baby emma progress

isn't she cute?  i think so too, and yes, it is a smidgen wonky but considering all those teeny, tiny, itsy, bitsy, eeny, weeny flying geese, not too bad.  smallest i ever made i can tell you, measuring 1.5 x 2.5 inches. i did take this on with more than a bit of trepidation.  and see what i mean about the shirting used?  isn't enough contrast for me but it's what i had enough of to use for this project.  all done except for 3 little circles to be appliqued in the center, so it's a do-able finish for this year i think, OR could make up some hourglass squares, maybe 6 or 8 inches each, and morph it into a quilt top, maybe just sofa size?  *** next up for machine project is to finish piecing a kim diehl tablerunner, which will clear another shoebox as i desperately need the storage space. *** inchie leaders/enders are continuing and i have some strips to put together into another block or so.  before long i will have to sit down and figure out exactly how many squares i will need for the top.  it'll be a tied quilt due to a gazillion seams, but it's one i will keep as it's a veritable scrapbook of fabrics.  and no doubt a few spool blocks will be assembled as well.  aaahhh, so many fun projects ahead!

it's subee's fault!

when she sent back my swap strips, she included this little red spool block.  i was smitten!  even though i had other plans for my strips, i caved and made some little spool blocks for myself.  they are sooo adorable!  i am thinking these will make an ideal border for a scrappy quilt i have planned (for the other strips), don't you?  i really love scrap quilts.  *** well, my weekend is drawing to a close and did accomplish quite a bit.  in addition to these little blocks, got in some serious quilting time on the center diamond border.  also picked up the baby emma applique piece in hopes of finishing the piecing on the wallhanging.  pulled out my jo morton orangey/rust/gold pieces plus some black FQs--sheesh, did i way over estimate--and got to work.  i had heard this was tricky because of the original instructions in metric measurement, but whew, the tiny flying geese borders are coming along nicely!  couldn't be happier and anxious now to finish this little piece.  it's an official UFO so hopefully will get quilted this summer and be off the list before the year is out. 

starting a finish

this week is a blog hop over at "celebrate hand quilting" and if you hand quilt or just like looking, hop on over and see some beautiful work.  have recently started finishing up this quilt that had only the final border left to quilt.  it is very densely quilted as befits an amish style quilt and the batt is a 80/20 cotton/wool blend.  i think our weather will remain cool enough to get it done.  when i see hand quilting, my fingers start to itch to go and quilt something.  fortunately i have enough projects basted and at the ready for whenever.  once this quilt is finished, i'll switch over to small quilts for the duration of the summer, which should be arriving any time soon. 

in addition to hand quilting, the old viking and i are working on the "baby emma" wallhanging pictured on quiltmania last fall.  and note to self, when buying background shirtings, must buy AT LEAST 1 yard, as again this week, looking for a light shirting but none large enough for the entire project.  the fabric i finally used was not the best choice but the one for which i had sufficient fabric as shopping the stash was imperative.  

new to me book

most quilting books i can live without and do so quite nicely.  many i would like to get but funds and space just don't exist for that.  my selection is vast enough to provide plenty of inspiration and that fit on my one shelf...that's my limit.  since recently i flung one book just about this size, i could add this one.  the new england quilt museum is dear to my heart.  it's a project i knew from its embryonic stages right thru to the finish.  admittedly, i was a doubter in the beginning; the project seemed so vast and unattainable, but am proud to have seen it to fruition.  this is not a new book, 14 years old in fact.  and i don't feel guilty not supporting the museum by paying retail as i am a member and support the museum in other ways.  it was practically free; the shipping cost more, but i am so glad it's now mine.  plenty of old time photos and information on mill girls and mills in lowell, a few patterns and all the luscious quilts that became the start of its collection.  i've seen some up close and personal, but now i can visit whenever i want. *** quilting the last border on the amish center diamond is now in process.  this quilt has a cotton/wool combo batt, so when it's done, it'll get put aside until cooler weather comes back.  the little swap quilt is ready to baste and quilt as well.  it's friday for me and the living is eaaaassssy!

says who?

for an early birthday gift, victoria gave me this panel when we met up last week.  as if anyone couldn't tell this was true, judging by the stacks of fabric in plain sight.  the elfa drawers are full, there are no empty shoeboxes OR places to put them, even if they existed.  so, for now just stacking it up.  not that i don't like having it to look at all the time as it inspires me and urges me to use it up.  **** today just finishing up piecing my swap little quilt, next is basting and quilting.  i'm also working on a quick project to use up more fabric from last fall's retreat.  at this rate, i will be ready for more when this year's trip rolls around.  today i'll also be marking the last border on the amish center diamond so it can be finished up this month.  i simply gotta keep my nose to the UFO grindstone because why?   i want to make more!

quick update

batiks have been taken...thank you dot!...and the aurifil thread too....

say hello to victoria!

NOTE:  bag of HSTs has been taken!  ****  this is my pal victoria from new hampshire.  we met on the internet and share a fondness (fondness?  LOL) for civil war fabrics and, get this, she lives close to keepsake quilting!  now keepsake is about 3 hours from me, vic's house just over 2, so sometimes we meet inbetween.  just so happens that marden's in sanford is about equidistant, imagine that!  but being the equal opportunity gatherers we are, one shop wasn't enough so we hit 2 others--kathie's in sanford and footprints in rochester, nh.  rochester has a bustling main street/downtown area and vic found us a fast and yummy chinese place for lunch.  if you are in either locale, can highly recommend all 3 venues for fabric, friendship and fine times!  kathie's shop has been open about 5 years and is in a welcoming, spacious old farmhouse.  kelly's footprints i'm not sure about, but she is already looking for a larger space.  all in all, it was an ENJOYable day (there's that word again!).

two quilty deals

,

have a couple of quilty items up for sale.  first is a gallon bag with batik scraps; i've made one 25" square wallhanging out of this bag already and there is at least another and possibly 2 that could still be made from what's left.  these are first quality, quilt shop batiks, many from a recent quilt i made.  price is $6 plus postage from southern maine.  **** second item is a large quantity of half square triangles made from bonus triangles of quilt shop fabric leftover from my recent scrappy indigo project.  the size is 1 3/4" unfinished.  i could save them for someday but not sure i ever will use them.  price is $4 plus postage.  e-mail if interested. 

not a fabriholic but....

a fabricologist!  thank you, mrs. goodneedle, for clearing that up for me.  so, no addiction, just a deliberate gathering of woven cottons for a purpose....and there is a purpose for each and every piece, scrap and FQ.  **** saturday was an enjoyable day here in lobster land celebrating dear brother's birthday, sewing and relaxing until my weekend is over.  the maine quilts top is a flim; not quite a flimsy but very, very close.  the little swap project is progressing nicely.  some leaders/enders were sewn up.  some tumblers were sewn together.  only wish i could find a place to put this stack of fabric, except for the pinks/greens of course, they have a purpose AND a place. 

'nuff said!

is there a quilter anywhere who doesn't live by this mantra?  i hardly think so.  met up with my NH pal victoria yesterday and introduced her to a few new retail establishments.  this was given to us at the very first one and i wore it the rest of the day.  it looks just like my little phoebe! *** now that autumn change is done, will spend some quality time with the old viking this AM and get the maine quilts flimsy done, then finish up some handwork for the small quilt swap piece.  another "weekend" day for me which I plan to enjoy!

got 'er done!

just this morning finished the binding on my "autumn change" quilt; it's only sofa throw size, but lots of cross-hatch quilting should hold it together a while....LOL!  delicious autumn prints, i love 'em and love to use 'em.  it's a gift so soon will be on its way to a new home.  ****  how great, now can move on to another quick (maybe) finish with the amish center diamond.  it's cool enough here today to quilt with overcast/rainy skies.  and if that doesn't take too long, might even be able to squeeze in the pineapple blossom quilt, which is also a gift.  need to make room for more UFOs as i've some new project ideas swirling around in the gray matter....BTW, this pattern came from a "quiltmaker" mag back in 2010, i apologize to the designer as i don't have her name...in the mag it was done in browns/aquas.  it's chinese coins pattern and since i chose autumn fabrics, named it "autumn change"  get it?

today's mission.....

should i choose to accept it, of course, is to strip up these nickels into pieces for some little spool blocks.  i know, i know, wasn't going to make any BUT i have an idea in mind and so jumping on the little spool bandwagon with both feet!  now that the autumn change binding is nearly finished AND the maine quilts piece flimsy is just about done AND my little quilt swap blocks are almost finished (whew), i can take a bit of a detour.  not for long, though, as the temps are creeping up--63 right now at nearly 10 am--and need to quilt the last border on the amish center diamond and get that bound for another finish before summer officially arrives.  **** so many lovely UFOs calling my name, it is difficult to choose just what's next!  ***** and a big thanks to all who peeked at and commented about "suddenly spring,"....to paraphrase sally field, "you liked it, you liked it!"

suddenly spring!

omigosh!  what can i say after a day spent in quilting heaven?  this is how far i got on my project in bonnie hunter's workshop yesterday.  it will be titled "suddenly spring" because that is how it makes me feel.  during my trip to maryland a few weeks ago, i left the cold and brown maine environment to arrive in boston to see flowers on the trees, and as the train went further south, spring was a reality....suddenly!  and yesterday's workshop?  it was typical bonnie--fun and exciting filled with sewing and sharing, picking up valuable tips and tricks as only bonnie can deliver.  hop on over to her blog for more photos.  *** first up for me is to unpack the quilty suitcase, put phoebe back in her place, clear the decks here and get ready for work later on, still in the afterglow of a truly perfect day.

paintbox anyone?

this pattern is from edyta sitar, just found it in an email from hancock's of paducah.  wouldn't this make a delicious scrappy quilt?  i would probably use white instead of the beige and a different applique design in the corners, but i love, love, love a scrappy quilt like this!  wait, though, don't i have a scrappy ocean waves in progress?  i certainly do.  oh, and the scrappy honeycomb amish quilt too?  yep, i do.  and the scrappy boston commons waiting to be quilted?  so i am SURE i can pass up this one; seems i have scrappy covered at the moment.  *** another cool spring day here, that breeze from the north is keeping our temps too low for my liking.  it's sunny but still not what you'd call warm, but better than minnesota with 12" of snow overnight.  oh yeah, way, way better.     

playtime with phoebe

thought i should get phoebe out and give her a run thru to make sure all is in order for sunday's workshop, and it is!  she is purring along like usual.  here are some of my pinks and greens i'll be using.  the plan is to get everything prepped so when i get to the workshop i can get right to the sewing part and bonnie's ruler instruction and fabulous tips.  she said she has a bit of a throat tickle, but hoping she will be hale and hearty for her busy weekend.  **** today started binding the autumn change quilt!  that'll be a finish soon, then it's quilting the last border on the amish center diamond for a 2nd finish in may....2 bed size quilts off the list!  good thing as i have 2 ready to take their place--the scrappy indigo flimsy needs batt/back and baste and then this workshop top the same.  after the may quilts, it's small projects and applique work on the hawaiian.  i would so love to have that basted before 2013 is history..... 

sneak peek

here is a quick look at part of the project for maine quilts.  no, pine trees aren't blue with shells on them, just a bit of artistic license.  the plaid fabric was a volunteer gift last year from maine quilts, so it's neat that i'm using it for this year's display piece.  *** up early and eager for today's enjoyment which i hope will include plenty of progress on my 3 current focus projects--autumn change, the maine quilts and prepping pinks/greens.  a couple of errands will round out the day.  **** not much else doing here except watching spring progress and saying goodbye to april.  it's one of those days when i feel i can't sew fast enough or maybe it is just the stash inspiring me; either way, must not be deterred from current "must do" to rack up some finishes that are sorely overdue. 

new header

part of sunday was spent on a little daytripping.  with spring finally here and maine in bloom, it was the perfect day to do so.  the header photo is of nubble light in york, maine.  a real kodak moment place, not to mention the drive along shore road with waves nearly up to the car.  the video is of wells beach where it was sunny and cool with the air heavy with salt air aroma.  *** early this morning finished more of the maine quilts project.  then, pulled fabric for binding autumn change and got that ready.  all in all, a fun enjoyable day!

giveaway winner!

congrats to darlene....and thanks for leaving a comment.  this morning my mom drew the winning name and i have e-mailed darlene for her snail addy.  soon a little giftie will be on its way to her!  and thanks to all who posted comments as well.  **** already it's a gorgeous day and i've sewing fun planned.  had my caffeine and rarin' to go...enjoy today!

everyone knows....

quilters don't darn socks; it's written in the creed we all live by and in which we believe, except when it's patchwork socks!  don't tell anybody but i had to darn this pair recently because i HAVE to have my patchwork socks.  they were perfectly fine save for a tiny hole so i bit the bullet and now hope my quilting compadres will forgive me for breaking the code.  i am hoping you would do the same in this situation.  *** another sunny spring day here in maine.  finally able to go outside with no jacket.  naturally we ended up at the beach yesterday for a taste of things to come.  even at the oceanside, it was warm enough to walk a bit and sit on a bench and soak up some rays.  **** quilty efforts were focused on maine quilts project and the autumn change.  determined to get this thing bound before workshop next week...i hope! 

a friday giveaway!

in honor of april being almost over, spring being finally here and today being a very fine maine friday, decided to have a little giveaway.  the pattern came home with me from retreat last october and the selvedge needlecase was made by me.  if you wouldn't mind receiving these 2 frugal gifts, leave a comment and i will draw a name on sunday morning.  the wallhanging is 30.5" square and is paper pieced if you want to know.  ****  yesterday was the first time i was outside without a jacket, always a good thing!  doing some cleaning today, getting out my little window fan and some sewing of course!  am prepping the binding for autumn change in anticipation of a soon finish.  then i think i will finish quilting the last border of the amish center diamond before putting big quilts aside for warmer weather unless i can squeeze one more in before it gets too uncomfortable.  **** in the interest of full disclosure have spent just over $700 on fabric, workshop costs and all quilt/sewing related items so far this year.  if i didn't count the workshops, it would be frugal indeed, so not bad at all!

springy enough?

i think so too.  these are the scraps i've pulled for bonnie hunter's workshop next week.  some of the greens are leftovers from orca bay and some of the pinks are leftovers from a couple of baby quilts.  i did add a few to each pile; the background will be white.  most likely this will be donated at some point and will probably be tied, too, instead of hand quilted.  my hand quilting list is already overflowing.  ***  this is a (mostly) day off for me but i've got a list as usual.  first is diet pepsi; need some added "oomph" to get thru that list.  *** the temp last night when i arrived home just after 11 pm was 47 degrees; oh yeah, it is definitely spring now!

current read

if you follow along here, you know i'm one who reads on a regular basis.  this is the current volume on a medieval nun, hildegard von bingen.  it's part fiction of course, but i wanted to learn more about this remarkable woman i first learned about in music class in college.  now, my degree is more ultra-pricey maine souvenir than career booster--way more than any goofy lobster mug--but i did learn some about many things.  this woman was a writer, poet and composer among other accomplishments, unusual for her religious vocation.  medieval motets make me nearly swoon; i love the spiritual nature of the sounds and do listen to them on CDs, often on sundays to set the tone for the day .  *** on the quilty front, been quilting on autumn change and happy to say nearly ready to bind.  am also working on 2 hush-hush projects, my maine quilts piece and a small swap quilt being hand pieced.  in addition to quilting right now, though, have to prep my pieces for bonnie's workshop....super fun to come!   

maryland blueberries

first, a plug for the delightful shop i visited in maryland called "tomorrow's treasures," located in a strip mall in crofton park.  it takes a bit to find it...it's in back...but oh so worth the trip.  a huge selection, sale fabrics, machines, friendly staff and other quilters, of course, which is how i came by this piece of barbara brackman fabric.  a lady ahead of me in line bought most of it and with less than a yard left, i took the rest.  it's blueberries...in maryland?  who knew?  it surely had my name on it.  my other purchases were some FQs of pinks/green for bonnie's workshop. ****  definitely NOT summer here with temps in the 40s but the good news is looks like old man winter is gone, gone, gone...for now, anyway. 

precious moments

remember this little cutie?  well, it moved to maryland and to DD's for her sewing enjoyment.  and so it was that while visiting, we had some mother/daughter sewing bonding time.  she had printed out the manual and put the pages in page protectors for easy reference.  she even got it threaded for when i arrived.  she got a pillow pattern and cut out some pattern pieces.  i gave her some tips on cutting out patterns, the meaning of the lines, how to mark the bed for seam allowance, the use of pins and off she went...a real prodigy!  she was thrilled beyond belief.  and the smile on her face when it was finished?  priceless!  ***  so today finish unpacking, get organized and back to work after a night back in my own bed.  not that i didn't sleep well in maryland, but you know how it is.  this week's goals include more quilting on autumn change, more work on the maine quilts project and prepping for bonnie's upcoming workshop.  and lastly, missing my kiddos now too far away.  ****  lastly, my hat is off to BWI airport; superior drivers on their shuttle services.  i don't frequent a lot of airports at all, and i didn't even fly there, but can't sing the praises of them loud enough...

back from summer

though i missed the DC cherry trees this year, did manage to find this one still in full bloom....soooo gorgeous!  and trekking the washington mall spied these wisteria, also beautiful and so summery.  *** it isn't even close to summer here in maine yet, and i do miss it already.  more than that, i am missing my daughter and son-in-law.  a great visit was had by all and we are planning more in the future.  i am slowly learning to be a mother-in-law...LOL!  not yet unpacked or back on my former routine, but while i would miss my family here, not keen on living in maine at all.   *** and to no one's surprise, i found a quilt shop, a very nice one in fact, and explored it with a new friend from last year's retreat.  turns out there are plenty more quilt shops in the area i haven't even visited....for now anyway!

no photos....

busy riding the rails to BWI...and did i bring sewing?  you bet!

in mourning

nobody should be surprised that such an enjoyable and renown event would be interrupted by such violence.  boston is a magnet for people from all over the world.  sadly, not all appreciate the opportunity they have.  thankfully, world-class hospitals were close by.  in addition to the casualties, injured and mayhem created by this infidel(s), my beloved Women's Lunch Place has been closed down for the day, depriving hundreds of needy women much-needed services.  my first reaction is that of revenge, a human feeling.  massachusetts has no death penalty.  do i believe in it?  would it have made a difference?  probably not.  if anyone doubts the reality of evil, doubt no more.....   

a quick reply

the question was posed how i wash my charms and yes, i do use a lingerie bag.  first i scrunch up the squares to make sure they all get washed.  once out of the dryer, ironing is necessary but at least i know they have been washed and dried.  and yes, i have already chosen a patten and started cutting out the pieces for a small hand-pieced project.  what fun!

a "charm" ing squishie

recently participated in a civil war reproduction charm swap and so these arrived in the mail yesterday.  it is the most frugal way to obtain new stash.  first a quick trip to washer, then dryer, then into the stash for future small quilt projects.  *** dodged the SNOW bullet, but it is chilly for april here this morning.  maybe spring will come NEXT week?  there is always hope....and BTW, a happy birthday to Gladys Taber, author of the "stillmeadow" books.  if you haven't read one, you are in for a delightful sojourn!

a mod finish

so here is the mod tote for my laptop all finished except sewing up the seam inside where it got turned.  i think i used up about 7-8 FQs making this; it is always good to bust stash!  i saw a kit for this in a quilting catalog at $45, so decided to try and make it on my own with pretty good result i think.  even though these little 3.5" blocks sew up fast, it does take a bit of time to make enough for a project like this.  another shoebox got emptied as well, double good!  **** other than this finish, life is quiet here in our maine lake woebegone.  it's been cloudy and rainy for a few days but would you believe they are talking snow for tonight?  me either!  now on to another little project plus more quilting on autumn change.  and today's word?  enjoy! 

no need to ask....

what else i did on sunday...here's the proof.  this is probably the one time i am soooo glad we don't have a gas stove.  i turned on the back (i thought) burner, then had to run to the {ahem} facility, which is another, longer, much more unpleasant saga.  anyway, yes, i turned on the WRONG burner and quite soon the kitchen was smoky.  so glad it wasn't the cover else gordon ramsay would be, shall we say, disfigured?  i watched this series 4x on the BBC channel and loved it, so got the book; his other shows don't interest me because there is almost no content--all bleeped out.  unlike many cooking shows, this one is for the home aka normal cook.  no wacky or expensive tools or ingredients, but he does utilize some new-to-me spices that are interesting and jazz up banal recipes.  like most professionals, he makes it look super easy and simple.  those i've tried so far are very good and fairly quick to prepare.  i flung 3 cookbooks so i've room to keep this one.  now back to quilting......   

early morning strippin'

on the to-do list today was to cut a stack of 1.5" strips for an upcoming swap.  experience has taught me NOT to commit to 10-12 packages, and this time it was 4.  so pulled out an elfa drawer and cut 40 strips 11 x 1.5" (bottom right).  and since the rotary cutter was warmed up, also cut a stack of repro strips for an inprocess project (bottom left), which left, obviously, leftovers of some short strips, inchies and then strings (top, left to right).   glad to say the trash can didn't get fed much at all from this task.  **** with this done, can go back to laptop tote and some hand quilting and it isn't even 9 AM yet...how good is that? 

singing (the praises of) the blues!

that would be jo morton's variety blues....yes, finally got to fondle them yesterday and bring them home.  aren't they gorgeous!  indeed!  on the drive back to the village where i live, about an  hour, couldn't stop thinking about how to use them.  plenty of patchwork visions danced through my mind--while obeying the traffic rules, of course.  first off, wash and dry, then fold and add to my stash of irresistible jo morton fabrics.  and now i'm thinking....brown variety?  green variety?  cheddar variety?  oh yeah, i sure hope jo is reading this!

taking stock

every time i add a bit of new fabric to the stash--these are madison manor FQs from jo morton--time is spent taking stock of what's been used up.  my head was nearly hung in shame after last year's retreat when almost 40 yards of fabric came home with me...i know, it seems like a HUGE amount.  but since then, the plum solid and batik bali pop has been used, 3 yards of a green solid just about gone, 3 yards of a dark blue print also cut up waiting to be sewn that will incorporate many of the batiks bought, the mod FQs are disappearing slowly, the summer breeze blues/yellows made into the mondo bag, other solid FQs cut up for the amish style ocean waves, black/white prints were swapped, and bits of civil war repros used in various little quilts.  true, it hasn't all been used but feeling confident i haven't become a fabric collector.  my swap gift at retreat was a collection of blues/yellows batik charms, and those are going toward a pair of pillowcases--white with tiny 3" paper pieced stars--some time this summer probably.  rest assured i'll be sewing up a storm between now and this year's retreat...after all, i go to have fun and shopping for fabric is an absolute fun requirement!

scrappy indigo flimsy

most of my sewing time recently has been quilting on autumn change and sewing up those little blocks for a tote, BUT this did finally get its final press and can be shown....what is better than blue and white?  collected these indigo and indigo-like fabrics for a while and they are perfect for this pattern.  a blue narrow border was called for, but decided to opt out and instead will bind with the blue to finish it off.  **** today is my friday and looking forward to a couple of days of spring weather, even though it is hardly warm.  the snow is just about gone except for a few errant dirty hills here and there.  but the sun is soooo nice.  in maine, 50 degrees is warm and i've seen many in shorts already.  now off to spend AND enjoy the day!

taking shape

machine time friday included assembling more of these little mod kansas dugout blocks.  still more to go but this project is starting to come together and i am liking it more and more.  no, i am not a mod quilter as my quilty portfolio will attest, but i saw these fabrics and the colors just popped out and begged to be put together for a project.  friday also included a HUGE amount of time spent quilting the autumn change, as well as working on my maine quilts wallhanging.  not much sewing today as it's a work day....gotta support my habits, right?

yes, it's friday, but....

for those of us who are Christians, we know that friday wasn't the end, that Sunday came and life began anew.  nature's personification of that truth is evident in the spring awakening, now finally a reality here in coastal maine.  way overdue, too, if you ask me.  the summer seasonal places are starting to open on a regular basis and patio furniture is appearing in stores.  spring brings summer and summer brings maine quilts, so today i've been working on my project to display.  auditioning fabric is soooo taxing....not!  and some time today, the fedex truck will be making a brief stop bringing......fabric?  of course!

long ago easter

over at nann's blog, she posted an old Easter photo so here is one of mine!  this had to be 1956 or so.  this was before brother #2 and sister #1 joined our family.  if i close my eyes, i can clearly see my grandmother's house filled with relatives and doting aunts all gathered around a holiday table.  see, we still had snow THAT Easter too and even with our warm temps this year, no doubt there will be a few stubborn piles left.  no doubt my daughter will get a chuckle out of that hat!

a quilting gold mine

pulled out my HUGE stash of QNM and find that these old magazines are worth their weight in gold.  for example, found this article on a younger jo morton with patterns of some cute little quilts.....how fantastic is that?   my stack dates back to 1990 and i've been leafing thru them the past few days basking in the story of quilting over the past 20+ years.  plenty of technique lessons, articles by quilt teachers who are at the top of their game today and those photos to match......people like gwen marston, carol doak, jinny beyer plus those no longer alive like virginia avery, bonnie leman, pat campbell, doreen speckman and others.  back then i wasn't "into" civil war reproductions and was surprised to find many quilts and patterns that i can use for my newly acquired collection of fabrics.  some quilters don't like the magazine today, but even though it has morphed into a more modern resource, the inspiration it provides is priceless to me.  i "flung" 2 years of issues and need to fling more, but it'll be difficult finding ones i can easily let go.  yeah, it's THAT good....

a giveaway win

patti had a giveaway and lucky me was the recipient of these delish applique patterns!  thank you, patti!  you should hop on over to her blog and see some of her superb work on folk art quilts and others; her applique work is beautiful.  **** and on this sunny, warmish, early spring day i have a few errands and some sewing goals to meet.  still working on my project for maine quilts this year and last night got more quilting done on autumn change.  **** yesterday popped on over to cyndi's blog to see the luscious new fabrics in her shop...that i'll get to see in person next week when i pick up my "blue variety" stash.  aren't they gorgeous!  ***  seems like spring is really just about here; we still have a bit of snow but it should be gone by week's end with our daytime temps near 50; so good to see grass and blacktop again!

challenge from bonnie

if you saw bonnie's facebook post today, then no doubt  you are drooling over this beauty right now!  i know i am for certain.  hmmm, i DO have a significant civil war stash and i do need to use it up....don't i?  i can get the pieces all cut except the cream and pick that up in october.  want to join me and cheer each other on?  one thing, though, i'll need more space before i pull out ALL my repros to cut up for this; better go start clearing the decks.  **** sidelined a bit this weekend with a flare of my previous eye problem, but all is well now and professional advice has been sought and initiated.  **** no real machine work to report but plenty of quilting was accomplished on the autumn change.  diligently pushing for a finish on this ASAP.  now, back to quilting!

thursday sewing

off and on today been sewing on that maine quilts project.  started out with 1/4 yard of the white print and 1/2 yard of the dark blue and this is what is left.  pretty discouraging i'd say....paper piecing doesn't use up a whole lot of stash by any stretch.  this will be a wallhanging and it is far from done, so will use up more of the fabrics that were set aside for this project.  and yes, it IS an official UFO so when it's done, another gets crossed off.  **** cold this morning and seasonable today with some melting of the hideous snow.  despite the winter feel, some of the seasonal places are starting to open on a limited basis, so that is always a welcome sign.  **** off to shower and settle down for the night with the quilting project.  idle hands, you know.... 

UFO progress

this UFO has been in the works for some time.  amish style, of course, using up some cherrywood scraps from their scrap bags.  it is hand pieced and will be hand quilted.  only 20 blocks in all with alternating solid blocks -- for the quilting of course!  this is the first time i've seen them all together and soon it will be a flimsy....no rush, though, whenever is ok with me.  it is a gift quilt so won't be staying with me.  i am thinking my next hand piecing project will be civil war repros.  it has to be small enough to be portable as i've the hawaiian to keep at home....just plain too large to stuff into my purse.   **** yes, it is disgustingly true, we have had another snowstorm.  we are all praying this is the last.  we (meaning collectively new england residents) are so done with winter! 

a quilty day

with flakes falling and plows plowing, not to mention winds howling, it is definitely a snowy quilty day here in coastal maine.  did i mention tomorrow is the first day of spring?  oh yeah, we are all too familiar with this kind of weather this time of year.  i have only peeked out the window once, trying to avoid looking at it more than necessary.  instead, been cozy in my quilting chair working on this gift quilt.  it's over 2/3 quilted and thinking about what kind of binding it wants.  don't think it will be a march finish, but soon after.  **** the setting triangles are all sewn in on the little basket quilt, so ready to baste and quilt--love that companion angle ruler!  **** now that scrappy indigo is an official flimsy, moving on to the next project, a secret project, for the upcoming maine quilts show this summer.  so, without further delay..... 

non UFO finish

you would think that with a lengthy UFO list, my focus would be on finishing rather than making, but i couldn't resist this springy little wallhanging in the recent Quiltmaker issue.  it's going to hang in my work cube giving it a definite non-winter ambience.  rest assured, though, UFOs are being tackled.  just yesterday another square for "just takes 2" got finished.  **** last night during quilt-cam, sewed up some squares for another new project that will be finished soon....kim diehl's "pie birds" runner.  it uses those luscious civil war repros and is a quickie 7 square project.  **** now that this little cutie is finished, my hand quilting time will go to "autumn change," hoping for a finish--maybe no march but april definitely.  hoping that'll give me time for another bed size quilt finish before hot weather arrives.  now off to soak up some late winter sunshine!

surprise fabric!

that vic is such a dear!  mr. mailman brought me this in a little package from vic today..  i send her my strings for a friend of hers--and quite happy to find a home for them too, i might add--so i hope she didn't think she needed to "pay" me.  i am glad indeed to get these coordinating fabrics and they are most welcome in my stash...thank you vic!  **** finished the scrappy indigo flimsy but not ready for its closeup yet; also put together another block for JTT and printed off some applique patterns of upcoming blocks.  the little spring wallhanging is done and will find its spring home in my work cube tomorrow.  now i am cutting some civil war strips for a scrappy tablerunner, pattern by kim diehl.  lastly, made a cranberry bread and topped off the day with lunch at olive garden.  and, best of all, quilt cam tonight!  spending every minute of this early spring day in most enjoyable ways! 

little baskets part 2

oh yeah, i think this fabric is going to be fine for the setting triangles.  usually i plan these things ahead and sew the triangles on BEFORE the rows get put together, always when machine piecing.  this little serendipitous project was hand pieced and the setting triangle fabric hadn't been chosen so they will get set in by hand--a good portable project.  gee, i am really liking how this is going to finish up.  ****  just this morning heard that ice season was nearly over here in new england....doesn't hurt me one bit!  sure, we might get some more rogue snows but it can't last as mr. sun is bearing down on us much warmer these lengthening days.  ****  it's my weekend and i've got a long list of things i hope to accomplish, which is always too ambitious, but i know some of them will get crossed off.  getting a bit of a late start due to a couple of late nights but first up...laundry! 

wonderful wednesday

well it's wednesday friday for me and yesterday finished assembling the little basket quilt.  fortunately have a wide selection of possibilities for setting triangles, but chose this red civil war stripey piece, which coincidentally used it all up on this project...how good is that?  have several other projects using civil war repros dancing in my head.  first up is to finish quilting the spring wallhanging, finish quilting autumn change, finish scrappy indigo flimsy (almost done!), send off the batik AND rotary cut strips for another project and for a tablerunner....whew!  ****  our springy weather continues, so much so that last night kept my window open a bit, wore shortie jammies AND used only 1 quilt....yep, spring is coming for sure!

my brother, the blues bass guitarist

having a brother in an active band makes me a sometime groupie.  today's gig was at mt. abram, a ski resort about 2 hours west.  being beach people, i've never been before and probably won't ever go again, but it was a nice outing.  and skiing?  they make it look sooo easy, except for that little girl on the bunny slope who hasn't quite got the hang of it.  the sun felt nice and it wasn't actually too cold outside to sit for a bit....but glad i wore my woolie socks!   **** had my "hour ahead" nap and now for some nonfun stuff...laundry!