it isn't cloudy for a change.  i keep my laptop on the left corner because of wiring accessibility issues.  i'd prefer a dedicated spot but there simply isn't any floor space for a laptop desk close to the wires.  i could get a fold-down desk to mount on the wall, but again, no space.  i am able to work ok in my little space, but more floor and wall space would be nice.  *****  oprah, like most notables, has her critics, but when i saw those men from morehouse college who had received scholarships from oprah, and also others whose education has been enriched by her gifts, i was more than choked up.  sometimes i might think she's a little too much "out there" with her generosity, but no one can deny that many people with little or no resources have benefitted.  God calls us not to be Pharisees, puffing ourselves up and boasting about our good works, but in some ways I think oprah, because of her background, is more amazed because she CAN give rather than giving just for faint praise.  sometimes when i am able to help someone else, i feel the urge to tell, but it's only because i am filled with joy, not pride, in being able to meet someone else's need.  there is a real difference, but since i don't know her personally, i can't be sure.  a very wise person long ago taught me the difference between self-respect and selfishness and it really changed my life for the better. 

david letterman not!

maine's top ten

1.  medical secretaries need not apply
2.  in maine, multitaskers are the under-employed with a series of minimum wage seasonal jobs
3.  most renown landowner actually calls texas home
4.  you can get there from here, but it's at least a 100-mile drive each way, usually more
5.  always sacrifice industry and jobs to save tourist haunts
6.  25 miles on turnpike costs you $3 in tolls
7.  4-year college degree opens doors....to the job center to look for a job
8.  sign at border stating "the way life should be" for tourists only
9.  the original LL (leon leonwood) Bean's goal was never to sell shirts made in pakistan or guatemala
10.  most abundant of resources, lobster and blueberries, shipped out of state

so, come on up and be sure to bring those tourist bucks with you!

a pity

the pot smoker is back outside now that the weather has improved.  too bad our complex doesn't have a building set aside for those who indulge in such pastimes....closer to the boonies, you know?  it's one of the real negatives of apartment complex living.  it just isn't fair to those of us who would rather not smoke along.  that explains why i wake up with a headache in the morning because i'm not really a headache person at all.

weekend wrap

spent the weekend quilting on the pinks as well as machine piecing this little wallhanging.  the pattern is from the moda bakeshop via calico horse and calls for charms, but naturally i have stash to use!  it's almost all pieced, now on the design wall.  once finished it will go in the tote along with all the other finished items with no specific destination.  it will be hand quilted at some point.  other colors could be used for any season, really, but i love christmas so greens it is!

by the sea, by the sea...

strange yellow orb appeared briefly in the sky today compelling us to leave the confines of our rented abode and travel to the nearest salt water galaxy not too far away.  in maine, when the mercury-contained heat indicator reaches 60F., many denizens are garbed in shorts and i complied.  seriously, 60F. in maine is like 80F. in southern locales so it's nearly a requirement.  **** am presently quilting the pinks project and some machine sewing on other things as well.  ***** after a hastily prepared evening caloric intake of the mediterranean genre along with herbaceous leafy greens (spaghetti and salad), some quilting and TV listening, am retiring to the all-purpose sleep/sewing chamber for reading my current volume on temporary loan from the nearest multimedia receptacle (library)....."The Land of Painted Caves," last volume of Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel, which I recommend highly.