double vision?

not really, if you look close that is....both wall pieces are now flimsies and there were 4 little 9-patch squares left that have gone into the orphan block pile.  really like how they turned out....finishes for 2017 maybe? 

and a heartwarming sight indeed....an empty scrap basket!   i'll be needing a new rotary cutter blade, and all the little units have been put away in their shoeboxes....will be cruising for patterns for 2.5" strips and squares as that shoebox is chock full now.  

ventured outside for a very few minutes as the bookmobile was here.   this is a fantastic benefit..it comes twice a month and all i have to do is reserve stuff online and pick it up.  today's haul was 4 dvds and 3 books.   didn't dawdle as it was quite hot and oppressive.  ***  next task?  print out sew-along block instructions and start sewing!  

between blocks

doesn't mean there isn't anything to sew....au contraire!!  this piece has been on the design wall almost since i moved in 4 months ago and it was overdue for a finish, well the flimsy anyway. 

this is midnight garden wallhanging....the beautiful fabric was gifted to me by a maine friend over a year ago when i "thought" i was going to be moving soon....this is an homage to her, someone whose life is challenging every day, but yet finds solace and peace in her cozy, chic, country home, her garden, chickens and bees!   she is the living image of the proverbs 31 woman, someone who wears many hats and finds time to quilt as well.   in spite of her personal burdens, she took time to console me in my disappointment and homelessness with a thoughtful devotional book that i use every day and have gifted to others as well.   am always inspired of how much she accomplishes and how she just takes on every day with a smile and positivity.  she is often confined at home, but has made delicious lemonade out of pretty sour lemons....a fine example to us all!   then there is this piece that got revamped....

you might recall a piece some time ago made with just the nine-patch squares and it was blah to the max!  so, deconstructed and added in some hourglass blocks and am more satisfied with the outcome...enough blocks for 2 of these, this one with the gold fabric on the sides and the next will have the red fabric on the sides.  so no longer languishing in blocks limbo.   all this while watching "hinterland" on netflix.....terrific shows indeed!  ****  tackled the scrap basket once again last night when olympic watching and making progress but not empty yet...stay tuned!

this explains it...

meaning why we sew and sew and the stash hardly diminishes!  friday night spent 4+ hours cutting scraps from my basket....you saw the BEFORE photo yesterday....and today is the AFTER photo....see the difference?   me either....but i promise, the trash can is chock full of spaghetti-sized trimmings and all these units are at the ready.....

there are some large tumbler pieces; strips and squares of various sizes plus a stack of brick size pieces as well...and, more important, see the basket in the background.....while prepping these units, visions of a multitude of scrappy quilts were swirling around my mind (inbetween tv watching) and honestly, should run right to my PCP and get an Rx for dexedrine so i can sew 24/7.....not that i would ever consider that, but imagine what could get done and how much stash could be busted!   really, tho, do enjoy the process and the fabric does inspire me big time...but no time to wax poetic on the philosophical aspects, gotta get back to sewing!!!  

my mission....

should i choose to accept (remember the old series 'mission impossible'?) is to tackle THIS today....great mindless activity while watching olympic cermony tonight.

either that or it's get a new basket, which is not a good idea.  after a busy few days, will be nice to relax with rotary cutter, ruler and get this pile under control.  *** last night at guild was workshop with heather kojan and this cute little project bag workshop....so many pretty ones...with all my fabric, you might have expected something flashier but confess didn't want to cut into my "good" fabric....LOL....and thought this would be appropriate, especially to get hauled around.   my hexie project has outgrown the little bag that vic made for me, so will get transferred to this one and the little red bag will become a home for something else.

already august 5th and time for more 365 blocks.   and have you thought about christmas yet?  i've got some gift ideas percolating...with the budget tight, gotta fire up the creative muse for some good ideas...  but first up, stock the larder! 

monday design wall

a fairly busy sewing weekend here in steamy and occasional monsoon-like weather...what else to do but sew, right?   first up, nearly busted an entire layer cake with this wallhanging....it's sandy gervais' rambling rose line and this layer cake was a giveaway...lucky me! 

the flash washed the color out a bit, but it's pinks, aquas, tan/browns....with a pile of leftover waste triangles, started sewing up a dolly quilt.   would have liked more of the cream prints, but had to work around what was available...one of the issues with layer cakes, but it'll get hand quilted and then a pink binding which should tone down the brown flying geese a bit.  next up, 2 more farmer's wife blocks, leaving me with 2 more to get current....what can i say....slacked off a bit...

and lastly, here's a look at the 365 with ALL the borders on to date....that is today's task...more 365 blocks. with august here, only 5 months left on this challenge and my interest has waned a bit, but can't stop now.   i think this 3rd border of little blocks is about 3 months' worth as well...

the schedule is a tad crowded this week for a few days....hoping friday/saturday will be devoted to cutting up scraps and clearing out the basket...it's way beyond due....another hot week, but over summer's hump and have made it so far and on our way to autumn...my favorite season of all!

two more done...

instead of the 6 would have liked to finish, but dabbled in a few other projects and indulged in afternoon power nap so i could sew thru quilt-cam, which got cancelled for audio issues...bummer!  maybe there'll be time this morning for just one more block before going out.   

and would you believe this happens all the time?  cutting over the trash can that's barely 2 feet away and still the scraps and papers fly all over the floor...gotta get a larger and taller trash bucket, i guess.

finally cooler with temps in the 80s....oh yeah, that is sure welcome....have a balmy day!

a small dent

in the farmer's wife sew-along blocks....today was a delightful all-sew day.  first thing, made the 2 missing blocks in the light border of the "365" and got that last border sewn on.  then tackled the farmer's wife.  got these 3 done with 6 more to go....hoping to get more done on thursday and then it's back to 365 blocks.  will be jockeying between these 2 projects the next few days and then maybe can work on something different come the weekend. 

nice to have access to my entire stash for these blocks.  glad this farmer's wife will be winding down soon.  have already decided to participate in a double wedding ring sew along for next year and that'll be it!  not that far away as 2016 is whizzing by at a whirlwind pace!

my next 365 block...

and see that date!  yep, just 3 blocks to do!   i am sooooo thrilled and relieved that my block backlog has disappeared.   course, now i have to tackle the farmer's wife with about 8 blocks to do.

this should be a quick one indeed!  and here are a few of the latest i've sewn....a few challenges

but the middle one in the top row?   went together lickety split....sometimes it just happens that way...they aren't as wonky as they look, but because some have so many seams, even pressing doesn't tame them.  ***with housework done and blocks up to date, can dabble in a couple of other projects for a change.  yes, the farmer's wife is #1 and have been itching to start a mod quilt in orange....about 3 years ago, many internet quilters generously shared their orange scraps with me and i'm just about ready to get started.  today also finished some paper piecing leaf blocks for the guild raffle quilt next year, and there'll be some applique work on that too.  can i squeak in another small finish this month?  wouldn't hurt to try....temps modulating a bit with high 80s later in the week...oh yeah i can take that easy!

birthday?

not yet, not for a month yet, but these 2 birthday goodies came my way today...first a cake, rather 1/4 of a huge cake, from a neighbor...does this mean i'm older than i think i am?  hopefully just happy coincidences....

looks scrumptious and i did taste a tiny bit, but may have to share even this....it's 4 layers and loaded with frosting, a bit more than even i can or should eat.   and then stuffed in my mailbox was this, from victoria, who always sends something early...

a lovely pillowcase and quite a few pieces of new fabric, plus a couple of drawer sachets too...i ran down to get the mail before doing my laundry and now can wash my other pillowcase and all this new fabric!   so very thoughtful of you vic!  was feeling a teensy bit deprived after not buying even one charm square at quilt odyssey.  not having a little part-time job has put me on a strict financial diet, and although there's plenty in the fabric larder, once in a while would like to indulge.  one thing on my birthday list is a stippling stencil that i saw at quilt odyssey.  great for backgrounds!  ***  and yes, it's blistering hot...97 today and no, have not ventured out to check.  the entire week is in the 90s so have to buck up and get through it.  it's just a blizzard in reverse with clear and dry roads.  and now that my housework is done, the rest of the day is mine!  

quilt odyssey--a fantastic show!

starting with the venue, which was the hershey conference center....here are some shots inside and out...what's NOT to like about a chocolate ballroom!   it was a perfect day from start to finish, totally oblivious to the searing heat outside.  my seatmate on the bus was priscilla, a certified NQA judge, and we chatted about many things--places to visit, places we had visited, our quilty interests and a bit about our lives. 

out front under a portico, large round tables while waiting for the bus, taking a break or whatever..

lovely pond with water plants and oh those hanging baskets....gorgeous!

the foyer with raffle quilts....

yes, that is karen kay buckley with "brandywine triumph," a raffle quilt adapted from her 'majestic mosaic' pattern

show rules posted in the booklet prohibit me from sharing any photos of the display or juried quilts, but i am guessing because the above are raffle quilts, photos of which are widely available for the purpose of selling tickets, it's ok to show them...if not i'll gladly remove from the post.