holiday baking

some time in the last year, a blogger had links to several Christmas projects....found this called 'christmas baubles' by jen daly for the moda bakeshop.  with endless fabric combinations in the stash, started with this one....

still need to move some squares around and add borders, but so far looking good i think....already my mind is veering off to kaffe fassett fabrics?  batiks?   civil war repros?   any fabric style would work, depending on your decor and/or stash.....***  october is just about gone and, shamefully, have not finished one UFO....did bust a fair amount of fabric and basted quite a few items, so hoping november will fare better.  with the end of the year looming, plus planned finish of 2 big sew alongs, the 2017 UFO list will still be way too long.....not too many new things started this year and not very many new fabric to tempt me, which should help.  *** and a BIG thanks for those of you who commented on the previous post....

extra! extra!

imagine, here in maryland a mere 7 months and 5 days and already making headlines!!!  well, on a small scale, that is....it's the senior center newsletter and here is my hawaiian and the other blue ribbon winner by my fellow super quilter, emilie, pictured.  the only blue ribbons of the senior center, that is. 

unlike some quilters who start every project with visions of big ribbons and even bigger payoffs, this project was started for one reason alone...the quilting.  my fingers tingled to get to the echo quilting, with the applique part a means to the center of the tootsie pop, if you will.  will probably never ever seek another blue ribbon, though i didn't this time either...i simply wanted to show off my beautiful quilt, as i was as stunned as anyone about its beauty.  and truth is, anyone can be an excellent quilter...it just takes practice and the sheer love of doing it!  

God's saturday gift...

by sheer divine providence, was gifted this today.   while the futon chair is comfy, the arms are like side rails and changing position is a challenge.  so thankful it has been my comfy nighttime solace and for those occasional naps....but beyond grateful for this gift.

couldn't wait to see the hawaiian all spread out....and with my mom coming for thanksgiving, the timing is perfect as well.  this was a big ticket item way outside my budget, but now my prayer list has shortened by one needed thing.  feeling so very blessed today and always really, ever mindful of so many who have much greater needs.  may God send them a gift today as well.   ***  gorgeous autumn day spent so far on a hodge podge of things--cutting bindings, doing a frankenbatt and frankenback, cutting out another pair of flannel lounge pants and not a moment too soon either, predicted to be 81 degrees tomorow....LOL!

bonnie hunter's mystery

the day has finally arrived when bonnie hunter has posted her color selections for this year's mystery project.   i absolutely LOVE bonnie's quilts, and her tips and influence 10 years ago kicked my quilty muse up several notches....but being a hand quilter, lots of her patterns have waaaay too many seams for me.  have made a few but have donated flimsies for someone else to machine quilt and use for charity, not a problem.  this year decided to repeat the effort and have pulled my choices from her color suggestions...

these are what i found and may be a bit stronger in value than hers, but i like strong colors anyway and definitely NOT buying anything for this mystery.  that, to me, is the whole point--to use what is on hand that'll give it a controlled kitchen sink look.  bonnie's quilt is large so going to make half the number of units for my project.  and didn't think there was any magenta, but whoa!  if you have kaffe, you have magenta to the max!   these are "special" fabrics that so far have just ogled and fondled, but time has come to use some....so bring on black friday and clue #1!

blocks and birthday....

and this thursday just happens to be the birthday of brother #2...he was our october treat...despite being quite scary and ghoulish at times...now a successful business owner and dad.....happy birthday bro!

between tuesday quilt-cam and yesterday, sewed up 10, count 'em 10, more 365 blocks....maybe by the time the weekend is over, i'll have more racked up....struggle to keep up at times, but the end is near for this mega-sew along!

have a happy sewing day!

flimsy fling

proof that the stash IS getting used up is this flimsy that got flung to charity just this week....nearly all those scrappy 9-patch blocks have found a home...

in september 2 lap robes were made with these blocks and this month's is a 72x78 flimsy.  so happy that they are no longer stuck in an elfa drawer.   this was a leader/ender project long ago and wish i could say the 2.5" square shoebox was empty but not quite.   the 2.5" strips shoebox is overflowing so i'm pulling from that for the 365 blocks, which won't make a dent obviously.   but there is progress busting stash that is downright fun and rewarding.  and a button i recently found at a local quilt shop says it all....

monday sewing

busy monday wrapped up with a bit of block sewing....actually the larger was done sunday, leaving me with 9 more farmer's wife to the finish....

then got back into 365....only one more september block and can tackle october's....will see how far i can get before november 1 rolls around and another corner block is posted....would think these tiny dark blocks for the 3rd border will soon be finishing up as the home stretch is in sight for the wrap up....read on facebook that another will start in january, but not for me.  ***  beautiful autumn weather continues and today cool enough for light jacket.  less than a month now to thanksgiving but doesn't seem possible at all...it's too warm!  now back to sewing..... 

3 - 2 - 8

three more blocks in the farmer's wife sew-along are done!   first time sitting at the machine for any length of time in nearly a week....

there are 2 more blocks printed off and sitting beside the old viking...after those are done, only 8 more blocks to wrap up this sew along....well before the end of the year too, which is reason for a happy dance!   next, of course, is get current with 365.  anticipate that possibly january will be busy getting these 2 projects to the flimsy stage....and aside from a double wedding ring sew along next year, it's UFO tackling....there are a couple that have been on the list far too long and sorely need finishing....so bring on sew-turday!

prime example...

for standing back when choosing fabric....

several years back was trolling the red tag sale fabrics for flannel to make winter lounge pants and found this.   it was really inexpensive and was in a rush, so grabbed the bolt and got what i needed....but to my surprise on closer inspection, saw these skulls and peace signs...so stuck with it and it has finally gotten sewn up....only me and the laundress (also me) will see it, so doesn't matter....mainly going for cozy and comfy.   and why, you might ask, am i sewing flannel on a stretch of 80+ degree days?   weather channel uttered "cold and blustery for the weekend" so planning ahead.   have fabric for another pair that is a pinky print, not halloweeny at all.   since my tragic encounter with certain maine doctors, necessary to have several pairs on hand since some bodily functions have gone haywire...just saying.   ****   starting to feel better after long stretch of sinus infection/sore throat/cold sores/chest congestion etc.  haven't really sewn much past week except some hand quilting and now these pj bottoms.  various blog and facebook posts are sending my mojo into overdrive and hoping to feel better in a day or two....me and my tissue box, that is.  so watch this space.....

first peek

on the yahoo group 'stashbusters' about 5 or so years ago, put out a call for orange scraps for a (what else) orange scrappy quilt.  many squishies arrived in my mailbox and got tucked away in a basket...then life intervened...but they waited patiently for this time when they finally got to play.  this is the first peek at what i think will be a deliciously citrusy scrappy..hmm a title maybe?

these are 12.5" blocks and the pattern is from the book "modern neutrals", even though orange isn't much of a neutral--but the gray definitely is!   it was difficult to choose a pattern and this one wasn't the originally planned, but am happy with the result.   there are 36 blocks total, and when done, there will be 8 or so of the gray funky circles--sorta of a kansas dugout block with points---probably quilted with orange thread?   had hoped to have 4 blocks done for the peek so the gray pattern would be complete, but fall is very busy in maryland, a nice change from summer hibernation.   ***  printed out another batch of 365 blocks yesterday, along with 2 more farmer's wife.  and i completely forgot about 'westering women' for september that needs to be done as well.   once again bask in the delight that quilting has brought into my life. approaching my 60th year of sewing--is that possible?--with no sign of boredom or disinterest whatsoever.  thank you, my quilty peeps, for your comments, compliments and feedback and camaraderie for all this time.  i could not have become the quilter i am without the support of this community.....