challenge wrapup

been a busy sewing bee this month keeping up with sew alongs and the chookshed challenge.  plenty of solid scraps were sewn up and half of my drawer was busted.  here is the result.

satisfied with the progress but dismayed at the time it took to make just these.  i am one with lots of free time and sew nearly every day, but doesn't seem like enough to make better progress.  so, have decided to drop the mini 9-patch sew along.  with no real project for them, and unable to sell hardly any of my finished things, seemed pointless to create more.  i'll finish up the ones i've made and concentrate on my UFOs and a couple of projects on my someday list.  i know my one daughter agrees, since she likely will be the one to dispose of my stuff.  

wednesday, hump day, sewing day!

richly blessed

that would be me and my siblings....today we celebrate our dear mother's 97th birthday....

still thriving, mentally alert and living independently....she wouldn't have it any other way nor would we, and apparently God agrees.  so very thankful to Him for blessing her and us.  happy birthday dearest mum...and many more!

thursday quickie

sun shiny here and to-do list nudging me, so short post.  continuing with the mini 9-patch sew along with this week's finishes....

all around blogland decisions about background being made, so on my mind as well.  most of my stash is FQ and half yards, so for a big quilt a purchase would be required.  but with so much fabric on hand already, wanted to use what i already have if possible.  considered potholder method, a fave of quilty peep wendy, but preferred larger size finish if possible.  and what should my wandering eyes spy?  

the solution!  a wee quilt, gifted by peep janet when i moved to maryland.  she is the diva of tiny blocks if you recall.   ticks all my boxes--larger than potholder size, requires small pieces of fabric resulting in fairly quick finish that could be machine quilted or not, and features so many of my pretty fabrics waiting to be used.  aahhh...dilemma no more.  

now back to the to-do list--have a blessed quilty thursday!

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!