progressing nicely

the just takes 2 project, i mean.  here are 3 more blocks, not yet trimmed to size, but put together regardless.  i think i have only 1 more applique block to do, the rest are paper pieced and a few just rotary cut.  anxious to get this flimsy done for lots of reasons, not the least of which is to take stock of my brown repro fabrics.  i might have to replenish this part of my stash--remains to be seen.  *** woo hoo, it's my saturday and i haven't much else on my to do list except sew and a few household things.  *** hoping this weekend brings the maine quilts project to completion, not much left to quilt and then to bind.  and vic and i are sewing along on some tumbler quilts.  already have 3 rows together with 8 more to go.  mine will fit a 60" square batt i have on hand and will be sufficient for me...short, you know, or should i say vertically challenged?  *** retreat a short 4 months away, which means that summer will be pretty much gone by then.  but not wishing away the days at all, today is an early summer day to enjoy!

inching along

after many months of leadering/endering, this postage stamp project is starting to take shape.  these are 16" blocks of inch square finished pieces cut from leftovers, so it is also a memory quilt of sorts.  won't be hand quilting this one for sure, but the colors are sooo gorgeous and will brighten up any space on even the darkest day.  ***  working on just takes 2 (years) blocks this week and have 3 more nearly done.  would like to get this flimsy done even though haven't decided on how to finish or where it will go once it is done.  **** maine quilt show project a bit closer to being done and the little basket quilt is up next.  it seems no matter the weather, plenty of interesting quilting and sewing to be done, an ENJOYable way to spend any day!

sunday frolic finish

it's a small finish - 26" square - but a finish nonetheless.  it's called "frolic," a pattern by sandy gervais.  decided to use my small cache of watermelon print fabrics to make a summery wallhanging for the work cube.  now to finish quilting the maine quilts piece.  **** machine fun has been on squares for just takes 2 (years), which will keep me busy all week no doubt.  ****  and thinking of starting a new project using stash of dargate indigos, since i have all those blue/cream shirtings as well.  just at the thinking stage; as of yet no fabric has been harmed....LOL  *** perfect june day, ahhhh; would that we had them every single day, for a whole month anyway!

birthday girl!

hard to believe she is all grown up now, but this was her first formal portrait at 3 months old.  truly a gift from God, my most fun and important job ever.  happy birthday dear daughter! 

seeing stars

perhaps the october retreaters might recognize the batiks in these stars; we had a swap and my gift was a package of blue/turquoise/yellow batik charms and this is what i did with them.  these are 2 strips of 14 stars each for.....pillowcases!  my sheets are blue and yellow solids so these will go quite nicely, i think.  **** now that they are done, the old viking needs a bit of cleaning and then it's on to the next machine project, which is just takes 2.  this flimsy really has to get finished.  **** my little swap quilt is done and mailed, so now the maine quilts project is getting quilted.  this along with the other 2 little quilts that got basted the other day will keep me busy for a week or so.  by then hope i can finish the center diamond and then maybe pineapple blossom?  we'll see....  *** sun is shining but quite cool here today, lucky to see 60; rain is on the way for most of the weekend.  even with less than perfect weather, hope to enjoy the days....

addendum to earlier post...

the pattern is called "new england sampler"

perfectly portable!

hard to say exactly how long this project has been waiting for some attention.  at this point it is probably my oldest UFO, or one of them anyway.  it is a row quilt project and the maple leaf row is done...easy patchwork.  all that's left are the 4 applique rows and decided to tackle it in earnest.  so row 1 is now ready to applique down.  a good warm weather portable project, i think. it's a brandywine design pattern.  *** today is the june day the poet described along ago...perfect!  ***  got 3 little quilts basted yesterday, so that means could have

3 more finishes very soon, good news indeed!  and it's a good dry day so hoping to mark more on the amish border and get that done in june as well.  plus there are more scraps to be cut up into usable units...how they do multiply!  *** bon voyage to bonnie who is off to Ireland today!  ****  breakfast and the day are calling...enjoy!

thank you jiminy cricket

 

i've known it for a long time and that quilting guru, bonnie hunter, showed me how to put it into practice...that of using up every scrap.  jiminy said to let your conscience be your guide and in all good conscience, i couldn't just toss the leftover triangles from the pie birds runner.  so, like every loyal scrap saver, deconstructed them and ended up with a small stack of 1.5" pieces for future use.  and remember those little flying geese from baby emma?  yep, those are getting saved as well and sewn together for something or other.  it really pumped up my frugal gene to see these in the trash NOT!  ****  sunday sewing consisted of some quilting, some machine sewing and prepping another portable project.  yes, i was sorely tempted to start a NEW project but instead opted for a long-ago started project.  *** oh, and that green background?  it's the top of the laptop, which belonged to my late ex.  he loved everything green and almost everything he bought or wore was green.  *** it's another day to enjoy and first up is vacuuming; yes, i will ENJOY vacuuming because then i can sew! 

almost a runner

this is the flimsy for the "pie birds" runner by kim diehl.  note, i did remove the chrome yellow piece and it is much better in my opinion.  it looks a bit wonky in the photo but has been measured and is fine.  the design wall is a bit fluid!   it gets bound in black also.....love it!  didn't get to kim's workshop when she came to maine, but have one of her books and some other patterns from online...and the fabrics, oh my!  **** got thru our bit of hot weather, it changes again today of course.  some serious tidying up in the sewing space for later.  little swap quilt ready to go.  now to tackle the maine quilts piece.  those are official UFOs so progress is coming along on the list.  haven't worked any more on the new red/cheddar project, but it's a no rush thing.  **** sun is up and ready to go, as am i....enjoy the day!

not quite good enough...

to send out for a swap.  this little quilt is 24" square and made with my delish civil war repro fabrics.  it is hand pieced and hand quilted.  but, wasn't happy with the way the squares join together, i.e. the junctions, so it will stay with me and another will be sent in its place.  i followed the sewing lines but just wasn't satisfied.  i am no expert by any means, and no perfectionist either, but was afraid the recipient might be disappointed.  as mentioned many times before, i sew for fun and what might be acceptable to me might not be for somebody else.  *** that being said, the one that is being sent is getting its binding sewn down today.  i have a week to get this package out and have some other goodies being included.  a photo will be posted once it's been received and opened.  *** another summery day here and have lots planned for my 2nd weekend day, basting the maine quilts piece and another little summery wallhanging among other things.  plus have to find another portable project to take along and finish.  and with the churn dash blocks all done, the flimsy can now be assembled.  see?  plenty of ways to spend and ENJOY the day!