non UFO finish

you would think that with a lengthy UFO list, my focus would be on finishing rather than making, but i couldn't resist this springy little wallhanging in the recent Quiltmaker issue.  it's going to hang in my work cube giving it a definite non-winter ambience.  rest assured, though, UFOs are being tackled.  just yesterday another square for "just takes 2" got finished.  **** last night during quilt-cam, sewed up some squares for another new project that will be finished soon....kim diehl's "pie birds" runner.  it uses those luscious civil war repros and is a quickie 7 square project.  **** now that this little cutie is finished, my hand quilting time will go to "autumn change," hoping for a finish--maybe no march but april definitely.  hoping that'll give me time for another bed size quilt finish before hot weather arrives.  now off to soak up some late winter sunshine!

surprise fabric!

that vic is such a dear!  mr. mailman brought me this in a little package from vic today..  i send her my strings for a friend of hers--and quite happy to find a home for them too, i might add--so i hope she didn't think she needed to "pay" me.  i am glad indeed to get these coordinating fabrics and they are most welcome in my stash...thank you vic!  **** finished the scrappy indigo flimsy but not ready for its closeup yet; also put together another block for JTT and printed off some applique patterns of upcoming blocks.  the little spring wallhanging is done and will find its spring home in my work cube tomorrow.  now i am cutting some civil war strips for a scrappy tablerunner, pattern by kim diehl.  lastly, made a cranberry bread and topped off the day with lunch at olive garden.  and, best of all, quilt cam tonight!  spending every minute of this early spring day in most enjoyable ways! 

little baskets part 2

oh yeah, i think this fabric is going to be fine for the setting triangles.  usually i plan these things ahead and sew the triangles on BEFORE the rows get put together, always when machine piecing.  this little serendipitous project was hand pieced and the setting triangle fabric hadn't been chosen so they will get set in by hand--a good portable project.  gee, i am really liking how this is going to finish up.  ****  just this morning heard that ice season was nearly over here in new england....doesn't hurt me one bit!  sure, we might get some more rogue snows but it can't last as mr. sun is bearing down on us much warmer these lengthening days.  ****  it's my weekend and i've got a long list of things i hope to accomplish, which is always too ambitious, but i know some of them will get crossed off.  getting a bit of a late start due to a couple of late nights but first up...laundry! 

wonderful wednesday

well it's wednesday friday for me and yesterday finished assembling the little basket quilt.  fortunately have a wide selection of possibilities for setting triangles, but chose this red civil war stripey piece, which coincidentally used it all up on this project...how good is that?  have several other projects using civil war repros dancing in my head.  first up is to finish quilting the spring wallhanging, finish quilting autumn change, finish scrappy indigo flimsy (almost done!), send off the batik AND rotary cut strips for another project and for a tablerunner....whew!  ****  our springy weather continues, so much so that last night kept my window open a bit, wore shortie jammies AND used only 1 quilt....yep, spring is coming for sure!

my brother, the blues bass guitarist

having a brother in an active band makes me a sometime groupie.  today's gig was at mt. abram, a ski resort about 2 hours west.  being beach people, i've never been before and probably won't ever go again, but it was a nice outing.  and skiing?  they make it look sooo easy, except for that little girl on the bunny slope who hasn't quite got the hang of it.  the sun felt nice and it wasn't actually too cold outside to sit for a bit....but glad i wore my woolie socks!   **** had my "hour ahead" nap and now for some nonfun stuff...laundry!

friday finish

just before bedtime on friday this donation quilt got finished!  i really love the colors--it's a bali pop called watermelon--and again, thanks to janet l. for suggesting the plum solid; it's simply perfect.  **** the little spring wallhanging quilting is started and hoping to get that done and hung some time this week as with daylight saving time starting today, spring is really around the corner.  daytime temps in the 40s all week, which will certainly keep the snow away.  have a happy quilty day!

it's a B-usy day

up early this morning and first thing got these 4 little quilts basted for quilting.  this B task, along with binding the batik, should keep me busy....in addition to some necessary household chores.  with 2 whole days off this week and no errands that require driving, i've been able to use up every moment and make some real progress on sewing projects.  **** while i would rather be a professional single gal and not a housefrau, i did some cooking yesterday that i simply HAVE to brag about a tiny bit.  recently caught Ramsay's Cooking Course on the BBC channel.  i learned a lot about technique and some dynamite quick recipes for superb dishes sure to perk up any menu.  yesterday it was north african eggs.  the book contains 100 recipes that Ramsay promises you can "stake your life on" and he doesn't disappoint.  using a few simple quality ingredients and a whole new selection of spices i've never used, we've been enjoying some scrumptious variety to our weekly meals.  **** now to those household chores so i can finish the batik quilt today!

simple math

so simple, even I can figure it out and that is:  0 blogging = + sewing time!  i've been busy working on this project, the scrappy indigo, and here is a peek with 3 of the borders on this side.   hoping to get it to flimsy stage soon.  picked up a mountain mist cream rose batt the other day.  someone mentioned this batt and i wanted to give it a try.  for this quilt, though, need to find one in white.  **** the batik/plum?  all tied and the binding will be cut and started today, meaning a march finish for certain.  while the big table is up, hope to get a stack of the small projects basted for summer quilting.  then it's back to autumn change, which might also get finished in march.  *** next quilty project is going to be the pineapple blossom.  that is a gift and a finish on that means it's outta here and freeing up space on my already jammed shelves.   ****  sent in my order for jo morton's "blue variety," and i've a project in mind for it already!  **** and if you haven't seen denzel washington in "flight," then i can highly recommend, but i ask you, exactly which denzel movie isn't good? 

waning winter

though it continues to snow, it melts just as quickly as it arrives due to warming sun and longer days.  this means spring is really on the way.  this little wallhanging was pictured in the recent "quiltmaker" mag and i just had to make it for my work cube.  thanks to the stash, there was NO shopping in the making of this project....LOL! it just needs basting, quilting and binding and i can hang it up.  *** also this weekend i started basting the batik/plum after picking up a backing.  the previously showed hoffman print of poppies just wasn't big enough.  a dash to marden's and voila!  problem solved.  **** word came from cyndi that jo morton's "blue variety" is in....i've made my list and just waiting on another paycheck and it'll be mine......yippee!   

happy birthday sis!

peeking out the window, it appears march has come in like a lamb, and if you see this little cutie lamb today, please wish her a happy birthday!  my only sis, born when i was 12, so there is quite a gap between us and we were not really close as children.  she probably doesn't remember all the clothes i made for her or the places i took her when she was 5 and i got my license and a 1955 chevy!  she has had her share of rough spots and lost her way for a bit, but has made so many positive changes in her life recently and is now in college!  i couldn't be more proud of her as i know what a challenge that can be.  many happy returns, love, and many more!  **** last night during quilt cam, put together the scrappy indigo blocks, cut the 2 inner borders AND am now assembling the flying geese border.  a few odd chores today and more fun sewing!  have a wonderful friday....