this week's project...part 1

the deadline is looming to send in these blocks, so now that i've gotten my last blue batik, can sit down and get them all done in one fell swoop.  even though the finished blocks look more green than blue, in person they are a blue.  if you use batiks, you know how tricky it can be to define an actual color sometimes, but they have been approved by the swap hostess so they are good to go.   the green mat isn't helping either.  ***  had a lovely sunday picnicking at a local park where we grilled burgers and dogs and soaked up some sun and surf....a bit cool to swim for me but kids don't care and many were in the water.  i confess to a bad case of picnic envy.  our menu was grilled burgers and dogs, some fresh corn and sliced cukes/tomatoes....healthy and fresh and delish, right?  well, i was happy until a family arrived nearby grilling dogs and burgers, but also sausage, BBQ chicken, steak...the chicken smelled soooo good.  immediately i was green with BBQ envy, i wanted some. they also had salads, fruit, lemonade, some sort of cake...i vowed then and there we would return soon and bring some chicken....LOL!  *** a sunny monday here in maine, coolish but really nice.  now that my blog and yahoo group tasks are done, can go and tackle some household stuff.  then it'll be me and the old viking until early afternoon.  and what's for lunch?  why, leftover grilled burgers and dogs of course! 

over the hump....

with the completion of block 6 in the marcus bros. sew-along, closing in on the finish...only 4 weeks to go and will have completed this short-term project.  when it was started, it slipped my mind that i'd be busy getting ready for retreat but have to muddle along.  the blocks themselves don't take too much time, but doubt will have it quilted since i only hand quilt.  **** have put the hawaiian aside temporarily to finish up a wallhanging trying to bust more stash.  this month will also finish a donation UFO that should help.  between now and end of december, will finish at least one more bed size quilt i think.....the amish center diamond that only needs 3 border sides quilted and then bound.  still hoping to finish the applique on the hawaiian by year's end though. *** on the subject of busting stash, currently have added 132 yards this year and busted just about 53, so that is respectable progress i think.  trouble is, i know i will add to the pile on retreat....part of the fun don't ya know!

non UFO finish...

 

the baby quilt is done and it's large enough for a toddler bed too...which is good.  the polka dot backing left enough for the binding AND enough for binding another quilt too, all cut and ready for whenever.  ***  first on today's list is the next block in the marcus bros sew-along.  our summery weather is leaving today so more time for sewing in the days to come.  next is to finish some swap blocks and a donation quilt.  **** with 49 days to retreat, plenty to do while enjoying early autumn weather before snow flies.  autumn is my favorite season of all, so happy that it's almost here!

secret revealed!

yes, it is project #4 from the "daydreams" scraps....a little quilt made for my "sister swap" package that arrived today in sunny california at vicki's house!  you can hop on over to see a better photo and the other things i sent her from the rocky coast of maine.  across from marden's, which is around the corner from where i live is a specialty cook store, and i found the honey and chocolate bar there.  the postcards i had picked up when mom and i breakfasted in boothbay earlier this summer.  the fabric from marden's of course, and the thread came in the box i had won earlier this year.  the little quilt is a bit wrinkly, but i washed it and hate to put my quilts in the dryer feeling the heat is too harsh for the fibers.  she seems genuinely pleased with all the little gift items, but i liked them too so that is good all around. 

binding day

well, weekend is here once again and today's task is to bind the baby quilt.  it has returned to summer here in maine and the beach has beckoned, but today simply must finish this project.  *** retreat in 51days for me (i leave a day earlier for travel) and i've made my list of what needs to be done to get ready.  once this baby quilt is done, have to finish some swap squares and then a donation quilt is on tap.  i've also been working on the hawaiian still, but may have to put it aside briefly to finish a UFO.  i hope to get the basting done by the end of the year.  *** my portable project is now complete and i can pick up the dargate baskets once again.  that is a whenever project and gets done exactly then.  ***  so surprising that september is here already.  even tho our weather has been summery this week, it's temporary.  the veggie stand run yesterday included squashes galore and little pumpkins.  how did that happen so fast?  a batch of my green tomato pickles is on the september list, plus some corn fritters for the freezer.  they do taste like summer when thawed.  and chopped clams are in the freezer too, along with beef for stew, for upcoming cool days.  hoping frost holds off  to squeeze every moment out of fresh veggie season.  lastly, picked up more lobster yesterday while prices still low....and in celebration of turning 65, i finally tackled a raw oyster...it was good!

tie dye....er day

it's a gray day here, hot and humid too, so no beach but no problem!  baby quilt is ready to tie.  due to space limitations, this is the way it gets done.  start in the middle of course and then work out either side.  the binding fabric is at hand also...the orange polka dot...so should get completed in the next day or two.  then some swap squares and i can move on in UFO land.  the peek of the pinwheel quilt on the right is the end of my bed, yeah it's THAT close.  i have about the same amount of room on the other side of the bed as well, but formulating some plans to generate some additional sewing/sleeping space.  this quilt plus some applique on the hawaiian are on my list today...and who knows what else....call it serendipity!

10 quilting secrets

ok, have seen this around blogland and decided to jump in....confession, they say, is good for the soul and these may or may not be new to those of you who follow and read sort of regularly.

1.  yes, sew over pins and yes, i do occasionally break a needle.
2.  don't believe in using fusibles on my quilts....they are too new and who knows what the long-term result will be
3. not a perfectionist quilter; occasionally points don't match, seam junctions don't match; not worth losing sleep over
4.  don't square up my quilts as a rule, occasionally yes but not regularly
5.  yes,  do have too much fabric and yes i do buy more...have slowed down but not stopped
6.  yes,  do like aurifil best; use others but prefer aurifil for its thinness...all my girly machines love it
7.  no longer trek to many quilts shows; don't have to, internet fills that void nicely
8.  not a big fan of hexies....even tho i am making an amish honeycomb (hexagons) quilt but they are big ones, like 4"....little and teeny tiny ones take too much time for me
9.  would never make a yo-yo anything in my life
10.  no fan of "turning twenty" or similar boring patterns

there you have it....so you can continue to read or not, your choice.   so what is on my quilty plate?  tying the baby quilt....all ready to start first thing sunday...hawaiian progress continues at snail's pace.  then some batik swap squares and i can move on to another UFO.  so are you ready to confess?

"sister" swap goodies

so how great is this...one day after my actual birthday, this lovely package of goodies comes in the mail from kathy over at qreative quilts for the "it's a sister swap" thing.  apparently she has been reading my blog in order to choose these beautiful items so perfect for me.  first, a kaffe fassett pillow that goes in my sewing chair, some nice civil war fabrics, an adorable journal with angel cover and the delish beach bag that is nearly all paper pieced.  this gal is a wizard at paper piecing, i tell ya!  the two photos show back and front and i cannot decide which is better.  course, having my name on it makes it ultra personal and absolutely perfect for just about anything, almost too nice for the beach, know what i mean?  it has a large zipper pocket on one side and 2 open pockets on the other when you peek inside.  check out her blog for other beautiful items she has made....thank you, kathy, for such wonderful surprises!  **** i mailed my package yesterday so once it's revealed, i'll post photos of what i sent, which i hope will be equally well received.  i don't do many swaps now because of prohibitive postage rates, but this is one i'd be happy to do again.  thank you, michele, for being such a super hostess!  *** well reality bites and my 3-day birthday weekend has come to an end. now i get to work for 3 days while others relax, but no matter, i had a terrific "weekend" and it won't always be this way.  i'm grateful to have a job with so many positive aspects.  just hoping i'll be able to find another when i move.  **** and last, it's 57 days to retreat...coming fast now and gonna be busy until departure getting stuff ready to take.  ooohh lancaster at harvest time...how great is that!

the past lives on.....

on a lark, went to google this morning to look up the previous owner of my antique sewing table.  it belonged to my ex-husband's grandmother, lila, and was given to me by my ex-father-in-law on the death of his wife, lila's daughter, maud erminie.  this is what i found.  top photo is lila at age 9 in 1886 and bottom photo is lila and her daughter, willena.  the spooky thing is, the top photo is a close resemblance to my own daughter, miss B.   also of interest, when i was married to miss B's father, his aunt, willena (above left) gifted me with a box of fabric scraps, patterns and patchwork pieces that belonged to lila, most of which i used to fix/create some vintage things.  and no, miss B did NOT inherit the (ahem) large nose, though she thinks hers is too large.  could have been worse, my dear!  anyway, i think lila would be happy to know her sewing table and scraps have been put to use....

shameless promotion

have officially arrived on the cusp of the 3rd act of my life.  hoping all i have experienced and learned thus far will stand me in good stead, and that God will allow me many more days here with my dear family.  it's the big 65, retirement age for some but not me.  i don't feel 65, hoping i don't LOOK 65 either.  when my grandmother was 65 she wore hairnets, had white hair, took daily afternoon naps and wore clunky, laced, thick-heel orthopedic shoes.  the naps i understand as i often don't sleep long enough or get up very early, but the other stuff is totally foreign to me.  and what might a maine girl have to celebrate her birthday?  you guessed it....lobster!

these just came out of the pot and are begging to be tasted, so one must bear up!  LOL...have a wonderful day, even if it isn't YOUR birthday!