a whole row!

after much ripping and re-sewing, i finally have one entire vertical row done!  it wasn't without a bit of drama...the little brother machine HATES all those seams and i broke 3 needles just trying to get one seam done.  it still doesn't line up perfectly but i am not taking it out a 4th time.  if i get the old viking back before the flimsy is tied, i will probably fix.  so, today (wednesday) i am going to tackle more rows; perhaps i can get 2-3 more done?  that would be terrific.  **** after i got this row done, i worked some on a little challenge piece.  i have to get back to the browns/muslin project also, which i know the little machine wouldn't fight.  even so, my color appetite is whetted now that i've seen one row done and excited to see it all together. 

tune-up time

though still "young" looking, the old viking needed a tweak.  seems SOMEBODY ran over some pins, the cad!  she's only 34 but unlike humans, she was working from day one.  except for that year in storage, she's been hard at work all that time.  poor thing doesn't even have a proper name, and i never did call her the young viking.  it was orca bay that put her over the edge, and i'm not even done with that flimsy.  a few bloggers noticed i've got it wrong, so back to check the finished photo posted by bonnie.  in the meantime, i have the little brother that runs pretty good too except it would rather not sew over all those seams in the strippie units, but we're managing.  have to get the pattern right before i do anymore, though.  thank you bloggers!  i shouldn't have tried to put it together while watching "Downton Abbey".....LOL

start of the finish

here is my design wall this last monday in january.  i am finally starting to put together the orca bay rows and am i glad!  seems like i've been stripping and sewing and trimming and cutting for ages now but as you can see, it is well worth the effort.  i am anxious now to get the whole flimsy together and i think i am going to bind it in the cheddar, only because it might just seem to fade out if i don't.  oh, this is going to be a beauty i think. maybe then i can get that feathered star top finished.  **** we are still enjoying spurts of spring here with temps over 40 yesterday and a few days this week as well.  more rain in our future but only the skiers are moaning....i'll take the liquid precip over the frozen kind any time. 

on my ironing board

bonnie asked, "what's on your ironing board,?" and so here it is.....bloody orca bay....still!  i'm working on it today and making progress but nowhere near fast enough for me.  i want to get this flimsy assembled so it can be tied and done!  these have BEEN on my ironing board for some weeks now.  i am also working on other things inbetween but it's difficult when these pieces have taken over.  as you can see, i need to set the date on my camera.

organizing idea

 i needed something smallish to store my applique threads and the few embellishments i've accumulated.  one day last fall i was in joann's and saw this.  it was on sale half price, plus i had a $3 coupon, so it was just about free....and it's perfect!  not only are they all safely tucked away, i can find them super easy plus it has a small foot print.  once in a while karma is with me.  ***** been busy today working on orca bay but not really motivated.  it's one of those boring days that i feel like going places but don't really know where, know what i mean?  the quilting mojo will return or i'll just keep going in spite of the yucky mood.  things could certainly be so much worse. 

two done

now that i've finished all those purple strippie squares (YAY), i quickly moved on to another project--just takes 2.  i'm using browns with muslin because that's what is on hand.  most of the browns i have are civil war era repros, so it won't be THAT boring i don't think.  the block on the left was made with 2 nickels i found in my stash.  i'm a little behind on this project but hoping to catch up soon.  and those are the purple strippies directly behind, cut into triangles; now to rip out the papers and put the squares together.  i'm also working on another small piece, a challenge, using jo morton's 'variety' line.  more multitasking, yep!

multitasking friday

sitting here at the old viking on a very rainy friday morning trying to finish up these strippies; i think i have 10 left to do, so looks good for a friday finish on these.  i'm also copying my vinyl LPs (that's long playing for you younger readers) to the laptop and then to CDs.  this will free up space on my shelves for what else....quilting stuff! ****  i did have errand plans but put them on hold until the weather is better.  since i don't have to venture out in bad weather, sometimes i just don't.  we got snow during the night but the rain has washed it all away...and then some.  mom has a one-pot dinner on the stove so it's a low maintenance day all around. 

sewing detour

the constant glare of purple resulted in my eyes drooping, so i took a tiny detour and assembled these chunky churndash blocks.  a few years ago i participated in a swap and made about 24 of these, sent them off and never got anything back!  not sure what happened but i found these leftovers and so decided to make them up.  at some point i'll make a lot more and put together a flimsy to tie and donate, probably.  or, i might keep it because don't ya know, i love scrappy quilts!  **** basking in march weather here in late january; the calendar means nothing at all this winter!  i'm only hoping it doesn't turn on us come june/july/august.  **** just about over my cold and so hoping to get into my browns/muslin project soon and maybe those little houses too...aren't they adorable?

january christmas

at our belated family holiday celebration earlier this month, i received a gift certificate to a quilt shop from my brother/sister-in-law.  today i finally got to select my goodies from oodles of choices.  i know i said i wasn't going to collect batiks, but these colors were so bright, i couldn't leave them behind.  then there are a few repros to add to my stash.  it sure doesn't feel like christmas at all; at 3 am awoke from being too warm, 45 degrees outside after a whopping 9 degrees yesterday morning. today it's been over 50 and foggy/sunny with lots of melting.  tomorrow is another warm, march-like day and then a bit cooler the rest of the week.  this is truly the wackiest winter i've experienced in a very long time, if ever.  **** last night i did get more purple strippies done; still stripping i'm afraid.

foot envy

all over blogland i see perfectly pedicured toes--toes at the beach, toes relaxing on lounges, etc., etc.  well, this is maine and this is january and so i've decided to post the antithesis of these perfectly painted toes.  i've had these sox for about 30 years and they have been called into action on a frequent basis.  you can't see the bottoms, but the grips are little milk cans.  i got them at the totes outlet in kittery; my daughter got a pair as well (not cows).  dr. oz says warm feet can enhance the sleep experience.  i could have told him that 30 years ago as well, else why would i have bought them?  **** yesterday finally finished the immediate inside borders on the amish center diamond.  now i've only the outside 10" border and its corner squares to quilt.  this is going to be a bit tricker.  first, i have to baste on temporary borders, do some math, some marking and then i'll be able to start....but it won't be today.  any sewing today will be of purple strippie squares.