novice attempt

machine quilting can be intricate and beautifully executed, but not by me.  just not that interested in perfecting this skill.  i've done it a few times, but only for practical purposes and not for the real desire.  see what i mean?

the original was quilted at half inch intervals (i think) but i chose 1-inch intervals to get it done quicker.   i basted it to death and it came out okay, meaning not thrilled with the result and definitely doesn't inspire me to do more.   perhaps the batting was a tad too thick for this size, not sure.  but anyway, it's done and can put it aside for the right recipient to come along at some point.  i love the colors and pretty sure a nonquilter would think it's a masterpiece, but you and i know different.  not apologizing for this mediocre effort, just that my heart belongs to hand quilting.  it's great that quilting has a place for those of every persuasion!

here's one...

from the folder...it's a cute little zipper bag, gift for my mom's birthday.  she loves sea glass and found this sea glass print FQ last summer for a future project.  now gone from the stash and a nice little gift!

phoebe was running like a top today after getting a thorough cleaning and a new needle, PLUS she has new feet!  when adopted (from ebay), she had no feet.  instead, someone had filled in the feet indentations with some sort of putty that had hardened to clay.  all that was needed was to clean out the clay (easy peasy), loosen the short screws and attach the feet.  she is soooo happy now!  at first i thought someone had welded the bottom plate to the machine but happy to find out that was not the case.  she isn't pristine but she sews beautifully and her worn places only mean that she was a working gal...not a diva!  *** other sewing included finishing machine quilting the cats and binding now in progress.  also, 3 more 365 challenge blocks done, done, done!   stay tuned for more folder finishes!

someday is now

got folders? 

 

the new year's frugality has extended to books and magazines.  but, until i can be reunited with those i already have, decided to dig into the "vault" aka the desktop folder that contains downloads of free patterns and ideas been saving for "someday"....it's simply labeled "pdf files" and have already printed off a few that are or will be in the works very soon.  my philosophy is if i start it, i will finish it.  the cats wallhanging is one and that is almost ready for binding.  every few months go thru and toss those that no longer interest me.  when i started quilting back in the (what now seems) medieval 1970s, magazines and books were important inspiration sources.  fast forward and the internet is now an instant, 24/7 resource.  so wonderful that things in the quilty world have changed to what we have now....insomniacs rejoice!

beyond sew-alongs...

lest you think that's all the sewing getting done these days, here's a peek at the progress on daisy chain. 

no flash needed due to sun streaming thru the window this AM.  this is definitely going to be hand quilted once finished--and all the little center circles are appliqued too!  can u tell missing my big ironing board?  the little travel iron and a small corner of a small table are grossly inadequate for quality pressing but it's early days... this project, plus the 2 donation quilts i'm working on PLUS a few new projects too are keeping me as busy as i need to be.  swirling around is a scrappy DWR that i want to make too, but need to finish some things first.  hoping these will provide a detour from new fabric temptations....and have you seen "mostly manor" by victoria findlay wolfe?  love those stripes!  wondering how i can justify them....oops, change subject!  still spring-like here but back to late winter tomorrow in the ongoing weather boomerang!

definitely NOT scraps!

a "partner in crime" aka fellow quilter recently posted she had scraps she planned to fling.  i needed a variety of neutrals for my hexie project, so inquired if some could come my way.  sure, was the reply, and soon a squishie arrived with these....which are definitely NOT scraps...

sincerely gobsmacked over the generosity of this fellow quilter.  have already cut a huge stack of 2.5" squares for the hexie project....thank you mystery sewist!   and have been keeping busy in endeavors other than keeping warm...here's block charlotte for the farmer's wife...

and how cold was it today?   when starting the car it was -5, half hour later down the interstate it was -10 and then about 15 miles beyond that it was -11....but when driving by the ocean inlets the sea smoke was thick like fog and spectacularly beautiful....a real gift from nature!

did they say challenge?

thought this would be a fun sew along but make no mistake, it IS a challenge!  these little blocks are 3.5" unfinished and some are way more involved than i've ever done at this size.  and now with the photo, i see the block top right is wrong so that's a re-sew.  the photo is taken side view but still, gotta do it over.   never claimed to be an expert piecer, but have to say they don't look too bad overall.  now halfway thru the inside border, so another 6 weeks of these itty bitty blocks, total of 96.  then it's on to the center block, a whopping 18" square.  anxious to see them all sewn together and mentally calculating what lights are in the stash at hand for the next border.  and here is another glance at the overall top...isn't it gorgeous!  i am definitely still in with this project!

keep calm and sew on!

after the snow...

getting back to what is currently normal, more sewing of the FWS blocks---here is the current bunch.

having real fun making these blocks with different combos from the fabric gene pool...thinking about what color to use for background too.  there is one more to make from this week, then it's tackle the 365 challenge blocks that are starting to accumulate.  those work up really fast tho.  *** and while reading the letter from mamabear over on marcia's site, saw this cute scissor holder from miss sewsitall that i am going to make.  have some cute lobster buoy fabric i might use.   a handy item!

single digit temps on their way so winter hasn't given up the ghost quite yet despite days here and there that are spring-like.   so many gratitudes despite the current unpleasant situation, but spring IS coming and there is progress on housing front, so that is good indeed!

candy coated cats

so the flimsy is done, waiting for a final press, baste and then quilt.  might use a bright lime to bind.   the rest of the afternoon spent quilting the summer sampler, which is now over half done.   other than that, pretty quiet day all around, calm before another snowstorm.  so far so good on the no-buy efforts.....and the week's stash report:

stash in:   ZERO
stash out:  nothing yet, but sooooon!

withdrawal pain....

this is tougher than i thought it would be, this no-buying plan.  made easier by budgetary issues for sure, but still salivating over so many gorgeous new lines of fabric.  my daily mantra is "shop the stash, shop the stash,"  and so far that's what i'm doing.  keeping busy sewing is helping, all the while thinking knowing that frugality is a good thing.  so please forgive me for repetitive photos of projects in the works....it is all part of the austerity plan and to prove to myself that stash is getting busted.    today, tho, have pulled out instructions and some bright mod fabrics for this cute little wallhanging.  still working on the larger quilts, but space is a premium so find it easier to manage small things.  this is by tessa walker found at www.thesewingchick.com on her blog dated 5/14/15.  it finishes at 21" square....hop on over and make one with me!

hexie update

our brief sojourn forward into spring has taken a lapse with snow falling, hoping it will morph into rain later...good time for a hexie update!

i know, not much, but this is only a sometime project...my "sometime" isn't near as much as bonnie's plane time...of course i do have a little bag of hexies waiting to grow into rosettes...and transporting them?  i use this adorable bag made by vic in nh and sent to me around christmas...it is just right!  the lanyard has my little scissors on the end so they don't walk away...

now, i think i hear some 365 blocks calling me....