the right method

 tackled the strippy stocking border and worked well....and it's done.

so thanks again to the very generous quilter who sent me the scraps....next?

while the walking foot was on the machine, quilted this little placemat, again from gifted scraps.  this finishes the stack i received...had just the right backing and binding in the stash.

progress on 'midnight' moving along and should pick up now that i've finished quilting those teeny churn dash blocks...the quilting isn't perfect because so many seams in such a small area, but should keep it from sagging when hung....if it does actually get hung up.  it's pretty large but not bed size so thinking of other ways to display.  

after gym today, plan to baste the nativity and the amish buggy wheels wall quilt, plus finish the top of 'advent sky'.  i could wash floors but that doesn't appeal to me.  

clara klutz lives here...while sewing/ironing, foot caught in cord and iron fell off board and onto my ankle.  it was off thankfully and avoided serious damage, but foot now black/blue, swollen and pretty sore. 

pretty melancholy since housing problems have once again erupted.  honestly, i don't do anything but mind my business, don't gossip, be pleasant to all...but the housing hellion seems to follow me and create disaster and ruin everything.  i am devastated as i truly felt quite content but no more.  fervently praying God will sort out sooner rather than later.  the sun is out and gym will lift my mood....if not there's always sugar....LOL

disappearing week

where did it go?  probably disappeared with quite a few events for a change. friday was vaccine day, one in each arm....bad idea as i ended up with TWO sore arms.  didn't get sick per se but a bit draggy and mild tummy upset. 

 we had warm temps so christmas sewing was a distant plan, but did manage to make some progress.

advent sky ready to assemble....close up of the fussy cut angels from a small piece that is now totally busted!  might call it heavenly hosts, not sure yet.  brings to mind the story of the angels singing the night of Christ's birth.  

and the gifted scraps?

got this far and ran into small snag on the binding....plan B in the works and should finish today.  the walking foot is the best tool for this, i'm thinking.  all scraps used except for some strips of the snowmen.  when i saw the diagonal stripe piece i knew just what to make.  these strippy stockings are really fun...i've made lots in many different fabric styles. 

cooler has arrived so cooked up a big kettle of beef veg & barley soup, some for now and for freezer.  winter quilts came out and clothes swap this week probably.   

couple of discouraging events here at the new digs....the bloom is off the rose so to speak....if i absolutely had to move again, it would be to a tent out in the middle of the woods or desert island...hermit lifestyle should be safe enough i would think....sigh

it's come to this...

have had to add moderation to all comments....weird people commenting who are apparently on google but no information as to who they actually are....

finish #9...

and no love potion required!  nine finishes so far this year, on track to knock off 3 more before 2024 i hope...curtailing new starts has aided the whittling of my UFO list.  

a certain someone sent me a squishie this week....some cute snowmen and pastel prints that i just knew would be fun to use...plan in place...watch this space!

 

chilly temps mean fall baking is back....larder not quite bare but a loaf of home-made bread is always welcome....oatmeal.

the best of all months starts sunday!  cooler temps are here--out come flannels, fleece pants, sweatshirts and sweaters.  maybe a few more days for shorts but soon they'll get packed away.  *** happy to say hip/knee now all better...TLC and exercise have put it right.  *** farmer's markets winding down, which i'll miss terribly.  *** sewing mojo full throttle and gift ideas in the works.  ***  exercise routine back on track and the best of all tonics!   thankful for so many blessings....

Thanks ophelia...

Still in town today so live streaming church....it is simply awful outside....But my saturday was just the boost needed to get this done...

Now to baste and quilt....61 days to december 1st!  The colors in the photo are much brighter than in person...and oh those sheep legs!  Thank goodness it's folk art...😉

waiting out ophelia

a week since i posted last?  day after my return chaotic as my car was relieved of its nearly-new battery.  seems i had forgotten to lock it and after trying 2 other cars, the thieves tried mine and met with success.  then GEICO's tow company subcontracted a doofus of a tow truck driver and between helping him PUSH my car out of its spot and trying to climb INTO the tow truck, wrenched my left knee and hip that i've been coddling ever since.  nothing broken, most likely soft tissue sprain but nuisance regardless.  and sewing?  after restocking larder, doing laundry and de-stressing, have returned to soothing pastime. 

first, assembled the little drawstring bag from a kit that chooky sent me all the way from Oz!  so cute yes?

then the solids sirens lured me and finished this wall quilt into a flimsy...

and caved on yet another cross-stitch pattern...i am a pushover for christmas doncha know!

got mine on Etsy but also available at Fat Quarter Shop. 
 

today's task is to finish those itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny legs on the sheep for the nativity top.  all necessary errands before storm got done and aside from missing family, suffering seafood withdrawal and the $220 battery fiasco, all is well in now-cool and very wet maryland! 

From Fall to Summer...

new header photo is Pemaquid Lighthouse, now getting walloped by Hurricane Lee.  Left Maine beach feeling quite autumnal back to summer-like Maryland weather.  was a grand vacay with my family and chowing down oodles of seafood. after a horrific first day where my car was violated and battery stolen, am slowly re-acclimating to maryland life and home.  finally sat down at machine last night for a brief sewing escape....

another wedding quilt twosie....going to assemble the squares in twos and then find a very big table to lay it out....probably at the library as i don't have that much space here in the apartment....

more on the amish buggy wheels....only 4 more arcs to sew and will have all i need....did i bust some solids scraps?  sure but impossible to see the void...

and what i hope to be the last in process photo of the jan patek nativity wall quilt....my shepherds look pretty good eh?  just finish up the last king and the little legs on the sheep and it'll be ready to flimsify....meaning put the top together.  this WILL be a finish for this Christmas for sure i'm thinking...

this week something doing sunday thru thursday for a change, usually have days with nothing to do plus back to gym monday.  when arriving home daughter presented me with birthday gifts....money to fix the belt on the Singer and this...

so the truth is revealed....i'm a 'sewciopath'.....LOL!  (PS she's a psych nurse so she knows!)

ERRATA:  Actually header is photo of Nubble Light in York, Maine, in autumn...

Packing up

One last seafood meal, one last ocean vista, a last hug from mom (til november!) and 2023 beach trip filed away...and sewing goals?

My 3 kings block almost done....

And just to make sure i didn't run out of things to do, picked up internet pattern, floss and fabric for a christmas gift...

Today is day 2 of inclement weather so no lounging under outside umbrella to avoid sun...a great place to stitch!

And yes that is the ocean in the distance, a short 5 minute walk to sand and surf!

A finish

 

Blues and bricks got finished just before vacation departure so I could relax and this place was just that...relaxing!

Damariscotta lake state park....had a lovely picnic and after some homemade ice cream...

Small town Maine at its finest ....

And while at the beach snapped this of my dear mom....

Hard to believe she's 96....and yes that is her natural hair color!

Sewing 1-2-3

No Wi-Fi until now to blog....arrived at beach...hot day for Maine 85ish and humid....Good vacation week weather predicted....been keeping busy with portable project.

One:   stitchery for my gifted kit from Aussie pal chooky....

Drawstring bag to be assembled later....cute huh?

Two:  progress on the Jan Patel nativity squares....

Angel #2 and the  shepherds ready to add....the 3 kings block is next and last!

Three:  one 'Alaska' kit came to Maine and 3 blocks hand pieced and done...

Aside from sewing, visiting with family and collecting hugs and kisses from my mom.  Weather sunny and 70s until today so we lounged on her back deck....

and are these not the biggest nasturtiums you ever saw???

typing on tablet so forgive glitches...now to mosey on down to seaside!