it's here.....

and i'm sewing out the old and sewing in the new!  excited about the UFO list, patterns that are tempting me and the gorgeous stash at my disposal.  through it all, ever mindful of the blessings in my life, the challenges overcome this past year and all the enjoyable times that came my way.  yes, the big chill is here but expected this time of year.  planning a quiet transition into 2015 with needle and thread.....and hoping you are doing the same.   blessings to all for a healthy, prosperous, fun and quilty new year!

jelly roll progress

coming to the end of my jelly roll so trying a layout here.  i think i have enough to squeak out one more row of 7 squares which will be an okay size for a throw.  not following any particular pattern here, just trying for a pleasing look.  this will be hand quilted at some point, maybe a 2015 finish....we'll see.  for now, though, the jelly roll is history, which is a nearly 3-yard bust in anyone's book.  ****  winter temps are back so it is cold here today, teens this AM and low 20s for the day.  no more going out with only sandals on.....the cold is biting but at least there is no S-N-O-W  or  I-C-E, 2 ugly words in my vocabulary.  *** back to the machine to see if i can get this flimsy together...definitely a sewing day here in lobsterville and perhaps tackle some charm squares as well....

first closeup

quilting on the hawaiian has begun and so far enjoyable and rewarding.  a lot to go of course but it'll keep me busy during the winter and warm as well.  our spring temps are history with the return of normal winter feeling.  have put aside the christmas stocking for now to concentrate on this.  as for machine sewing, yesterday during quilt-cam whipped up some scrappy foursies for a possible project in 2015 and also worked on the jelly roll christmas flimsy.  today hope to get that done and possibly work on a couple of small projects swirling around in the gray matter.  *** it's monday again, and with most of the holidays over, it's back to mundane starting with laundry.  the tree usually comes down new year's day but might do that sooner....not sure.  so enjoy the week after christmas when all is calm and the world seems to take a breather.  it's an organizational, regrouping time for me, someone filled with anticipatory excitement for a new year.  my wishes for a safe, healthy, prosperous and fun new year to you all!

found!

more like unearthed.....this photo of my very first quilt, the ever-popular sampler.  though it has gone to that big quilt exhibit in the sky, it was used to shreds...literally.  it was proudly displayed on my bed during marriage, motherhood, estrangement and divorce and a wide variety of various temporary housing locations.  no matter how discouraging my situation was, the quilt came to signify home, however precarious or unpleasant.  it holds a special place in my quilting life.  since then many other quilts have been made by me and gone on to hopefully equally satisfying homes.   though now gone, this quilt was the beginning of what has been now 36 years of boundless needlework pleasure.  it would be my very good fortune to have 36 more....

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!