machinus interruptus

 was sewing merrily along sunday when whoops!  this happened to miss sunny!

immediately surfed over to youtube to see the how-to of replacing it...which i did find, but a bit hesitant to tackle so may have to call on repair guy....it's an inexpensive fix but with the budget on life support, there'll be some very creative juggling.  in the meantime, phoebe featherweight has been called in for duty.  fortunately, plenty of other tasks to satisfy the mojo....like this

tuscan starburst getting closer to flimsy....working on the last block now, the red, and then rummage the stash to see if there's an ok setting fabric.  i did find one i like but a bit more looking just to make sure.  

then there's prepping for these blocks...

senior center is making a quilt for the local hospital to raffle at their anniversary celebration.  i've 5 blocks to make using blue fabrics...another opportunity to bust some stash.  

finally, a UFO is needing binding so more stash diving and found this, another pretty that's been ignored but no longer....

the spectrum top will be finished once phoebe is in the house--need to pick up at daughter's--a good feeling indeed.  did manage to bust all the 1.5" and 2.5" squares in the baggie that had been cut eons ago; now left with 1.5" and 2.5" strips that are quite user friendly.  

it's a hot day so inside tasks on the to-do list...plenty of scraps to cut, DAR member training videos to tackle, a custard pie to make.  the annual DAR convention later this week will be live streamed, so more hand work on tap.  thankfully the apartment is low maintenance as I try very hard to be.  a few medical visits still scheduled but winding down.  the leg?  wound care nurse working wonders, but the pesky thing is still draining and there is still a pinhole opening stubborn to heal.  every week it gets wrapped tighter.  at least walking improved and gym on the horizon.  slowly feeling more settled and knowing my way around more, but hasn't quelled the homesickness always under the surface.  will soldier on doing my best to fit in and feel at home--for now. 

remembering Dad...

here's my Dad at Cape Canaveral on a trip with the Civil Air Patrol, 1960s i guess...no doubt he had a terrific time--in his heart he was always a pilot...I wish i had understood him better when he was alive. Gone now 21 years...does it even seem possible?  so many changes in our family...still loved and missed.  he may be gone but left us such pearls of wisdom like "it isn't the car, it's the nut behind the wheel"....and lots more like that.   😄 ***

and this is finally done....re-stitched the offending parts EXCEPT the pesky dogwood but it's our secret, ok?

and a surprise arrived friday....a housewarming gift from a fellow quilter AKA fabric-holic!  the very best kind of gift for sure...certainly warmed MY heart!

right away--like a true addict--had to fondle and sort.  this isn't all...there was a large baggie of small scraps that immediately got sorted into strips and squares with some being used into a current project.  some vintage prints and lots of reproductions...and then a couple of works that got started but never finished by anonymous quilter...now to find space on the shelf for the goodies!

temps and humidity ramping up so there'll be more hovering near the A/C from now on. makes pesky medical appointments even worse...three of them last week, two this and one already scheduled for the week after that.  the leg is finally showing big improvement--numbness and swelling significantly reduced.  the end in sight?  just maybe....now to shut windows and turn on the cooooool! 

tuesday talk

monday somehow got away from me so first weekly post today!  wound care nurse has me elevating leg 4x per day for one hour, which seems a time eater but trusting good for leg.  have to say it feels less swollen and more flex, so she could be right...lol!  big reveal at thursday follow up.  *** so how have I been keeping occupied?  trying to finish this....

in fact, did get it finished when spied a counting error...numbers you know!!!  snipped out the offending area, except for that dogwood blossom....i hate doing those--it is one stitch too high but it stays.  not much re-stitching to do, tho.  

also working on that 'spectrum' pattern UFO.  with pieced blocks done, working on alternate squares and getting rows together....a bit time consuming to pull fabrics, cut squares and re-shelve but no rush to finish.  miss sunny is purring along after a serious oiling...

then pulled fabrics for penn dutch applique wall quilt....

so thankful to have a healthy stash....keeps me out of stores and off line where temptation is always too much to resist.  gives me hope that i just might actually use it all up before my sewing days end...

yearly apartment inspection was done, so the space is spic'n'span, which should do for the summer.  i never want anyone to say i was an excellent housekeeper, hoping to spend my earth days here on in doing things i enjoy and not in mundane tasks.  temps are ramping up, so indoor fun plans in full swing....have a blessed day!

midweek notes

nice weather here before the hots arrive, probably later this month.  inching closer to july, maryland's historical hottest month.  puttering and fine tuning the new space, still some things need to go up--living room curtains, wall quilts.  slowly learning my way around and feeling settled, means a return to fitness and needlework pursuits.  more progress on this block project with all pieced blocks just about done...

i've a patchwork assembly line going on here with good result....

as you can see, the muslin strips and squares previously cut have whittled down but many left, so while i sew, thinking about what to do with them.  strips ideal for log cabin and squares for foursies--shoeboxes contain precuts ready for action.  and what's this?  another find during the move?  indeed it is...

early in my quilt life, i swooned over applique....didn't do much as the skill just wasn't there, but didn't prevent me from taking endless snaps at shows and buying patterns....this is one.  it was immediate swoon, very traditional and figured do-able with only four blocks--apparently not!  i have decided now is the time.  skills have improved and it still speaks to me.  this will be one of the few new starts for me this year...and speaking of year....

if you can't see it, it's 1981.....yes 42 years ago....so it's time has definitely arrived.  fabrics will be pulled this week.  and last, with hot weather on the horizon, it's always a good time for this...

processing scraps before they rival the matterhorn....

all this is keeping my mind off the continuing leg saga...a wound clinic appointment is set.  it definitely does NOT like the stationary bike but after the pain subsides, it seems to improve a bit.  other hematomas are yet to dissolve, safe to say i won't ever be taking coumadin again.  *** thankful my challenges are only annoying, keeping in mind and prayers those who suffer much worse.  as always, a day filled with blessings and the continuing care of my loving God. 

friday sewing

after getting one complete row and several blocks finished, i totally recall why i hung onto this pattern and the scads of units prepped for 'someday'.  with plenty of repro fabrics on hand, this will be a top to hopefully sell and will help to bust the stash, win/win.  have 2 other scrappy tops in the works getting assembled from precuts shoeboxes.  a basting day is also on the schedule at some point. 

note to self:  lengthen the design wall before proceeding much further on this!  i have the other half of the king size flannel sheet that usually doubles as a picnic tablecloth, but it'll undergo a slight reduction!  in addition to machine fun, i've also been quilting 'midnight' with the center medallion nearly done.  

90 degrees has arrived today but only briefly, a harbinger of the future no doubt.  outside of pesky medical appointments, won't be doing much exploring.  good news tho, boy surgeon has cleared me for regular exercise again--after 10 weeks off it'll take a month or so to regain lost endurance and momentum.  leg regaining shape but further tests ordered to answer a few questions that linger.  

library card getting regular use and mostly i read whodunit type of mysteries, but a recent spooky dream sent me to something lighter for a change.

normally i don't read romance types, but the left-side book blurb calls it funny and a fast read, which it is.  a bit predictable but definitely light fare.  the other book is one of jk rowling's mysteries--1000 pages' worth--that hasn't yet grabbed me but i keep reading hoping it does.  concerns internet gaming inventors, one of whom has been killed, and the game characters and groupies.  i like the detective and his cohorts, and as long as JKR doesn't venture further into her harry potter-type fantasy mode i'll continue, but may abandon at some point.  *** that's all for now....

love from oz!

nothing like a mailbox surprise to perk up your day....this one came with plenty of warm fuzzies all the way from down under!

some of the AUS/NZ gals had their retreat earlier this year....known as the scrub stitchers, they gather each year to sew, laugh and shop!  this year a few of the zoom gals from US, Canada and Europe made the trek....and i got to join in vicariously.  they included me by sending along this--an official scrub stitchers project designed by their pal anni downs and her stitchery/quilting shop "hatched and patched".   the little fridge magnets were made by sylvia, another zoomer.  so happiness is not always a warm puppy....sometimes it's a kindness by friends far away.  

and speaking of zooming....last night was a special anniversary night and was finally free to join in...

different time zones mean many to join in at various times....i can always start in but cave before the session is over.  was very nice to catch up and see what others are doing...always inspires me.  i cut out a stack of the "spectrum" blocks for sewing today.

earlier dear daughter came to visit with her 2-step stepstool and did this for me...

got all the quilts neatly stacked on the closet shelf....no longer piled on floor, making apartment looking bigger all the time...she also took home some wall quilts for her own use and for gifts.  the last of the tomato plants went with her as well.  the only pile left is things that are basted and to be basted.  i'm keeping those in plain sight for motivation...LOL!

memorial day weekend...no big plans at all...huge car repair sucked up all my fun funds, but might get to venture to the shore, one of my definite happy places and always free! 

Midnight!

 

Finally MATO's turn in the hoop.....I've a great wall place for this as soon as it's done....

Ortho visit next week and hoping I'll be cleared to exercise again...

Farmer's markets in full swing so plenty of local veggies now available...makes me happy!

Short post just to show the progress....no plans for holiday but might venture to the shore, always one of my happy places!

block progress

now that things are calming down, have finally been able to grab some sewing time and these got done lickety split!  

had pulled out some 2.5" strips to whip these up...so handy to have those precuts on hand!  today is another sewing day for me.  breathing room from all the chaos and challenges sorely needed.

and i guess it's official now.....this has been hung up in my hallway as you enter the apartment.

new complex kinder and gentler than the last with no offending behaviors.  the other residents are quite friendly but not in your face, and the location is proving to be extremely convenient to many usual places. *** yesterday was initial visit with new PCP, a geriatric specialist, young, vibrant, funny and a native from Massachusetts...just perfect--a true divine find!  so the day is mine and it's a beauty too..75 degrees...with only a nurse visit on tap.  thank you God for this much-needed oasis!

it's moda love!

does not seem possible just about a week since last post.  i've been busy i think....but finally sat down for some sew time.  it's moda love wall quilt!

just sew rows together and it's a flimsy....late to the party as my zoom peeps in the southern hemisphere made theirs a couple of weeks ago at retreat.  oh well, better late than never.  pulled a couple of kaffe prints that caught my eye and here it is.  you know i like color and kaffe prints never, ever disappoint.  

and the peril most quilters face when moving didn't miss me.  way in a deep, dark place was this not-quite UFO....i say not quite since i made only one block for a tryout but i did cut a gazillion pieces for it.  it whispered to me now and then but now frugality demands that i move it to the official UFO pile and at least get it to flimsy stage.

if you zoom in on the date, you'll see 2011...12 years ago, so yes it is time.  

it's scrappy repro of course...so plenty of stash on hand.  blocks finish at 6"....

sweet 100s are just about ready for outdoor planting.  it's been cooler than normal here but i think next week is the change for more warmth, 75-80 every single day.  

so settled yet?   ha!  still trying to establish daily routine and have it feel normal.  missing my regular gym time big time, still on hold due to leg.  new wrinkle is that swelling receding steadily due to constant draining with extra bandage changes.  it's also more painful as muscles and nerves come back to life.  car on sick list as well, so off to repair next week, an added detour.  and a couple of days just rested with a book to recover and recharge.  it keeps me going but a real vacation is sorely needed, along with some TLC from my family. 

for sale

time to pare down the nearly toppling stack of small quilted pieces...starting off with this.  

this is a hand pieced and hand quilted item.  colors chosen for a challenge on state flag...these colors are from the Louisiana flag.  as a caveat, i do wash my fabrics before using them but would recommend a color catcher for future washings, especially as it's red.  i do not machine dry my pieces, not even bed size quilts.  i am asking $45 which includes shipping.  if you are interested, please email me.  

mother's day eve and i've no plans at all except to chill out.  hoping to sew some and catch up on a few household chores.  it's a rainy day so good mystery on tap as well.  

and in the "my 2 cents" department, I believe Daniel Perry should be absolved of any wrongdoing in the subway man's death.  This was a mentally ill man creating a disturbance and threatening behavior who had to be subdued by 3 people, not just Perry.  I've been on the subway with scary people and it is just that--scary.  A confined space, a loose cannon...anything can happen.