great sale-ing day!

although with temps near 60, it was almost a day for the on-the-water kind of sailing, but NH vic and i opted for the retail kind....the sun and fresh air was heavenly!  first up?  footprints in rochester, NH...

just inside the door 25+ bolts of kim diehl's new fabric line....and so difficult to choose but had to select only 4 quarter yards....lovely colors!   then it was our fave marden's!

christmas fabrics half price and found a few neutrals as well....total for this 2 yards was $4....really, only four dollars!  got a half yard of the red print, quarters on all the others.   then back to vic's for a delish lunch of turkey leftovers, some conversation and then hit the road.  due to holiday scheduling, have a couple of saturdays off for a change....made me feel almost human again! 

a christmas wish....

for dreams to be realized, for prayers answered, for hungry to be full, for cold to have warmth, for homeless to be housed, for jobless to work, for children to be safe and loved, for hope to endure, for health restored, for the aged and infirmed to have comfort and safety, for my own particular needs and yours too....and that the message of the manger will live in my heart always.....merry christmas!

and it's done!

not an official UFO finish by stashbuster guidelines, but it's done and won't be on the 2016 UFO list..

wasn't sure about this but i do like how it turned out, has a sort of primitive feel...glad i tea-dyed to tone down the white background.  now can i rack up another finish before january?  hope so....and since the new year is just over a week away, have updated my UFO list for 2016...can i finish them all?  watch this space!

isn't it always...

about the FABRIC????  it explains why most quilters i know have plenty on hand....to make sure the "right" fabric can be at the ready when needed....somebody gifted me this lovely jo morton blue stripe last summer and it was just what this little wallhanging called for to finish it off...

the bright white was too bright, and the tea-dying was only so-so i thought, but now with this stripe for binding, just right i think.   toyed with the idea of a border but was afraid it might detract from the hearts.   will finish up today.  hoping i can finish up a couple more small projects before the end of the year as well...oh yeah, with this binding am really liking this little piece now.  so reason for large stash now justified....i'm a happy quilter! 

TBT

last week at the laundromat, was browsing thru their collection of vintage magazines and stumbled onto this, a definite cringe moment for someone in the news of late....

i am NOT taking any sides in this issue, rather feel disappointed (and forewarned) recalling some wisdom about sins committed in secret...can you read it?  about halfway down the page, a quote from bill cosby, "a word to the wise ain't necessary; it's the stupid ones who need the advice."  this from the april 2004 issue of woman's day....so sad indeed...cannot imagine the conversations that transpire in that household.  *** and why no sewing projects you ask?  shhhh, finishing up some secret christmas sewing, my only handmade gift this year and it's almost done, which is good....LOL

hexie progress

this now and then project is progressing albeit slowly...

the main colors of the quilt are blue, pink and brown, so had to go back to the stash and pull fabrics in those colors.  at about 190 rosettes, it's a long way from being a flimsy but it's a nice travel project to have ongoing.  and i took vic's advice and am using scrappy rather than plain muslin for the connector sections.  they look like they will work out okay....finishing up my one holiday sewing project today and tomorrow; lists are made and all is in order for a very low key holiday. 

ten little blocks....

in 2 straight lines.....with only 2 blocks to go, it's almost time to pack up the old viking for a christmas rest.  these are sooo cute!  thinking of setting them vertically single file and finish as a bell pull?  or maybe finish them individually and string horizontally in a banner, with some ho-ho-ho interspersed?  plenty of ideas...

noticed i switched out the pink ironing board for a green in favor of the season, but i also wanted to audition the color for possible background....and will have to do over the friendship star bottom row far right as the print washes out the points....love how the camera highlights blocks gone wrong!   in the meantime, basking in 40-50 degree weather with no flakes in sight...that's MY kind of winter, oh yes!

shameless promotion

having withdrawal from girl scout thin mint cookies?  didn't get your box(es) this year?  have no fear, trader joe's has put these on their shelves, probably just for Christmas but hey, better than nothing!  and the price is good too, a mere $2.99 at my local store.  and get this, they TASTE just like the girl scout cookies! 

no, i don't get any free boxes for posting this (too bad too, i say), just a public service for those of you who appreciate the finer things in life.  ***  a recent free concert took us to a local church built c. 1769 with royal flooring, meaning wide and some up to 14" from trees formerly owned by king george.  the church is on the national register and other preserved details include now-electrified candle chandeliers and wall sconces, plain wood pews with doors and no parking lot or driveway either....it's preserved with period paint and those long shutters too....here is a pic...no doubt there are others dotted throughout the northeast...the entertainment was "downeast brass quintet" and one of the group remarked that last year they walked through snow to get in, but this year only green grass...thank you climate change!

and before you ask, yes there IS sewing happening to be shown another day....

happee swappee....

these arrived today, quite timely as it has been a weekend of concern and long day at work today...i went back temp 2 days per week for not just financial but also mental health reasons.  my boss has been very accommodating, allowing me to keep my hours down to remain qualified for senior housing...but here are the blocks received in the swap...aren't they terrific?

the thing that ALWAYS surprises me is how many repro fabrics i have never seen before...there are many in just these few blocks.  my stash is NOT minuscule by any stretch, but again, many fabrics are new to me.  can't imagine how i missed seeing them before, given the amount of time i've spent on fabric websites and in quilt shops.  ***  keeping up with the 12 days of Christmas and FWS, so more photos to show another day.  *** and those of you who commented?  many thanks...a positive outcome so prayers were answered. 

special request

a family member is in need today...if you are a praying person, would appreciate sending one now....no details needed, God knows all...