happy birthday sis!

peeking out the window, it appears march has come in like a lamb, and if you see this little cutie lamb today, please wish her a happy birthday!  my only sis, born when i was 12, so there is quite a gap between us and we were not really close as children.  she probably doesn't remember all the clothes i made for her or the places i took her when she was 5 and i got my license and a 1955 chevy!  she has had her share of rough spots and lost her way for a bit, but has made so many positive changes in her life recently and is now in college!  i couldn't be more proud of her as i know what a challenge that can be.  many happy returns, love, and many more!  **** last night during quilt cam, put together the scrappy indigo blocks, cut the 2 inner borders AND am now assembling the flying geese border.  a few odd chores today and more fun sewing!  have a wonderful friday....

thanks quiltville swappers!

a month or so ago on ebay, i was THIS close to placing a ridiculous bid for 75 batik strips.  when the bid went over what figured out to be a totally unfrugal price, i reluctantly stopped and glad i did.  the quiltville swappers had a batik strip swap and for about $5 i got 40 batik strips, which will add variety to my small stash.  can't believe there was a time when i thought the rage over batiks was completely unfounded.  haven't seen one yet that i didn't think was beautiful.  **** what is on the sewing table today?  the scrappy indigo and a quickie project sure to perk up my cube at work....you'll see!

happiness is....

not a warm puppy but ll bean's "slippahs" and flannel pjs...true.  after a day of struggling in the elements--snow, rain, sleet, wind--and a challenging day at work techno-wise, plus a week of not enough sleep (so far), i am so ready for these tonight!  thankfully i've got the diet pepsi stocked and a roasting chicken thawing in the fridge, plus a few good books and plenty of sewing to do.  and if you are someplace stormy, stay warm and comfy "til the storm passes over..."

shopping the stash

nothing like browsing thru the stash and coming up with terrific bundles for future projects.  the 3 fabrics on the right were gifted to me (thank you vic!) and yesterday found the other 3 to go along with them.  not sure yet which pattern will be selected, but it'll be gorgeous.  i also have the stack of dargate indigos that need a project, and because of the variety i have, thinking of something with a lot of little HSTs like the tree of life block or similar.  **** hoping it's raindrops and not snowflakes we'll be dodging today and tomorrow.  gotta go....the old viking is getting restless

baskets r done...

not sure if they will be moved around or not, but this gives you an idea of how they will be set.  my design wall leaves a LOT to be desired, but it works and i think they are just adorable!  have to keep my mind off this terrible snow and any we might get this week....gee whiz, winter is hanging on like a frigid leech!  today also pinned the indigo squares together and tomorrow maybe start on the borders.  *** no, i didn't get to the batik/plum but that is next on my list.  that and finishing the autumn change are my MUST finish by end of march.  my UFO list is getting longer...not shorter...oh no, as mr. bill says!  wow, do i like those civil war fabrics!

ta-done!

in the course of any year, i take few workshops and from those, even fewer result in fully completed projects when the workshop is over.  today was a delightful exception!  my mondo  bag is all done, yes done!  already thinking of using it when spring and summer breezes finally arrive.  judging from today's weather, it won't be anytime soon.  with phoebe back in her little corner after a busy day's work, it's back to the old viking for more work on scrappy indigo.  but after a harrowing weather day, it's a hot shower, flannel jammies and a funny book....garrison keillor's "guy noir and the straight skinny".....a laugh-out-loud adventure. 

spring on my mind

a quickie project that will use up nearly all the FQs of this line, "summer breeze," purchased in Lancaster last october.  so, despite my current fabric storage issues, there really is progress on the stash busting front.  since returning from retreat, i've used up the batik bali pop, these FQs, 3 yards of another background, some plum solid (about 1 yard so far), about 1.5 yards of a green solid for an amish style quilt, some small solid pieces for the same quilt and some mod fabrics for the laptop bag.  there'll be a sewing marathon between now and whenever "blue variety" arrives in order to make space for a bit of that.  as of 2 days ago, i'm deleting ALL emails from fabric spots....i simply have to!

indigo crossing and more

this is most of what the trip to cyndi's shop came home with me.  the indigo crossing FQs, 2 jo morton FQs, 2 solid cheddar and 1 print cheddar, 2 from the "new colonies" line....not pictured is a short stack of dargate indigos, a poison green FQ, a black print FQ, a blue/cream toile FQ, and a couple of other misc pieces.  cyndi told me jo morton has yet ANOTHER line coming out april (maybe), which i've seen on the andover site.  not sure if any of those will be added to the stash or not.  as of now, the room is pretty much full so time to do some rearranging and some flinging.....and more sewing, of course!  hmm, do i really need a dresser and a bed? 

a "busy" day....

as mentioned, among other plans for the day was a visit to cyndi's shop "the busy thimble."  as you can see, it is oh-so quaint and country looking with a nice picnic table out front for warmer days.  on the porch were some sale bolts but nothing called to me as i walked by.  inside the little shop was full of shoppers and many bolts of lovely reproduction fabrics.  i had pre- ordered my "indigo crossing" so just browsed while others were served.  along with the ordered fabric, i selected a couple of jo morton fabrics, some "new colonies", some FQs earmarked for projects and 2 cheddar solids....photos to follow another day.  good thing i spent the time before leaving sewing up and cutting up....i need the room!  on the wall was a log cabin done in barn raising style; blocks were about 3.5" finished.....simply gorgeous!  cyndi's love of small quilts is evidenced by the many on display.  i'll be making another pilgrimage in early april to see new goodies not yet arrived.  if you love reproduction fabrics and are ever in maine, you simply MUST go here. 

baby emma progress

ok, so this is my baby emma center block so far.  i admit the applique intimidated me just a tad, but proceeding carefully resulted in a pretty good look.  still a bit more to do for the finished block; then on to the patchwork part.  i think these fabrics are totally gorgeous, they are jo morton's "spice market" and such rich hues.  this project is for odd moments and it just proves how much can be accomplished in time that might otherwise be wasted or frittered away.  **** slow start this morning due to a serious bad habit of mine....reading too late.  finished "gone girl" and it is scarier at the end than in the beginning.  have to find something not so intense for late night after work wind down for sure!  **** now on to the ironing station for some boring but necessary tasks.