hip hip hooray!

good things to acknowledge today, not the least of which is a huge shout out to my sister....being 12 years apart we were never that close. in her teen years, she suffered greatly and began a slow downward spiral with more setbacks, detours and almost permanent derailment that left all of our family with fear and sadness for her future.  but as chuck swindoll says, God wasn't finished with her.  through heavy prayer and numerous confrontations and nearly constant conflict, she turned her life around and is now firmly planted on a road that will lead to her ability to enjoy some success.  she is in college and just completed an associate's certificate program that gives her some better employment choices and away from high-school type jobs at pizza joints and the like.  to say we are all relieved is a huge understatement, but more than that, swelling with pride for the hurdles she has overcome and relieved she has reconnected to family with confidence, self-worth and a feeling of belonging that i don't believe she felt at all in her adult life.  being the youngest, she felt overshadowed by older siblings who arrived at adulthood long before her.  nothing else to say but hurrah to someone very dear to all of us!  

also in the works...

this is the scrappy 9-patch from gifted fabrics...can you see yours?  i bought the alternating square fabric at marden's...the pattern called for 3.5 yards but marden's had only 3, so i took it with hopeful anticipation and looks like there will be enough!  something else will be needed for binding but a scrappy binding would be perfect.  there is one row of sawtooth border attached but not pressed as it's waiting for a print border to corral all those bias edges.  as mentioned, this will get donated in honor of those who so willingly shared with me....better than prozac! 

new sew-along

jumped right in with barbara brackman's "westering women" sew-along with these pretty cheddar and indigo fabrics by penny rose...in a weak moment last year acquired a FQ bundle that i'll be using for this project.  going from 3" blocks to 12" blocks is a big leap, but this size is a good hand quilting project.  just one FWS block to make and i'll be up to date on ALL sew alongs....for today anyway.  otherwise i'll be quilting on the summer sampler waiting for snow to melt...LOL!

in the frame!

it's the re-appearance of last year's summer sampler, now basted and heading for a finish...february maybe?  whilst in limbo, it's been easier to focus on smaller projects even tho am anxious to finish my hawaiian, currently bagged up in plastic in the car trunk.  most of my other UFOs are in storage waiting patiently to be reunited with their creator.  until then, it's continue with sew-alongs, including barbara brackman's newbie starting today!  making good use of time and stash until regular life resumes....and since you asked (? maybe), the seaside photos are from east boothbay, a fave spot of my mom's from her younger days where a cousin was married and lived...here is the ancient little chapel site of nuptials.  isn't it quaint?  little towns, small churches, picturesque villages, so serene but i'm still a citygal....now to sew!

nice-n-icy

air temp and water temps equal at about 40 so a seaside excursion was in order!  the nearly high tide revealed jonas ' last gasp with the water up over the rocks and onto the narrow street in places.  only a few gawkers like us ventured along the shore road.  the onslaught of seaweed is seen from previous high tides.  the water looked perfectly sea-foam green in the partly sunny sky and was quite rough with high waves in places.  hated to postpone my day's sewing but was glad for the sea air was quite invigorating and a nice change from too-dry house air.  after lunch, communed with phoebe (and still am) sewing the 9-patches into a flimsy and cutting HSTs for the sawtooth border.  glad for the respite from frigid air with the realization that winter is half over and the joy of lengthening daylight! 

finally a finish!

just this morning took the last stitch in this table topper for my mum, all gifted fabric and only purchase was the batting...not much stash busted but gives me a finish and off the UFO challenge queen's throne!  as far as this week's stash report goes.....well, needed half yard of kona snow to finish something, accidentally ordered a yard and THEN a sticker on my package said i hit the jackpot and got the end of the bolt!  how revolting!  any other time it would have been a welcome bonus but not this year--ended up even steven as the wallhanging busted about 1.5 yards and the kona snow was that.  so final tally....

stash used:  1.5 yards (not official)
stash added:   1.5 yards kona snow

i'll do better next month, a promise i'm making to me!

farmer's wife progress

the latest 4 in the farmer's wife sew-along, papers not yet removed.  when this sew-along was started, all fabrics in these color families were put into a bag, and this was the kind you take to the supermarket...that big!  then, a few others found their way into the bag via the postman.  even so, have busted some pieces completely.  just this morning a 2.5" strip--background on bottom left--was totally used.  a small piece, but gone nonetheless.  just over 1/3rd finished with this, and anticipating to see the bag's contents decrease even more.  now back to quilting.....

my new fave tool

my christmas gift to me this year was this itty bitty 8ths ruler.  my rogue quilter pal has used this and raved about it a lot.  i don't make the precision miniatures that she does, but with these small blocks for the 365 challenge, it is an essential and quite useful item.  mostly i get by with the rulers i have and don't get everything that comes along, but this one lives up to its reputation and glad it's added to my ruler repertoire.  *** not much new here in frigid city but busy with sew along blocks and quilting.  the binding for the table topper is prepped just waiting its turn.  don't think i'll be sending any penalty blocks for the UFO challenge this quarter!  now to keep warm and sew on!

quickie stash report

this past week:

added - ZERO
subtracted - ZERO

the table topper is almost done, prepping binding today.  also on today's list the 2 sew alongs....but no new stash is good! 

365 update

due to time differences, lucky enough to get caught up with this sew along BEFORE the actual date...LOL...here are the latest groupings...first is 6-10...

this group is 11-15..

and this is my storing method....3 plastic folders at the dollar store...i may have to get more for 365 blocks!

photos not the best as they were taken in a darkened room with camera flash but thinking you get the idea..but 15 little blocks bust hardly any stash but the top is 90 x 90 so overall will use some up.  oohh see daylight peeking over the horizon...isn't that terrific at 6:41 am?