half full or half empty?

in this instance, half empty is the better choice...

that would be the (nearly eternally) full scrap basket, now happily half empty.  pleased to find lots of scraps already cut into squares/strips when i started this task making it go much faster.  this time around did not cut any inchies as already have a gazillion of them for one project that's in progress.  if i were 30 instead of 68, would happily cut up a gazillion more, but with such small pieces, each project takes exponentially longer to make and finish.  so after not that much time on a do-nothing-much-else thursday, this was the result:

on the far right is a small stack of patriotic fabrics i left alone for more of those cute little pincushions i made last year.  and just above is a stack of pieces not quite FQ size but big enough to use for borders or bit of yardage, so also left those as is.  whenever possible, cut nickel-size (5") pieces as i can handle math for those.  with february not even half over, this scrap attack task will soon be done and can turn my attention to something else...maybe finish the brick blocks or another UFO...have another possible swirling around in my mind for the ton of red FQs i have, something di ford-ish in a medallion quilt with applique and piecing.  envisioning some birds, some pieced borders, maybe even incorporate some broderie perse...but plenty to actually do before idea finalized.  so many ideas and so much fun fabric for play....isn't life grand!

my kind of detour

see these?  wednesday started out well....to-do list in hand and resolved.....filled laundry basket, washed up few dishes and put various things away.  was right on target.  next, attack bathroom and after the floor was swiffered, sat down at sewing machine to wait while it dried.  you might have done the same.  but my eye wandered over to a pile of scraps, a small pile.  next thing i know, rotary cutter in hand and cutting up bricks and other sizes, just to get rid of these few scraps.  well, before you can say aurifil thread, had pulled out the scrappy brick blocks and those that got sewn wrong...how did that happen?  unsewed and resewed some, but the to-do list beckoned and back to chores.  at 4 pm the scrap siren got louder and louder.  only one way to satisfy it....finished resewing the deconstructed blocks, sewed up a few more....and that's exactly how it went.  the to-do list isn't quite done but it was the detour that really made my day.  so glad the scrap siren called....uh-oh, there it goes again!

icy day

guild meeting cancelled yet again so it's at home stuff today.  probably first is to finish cleaning refrigerator that got started tuesday.  as far as sewing, will finish the binding on this little quilt and have two others needing sleeves.

have yet to tackle the scrap basket as apartment needs a thorough go-thru first.  and yesterday made a pot of tuscan tortellini soup.  it called for heavy cream, which i eliminated, but did add a smidgen (less than 4 oz) of cooked (drained) italian sausage that had some red chili flakes giving it a bit of zing.  so very good.  four containers got put into the freezer (without the tortellini) for easy meals ahead.

it's wednesday and a bookmobile day (every other week)...which is a great perk here.  i love the city life!

the quilting begins

finally got down to starting the quilting on this quilt....

no fancy pants patterns here, just simple and free form.  not blue ribbon worthy either, but rather evoking the memory of our quilty ancestors who made simple, utilitarian quilts with enjoyment and satisfaction for a pastime they loved.  no deadline for this as it's being donated as a fundraiser.  even so, got plenty of others stacked up waiting for their turn in the hoop and the year is already nearly 6 weeks old.  ***  and while it's been a pretty easy winter here in maryland, the few bad days we've had have fallen on quilt guild day and it's happening again tomorrow!!!  come on mother nature....guess i'll be catching up on house chores instead of communing with my quilty peeps....sheesh!    and for all of us in the snow path, i saw this on facebook and wanted to share with you....

from the "california native" page....figures!

super sunday sewing

first block of barbara brackman's sew along, Antebellum Album....i'm using browns/pinks....

and the second star block for mid-appalachian quilters sew along was posted just the other day....really happy with my fabric choices for these...

nothing's better than kaffe for pizzazz....was a cold/snowy/rainy sunday so puttered around doing not too much of anything exciting. 

PS...the ventura (CA) guild is still collecting blocks for fire relief quilts...their goal is 500 quilts, so there is still time to make a few and send them along....

attacking scraps

though would rather get to another scrappy blocks project, the scrap basket needs immediate attention.   time to put a new blade in the rotary cutter and see how much of this can be whittled down into usable units....mine are inchies (1.5"), 2", 2.5", 3.5", nickels (5") and then 1.5" and 2.5" strips.   since there is a repro bricks top in the works, will do those as well....2' x 3.5".   the weather is icky today (rain/snow/sleet) so good day to be busy inside.  leftovers are in the refrig along with the diet coke so no real need to go out.  ***  in addition to scraps, have a couple of blocks to assemble and some miscellaneous sewing chores as well.  plus the 2 hand quilting projects and have to fit in the exercise somewhere along the way.   ***  saturday chores were a breeze so think i've turned another corner recuperative wise.  a few stops here and there to catch my breath, but all in all more energy and stamina than previous, even with another 3 months to a complete recovery.  this is an honest-to-goodness blessing indeed!

scrap attack goal!

remember this from back in december?  and here's the list made back then for attacking said scraps:

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. assemble 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 orange mod flimsy and empty shoebox

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

so even tho slipped over a tad into february, the first scrap attack has ALMOST been completed and off the list.  i'm doing these in no particular order....and while still have to put the last 3 rows together and attach to the first 3, an empty shoebox is a good thing.  pondering which task to attack next, probably the scrap basket since it's beyond overflowing.  also want to send a big "thanks" to some of my stashbuster peeps who generously sent orange scraps so this could be made and glad to share if anyone needs some.  *** got a small UFO in the hoop as well as a large quilt, so will be working on those as well as a couple of sew-along blocks.   while shopping the stash for antebellum prints, once again realized i am just not sewing fast enough.  not buying fabric is only half of the equation of using up what's on the shelves.  now that betty has had her exercise, it's time for mine!

awwwww...

jam packed quilt guild meeting last night with a valentine swap.  we also had a food tasting fundraiser that included lots of delish dishes to try.  of course, my taste buds are nearly dead thanks to being nearly asphyxiated in my apartment with alcohol-based fumes on a constant basis, but somebody did bring in the required southern dish of pimento cheese, which was good.  and the dessert winner was a caramel chocolate chip square.  the pieces were tiny so ate it all!  came home with this little prezzie...

new fabric is always good, isn't it?  the reds are from a sandy gervais line, a favorite designer....and now that my wrong polka dot fabric is getting returned, doncha know saw a brand new line from jen kingwell, that down under design diva.   it's called "circulus" and the dots are perfect for my "midnight at the oasis" which just happens to be one of jen's design winners too! 

photo isn't great but you get the idea....so will wait until some shops have sales and pick some up...this will be perfect!   ***  behemoth turkeys of recovery challenges, noxious apartment irritants and constant budget woes are ever present--working to keep a positive outlook, not always successful, but hoping for a sunnier february!

post script

the retailer has agreed to take back the polka dot fabric and did agree it looked tan rather than gray; however, the manufacturer (RJR) sent it labeled as gray, which was why it was classified such.  perhaps vision exams for their employees are in order??  so the search continues....and while i've seen more grays with white dots online, i also saw some at web fabrics, which is a much safer choice once funds are available.  really missing my library job paycheck but having Rx coverage is essential right now....and for the foreseeable future.  ***  sunny and seasonably cool today; got my shorts out before heading to fitness and laundry.  another month or so and spring will be here in full force along with my 2-year anniversary in maryland....still happy with my choice to leave new england!

tale of two fabrics

after much internet research, finally found background for my "midnight at the oasis" at a good price....it was labeled as a gray with white polka dots.  see retailer's swatch below...

looks gray too, doesn't it?   you can imagine my dismay when what arrived was tan with neutral polka dots....not gray at all and no white dots either.  before contacting retailer, decided to take a photo of the wrong fabric for comparison....

again dismayed to find there is little noticeable difference between the two when photographed.  the only thing in my favor, i would think, is that the retailer lists the fabric as GRAY, in with its black/gray fabrics.  not tan, not beige, not toast, not brown or any other variation.  it's a lovely fabric and i would keep it if the retailer sends me the gray no charge (who wouldn't?)...it would make a nice background for another project.  but i'm hoping the retailer will send me the gray as that is what i originally selected.  true, i'll live just as long if i HAVE to use the tan, as the budget just can't fit in another 3 yards right now, and it is really small stuff in the grand scheme of things.  nobody will suffer some horrendous calamity and it isn't even a blip in anyone's life.  i'll let you know how it turns out....either way life will go on pretty much the same, which is certainly good enough.