friday finish

just before bedtime on friday this donation quilt got finished!  i really love the colors--it's a bali pop called watermelon--and again, thanks to janet l. for suggesting the plum solid; it's simply perfect.  **** the little spring wallhanging quilting is started and hoping to get that done and hung some time this week as with daylight saving time starting today, spring is really around the corner.  daytime temps in the 40s all week, which will certainly keep the snow away.  have a happy quilty day!

it's a B-usy day

up early this morning and first thing got these 4 little quilts basted for quilting.  this B task, along with binding the batik, should keep me busy....in addition to some necessary household chores.  with 2 whole days off this week and no errands that require driving, i've been able to use up every moment and make some real progress on sewing projects.  **** while i would rather be a professional single gal and not a housefrau, i did some cooking yesterday that i simply HAVE to brag about a tiny bit.  recently caught Ramsay's Cooking Course on the BBC channel.  i learned a lot about technique and some dynamite quick recipes for superb dishes sure to perk up any menu.  yesterday it was north african eggs.  the book contains 100 recipes that Ramsay promises you can "stake your life on" and he doesn't disappoint.  using a few simple quality ingredients and a whole new selection of spices i've never used, we've been enjoying some scrumptious variety to our weekly meals.  **** now to those household chores so i can finish the batik quilt today!

simple math

so simple, even I can figure it out and that is:  0 blogging = + sewing time!  i've been busy working on this project, the scrappy indigo, and here is a peek with 3 of the borders on this side.   hoping to get it to flimsy stage soon.  picked up a mountain mist cream rose batt the other day.  someone mentioned this batt and i wanted to give it a try.  for this quilt, though, need to find one in white.  **** the batik/plum?  all tied and the binding will be cut and started today, meaning a march finish for certain.  while the big table is up, hope to get a stack of the small projects basted for summer quilting.  then it's back to autumn change, which might also get finished in march.  *** next quilty project is going to be the pineapple blossom.  that is a gift and a finish on that means it's outta here and freeing up space on my already jammed shelves.   ****  sent in my order for jo morton's "blue variety," and i've a project in mind for it already!  **** and if you haven't seen denzel washington in "flight," then i can highly recommend, but i ask you, exactly which denzel movie isn't good? 

waning winter

though it continues to snow, it melts just as quickly as it arrives due to warming sun and longer days.  this means spring is really on the way.  this little wallhanging was pictured in the recent "quiltmaker" mag and i just had to make it for my work cube.  thanks to the stash, there was NO shopping in the making of this project....LOL! it just needs basting, quilting and binding and i can hang it up.  *** also this weekend i started basting the batik/plum after picking up a backing.  the previously showed hoffman print of poppies just wasn't big enough.  a dash to marden's and voila!  problem solved.  **** word came from cyndi that jo morton's "blue variety" is in....i've made my list and just waiting on another paycheck and it'll be mine......yippee!   

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.  

finished blocks

all 12 blocks for the scrappy indigo are done!  here are the 2 piles--6 of each.  i'm now working on the flying geese border and thinking about using those little bonus triangle HSTs...or not.  during quiltcam bonnie remarked about the beauty of blue and white quilts and i totally agree!  in addition to machine work, i've been quilting on the autumn change, hoping for a finish by the end of march.  **** boston commons has returned from the longarmer and is basted, waiting for quilting as well.  one day soon must put up the large folding table and tie the batik/plum and baste a whole stack of the little quilts.  i am thinking to spend one whole month finishing up the little ones some time when the weather is much warmer, which is definitely NOT february.  after our brief sojourn into spring, it's back frigid and very windy.  **** and if you read, you MUST get "gone, girl".....a completely riveting and "can't put down" book.  now back to the regularly scheduled sewing!

busy blading....

in addition to some machine piecing here and there and some hand quilting in odd moments during TV, i've been kitting up some projects.  to the right of the rotary cutter are pieces for my laptop bag and the kim diehl tablerunner; to the left are pieces for the plus quilt and a batik stars project.  they're boring, repetitious tasks that i can do when watching TV mysteries.  my next blading task is to finish pieces for a bag workshop coming up before the end of the month.  i also got the binding ready for "christmas wishes" for whenever it gets quilted.  **** speaking of quilting, autumn change is about 2/3 finished and soon i'll have to find a binding for that.  i also got the back ready for the batik/plum quilt, hoping to get that finished and gone before the end of march....or sooner!  *** yesterday it was actually spring here with temps above 50 degrees.  mom and I had lunch at Billy's Chowder House....fresh haddock and maine shrimp....simply delish!  if you are in Wells at any time, you MUST go there for the food and the view overlooking the bay.  even in winter it is beautiful! 

now it's february

just yesterday finally got my little heart wallhanging up for the month, or what's left anyway.  i did flip the calendar on the 1st, which i really hated to do because this kim diehl calendar is soo, sooo gorgeous!  this month's table topper is from her book "simply scraps," which denise kindly loaned me for a bit.  **** got my little washed batik strips all packed and ready to go for this month's swap.  *** and yes, we got more of that awful snow yesterday, can you believe?  today, though, temps are in the 30s already, it's clear and sunny, so it's going to be a melting day for sure! 

the bonus round

sunday's sewing focused on the scrappy indigo flimsy.  after sewing a gazillion (well about 200) flying geese units, i had a stack of bonus triangles left over.  i used to toss these in the trash but the price of fabric and my own inner frugal self just wouldn't let me.  so chain piecing took up a bit of my time and resulted in this stack.  more little HSTs that make me quite happy!  i am hoping to incorporate them into this quilt somehow.  so this project is well on its way to flimsy stage.  **** last week i caved and added 4 more clear shoeboxes, i simply had to, so some reorg was in order to find space for them.  **** sunday i also cut batik strips for an upcoming swap.  **** winter continues here in coastal maine with more precip coming; we're oh-so hoping it will be rain, which will wash away a few snow himalayas....hurry up spring!

batik backing

hoffman's "a year in the meadow"

while denise and i were shop-hopping, i found this pretty hoffman print that will be used to back the batik and plum flimsy.  i agree, it is too pretty to use as a backing but it was the end of bolt, nearly 3 yards at a whopping $3, and even with my fuzzy math, that's one dollar per yard so the price is definitely right.  i am hoping there will be some scraps leftover as it is such a pretty print.  back when i was first starting quilting, hoffman prints were the rolls royce of quilting fabrics and for me they still are.  **** all is calm and bright here after the storm with a sliver of orange on the horizon heralding the coming sunrise.  still very cold but clear is good.  **** today's task is to tidy the sewing space and get in some sewing time before the week starts again.  and i've got to hang my february wallhanging, finally!

marshmallow world

it's winter and it's a blizzard; to be sure a bit worse than we've seen in oh 35 years, but they do come now and then.  we are in full disaster mode here--provisions at the ready that can be consumed at room temp, plenty of warm clothes, windows packed to keep out fierce winds--now we just wait....with power luckily!

mod sewing

during quilt cam tonight, sewed up these little 3.5 inch kansas dugout blocks from the mod fabrics i picked up in lancaster last october.  i have a project in mind and will need a few more, like 40 or so.  but they sew up quick as you can see.  they are from a stack of 25 FQs i got at burkholder's and, after getting them home and washed, grouped the ones that had similar colors to think about what i might do with them.  i think they are kinda cute; there are a couple more fabrics i haven't used yet, one being a neutral geometric print, which i think should give the eye some rest from these.  the turquoise swirly print was from my stash though.   the project is a bag for my laptop.  **** and yes, we ARE in the midst of a HUGE blizzard here.  so far today it wasn't THAT bad, but supposedly the worst will be thru tonight and tomorrow morning.  i am pretty sure i have enough UFOs to keep me busy, providing the power stays on.  

an unexpected gift....

from a new face-to-face friend.  today denise was able to take time from her busy country life showing me around to some new-to-me shops.  it was cold but sunny and, more important, clear roads.  she and i just finished our "christmas wishes" flimsies and hers is soooo christmas-y with gorgeous green and red prints, like mine, but different of course.  she gifted me with these special items...the book, scissors, some FQs and her delish home-made jam!  i know what i'm having for breakfast tomorrow!  a yummy lunch was enjoyed with lots of girl chat and getting to know one another.  i got to see her adorable chickens as well.  we ended the day early afternoon to get ready for our coming blizzard, each with plans to get some sewing done while housebound, no doubt.  ****  now i'm making a quiche and cooking a pizza, foods that can be eaten at room temp should the need arise.  i might have to have my breakfast jam tonight just in case....

turns out....

it wasn't anywhere near rocket science to figure out this block from the pieces.  in fact, it took me all of about 20 seconds to lay it out AND sketch a diagram for future reference.  this is going to be one of the civil war repro scrappy quilts in order to "thin the herd" a bit.  these pieced blocks alternate with solid 6" blocks----great for hand quilting!  and don't worry, it only LOOKS a bit wonky in the photo, rest assured it does lie flat...how good is that?  **** cold, flurries, gray, occasional dull rays of sun thru the overcast skies; that's our winter day today; good day for a good book and just relaxing. 

never too early...

to think about Christmas, no siree!  here is my little "christmas wishes" wallhanging (designed by gail pan) ready for basting/quilting/binding.  those little HSTs just make my heart go pitter-patter....i love them!  the binding will be the green print and it SHOULD be ready to hang come December 1st.  it is amazing what can be done in just a few hours, especially when there are several projects near completion.  ****  today i have a bit of a puzzle to solve.  i wrote down the size & number of pieces for a scrappy civil war repro flimsy but (gulp) i didn't include a diagram of the block.  so i have to cut the pieces and play around with them until i have what i think is the block.  then i will ABSOLUTELY draw the block for future reference.  ****  and one day very soon i must have a basting day; plenty of little quilts that need basting so they can be finished. 

just takes 2....

so far, and i hope you don't get a stiff neck looking at it....LOL!  our floor space is sparse so i laid it out on the bed and had to place it sideways to get the entire top half in the photo.  good thing, too, as you can't really see the block that is a bit wonky.  the more i do on this project, the better i like it.  the theme, of course, was to use 2 colors in the project and i chose browns because that's what i had enough of to use.  i thought it would be dull but as you can see--and i hope you do--that the variety of browns is pleasant to the eye.  i haven't yet put the propellers on the 2 airplane blocks, not sure if i will or not.  anyway, today i'm back at it and got another block done and part of a second.  the rate i'm going the "just takes 2" will mean "just takes 2 years".....LOL!

P.S.

i totally forgot to add this to my previous post.... GO RAVENS!

small flimsy

these are my 12 little house blocks all put together in a small quilt top.  i really love these little blocks and if i had no other UFOs or plans for new projects, i'd definitely  make a lot more.  as all quilters know too well, they hardly use up much fabric at all, though.  i used red for the doors in all blocks in homage to my first quilting teacher who had a shop with a red door.  ****  next up is more on "just takes 2" and finish the HST sashing for "christmas wishes."  **** i've also started on "baby emma" with my luscious jo morton fabrics.  these plus quilting on "autumn change" are my current projects.  first up, though, get the sunday papers!

may day! may day!

a shoebox intervention is needed!  these are my jo morton fabrics and as you can see, the tote has shrunk!  i didn't think plastic did that, and i bet this has happened to you as well...maybe?  now there is no room for "blue variety" due in one of my fave shops very soon.  i simply can't put them in with other fabrics because there isn't room there either...LOL  seriously, i've 2-3 civil war style projects planned and it looks like i will have to put those on the front burner in order to alleviate this grave situation....and make room for the "blue variety" too, of course.  **** on another serious subject, today is ground hog day and you know what THEY say....THEY say that dried up christmas wreath should be off your door by today.  believe it or not, i have seen quite a few still adorning houses in recent travels, but no more...wreaths be gone!

on the mend...

after a few days of nonstop sleep and the previously mentioned OTC treatment, i think i am feeling somewhat better; not 100% at all but the naps have dwindled to about an hour instead of 3, which is progress.  since i couldn't sew most of the week, i flipped through quilt books and found these that i simply don't want anymore.  i'd be happy to send them to you for the cost of media mail postage but the requirement is you MUST take all 4.   just let me know if you are interested. ***** i finally got the 2nd section of "just takes 2" together; it was waiting on 1 lonely little applique block that finally got finished.  i'll show a photo sometime this coming week.  and today i started piecing little HSTs for the sashing on "christmas wishes," .....that's about it for sewing this week. 

brief time out

i confess, i am taking drugs....the over-the-counter kind, though (whew!)....so far this year i have managed to dodge the severe illnesses that have sidelined many.  i've OD'd on citrus fruits, taken naps, pushed fluids and washed my hands until they are raw.  yesterday, though, after a couple of days of insufficient sleep, my tummy rebelled.  i left work a bit early last night and even after extra sleep, am feeling totally zapped today.  have succumbed to pharmaceuticals that i normally avoid at all costs and am hoping for a quick rebound.  fellow sufferers, i feel your pain, but never fear... we shall overcome!    PS  GO RAVENS!

civil war news....

i knew there was a reason i love libraries....many in fact...but the latest is this:  every day from now until april 9, 2015, you can read actual correspondence from the civil war era.  here is the link:  www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/civilwar/  some of the content is disturbing of course, but it is history and quite interesting.  got a minute or two?  then pop on over and enjoy.  ****  getting close to finishing the little house little quilt flimsy; not much time to sew past week.  sleeping schedule is off kilter; i was up very early and now returning for more zzzzzzzs.....

under construction

nearly done with the little house wallhanging.  blocks are done, now i'm adding sashing and corner squares.  had i not been sidelined with a touch of a cold this weekend plus far too many errands, it would have been done by now.  my magic bullet combo of rest, fluids and citrus nearly worked, but i didn't get enough sleep over the weekend and so today the cough drops and tissues are my new BFFs.  the houses are soooo adorable!  done scrappy, not any specific fabric type, they will make a really nice little quilt for january.  so glad i didn't take the challenge of making 365 last year, i am happy with the 12 i did finish.  **** our deep freeze is relenting some and temps will be more seasonable for late january this week.  unfortunately that means we could get snow.  i haven't jettisoned the wool socks and fleece pants yet, though.  ***** and julian fellowes, what were you thinking?  our sybil?  not sure about anyone else, but i was weeping....oh yeah, i am so into this show!

batik flimsy

yesterday finally got the batik blocks assembled into a flimsy.  i am sooo loving that plum solid, thank you Janet L.!  this will be tied and is spoken for already, so hopefully another finish soon?  i hope.... **** our frigid weather continues with wool socks and fleece pants in constant use.   we do usually get a short spell of this every year, except last winter, so it isn't uncommon and is tolerable.  **** quilting continues on the autumn change quilt, a perfect pastime for this time of year.  maybe 2 finishes at once?  perfect! 

first fabric find

well, nearly got through the month without bringing home any new fabric.....nearly.   was cruising around on ebay and found these FQs at a good price.  always drawn in by paisley fabrics and anything blue as well.  i bid on several other items but got outbid quickly beyond what i felt was a good deal.  **** today is "love your local quilt shop" day and i simply cannot choose just one.  it isn't like there is one closest...that would be marden's....and while there are good deals there, they don't always have what i want or need.  while it's true i sometimes order online, often it IS from a local quilt shop.  this is maine and often it's a trek to get there, so shipping is the economical method.  ****  not exactly enjoying the frigid weather, but at least the roads are dry and clear.  am living in my warmest clothes and sleeping snug under my quilts.  that said, i'm off to put the wool socks and fleece pants on!

baby emma

now that embroidery is done on christmas wishes, i pulled these fabrics to start the applique on jo morton's "baby emma" wallhanging.  i like to have a small applique project handy to travel with for odd moments.  not all of these will be used, but love those dark cheddary orange fabrics!  the pieces are traced as of now and might get ironed on today, we'll see.  **** in the deep freeze here but it does keep the snow away, so it isn't all bad.  as long as one has plenty of fleece pants, wool socks and comfy quilts, which i do!  *** for keeping warm while TV watching, quilting on the autumn change and also just about done with the little house project.  i made a total of 12, which is enough, but they are so darn cute.  now to get out those socks.....

book recommendation

not often do you see book recommendations here, even though i read regularly for relaxation.  this one i got from oprah's book list and i am so glad i requested it.  written by the daughter of B-movie actor Lyle Talbot, it isn't strictly his story but rather that of the rise of movies in his lifetime, spanning nearly all the 20th century.  there are hysterical tidbits about some notable people in the business plus plenty of historical information about how hollywood came to be the famous movie town it is.  when 3 unknown actresses appeared on his doorstep, director mervyn leroy predicted bette davis would not succeed and joan blondell would be the big star.  and how edison, when shown a preview of the first talkie, was convinced it would never succeed because people loved the drama of the silent movie.  he failed to jump on the bandwagon and was then instrumental in driving moviemakers west to escape his wrath when talkies became standard.  i'm halfway thru and eager to read the rest.  if you like the movies, you might find it interesting as well.  **** sunday spent sewing on little houses and also quilting on autumn change.  oh, and downton abbey of course!  *** seesaw temps are down again this morning, so it's back to wool socks for me!

about half done

that would be this little christmas wallhanging designed by gail pan.  the patterns got downloaded free back in 2006 for some future time, which appears to be now.  the embroidery part is done, now to piece together and quilt.  thinking about maybe HSTs for the sashing.....thinking, i said.....so will let it lounge on the design wall until i'm sure.  now you see why i deconstructed the other christmas piece, for this will take its place.  **** another day off today after an unusually late work night.  there'll be a nap, some chores and quilt-cam with bonnie this afternoon to work on little houses, perhaps finishing the 12 i've planned to make.  then will cut more pieces for the next section of "just takes 2" and later tonight during TV will quilt more on autumn change.  **** yesterday started prepping applique for jo morton's "baby emma" piece, which i soooo love.  idle hands, you know... 

some nerve

another hancock's catalog arrived the other day...and while i was able to ignore nearly all the glossy fabric photos tempting me to order with wild abandon, this line is seriously calling to me.  it's "indigo crossings" and it should be obvious my favorite color is blue.  these are soooo nice and i want 1/2 yard of every one.  problem is, already have an indigo scrappy quilt in progress and am making fewer bed size quilts.  will have to ponder and think about what to do with it before taking the plunge. oh, and where to put it IF i do decide to add to the stash.  that's the real elephant in the room.  **** snow has finally stopped and we got about 4-5" total i think.  now comes the cold temps, to be expected in late january.  **** time off to be spent on just takes 2, houses and quilting autumn change.  that frees my mind to think about "indigo crossings".....

gone.....

but not really; a new exciting life awaits these scraps from the christmas wallhanging.  i realized after looking at it for some time that the pieces were too large to be a successful scrappy.  no matter, these pretty scraps will morph into other projects.  **** and just underneath the scraps are foundations for "just takes 2" which is coming along, now starting on the 3rd section.  this project plus a few more little houses are on the sewing table today.  for hand quilting, the autumn change is in the hoop.  it is a gift for someone special, so the sooner it's done, the sooner it's out of here and on to its new home.  **** woke up to snow again today; not much, but any that makes the roads messy is too much in my opinion.  good thing the days are slowly lengthening!

the neatest thing!

found this pattern free online for an earbud case and except for buying the zipper, it was totally free!  keeps those pesky earbuds from tangling up when loose in the purse or tote bag.  **** sitting here listening to the foghorns blowing their mournful tones.  it's very foggy and warm, an extension of the january thaw. 

un-quilting

if you are thinking, "hey wait, didn't she finish that," then you would be right.  it often got hung during december as one of my wallhangings of the month.  but this year it got taken to work for my cube during christmas.  while looking at it these past 2 months, i realized i don't like it much, but i do love the fabrics sooooo it has been unquilted and will get unpieced next.  the fabric will get washed and put into the scrap basket for another project (see lower right corner).  currently working on gail pan's "christmas wishes" wallhanging that will take its place every december. how about you, have you ever "unquilted" anything?  i thought it would be painful but it wasn't. 

first finish!

and on the overcrowded design wall this morning is this first 2013 finish!  this is the wallhanging made of jo morton's "variety" line of luscious red reproduction fabrics.  and did you know that this year, this very spring, there will be a new line of "variety" in blue?  i did and i am waiting as patiently as i can for it to go on sale.  my no buying resolve will be cast aside when it's available.  not that i haven't been sorely tempted so early in the new year by e-mails and websites to add to my stash, but when i do get tempted, i simply pull out an elfa drawer and take a long, very long, look at the fabric i already have.  it usually banishes the temptation....well up to now, that is.   **** spring has flung, back to the 20s this morning, and sorely missed for sure.  i'll be commiserating with the old viking.....

a springy sewing day

with temps at 43 and the sun shining, am loving our january thaw.  a great day to sew, but that's any day of course.  working on the "just takes 2" project, section 2, which is done except for 2 more blocks.  one is a pieced lone star type and the other is applique, so they won't get done today.  nevertheless, it's great to see this project progress.  and a UFO will get crossed off either today or tomorrow, just finishing up the binding.  ***  have to confess have a couple of new projects dancing around in my head.  sitting here staring at my luscious stash gives me constant ideas for using it.  and i'm equally motivated to finish up the projects in process.  now off to keep on keeping on!

under construction

the little house challenge subject came up again last week on the Stashbuster yahoo group.  i had printed some foundation patterns for these, but they were 3" and 5", neither of which excited me.  but kaaren, a fellow quilter just over the northern border, kindly sent me her 4" version.  yesterday decided to play out of my scrap basket and try them out.  caution: they are fun to make and i got 4 done fairly quickly.  the most difficult part was choosing the fabrics.  my scrap basket isn't that full so i pulled out the large shoebox of strips.  i decided to make red doors on all of them in homage to my first quilting teacher, who had a shop called "the red door" quilt shop and then used black for chimneys.  i don't think i'll make 365 of them, but enough for a small quilt anyway.  love the scrappiness of them!

staring at the stash...

and wondering if i should start another project to try and bust more.  this is my view climbing in and out of bed every day, which explains why the UFO list is so long this year (for me), now at 35...yes, i found another.  i really want to play in the stash each and every day, but have to force myself to tackle UFOs instead.  with much fortitude, have managed to avoid all fabric sales e-mails, magazines, books and blogs with BOMs in order to keep to my objective of busting my own stash and UFOs but it hasn't been easy.  and (gulp) today is only the 6th of january...how will i ever survive the whole month?  hopefully this view will help.  this one and the even bigger view on the other side of the room. 

the secret's out

the SSCS swap package has been opened and the recipient is thrilled with the contents, which makes me happy as well.  this is what i sent.  first, the little valentine embroidery red wallhanging and 2 handmade ornaments, a tree of life (for maine, the pine tree state) and a little pinwheel.  i also made a selvedge needlecase to send, plus a handy notebook with some graph paper pages, a tape measure from the NE Quilt Museum and a fancy rooster card i found at the People's Place Quilt Museum in Lancaster.  mostly, i am glad it has finally arrived.  ***  spent some time working on "just takes 2" yesterday and quilting on a small UFO that is nearly done.  though today is a work day, i hope to get at least 1 more JTT block done; then i think only 2 more and i can put the 2nd section together.  that'll mean i'm half done with this flimsy so still a way to go for flimsy stage. 

extra! extra!

just this morning heard that my aussie package has arrived!  this was mailed from south portland post office on november 21, 2012, when i was told 7-10 days for arrival.  they were off just a bit it seems.  **** and more good news, our mercury is up a bit this morning, double digits.  weather guru says january thaw on the way.....yippee!  **** yesterday was visiting day to relatives so not much sewing to report.  did manage to work on postage stamps and also quilt some on the first UFO finish.  just a few errands today so hope to spend quality time with the old viking.  just maybe i can fling the wool socks...remains to be seen, er felt.

new year, new UFO

remember that charm pack and tumbler template that vic gifted me with just before christmas?  well, being the fabric diva i am, i couldn't resist pulling out some shirting squares and cutting some up!  and (gulp) i even got the batting for it too...on sale, of course.  it'll be about 5 feet square, big enough for shorty me, in repro fabrics of course.  it'll be a great leaders/enders project with simple straight seams.  first, though, the batik has to be finished and tied, and the just takes 2, and an official UFO has to be done.....etc, etc.  and, the horror!  i found another UFO...the christmas wishes wallhanging.  it's getting slowly embroidered and over half done now.  **** our winter has gone arctic so not much to do except keep the car from freezing up and stay inside and sew.  let those outdoor sports nuts freeze to death if they want.  in the spring/summer/fall i want to be on the beach, and in winter i want to live where i can see the beach, if not all the time then on a frequent basis. 

a vintage gift

for christmas, my mom gave me some gift cards and one was used to purchase these vintage sewing notion items.  apologies on the second photo but i will describe.  first on the left is a basket filled with wooden spool threads, English needles, roll of elastic webbing, 3 pr scissors, other sundry items.  and, of course, the little basket that is adorable!  the bottom tiny photo is of a box with a vintage-y paper lining with an old singer oil can, more spools and notions, a ribbon weaver and some misc stuff.  i already have my aunt's wicker sewing basket so these items will be added for a nice little vintage collection.  the funniest item in my collection?  that would be a package of 1950s era replacement garters....tooo funny!  did i really wear a garter belt back in the early 1960s with my very first nylon stockings?  yep, i sure did.  this small collection is about all i have room to keep but they are fun sewing related things to have and remember.  a few of the thread spools got tossed as they were not wooden....one was from zayre's department store, a long-lost retail venue whose parent company is TJX and sister store is TJ Maxx.  **** today's goal is to attend to a few chores and keep warm....it's FRIGID here! 

hello 2013....

and not a minute to waste!  this is the first UFO that will be tackled, starting today. it'll be free form quilted, a la joe cunningham.  it'll give it that antique look.  and, alas, i found 2 more UFOs, both little quilts, but more nonetheless.  **** thanks to diet pepsi, i was able to see the new year in quite easily, though just barely.  also got some sewing done, which is a fine way to spend any day or night.  and are you interested in some snow and very cold air?  would be glad to send it all your way if i could...the cold is tolerable, but hate the snow piles everywhere.  no melting this week, either.  good thing we are on the upside of daylight hours.  now off to start quilting!  enjoy the year, everyone, or at least as much as possible.