countdown begins!

phoebe is all spiffed up, ready and waiting for her road trip in 30 days, that's right, 30 days and we will be on our way!  i've made a list (of course) and check it nearly every day to make sure i am on track to getting everything done that needs it before retreat.  today's tasks?  slice up my green tomatoes for pickles, laundry, sewing on the donation quilt are the biggies...plus the miscellaneous stuff that presents itself in the course of any day....it's my weekend and i've 2 whole days to get some serious sewing done....work first, fun later! 

it's the 4th quarter...

it was giddy excitement last night when i realized i am down to the last quarter on appliquing this design to the background.  this is not the greatest photo of this top, but no matter....after spending august and september TV time, the end is now clearly in view.  at the top of the photo on the extreme right and left are 2 hand-like fronds...they are done!  the center portion is also complete, so all that is left is in the middle of the photo.  this will still take a while, probably into december (due to vaca), but i am hoping that the week between christmas and the new year, it will get basted and ready to quilt by january 1st.  so much work?  yes!  so much time?  definitely!  but the finished project?  priceless!  and why so wrinkled you ask?  well, when working on inside portions, it is necessary to scrunch it up in order to utilize the right hand thumb with the needleturn (i sew left handed)....but it will get ironed before the basting.   the batting is already on hand and will pick up the backing before the applique is complete.  oooohh can hardly wait!  *** in the meantime, another UFO is in process with the old viking; plenty of scrap AND stash busting going on for a finish some time october.   **** retreat readiness continues!

the (quilty) circle of (fabric) life

the lady of the lake swap squares are done and will soon be on their way, only to return in a similar but different form.  this is part 1 of this swap and am looking forward to part 2.  all measured and ironed and up for their debut in somebody else's mailbox....course, in the story of stash, nature also abhors a vacuum, so this little package arrived today....

the layer cake won in the moda love blog tour...this is sandy gervais' newest line called rambling rose...oh so delicate hues of cream, aqua, pink, taupe and chocolate with a decidedly vintage feel.  one of her patterns was also included...with the sun shining, the laundry done, a fabric frolic of sorts...what a perfect day! 

next to last #8

up to date with the marcus bros sew-along project...one more week/block to go.  just in time, too, as retreat prep is in full swing with october just around the corner.  the batik blocks are also just about ready to mail out, so i am right on schedule with my to-do list.  even if i didn't have a calendar, the cool temps would tell me that autumn is in full mode here in southern coastal maine.  it's fair time as well, and just today mom and i ventured out to a local bean supper of good repute.  normally i work all day saturday but took some vacation time so i could take mum.  not knowing how soon i'll be moving prompts me to fill the days with as many good times together as i can.  *** spent some time yesterday playing in the scraps.  some civil war 1.5" strips were prepped, as well as more inchies and some 2.5" squares...all from the scrap baskets, which are more than overflowing.  also pulled out all batik scraps for another little quilt about the same size as made last year at retreat.  i must have a suitable pattern around here someplace....LOL!  ****  well now that this block is done, guess i'll mosey on back to the old viking and finish the other blocks. 

quick change

if you recall, the "B" was previously a yellow print.  that was before i decided i wanted to use this yellow print for the sashing for this little project.  so, the "B" is now orange polka dot.  and now with the "D" finished, i'm up to date on this little sew along.  haven't decided yet if the corner squares will be the same yellow or another color or even the light.....stay tuned!  *** continues to get cooler here in south coastal maine...but we know this is just a tease; beach weather will return at some point.  *** it's the first day of my weekend, sort of, and i've a list to tackle!

pretty sooon.....

i'll be quilting and relaxing in the land of the plain people...farmland vistas, overflowing pumpkin piles, barns and silos, buggies and quilt shops....er quilt shops?  you betcha!  not to mention non-stop laughs, friendship, sewing, sharing, and all that goes with the perfect quilty vacation.  i am in full preparation mode now with just over 30 days until departure date.  just a few more things on the list and i will be ready to go!  *** first up is batik swap squares....this is my weekend to finish those and get them in the mail.  then, finish the donation quilt for bob's, plus a haircut, vehicle tuneup, a day of cutting up strips and triangles for projects, stock up food for mom then it's suitcase to pack!  do i sound anxious?  just a little maybe?  you can have a cruise or the grand european tour....i'll take Lancaster.....now back to your regularly scheduled day!

lucky 7

all caught up with block 7 on the marcus bros sew-along...only 2 more weeks and then a finish week, so this is very good.  i also have all my alphabet blocks done to date also.  what else have i done?  first thing this morning whipped up 2 double batches of corn fritters for the freezer, made lunch ahead of time too, and now i can sew!  **** sunny and cool here, temp 44 around 7 am, and yes, there was a freeze someplace in maine but not where we live near the ocean.  the ocean is our friend many times over when it comes to weather issues.  our veggie stand is overflowing with early autumn produce and it is annoying as we have no freezer space at all really.  next up are some pickles but that will be it, oh and maybe some stuffed peppers for the freezer too.  i love them and they are nice to have on hand.  ***  the week starts again today and retreat is getting closer.  my list is getting shorter and i am soo anxious to see my retreat pals again and have a week of endless fun! 

wouldn't you?

was out on a mini-shop hop yesterday with an internet friend and she took me to 2 new-to-me shops in her area.  both small, both out in the country, both with lovely fabric but that is where similarities stop.  this shop, BOLT, carries an eclectic collection of fabrics--batiks, mods, geometric, solids, blenders, all colorful, and no repros to be seen.  i saw many that i really liked.  the second, ANNIE'S, was chock full of repros, mostly civil war, plus wool, kim diehl colors,  shirtings, batiks and solids too. she also had lots of sale fabrics and these FQs were $1, a good deal in any quilter's book.  the blue print is 1.25 yards and will make a gorgeous border for something.  so, what would you have done here?  i thought so too. and just so this post isn't all about fabric, i've included my "B" alphabet block all done.  **** weekend is over and can list a UFO finish so all is good.  next up is marcus bros sew-along block and sunday brings another alphabet block.  the rest of the month is dedicated to finishing a donation quilt and end of summer chores.  the beach bag is repacked and ready for any beach days to come.  circadian rhythms reluctantly adjusting to shortening daylight and plans for veggie cooking for the freezer in full swing as growing season winds down. everyone is in full pumpkin mode waiting for the official start to autumn and me?  all this plus gearing up for retreat....42 days away!

wallhanging finish

so here is the finish was working on this week....a pattern from the moda "cookbook" using fabrics from my stash.  not sure what will become of it now as we have no wall space for it, but might use it on the back of a chair during holiday season.  i started this about 7 years ago and it has been basted for at least 5 so good to get it completed.  it's a simple pattern and probably wouldn't have caught my eye now, since lately been doing things a bit more challenging.  even so, it is festive.  *** day one of my weekend draws to a close.  worked on the batik swap squares today, and now that the wallhanging is done can get back to the hawaiian.  feeling more and more like fall here in southern maine.  wishing snow would bypass us this year but that is, of course, sheer folly.  good thing cool temps make great sewing weather.  we took advantage of the chill and enjoyed clam chowder for supper today.  my current read is calling, so will close for today. 

this week's project - part 2

actually, this will probably be NEXT week's project, since this week a wallhanging needs a binding but remains to be seen.  my retreat gal pals will or SHOULD recognize this pattern from last year.  yes, i confess, haven't touched it since then but will remedy the situation very soon.  am planning on donating this quilt to bob's blankie brigade so it WILL be finished and riding with me to PA next month.  totally scrappy, the black outlining replaced with the gold, it will keep some deserving somebody warm in the cold days ahead, not to mention busting more stash as it's totally scrappy.  *** in the meantime, today is brought to you by the letter "B", the next little square in the sew-along.  as i look at the scrap baskets, realize i could probably make 3 alphabet quilts--at least--with what is on hand.  *** today is my friday, so ahead is a couple of cool days ideal for sewing and doing most anything.  aside from grocery shopping, hoping to do just that....plus locate those wool socks and fleece pants...yeah, it's gonna be THAT cool.