more snowy day sewing....

remember this?  it's a block made some time ago from an issue of quiltmaker's 100 favorite blocks...thought it would be a fun project to use up some small solid pieces...worked on it some at retreat last year and decided to try and get this flimsy done.  have no illusions about using all my scraps....that would be pure folly....but hoping to at least make a dent.  purposely didn't pack the solids hoping there would be less to pack after it's done.  it's a good way to celebrate being over the february hump, cruising toward march and spring.  st. patty's day is just around the corner!  and look what arrived on valentine's day....a surprise kaffe charm pack!

now that is what i call spring!

a snowy sewing sunday

these are my lady of the lake swap blocks all sewn into a flimsy.  yes, a few of them were sewn a bit different but they will be left as is....when i was figuring size on this allowed for 12" blocks, but in fact these are 8" finished so it's a bit smaller than anticipated but no biggie, will add a border and call it done.  will make a very nice throw size.  aren't these batiks gorgeous?  *** and after going back and looking at my red/cheddar, decided i did not like the light strips so as much as i hate to, will cut more dark strips and replace them.  i think the very light ones detract from the overall effect of the quilt.  it's a later some time project.  and next?  have a scrappy solid project in the works so think that'll be next in hopes of busting more solids.  that should keep me busy until winter's almost over....that and the hawaiian of course.  ***  it's a bright and sunny albeit bitter cold day here.  the lengthening days are a sure sign spring is coming, only about a month away.  ahhhh it'll be wonderful!

two for one....

my red/cheddar antique reproduction flimsy is now done....i love it and you should imagine it brighter than this photo depicts....it really wows the room.  the photo from which i took this pattern was in black and white so i have no idea what colors were used originally.....since it came from the 1840s midwest, i doubt they were as bright but you know that i go for colors, even in muted/grayed reproduction and solid fabrics.  it is the cheddar, of course, that kicks this up several notches.   and as a bonus, the leftover strippy squares yielded this....

a mini repro quilt...and my version of math didn't fail me as there was plenty of red fabric to make the top and plenty of cheddar left to use as binding.  this will go in the flimsy pile for now while my quilting concentrates on the hawaiian....and my next flimsy?  the lady of the lake swap blocks.  *** yes, it's snowing and blowing and freezing cold here in lobsterville but no matter....the old viking is smokin'....now off to change the thread color and sew on!
 

more stars

first thing this morning with no other demands got these little blocks all done.  start to finish they take about 1.5 hours so work up quickly.  had a darker poison green in my stash but not enough to make all 3 so went with this one instead.  so nice to have gorgeous fabrics to work with, most of which so far have been from my jo morton tote.  no longer just fondling and refolding, have pulled out several to use.  they are all very nice and soon will have a few more.  squirreled a bit of cash from my tax refund to get some from her new "hollyhocks" line.  otherwise, i am on a strict no-buy fabric diet....not a big hardship as plenty on hand for loads of quilty and sewing fun.  *** enjoying the sun on an otherwise frigid day.  the piles of white snow reflect the sun making it very bright and cheerful....stay warm and sew on!

today's blocks....

brought to you from the whiteout metropolis in southern maine, first igloo on the left.  while sitting around waiting for mother earth to tilt just a bit, sewed up these chrome and cheddar blocks for the sew along.  they are stacking up quickly and so quick to make as well.  while cutting out pieces for these blocks, have also been cutting tumblers for another UFO in progress.  as for the red/cheddar hourglass repro, i'm over the midpoint hump now, with only 8 rows left to do to get this to the flimsy stage.  as for the hawaiian, just about to start the last quarter of the orange applique and once that is done, can start quilting the background.  my estimate is there is less white area than orange design, so an early spring finish is probable.  ***  and spring?  only about  6 weeks away, so the end of snowmageddon is a reality.  but this being another stormy and cold day, it's clam chowder for lunch again....delish!

new routine

the awful truth.....our weekend and beyond...8-12" is whispered....there can't be a soul in maine who isn't sick of this weather by now.  we are in a pattern of sorts of our own....hunker down for a day or two, clean off car and warm up, then take out trash, go get mail, pick up essentials, get videos from library, then hibernate another day or two and then repeat.  driving is a real challenge due to the Himalayan-size snow piles at parking lots, sidewalks, etc.  we are thrilled for lengthening daylight, especially on sunny days, but frigid temps allow for not a smidgen of melting at all.  no global warming here.  have many blessings, though....electricity, warm clothing, warm apartment, plenty of quilting and books to read.  we'll get thru, we are tough stock acclimated to unexpected weather patterns.  jim cantore and on-demand TV are my new BFFs...as long as i don't run out of hot chocolate and low-salt chips i'll be fine!

oldest quilting buddy....

when i started quilting in 1979, immediately bought this magazine and devoured every word like a proverbial sponge.  when funds allowed, got my very own subscription and soon began saving every issue like they were first edition books.  have amassed quite a stack of issues--not every one but several--and now, due to cost, have decided to stop my subscription.  with the explosion of the internet--the death knell of many printed publications--no longer have to rely on this magazine for quilty news, patterns, photos.  it's a decision of mixed emotions.  i love to look back at old issues and pick up info previously missed.  but they do take up a lot of room and the cost has gone up beyond my now fixed income budget.  so long old friend....and thanks for making me a quilter.....

quilt-cam progress....

sometimes technology is great....given our present weather situation and the difficulty of travel, thanks to my computer and TV, can still quilt with friends.  i don't have a big screen laptop but i do have a cable and a regular TV so watch bonnie hunter on TV...isn't that great!  this is what i worked on last night....

it's my current flimsy-in-progress of the antique repro and it's looking good i think.  might get it done today after some errands because there is more *SNOW* in our forecast tonight and tomorrow.  and once this is a done flimsy, can tackle these....

the 2nd part of this swap is now done with the arrival of the last set of blocks.  they are gorgeous...all batiks and white...a perfect combo!  and still the hawaiian progresses along.....these will keep me busy until our weather pattern changes for sure!

on the fence

the latest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting arrived saturday and the details of the 4-patch sew-along were given along with a few different projects.  now, i have plenty of fabric to do this sew-along, plenty of 1.5" strips could whip up into little 4-patch blocks and now plenty of pattern ideas.  question is, should i?  with a hefty plaid stash, itching to use them, thinking some cheddar solid and my plaids would be a nice combo.  it's the perpetual quandary of someone with lots of fabric, lots of ideas and plenty of motivation BUT there is that UFO list and the finite-ness of time.  do i jump in on this?  for now will let the question percolate....can always jump in later, or never if that's the case.  ***  in the throes of another blizzard here, have a short to-do list that includes quilting of course.  plan to stay inside, bundle up, keep busy and quilt! 

3 for 3....

week 3 equals 3 more blocks, shirting stars this time.  so far my little stack is kinda boring but as time goes on, more fabric types will result in more pizzazz....and of course i am limited to fabrics currently accessible, which could change any moment.  always good to be current on a sewalong, though.  **** and yes, it IS snowing here again, today's prediction is for anywhere from 4-12 inches, although i think we've passed the 4"mark already.  mother nature gave us a break yesterday with a sunshiny day, so all errands were completed giving me a task-free sewing day.  of course i could vacuum and do that last load of laundry but no rush at all.  *** now that these blocks are done it's back to the red/cheddar project and the hawaiian too.  having specific projects lined up helps keep the urge to acquire more stash at bay....and looking at the packed boxes of fabric helps too.  that is when you really know how much fabric you have....when it's in boxes staring you in the face.  but i am happy to have and love every scrap....potential for hours and hours of sewing and quilty fun...how good is that?