end-of-year mission

once again, the scrap basket is overflowing but before it becomes TWO overflowing baskets, going to spend some time this week cutting up the scraps and cleaning it out once again.  not to whine, but this is why i have so much stash....i cannot get to the yardage to sew with because scraps keep me busy all the time.  not complaining either as this is an embarrassment of riches....so glad i have these to sew with PLUS the stash too.  since the hawaiian is all ready for quilting, can do this side job before starting that.  not to mention it is uber-warm here in maine for late december.  high temp records were broken yesterday and even in the morning it was 57 degrees in calais, which is way up on the Canadian border.  now that is unusual....so when cold returns next week, it'll be time to quilt a big quilt again.  ****  quiet holiday here....laundry and some housekeeping on the list.   dirty clothes and trash never take a holiday....LOL

birthday of a king....

to all my followers and my dear family members who aren't here in sopo with me and mom, a blessed christmas and the happiest and healthiest of new years....it's a wet (now) and sunny (later) holiday but loved ones are close in my heart.....

in the hoop!

after 2 busy basting days, the hawaiian is now ready to start quilting.  before i do, must pop in the DVD from pacific rim quilts and refresh my memory on how to start.  originally got the video a few years back and so very glad i did...it's a terrific resource on everything about making hawaiian quilts...pillows, tablerunners, wallhangings too!  *** just about ready for a family celebration...few more cookies to make, a few things to wrap and voila!  very low key as no big dinner is being cooked, rather opting for takeout with a few home cooked tidbits.  funny, years ago when there were 20-30 around my grandmother's table at  holidays, there was no dishwasher and now today with only 5 of us, we have the dishwasher!  ***  with the hawaiian at the quilting stage and a couple of machine projects on the sewing table, ready to start the new sewing year.  enough UFOs to keep me focused and plenty of fabric on hand to start new things.  that's a win/win situation for sure!

final 2014 finish....

it's the scrappy shenandoah log cabin throw, now finished and saved from the 2015 UFO list...how good is that?  it'll hang on the back of my rocking chair for now and probably get donated at some point.  now that i've gotten this pattern out of my system for a while, can play with another....the lucy boston patchwork of the cross.  no doubt you have seen these on blogs and other social media.  recently won a giveaway of some English paper piecing precut pieces of 4 blocks' worth, so i'll do that many anyway BUT might be tempted to morph into a bigger project....we'll see.  *** all set for a low key holiday here in rainy maine, grateful for no snow!  a bit of baking is all that remains and a few presents to wrap.  ***   now that the SLC is done, attention focuses on the hawaiian to baste and start quilting.  perhaps by february or march it will be done.  as for a machine project, the amish ocean waves top needs finishing so that'll probably be next.  ***  anticipating the start of a new year, which always gives me a feeling of excitement of anticipatory possibilities.  no doubt it will be mixed with good things and challenges too....

next year's stocking....

although i gave up every other craft for quilting, i did keep counted cross-stitch stuff on hand and have a few projects i'd like to make.  this is one of those "in progress" things for some time now and have vowed it WILL be done in 2015.  my desire to make a sampler and a stocking morphed into this which is not quite half done.  have had to take out a couple of sections and am thinking about taking out the first row of the verse too...for some reason used 3 strands instead of 2....but will wait until closer done for a decision on that.  it is one of those projects that requires intense, constant concentration and sticky sheets to make sure to follow the chart closely.  of course, it won't be just for Christmas....intend to hang it year round.  *** baking and gifts are done so getting the binding for the shenandoah ready.  the table to tie it goes up this morning and will get done over the next few days no doubt.  then it's the hawaiian's turn and i am so looking forward to get that basted and start the quilting.  *** in the meantime, enjoying cold but not frigid weather and definitely no snow, but rain.  makes it easier for family to get together when roads are navigable.  hoping holiday prep is going well in your home.....and thinking of those who are needy and sick, for those who just manage to survive another day regardless of the season..... 

looking like Christmas...

tree up?   check....lights on?  check....ornaments?  check....and of course out comes my special Spode mug and little heart-shaped dish.  these were gifts from a former roommate about 14 years ago...gosh, seems like only a year or so ago...she collected Spode Christmas dishes and Byers carolers....our apartment was really decked out that year.  i think of that time every Christmas when i see these...all my ornaments and decorations come with their personal memories i love to recall every year.  *** and sewing progress?  not much, really....all the swap strips are cut and packaged AND mailed, so on to the shenandoah log cabin which is next to be tied and finished....then it is definitely the hawaiian's turn to baste and start quilting.  inbetween doing some cross stitch and applique to keep busy.  the sewing space will get a serious re-org come end of the year but until then it is rather disorganized.  *** our holiday plans are just about final and we are planning food for guests....it is really about family, of course, bittersweet because of lost loved ones or those far away, but still plenty of joy at being together.  now back to that tree!

getting there....

so, 4 rows are done!  only one more applique row to do and then a narrow print border and then the wide applique border of more vines, leaves, flowers and baskets.  this UFO must be at least 5-6 years old and has been hibernating far too long.  as mentioned previously, the little flowers had me paralyzed but with a lot of prep work, they are finally done.  *** today's task? finish cutting strips for a swap and pick up some floss to tie the shenandoah log cabin, which is the next item on the december list.  for machine work, still assembling those jelly roll christmasy blocks and by next week at this time, basting the hawaiian will be at the top of the list. *** my UFO list for 2015 is shaping up....glad to say i had 9 finishes and have started only about 7 things, some small, so that is a tiny net gain of sorts.  *** first up today, though is clean off that car (again!) and trek to the fish market.  that is the great thing about this part of the country....every morning the landscape is a surprise!

non UFO finish

it's the scrap basket alphabet sew-along started a while ago.  not quite a perfect shot lying on the bed like this but you get the idea.  this project only busted 1.25 yards but it is all done and won't be on my 2015 list.  ***  it's a frigid morning here but warmup tomorrow.   next task is to cut up some strips due for swapping next week.  and before our tree goes up, must get out the basting table and get some things tied and others ready to quilt, the hawaiian being one of them.  so anxious to get started on this and watch the magic emerge from the echo quilting.  *** thanksgiving is over but can never go wrong being thankful for all the blessings in my life....warm shelter, all the basic needs and plenty of gorgeous fabric for a playground....

sewing sunday

up early this morning and bonding with the old viking sewing machine around 7 am....an early start for sure!  the last border of the shenandoah log cabin was made and then sewn onto the top for a completed flimsy.  next will be to tie, bind and count up the yards busted!  the little scrap basket alphabet is just about done, a bit more of the binding to sew down and it too will be crossed off the to-do list.  so, spent some time sewing up the squares from this christmasy jelly roll.  this is the first row and not sure if it will stay this way or not, will have to wait until all the blocks are done to see how many i have and how they will get set.  just wanted to try this out.  do not intend for every row to have all red strips in the same vertical row, so final plan is in flux.  *** it was a frigid day here with howling winds and nearly ineffective sunshine.  stayed indoors all day without even venturing out for the paper.  no cooking either as plenty of leftovers were on hand.  *** all in all a quite nice day relaxing with some christmas music and sewing fun. 

portable progress....

if you have followed my blog for a while, you might recall this project.  first seen at a NH gathering show, it was love at first sight.  the intense applique design was a bit intimidating but also exhilarating and determination took over.  now that the little trees are done, can focus on this for my portable project, at least for the rows.  the top row is done as are the patchwork leaves.  the house row is nearly done.  these little flower blocks had me nearly paralyzed, but decided if i took them slow and steady, could get them done.  and whaddya know....2 are actually done and the other 4 soon will be.  freezer paper and plenty of fortitude are doing the trick.  and confession time here...i broke one of my hard-and-fast rules and resorted to a teeny, tiny dab of fabric glue.  the pieces are so small and even small applique pins just didn't work.  these blocks were the biggest hurdle to this finish, and now that i've crashed through that barrier, am hoping this might be a finish for 2015.  it is one of my older UFOs and will be fantastic to finish.  ****  and speaking of black friday/small business saturday/cyber monday.....this was my only indiscretion.  it's called "wildwood" and had i not gone overboard in PA, would have bought the entire line.  it's just so pretty and fresh and colorful....

practiced restraint otherwise and deleted about 1000 emails from fabric sites.  *** as for other sewing progress, the alphabet piece is getting basted today.  picked up backings for 3 projects--the hawaiian, the shenandoah log cabin and another so a basting day is in my near future.  as for the shenandoah, 3 borders are done, only 1 to sew and it goes in the basting pile and then gets tied for a quick finish.  now with 2 days off, will see how much progress gets made and if i can squeak out another finish before january arrives!