remember this?

have only been awake for just over an hour and already my fingers are itching to sew and this is the wonderful instigator....

if you recall, someone had gifted me with this book recently by jen kingwell, an aussie designer, with so many terrific patterns.  well, jen is also the designer for this smashing quilt...."midnight at the oasis".....

oh yesssss!   this is definitely a must do for me? will i ever? maybe....this is all bonnie hunter's fault you know...i lay the blame entirely at her feet....before bonnie i was a dyed-in-the-wool, traditional quilter with a strong rigid sense of matchy-matchy and coloring ALWAYS inside the lines....then i met up with the queen of quiltville and the rest, well it was a fast, slippery slope into scrap mania and anything goes.  she tapped--rather smashed--into my love of color and i was a goner.  if you know bonnie, then you know what a wild and crazy fun-filled, fabric-filled ride it has been so far with no end in sight, and who would want to stop?  not me, oh no...i am in it for the long haul.  so what day is this anyway?  who cares, as long as it's a sewing day!    

addendum to friday post...

forgot to mention (exhaustion!) there is at least ONE quilter in the building, a SERIOUS quilter, meaning lots of stash and several machines who has it bad like me...lol!  after 9 hrs straight of sleep am thinking clearer now and hoping they didn't find me too weird...tend to babble when overtired...so maybe will get my gear together in anticipation....it's the right thing to do!

quiltus interruptus

yes folks, time again for the so far unproductive, superfast trip to interview for housing, yes, in maryland...took the midnight train (9:30 really), which should be renamed the back buster...but i digress....akin to being on a roller coaster in the dark that stops and starts several times.  arrived bleary-eyed and exhausted; picked up rental that was upgraded from subcompact to jeep latitude with nice, roomy, reclining seats perfect for occasional naps and the size of a small yacht....a pleasant surprise!   after the required but alarmingly brief 15-minute housing interview, more napping in the jeep and return car, wait for 10:40 train that turned out to be 11:05 train and another excitement filled trip to new england, then another bus ride (another nap) and finally back to square one...literally.  i took my sewing (no loud guffaws, please) and the ipod (perfect), drove thru chick-fil-a twice,  a change of clothing (wise indeed) and little else.  again promised  am "near the top", which must be a euphemism for "haven't a clue" or "don't hold your breath," or "sometime this decade" providing, of course, i am the proper "fit" (? huh) for senior housing community, meaning around age 70 (me 66) and with a keen interest in dominoes!  not looking for a life partner here, people...just an apartment near my daughter and SIL....crikey!   seriously, it is a lovely place and the people seem nice--how can one be sure in 15 minutes?  the location is nice also, near lots of retail and community resources; spit polish neat and most of all, my own apartment....(pause for drool and near heart seizure)....if only the beckoning call comes, for which i am definitely NOT holding my breath.  six months ago was #3 on the list for another location and still no call.  my income has been downgraded by social security, thanks to working too much last year, so essentially poorer than ever.  have described my desires and hopes and the direness of my current situation, perhaps too overzealously, that seems to fall on deaf ears.  am wondering now if perhaps they are oh-so silently skipping over my name, which would be illegal, so probably not.  at least i hope not.....stay tuned for more adventures of grace's housing pursuit...now back to the regularly scheduled quilty posts!

garden progress....

since these little blocks will be getting carried around, thought it would be best to securely baste rather than just pin down...they go with the midnight garden small quilt project currently working on...

some of the pieces were fussy cut to get the most out of these beautiful fabrics; can't wait to see the top all together with the patchwork blocks.  have to say these are much prettier than those used in the original magazine pattern....taking photos is great for getting a good perspective as now i see the top left is not exactly evenly centered.   ****   facebook is overrun with posts about the farmer's wife sew-along coming up in a couple of weeks. still have not decided on what i'll use for fabrics; have lots in my stash that would be nice but may have to choose from what is on hand, which is mostly civil war.  ***  well if it's tuesday, that means scraptastic tuesday, plus laundry and few other errands.  aaahhh the circle of life.....

design floor monday

spent some time with the old viking on sunday during quilt-cam working on a new scrappy project--civil war era of course--seen here....liking this a lot so far...the centers are a red/cheddar print..  the background wonky triangles will be scrappy too...gotta use up the stash!  have also included a photo of the summer sampler with its borders....ready to baste and quilt.

 

touch of fall in the air here, welcomed by just about everyone.  now onward...busy week ahead with plenty of sewing of course!

all scrapped out....

for the moment that is....had a gallon-size bag half full of pieces that needed cutting up (far right) and got that done today....also got the borders on my summer sampler piece--basting comes next.  also did some prep applique work, i.e.turning under the edges and basting of small pieces for "midnight garden" blocks....all in all a pretty productive day.  with my usual scrap storage pieces somewhere in the bowels of a warehouse, have resorted to plastic bags of various types.

also have baggies for selvedge and the little applique hearts that are yet to be finished.  at least they are organized and ready to transfer to the usual places once they are available.  ***  not much else is new in limbo lobsterville; housing continues to be at some place in the future; hoping i don't go broke here trying to get a subsidized senior apartment....between interview trips, applications, faxes and mailings, it has so far cost me about $1000 and no apartment at hand, which is probably about right for a government program.   will end here to keep my blood pressure from spiking....

midnight garden

the 5 patchwork blocks are done, next come the applique blocks....these fabrics are from an oriental collection gifted to me earlier this year, for which i've been waiting for the right kind of project that would highlight these beautiful prints.  hoping once the floral applique squares are done, i will have done them justice.  *** in addition to finishing these blocks, spent a fair amount of time corralling scraps and getting them organized before the sew-along starts later this month.   since my available sewing space is always catch-as-catch-can, need to keep things where they can be found and also close at hand.  also basted the spools piece, sewed some on a couple of other projects, put together more scrappy 9-patch blocks, and surfed the net a fair amount of time--the good and bad of having lots of free time.  once my belongings and i are reunited, that'll change of course....can you say 5 am sewing?  oh yeahhhh!

tropical storm grace?

like the meteorological version, my own self had a bit of a stormy start yesterday but soon downgraded and fair skies prevailed....finished up this flimsy of mod spools with a narrow pale yellow inner border and then short piano keys.  when it gets bound, again with pale yellow, i'll round the corners, giving them a fan shape that i think will soften all the angles.

then i sailed right into another project that has been mulling around in my mind...it's from a Quiltmaker mag, issue--4 applique blocks and 5 patchwork blocks, made with gifted fabric, tentatively titled "midnight garden" but that's not final...photos another day....

meanwhile, with oppressive summer weather here for a few days and the a/c cranked high, figured might  pull out the hawaiian and see how much can get done.  the binding has been ready and was wisely packed with the project; doubt it will get to the binding stage but remains to be seen....

and guess it's progress on the housing front...past couple of weeks, contact has been steady so soon maybe?  can always hope....in the meantime, chunky little fingers will keep busy with fabric and stuff....keep cool!

bronze stars

the camera battery was just about done, but did manage to take this of the latest batch of stars...bronze browns, of which i chose 3 from the stash and made one of each.  you'll notice my high class ironing board aka pink towel again in this photo--we quilters are known for our specialized tools...(grin!)...and have also posted a couple of photos from a day trip to pemaquid point.  it is a fine kodak place but more than that, lovely shade trees, picnic tables everywhere, grassy areas and nice restrooms.  and of course, the lighthouse and a small museum on the history of col. pemaquid and the area.  as a youngster, always climbed on the rocky outcroppings but in recent years, am always baffled why people take small children in sandals or flip flops so close to the edge where a rogue wave could pull them in.  was i that casual in similarly dangerous places about my daughter?  i don't recall and i hope not.  definitely not near water as i don't swim; i don't think aqua-aerobics qualify....but hope you enjoy and just maybe if you get real close, you can even smell the salt water...maybe?

a diagnosis!

whew, what a relief to know i wasn't just imagining things! after playing in knee-deep stash piles yesterday and working on about 5 different things, thought i was simply having an "off" day but nooooo!  i was suffering from this malady that affects probably ALL quilters and crafters...now i can relax and enjoy the illness..thank you dr. msmidge!....LOL!   ***  so what did i accomplish you might ask?   the little heart applique wall piece is basted,  more scrappy 9-patch blocks, cut up a bunch of little scraps, started yet ANOTHER scrappy quilt.  someone had gifted me some FQs with a circus theme, one with elephants, one with tigers, one with clowns and so on.  did some fussy cutting and now have to shop for a background to tie them all together for a child's quilt that will get donated when the time comes.  oooh feeling faint, an exacerbation of symptoms no doubt...must go and start the machine!

a little tumble...

took some gifted 2.5" squares and turned them into tiny tumblers...needs more variety but it is a start. already made one little quilt with civil war tumblers but looks like will have another in mod fabrics...oohh i do love the bright colors... a veritable cotton crayola box!  ****   and remember i mentioned red's eats in an earlier post....they have been featured many places for their generous lobster rolls, and it was a fave place of my dear dad for fried clams; can attest that everything they sell is good but for me, not worth the wait.  as you can see, it doesn't deter many tho....this was nearly 2 pm in the afternoon on a friday and the line was like this at 12:30 too....no wonder other seafood shacks have popped up across the street for the impatient and/or starving masses....

to order and pick up food, have to make it all the way up the little hill and around the corner to the window.  this is route 1 in wiscasset, a pretty little town, but the traffic is bumper to bumper all summer long--makes it easier to ogle the masses waiting for food and see other sights in this little village.  and as i said, the food is very good but have a snack before you come....LOL!  *** ay caramba! september already?   did we have summer?  it's another hot week here but seriously, it has been a rainy summer and with a late start as well.  plenty of good days left before the nasty arrives.   and i don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy autumn.....

over to the NOT dark side!

somewhere in a deep corner of a box are some very nice civil war repro spool blocks waiting patiently for me to add to them.  but my fingers were quivering when i saw the mod charm squares last week and so couldn't resist making these today.  not yet sewn together but just photographed to see how they look together.  the colors are not exactly right but these are definitely NOT civil war fabrics.  bright colors are really fun to sew with and drool over.  this will be a small wallhanging; thinking a narrow white (or maybe aqua? peach? lime?)  border and then maybe some narrow piano keys all around....time to go shopping in the stash again!  and no money needed...how good is that?

even more stars

not sure if these are exactly "later turkey reds" but they were the first reds at hand, so this is what was used and will have to do.  once all are made and some quilt is assembled, they will work fine i am sure.  the old viking was quite happy to come out and play on this last sunday of august.  hard to believe most of another summer is behind me.  after a lobster lunch, finished the last row of the summer sampler--all in all, a restful day, as it should be.  also ready to mail are the civil war nickels for swapping....

i don't swap often due to postage costs, but civil war nickels are a big temptation, and it is always interesting to see what is received.  and now back to regularly unscheduled sewing fun!

a finestkind birthday day

the day dawned sunny and clear....up early and off to the shore for a surfside selfie.....tide nearly in and nice waves....my suit is packed in a box someplace but it was delightful nonetheless.  mom had bought me a beach chair stand-in for my birthday so we could lounge in the sand....next up...

some stand shopping to replenish our supply of fresh veggies....corn, beans, cukes, tomatoes, potatoes, basil, summer squash, eggplant and peppers...corn fritters tonight maybe?  and then....

some shack snacking on delish fried clams with a homemade tartar sauce....mmm, good!  this is our go-to seafood place mostly, though we have others, as they do fry their clams in batter.  red's eats is another, but waiting in line for an hour in the hot sun wasn't our idea of fun.  then a stop at the lobsterman's garage to bring some home and a quick run into joann's for sale stuff.  long stretch of good weather just right for some outdoor time.  lastly, a surprise visit from brother #1 and a small cake ended this birthday on just the right note!  spent every minute of this day having fun!

i took the pledge...

this sew along has exploded with now 1900+ enrollees, some of whom have jumped the gun and started their blocks...not me, and so i decided to commit and NOT start my blocks until it's time.  yes, i have fondled my book and CD, yes i have downloaded the patterns, yes i have my foundation papers at the ready, yes i have some mod fabrics set to go, but with things still in flux a bit, don't want to have another project in progress that might be waylaid somehow.  thinking positive thoughts that i WILL be in an apartment before this starts with ALL my stash at hand...in the meantime, will keep on keeping on until that wonderful day arrives....now off for some birthday gallivanting!

done minus one

one more row of gold blocks to add and it'll be a real flimsy...course, going back to the instructions and adjusting the length of the rows really helped a lot.   the last row plus this week's stars in turkey red are next up on my sewing list.  after a quick trip to joann's for some fleece, will baste the little heart piece that will become a small wallhanging for my new sewing space; have some vintage buttons that'll be used for embellishment.  ***  our overcast and humid weather ends overnight with several days of real nice summer days ahead.  before we know it, though, leaves will start to turn and fall, ushering in the most colorful season.  can't wait to see those pumpkins!

not quite but.....

a sort of birthday surprise arrived in the mailbox.  and yes, a new keyboard is working great!  no more lisp, as lori says....LOL....but here is the haul....gorgeous moda fabric named after me..a layer cake and some stripe yardage; 2 wonderful books that have my fingers itching big time, some precut charms and small squares, some ultra-thin pins for this not-thin-at-all sewist, and the beautiful card with a lovely personal message inside.  totally gobsmacked over this and other surprises that have done much to keep my mojo going and spirits up. 

 

the charms are deliciously mod and colorful.  the moda "grace" is very vintage looking; in fact, someone had gifted me a jelly roll that i sewed up into a small flimsy, but can use these to make it larger and put on a swanky striped border too!  the books are sooo inspiring with lots of wonderful and new-to-me patterns that have me wanting to sew right now and, in fact, have chosen a couple to do right away after some birthday celebrating of course!  a thousand thanks to one and all, including this special quilty muse, for everything.  rest assured, it will be repaid in kind.  ***  the ugh hazy, hot and humid days are with us temporarily but we carry on as usual. the wait continues but enjoying the garden's bounty and summer activities nevertheless.  *** and would you believe over 1800 people in the farmer's wife sew-along?  i kid you not, over 1800....this is an event of epic global proportion...if only world problems could be solved so easily with fabric and thread.  now there is a birthday wish to dream on!

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!