switching gears

i've been spending most of my sewing time with scraps, lagging in UFO finishes.  pulled out this small piece to quilt and then get back to s'mores.  it's advent sky and plan is to gift when done.  

when sorting thru the 2" strip shoebox found that more than half weren't long enough for my blocks...say what???  so clearing out won't happen unless i use them to make a whole lotta foursies.  

i did cut up the usable strips into block sets ready to sew...pitiful amount but scrap basket at the ready to raid for more.

and if you forgot, here is what the finished blocks look like.  finish at 6" so will need 120 for a decent size top.  well begun is half done, so back at the machine today after a couple of days with appointments.  medical stuff done for the month!

very foggy and (again) dreary day but signs of spring everywhere so pretty soon better days.  laundry on tap and a bit of cooking, then some exercise will fill the day.  glass is more than half full with blessings all around.  hoping you feel the same!

march's task

the march challenge for the chookshed stitchers has been announced....it's #4 on the top ten list and here is mine...

4.  clear out the 2" strip shoebox by making more of bonnie hunter's scrap 4 blocks.   there should be enough for a flimsy when done

this is another opportunity to use up scraps and make something usable and hopefully donatable.  already got a head start with these shown previously....

delighted to bust more scraps but it's taking time away from my hand quilting that i hope to remedy this weekend.  ***  other march sewing must-dos include getting this top finished....

meet the juvenile delinq-cats!  these bad dudes prowl around causing mayhem and hissing at dogs--keep fido clear of their path....lol!

liberty road is a definite baste job in march.  hopefully more blue album blocks.  

not quite spring but march winds around today so won't be long.  family DNA revealed a wee bit of irish genes so can bask in all things irish this month and will be pulling out my soda bread recipe gleaned from the boston globe many years ago.  my favorite irish tune?  that would be 'wild rover'....i'll be humming it all month!

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!