the reckoning

january is a great time to take stock, clean, rearrange and start fresh...for quilters that is ALWAYS analyze and summarize the stash.  last year i did a deep organization of the stash shelves and it served me well.  fast forward nearly a year and it was time to tidy the shelves a bit after several months of sewing.

do you see what i see?  color me happy indeed as the wall is much more visible meaning only one thing....serious stashbusting in 2024.  additionally, there is one less shoebox that used to be above the 2 beige ones on the left....alas the bottom shelf still quite jammed with blues and solids...and the plaid stash on top shelf didn't budge at all, in fact a few pieces were added.  note to self:  use some up in 2025!  the bedroom has now been spiffed up and things moved around, leaving a space for the cedar chest to come later.  

this was an urgent task as mr. postman is bringing me a squishie of 26 FQs very shortly....my name got drawn over at the stashbusters group for 2nd place...anxious to see what comes! and the new kaffes will be here shortly as well to finish up the mathemagical top...love those squishies!

but there was a sorta downside to the organization...pulled fabrics for 2 WHIMMs that are planned....

at first glance the gray/blue is an ugly fabric...but do you see those bugs?  i do believe they could be love bugs...see the hearts!  anyway with valentine's around the corner, had an idea for a small piece to use this up and have a pretty to hang on the door.  

for a long time i've wanted to do a christmasy piece about a partridge in a pear tree...i bought the pear fabric eons ago and now have a plan for execution....the cream will be the background, have to pull some greens.  

our weather is still bitter cold and windy...lots of inside time...so thankful i went ahead and got the exercise bike.  bow ties should make its debut very shortly.  today a baby quilt assembly for senior center.  i was going to make a pizza for lunch but it's a time consuming task and sewing is luring me...but first the bike!  keep warm and sew on!

thank you angel!

 remember the angel i spoke of in my last post?  turns out i was wise to heed her whispers...

fixed the horizontal strip but while deconstructing, found that one of the side strips was also inside out...eeek!  so i fixed that one as well.  now it's done done and i won't hear those whispers...

what else got done saturday?  after finishing the project bag, moved right along to more units of 'mathemagical'....tried to get as many assembled as possible so when the new pieces arrive, can get the top done lickety split.  tempted to make another 'mathemagical' top as i've a stash of muslin strips at the ready and perhaps use up some greens.   sunday moved on to this...

today this will get finished as a stuffie and added to my other small stuffies...have also started another small winter theme one, winter saltbox from pinker n punkin blog....

january's first full week has brought winter to maryland....this morning woke up to about 5" of snow and still snowing...bitter cold temps to follow like single digits...a good week to stay inside...thankful i have food delivery set up already, PBS' passport and plenty of sewing to do...might even get to that christmas puzzle...today, tho, few non-sew tasks await.  it's keep WARM and quilt on!

friday sewing

bad weather held off and i did make it to quilt group friday...i took this with me...

a donated quilt top that required a bit of applique in each of the four corners...aside from me, there isn't anyone else that does hand applique so i raised my hand to finish....got 2 of the 4 tulips done...from me gets handed over to the machine quilter to finish and sell.  funds buy batting and other supplies for us.

in the morning i pulled this out, well rather was going to put away but the angel on my shoulder again told me i should fix it...so a bit of ripping ensued.  if you recall, the horizontal strip was put on wrong side out and it haunted me.  no other choice but to rip out and fix...

it'll get finished today and put away and conscience will be clear...lol

as mentioned, i'm known for hand applique at the senior center so was gifted this...

no, not making a full baltimore album, but the book has some great patterns suitable for hawaiian quilting...i have a lovely print and the plan is to make 4 blocks to use it up...eventually...

calendar is clear for a week or so...aside from finishing apartment clean, have several sewing projects to keep me busy...finish christmas cross stitch, get one of the biggies basted, finish mathemagical top, then sort shelf with finished items, sleeve on 'midnight' and get hung up...i keep telling myself these are the endless free days i dreamed of when working 2-3 jobs and overwhelming responsibilities...but still miss my independence and my car...sigh

clean slate

new year a great time to organize apartment...repurposed couple of things to make better use of space, did a serious clean (kitchen next) to clear holiday detritus, vac'd up gazillion threads and a few pins, got ducks in a row for a busy sewing year ahead.  in 2024 kept my empty spools to see how much i actually sewed...

not all were new, some had been used a bit but still respectable amount.  have been gifted some so plenty on hand....aurifil 28 wt is the kind i usually have to buy as it's my go-to hand quilting brand.  

today back to quilt group after holiday altho a snow/rain mix expected later so might get tabled.  monday is shaping up to be a snowstorm day but groceries coming today and plenty of sewing to do.  binding for bow ties gets prepped so on the home stretch this quilt finally!  waiting on new kaffes to finish mathemagical top.  exercise and a bit of cooking on tap for weekend.  

it was a hard christmas holiday and relieved that it's over...grief demands determinedly moving forward, which is difficult, but God got me thru the furnace and now the steps are just a bit easier.  have enough diversions on hand to hold me until warmer weather and can escape outdoors before horrid hot arrives.  the wilderness is still ahead but God always leads me thru.  have a blessed day!

the challenge begins!

it's january 1st and time for me to post my 10 challenges for the year...can i meet them?  will i cave?  what number will get selected first? stay tuned......here they are:

1.  A is for Alaska....a gorgeous pattern by Edyta Sitar...was gifted the templates and i've got the pieces cut and sorted into baggies...a great take along project but needs attention!

2.  tree of life panel wall quilt top....this too was a gift and needs to get to the flimsy stage, perhaps even basted...i've got as far as next-to-last border to use some tiny hexies on hand from an abandoned project, so a win/win to achieve this goal

3.  the repro triangles top...this needs to get done and outta here....10 rows to go....

4.  wensleydale...these foundation papers were a christmas gift last year.  i know i want to use homespuns but still decisions needed as to what else....time to decide

5.  the perennial solids drawer...true, it's only half full but it needs to be ALL EMPTY!  i've been collecting ideas and hoping this year will find them gone....

6.  big quilt basting....i have 2 big-ish quilts that need basting...batts and backs are on hand, just need to put on big girl panties and do it, especially since i'm no longer focusing on projects this size...

7.  dargate baskets....the plan is to assemble a few smaller wall quilts from this stack...should be do-able....

8.  red/green applique.  a visit to the baltimore applique society initiated this project--i'm making 4 blocks (2 done) shooting for a finish next this Christmas...

9.  have been eager to make a small wholecloth piece for some time...this year i would like to get it designed and in the works...the thread does match just poor photo...i've pulled a couple of stencils already, just need some motivation here....

10.  last but not least, big hexies project...these were gifted to me...lovely kaffe prints...and i've gotten the solid gold for connector triangles...hoping to assemble a few small pieces out of this hefty stack...

a pretty ambitious list...deana is our call girl (the monthly numbers, that is) and has announced #6 for january...so a basting day is on tap for this month once Christmas packed up.  gotta finish the bow tie quilt as well...

tree down today, always bittersweet....thorough apartment clean and re-org started....holiday events over and now shut in mostly until warmer weather arrives in a couple of months or so.  no wheels means no opportunities to connect with people with common interests and sensibilities except online for which i'm thankful.  

i've a couple of sewing tasks for the senior center to do, finish mathemagical and the bow ties so january is fully booked.  so thankful for another year ahead for all things quilty!

zooming into 2025

monday was NYE down under and spent time chatting with my quilty peeps there and in other locales...many of us zooming have had mega challenges this year and zooming gives us a fun oasis! chooky leads the pack and many exciting projects and tips were shared.  what did i sew?

mathemagical of course!  i was spelling it wrong and beg your indulgence...it does have an "e" that i've been leaving out....

section 1 is finished!  wow i am liking this very much...holding off on sewing more until i get a couple more prints...i don't have quite enough and don't want to put all the new ones at the bottom.  lots of units got prepped and it should be a quick top finish when the newbies arrive.

moved on to this block...this is #2 of 4.  the applique is a bit difficult as the backing and the appliques are both older kona cottons, very dense weave that don't needleturn easily...but 'light dawns over marblehead' and i tried beeswax, which is keeping my fine thread from fraying and moves thru the fabric easier...

the background square isn't square, so no need to adjust your screen...lol..so respectable progress.  

new year's eve anywhere is always better with quilty friends.  today cookies to bake, exercise, laundry to do, progress on the big clean...tune in tomorrow for my chookshed challenge list...it's a hefty one...so have a happy, safe and healthy NYE wherever you are and whatever you do!

goodbye 2024

like most years, this one had lots of ups and downs...too numerous to mention them all

the best thing?  facilitating a reunion between brother #2 and my mother, her long-time prayer

the worst thing?  sitting at her side praying God to welcome her home--so very hard

on the homefront, my health improved, slowly made connections in the new location, lots of sewing accomplished and streamlined space in the apartment.  there were countless blessings from friends and neighbors and some fun things despite losing car and my independence.  

resolutions?  none...just prayers for lots of situations, including return of my freedom, continued good health, more fun things, more enjoyable sewing....not too grandiose wishes you think?  me either...

and quick announcement...looking to sell these two items:

first, john flynn double wedding ring templates for 12" block EXCEPT small arc pieces, somehow disappeared.  other size patterns in accompanying book....$20 includes shipping.

and this vintage quilt top..yes, in need of repair but not much...it measures about 120x90 and has obviously never been used...colors vivid and true and original.  realize i'll never do anything with it so it needs a new home.  extra squares included to make the repairs...lots of very old fabrics in this top.  price is $50 does NOT include shipping, which would be priority, about $16.  happy to provide further photos/details for serious inquiries.

today i'll be zooming with my quilty peeps down under where it is already new year's eve...and quilting away on the bow ties...i tell ya is there any better way to spend a holiday???  i don't think so...

liberty reveal

remember those Liberty fabrics my daughter gifted me in the spring?  i used them to make this for her for Christmas...called "Savoy Teatime" to remember her scrumptious tea in London...backed it with a pretty Kaffe fabric and affixed my 'gracie quilt' label...

today (saturday) spent getting back to routine after being away and partying friday....few things got done, just important like dishes and preparing the challenge list...and i did start 'mathmagical'....

i think this is gonna be pretty....catch you later!

gap week

quilting group luncheon was friday and now all holiday fun stuff is over.  it's a week to regroup, tidy up, organize, plan, clean and sew of course!  this week hoping to complete a top and the pattern i've chosen is 'mathmagical' an uber-scrap friendly by michelle over at bitsandpiecesquilting.com

just making the top, not the finished quilt....my fabrics are these...

good ol' kaffe and a nice contrasting print for the strips....i hope i have enough of the reds/pinks but might have to dive into the regular stash...today will finish cutting out units and start the sewing...this pattern lends itself to dozens of fabric styles...i've a stash of muslin strips all cut waiting for something and this pattern could be it.  

today it's exercise, clean bathroom, put away some of the Christmas stuff....i received this small frame as a gift and found the perfect photo for it...

the little blond girl is my mom sitting on her mother's lap, taken about 1929 i believe, just shortly before she (grace) died...the older couple were her parents, my greats, and 3 of their other children.  we always believed there was native american blood somewhere and you can see they all have dark hair and eyes, angular features except my mom, resembling her father's heritage no doubt.  

transition to a new year in full-on mode so no time to waste.  nearly all christmas goodies gone...a good thing...back to same old.  let's see how much actually gets done...LOL!

christmas past

the segue back to usual begins now...the living room seems suffocating now with tree and trappings...can i hold out until new year's to deconstruct?  i'll be savoring the last few nights with the comforting ornaments and pretty lights ogling the newest addition...

a gift from daughter who is immersed in all things brit...and what else is new?

a perennial favorite gift...susan branch's lovely watercolor calendar and....

a pretty puzzle for boring january days and....

a fresh supply of batteries for all things techno plus a little crocheted hat ornament.  it's her latest passion and she is now a very happy hooker!  a couple of anonymous gifts came my way for quilty stuff...bought this yellow solid for these hexies...

the colors are more intense than seen here...this is one of my chookshed challenge projects.  the hexies were gifted to me and the colors are so vivid and rich...might get 2 or 3 small projects from them...

and while at daughter and SIL's took this holiday cross stitch project.  hoping to get the stitchery at least done before end of year....

mundane tasks are calling...a holiday luncheon with quilty peeps will wrap up this week.  it was a toughie holiday but me and the sibs got thru...we carried on our tradition of clam chowder christmas eve that provided emotional connection across the miles.  who knows what another year will bring? the strains of an old hymn come to mind...my Lord knows the way thru the wilderness, all i have to do is follow...so i'll keep calm and quilt on!