it's summer sooo....

the pot-smoking, parking lot peeping tom is making rounds again.  this wuss with the turnip IQ is still in the neighborhood apparently.  it was warm and i had my fan on, curtains covering all but a small portion of the window and discreetly clad in shorts/shirt.  i guess he doesn't have anything better to do.  with cramped spaces, no storage and nasty neighbors, what's not to like here?  all the freaking marigolds and trees they plant don't cancel out this too-frequent nocturnal pest.  so what did i do?  well, i went to the window and gave him (or her?) an encouragement and he left shortly after, or at least the air cleared, followed by a noxious skunk.  as mentioned, shortly before i was thinking of selling my house, there was a skunk under the window for 14 nights in a row.  i never knew a skunk with a calendar, at least not a 4-legged one.  

just takes 2 progress

ok, so 2 of them are easy peasy; no matter, it's 4 more that are done, done, done!  i'm still far behind but this is a long-term project so one of these days no doubt i'll sit down for a day or two and maybe get caught up?  **** in the meantime, i'm just about done with a christmas tablerunner UFO, just the binding to be done.  i also finished a pincushion started for myself some time ago, a rather large hexagon with embroidery....will post the photo later.  ****  it's a hot summer day and i'm finishing up laundry and other misc chores.  yesterday we got our beach pass for the summer, so we are good to go anytime we want.  it isn't that there aren't free beaches in the area--plenty, but ours has a bath house, snack bar, outside shower and great parking, worth way more than the piddling amount we paid. 

a fine feathered finish

dipped, washed and dry now and ready to fly away to dear daughter and her dear hubby....a bit late for the anniversary but will be welcome, no doubt.  don't you just love those feathers in the corner squares?  i certainly do.  in the small squares are amish pumpkin seeds and in the triangles a celtic-type design.  the diamonds and triangles are all quilted 1/4 in from the seam (not the white triangles).  and i simply love that focus fabric.  the third choice was really the charm.  it's so very true, the quilting really makes it a quilt....even if it's a wallhanging.  i'm already busy quilting the next finish, a christmas tablerunner. 

won't be long now...

before i'll be walking along this touristy boulevard, fondling fabric and soaking up the local ambience.  got my 'take it' list made and keeping phoebe in fine stitching form.  i am not wishing my life or my summer away, just a tad excited for this well-deserved quilty vacation.  this is what i had hoped for in my post-mothering days, it just got delayed a bit due to my own life circumstances.  though sometimes i get a bit wistful seeing happy couples, i am quite content and happy as a single these past nearly 30 years.  it's the way my life should be.

just in case....

you think time stands still, it doesn't.  and if you recognize the little girl on the far left in this photo, then you should know today's her birthday and she is....67; that's right, little kitten anderson is a senior citizen.  of course, i am also so all of us who are, are in good company. 

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!