cheddars

i found all of these at the local marden's, that famous fabric place.  they have plenty more but i restrained myself.  i am going to have to return, though, and restock my greens as i've used nearly all of mine on this mystery project.  maybe santa will bring me a marden's gift card, wouldn't that be great!

today's orca bay progress

not bad, eh?  over halfway done with the HSTs and i also got 2 of the strip squares done as well.  i'm using the phone book pages and they really work up pretty quick.  i am so loving this cheddar with the green; wait until purple is on the scene--it's a fabric version of the king cake!  **** last night got another brown triangle marked with clamshells to work on while listening to TV.  though we have no real cold weather yet, it'll be here soon enough.  right now i've got the window open and my little fan on during the night; it's THAT warm in here.  one of the downside attributes of complex living.  that and nosy neighbors who park in front of my window with their high beams on and just sit there....my curtains and blinds are drawn but even so.  in my opinion that shouldn't be allowed; those spaces should be marked off.  after all, it's somebody's bedroom.  there are 2 bedrooms (plus mine) on the parking lot side. 

weekend sewing

i did get some sewing done this weekend.  i had to cut strings for the string blocks, the cheddar.  for some reason, i don't have a stash of strings at all, just a very few and no cheddar at all, until now of course.  i got some of the HSTs done and another stack ready to sew together. hoping the mystery gets to purple fabric soon as i'm getting a little weary of green fabric.  the good news is i've nearly busted my entire stash of greens.  *****   i also worked on another project, a secret project i'll show after christmas.  i'm enjoying the mystery but also anxious to get back to my previous 2 projects, the feathered star and the amish center diamond.  plus i have 1 more small piece to finish to complete the stashbusters 5 in 5 challenge; that's 5 finishes in 5 months.  ***** today's nonquilty list includes a haircut and some sundry household tasks. 

finally!

it's true, all 224 hourglass blocks are done!  and i've started on the 350 HSTs as well.  the small strip squares will have to be put on hold for the moment, although i've the fabrics stacked on the sewing table along with the foundation papers.  aside from job hunting, there are no other plans in the upcoming week.  i still haven't vacuumed either but, oh well, tomorrow's another day.  in the evenings i've been working on a gift and hope to get back to the amish center diamond soon.  time marches on and so i'm off to get dressed and get sewing!

FTOOB part 3

part 3 of Fat Tuesday On Orca Bay consists of HSTs or half square triangles, but did she say 350?????  say again????   350?  i'm wondering if i have enough green fabric for these; well, i probably do of course, but really....350???  i still haven't started part 2 yet....yikes, better get going!

a portent

wondering if DD put up her advent calendar today? 

2 triangles done

just this morning i finished the 2nd of 4 triangles on this amish center diamond quilt.  only 2 more to quilt and i can move "out" to the next border and corner squares.  i've got the pattern for the corner squares already but still deciding on the border sections.  meanwhile, back at the old viking, i'm still working on the hourglass blocks and they are slowly getting done.  part 3 is posting tomorrow and i've still part 2 to do yet.  like where does time go?  for somebody with an empty life, it still just evaporates.  ***** speaking of that, it's december 1st today with only 3+ short weeks to christmas.  our warm weather seems to be on the wane.  except for our freak halloween snow, it's been green grass here so far, not christmas weather at all.  **** since worrying is considered a sin, i'll just say there's a situation of concern to me, could or not be justified, but at this moment it does weigh heavy on my mind.  if you are a praying person, my petition is for resolution and restoration to peace for this particular issue.  **** and last, kudos to my brother and his blues band members.  they have scored top place in the maine contest and are off to nationals in january; this is a real dream come true for one with the love of music in his veins.  congrats to them!

keeping on

yes, i am  still working away on the hourglass blocks for bonnie's mystery.  i'll get there, i really will, especially with the help of my diet pepsi!  and i've renamed my version...fat tuesday on orca bay, because of the mardi gras colors.  ****  just 3 days out from visiting my chick and her hubby and i'm seriously missing them.  in fact, it was a lonely trip north on the train saturday, feeling like i'd left my heart behind.  i'm working hard to be a good mother-in-law and hope i am succeeding in this new role. **** last night me and mom took in an early christmas concert by the USM (alma mater) chamber singers...always an excellent event.  but with these warm temps, it's difficult to feel christmas-y.  time to get out the holiday CDs i guess.

orca bay progress

back to our regularly scheduled project!  before turkey day (actually it was ham day) break, i had finished this many of the quarter square triangles for part 1 of orca bay.  bonnie has now posted part 2 so i've a bit of catching up this week.  i think there about 100 in this small pile, not even half of the required 224, so the old viking is going to be smokin'!  i've a few errands today and a few household chores as well, but after that it's clear sailing sewing-wise.  **** while in maryland, i looked over some senior housing possibilities.  yeah i know, i don't feel senior and certainly don't look senior either, but my birth certificate says otherwise.  course my actual years are immaterial in today's ever-youthful culture; why, even my mom at nearly 85 still drives, keeps active and would be working if she had her choice.  i, too, would be working if i could.  my hope for a career is nearly gone, a real heartbreak for me.  i got a taste and wasn't permitted to dive in to the full banquet of a career i really enjoyed, for reasons too numerous and nefarious to list.  i never had dreams of corporate ladder ascension, only of doing a job i really enjoyed, was fulfilling and rewarding.  so, when life gives you scraps.....

1 down, 2 to go...

holiday that is.  had a wonderful thanksgiving with DD and DSIL and DSIL's parents. wonderful family time, great food....can't beat it.  i was near baltimore and it was 70 degrees on thanksgiving day....super gorgeous day!