going twice and gone....

it's the end of the "stars in a time warp" sew along with these blocks....2 cracked ice and 1 shawl print...this has been really interesting to do and have finished up with a stack of really pretty blocks, now to find the right settings...

and got up to date with the FWS....left is my resewn "patricia" block (always helps to follow the photo) and on the right is a great "grandma" block....had planned to do some more of the tiny virginia reel blocks but the day evaporated too quickly......

friday AND saturday

yesterday combined black friday shopping and small business saturday with a quick trip to busy thimble, my favorite reproduction quilt shop.  picked up latest issue of "quiltmania" plus a gorgeous print suitable for some broderie perse a la di ford perhaps? 

the black is a margo krager "polychrome" and the blue/white print is a cracked ice for the last week of stars...a brief respite until the 365 challenge starts with farmer's wife sewing along continuing.  other than some christmas prints at joann's, that was the total shopping haul.  spent plenty of time online drooling at terrific sales on moda FQ bundles though, but passed them by. 

today just relaxing hoping to ward off a cold, hoping to sew on sunday with bonnie and quilt-cam and enjoy thanksgiving dinner part 2....

it's turkey time!

counting my many blessings this year as always and i'm....

(even though we *might* be eating chicken!)

sale!

sauder's recent sale offered some pretty kim diehl fabrics....love 'em but way too many from which to choose at regular retail prices, but a sale?  a few 1/4 yards added to my stash....

and 2 more FWS blocks done...patricia and patience....pinned down as papers not yet removed

and turkey day -2....small but delish dinner planned with most of usual items...our norman rockwell, big family dinner is of bygone days, but enjoyed nonetheless....

swappin' stars....

first, thanks to those of you who told me about your 11/22 experiences...enjoyed reading them! 

over at randy's blog, she is having a stars swap, yes 6.5" stars, same size as barbara brackman's sew-along.  just happened to have fabrics on hand and rustled up 15 to swap.  will definitely have enough star blocks to make a couple of flimsies at this rate.

all set to meet mr. postman today...and yesterday made my "sara" block for the FWS...

also been doing a bit of secret sewing for christmas, so photos on hold until later....

where were you?

for those of a "certain" age, today's date will forever be defined as an american tragedy.  i was in 9th grade; we lived in norwich, connecticut; nothing on television for 4 days except dirge music, haunting black and white news reports and still photos.  the day it happened, my friend linda and i were walking home from school thru downtown, looking at store windows and thinking of christmas. a TV was on in an appliance store, and we just stood outside watching, transfixed, realizing the unbelievable, an ordinary day forever changed, much like 9/11, wondering how such a thing could happen.  how innocent we were in light of daily events now.  life has changed in so many ways, and in so many not for the better.  or was it just the naivete of youth?   some of both no doubt.....where were YOU that day?

going once....

delighted to find 2 definite and 1 sorta coral prints in my temporary stash, and one was even CORAL colored.  two more weeks after this one and "stars" will be history. did find one provincial type in the stash as well...

so blessed to have a "shop" of fabric and ideas--not to mention the internet--for inspiration and sewing pleasure!

nickel fun

at the library last week picked up a couple of books that had some fun projects; one of them was this

that had lots of 3" foundation patterns in the back, most based on the log cabin.  great ideas for little projects that don't bust much stash but are quick and cute.  after tracing some 3" reel blocks that caught my eye, pulled out some mod nickels in bright pinks that have been on my mind....

that became these....little virginia reel blocks for a small quilt.  managed to get 2 done in less than half an hour, each one using up a nickel with a small strip left that would work for string piecing.

the stripe is a marden's find, a low volume oxford cotton from robert kaufman; pattern calls for 24 of these so a bit more time and a doll quilt should materialize.  these bright colors a nice change from civil wars, although will be starting another project with them soon.  now to check on this week's stars fabric....closing in on the end of this sew along and it has been fun indeed!

hexie update...

this little (for now) project only gets attention now and then, but coming along albeit slowly.  some days (like today) i just start and get into a rhythm and get a lot done; other days not so much.  there are a lot more little hexies basted but not sewn together yet....

looking good so far i think... on one i've started with the connector hexies in neutrals, but can't tell if the original was done in plain muslin or not.  thinking will try both before doing more.  and the next FWS block has been posted and i'm ready for it, now that i fixed the too-big one...i had one rosette done in reds but took them out as the photo didn't show any reds.  ***  the cold is creeping in a day at a time, a bit delayed but inevitable.  mom is busy knitting scarves and mittens for anyone who might need them...we are blessed!

last rose?

it was a fabulous fall day and a trip to the coast was on the agenda.  the tide was coming in and crashing over the rocks.  the sun was bright and warm despite a cool wind hinting of days to come.  this tough bloom was spied hanging on...

somebody had hauled in their buoys and pots for the winter ahead....

not far away, a construction crew was still busy on a beautiful new home facing the ocean....a real showstopper with a very high price tag no doubt.   on tonight's agenda is the "nancy" redo and probably some hand sewing, but was worth it to escape a bit and enjoy the bonus weather...