sunday creativity

first is the summer sam*ler in *rogress....*ardon the broken *........it is larger than i had thought because, of course, i ignored the math when starting this little summer sewing fun.  no matter, it will find a home somewhere with somebody; if it is me that is ok too.   this was a really fun summer *roject.  ho*ing to get it done before end of se*tember rolls around and the farmers wife sewalong starts.  as for the stars in a time war*, i ski**ed this weeks stars....no faded cottons and none i wanted to bleach out either. 

then, made some lemon zucchini bread.  it calls for a lemon glaze but it is too sweet glazed, so it wont be.  it is very moist and nice for midmorning snack or even a dessert-like cake.   these days i seldom bake a lot, but there are a few things i really like and this is one of them; regular zucchini bread--the s*icy kind--is another.  it was a monsoon-like day here today; in fact, it has been a rainy summer overall but end of week looks very nice.  maybe some birthday lobster is in my future?  remains to be seen......at any rate, birthday or not, am very blessed to have another year to claim!   now, on to monday!

state of the stash

over at the stashbusters yahoo group, every year in one's birthday month, a report on the stash is made. mine is just a week away, can you believe it?   the annual report/confession/reckoning is SUPPOSED to reflect how much has been used and how diligent one is for actual stash busting....know what i mean?  since most of my stash isn't with me, thought i would show the stash that actually IS with me....

it's all packed up (except for some scraps and blocks) ready to be mailed once the housing call comes.  the car will be full and there is no room for these 5 boxes, so the USPO will do the honors....at a price of course.  most of this, well at least 2/3, was gifted to me so i could sew during my continuing sojourn in the desert; a bit was purchased by me....on sale of course...and some i brought just to have on hand.   when life gives you scraps, make quilts or potholders or table toppers or whatever... it's the right thing to do!  ***  it's a gray and humid day here but no snow, which is always good!  keep cool and quilt on!

must see 'mania'

although i purchase this magazine only occasionally for a specific quilt or pattern, this issue makes 2 in a row for me, primarily for this beauty....am considering making this and thought the pattern should be on hand just in case...

this is leigh latimore's inspiration of an antique, which goes without saying.  it surely is gorgeous and it's big, which may prohibit me, but maybe not....but this issue has a whole lot more like this

it's more gorgeous applique (sigh) by veronique diligent, and in my stash is a collection of tuscany inspired fabrics that would be perfect.  might make only 4 or maybe all 9, but it too is gorgeous and not to be missed.  also in this issue of interest to me were profiles of some internationally known quiltmakers, irene blanck for one, an applique artist from australia who is going to be on my side of the pond this fall.  she has a book along with some lovely patterns.....check them out if you dare!   also in this issue is a simple but pretty scrappy, many more antiques and some interesting short articles.  one that caught my eye right away was about an exhibit on reunion island, and only last week i knew where that was....the malaysia plane wiing flap was found there....how coincidental is that?   so, bottom line is if antique and applique are your interests, this issue should find its way into your sewing space.  NOTE: no connection whatsoever to this magazine or its publisher, just someone who enjoyed the offerings.  this issue probably won't change my buying habits at all--a bit pricier than most--but glad to have it in my inspiration pile. 

that's all folks?

could be....this week only had to make 3 of the 4 as somewhere along the line, had an extra....so 40 it is and they are sooo much fun....not that i've converted to making tiny blocks, but despite my trepidation, found these pretty easy and quite fun.  no, not perfect but (surprise) i'm not either....for those of you harboring any illusions to the contrary. some days more pharisee than christian, i'm afraid.  also this week, cutting out pieces for yet another scrappy, a civil war repro one of course, featured in the latest APQ magazine....it's called daisy chain and it'll be totally scrappy, even the background pieces. 

and lastly, upcoming 5" swap of civil war repro squares are nearly ready to mail.  other than that, hoping my 40 years in the desert days are winding down and will soon find myself in an apartment oasis, together with my own sleeping bed and all my fun quilty stuff.  in the meantime, enjoying the summer and all its benefits....fresh vegs, beach days and lobster of course! 

up to date....

at least for the fabrics that are currently with me.....but it's progress nonetheless...first up are indigos...can't get enough of these dark blues...

next are the lapis blue blocks....at least what i think is a lapis blue....had only the one so i made three different blocks....they'll do...

last are 2 viney prints and a snarled branches type to go with the quercitron from a few weeks ago....

anxious to see what other type prints are in store for the future...and the summer sampler blocks are just about complete, i think might have 2 more to make the 36 blocks.  this must mean that summer is nearly over but how can THAT be?  luckily have the farmer's wife sew-along in september; by then should have the summer sampler done (hopefully) and hope to baste and start quilting the little table topper made earlier this year.   the little heart piece is almost ready to baste as well, so may actually have some finishes before year's end here in temporary headquarters.  ***  fresh, wild, maine blueberries are in so a birthday pie could be in my near future....they are so good even out of hand, tiny and sweet....yum!

for your consideration!

while cruising yesterday found gnome angel's blog and guess what!  sew along starts september 28th...i just happen to have the book  and so i'll be sewing along with others to make the 99 blocks....i'll be using my civil wars instead of 30s repros...aiming for 3 blocks per week maybe to get this done in less than a year....maybe i'll do plaids?  that's if my other stash is available by then....oh yes, plaids would be nice....hmm maybe scrappy?   or blues?  kaffe fassett....drool?  so many choices....won't you consider sewing along?  the more the merrier of course!

next to last 4....

with this batch, only 4 blocks remain to make for this little summer project.   and yet again, the angle has distorted the size...plus the fan in the window that is blowing directly this way...but they are all the same size.  anxious to see this flimsy take shape and add it to the "to be quilted" pile.   ****  vic has sent me yet ANOTHER care package, this one containing a printout of "union blues" quilt, a small tumbler pattern and more thread.  also included a delish margo krager shirting, some teals from the winterthur collection and some judie rothermels too.   judging from her posts lately, guessing these donations haven't made a dent in her stash, nosiree!  i've been in her stash closet aka living room, so have seen her collection.  i love the word her hub has coined....fiber-myalgia....meaning it is painful to pass by gorgeous fabric....don't we all have that illness???  *** it's scraptastic tuesday and more 9-patch blocks are getting assembled.  next sewing will be more brackman stars....lapis, indigo and one gnarled branches block from a couple of weeks ago.  and the mess on my sewing table?  that comes first....it'll give phoebe a break before we play again!

sunday sewing

just 2 little blocks done and yes, the left is a squidge smaller than the right although it looks a LOT smaller in this photo....it'll work....there wasn't much more done because of these....

took an afternoon drive along the shore in east boothbay harbor, one of the most beautifully scenic places that isn't a far distance.  no doubt there are other similarly beautiful places along the coast, north and south.   it's a place i visit winter or summer; today being summer there was plenty of traffic, foot and otherwise, on the narrow road.  most of the relaxing vistas are private areas but there are some public....easy to see why it is a favorite stopping place.   taking advantage of my prolonged sojourn here by visiting special places.  anxious to discover new favorite places after the move, no doubt there are plenty both near the water and inland.  tops on my list are civil war battlefields and a crab shack...LOL!
   

a lovely surprise....

from vic in NH....live free or die NH (license plate motto)....a very nice and unexpected squishy jamming my po box.  vic and i share fabric DNA, same as busy thimble, meaning we drool over the same ones...LOL!  and even one of those nearly extinct pillar prints....wow!  to say i am touched is an understatement.....the care packages received have done wonders for my morale and kept me busy washing, cutting and sewing up a storm.  and having a place to sew?  priceless.. saying thanks seems so inadequate as they have all meant so much to me.  ***  it's the weekend but no real plans in the works except sewing of course....and welcome august, harbinger of autumn and overflowing farm stands.....i love 'em!

so darn cute!

here are the latest summer sampler blocks....gotta say i am lovin these cute little blocks....now if you know me, you know that i am not a world class machine piecer....there has been a lot of improvement in this technique over the years and think these have come together pretty well.  pictured also is the background/sashing fabric i'll be using on this little sampler.  it's a paula barnes civil war dark blue with a hint of gold so just right for these red/gold blocks.....now that august is here, don't imagine there are too many more weeks...maybe one?  i thought i counted 36 blocks all together....this has been one fun sew-along, just like the little alphabet piece earlier this year.

 
hoping you can see the pretty reds and golds i've used.   the graphics card on my laptop is on life support and everything is in shades of purple, so difficult for me to know if the colors are right.  and did i say "year" earlier?   unbelievable that august is here....summer winding down, not  many UFO finishes at all with several new ones for next year and no retreat for me this year.  it's been a whopper of a messy one so far, but still enjoyable....well, mostly....and far better than many i'd guess.  many gratitudes and blessings so far....excited about those to come!  

W.W.C.W.W.D.

today's short stack....

had to channel my inner civil war woman while making the green/red block....the green was a gift but alas!  not quite big enough for all block pieces....what would civil war woman do?  run to the nearest shop and buy more?  choose another fabric?  i think she would have dug into her stash and pulled out something that would complement the green chintz, which is a stunning print i think.  no way was this little piece getting left behind for some other scrappy project....in the beginning of my quilty life, it's true that yardage was what came home with me; matchy-matchy was my BFF....but now that i have left the dark side (almost) and come into the light of serendipity scrap sewing, would rather shop my own stash first if possible and improvise if need be.  it's actually more fun, too!   ***   summer heat is on here like in most of the country.   we are only a few hours away from dog days of august.  in a couple of weeks it will actually begin to feel a bit like fall with cooler/drier days here and there.  hot days won't be gone completely, but the tilt will be noticeable.  but now it's a few errands and back to phoebe...summer sampler blocks await.   and this week's star print? oh lapis blue, where are you?  

a plan!

been working on these little bow tie blocks for some time now, originally started to use up scraps  (i hear that snickering....) but as often happens, probably have MORE solids now than when i started.  as i've been sewing them up, wondering how to actually use them in one or more projects and have finally formulated a plan.  first, will sew them together in blocks of 25 ties; then set them off with 2" sashing...probably charcoal or black....with scrappy solid 4-patch corner squares(or maybe little bow tie blocks?)...can you picture it?  will need 300 little bow tie blocks....most of which are in a box someplace, so for now will only sew rows together to get a good mix later.  have sketched it out and put the paper in the busy box as inspiration.  anxious to see the flimsy together which'll happen once all blocks are in one place...LOL!  feeling relieved now that there is a plan in place.  they are still homeless like me for now, but soon we'll be together.....won't that be fun?  **** now there are 10, meaning while i had 6 blocks to catch up for the summer sampler, 4 more posted today makes it 10.  this must be my task this week, to get all or most of these done.  have roughed out diagrams and written down how many of what size/color to cut for the 6....next will tackle the 4 new ones from today.  already have my fabrics together--reds, golds and some kona snow--will make a good project for later in the week when triple-H weather arrives--hazy/hot/humid.  another plan!  what are YOUR plans for today/this week?

more stars...

finally done are paisleys (bottom row), california golds (top right), one quercitron (middle), one pillar.....2 more pillar are ready to sew, one gnarled branches to be cut/sewn....after these are done, it's finish up chintz blocks (already to sew) and cut/sew indigos....that'll get me just about current with the exception of a couple of chrome yellow and poison greens, plus the conversation prints.  those fabrics i know are in my boxed-up stash so holding off for the unpacking.   hoping to devote a whole day next week to the summer sampler and get that current as well....won't be as daunting a task as the blocks are smaller and fabrics all on hand.  *** not sure about you but am thinking will have enough of the brackman stars for maybe 2 quilts....am looking at a few different settings for next year when they are all done.   ***  it's been cool here past few days, probably due to overcast skies....heat is coming next week so will be hanging out near a/c and sewing probably.   other than this, not much shaking....midsummer calm scrappy sewing.....blissful and rejuvenating all at the same time....enjoy the day!

WIPs...

for the unenlightened, that is Works in Progress....still playing in the stash here at temporary headquarters.  summer rolls on, although so far no stretch of real hot weather.  nights have been mostly cool at 50-60 or so; days around 75 or so with only one that came close to 90 so far.  this is what is under phoebe's needle currently...

the little applique heart block was sent to me and decided to make a small wallhanging from it using scraps (? what else)....it isn't quite finished but will hopefully get to the flimsy stage soon....it seemed a little wonky to me so used the serpentine print to mask any imperfections;  the photo was taken with it on an uneven surface so that doesn't help either.  

had a few selvedges lying around and am using them for some future potholders.  always nice to start in a new place with new potholders.  these 2, plus stars and summer sampler blocks PLUS some little 4-patch solid squares as leader/enders are stacked on the sewing table right now.  so blessed to have a sewing space.....keep calm and quilt on!

it's THAT time again....

course, it seems nearly EVERY day is a scrappy one for me....playing in the scraps keeps me busy and off the 10 most wanted list don't ya know....LOL....so, decided to *TRY* and bust more of my wonderful scrap stash with a cute little handwork project, portable to take along while waiting or whiling away the summery days.   bottom photo is just a tryout layout shot, so might change.  cute little hearts appliqued onto shirting background.  the background squares were in that $2 bundle from the thrift and the hearts were anonymously gifted.  it'll be a cute small quilt when finished.

only 10 days to august; another birthday month has just about rolled around again.  you can probably guess what gift is at the top of my list......my senior apartment!  wouldn't it be spectacular to be able to spend my birthday unpacking and getting settled in my new digs AND celebrating with my daughter and her hub too?  priceless.....we could go to chick-fil-a!   lol.....

a perfect sewing storm!

in the book, 3 weather systems merged to create the perfect storm...a terrific book and yummy movie (george clooney, remember?)....and so sunday was the perfect storm of sewing for me..even phoebe was nearly smoking, i tell ya!  had to give her time to cool down and get out the oil...and here are some photos to prove it. 

first up some little inchie blocks made of solids....solids make me swooooon!  aren't they cute?  i have more in the storage stuff and these will make a nice border at some point i think....

next, more summer sampler blocks...i didn't do all of these on sunday but they look nice together and i am "almost" caught up with this sew along....until today that is...

last but not least, some scrappy 9-patch blocks from a giveaway stash....i love them...not complicated but i have a nice setting planned and they will make a nice repro quilt for me or somebody at some point...also in the top photo you can see more stars blocks cut out, so am slowly getting up to speed with this sew along as well.   **** as a last comment, wish to thank all who have sent me fabric; the top and bottom photos are made from these lovely gifts...cannot tell you how far they have gone to boost my spirit and jump start my quilty mojo.   you can be certain it will get paid forward whenever the need arises.  oh, and i have another project started too, a bonnie hunter pattern called 4-patch and furrows....will post a photo when blocks are well under way...and if you think all i've been doing is sewing, take a look....love to see all the pretty colored umbrellas!

oohh, phoebe's calling....gotta go!

more star fun!

still catching up on stars....here are the woven plaids...ooh i love plaids!  plus 2 more little squares for the summer sampler.  plus have lots more squares cut for the scrappy 9-patches too.  being able to play in the stash has been a real boost to my mood and greatly increased my ability to carry on.  quilting truly is therapy!  that's not to discount the benefits of regular, adequate sleep tho...lol!  and thanks to the generosity of another quilter, will be able to play even more....a surprise package arrived yesterday with a huge scrappy selection for future sewing pleasure.  i'll be sharing some of this with other quilters, of course, and paying it forward whenever possible.  it humbles me to be part of a community of sewists with such varied interests but similar in our regard for one another.  time's a wasting so it's back to playtime!     

scraptastic tuesday!

after a quick laundromat run this morning, got down to important stuff like catching up on blog reading and uploading photos...LOL!   over at mrs sew and sow's blog she features "scraptastic tuesday" which is perfect for this photo, some nice little 9-patch blocks made with some giveaway scraps.  simple but very vintage looking, i think.  had toyed with the idea of tackling a much more complicated project, but with current flux status, thought i should stick to something less intense.  and here is the photo of the rest of the star blocks that got made over the past few days...

these are my first set of chintz blocks....got others in the works.  *** a few household type tasks are on deck for this afternoon, then it's more scrappy sewing watching netflix or acorntv, which has all those british drama/mysteries usually borrowed from the library or seen on pbs.  nice to have reached a plateau of some comfort and anxious for an apartment and unpacking all those boxes...LOL!

trying to catch up

though still lagging behind on both sew-alongs, have made some progress...top photo are little blocks for the summer sampler sew-along and bottom photo is a stack of stars for the barbara brackman sew-along...i have one more photo to tweak the color on and then i can post.  having so much fun with both of these, though i must say the little blocks are getting sewn up quite quickly once pieces are cut.  it's also the easier as the fabrics are on hand whereas barbara brackman chooses fabrics that are not always in my stash and have to hunt for them.  both are providing some diversion and enjoyment and that's all that matters i guess....of course, stash is getting used albeit not too much.   tonight after work started on another project using some giveaway stash recently acquired.  it's mostly civil war stuff and will make a fun project that isn't requiring any taxing math on my part.  ***  appreciate all the kind comments on recent posts about my new digs.  they are appreciated a whole lot; some of you who comment i know personally, but all kind words are equally welcome.  *** was up early this AM as it was a work day so eyelids are beginning to droop a bit.  as scarlett said, "tomorrow is another day"  and i'll add "to play in the stash"!

sunday morning shopping

here in my temporary quarters there is a shelf unit and so all the stash from the car was neatly piled here for easy selection.   it's sooo fun shopping from my own stash now that i can actually see it all.  it'll be totally awesome when all of it is in the same place, once "the call" comes for housing.  then, of course, it'll be sorted by color, designer and type.  and the plaid in the left corner?  it was a freebie pair of shorts at a leftovers yard sale that got scooped up, washed and deconstructed.  *** this morning sitting in front of an open window with a gentle, warm breeze listening to soothing sacred music with birds chirping happily in the background.  it's bonding time with phoebe working on summer sampler blocks, of which are nearly current.  actually found myself singing along with the music and realized that awful weariness had dissipated, thanks to having an actual place to sleep, a handy bathroom etc., even if only short term.  it makes me ever mindful of those who are still without such riches.  not having to daily dive into various bags for clean underwear is priceless...really.   thanks be to God for blessings in my life today; may He bestow the same wherever you are today.  

yep it works...

now that i'm in a space of my own, no iron at hand so had to invest in this little travel iron and inadvertently placed it on my mat while it was turned ON and pleased to find it works....not too happy about the mat tho....good thing a joann's sale is coming up.  this one is about 5 years old, so it doesn't owe me anything at all.  *** delightful summer day here, mom and i took a drive to the coast and ran into a few row by row shops like mariner's compass in bath, alewives in damariscotta and on board fabrics in edgecomb....all very nice shops with loads of lovely fabric.  alewives is strictly mod and batiks pretty much; on board has some gorgeous decorator fabrics and quilting cottons and mariner's compass has some of everything....all 3 carry plenty of maine/ocean theme fabrics. ****  it has been a busy week of getting moved in to a temporary space and setting up phoebe, not to mention shelves for the fabric that is with me for easy selection.  hope your week has given you some joy and happy times.....

a new day

have FINALLY found a temporary place to crash until my apartment comes thru, and a good night's sleep, a hot shower, my own bathroom and a place to sew....how good is that?  was in goodwill cruising for some sheets and this little packet of scraps jumped right into my cart, can you believe it?  me either...but when i saw the shirtings and plaids, it had to stay.  way cheaper than shirts and a good assortment too....a fabulous find!

  
so busy unpacking the car so it can get a thorough cleaning until it has to be repacked is on the agenda, that and some serious sewing too...oooh giddy as a schoolgirl!  hope your day is as good as i feel right now....

civil war fabric buff?

went to my local reproduction shop for my row by row pattern and guess what?  she is having a SALE!  that is right...if you are in new england any time in july, you MUST stop in for your fabric fix.  yes, it'll be a scenic drive out in the country but well worth the trip.  it's bolt fabrics only and you must purchase a yard minimum and, oh yes, the new jo mortons are in too....and the name?  why BUSY THIMBLE, of course, in Litchfield, Maine...no, she doesn't pay me for this notification, just a fan of civil war fabrics is all.   you will thank me, i'm sure!

crown thy good....

wishing all a very happy independence day....may God continue to bless America and we continue to enjoy the freedoms which were so hardly fought for by so many brave individuals....please don't let their sacrifice be in vain....

ready to sew...

this tiny stack represents 6 of the "stars" blocks and a few pieces for the summer sampler.  also have some darker background chintzes to cut up for star blocks too.  better than the postal service, neither sun nor sleet, homelessness or storm can infringe on quilty time.  holidays are nonexistent for the homeless population, including me.  celebrations seem foreign at a time when there is no place to be home, to do what i want when i want, to sew, to sleep, to relax, to read or anything else.  last time i was homeless, it lasted a year but this time around, i know i won't be able to hang on that long.   in the meantime, will persevere and concentrate on gratitudes, which today are some time to sew, a place out of the rain (again!), a call from my precious daughter, relative health and another day closer to my own apartment....home

sun is shining.....

even tho fatigue and moments of panic overwhelm at times, but it is almost always only temporary.  was sitting at a gas station the other day and came across this photo and thought there might be some who would find it interesting....if you don't live in maine and you do have maine lobster in your restaurants, this might be how they arrived.  fish also get shipped this way..... these unobtrusive green PVC containers hold riches of the sea....

and this got tucked away in a bag before i could show it....the little tabletopper made for my mum's new place....yeah, needs ironing but it isn't wonky as the photo seems to show and it'll get quilted at some point...this is from the latest American Patchwork and Quilting, a mini version of one of their bed-size patterns.   the book isn't right at hand so i apologize for not naming the designer, but it definitely wasn't me.  nice little pattern.....

and last but not least, the methodist church in a little village had their yearly yard sale and it is always a terrific collection of good stuff cheap.  mom got a TV stand for $2 and a terrific toaster for 25 cents. that's right 25 CENTS!   this little creamer called my name and i think it's simply adorable.....working at NOT accumulating any more stuff that'll need to be transported but this was so small and at 25 cents, just had to come with me. 

the glass is STILL more than half full on a day that holds many blessings....hope you can say that as well.....

tough day

it started out fine...nice weather, sunshine after a fairly good sleep.  but now sitting in mcdonald's parking lot at midnight bawling like a baby after yet another unpleasant bathroom incident, unable to sleep due to mosquitoes and sundry flying things...too warm with windows closed.  another day of searching for housing, talking with more housing people who give me no hope.  have already called the places where i'm already on lists, crying, begging for an apartment.  it's late and i am tired, beyond weary, feeling hopeless.  i can't do this anymore.  i just can't.....it is well with my soul, but the rest of me cannot go on like this.......no comments please....

a thoughtful gift

a very kind internet quilter sent this to me recently.   it has oodles of nice blocks to make and although these are done with 30s fabrics, my voluminous civil war stash will probably be used to make these.   there are 99 blocks and not sure if i'll make all, but definitely some, and who knows, maybe all.   the blocks are 8" finished and could make several smallish quilts instead of one large one. thank you, quilty friend.....the best part is the encouraging stories that accompany each block.  it makes me feel not alone at all in my current challenges and often fortunate that mine are not worse than they are.  ***  holy cats and dogs batman! another day of nearly continuous downpours; and speaking of farmers, they should all be happy.  our one good day yesterday allowed for some strawberry picking and so today delish shortcake was on the menu.  *** not sure when i'll get any more sewing done, which makes me sad indeed.  but maybe can get more bow ties done from the busy box....we'll see!

bumper crop!

the gardens are starting to explode with early crops like lettuce, radishes and soon peas, helped along by yesterday's soaking rain.  my garden is growing bow ties!   one of the two hand stitching projects that didn't get sent to storage was this busy box of blocks to be sewn.  this project was originally started to use up some tiny scraps left from some cherrywood solid scrap bags but....you know the rest....more solids joined the stash and so more pieces were cut.  the good news is that "most" of the cherrywood scraps are in these little blocks; the bad news is there are now more solid scraps in my stash...aaarrrrrgh!   not sure how big the final project of these will be; one large quilt or a few smaller ones. either way, they are so fun and quick to sew and a good pick-me-up project.   ***   on today's agenda is to clean/vacuum the car, long overdue!  the skies cleared yesterday afternoon but showers again this morning, so hoping for clearing again....

some progress

in the two-week hiatus, have managed to get more star blocks done and with the

summer sampler sew along.  for this project, i'm using a dark blue sashing/background, so limiting blocks to reds/golds....have also sewn up a table topper for my mum's new place that goes with her valance and a wallhanging i had also given her.  aside from that, am keeping mostly occupied despite still no housing.  ***  the days are simply june perfect, which i am enjoying to the fullest knowing there are southern hot and humid temps ahead of me.  ***  to say i am weary is an understatement, but i know my struggles pale in comparison to so many others.  can still be thankful for relatively good health, family, beautiful days and sewing time.  whenever i do get moved and have time to be with my beautiful daughter and her hub, it will be all that more precious.   in the meantime....

a winner!

here it is in print, wendy reed's "no bake applique" that took a 2nd place ribbon in the road 2ca show. done potholder method, it's traditional applique to the max.   a real honor and so deserved, too.  ***  quiet day in lobsterville....waiting for sun to emerge from heavy cloud cover but thankfully no rain.  no plans at all, a free day, maybe some sewing, maybe a nap....even so, a good day all around!