shameless promotion

having withdrawal from girl scout thin mint cookies?  didn't get your box(es) this year?  have no fear, trader joe's has put these on their shelves, probably just for Christmas but hey, better than nothing!  and the price is good too, a mere $2.99 at my local store.  and get this, they TASTE just like the girl scout cookies! 

no, i don't get any free boxes for posting this (too bad too, i say), just a public service for those of you who appreciate the finer things in life.  ***  a recent free concert took us to a local church built c. 1769 with royal flooring, meaning wide and some up to 14" from trees formerly owned by king george.  the church is on the national register and other preserved details include now-electrified candle chandeliers and wall sconces, plain wood pews with doors and no parking lot or driveway either....it's preserved with period paint and those long shutters too....here is a pic...no doubt there are others dotted throughout the northeast...the entertainment was "downeast brass quintet" and one of the group remarked that last year they walked through snow to get in, but this year only green grass...thank you climate change!

and before you ask, yes there IS sewing happening to be shown another day....

happee swappee....

these arrived today, quite timely as it has been a weekend of concern and long day at work today...i went back temp 2 days per week for not just financial but also mental health reasons.  my boss has been very accommodating, allowing me to keep my hours down to remain qualified for senior housing...but here are the blocks received in the swap...aren't they terrific?

the thing that ALWAYS surprises me is how many repro fabrics i have never seen before...there are many in just these few blocks.  my stash is NOT minuscule by any stretch, but again, many fabrics are new to me.  can't imagine how i missed seeing them before, given the amount of time i've spent on fabric websites and in quilt shops.  ***  keeping up with the 12 days of Christmas and FWS, so more photos to show another day.  *** and those of you who commented?  many thanks...a positive outcome so prayers were answered. 

special request

a family member is in need today...if you are a praying person, would appreciate sending one now....no details needed, God knows all...

before and after

remember the applique hearts and the stark white background print?

well, it's been tea-dyed and basted and the quilting has begun....no fancy designs, just outline etc.  and in case you don't notice the difference, here's a shot of the before and after...

so it did tone it down quite a bit.  this is my first tea-dye effort and not entirely sure i did it right, although did take a glimpse of the directions on a you-tube video.  now to find something for a binding.  not in love with it but perhaps with time it'll become more endearing.  a good idea gone wrong maybe?  we'll see.....can always remove the hearts and start over.  in the meantime, FWS continues and some holiday sewing as well.  december marches on and snow is getting closer but none yet.  keeping fingers crossed....

S-M-L and scrappy

first up, want to thank all who take time to peruse and comment on my blog.  although i don't reply to every comment, please do know i am thankful and appreciative of your comments and kind words. 

wednesday was serendipity sewing day, just sewed up a bunch of things.  right now my quilty/sewing space is minuscule and the stash is stored in bags, so it is a chore to sit down and sew or even find works in progress but where there's a will.....big is "ava" for the FWS, medium is a little churn dash block i wanted to try and little is another "12 days" block

and here are more scrappy 9-patch blocks from fabrics gifted to me this year....i need 70 of these in all, not sure exactly how many are done, but have the fabric for alternating squares and border.  once more horizontal room is available, should have it to the flimsy stage...this is a donation quilt to honor all of those who so kindly shared their stash with me....

that's all folks!

on the first day....

of Christmas....temecula quilts started a new sew-along for only 12 days of course...and where summer sampler blocks were 4" finished, these are going to be (i think) 2.5" finished....pretty small for these chunky, short fingers but planning to persevere anyway....

the first one is really cute....nice to have these festive activities where i get to use some new christmasy fabrics!  these will be all scrappy...how fun is that?   and--dare i say--no sign of "you know what" yet (s-n-o-w), a 4-letter word if i ever saw one...

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....