the greatest thing....

since sliced bread, as the saying goes...that would be this seam guide.  no, it's not a vintage guide that originally fit on phoebe but a newer version.  nonetheless, it's ideal for keeping those seam allowances straight and consistent.  i never used one before but just trying it has made me a life-long convert.  as for phoebe, she is running like a dream.  a bit noisy, i think, but maybe that's just her.  i've removed the bottom plate and oiled/lubricated every spot indicated in the directions.  i've adjusted the belt, wound bobbins and sewn itty bitty perfect seams.  i see now why this machine is so highly sought.  it's virtually indestructible, completely self-maintenance and i have to say the stitch quality surpasses even the old viking.  i didn't think that would be the case but it is.  no, i haven't abandoned the old viking but i am completely enamored with phoebe's stitch.  today i'm off to get a new light bulb so i can see that perfect stitch all the better. 

finally here!

not sadie hawkins day, noooo; it's phoebe!  she was here when i got home from work yesterday and was immediately unpacked and inspected, found to be in very good condition...."born" in 1955!  after some cleaning and oiling, she was up and running like new.  the case smells musty, of course, but that has been remedied.  i replaced her belt too; this is really a DIY machine for sure!  she's my present to me for returning to work.  *** speaking of work, going fine, still getting used to having less expanses of free time to do whatever.  it actually makes me more productive by being more organized and procrastinating less.  also results in shorter, less rambling posts too!

15 minutes

even though i worked yesterday, i still found at least 15 minutes to quilt on this little UFO.  i'm hoping for another finish early in march.  simply cannot abandon a little playtime; it'll just have to be planned for the next couple of weeks.  this piece is nearly ready for binding, which is all prepped and waiting.  next have to baste/quilt the "variety" piece and then work on a little swap piece.  **** had my hair cut a bit so now it's even less maintenance than previous.  my perm will be gone by may or so when i'll get my summer short cut, the wash and wear do.  *** oops, gotta go and get dressed!

time on your hands? NQR (not quilt related)

the norfolk botanical garden eaglecam has been on for a few weeks now.  last year's dad eagle, whose mate was killed by the airplane, is back and has a new mate after trying out a few different ones.  she is youthful (what else is new...are all men the same?), about 4 years old and hasn't gotten her white tail feathers yet; still has a few specks of brown on her head as well.  while they have been seen mating several times, no eggs laid yet.  she is, however, spending more and more time in the nest that dad adjusts on a daily basis.  she still has time--the garden biologist says end of march would be the cutoff--to lay an egg or maybe more.  in the meantime, new cameras have been installed and repositioned to satisfy the thousands of voyeurs to this real-life saga.  one caveat:  watching can be addicting, especially once eggs are in the nest.  the moderator comments are informative and funny as well.  if she is unsuccessful in producing an egg after several mating attempts, dad will drop her and find another mate for next year.  **** in another update, one of last year's chicks, the female released in august with the transmitter, was eating carrion and struck by a car.  she was rescued and returned to the wildlife center to heal, which she is currently doing.  it's phenomenal to see the size of this yearling and for her latest progress, just go on over to the wildlife center and take a peek. 

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!