tough day

it started out fine...nice weather, sunshine after a fairly good sleep.  but now sitting in mcdonald's parking lot at midnight bawling like a baby after yet another unpleasant bathroom incident, unable to sleep due to mosquitoes and sundry flying things...too warm with windows closed.  another day of searching for housing, talking with more housing people who give me no hope.  have already called the places where i'm already on lists, crying, begging for an apartment.  it's late and i am tired, beyond weary, feeling hopeless.  i can't do this anymore.  i just can't.....it is well with my soul, but the rest of me cannot go on like this.......no comments please....

a thoughtful gift

a very kind internet quilter sent this to me recently.   it has oodles of nice blocks to make and although these are done with 30s fabrics, my voluminous civil war stash will probably be used to make these.   there are 99 blocks and not sure if i'll make all, but definitely some, and who knows, maybe all.   the blocks are 8" finished and could make several smallish quilts instead of one large one. thank you, quilty friend.....the best part is the encouraging stories that accompany each block.  it makes me feel not alone at all in my current challenges and often fortunate that mine are not worse than they are.  ***  holy cats and dogs batman! another day of nearly continuous downpours; and speaking of farmers, they should all be happy.  our one good day yesterday allowed for some strawberry picking and so today delish shortcake was on the menu.  *** not sure when i'll get any more sewing done, which makes me sad indeed.  but maybe can get more bow ties done from the busy box....we'll see!

bumper crop!

the gardens are starting to explode with early crops like lettuce, radishes and soon peas, helped along by yesterday's soaking rain.  my garden is growing bow ties!   one of the two hand stitching projects that didn't get sent to storage was this busy box of blocks to be sewn.  this project was originally started to use up some tiny scraps left from some cherrywood solid scrap bags but....you know the rest....more solids joined the stash and so more pieces were cut.  the good news is that "most" of the cherrywood scraps are in these little blocks; the bad news is there are now more solid scraps in my stash...aaarrrrrgh!   not sure how big the final project of these will be; one large quilt or a few smaller ones. either way, they are so fun and quick to sew and a good pick-me-up project.   ***   on today's agenda is to clean/vacuum the car, long overdue!  the skies cleared yesterday afternoon but showers again this morning, so hoping for clearing again....

some progress

in the two-week hiatus, have managed to get more star blocks done and with the

summer sampler sew along.  for this project, i'm using a dark blue sashing/background, so limiting blocks to reds/golds....have also sewn up a table topper for my mum's new place that goes with her valance and a wallhanging i had also given her.  aside from that, am keeping mostly occupied despite still no housing.  ***  the days are simply june perfect, which i am enjoying to the fullest knowing there are southern hot and humid temps ahead of me.  ***  to say i am weary is an understatement, but i know my struggles pale in comparison to so many others.  can still be thankful for relatively good health, family, beautiful days and sewing time.  whenever i do get moved and have time to be with my beautiful daughter and her hub, it will be all that more precious.   in the meantime....

a winner!

here it is in print, wendy reed's "no bake applique" that took a 2nd place ribbon in the road 2ca show. done potholder method, it's traditional applique to the max.   a real honor and so deserved, too.  ***  quiet day in lobsterville....waiting for sun to emerge from heavy cloud cover but thankfully no rain.  no plans at all, a free day, maybe some sewing, maybe a nap....even so, a good day all around!

finished!

ok so this is the latest batch of stars that i am able to make with what's on hand....top photo is printed plaids and ombres, bottom photo is purples and foulards.   not counting today's post, still have 8 weeks' worth of stars to catch up on making.  they don't take too much time or fabric to make, and once my full stash is at hand again, can whip them up.  ***  the summer sampler sew along at temecula quilt company starts next week.  those are little blocks and all fabric is on hand for those.   ***  today, though, it's a quick trip to my favorite repro gathering place to pick up the newest  "quiltmania" magazine featuring a quilt by a maine quilter of some renown in these parts, wendy reed.  she has won many ribbons and rightly so.....her quilting is perfect!  *** and at last, mr. sun is back, just in time for laundry to be dried and to quell the dreariness that has been hanging around.  gonna be a terrific day, i can feel it!  hope it's the same in your neighborhood.....

another winner!

that would be jo morton's new line due to arrive this month.  do you see those paisleys?  how about those petite prints? how about that itty, bitty cheddar?  oh, i do love this collection!  no, i don't get paid to promote her fabric, just a devotee is all.  as i've often said, my admiration started with a workshop at Maine Quilts 3-4 years ago (or longer?) and ever since, my collection has ballooned.  but not just a collector, i use them often and for good reason.  some of these will definitely be coming to live with me.....can't wait!   ****   unlike texas, maine's rain has been continual for 3 days now but nowhere near as destructive.  it was needed and the farmers are relieved, but it's been cool again...time for mr. sun and summer to return.  and hoping today will get back to the machine for some sewing fun. 

sneak peek

the pattern is an ann hermes design featured in the latest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting that arrived yesterday.  there was also a large quilt.  in this issue they have included directions for table toppers on a few of the projects, which is a good idea.  not sure about you but my math can definitely be fuzzy. at times!  can't recall if they had done this in previous issues or not but i give the idea a thumbs up.  am going sorta repro on this project with a real red, a brown and a cheddar print ***  another perfectly, astoundingly beautiful day....warm sun, gentle breezes, lush vistas. ***and don't forget, tomorrow summer sampler starts!

a seaside sojourn

it was a perfect june day in may, so a trip to the water seemed right.  a quick picnic was packed and eaten here at the fisherman's memorial in boothbay harbor.   directly across from the memorial was this church with a carillon that played a few hymns while communing with sun and seabreeze.   idyllic and picturesque and thoroughly peaceful!  back at the mailbox a new quilt mag arrived with a cute tabletopper idea, so fabrics were once again pulled from the box and plans swirled around the gray matter.  so blessed to have been given this gift of a wonderful day that started by putting my mind at ease about some financial stuff.   hoping you found joy in your day today as well.....

it's that time...

first, it's that time when your thighs stick to the (wooden) chair, especially if they are a bit....let's say generous....like mine!   having some hot and humid weather for a few days. second, it's time to get some of the stars done as in playing catch up.  here you see the foulards, a printed plaid and an ombre.  others are in process on the sewing machine and will get finished soon.  once these are all done, will still be a scandalous 8 weeks behind on this sew along.  but does that stop me from joining in on another sew along?   but, nooooo!  over at temecula quilt company they are starting a summer sampler of little blocks and i am in!  thanks to my christmas box, will be able to do this one without difficulty, i hope.  i do so miss the rest of my stash and stuff a LOT, not to mention my summer clothing and swimsuit too.  and i certainly won't dwell on the fact that i was SUPPOSED to be in my apartment in maryland long before this. it's just too nice a day for any of that.  instead, will count my blessings, focus on gratitudes that include enough sleep for a change, a chance to sew, a place to hang out from the heat, a haircut, good health of course, and ever mindful of those without such blessings.  so many across every economic strata are much worse off than me today.  life is still good!