a sprinter day

day starts out like winter--cold and clear--and by afternoon turns to spring--sunny and warmer.  the PA rodent never said anything about this...lol!  real spring can't come soon enough...after a challenging week hoping the next is better.  but i have been sewing...

more strip blocks in progress.  i pulled all the solid 1.5" strips and cut more for them.

remains to be seen how many blocks i finally get but no fear, plenty more solids for more strips.   i pulled out the shelf solids and culled small pieces and added them to the drawer.  still plenty of room for more but at least not jammed anymore.

and it was inevitable, you probably know that.  once i got my hands on the blue and white book i caved.  actually went back to my traditional roots.  the album block is one i've always been drawn to and it WAS on my someday list.  lots of good blues on hand and plenty of muslin scraps too.  already envisioning hand quilting this....

simply gotta do some household stuff this week and cardio cooking of course.  it's a lazy day to do whatever comes to mind.  already got in 2 hours of sewing.  gave miss phoebe a clean and oiling as she has been working very hard.  we both need to chill out!

wednesday report

avoided all mention of football on sunday and only heard the dreaded T word once.  after church services, spent the day with miss phoebe and solids sewing.  there was, however, pizza!  

though i live near a gazillion pizza places, low salt means i still have to make my own, but it is good.  no pepperoni but hey, cardiac nurse says nobody should eat it! 

 

so what got sewn? this is now a flimsy...

more strippy blocks....

aside from a smallish pile on the desk for more strippy blocks, this is the current state of the elfa drawer....

so pretty good progress on busting the solids scraps....after finishing the current blocks, calling it quits for now.  

and on monday, more mini 9-patches got sewn...

oh yeah, it's valentine's day....a hallmark holiday as my ex used to say...but then, he was no valentine anyway...LOL!  i don't know much about Hallmark love, but i do know the love my Savior has for me, my family's love and vice versa--more than enough for my life.  

no football here...

and at all costs avoiding hearing the T word as well...i'm saturated with all things football...a big waste of money but then my priorities are way different than the NFL.  sewing happening here of course!  more than a hobby it is a solace, a happy place, a sanctuary,  a creative outlet and more.  

had a pattern paper lying on the table so decided to make it....

and this...

and these...

the elfa drawer is about 1/3 empty as of today.  continuing quilting on s'mores too, and half my cats have their sunglasses appliqued, so on target with that project.  and tomorrow is mini 9-patch monday!

it's coming time to go thru the stash shelves again for tidying, pull out pieces that are destined for the scrap basket and take stock.  do this 2-3x per year to see how my stashbusting is progressing.  

not much new here on the western shore....more PT this week, other usual tasks.  it's sprinter here--half spring days, half winter days, AKA the blah season.  as i told someone recently, retirement is boring after having worked interesting jobs.  becoming adept on 'the price is right' was never on my bucket list....lol!  still thankful and blessed tho and hope you are too.  

got cats?

indeed i do!  working on my blocks for the corinne et cecile sew along...first block is done....once all are finished can assemble top, baste and quilt!  may deadline... 

and playing in the scraps is dangerous!  have cut pieces for yet another project, small one, won't bust much but every bit supports emptying the drawer...

love my local library!  picked up these two goodies today for nighttime read and daytime play.  the blue stash is overflowing and itching to start one of these, but not just yet!

we are fortunate to have library of congress as one of our resources...this book didn't come from there but have gotten loaners from there before.  

it's been in the 40s here this week with plenty of sunshine for a change.  my maine relatives would LOVE to have 40s, but i am finding it too cold for me....i must be a real southerner now as i'm dreaming for the 80s and shorts every day!

Monday's top ten

first thing--well, after breakfast--sat down at miss phoebe to sew up this week's ten 9-patch blocks.  here they are, all from scraps.  total of 50 so far!

this weekend pulled out this gray/beige solid to add to these blocks.  i think it's called 'oyster' by kona cotton.  a warmer tone than plain gray as i tried both.  shopping the stash?  priceless!

remember that small stack of twosies and 9-patch blocks?  here they are, now all assembled into blocks ready to finish off.  i have backgrounds and a setting in mind, on the list.

there were some tropical color inchies but not enough to use for anything, so whipped up a potholder.  the binding is dodgy as miss phoebe never did learn how to zig-zag and miss sunny is still without her belt.  the great thing is when the holder gets really grungy, i just toss and make another.  i do like those very bright colors.  

another plan for the solids is also on the list.  can i empty the drawer in february?  won't be for lack of trying.  

today picked up backing for liberty road, so have to book space at library sometime this month to baste.  this week plan to start the wheelchair quilts, maybe have tops done by friday.  two PT sessions, a med appt, bible study all on the schedule, enough to keep me from getting melancholy, plus mr. sunshine every day for a change a big help!

Step 1...

Admit i am powerless over scraps....LOL

this is an inspiration picture pulled out of a magazine who knows when, but i've always liked it...could work well with my current solids pile...

when tidying up the drawer, this is what i found....a small stack of already-sewn 9-patches, some twosies, and a stack of 2" squares....these are getting busted first.

a little neater now, found some tan triangles to repurpose, idea formulating...plus the remaining already cut pieces, some 2" and 1.5" strips, few 2.5" squares.....the 2 small stacks in the front are bona fide scraps, ready for a purpose.  not as many as first thought so perhaps the stash will have to be raided...a good thing!

here are the 2" squares sewn into foursies, every last one!

some background squares and triangles, baste and machine quilt...flannel to use as batt and done!  i am on a roll with this challenge!  

at senior center friday picked up some panels and coordinating fabrics--we're making wheelchair quilts for vets at walter reed.  i am so humbled to do whatever i can for these brave, patriotic people.  my own ancestry includes many of the same who selflessly served our country, and our freedoms are no less at stake now.  

weather word is a sunny, spring-like week here....thank you phil!  

thinking phil's ex is not too objective and perhaps a teeny vindictive?  ***  did visit gym saturday and managed to get in my 30 min.  two hours of PT and one gym visit equal 150 minutes...that should keep the AHA happy.  a blessed sunday to all!

february challenge project

 deana has pulled february's task number and mine is.....

2.  make something out of the solids drawer....have various precut sizes and they have reached jam packed stage, so it's time

already a head start with little 9-patch blocks made last week....will pull out the drawer and sort out the sizes and make more, maybe other blocks as well.  i know there are some 2" squares in there and lots of 1.5" strips.  some gray solid left over from 'liberty road' to toss into the mix.  pickle dish pattern has been on my someday list, so maybe a wall quilt in solids?  stay tuned....

these blocks have been seen around blogland recently, called by some as 'switchplate' and some are made with 2.5" strips.  in the interest of scrap busting, thought i'd try out a few for a possible donation top.  

block finishes at 6x10 and they do sew up quick especially if strips already cut.  my stash of 2.5" strips might be somewhat lacking in pieces long enough for a block, but busting even 1/3 or 1/2 of what's in the tote will be big progress.  should be enough for a decent size top.  

as you can see, that's sunshine coming in the window.  hard to believe as it's been one long very gray and dreary winter of 2 months.  more sunny days promised after another gray tomorrow.  over the weekend will be easing back into regular gym visits after a too-long hiatus.  a cold morning, meaning 30s, but harbinger of spring in the air, and that's always good!

2024 marches on

almost february?  indeed!  time to rough out a sewing plan for this short month.  

the non-wedding quilt (hereafter called liberty road) will be basted!  was gifted this awesome batt for it, now to get the backing (payday), get it washed and reserve time at the library meeting room.  

also on the february list is the chookshed stitchers challenge...

deana will select next challenge list item on thursday...happy to say met january challenge of the blue circles--all appliqued now and ideas for next border(s) sorta planned.  finishing this tree of life in 2024 would be grand.  

also on the list is to move the kitty wall quilt along.  the top is ready to assemble and then details will be added.  timetable for a may finish and in good shape for that.

mini repro 9-patches on for tomorrow.  4 february mondays equals 40 more little blocks.  prepping for another project today left me with a small piece of black solid....idea!  solid minis with black centers...whipped these up to see the result...when the solids drawer gets tackled, will definitely make more.  perhaps an amish style double 9-patch quilt ahead?

another gift this week--from the county--a new chromebook OS.  poverty has its perks now and then....

weekend again wet, windy and wild but sun back tomorrow.  monday's list quick checkup with ortho about hip and hopeful clearance back to gym visits.  january has not been the kindest month with winter doldrums hanging on, but still many blessings and more fortunate than many.  

Newest batch

 

monday mini sewing resulted in completion of these....11 more little 9-patch blocks...they sew up so quickly....working from this pile of repro scraps that i set aside for a scrappy broken dishes top.  

don't they look cute?  i might not make the entire 480 as the pattern given was for smaller blocks....my chunky fingers can't do smaller than these...would not be fun at all.  

quilting on s'mores continues.  using a light brown thread on this, a 30 wt.  i prefer a 

28 wt but this was on hand.  it's all about shopping the stash, you know.  

sidelined a bit this week with an annoying hip issue...not the titanium one!  although i've gotten good healthcare, it seems the harder i work to remain mobile, the less i actually am.  modified PT continues but i miss my gym workouts.  wait, did i actually say that?  yes, it was me.  i believe the hip is a longstanding issue related to a botched surgery in maine in 2010, but you know how doctors hate it when you tell them what's wrong, especially if it's against another doctor.  they ignore me while the issue worsens until someday they will realize.  

anyway, winter is on the wane as temps rise and snow melts.  okay by me....

challenge update

my challenge project for january was these blue circles....

a snowy, drab day seemed perfect to tackle them....

happy to see them ready to applique down....altho i avoid adhesives, i did use a tiny dab of roxanne's fabric glue to hold them in place.  all the while, was pondering ideas for the gold border.  have a couple of choices, now to try them out and choose.  *** about 18 years ago  (that long??) took an applique class with karen kay buckley and got some great tips.  so pulled out my trusty cheat sheet and worked a bit'o'magic to ensure a good result....

a little paintbrush and perfect circles template were all the magic needed.  getting this done gave me enthusiasm to formulate a final design for this piece.  thinking one more border after the gold--not too big for a wall display.  

another very cold day here but warm is on the way...a week from today predicting 61 degrees!!!  i'll take that happily!