over the hump....

with the completion of block 6 in the marcus bros. sew-along, closing in on the finish...only 4 weeks to go and will have completed this short-term project.  when it was started, it slipped my mind that i'd be busy getting ready for retreat but have to muddle along.  the blocks themselves don't take too much time, but doubt will have it quilted since i only hand quilt.  **** have put the hawaiian aside temporarily to finish up a wallhanging trying to bust more stash.  this month will also finish a donation UFO that should help.  between now and end of december, will finish at least one more bed size quilt i think.....the amish center diamond that only needs 3 border sides quilted and then bound.  still hoping to finish the applique on the hawaiian by year's end though. *** on the subject of busting stash, currently have added 132 yards this year and busted just about 53, so that is respectable progress i think.  trouble is, i know i will add to the pile on retreat....part of the fun don't ya know!

non UFO finish...

 

the baby quilt is done and it's large enough for a toddler bed too...which is good.  the polka dot backing left enough for the binding AND enough for binding another quilt too, all cut and ready for whenever.  ***  first on today's list is the next block in the marcus bros sew-along.  our summery weather is leaving today so more time for sewing in the days to come.  next is to finish some swap blocks and a donation quilt.  **** with 49 days to retreat, plenty to do while enjoying early autumn weather before snow flies.  autumn is my favorite season of all, so happy that it's almost here!

secret revealed!

yes, it is project #4 from the "daydreams" scraps....a little quilt made for my "sister swap" package that arrived today in sunny california at vicki's house!  you can hop on over to see a better photo and the other things i sent her from the rocky coast of maine.  across from marden's, which is around the corner from where i live is a specialty cook store, and i found the honey and chocolate bar there.  the postcards i had picked up when mom and i breakfasted in boothbay earlier this summer.  the fabric from marden's of course, and the thread came in the box i had won earlier this year.  the little quilt is a bit wrinkly, but i washed it and hate to put my quilts in the dryer feeling the heat is too harsh for the fibers.  she seems genuinely pleased with all the little gift items, but i liked them too so that is good all around. 

binding day

well, weekend is here once again and today's task is to bind the baby quilt.  it has returned to summer here in maine and the beach has beckoned, but today simply must finish this project.  *** retreat in 51days for me (i leave a day earlier for travel) and i've made my list of what needs to be done to get ready.  once this baby quilt is done, have to finish some swap squares and then a donation quilt is on tap.  i've also been working on the hawaiian still, but may have to put it aside briefly to finish a UFO.  i hope to get the basting done by the end of the year.  *** my portable project is now complete and i can pick up the dargate baskets once again.  that is a whenever project and gets done exactly then.  ***  so surprising that september is here already.  even tho our weather has been summery this week, it's temporary.  the veggie stand run yesterday included squashes galore and little pumpkins.  how did that happen so fast?  a batch of my green tomato pickles is on the september list, plus some corn fritters for the freezer.  they do taste like summer when thawed.  and chopped clams are in the freezer too, along with beef for stew, for upcoming cool days.  hoping frost holds off  to squeeze every moment out of fresh veggie season.  lastly, picked up more lobster yesterday while prices still low....and in celebration of turning 65, i finally tackled a raw oyster...it was good!

tie dye....er day

it's a gray day here, hot and humid too, so no beach but no problem!  baby quilt is ready to tie.  due to space limitations, this is the way it gets done.  start in the middle of course and then work out either side.  the binding fabric is at hand also...the orange polka dot...so should get completed in the next day or two.  then some swap squares and i can move on in UFO land.  the peek of the pinwheel quilt on the right is the end of my bed, yeah it's THAT close.  i have about the same amount of room on the other side of the bed as well, but formulating some plans to generate some additional sewing/sleeping space.  this quilt plus some applique on the hawaiian are on my list today...and who knows what else....call it serendipity!

10 quilting secrets

ok, have seen this around blogland and decided to jump in....confession, they say, is good for the soul and these may or may not be new to those of you who follow and read sort of regularly.

1.  yes, sew over pins and yes, i do occasionally break a needle.
2.  don't believe in using fusibles on my quilts....they are too new and who knows what the long-term result will be
3. not a perfectionist quilter; occasionally points don't match, seam junctions don't match; not worth losing sleep over
4.  don't square up my quilts as a rule, occasionally yes but not regularly
5.  yes,  do have too much fabric and yes i do buy more...have slowed down but not stopped
6.  yes,  do like aurifil best; use others but prefer aurifil for its thinness...all my girly machines love it
7.  no longer trek to many quilts shows; don't have to, internet fills that void nicely
8.  not a big fan of hexies....even tho i am making an amish honeycomb (hexagons) quilt but they are big ones, like 4"....little and teeny tiny ones take too much time for me
9.  would never make a yo-yo anything in my life
10.  no fan of "turning twenty" or similar boring patterns

there you have it....so you can continue to read or not, your choice.   so what is on my quilty plate?  tying the baby quilt....all ready to start first thing sunday...hawaiian progress continues at snail's pace.  then some batik swap squares and i can move on to another UFO.  so are you ready to confess?

"sister" swap goodies

so how great is this...one day after my actual birthday, this lovely package of goodies comes in the mail from kathy over at qreative quilts for the "it's a sister swap" thing.  apparently she has been reading my blog in order to choose these beautiful items so perfect for me.  first, a kaffe fassett pillow that goes in my sewing chair, some nice civil war fabrics, an adorable journal with angel cover and the delish beach bag that is nearly all paper pieced.  this gal is a wizard at paper piecing, i tell ya!  the two photos show back and front and i cannot decide which is better.  course, having my name on it makes it ultra personal and absolutely perfect for just about anything, almost too nice for the beach, know what i mean?  it has a large zipper pocket on one side and 2 open pockets on the other when you peek inside.  check out her blog for other beautiful items she has made....thank you, kathy, for such wonderful surprises!  **** i mailed my package yesterday so once it's revealed, i'll post photos of what i sent, which i hope will be equally well received.  i don't do many swaps now because of prohibitive postage rates, but this is one i'd be happy to do again.  thank you, michele, for being such a super hostess!  *** well reality bites and my 3-day birthday weekend has come to an end. now i get to work for 3 days while others relax, but no matter, i had a terrific "weekend" and it won't always be this way.  i'm grateful to have a job with so many positive aspects.  just hoping i'll be able to find another when i move.  **** and last, it's 57 days to retreat...coming fast now and gonna be busy until departure getting stuff ready to take.  ooohh lancaster at harvest time...how great is that!

the past lives on.....

on a lark, went to google this morning to look up the previous owner of my antique sewing table.  it belonged to my ex-husband's grandmother, lila, and was given to me by my ex-father-in-law on the death of his wife, lila's daughter, maud erminie.  this is what i found.  top photo is lila at age 9 in 1886 and bottom photo is lila and her daughter, willena.  the spooky thing is, the top photo is a close resemblance to my own daughter, miss B.   also of interest, when i was married to miss B's father, his aunt, willena (above left) gifted me with a box of fabric scraps, patterns and patchwork pieces that belonged to lila, most of which i used to fix/create some vintage things.  and no, miss B did NOT inherit the (ahem) large nose, though she thinks hers is too large.  could have been worse, my dear!  anyway, i think lila would be happy to know her sewing table and scraps have been put to use....

shameless promotion

have officially arrived on the cusp of the 3rd act of my life.  hoping all i have experienced and learned thus far will stand me in good stead, and that God will allow me many more days here with my dear family.  it's the big 65, retirement age for some but not me.  i don't feel 65, hoping i don't LOOK 65 either.  when my grandmother was 65 she wore hairnets, had white hair, took daily afternoon naps and wore clunky, laced, thick-heel orthopedic shoes.  the naps i understand as i often don't sleep long enough or get up very early, but the other stuff is totally foreign to me.  and what might a maine girl have to celebrate her birthday?  you guessed it....lobster!

these just came out of the pot and are begging to be tasted, so one must bear up!  LOL...have a wonderful day, even if it isn't YOUR birthday!

you probably don't....

EVER buy fabric that you just love without any idea at all how to use it, but confess that i do.  case in point, this piece....a half yard.  pretty colors, nice jacobean-esque print and outlined in gold....it called to me like a siren song and i caved.  i was playing in the stash the other day and came across it again, still loving it and thinking i should pull some fabics that "go" with it and think of a project, or at least cut off some strips to include in some scrappy projects going on right now.  but time was short and i just left it in the stash for another time.  i felt quite rich indeed with my stash and all the colors and patterns.  much like a fingerprint, it's mine alone, a collection born out of things i chose, others that were gifted....i can't wait to see it all neatly stacked in a cabinet like fine wines to inspire me and bring those project ideas swirling around in my head to life.  making my fingers itch already! 

M is for....

monday and mending too!  exercised my frugal gene and did some much needed repairs on not only some "unmentionables" but also an old drunkard's path quilt i made in the 1980s.  for this i had to fire up the old viking and her super zig-zag stitch.  now, i love phoebe and her perfect little stitch but she does have limitations, first of which is the sheer weight of the machine.  when i sew super fast on phoebe it feels like sometime she might just fly off the table, but not with the old viking.  this ultra-heavy, solid steel plaything is no lightweight at all.  she and trudy were constructed to last a lifetime and it may well be several before either gives up the ghost.   trudy and her treadle trappings were not meant to move around at all, and even though the old viking is considered a portable machine, one wouldn't want to carry her very far at all.  whereas phoebe, the little darling, is able to move anywhere quite easily.   so it seems i have the best of all machine possibilities, doesn't it?  **** summer is BACK!  i predict some beach time this week, at least 2 days and what better way to herald retirement age than lounging in the sand and playing in the surf......now time to check the list!

birthday goodies!

after a long 8 hours at work on saturday, arrived back at the dungeon to find some birthday goodies in the mail.  first, from my dear kiddos these birthstone earrings PLUS a magazine subscription...aren't they lovely?  i think so too and will be wearing them on my birthday for sure.  next up is a squishie from vic in NH....and she made an adorable little repro quilt for me plus some gorgeous fabric to fondle.  we love the same fabrics so it's easy to find ones we both love....these will get popped into the washer today.

as for us in maine, we are still chilly at a brisk 53 degrees here this morning.   i have heard summer is coming back this week for a few days, so hoping there are more beach days in our future before fall arrives permanently.  *** busy making lists for fall retreat and planning which projects to take.  oh, almost forgot, one more birthday surprise to show....

a pair of karen kay buckley serrated scissors for precision fabric cutting....i had a small pair that evaporated somewhere which were super for applique, so i replaced them.  ***  my sunday to-do list is made and hoping to get a few things finished so can continue on busting stash!

up to date!

yep, the block for week #4 is done so i am current with this sew-along.  this is very good indeed.  i've also been doing some secret sewing, which i will be able to share very soon.  plus the hawaiian...despite working on it nearly all month, i am only about half done with the third quarter of getting the top basted.  i may just continue on with it, hoping it's ready to baste by the end of the year....maybe?   ****  we are in a cool spell here, this morning was 59 and has now climbed up to 61.  fans and a/c units are off, and i'm actually wearing sweat pants today.  **** it has been a tough week overall but not so tough it couldn't be tamed.  still suffering negative effects of an unnecessary surgery in 2010, which cannot fix itself.  but finding a provider who will facilitate this here in maine is nearly impossible.  until then will hobble along and be grateful it isn't worse. 

then there were 3....

week 3 of the marcus bros sew-along and voila, 3 blocks done!  have even amazed myself with the way keeping up with this short-term quilty event.  getting plenty of applique done on the hawaiian too, but still a ways to go.  here is a photo of the 3 blocks together...this is gonna be a cute little quilt i think!

a gray and fallishly cool day here in maine....summer will be back later this week but for today the slate is clean and just planning on doing some sewing  and relaxing.   ***  the lexington stash is all washed and dried and ready to use.  think i'm gonna just look at it for a while and enjoy...

throwback thursday

heh, heh, heh, me and the older brother one christmas, circa 1957....my aunt used to love putting angel hair on the christmas tree..i always loved the way the colored lights would shine through it...pure magic!  and curls by tonette too!  another cool summer day here, sooo comfortable and ideal for doing anything.  well, some chores done, now to dress and get sewing! 

B minus 2 weeks

birthday two weeks from today but this early bird gift came today....my lexington prints!  i chose 12 of my favorites but in truth, i love them all.  what's not to like!  pair these with some midwinter reds and zowie.....a simply gorgeous quilt or anything for that matter.  for many years i've been wanting to make a jack's chain quilt and these will be perfect!  and those nice hancock's people put in a color flyer for luscious batiks and kaffe fassett fabrics, so very sweet of them.  oohhh these are truly gorgeous prints and colors.  i might just have to fondle them a while before cutting into them.  let the celebrating begin!

no wonder....

ok, so i made the "cabana daydreams" flimsy, then i made another small project (can't show now) and then i made these 2 potholders, the top one is done and has crazy patches on the back--same fabric scraps--and have i used up the entire 2 layer cakes yet?  no way!  so, no wonder i have a humongous amount of scraps left over from other projects.  once i piece another crazy back for the 2nd potholder, i am going to use the rest to cut inchies and make more of these little 9 patches....aren't they adorable?  this fabric line is sooo pretty, just right for spring and summer.  and the potholders will brighten up the kitchen come winter and much shorter days.  **** bonnie hunter is going to tuscany next spring.  i am toying with the idea of going on this tour.  i have always wanted to see italy.  true, i don't care much for flying long distances, would have to get in better shape for walking and sightseeing and would have to go into mega-scrimping mode, but still am thinking about it.  she flies all over all the time without any serious mishap, so chances are would make it to and from alive, but not sure can muster the courage.  it's a daydream all on its own!  ****  bit chilly in these parts this morning, 58 degrees, which is more like fall but won't last....summer is coming back soon with a vengeance, meaning beach and swim days galore!  now for more playtime with phoebe!

23 to do

first "lady of the lake" block done, only 23 more to go.  yes it DOES measure EXACTLY 8.5" so swap hostess will be happy.  using a variety of blue batiks with a WOW print.  should be a very pretty finished project i'd say.  leisurely sunday morning playing in the stash with phoebe....have 2 more little projects hope to play with today, in addition to tying the baby quilt AND some time on the hawaiian...  is this a great day off or what! aaahhh this is what i had hoped it would be like during this time in my life.  thought i might go on more quilty jaunts, but realizing that time is finite, would rather sew than browse endless shops.  if i didn't work saturdays, i probably would do more quilt shows, but won't always be this way.  for now, playing in the stash whenever i can is just right.  now go on, have a good day!

two for two

can hardly believe it myself, the queen of too many project starts!  it's week 2 of the sew-a-long and there are 2 blocks done!  block 2 on the right got sewn this morning after getting up early and having a quick breakfast.  my fabrics were pulled from stash rather than buying the kit, and truthfully, i wasn't enthralled with them, but now that blocks are together, they are working together just fine.  *** in addition to these blocks, also got some swap sewing done.  next up is to tie the baby quilt and continue on with the hawaiian.  also have to get cracking on some swap blocks that are due late september.  all in all, a most productive and enjoyable weekend that included some much needed beach time as well.  keep calm and sew on!

using it up

when life quilts give you scraps, gotta use them up.  today making yet another project from daydreams scraps.  and not done using them up yet.  those 2 layer cakes aka 10" square bundles i bought will be spread around plenty.  most of what is left will only yield inchies; that is 1.5" squares for a UFO in progress.  but there are still some triangles left for pieces a bit larger, probably 2.5" that will be ideal for most anything.  thanks to bonnie hunter, i visualize my scraps as being part of yardage that was paid for with real money, meaning scraps have plenty of monetary value.  anything that ends up in the trash can is money down the drain.  have you checked your trash can lately?  of course, more scraps means an overflowing scrap basket of which i have 2, so there will be plenty of scrappy sewing in my future.   **** this is my weekend and so far it's been wonderful.  a rainy day is  sewing day but hoping for some beach weather tomorrow.  gotta jam as much fun as possible into 2 days off! 

cabana daydreams reality

yes, it is a flimsy now!  it is 2 rows shorter than the pattern for reasons totally frugal....i like to keep my tops so i can use 90" muslin as backing and 2 more rows would be a tad too wide.  also, i ran out of yellow print triangles.  thinking of using a white flannel instead of a batt so it would be an ideal summer topper.  it will be hand quilted of course....probably a 2015 finish.  **** still working on the hawaiian, or i should say playing, because that really is the correct verb.  ***  now that CD is a flimsy, can move on to some swap blocks and a couple of small projects swirling around in the gray matter.  first up, though, is to tidy the sewing space, send the remaining triangles to the scrap basket and enjoy the rest of the summer.   **** retreat is a mere 80 days away--2 months plus--and have already started my list.  plan to devote september to finishing up a donation for B3--bob's blankie brigade--and cross THAT off the UFO list.  **** my weekend starts tonight and vacuum is at the top of the to-do list!  PS the new header photo is our nearby coast during the tail end of a hurricane a few years ago....10 foot waves....awesome!

brief nonquilty detour

a shocking detail became apparent to me yesterday....janet lennon, who is very, very slightly older than me, is now singing with her GRANDDAUGHTERS!  that's right, her granddaughters are now part of the singing lennon legacy.  while nowadays lawrence welk and his show are the butt of negative humor, the fact is that during the 1950s his show was very big.  as a young girl in the 1950s, i spent a lot of time at my grandmother's house and with my aunts, the younger two who were typical 50s gals.  there was a hi-fi there and plenty of records, many 78s of the WWII era and some pop 50s stuff like perry como, les paul and mary ford, etc.  that is where my love of music was fed.  and i totally adored the lennon sisters...so attractive, accomplished, talented, always every hair in place and pretty outfits.  my youngest aunt had this album and i must have played it a zillion times.  in the 60s and 70s i desperately tried to get a copy but failed.  now, though, mp3 is magical and it is available.  went to check on one of my fave gal groups and found out about janet and her granddaughters.  where did the time go?  how do i make it slow down?  the great thing is, when i play "christmas island", i can close my eyes and i'm right back there in 1958 playing the red  45s and singing along....

design wall monday

only 3 days into august and have made good progress on finishing up the applique for my hawaiian quilt.  the center portion (pictured) and 2 of the quadrants are done....can i get the other 2 done in august?  we shall see....icky weather weekend equals more sewing time, but beach weather is returning some time this week.  ****  yesterday had to do some resewing on the baby quilt top.  the stripe i used absolutely required that all stripes should go in the same direction, so required a fix.  the backing is on site....an orange with white polka dots...so after a wash/dry, can work on getting that tied and finished.  ***  today working on cabana daydreams for a while.  the flimsy top is over half done and hoping to get that completed between today and tomorrow.  ***** with handwork project lined up for the near future, the machine work can focus on the projects in my WIP storage drawers....plus an upcoming swap of blocks and the weekly sew-a-long.  enough to keep me occupied?  no problem!

daytripping to.....

steeplebush herb farm in limington, maine...about an hour NW of our coastal location.  it was another stellar friday weather wise, and we had a casual, meandering ride through rural areas to find this picture perfect place.  the owner was in the garden, and she and her two dogs welcomed us to wander and browse.  there were also some katahdin sheep grazing nearby, sheep that shed and do not required shearing...interesting!

the tiny shop was jam packed with all varieties of dried herbs, potpourris, herb mixes, hand made soaps and gifts.  i always enter shops like this gingerly (no pun) due to my sensitivity to certain fragrances, but here it wasn't overpowering.  the scent of a couple of her mixes didn't agree with me, but overall a short visit was tolerated.  the shop was surrounded by blooming, well-manicured gardens and potted plants for sale.  alas, we have no growing space at all, so we just admired.  after leaving the shop, we ventured to a new mexican restaurant for lunch, then off to the beach.  it was a jam-packed day away and oh-so enjoyable.  we like to take advantage of good days as much as possible as jan/feb are so very long and confining.  **** this morning i am tweaking the baby quilt top.  i had used a striped print and thought it didn't matter if all the striped squares faced the same way...wrong!  last night the hawaiian got more attention too.  once the baby quilt top is fixed, it's back to cabana daydreams, for a hopeful sunday flimsy.  **** FLASH!  minick & simpson's "lexington" is now in stores.   i smell an early birthday present for meeeeee!

my block's done!

on a roll!  first block of first day of the marcus bros. sew-a-long with pam buda and friends....pulled my fabrics out (they were close by) and got this little block all assembled.  i didn't get the kit, rather pulled from my stash, so fabrics are from designers jo morton, judie rothermel, paula barnes and pam buda.  so far so good!  ****  mom and i celebrated the beginning of august in style with a day trip...photos tomorrow...some beach time, a delish lunch out at a new mexican place nearby.  now in my jammies and the hawaiian is next!   a wonderful day all around....

a giveaway!

hop on over to sew and sow farm for a delicious HUGE giveaway!

later same day.....

ok so here it is nearly full....with only 10 drawers knew it wouldn't take long.  there are other WIPs in shoeboxes but they are packed, i know of at least 1 more, which  can't be all.  this is a great visual to remind me not to start anything new PLUS my leaders/enders projects will be at hand.....inchie blocks, scrappy log cabins, scrappy shenandoah log cabin...i had seen these units many times in joann's but walked by because i thought it was too small.  but for this purpose it works well.  oops, just thought of another and that is the indigo basket project, which will fit nicely too.  and there you have it....10 drawers full!  excuse me while i return to sewing.....

christmas present for UFOs....

before july is gone, thought i should open and assemble a christmas gift that has been hanging around, partly because i knew the drawers weren't THAT big and wanted to make the best use of the space.  have now decided this will be my UFO cabinet...so hopefully that will encourage me to LIMIT the number of UFOs i have; actually it's more like a WIP cabinet, for those that are currently stored in shoeboxes.  when i have a bit more space, it can reside next to the sewing table for quick access and, ahem, hopefully quick finishes.  it is smaller than i had thought, like who reads box info?  it will be easy to move when THAT happens, which is still the plan and i'm still more than half packed up for same.  anyway, thanks sis, for gifting me with this.  i know it will be used a lot.  **** been mostly working on the 2 machine projects, a baby quilt and the cabana daydreams.  ****  cool here for late july, actually been a cooler than normal summer, but sun is shining and temps are high 70s all week.  a taste of fall and delightful for doing just about anything.   

monday playtime

inspired by victoria findlay wolfe, spent time today playing in the daydreams scraps.  while it took considerably more than 15 minutes to assemble this piece for a little project in progress, i am satisfied with the result.  and i did use up a significant number of the little pieces of leftovers.  there are plenty left of course--that is how it goes with scraps--some did get used.  these colors are simply eye popping and i might just make more daydreams fabrics to use for other things.  ****  hard to believe this is the last week of july, summer 2/3 over, and so quickly.  now back to the machine and more play!

buying time

this is a quilt i made for my dad back in the 1980s......a hand pieced and hand quilted drunkard's path variation.  it has seen better days and plenty of use.  are the patches fraying? not at all, but the binding, which i did by turning the back to the front, has frayed.  with still some useful years left, my task now is to add a new, sturdier binding until it breathes its last.  repairing old quilts is not nearly as much fun as making new ones, but can't quite part with this one yet.  ****  all the baby quilt squares are cut and ready to assemble.  first, though, must finish the cabana daydreams flimsy.  ****  summer continues with plenty of fun inside and outside left to enjoy! 

eye candy male, er mail

yesterday's post included this....the calendar from sisters' quilt show!  it had been ordered some time ago and has been anticipated ever since.  well worth the wait too i can tell you.  aside from the "scenery" the quilts are gorgeous, inspirational and downright beautiful.  now i need a nice new sewing space fit for these hunks....LOL

2nd july finish

another UFO has bitten the dust, albeit a small one with hardly any stash busted.  adding this to my collection of little quilts that will be displayed at some point.  and guess what, victoria....you can't even see that ugly fabric she pawned off on me because it really isn't ugly....so thank you!  *** the just takes 2 has been washed and need to go back and repair a couple of spots, which i expected might happen.  no biggie....and the deck is cleared for cabana daydreams flimsy finish, my next project focus.  first up is to finish a little swap project, then the baby quilt for august machine project, the hawaiian for handwork.  before any of this can get tackled, the sewing table must be cleared off.  ****  hard to believe summer is 2/3 gone because even though we get wonderful summer weather in september, our minds tell us it's really fall.  for now, going to try enjoy every summer day possible.  now time to play!

looks who's here!

today the old viking came out to play!  recently i had read on the vintage machine site about the problems with this model and recalled my repairman telling me to be sure and turn the dials every day to prevent them from seizing up....a broken camstack was fixed for that very reason.  while i was homeless, the machine was in cold storage, the most likely cause of the broken part.  so, today i pulled it out and did some mending with the zig-zag and promptly cut up some fabric for a baby boy quilt, threaded 'er up and she is ready to roll.  though she isn't in pristine condition, for 35 years old she still runs like new and has traveled many miles, not the least of which was the horrid time in storage.   my magnetic poetry adorns her for inspiration.   if you can't read it, it says (from top to bottom)...my still sweet friend and gorgeous apparatus always"  and then "winter sings as tiny bitter diamonds".   **** had to make a marden's run for an upcoming block swap and was sorely tempted but was able to limit myself to 4.5 yards total, some of which is for some swaps and a piece for this baby quilt, so actual accumulation is very minor.  but oh the fun i could have there....so much beautiful fabric that i scooted in and out quickly.  **** a gray and dreary day here so not a beach day, which is good.  many other little things that needed to be done.  now off to play!

in the frame!

this little quilt is more than half quilted now.  the border is a molly b rust print and the binding will be the same.  it is free form quilted of course.  it doesn't bust much stash but getting it done gets it OFF the UFO list for good.  now i just have to move on to the large tumbler top, which probably won't happen right away.  **** july is nearly history and august is for applique on the hawaiian.  i've also to finish up the last few rows of cabana daydreams flimsy.  *** had a string of gorgeous weather and beach days, so sewing has slowed down.  must drink up these wonderful weather days while they are here....february is a loooooong month!  ****  though i am anxious to move from this unpleasant complex, the reality is i've been mostly packed for about 6 months now and am needing some sewing things; confess i was not good at all about labeling most of the boxes.  am in a quandary about whether to unpack and reorganize the best i can or purchase what i know will be duplicates in fabric for upcoming projects.  the frugal me says to unpack, but difficult to give up on the need to vacate this terrible apartment situation.  time to make a pros/cons list and come to a solution.  in the meantime, will continue on status quo and enjoy summer!

monday design wall

up early this morning to finish this little quilt flimsy.  just have to add the borders, baste it and quilt and i'll have another UFO finish soon.  no doubt victoria will be pleased to see i have used the little template she gave me last year.  she and i are civil war fabric twins....if you look at her stash and at mine, they might look the same.  we love the same fabrics, she heavy on reds and me with blues.  her large tumbler quilts are done whereas i am languishing far behind.  ****  and how good is it to be able to sew first thing in the morning?  priceless!

perfect storm sewing

when 3 elements collide, it's a perfect storm...we all saw that movie right?  sadly, george clooney wasn't one of those elements....but i digress.  there were those leftover daydreams scraps staring at me, then a dynamite project idea presented itself, and then there was time with phoebe and voila!  cabana chevrons!  aren't they cute?  yes, i think so too.  of course this is just the start; finish comes later...what else is new, but not too much later, i promise, and i'll show you all too.  **** meanwhile still basking in the glow of that big finish, thinking about summer being nearly at the halfway point, excited for plans for the remainder.  and lest you be worried, i have PLENTY more daydreams scraps to tantalize and tempt me for some other pretty little things to make.  those 2 layer cakes were a terrific investment, and anxious to see how many things i can make from them besides cabana daydreams.  ****  with these fabrics, my creative muse is veering off in a new direction of mod style quilting and fabrics.  i haven't abandoned my civil war fabric devotion, but i find myself drawn more and more to mod fabric designers and their wow colors.  it isn't the prints themselves but the glorious colors that make my muse's juices sizzle.  how about you?  has your quilty focus changed?  i'll be interested in your comments along that line.  ***** we did go to the beach today but it was quite windy and gray clouds were gathering, so instead headed for our favorite summer veggie stand and picked up our first fresh corn, cukes, peppers, summer squash, parsley and a fat tomato for the season.  the corn and cukes were delish and off to get out those summer veggie recipes!

woo hoo!

this behemoth of a BOM is finally done!  the "just takes 2" got finished last evening during the 6:30 news and what a great feeling it was!  not to say i didn't enjoy this project; i did.  it was a real challenge for me to take on more complicated blocks than usual, but thought it would be off my UFO list much sooner than this.  even so, i am a process person and did enjoy the process, not to mention the freedom of free-form quilting each and every block differently, except the geese and checkerboard units--those were all quilted the same.  anyway, it needs its finish bath and measure to see how much yardage got busted and then it belongs to my mum....and on to the next UFO.  **** first up is to repair a quilt i had made for my dad in the 1980s, a scrappy drunkard's path that needs some repair and new binding.  the little tumbler quilt should be the next UFO finish and i think august will be devoted to the hawaiian to see if the applique can get finished; then september to finish another donation UFO. **** the JTT was the 3rd hand quilted quilt that got finished this year so far....not to shabby! 

come along.....

starts august 1, have corraled my fabrics for this one already and ALL are from the stash except the black print....good stashbusting here!  hop on over to marcus fabrics' facebook page and get all the down and dirty details....would love to have you on board. 

here is my stack for this project....

i may or may not swtich out the light print, first i have to find my light stash in a box someplace.  pretty sure that the "just takes 2" will be history long before this sew-along starts.  and today is the last day of my weekend, so off to play some more! 

won't be long now.....

until this lovely line of fabrics is available to add to MY stash....the FQ bundle is too pricey but there are a few prints i simply must get.  what minick & simpson did for red (midwinter reds, swoon) they have now done for blues/tans....i love them!  *** it's my weekend and spending time this morning working on the JTT, yes STILL!  beach weather was a detour from getting this off my UFO list, but temps have modulated and so back on track today.  *** also on the weekend list--aside from some mundane stuff--is to possibly unpack and assemble the storage drawers my sister gave me for christmas....after all it's july and about time too!  this is going to house my UFO projects now stored in shoeboxes, then the shoeboxes can be repurposed.  i am also thinking of getting a tall cabinet for my stash to sort by color, but that will wait until the move takes place.  i'll show the storage drawers once they are together.  *** i've started my lists for retreat, what to take etc. it's coming up fast...every beach day is a day closer.  for now, though, it's back to JTT!

are you a kaffe fan?

these are duplicates that came in the mail yesterday, up for sale for $10 plus shipping from zip 04106....if you are interested, email me.  the colors are much brighter than my camera depicts; for instance, the lower left piece is bright orange....makes my internal juices zing!  how can you NOT be a kaffe fan?  my stripe collection is now complete and anxious to find a pattern for them and go to play for serious.  ****  already tuesday....today gotta spend more time on finishing "just takes 2" as i am closing in on the finish this week...how good is that? 

next UFO....

some time ago my friend vic gave me the template for these little tumblers and right away several got cut out and a few sewn together for a little quilt.  since the "just takes 2" is almost done, pulled out this project to get this UFO done.  have to do a bit of "unsewing" on this row and then put the rest together.  also working on getting the "cabana daydreams" to the flimsy stage and set aside; will be a UFO for 2015 no doubt.  keeping sewing busy despite entering mid-summer and its accompanying hot/humid days.  just can't believe how fast the days are flying by.  making as much progress as i can despite beach time.  yesterday me, mom and sis went to a nearby ocean campground for swimming and a delish buffet dinner.  **** the week starts again today...see, i told you time was flying!  now keep calm and sew on!

new header photo

this is my milky way masquerade....all batiks except background (to save $$$) but also because i thought the lighter dots might give the illusion of stars far away....anyway this is a giveaway quilt once it's hand quilted...but for now finishing up just takes 2.....very very soon!

hello again!

just think, if it weren't for all those brave men and women who fought and died so valiantly, who had a vision and a deep desire for freedom, who never faltered in spite of heavy personal loss and the daunting goal before them, we might be saluting this today.  happy independence day!