january mini

second pandemic winter plods along, making for long days requiring creativity to keep from uber boredom...for this month's mini, pulled out a book filled with mini ideas....

 selected a pattern called 'lincoln's logs' that is ideal for scrappy...

it's about 18x24, big for some mini makers but mini to me....hand quilted, a couple of small pieces got used up...the backing is the pigs showed in an earlier post...and while digging thru the stash, found a piece for the february mini, which has already been started!  a pretty piece that was begging to be showcased....

vintage-y red with a bit of gold thread....can't wait to show the finished project!  ***  quilting on "stars" continues and sewing s'mores as well.   *** and many quilters know this product but i've resurrected mine and it is a winner for indoor dryness and sore fingers from hand quilting...

bag balm, originally used by farmers to treat cows' teats so it's safe from chemicals and perfect for dry skin anywhere.  ***  our big winter storm resulted in 0.6" of snow but now very cold and windy...watching live feed from new england and the wallop of a blizzard up there...thankful my family members are safe and warm "til the storm passes by".....

monday report

winter drags on and even tho temps modulated some yesterday, easy for boredom to become status quo...hoping this is the LAST pandemic winter---so how did i keep occupied?  while cutting s'mores blocks, the pile of repros loomed large, sooo....

cut some of these large, elongated triangles for a scrappy top....will donate or maybe sell, if i can, but no plans to add this to the UFO pile, just to use up some of the excess.  had seen this done in greens/neutrals and it was quite appealing...

and on the dueling hobbies front, cross-stitch has made a return in a small, controlled way.  inbetween machine sewing and hand quilting, have picked this up again...started a needlecase from this small sampler....

before starting, finished my pinkeep....

unlike quilty projects, goal is to FINISH one thing before doing another....have downloaded a few free patterns from the web and dear daughter gifted me some aida for christmas....no big, complicated samplers, just small, easily finished things are planned. 

and a bit of baking was done....batch of cookies and these yummy oatmeal rolls....

i never met a carbohydrate i didn't enjoy and fresh, artisan bread tops the list...commerical types are way too salty--extends shelf life of course--so pull out some tried and true recipes and make my own.  these are ideal with a cup of hot, homemade soup or for a slider with soup...or by themselves as i can attest...LOL!  

no appointments or fun things planned so it'll be another needlework-heavy week and just maybe the week the vacuuming gets done!
 

wacky winter weather

first snow, then rain...no, first rain, then snow, warm then cold, then colder...confusing!  thankfully sewing works in all weather...so what have I been doing?  i did wash 2 small floors first, then hit the machine for more s'mores....and progress on the flimsy...

see that lightest block on the right?  it's going....too light for overall plan....but as you can see, plenty to take its place...they really do sew up pretty fast...helps to have lots of stash choices for variety.  speaking of stash, in the interest of full disclosure, have to show 2 more photos to be added to the shelf stuff...the repro stash i'm working from and the oversize shoebox of all my plaids....out of sight, out of mind doncha know....

there is at least one more plaid WHIMM (Work Hidden In My Mind) but might have to stretch that to 2-3 given the size of the pile....and in addition to s'mores, got my january mini top all done, ready to baste and quilt.  came across this small piece just right for the back....

can't recall that I ever made anything requiring pig fabric in my 43 years of quilting so safe to use up for a back.  stashbusting continues slow and steady, a few pieces at a time, that'll hopefully add up to big numbers by year's end...with only one FART (Fabric Acquiring Road Trip) planned for April, counting on more shelf space to come.   and since starting this post, the SUN has come out....wacky indeed!

next in line

the UFO train rolls along....next up is getting this project to a flimsy...it's the jo morton "s'mores" pattern and another repro throw size to which i might add a few rows in order for bed use, we'll see. 

oh i love to play in the repro stash!  and here is the very start....

after a few hours' sewing, the backside needed a change of venue....hopped over to the shelf stash to finish the new year tidy up....

and this, quilty peeps, is the (nearly) total accumulation of workable stash...not included are my kaffe fassetts, a pile's worth.  the tote contains (almost) suitable backings and large--meaning 1 yard or more--of pieces that were previously on the bottom shelf...a few are funky prints i pulled out for monthly mini backings...even tho a few pieces were flung to the thrift, it is obvious that busting is happening!  the wall can be seen in a few places...this is good news indeed.  the shoeboxes on the left side are tans, greens and reds, 3 of each.  so no time to slack off whatsoever!  full disclosure, there are 6 shoeboxes elsewhere with precuts.

and just when my mojo is at full throttle, a stormy weekend!  how great is that?  plenty of meals in the freezer and with one two three new projects calling me, no time to waste.  quick trip for pepsi and let's sew!

first finish!

 january half over and already a finish....i am on a mission!  

a small piece about 28" square but i love it!  found the inspiration from this book by betsy chutchian...

this is the 2nd project i've done from this book and quite sure there will be more to come....if you are a repro lover, you gotta get this one.  ***  and a finish means an open slot for something new....

from a recent 'quiltmania' this tantalizing quilt designed by france aubert....i love the blues/pinks but had some tuscan-inspired prints waiting to be used so will cross the border into italy for this one.  and it, too, will be smaller than pictured.  have opted for 9 blocks rather than the 16 for two reasons....1) the 16-block is a funky size, not quite bed size but bigger than wall and 2) not enough tuscan-feel prints on hand and don't want to buy more.  ***  i may cave for some of this tho....

not available until early summer but pretty tempting.   ***  then there is this possible in my future...

may get started later this year and those 'nantucket summer' prints would work in nicely....until then my dance card quilty plate is adequately full.  that takes care of 2022...LOL!

a winter monday

winter has arrived along with about 4" of snow....light and fluffy that blows off surfaces....very good!  a busy week planned with tree deconstructing and some detritus flinging.  lots of sewing got done that i can't show yet but here is what's in the hoop....

the "stars in a time warp" circa 2015 i believe....another repro bed size quilt....it was a barbara brackman sew along and finally getting quilted.  **** this next project is a wrap

it's the last 2 blocks of the 'civil war diary' book that i'll ever sew....i've a fair amount done and plan to finish them potholder style and maybe make a few smaller pieces rather than all in one...not sure yet.  

hoping the new year sorts out my facebook account, brings me continued health and gives covid the heave-ho.  plenty of sewing lined up of course.  got my april maine trip all scheduled and this time hoping for no broken bones on my return...at least that's the plan...LOL

back in the groove....

Covid continues to wax and wane, normal life resumes after holidays and winter finally arrives!  we are under a weather advisory, 2-4" of snow....which makes this new england gal roll her eyes and chuckle.  another day with no specific plans other than the usual...here is my final report from magic week and the weekend....

finished the tree runner fashioned from leftover blocks...this is done and will get packed up with christmas stuff whenever that happens....also done is this...

some time this week a pinkeep will emerge....a zoom visit with like-minded sewists resulted in more of these finished...7 done and 9 to go...

and (drum roll please).....finished 2 blocks of the civil war diary book....

this is work as i am no longer enamored with this project, but i shall persevere and arrive at surrender...tried several methods to streamline these blocks but failed, so will soldier on....fabrics and pattern pulled for january mini, a new project started for a gift, list made of a few things i'd like to do this year....and this is the 2022 motto....

January OMG

in the Peanuts strip, Charlie Brown wishes Lucy a happy new year...she yells at him, "I'm not done with the old one yet!"...2021 did have its challenges for sure, but starting a new year with a fresh outlook and new hopes might be just the ticket for us, the Covid-weary....a quick post to list my January OMG...it is the long-languishing civil war diary quilt....this is THE month i decide-intend-plan to finish the blocks!  it's been patiently waiting for its turn and i am more than anxious to see this one off my quilty plate.  

you can see the foundation pieces sticking out from every block still to make...i think there are about 35....so a hefty task for one month but once begun is soon done!  i'm linking up with patty over at elm street quilts to make it all legal....

welcome 2022!

 

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many blessings came my way in 2021 and have many hopes for this year--good health, good friends, safety and prosperity for me and my loved ones, happiness for all, maybe some dreams fulfilled...planning on more sewing, more exercise, more good reads and always God's loving care and protection. unfortunately the COVID train barrels on and our county is again on mask mandate for all indoor public spaces...isolated life continues, but could be much worse...sending wishes for healthy, happy, joyful new year....we could even tolerate a bit of snow...LOL! 

december mini

here is december's mini....linking up with wendy so be sure and check out the other mini links she has posted...

only about 17" square, it's about as mini as i ever make....love the blue/white....so crisp looking and very wintry, even tho we have no snow and not even cold winter temps.  

it's already thursday so only 2 more days in magic week...this morning listed projects i'd like to do in 2022...have pulled some floss for a couple of cross-stitch tasks, planned out a quilt for next christmas giving, pulled fabrics and book for january mini leaving only laundry and a quick grocery trip.  my new year's wish is for covid to disappear entirely....sigh....