tiny brag - not quilt related

whew, underwent cardioversion today to restore normal sinus rhythm...successful!  relieved and elated...on to cardiac rehab!

holy hiatus batman!

has it really been over a week since the last post?   indeed....well, all I can say is that tasks take longer than previous these days, and then some days nothing gets done except the essentials...but today was finally a sewing day!

scrap attack chore for january was to get this to the flimsy stage.  today cranked out nearly all the 6 blocks needed for another row, which will be #4 of 6, so it is a real possibility to meet the goal.  ran out of precut squares so that's next.   had hoped to get a quilt basted as well but once again, the  backing is a teensy bit lacking in width so had to order another piece--a larger one of course--to get that done.  the table is up to baste a few small things and possibly tie a donation quilt as well.  ***  it's been a challenging week on the recovery front and another delay for cardioversion.   then one day must have bumped into the rocking chair rocker as felt some ankle discomfort, took a look and saw this...

it's my ugly left foot with a huge black/blue bruise, quite tender and swollen.  thankfully it isn't my sewing pedal or driving foot.  just another wrinkle in this long and convoluted recovery road.  have to confess there are fleeting moments when I wonder if it has been worth it, stupid really, as it was very necessary and hopefully lengthened my life even with all the setbacks, dietary changes, medication side effects to name a few.  but the many positives outweigh the bad and it is wonderful to wake up in the morning, any morning, still vertical....a real and precious gift from God!

one more row

my january scrap project is the mod orange, but before that gets tackled and finished into a flimsy (she writes determinedly), wanted to add a few more trees to the design wall.

still oodles of christmas scraps left for lots more, not sure how many right now.  but i am going to make the supreme effort to get this done and quilted in time for next christmas.  think i'll keep them on the design wall for now, since will be taking down my cutie little decorated tree today...i'll miss its cheery lights and familiar, homey ornaments.  i love to sit in the dark apartment late at night and enjoy the glow of the pretty multicolored lights.  one last look.....

almost didn't put it up but so very glad i did....with all that's transpired this fall/winter, it was like having an old and familiar friend around.

last finish, first finish

that would be the last 2017 finish, this tablerunner....actually, finished the binding yesterday but i'm calling it a 2017 finish....quilter's prerogative.  it got quilted in the ditch because of  a gazillion little seams...don't normally make things that don't lend themselves to hand quilting, but loved the pattern and had the perfect fabric....

good enough if you view from the back of a galloping horse as there are a few points that are missing...but given the number of pieces, it's the best i could do...as i've said many times, i piece mainly to quilt.   *** as for the first finish, got 2 blocks made to send off to California for fire relief quilts....

they make up in no time at all, especially if you have a stack of nickels on hand.  i hope you'll take a few moments for this worthy cause.  ***  little by little tackling household tasks that have been ignored far too long.  this weekend will put away my cute little tree and begin serious cleaning.  ideal plan due to deep freeze here, like most everywhere else.  even tho this complex is not my dream home, so very thankful to have my own apartment that is warm, cozy and comfortable.

new year, new month, new day, new projects!

the new year is hardly here and already planning a couple more new projects...is that revolting or what????  it's the malady called quilting i'm afraid.  starting january 31st, last wednesday of the month, barbara brackman (she of time warp stars fame) is beginning a new BOM.   i've got the fabric, i can make the time so i'm in.  is my "stars" quilt done?  of course not!   do i NEED another project??  no way!  regardless, i'm still in.  ***  and then there's barb, barb vedder of "fun with barb," who is starting a churn dash with sign-ups next week.  had already planned a kaffe project when i saw this, had the background fabric as well and had a pattern in mind but found this, so i'm giving it a go. 

the background is a bit lighter than i had chosen on the internet, but decided to use it anyway, one of the pitfalls of ordering online.  it'll work just fine.  two very different fabric styles so it should be fun and interesting.  i've got a few days to tidy up, fine-tune betty, get some much-needed housework done and get a bit more organized.  now that some energy has returned, gotta start the new year right!

tally up!

reckoning day has arrived....the numbers have been duly crunched....and the result is.....40 yards USED and 21 yards ADDED for 2017!   even with my fuzzy math, that is a net used of 19 yards!  those yards are gone and outta here....some went for lap robes, some went for finished UFOs....these figures do not calculate the UFOs still waiting for a finish or the 3 projects started this year...only 3?  remarkable restraint, considering how easy it is to get sidetracked with tantalizing internet photos.  not included in this tally was fabric used for doll clothes and some minimal fabric used to finish up cross-stitch projects, probably the most satisfying finishes as they had been tucked away in a tote for so long, too long.  time is fleeting, bodies age, faculties diminish, so it's imperative to use time wisely, live each day to the fullest, spend those minutes and hours and not let them just slip thru our fingers.  a happy quilting/sewing/stitching new year to you all!

my 12 "scrap attack" list

when i posted this, neglected to list my 12 monthly scrap tasks....i've listed them in no particular order, but will be starting with the orange mod flimsy in january to empty the shoebox and get it in the "baste and quilt" pile.  it's half done so should be a quick finish.  the scrap basket project is listed twice for obvious reasons. 

1. cut up scrap basket scraps....empty basket

2. finish inchie project in progress using 1.5" scraps and empty drawer!

3. empty selvedge shoebox making potholders

4. make scrappy DWR flimsy using scraps

5. finish repro bricks project and empty drawer

6. pull out 2.5"strips shoebox and get a top done

7. sew up 4-patches using 2" squares already cut

8. cut orange peels from jo morton charms

9. finish up cheddar/indigo scraps on a wallhanging

10.  make flimsy triangle plaid scraps

11.  finish mod orange flimsy and empty shoebox

12. cut up scrap basket scraps...empty basket AGAIN!

this list is pretty daunting but won't consider it etched in stone with some wiggle room.  whatever scraps get used up will be a plus!   now off to start my household to-do list and finish another UFO before 2018 arrives!

calling all quilters!

earlier this year, I posted information to help those affected in Texas by Hurricane Harvey.  Another opportunity has come to light to help California fire victims....

Ventura (CA) guild is collecting blocks to assemble quilts for fire victim relief efforts.   At first I thought they were looking for orphan blocks, but instead have requested the above pattern be used.   if you've got scraps, won't you take a few minutes and whip up a few and send them along.  for additional information or to learn more, go to:

 http://www.venturamodernquiltguild.com/2017/12/11/thomas-fire-blocks/

while we all go about our normal daily routine, these fires continue to rage and destroy and displace families.  we as quilters have always risen to the call for a need, and i'm guessing the need will be ongoing for some time.  feel free to share this on your own blog or with your guild. 

Requiem

with the passing of my last remaining paternal aunt on monday, my father's family of origin is now once again all together in heaven.  my grandmother, the pastry cook; my grandfather whom I never knew;  aunt dorothy, the sensible devout one; aunt lillian, the bossy can-do one; aunt madeline, the worry-wart energizer bunny; uncle ronald, the pampered one; my dad, the outgoing farmer at heart; aunt beverly, the compassionate and caring one....all now joined by aunt carol, the baby and self-absorbed one.  these are people with whom I spent most of my growing up years.  We were quite a gang at holiday dinners and beach outings.  From them I learned to embroider and knit, family secrets from long ago, corny jokes, met missionaries and talented musicians, spent time with their chickens and in their gardens.  peonies, sweet peas and hollyhocks will always remind me of my grandmother's favorites.  I was her designated donut shaker and donned a nurse's cap to bring her pills when she was sick.  my aunts would take me into the wild surf and pull me up high to jump icy waves.  special dresses were sewn for me by them. from them I learned to love piano music as two of them played.  it was inevitable, of course, that this would happen.  saying good-bye one by one tricked me into thinking it would never be so, but it is.  only photographs remain and the void, of course, that can never be filled. 

scrap attack for 2018

sarah is spearheading this 2018 challenge and although i am already committed to stash busting, attacking the scraps isn't far behind.  it does appear, though, that hers are more out of control than mine (or does it?) with the exception of "the basket" that has had to wait until i'm cleared for serious rotary cutting. 

and i do happen to have a scrappy DWR in the works as well.....

then there are those constantly reproducing selvedges i use for potholders, a project that got set aside earlier

and then there's this drawer full of inchies, 1.5" squares, that also multiply like rabbits no matter how many one uses......

and lastly this stack of precut scraps just waiting their turn to be used and escape their plastic prison....

so am i in with this challenge? it appears i have met the requirements....care to join in the fun?