scrap corner

notice the new button in the left margin?  had to join up because a scrap problem is putting it mildly.  

not all of this is scraps but undoubtedly some is; this is current state of my stash--bags, boxes and piles.  and must say feel blessed and rich to have such a problem!  once all my scraps and stash are together, will be happy to post a photo over at sarah's blog!   in the meantime, keeping them corralled as best as possible, which some days is a complete failure.  feel blessed to have such an array of fabric that fuels my creative muse every day!

let there be light!

have been unable to quilt in the evenings due to insufficient light, so squeezed a bit of cash out of the budget to pick up these 2 items shown often on quiltville's blog.  the clamp end tucks down inbetween the corner of the cushion and works great!  this is really a replacement for a desktop one that got left behind at a motel. 

the USB light is an addition as often find myself during dark hours in the car with the laptop, so this will come in really handy.  both were needful purchases and not just impulse items.  ooh love that turquoise!  ***  march came in like a lion with bitter cold winds even tho temps are warmer than normal.  the weatherman "hinted" that winter just may be over for most of southern lobsterville, which doesn't hurt my feelings at all. 

it's about time

have spent lots of waiting time (laundromat etc.) basting up these little hexies and think have to now sew them into rosettes and spacer units...and a reminder that they look larger than they really are...do not adjust your set!

also on the cutting table are more triangles for this someday project, "wildest dreams" seen in an old mag (american patchwork i think) that definitely whispered my name....

plus more 365 blocks on this downton-less sunday and we are starting the center medallion a month earlier than i had thought....good news indeed....and BTW, the cats have found a home!

a yard-ish slip

wouldn't you know, desperately needed some template plastic.  all those joann texts and e-mails didn't help.  before i knew it, there i was--with my coupons, no less.  found the template plastic, but succumbed to browsing and these were on the red tag table....plaids!

was really looking for material for pajama shorts that are needed (the flamingos!) but oh the plaids!  so, 1/4 yard of each was quickly cut, along with this mod pink for my little snail trail piece.  despite being overcome by guilt, was fondling them later and spied the date on the selvedge...2012?   yes indeed, 2012!  no matter, these are lovely diagonal plaids that'll go nicely with my current stuff and a plaid quilt on my someday list....my name is grace and i AM a fabricholic but got my fix today, yippeee!  now it's back on the wagon....

big and little

spent a day catching up on sew along blocks and it was spooky to go from sewing these little blocks--

photographed on my one-of-a-kind green towel ironing board--to february's edition of "westering woman" from barbara brackman....

a 400% jump in size.  for a bit there, thought i had cut the blocks wrong as i have been known to do on occasion, but no, they were ok.  also pulled out my leader/ender mod tumblers, a sometime project.  not making a huge something with these, but the colors are so wow that had to play with them.  thinking might end up with a small tabletopper or placemat.  and, to nobody's surprise, have lined up a new scrappy project that has been on my "someday" list.  it's a double wedding ring scrappy and will do this as my next leader/ender OR might just cut pieces and shoebox them for october retreat.  it would be a good project for easy sewing while catching up and ogling others' sewing.  another project that i'll be taking along is the "stars in a time warp" as i have decided on a setting, and might also bring along the farmer's wife blocks too.  only making the twin size with 84 blocks, so most if not all will be done.  *** our see-saw winter weather continues with today being just right for late february, but am missing yesterday's temps in the 50s....now back to regularly scheduled sewing!

PS--thanks for your comments on my cats; i wasn't fishing for compliments, only that i am my own worst critic sometimes...

novice attempt

machine quilting can be intricate and beautifully executed, but not by me.  just not that interested in perfecting this skill.  i've done it a few times, but only for practical purposes and not for the real desire.  see what i mean?

the original was quilted at half inch intervals (i think) but i chose 1-inch intervals to get it done quicker.   i basted it to death and it came out okay, meaning not thrilled with the result and definitely doesn't inspire me to do more.   perhaps the batting was a tad too thick for this size, not sure.  but anyway, it's done and can put it aside for the right recipient to come along at some point.  i love the colors and pretty sure a nonquilter would think it's a masterpiece, but you and i know different.  not apologizing for this mediocre effort, just that my heart belongs to hand quilting.  it's great that quilting has a place for those of every persuasion!

here's one...

from the folder...it's a cute little zipper bag, gift for my mom's birthday.  she loves sea glass and found this sea glass print FQ last summer for a future project.  now gone from the stash and a nice little gift!

phoebe was running like a top today after getting a thorough cleaning and a new needle, PLUS she has new feet!  when adopted (from ebay), she had no feet.  instead, someone had filled in the feet indentations with some sort of putty that had hardened to clay.  all that was needed was to clean out the clay (easy peasy), loosen the short screws and attach the feet.  she is soooo happy now!  at first i thought someone had welded the bottom plate to the machine but happy to find out that was not the case.  she isn't pristine but she sews beautifully and her worn places only mean that she was a working gal...not a diva!  *** other sewing included finishing machine quilting the cats and binding now in progress.  also, 3 more 365 challenge blocks done, done, done!   stay tuned for more folder finishes!

someday is now

got folders? 

 

the new year's frugality has extended to books and magazines.  but, until i can be reunited with those i already have, decided to dig into the "vault" aka the desktop folder that contains downloads of free patterns and ideas been saving for "someday"....it's simply labeled "pdf files" and have already printed off a few that are or will be in the works very soon.  my philosophy is if i start it, i will finish it.  the cats wallhanging is one and that is almost ready for binding.  every few months go thru and toss those that no longer interest me.  when i started quilting back in the (what now seems) medieval 1970s, magazines and books were important inspiration sources.  fast forward and the internet is now an instant, 24/7 resource.  so wonderful that things in the quilty world have changed to what we have now....insomniacs rejoice!

beyond sew-alongs...

lest you think that's all the sewing getting done these days, here's a peek at the progress on daisy chain. 

no flash needed due to sun streaming thru the window this AM.  this is definitely going to be hand quilted once finished--and all the little center circles are appliqued too!  can u tell missing my big ironing board?  the little travel iron and a small corner of a small table are grossly inadequate for quality pressing but it's early days... this project, plus the 2 donation quilts i'm working on PLUS a few new projects too are keeping me as busy as i need to be.  swirling around is a scrappy DWR that i want to make too, but need to finish some things first.  hoping these will provide a detour from new fabric temptations....and have you seen "mostly manor" by victoria findlay wolfe?  love those stripes!  wondering how i can justify them....oops, change subject!  still spring-like here but back to late winter tomorrow in the ongoing weather boomerang!

definitely NOT scraps!

a "partner in crime" aka fellow quilter recently posted she had scraps she planned to fling.  i needed a variety of neutrals for my hexie project, so inquired if some could come my way.  sure, was the reply, and soon a squishie arrived with these....which are definitely NOT scraps...

sincerely gobsmacked over the generosity of this fellow quilter.  have already cut a huge stack of 2.5" squares for the hexie project....thank you mystery sewist!   and have been keeping busy in endeavors other than keeping warm...here's block charlotte for the farmer's wife...

and how cold was it today?   when starting the car it was -5, half hour later down the interstate it was -10 and then about 15 miles beyond that it was -11....but when driving by the ocean inlets the sea smoke was thick like fog and spectacularly beautiful....a real gift from nature!

did they say challenge?

thought this would be a fun sew along but make no mistake, it IS a challenge!  these little blocks are 3.5" unfinished and some are way more involved than i've ever done at this size.  and now with the photo, i see the block top right is wrong so that's a re-sew.  the photo is taken side view but still, gotta do it over.   never claimed to be an expert piecer, but have to say they don't look too bad overall.  now halfway thru the inside border, so another 6 weeks of these itty bitty blocks, total of 96.  then it's on to the center block, a whopping 18" square.  anxious to see them all sewn together and mentally calculating what lights are in the stash at hand for the next border.  and here is another glance at the overall top...isn't it gorgeous!  i am definitely still in with this project!

keep calm and sew on!

after the snow...

getting back to what is currently normal, more sewing of the FWS blocks---here is the current bunch.

having real fun making these blocks with different combos from the fabric gene pool...thinking about what color to use for background too.  there is one more to make from this week, then it's tackle the 365 challenge blocks that are starting to accumulate.  those work up really fast tho.  *** and while reading the letter from mamabear over on marcia's site, saw this cute scissor holder from miss sewsitall that i am going to make.  have some cute lobster buoy fabric i might use.   a handy item!

single digit temps on their way so winter hasn't given up the ghost quite yet despite days here and there that are spring-like.   so many gratitudes despite the current unpleasant situation, but spring IS coming and there is progress on housing front, so that is good indeed!

candy coated cats

so the flimsy is done, waiting for a final press, baste and then quilt.  might use a bright lime to bind.   the rest of the afternoon spent quilting the summer sampler, which is now over half done.   other than that, pretty quiet day all around, calm before another snowstorm.  so far so good on the no-buy efforts.....and the week's stash report:

stash in:   ZERO
stash out:  nothing yet, but sooooon!

withdrawal pain....

this is tougher than i thought it would be, this no-buying plan.  made easier by budgetary issues for sure, but still salivating over so many gorgeous new lines of fabric.  my daily mantra is "shop the stash, shop the stash,"  and so far that's what i'm doing.  keeping busy sewing is helping, all the while thinking knowing that frugality is a good thing.  so please forgive me for repetitive photos of projects in the works....it is all part of the austerity plan and to prove to myself that stash is getting busted.    today, tho, have pulled out instructions and some bright mod fabrics for this cute little wallhanging.  still working on the larger quilts, but space is a premium so find it easier to manage small things.  this is by tessa walker found at www.thesewingchick.com on her blog dated 5/14/15.  it finishes at 21" square....hop on over and make one with me!

hexie update

our brief sojourn forward into spring has taken a lapse with snow falling, hoping it will morph into rain later...good time for a hexie update!

i know, not much, but this is only a sometime project...my "sometime" isn't near as much as bonnie's plane time...of course i do have a little bag of hexies waiting to grow into rosettes...and transporting them?  i use this adorable bag made by vic in nh and sent to me around christmas...it is just right!  the lanyard has my little scissors on the end so they don't walk away...

now, i think i hear some 365 blocks calling me....

final for january

ended january with 1.25 yards busted but 1.5 yards added, net gain .25 of yard.  this was kona snow so it's a basic that will definitely get used.  i had used a scrap of white for my peacock garden wallhanging but it nowhere near matched the other blocks, so felt i had to remove and replace it with more kona snow.  *** quilting continues on the summer sampler and is shaping up to be a february finish...

this batting is a tad thicker than what i normally use for wallhangings but it will do.  and the blocks are free form quilted.  time to prep the binding....

hip hip hooray!

good things to acknowledge today, not the least of which is a huge shout out to my sister....being 12 years apart we were never that close. in her teen years, she suffered greatly and began a slow downward spiral with more setbacks, detours and almost permanent derailment that left all of our family with fear and sadness for her future.  but as chuck swindoll says, God wasn't finished with her.  through heavy prayer and numerous confrontations and nearly constant conflict, she turned her life around and is now firmly planted on a road that will lead to her ability to enjoy some success.  she is in college and just completed an associate's certificate program that gives her some better employment choices and away from high-school type jobs at pizza joints and the like.  to say we are all relieved is a huge understatement, but more than that, swelling with pride for the hurdles she has overcome and relieved she has reconnected to family with confidence, self-worth and a feeling of belonging that i don't believe she felt at all in her adult life.  being the youngest, she felt overshadowed by older siblings who arrived at adulthood long before her.  nothing else to say but hurrah to someone very dear to all of us!  

also in the works...

this is the scrappy 9-patch from gifted fabrics...can you see yours?  i bought the alternating square fabric at marden's...the pattern called for 3.5 yards but marden's had only 3, so i took it with hopeful anticipation and looks like there will be enough!  something else will be needed for binding but a scrappy binding would be perfect.  there is one row of sawtooth border attached but not pressed as it's waiting for a print border to corral all those bias edges.  as mentioned, this will get donated in honor of those who so willingly shared with me....better than prozac! 

new sew-along

jumped right in with barbara brackman's "westering women" sew-along with these pretty cheddar and indigo fabrics by penny rose...in a weak moment last year acquired a FQ bundle that i'll be using for this project.  going from 3" blocks to 12" blocks is a big leap, but this size is a good hand quilting project.  just one FWS block to make and i'll be up to date on ALL sew alongs....for today anyway.  otherwise i'll be quilting on the summer sampler waiting for snow to melt...LOL!

in the frame!

it's the re-appearance of last year's summer sampler, now basted and heading for a finish...february maybe?  whilst in limbo, it's been easier to focus on smaller projects even tho am anxious to finish my hawaiian, currently bagged up in plastic in the car trunk.  most of my other UFOs are in storage waiting patiently to be reunited with their creator.  until then, it's continue with sew-alongs, including barbara brackman's newbie starting today!  making good use of time and stash until regular life resumes....and since you asked (? maybe), the seaside photos are from east boothbay, a fave spot of my mom's from her younger days where a cousin was married and lived...here is the ancient little chapel site of nuptials.  isn't it quaint?  little towns, small churches, picturesque villages, so serene but i'm still a citygal....now to sew!

nice-n-icy

air temp and water temps equal at about 40 so a seaside excursion was in order!  the nearly high tide revealed jonas ' last gasp with the water up over the rocks and onto the narrow street in places.  only a few gawkers like us ventured along the shore road.  the onslaught of seaweed is seen from previous high tides.  the water looked perfectly sea-foam green in the partly sunny sky and was quite rough with high waves in places.  hated to postpone my day's sewing but was glad for the sea air was quite invigorating and a nice change from too-dry house air.  after lunch, communed with phoebe (and still am) sewing the 9-patches into a flimsy and cutting HSTs for the sawtooth border.  glad for the respite from frigid air with the realization that winter is half over and the joy of lengthening daylight! 

finally a finish!

just this morning took the last stitch in this table topper for my mum, all gifted fabric and only purchase was the batting...not much stash busted but gives me a finish and off the UFO challenge queen's throne!  as far as this week's stash report goes.....well, needed half yard of kona snow to finish something, accidentally ordered a yard and THEN a sticker on my package said i hit the jackpot and got the end of the bolt!  how revolting!  any other time it would have been a welcome bonus but not this year--ended up even steven as the wallhanging busted about 1.5 yards and the kona snow was that.  so final tally....

stash used:  1.5 yards (not official)
stash added:   1.5 yards kona snow

i'll do better next month, a promise i'm making to me!

farmer's wife progress

the latest 4 in the farmer's wife sew-along, papers not yet removed.  when this sew-along was started, all fabrics in these color families were put into a bag, and this was the kind you take to the supermarket...that big!  then, a few others found their way into the bag via the postman.  even so, have busted some pieces completely.  just this morning a 2.5" strip--background on bottom left--was totally used.  a small piece, but gone nonetheless.  just over 1/3rd finished with this, and anticipating to see the bag's contents decrease even more.  now back to quilting.....

my new fave tool

my christmas gift to me this year was this itty bitty 8ths ruler.  my rogue quilter pal has used this and raved about it a lot.  i don't make the precision miniatures that she does, but with these small blocks for the 365 challenge, it is an essential and quite useful item.  mostly i get by with the rulers i have and don't get everything that comes along, but this one lives up to its reputation and glad it's added to my ruler repertoire.  *** not much new here in frigid city but busy with sew along blocks and quilting.  the binding for the table topper is prepped just waiting its turn.  don't think i'll be sending any penalty blocks for the UFO challenge this quarter!  now to keep warm and sew on!

quickie stash report

this past week:

added - ZERO
subtracted - ZERO

the table topper is almost done, prepping binding today.  also on today's list the 2 sew alongs....but no new stash is good! 

365 update

due to time differences, lucky enough to get caught up with this sew along BEFORE the actual date...LOL...here are the latest groupings...first is 6-10...

this group is 11-15..

and this is my storing method....3 plastic folders at the dollar store...i may have to get more for 365 blocks!

photos not the best as they were taken in a darkened room with camera flash but thinking you get the idea..but 15 little blocks bust hardly any stash but the top is 90 x 90 so overall will use some up.  oohh see daylight peeking over the horizon...isn't that terrific at 6:41 am? 

in the hoop!

just today got this basted and in the hoop to quilt.  it WILL be a january finish for sure...at least i think so!  it's a table topper to match the valance in my mum's apartment....

aside from this, have been working on the 2 sew along blocks and am up to date, well i was until today!  transitional life is a juggling act and i have plastic bags everywhere filled with blocks, strips, squares and all manner of scraps.  next plan on cutting the connector blocks for the scrappy 9-patch so i can work on that flimsy.  ***  so nice to see an extra bit of daylight at both ends of the day now, just minutes of course, but more and more as the month progresses.   when it's still daylight at 5 pm, i know that winter is about half over and the extra sunshine will cheer up the days.  and please pray that housing comes soon...i am anxious for beginning a new chapter in my life and for a fresh start!

sewing along...

these are the 2 latest of the farmer's wife sew-along blocks....both paper pieced as i wouldn't have done them any other way.   the 365 is up to date as well.  finished all the pink reel blocks i could, now waiting on getting more pinks from the big stash in storage.   tomorrow hoping to baste a couple of things for quilting.  the 12 days of christmas blocks also on the list, as this would give me a quick finish.  will also be cutting more scrappy bricks for that project.  working on several things at once usually gives me lots of finishes at once.  when i was a single parent had to juggle several things at once, so it's a method now used for my sewing projects.  silly me thought life would be less complicated with no children to care for, a house to maintain and 2 jobs....not sure what happened or if i'll ever get the satisfaction of an explanation, but thankful God gives me the strength and perseverance to keep on keeping on....quilting that is!

stash report & quilt cam

first official stash report of 2016....0 stash in and 0 stash out!  plenty of sewing going on but nothing quite finished yet.  during quilt-cam last night did some of this...

the little pink virginia reel blocks are coming along, there will be 24 in all and i'm about halfway there....and some of this...

scrappy 9-patch blocks from fabric that was gifted to me last year...70 were needed and they are now done; next is to cut the connecting squares and sawtooth border triangles...this will be a donation quilt at some point in honor of those who so generously shared their stash with me during my sojourn here in the desert (again!)....moses wandered in desert but died before entering the promised land...hoping my situation will have a different conclusion...of course am keeping up with the 365 challenge AND farmer's wife sew-along... on today's list?  the 2 FWS blocks and the 365 block and more on the 2 projects shown....a great day to sew!

5 for 5

day 5 and here are my blocks so far...have a bag of small pieces right next to phoebe and try to get these sewn up as soon as they are posted.  going all scrappy and so far so good!  also been working on some of these little paper pieced blocks for a january finish maybe?

the UFO list is officially at 41 so hoping that 2016 is the year of the finish...lots of them in fact....this will also help me focus on busting stash after shamefully accumulating nearly 100 yards (didn't count the gifties), more than enough to finish all my UFOs and generate several more, especially if i continue with small projects like these.  planning on donating 2 bed size quilts in october and also have a quilt of valor on my "hope to make" list...it's a wonder i have time to do anything else...LOL!  and if the start of 2016 is any indicator, likely to be the year of the new car, not showroom new but parts new as in frequenting the repair shop.  it's only january 5th but spent 3 of those days bonding with various car mechanics and incorporating a whole new vocabulary--calipers, rotors, differential, sensors, yokohama (tires)--and (gulp) attacking the bank balance.  fabric sales and quilt shops are definitely off limits for the time being.  it isn't that my car is in bad shape, it's just the nature of mechanical things (sigh)....but, as mrs. g says, life is still good!

first bite

so far so good!  and so it begins....doing the scrappy version....stay tuned for more!

it's here!

where DID 2015 go?  counting my blessings as 2016 arrives and hoping for another jam-packed year of sewing and quilty fun!  for auld lang syne!

snow day = sew day

it couldn't last, meaning no snow on the ground, have about 4" here, which isn't much but it's more that it heralds the beginning of real winter that is disheartening.  but a month's reprieve is way better than none, and what could be nicer than a 60-degree christmas!  snowy days mean sewing and this was the result....the 5 blocks of FWS that were waiting...

haven't pulled the papers yet but they are done.  this group is on hiatus until jan 6th so next up will be the start of the 365 challenge.  and my UFO list for 2016 is finalized so guess i'm ready for it to begin.  so blessed to see the start of another year!

UFO not!

did get this little piece finished just this morning, so off the list it goes....going to try and eliminate just one more small flimsy from the list. with not much else scheduled and bad weather finally coming (meaning snow), should be able to manage one more finish.  otherwise working on FWS blocks and some usual tasks. only 5 days to the start of the 365 challenge and trying to avoid that tiny voice in my head that this is simply too big a project for somebody in a state of flux.  trouble is, really want to take it on but would feel more confident if things were a bit more stable and all the stash was organized and at hand.  nevertheless, going to persevere and see what happens....can always abandon for a later date....meanwhile, gotta corral my warm clothes and get ready for real winter....yeeeccchh!

great sale-ing day!

although with temps near 60, it was almost a day for the on-the-water kind of sailing, but NH vic and i opted for the retail kind....the sun and fresh air was heavenly!  first up?  footprints in rochester, NH...

just inside the door 25+ bolts of kim diehl's new fabric line....and so difficult to choose but had to select only 4 quarter yards....lovely colors!   then it was our fave marden's!

christmas fabrics half price and found a few neutrals as well....total for this 2 yards was $4....really, only four dollars!  got a half yard of the red print, quarters on all the others.   then back to vic's for a delish lunch of turkey leftovers, some conversation and then hit the road.  due to holiday scheduling, have a couple of saturdays off for a change....made me feel almost human again!