ready to go!

swap goodies are done and ready to get mailed south of here someplace...why?  this is maine and most everywhere IS south of here.  a pincushion, a potholder and some jo morton's shirtings, what's not to like?  **** on a sadder note, it's time to put away the flannels for good.  early this morning it was nearly 60 degrees and even with the windows open, it's just too warm for them.  i love how comfy they are but time for summer jammies.  **** i also got the sleeve sewn on the feathered star, now to dunk in cold water and remove the quilting lines.  and the work on JT2 goes on, and on, and on.....

inchie update

for my leaders/enders i am using these inchies assembled into 16" squares.  i recently found a pattern with inchie squares that has a border made up of inchie lights.  safe to say i won't be incorporating these into the blocks any longer...still a long way to the finish on this project but it's thread that isn't going into the trash!

Friday Night Sew In

last night was FNSI so i, of course, participated with enthusiasm.  this is what got accomplished.  i appliqued these 2 hexie flowers to background, worked on just takes 2 and also basted the edges of some petal pieces for the watermelon project.  i know...multitasking!  the hexies are for a gift that needs to get done.  the just takes 2 work was my vain attempt to try and get caught up and the petal pieces was just for a change of color.  i wish i could put everything away and just work on the JT2 but i have other priorities plus all those UFOs that need finishing.  just the sleeve and i can cross off the feathered star.  maybe i can get another done before the end of the month, since the stashbuster at-home retreat is coming up.  then i think i'm going to try and get one of those amish bed quilts done.  *** waiting on some shirting swap squares and i think i'm going to start the baskets too.  what delicious fun!

new project idea

i've seen lots of project using this applique basket pattern all over blogland.  i did find the pattern in a book originally but hesitated to make a purchase for just this pattern.  i went googling and found the pattern online for free, so downloaded and reduced in size.  it'll make a delicious pattern for all my civil war fabrics.  it's a someday project and will make a good portable project as well.  ahh, soo many good ideas for all that lovely fabric!  ***** today?  day off and plans, of course.  and finally, a spell of sunny, warm days ahead.  hard to believe it is almost june, that most idyllic of months.  **** first today, though, is a sleeve and label to lop off another finish. 

whadda ya think?

went to joann's to get some polyester stuffing for a pincushion.  i couldn't believe i had absolutely NONE for this project.  they usually carry a small craft bag of stuffing but none in stock.  so, my only choice was this 2-pound bag....so, do you think i have enough for a pincushion here?  even though i did get it at half price, the problem (as always) is storing it in my already tight quarters.  i can't imagine how long it will take to use this up.  *** and today?  sew down the binding on the feathered star, sew on a label and a sleeve and call it done!

design wall dud

i love the color combo in this wallhanging but i am not happy with the placement of the values...not one bit!  the center block has chrome yellow in the corners...that is the block but because of the value placement, the other blocks are nearly invisible.  it is 9 blocks total but they don't show.  so, will have to do some ripping and replacement to get the design effect i originally wanted.  good thing there's a stack of pieces already cut.  first, though, i need to finish the feathered star, and maybe do something else.  or maybe i'll put it aside and make it bigger someday...stay tuned.

binding begins

last evening after a wonderful mother's day, sat down and got the binding pinned on this feathered star.  so, most likely this week some time it'll be done!  then it'll be flying south to DD and DSIL for their anniversary.  i'm told there is a place waiting for it already.  **** for mother's day, my 2 local siblings and i had a wonderful breakfast with mom at a volunteer fire station near where bro #1 lives.  it was pure small town america but the food and company were excellent.  **** as mentioned, got a terrific greeting from DD and hubby; she chose a funny and loving card that made me chuckle and get misty, but then, her selection in cards is always letter perfect!

lucky me

it isn't every mom who has one of these beauties, right?  i found it when i was pawing through a box of stuff looking for something else of course.  sure, i got a commercial card this year but this one money can't buy.....and it's all mine!  

play date

this morning phoebe came out for a play date and to get acquainted with her new case-mate, the pretty, pinky pincushion.  it's important for case-mates to get along and so a little bonding time was in order.  as one who has had far too many roommates, i know the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to sharing space.  **** got all the blocks done for the little quilt for may, now to put the blocks together into a flimsy.  i am also just about to start attaching the binding to the feathered star, so will have a UFO finish very soon.  that means i should have time to finish a couple of small UFOs before may is history.  or maybe i'll dig out the center diamond, mark the last border and get that done first.  **** a beautiful early summer day here in coastal maine, nearly 60 degrees already! 

2 squishies!

that's right, mr. mailman brought 2 lovely packages for me today!  first, from abby, a swap package including this lovely, spring-y pincushion made of dogwood prints...oh abby!  i used to have a dogwood tree in my front yard that i would gaze at often and this reminds me of that.  mine was white, not pink, but the pincushion is a real treasure.  i think i'll keep it with phoebe to use when she and i play.  and the evelyn sloppy book?  that will come in handy for sure to help me bust that civil war stash.  **** the other package was from the new england quilt museum, a collection of FQs from judie rothermel's new line titled "union forever,"  based on a potholder quilt made during the civil war, given to a soldier at Andersonville and then eventually donated to the museum.  i got to see this quilt up close and personal recently  these are FQs so it's only adding 1.75 yards to my bulging civil war repro stash, but i am loving using these fabrics.  the book and the stash?  a dynamic duo!