on the mend...

after a few days of nonstop sleep and the previously mentioned OTC treatment, i think i am feeling somewhat better; not 100% at all but the naps have dwindled to about an hour instead of 3, which is progress.  since i couldn't sew most of the week, i flipped through quilt books and found these that i simply don't want anymore.  i'd be happy to send them to you for the cost of media mail postage but the requirement is you MUST take all 4.   just let me know if you are interested. ***** i finally got the 2nd section of "just takes 2" together; it was waiting on 1 lonely little applique block that finally got finished.  i'll show a photo sometime this coming week.  and today i started piecing little HSTs for the sashing on "christmas wishes," .....that's about it for sewing this week. 

brief time out

i confess, i am taking drugs....the over-the-counter kind, though (whew!)....so far this year i have managed to dodge the severe illnesses that have sidelined many.  i've OD'd on citrus fruits, taken naps, pushed fluids and washed my hands until they are raw.  yesterday, though, after a couple of days of insufficient sleep, my tummy rebelled.  i left work a bit early last night and even after extra sleep, am feeling totally zapped today.  have succumbed to pharmaceuticals that i normally avoid at all costs and am hoping for a quick rebound.  fellow sufferers, i feel your pain, but never fear... we shall overcome!    PS  GO RAVENS!

civil war news....

i knew there was a reason i love libraries....many in fact...but the latest is this:  every day from now until april 9, 2015, you can read actual correspondence from the civil war era.  here is the link:  www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/civilwar/  some of the content is disturbing of course, but it is history and quite interesting.  got a minute or two?  then pop on over and enjoy.  ****  getting close to finishing the little house little quilt flimsy; not much time to sew past week.  sleeping schedule is off kilter; i was up very early and now returning for more zzzzzzzs.....

under construction

nearly done with the little house wallhanging.  blocks are done, now i'm adding sashing and corner squares.  had i not been sidelined with a touch of a cold this weekend plus far too many errands, it would have been done by now.  my magic bullet combo of rest, fluids and citrus nearly worked, but i didn't get enough sleep over the weekend and so today the cough drops and tissues are my new BFFs.  the houses are soooo adorable!  done scrappy, not any specific fabric type, they will make a really nice little quilt for january.  so glad i didn't take the challenge of making 365 last year, i am happy with the 12 i did finish.  **** our deep freeze is relenting some and temps will be more seasonable for late january this week.  unfortunately that means we could get snow.  i haven't jettisoned the wool socks and fleece pants yet, though.  ***** and julian fellowes, what were you thinking?  our sybil?  not sure about anyone else, but i was weeping....oh yeah, i am so into this show!

batik flimsy

yesterday finally got the batik blocks assembled into a flimsy.  i am sooo loving that plum solid, thank you Janet L.!  this will be tied and is spoken for already, so hopefully another finish soon?  i hope.... **** our frigid weather continues with wool socks and fleece pants in constant use.   we do usually get a short spell of this every year, except last winter, so it isn't uncommon and is tolerable.  **** quilting continues on the autumn change quilt, a perfect pastime for this time of year.  maybe 2 finishes at once?  perfect! 

first fabric find

well, nearly got through the month without bringing home any new fabric.....nearly.   was cruising around on ebay and found these FQs at a good price.  always drawn in by paisley fabrics and anything blue as well.  i bid on several other items but got outbid quickly beyond what i felt was a good deal.  **** today is "love your local quilt shop" day and i simply cannot choose just one.  it isn't like there is one closest...that would be marden's....and while there are good deals there, they don't always have what i want or need.  while it's true i sometimes order online, often it IS from a local quilt shop.  this is maine and often it's a trek to get there, so shipping is the economical method.  ****  not exactly enjoying the frigid weather, but at least the roads are dry and clear.  am living in my warmest clothes and sleeping snug under my quilts.  that said, i'm off to put the wool socks and fleece pants on!

baby emma

now that embroidery is done on christmas wishes, i pulled these fabrics to start the applique on jo morton's "baby emma" wallhanging.  i like to have a small applique project handy to travel with for odd moments.  not all of these will be used, but love those dark cheddary orange fabrics!  the pieces are traced as of now and might get ironed on today, we'll see.  **** in the deep freeze here but it does keep the snow away, so it isn't all bad.  as long as one has plenty of fleece pants, wool socks and comfy quilts, which i do!  *** for keeping warm while TV watching, quilting on the autumn change and also just about done with the little house project.  i made a total of 12, which is enough, but they are so darn cute.  now to get out those socks.....

book recommendation

not often do you see book recommendations here, even though i read regularly for relaxation.  this one i got from oprah's book list and i am so glad i requested it.  written by the daughter of B-movie actor Lyle Talbot, it isn't strictly his story but rather that of the rise of movies in his lifetime, spanning nearly all the 20th century.  there are hysterical tidbits about some notable people in the business plus plenty of historical information about how hollywood came to be the famous movie town it is.  when 3 unknown actresses appeared on his doorstep, director mervyn leroy predicted bette davis would not succeed and joan blondell would be the big star.  and how edison, when shown a preview of the first talkie, was convinced it would never succeed because people loved the drama of the silent movie.  he failed to jump on the bandwagon and was then instrumental in driving moviemakers west to escape his wrath when talkies became standard.  i'm halfway thru and eager to read the rest.  if you like the movies, you might find it interesting as well.  **** sunday spent sewing on little houses and also quilting on autumn change.  oh, and downton abbey of course!  *** seesaw temps are down again this morning, so it's back to wool socks for me!

about half done

that would be this little christmas wallhanging designed by gail pan.  the patterns got downloaded free back in 2006 for some future time, which appears to be now.  the embroidery part is done, now to piece together and quilt.  thinking about maybe HSTs for the sashing.....thinking, i said.....so will let it lounge on the design wall until i'm sure.  now you see why i deconstructed the other christmas piece, for this will take its place.  **** another day off today after an unusually late work night.  there'll be a nap, some chores and quilt-cam with bonnie this afternoon to work on little houses, perhaps finishing the 12 i've planned to make.  then will cut more pieces for the next section of "just takes 2" and later tonight during TV will quilt more on autumn change.  **** yesterday started prepping applique for jo morton's "baby emma" piece, which i soooo love.  idle hands, you know... 

some nerve

another hancock's catalog arrived the other day...and while i was able to ignore nearly all the glossy fabric photos tempting me to order with wild abandon, this line is seriously calling to me.  it's "indigo crossings" and it should be obvious my favorite color is blue.  these are soooo nice and i want 1/2 yard of every one.  problem is, already have an indigo scrappy quilt in progress and am making fewer bed size quilts.  will have to ponder and think about what to do with it before taking the plunge. oh, and where to put it IF i do decide to add to the stash.  that's the real elephant in the room.  **** snow has finally stopped and we got about 4-5" total i think.  now comes the cold temps, to be expected in late january.  **** time off to be spent on just takes 2, houses and quilting autumn change.  that frees my mind to think about "indigo crossings".....