civil war coup

it was a battle of sorts but finally won and got this little block finished finally.  part of the reason was when i printed the foundation, i didn't do reverse and so when it was first sewn, was totally opposite from the original block.  i took it apart and tried to tweak it but had to start over with a new foundation, not to mention some dedicated time to have the book open in front of me while sewing it together.   no, haven't picked this project up again but the block was languishing on the sewing table and had to be corrected before the table could get cleared.  have been working my way to seeing the top of the table all week and getting this done is progress.  ***  today is miscellaneous sewing stuff day to get the table top cleared first, then focus on the borders for shenandoah.  later on will get back to the hawaiian as well.  planning to use up some tiny amish 9-patch blocks put together with scraps into a small wall piece which will get the blocks off the table as well.  so all of today's minutes are planned and will be used up for sewing and relaxing fun....all in all a delish day off!

scrappy alphabet

this sew along is nearing its end, so thought i would show my progress to date.  this is being done completely out of my scrap basket.  the great thing about taking photos is that i can see the letter "O" must be replaced as the fabric used isn't that defined.  have no destination for this little wallhanging but no doubt an occasion will arise at some point and make a nice gift. ***  it's my friday today and it's been a challenging short week trying to stave off a serious cold/respiratory illness.  in addition to sewing progress, my christmas gift list got finalized.  no big plans for any of the upcoming holidays, just relax and enjoy.  with plenty of sewing projects and more than enough fabric on hand, that should be easy peasy.....

to paraphrase....

the journey of 1000+ patches begins with a little stack.....yes, i AM cutting them individually for that scrappy look, and no, i do not have any kind of timetable for this beautiful antique quilt project.   it's just one of those things i could not resist and will be done at some point in the future.  since the hawaiian applique is nearly done, bold adventurousness took over and decided to take this on.  i simply love it, and the pink was already purchased while on retreat.  am also up to date and a bit ahead on the little alphabet blocks; starting to put the rows together for what's done and it is pretty cute.  also got a stack of units cut out for more solid bow tie blocks.  *** in the process of trying to eke out more space in the sewing corner of my room.  a tall bookcase was selected with (hopefully) enough shelf space for the stash to sort by color, not yet assembled as the floor space has not quite been found.  the boxes have to be shifted to unblock the heating baseboard since winter will inevitably arrive at some point.  *** one border is finished and applied to the scrappy shenandoah cabin.  lots of things in progress, which is how i usually sew, and often results in many finishes in a short period of time.  i'm shooting for  2 more bed size finishes before year's end, so gotta go....time's fleeting!

inchie sewing

it started simply enough by trying to clear off the sewing table....i came across a baggie of inchies given to me at retreat by michele...wondering how long it might take to sew them up into little strips, less than an hour later they are sewn into pairs and some into foursies...but chain piecing can get boring and besides, the sewing table is STILL in need of a clear off, so i'll put these aside with other inchies for another time or maybe later today.  the main project is borders for the shenandoah log cabin PLUS a little quilt project that has been percolating.  and yes, the hawaiian is coming along.  i've just about finished the last large cluster of fronds and heading into a short section that will finish the applique part.  and some time today, will get another alphabet letter done...today is "S" so it's a serendipity sewing day, cloudy and cold outside but bright and busy inside. 

mission accomplished

so all 16 blocks of the main top are done and together...and wow, the pattern shows up really well....i like it a lot.  now to start the 4 borders, also done with 1.5" strips and scrappy style.  the 4 corner squares are all done and waiting for the border sections.  ***  cruised over to marcia's site quilterscache and found a nice pattern for my solid yellow, which will be the background.  yellow is a color i hardly use and had seen some quilts using yellow and they really pop.  don't think i'll be starting that right away, though.  wish i hadn't packed away the orange scraps and pattern book for my modern quilt as i'd really like to do that next, but will have to wait.  ***  worked on the hawaiian last night and am thinking this might be finished sooner than originally thought.  fortunately there are plenty other things in progress to fill that void when it comes.  now back to border construction!

first four blocks....

of the scrappy shenandoah log cabin are done!  thanks to michele, i decided to use only dark value strips and i think that makes the pattern easy to see despite the scrappiness.  the sewing space is a mess with strips and blocks everywhere but hoping to finish up the blocks and have the inner portion of the top all together by week's end....then i can concentrate on the border.  this will be a tied quilt as there are too many seams to hand quilt.  with a bit of luck, i could have 2 more finishes of bed size quilts before year's end, this one and the amish center diamond...these and finish the hawaiian applique part is about all i can manage in the remaining less than 2 months.   next machine project is to finish the ocean waves flimsy.  keeping the stash in plain view is a huge motivating factor, that plus it is so enjoyable to me.  mostly keeps me out of the doldrums from feeling trapped here. 

errata

my trip was actually over 500 miles each WAY, which was still a lot for me to do...i don't mind highway driving but it does get boring after a while.....

too late....

if you quilt, you know what this is....it was waiting for me when i arrived back in maine today.  so sorry hancock's but my fabric budget is blown for the remainder of the year.  in fact, i've deleted several fabric emails just in the last 2 days.  i didn't even look, wasn't even tempted.  am hoping my resolve holds...it HAS to...at least until march when "union blues" is available.  by then i should have busted enough to ease my conscience, well that's the plan anyway.  **** speaking of maine, it's pretty chilly here and yes, there was a bit of snow still left at the periphery of the lawn.  fortunately the most was far north of here but it won't be long before it creeps our way.  **** early to bed (once my fabric is dry) and hoping white line fever is gone in the morning.  the drive is certainly do-able but it's still over 500 miles each day.  even with dry roads and sunshine, it's tiring, but was worth every mile. 

we had cake!

in celebration of marge's 50th retreat, the staff of Amishview sent in this delish cake for all to enjoy....and it certainly was good! half chocolate, half white; it took a few days to polish off most of it....and of course the staff enjoyed some as well.  it was a nice surprise for all of us....*** well, mom tells me there is only a dusting of snow on the ground, so hoping by the time i arrive it will be melted.  had hoped to be relocated south before snow started but not yet.  will continue on until that happens.

so long buggies and bossies....

at least for now...it was a reluctant and somber trip out of lancaster county after a glorious relaxing and fun-filled week of all good things.  with all my stuff loaded into the car plus some local goodies to bring home, i reflected on all that had transpired, not just sewing and shopping, but also a relay fundraiser and reconnection with new, but tried-and-true friends.  it's true i am a city girl and like being close to city diversions, but this time away basking in open spaces and quiet ways invigorated and fed my soul.  ****  the wind is still howling outside and has been all day.  no snow here in CT but in maine there is....glad i brought along my wool winter hat.  it seemed dumb last week but came in handy today.  once i get unpacked i'll show my progress last week, but first gotta find space for "some" new fabric....oh that rue indienne line from moda.  i made a pledge to delete all shop emails from now until march when "union blues" from barbara brackman comes out....and until then, i'm going to be sewing and sewing and sewing.....you get the idea.  say, does anyone know how to attach a sewing machine table to a treadmill?