the sun never sets

forget about the british empire, it's just take 2 that seems to be with me ad infinitum.  almost ready to put the last block into the first section and get it off the design wall and i've got 5 done for the next.  not exactly where i'd hoped to be at this point with this project, but progress nonetheless.  also got some other sewing done this morning with ideas and projects galore, per usual.  **** and no, i haven't ventured out yet.  it's nearly 90 and going higher here, unusual for coastal maine.  we did get to the beach yesterday afternoon and had to leave because the wind was so strong and cool.  truly the dog days of summer and august isn't even here yet.  

almost....

all i have left is to reverse applique those 8 little diamonds, then square off the square and put the entire section together.  when i started this project in january, i wasn't working at all and had endless days to sew.  no doubt i wouldn't be so far behind if that was still the case, but no matter, i like my job a lot and for sure the paycheck is most welcome.  i still get to sew nearly every day if i want (except in beach weather of course), and so it is no big deal.  like all my projects, they get done eventually.  and after all, it's the process i enjoy most in addition to the end result. 

one is done

one down, 11 to go.  this measures about 3.75" across, so not THAT tiny but still small enough for a small quilt.  i just couldn't make them any smaller due to the, ahem, aforementioned fingers.  and i still find them boring to do, sorry but i do.  quite certain i could never make any bed size quilt with them, but i was entertaining the idea of a vintage-y christmas stocking....for someday maybe.  yesterday i also worked on the ocean waves units too.  **** the weather gods are smiling on us this week; warm, sunny, dry, perfect weather!  great for sleeping and just about anything else except singing in the rain!  and july nearly half over....how did that happen? 

kitting it up

remember me saying i am not a "red" person?  it is true for the most part but not when it comes to these delicious fabrics by kaffe fassett.  these are nickels i cut from my small stash for a project i'll be taking on retreat with me later this year.  last summer i volunteered to sit at a quilty booth at a fair and saw a display quilt made in these colors.  it was beautiful and so i started assembling some FQs for a project.  i don't have quite enough so a road trip is in the works.  and kaffe himself is coming to new england later this year.  it's out of my budget but would have been super to go.  fortunately i can get somewhat of a fix vicariously through his gorgeous fabrics. 

see any legs?

me either, yet i had 4 other pair of scissors that apparently did have legs.  a pair of paper scissors, a pair my mother gave me when i was 16, a tiny pair my daughter gave me a few years ago and a pair i just bought last week.  i've looked in all my kits and totes, the sewing desk, the sewing table, etc.  for some reason, when we go to the beach or shopping or wherever, meaning when nobody is at home (like today), things disappear.  could be somebody with a key, although the locks are not exactly fort knox quality.  these were scissors i never took out of the apartment for fear of losing them.  so who has a key?  management and maintenance and us, and who else?  not sure.  did i mention i despise this place, the neighbors, the staff?  yeah, i hate them all with a passion.  it wouldn't be the first landlord who has stolen from me, why i haven't a shred of a clue.  short of putting everything i own under lock and key when i go out, there is little i can do.  i hate to do that just for sheer principle.  they better watch out, God's vengeance is so much worse than mine. 

scrap housekeeping

i've been sewing and sewing leads too....scraps!  so a little housekeeping is in order.  must chop them up into usable pieces for future projects, some 2.5" squares, some 1.5" squares and some 1.5" strips.  the flower print is from my new pj shortie pants, can't have enough of those in the summer.  today it's back at the old viking for more work on the ocean waves.  and i've nearly finished the big applique block for the first JT2 section so now that i'm a full 3 months behind, i can start the next section.  **** got in a serious beach day yesterday and it couldn't have been more perfect.  not too hot, water warm for maine and a gentle breeze.  today it's cloudy and humid but hoping for more sunny days ahead.  clouds notwithstanding, it's a good day at the beach today also. 

i know, i know

teeny, tiny hexies are not my "thing" and i have thus far avoided this popular bandwagon but recently caved for my small quilt challenge group.  as you can see, i'm only making 12 little flowers for an october project.  i have definitely not been tempted by bonnie's gorgeous red/green project or anyone else's for that matter.  my chubby fingers do not lend themselves comfortably to working with such small pieces and i do find them, well, a bit boring.  regardless, it's a great portable project for the beach (today!) and at least i can say i tried them.  ****  aside from hexies, work is progressing on the last 2 blocks for JT2 first section, the amish ocean waves flimsy and the leaders/enders.

for phoebe

last time phoebe and i played together, i noticed she wasn't quite her usually perky self.  her lacquer was a bit dull and i think i know why.  i saw her glance over at the old viking looking a bit pea green with envy...it was the sewing pad with pockets, i'm sure of it.  so i pulled out some scraps and made phoebe a pad of her very own, a bright, cheery, cushy-for-the-tushy with pockets for all kinds of necessaries.  after it was done, it got folded and put into her case.  next time we play she will be sewing in style.  makes a mom feel good when her children are happy for sure, even her sewing machine offspring.  wonder if the little brother feels left out now? 

tax refund finish

the last tax refund purchase arrived yesterday.  clever hancock's, sent me a catalog and shortly thereafter a free shipping missive arrived at my inbox.  there was much more on my "want" list, but i opted out of all but these.  i have a wallhanging pattern that has been waiting on them, so now it can be started.  **** most of my tax refund went to paying for my vacation, some bills and a couple of needed things (suitcase, stainless flatware) and this gorgeous fabric.  each piece is 1/2 yard, so 3.5 new yards into the stash.  my last christmas-y purchase was last year so i've really tapered off.  autumn and christmas fabrics always call to me but of late i have mostly ignored the message.  it's now washed and dried and ready to use.  yeah, i'm in the "wash fabric" group. 

the first wave

if you follow my blog religiously--and there are some who do--you might recall a post some time ago with a photo of ocean wave units.  well, i pulled out the instructions (instead of the photo) and found an easier way to put it together.  so i did a bit of ripping out and started over and this is the first block.  i love, love, love the colors and can't wait to see the top together.  since i hand quilt, i chose larger triangles making it easier to hand quilt when the time comes.  this makes a total of 4 bed size and 1 little amish style quilt i have in process...do you see a trend here?  i think they have to be my all-time fave style to make and drool over and there will probably be more to come, at least small ones anyway.