first february finish

so here's little red quilt #3, now all quilted and bound and labeled....meaning, it's officially finished!  i know, there are no windows in this traditional block, but i like it better without the windows for a more rustic, folk art feel.  i've already started quilting another little quilt, dresden plates, that might or might not be a february finish but with the extra day this year, who knows?  **** my ultra-quilty weekend has flown by.  i got my autumn change quilt basted and ready to quilt on friday.  i spent part of saturday at the quilt museum and got to see a civil war quilt up close.  today it's prep clothes and get a haircut for work starting tomorrow.  i imagine it'll take a bit to get back in the groove but looking forward to having less empty time to fill with whatever.  **** our spring-like winter continues.  we aren't home free yet, though; march can be snowy and stormy too.  it'll be mid-april or so before we can be confident of winter's end. 

variety challenge

so here's the finished "variety" challenge little quilt.  hmm, this is the 2nd red little quilt i've made this month so far and i'm getting ready to bind my little red/white schoolhouse quilt also...that'll make 3 little red quilts i've made this month.  now, red is so NOT my favorite color but it does draw one in because of its vibrancy.  i thought after the red/cream north wind that was going to be it, but apparently not.  take heart, though, i'm also working on little baskets in civil war repros plus a host of other projects as well.  it only LOOKS like all i'm doing right now is red, but stay tuned.  ***** it's the final friday before work starts, at least for a couple of weeks.  after 2 weeks i'll be part time but to say i'm nervous wouldn't be a lie at all.  i'm going to make the most of the weekend and try and get a whole week's worth of quilting fun crammed into 2 days.  i am looking forward to doing something besides sewing for a change, though. 

a happy day

a happy birthday day, i mean....my mom is 85 today.  she's hale and hearty, still driving, just stopped working 2 years ago.  she comes from mayflower stock, long livers....meaning many on both sides of her family lived to be 100 or close, raised by elderly grandparents without a mother.  i am honored to be her eldest child and cherish each day she is part of our family.  i know my siblings share that sentiment.  with 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson, i know there will be plenty of wishes coming her way.  many happy returns, mom, and many more birthdays!

happy birthday george!

for those of us of a certain age, this used to be a holiday because it was the birthday of the father of our country.  not so anymore and i'm wondering how many school children don't even know that today is george's real birthday (sigh)...anyway, no sewing today because it's spring in maine.  right now it's a balmy 55 degrees and the sun is shining.  just returned from a drive to stonewall kitchen to pick up a jar or two of jam; a perfect day for a leisurely sojourn down coastal route #1.  if you haven't been there, it's mostly a touristy grazing place...plenty to taste and all things kitchen related.  it's strategically located at the very first tollbooth, so that gives you an idea of what'll happen if you stop there.  and the very best news?  they have re-introduced pink grapefruit marmalade, so naturally i got a jar.  i am not a serious jam fan, but once in a while i indulge.  i used to make jam but the last time i did, most of it sat in the cupboard for years, so no longer.  1-2 jars now and then suffice. 

variety challenge

these are my squares for the challenge using jo morton's 'variety' line of fabric.  this is one of my favorite patterns.  there are 3" corner squares and also a pieced border that will get finished and added today.  i'm hoping to get this basted also.  i'm currently quilting a small UFO, so this will be next once that is completed and lopped off my list.  though i'd like to get back to piecing little baskets, there are some things i must get done before starting work next week.  ****  this weekend hoping to get both feathered star and autumn change basted.  i also need to get back to the browns/muslin project as a new set of blocks got posted last week.  **** looking forward to returning to work and being more involved in the world outside the sewing room.  all play and no work can be tedious, not to mention the all-important financial aspect.  **** the weather channel says it's going to be 53 here tomorrow...that's right, 53 degrees in maine in february.   though snow has been seen as late as april here, it just doesn't look likely at all.  the winter festival this past weekend had been postponed and even then, there was no snow and no ice.  do i care?  not a whit! 

fat tuesday flimsy

today i finally completed the "fat tuesday on orca bay" flimsy.  i still think i will bind it with the cheddar and it will be tied, not quilted...but not right away.  i have to put it on the shelf for a bit in order to get a break from looking at it for the past 4 months.  i simply don't appreciate the colors right now.  i did make a few little changes like inverting the last border and using a purple square in place of the QSTs on the end rows.  i think it gives the middle part a bit more space drawing attention to the action, which i like.  it'll be a donation quilt eventually and i'm certain whoever becomes its owner will love it just as it is....not perfect, like me...LOL!

thanks bonnie!

the other day bonnie posted a photo of some little basket blocks and i immediately thought of my civil war repro stash.  fortunately i had a pattern for 4-inch baskets and so whipped up these little cuties.  far less pieces than the 4-inch houses, which i also love, so quicker to piece.  and yes, the bottom basket does have a fade line on the right but hey, they're "antique" and besides, no quilt police live here.  i'll probably make more even though they don't bust much stash at all.  first up, though, is finishing the orca bay top.  ***** our spring weather continues even though the calendar says winter.  but you know what, it doesn't smell like spring; really, spring has its own smell and this isn't it.  if winter doesn't return, though, i would imagine the spring smell will be here soon.

FNSI

yes, it's Friday Night Sew In again!  i'll be putting borders on my orca bay...yes, i got all the rows done!  that was my goal for the weekend and it looks like i'll be able to meet it.  that means i'll be able to work on something else with a clear conscience, knowing that orca bay is a flimsy, whew!

MISSING QUILT ALERT

this quilt is missing!  it belongs to scrap maven sally schneider and was last seen jan 26th of this year in albuquerque, new mexico.  knowledge is power and so i am posting this at the request of bonnie in order to alert quilters to be on the lookout.  i am hoping it was not stolen, just lost...it saddens me when people abscond with handwork items.  ****  and what am i up to this friday?  orca bay of course.  i'm also working on a small challenge piece using jo morton's 'variety' line.  i also spent a bit of time playing around with my civil war fabrics.  **** first thing this morning hit joann's fabrics to get a few quilty necessities at 50% off PLUS an additional 10% with the coupon.  now back to the regularly scheduled project!  

more "just takes 2"

i know...it's valentine's day and i should be using RED fabric but, well, i'm using brown civil war repros.....go figure!  as you can see, i'm making real progress with this challenge.  i've got nearly 8 blocks done of 12 and tomorrow more patterns will get posted.  i realize brown doesn't have the zing that red does, but i am kind of liking how these blocks are turning out using a color i've got in my stash but often gets bypassed.  later today or tomorrow i'm getting back to orca bay and make it a priority.  february is fleeting fast and i would like to see this finished before march dawns.  **** our spring-like winter continues all week....and i'm lovin' it!