another finish!

racked up another finish with this sofa quilt....it's plenty long enough for me at five feet tall. haven't yet calculated yardage used but got another wallhanging already in the hoop. the "finish" pile is slowly decreasing....and as for machine work, the 365 center medallion is done as well..

course being lefthanded, the right side border got flipped....well, that's my story anyway....and i am leaving it.....now to tackle more blocks...i think there are 12 more of the little ones and then hope to get the first dark border attached....another cloudy and rainy day so we are way overdue for sun and heat....next week maybe??

design wall monday

the tablerunner is all assembled....must be about a thousand pieces in this runner.....doesn't look it from here....maybe at the closeup?

all those tiny red squares have 4 corner squares each; all those white flying geese have 3 pieces each.....well, it's together now and it does look quite reminiscent of turkish tile floors.....so it will go in the flimsy pile.....and the "amish in the city" is nearly all bound....work on 365 continues and a wallhanging will go in the frame for the next finish.....a sunny and cool morning, feeling more like fall than summer....but no snow!  that's good in my book!

back in the groove...

that would be the 365 challenge groove...due to moving, unpacking, organizing all the fabric and sewing stuff, it's been on the back burner far too long, until today that is.  my entire Saturday sewing consisted of blocks for 365.  right now I am done thru april 4th, so as of tomorrow it'll be 41 blocks to get current.  the little 3.5" blocks work up fast.  takes more time to find fabric and cut pieces than to sew them.  next 4 days are corner squares for the center medallion, then it's back to blocks, bigger ones and lighter colors.   this is on the design wall right now...

you can see where the corner squares will go....and I have 2 plastic pouches with ALL blocks up thru march done!  right now have oodles of free time, so maybe another week to get current--maybe???  ***  cool, blustery and rainy here today.   the greek festival is going on down the street and they have 2 tents up but hardly anyone there, no doubt due to the weather.   it has poured off and on and winds have been quite gusty with a possible FREEZE tonight??? yes, that is what they say.   ***  and quilting on the "amish in the city" is nearly done...expect to start binding maybe tomorrow.  in addition to most of my fabric and UFOs, have found some extra binding so it's all ready to go.  it is sooo very nice to have time to sew every day.  usually start in first thing in AM after breakfast.  feels odd but a very welcome odd--I feel very blessed at this point in my life.  so many hardships and setbacks along the way for this here and now....I wish this for every quilter....

then there were 2....

got 2 blocks together and am really liking the look...if my math is correct, have to make 100 more bow ties for the flimsy....so this is a future flimsy, but will be so fun to hand quilt, which is my goal--that plus using up my fabric.  ***  two years ago at retreat, found this on sale and was only going to buy half yard, but sensibility prevailed and I bought 1 yard of the 3 that were left on bolt. 

I did briefly entertain the thought to buy it all but hesitated....and wish I hadn't.  this is called "la scala" by Hoffman and it is gorgeous.  recently while browsing thru an old "love of quilting" (july/aug 2014) was intrigued by this pattern...completely dismissed the little word upper left that says "challenging" as I knew the Hoffman print would be perfect! 

and it is!  have to say have never made a table runner with so many pieces--they weren't kidding about challenging--but it's nearly together now and well worth the effort.   watch this space to see the flimsy, maybe some time this week.   and even tho I took a brief detour from UFOs for a new project, at some point in the not-too-distant future, it's gonna be scrap day....see what I mean? 

these need to be cut up into usable pieces and some are even large enough to get some big tumblers for a top in progress....in the meantime, the "amish in the city" is nearly all quilted and the binding is ready for a hopefully may finish.  next up will tackle a couple of small projects from the basted pile....am determine to obliterate that F pile!





it's a plan!

remember all those little bow tie blocks was hand piecing a while back?  well, have come up with a plan on how to finish them.   making larger blocks of 16 bow ties along with the plum sashing and 4-patch corner squares....total of 12 larger blocks will be made and then perhaps a border of single file bow ties around the top--the plan is still in flux for borders--but with a plan can now work on assembling and see how many more will be needed.   *** and those little friendship stars?  a while back I was in a swap for some.  when the doll quilt came up, thought I might make more to use for the doll quilt, but due to moving and unpacking, luckily found a small quilt that was ideal and so the pieces for the stars got set aside, until yesterday that is.... and egad, the next FWS block was released but am going to hold off and tackle 365 today.....cloudy and rain continues albeit with warmer temps....have heard that once this weather pattern changes, we will be into the hot so enjoying the cooler temps in spite of no sun.  hey, as long as it isn't snow I can work around it....now go out there are sew something! 

design wall monday

nice to be able to participate once again in DWM....this weekend (sat/mon) got all up to date with the FWS blocks....was getting aggravated with so many small pieces--the paper pieces were creating lots of bulk that was skewing my piecing, so on the last one (bottom) decided to pull out papers unit by unit, thus giving me a better result.  now on to 365, which is SERIOUSLY in arrears.  *** hope all had an enjoyable mother's day, I know I did...and the weather gave us a treat of a sunny, breezy day but rain and clouds are back today.  no matter, makes great sewing weather!  

come on in!

have a peek at my new home.....no, i didn't vacuum but hopefully you can overlook that...LOL....here is a pictorial tour of where i now live....it's home sweet home!  first, inside the front door....storage closet to left...

a peek into the galley kitchen...enough storage for what i need and easy reach to everything...a quick turn into the (almost) empty bedroom and fabric store...LOL...a desk will be going here for the printer and laptop....

yes, that IS fabric on the floor waiting for more shelves....the head of the bed (when it arrives) will be on the left side wall and that lone star is going up on that wall....

bathroom is located just after where the desk will go and opposite the lone star is a large walk-in clothes closet with shelves on one side...plenty roomy...back out to living room where the elfa sits just after the kitchen entryway...the little vintage book table has a small quilt made by janet!

going clockwise is the rocker...so glad to have my rocking chair again....and the jo morton wallhanging is going up on the wall next to the 1930s piece....

next comes the futon chair that unfolds to a twin bed at night where currently sleeping....it is sooo comfy to sit or sleep....a wise acquisition it turns out....my apartment faces the front of the complex and the street,  but being on the 5th floor i'm above the tree line and most of the noise, plus i get any breezes that are aloft....the cedar chest with TV and VCR which had to unearth until cable is installed....have many tapes of "simply quilts" that are fun to rewatch....

continuing clockwise, just beyond the cedar chest (with TV) is my grandmother's sled (that is her vintage picture) and some little quilts....trudy treadle, more wall decorations

here is a view of the entire area....really larger than it looks in this photo....under the treadle is my pillow, sheet and quilt for nighttime.  the ottoman (under the quilt frame) gets put up against the unfolded chair so my feet don't hang off the end....this was a freebie that i recovered as the matching ottoman for the chair was about $160....on the treadle is my "F" pile..meaning finish....some are basted and some just flimsy that i'm determined to at least get basted, but ideally would like to finish them all...

on to the sewing studio area....just beyond trudy is the design wall and a peek at the sewing space...the ironing station on risers and the other table with the machine, ottlite, cutting mat, etc...have to work at keeping this area from becoming a catchall....

the tables, sewing chair and behind is the shelving unit, corner is drawers with UFOs...well some of them....

everything is pretty handy....on top are shoeboxes with precut units  and strips....the sewing basket belonged to my late aunt, the box has patterns for the rare occasion when garments get sewn.  next comes books, a large tote for cross stitch stuff,

storage for threads, some miscellaneous mags that are saved and my 2 CD storage racks.  as of now, there is no place else handy for them but may go under the desk in the future....on the very bottom shelf is my collection of quilters' newsletter magazines which i'm keeping for the present.  so you can see it's very work er play friendly....and yes, there is no table for meals....emily post would be mortified but often just sit in the rocker with a dish or in the chair if i have a glass too....in the bedroom under the lone star is the antique sewing table that folds down, so that may get moved to between the chairs when the bed arrives....not sure when that might be.  picked out a serta "leola" extra firm, which is just over $800 at sears....definitely not in my budget right now.   oh, and the little sign that says "sew blessed"?  from vic in NH last christmas.....a perfect finishing touch don't you think?   hope you enjoyed the tour!

whoops!  forgot one!  this is the other side of the bedroom where majority of fabric is shelved....plus the roll of batting (bathroom door on left)...fabric is shelved according to color mostly except for solids, kaffe fassetts and quite a few "not quite neutrals" that have a white or beige background but lots of color besides....when i get another set of shelves, will space these out some but for now easy to find and reach!   on the floor are reds, greens, cheddars/oranges, plus the larger pieces of yardage for specific projects....

design wall monday

the design wall is UP and the apt is nearly ready for its closeup....a couple more things to go on the wall, a vacuum and dust and photos will be taken for your viewing.  meantime, this sewing got done yesterday...

westering women blocks 3 and 4 ready to join the others currently in a mailing box in maine....they'll get here soon i hope!   also finished this little wallhanging made entirely from scraps/stash....

even the binding was leftover from another project...the lone star i think...quilting on the modern amish continues....and do you watch "call the rmidwife"?   really like it but always makes me tear up at some point.....

thanks...

for all the wonderfully kind comments about my Hawaiian quilt.  one thing I failed to mention is this:  I bought the video from Pacific Rim Quilts on Hawaiian quilting.  worth every single penny it cost as it gave me lots of info about the needleturn applique, the construction, type of batt, etc.  I already knew how to hand quilt ok but decent applique was daunting as it's a skill that had so far eluded me until this project.  Having the video on hand allowed me to return to it time and again to double check my technique.  Without the video, I am sure the result would be far less satisfactory.  The quilt has the right amount of "puff" between the quilting lines and the applique became very easy not too far into the project.  Again, the thanks should be shared with Nancy Chong and her excellent video! 

Alooooo-ha!

just early this morning, took the very last stitch in this quilt.  so happy to see it finished. now for washing and it'll be ready to use....busted 11.5 yards of fabric on this....

and, as predicted, it isn't perfect.  the pattern got basted down on a banquet table and one corner is a tad off but am not disappointed or sad.  i loved making this quilt from the very first stitch and it'll be one of my heirloom quilts that i'll keep forever....just try hawaiian quilting if you haven't....it is so relaxing and rewarding.   and to keep the momentum going, immediately put this little quilt in my frame and started the quilting...it'll be a quick finish.  tackling the UFO list with a vengeance here at home....studio photos soooon!

doll quilt swap

from danice, this lovely little doll quilt that is just right to cover trudy and keep her dust free!  danice also included this personalized pinkeep and a handkerchief/church doll that she made....handmade gifts are so wonderful, don't you think? 

it's another gorgeous day here....breezy and warm and sunny oh my!   almost done with hawaiian binding, also working on a table runner pattern i recently found.  the only glitch in having my own apartment that i can see is now i have to do housework!!!  yes, laundry and dishes came first today....isn't that revolting?  fortunately free lunch today at senior center so no dishes there...sewed on another sleeve for a wallhanging that is going up over the treadle and got my flannel design wall also washed.  by next week should be ready for the big reveal.....the shelving unit is together but alas, does not hold ALL my fabric, about 2/3rds i would say....a few color families are left on the floor but now have handle on how much there is and what can be done to use it up.   what a lovely task!

thank you jan patek!

a recent giveaway on jan patek's blog was this adorable pillow kit...lucky, lucky me! i adore her patterns and have the christmas nativity one waiting....a couple of years ago, won a FQ bundle of jan's fabrics from cyndi at busy thimble that i've been saving for just such a project. this kit, though, has everything, including the backing fabric.  poor jan and her staff were ill and then i moved, so it took a while to arrive but so worth the wait!

can't wait to get started on it, but first the hawaiian needs to be done. binding is getting sewn down so another few days should find it officially OFF the UFO list!   cannot recall exactly when it was started but has to have been 3-4 years ago anyway.  might even get another small project done this week too!  *** in the meantime, things are getting to be normal here in maryland.  been hanging photos and wallhangings this weekend.  the shelves have arrived for the fabric, so that is next on the agenda.  DD came for a visit so my hug tank is full for now.  busy week upcoming with a few fun and FREE things to do since the budget is on life support.  am blessed to have enough food and shelter and fabric! 

the studio is open!

at last, 8 days after landing, the final box is in the recycling dumpster and *MOST* everything has found a home.  sadly, the bulletin board was DOA but a replacement will be made at some point.  clothes are clean, folded/hung and in the closet....and yes i have plenty of sox again!  printer arrived with toner intact--after a year in storage i was impressed!   FWS foundations were printed and managed 2 block finishes yesterday....Left to right, Em (for misery no doubt) and Fanny for your viewing pleasure!

and it WAS a monumental task, all that unpacking, left to be done are things to hang on the wall and find more places to display quilty items.   big thank you to Marge at Delaware Quilters...this little tool was invaluable in my success!

this is the flathead side, the other is phillips....the larder is next on the list.  some of my herbs replaced but all other staples still waiting.  once the bookcase is arrived and organized, will post the formal photos of the new studio....sometime next week....until then keep calm and quilt on!

egad!

add 2 more UFOs to the list....these were lurking in the bowels of a box among scraps don't ya know....

the snowman candle mat and these batik scrap star hexagons....getting put aside while the binding on the hawaiian continues.....and it's summer here in maryland!   84 yesterday and 80 today....they call it spring but in maine it doesn't get this warm until late june or july....the gals at the complex tell me to wait a bit, summer will come.   ***  the old viking is set up and was so fun this morning right after breakfast to sit and sew a bit....the transition has been smooth as silk and almost everything has a place now.   trudy is still waiting for her belt, then all the sewing gals will be operational....as mrs. goodneedle always says "life is good"!

making progress???

already feeling overwhelmed, quilt project wise....ok far left is a stack of yardage for backgrounds and some garments, clear bag is muslin/white scraps, green bag is batting scraps, middle pile is basted items, far right is flimsies, and lastly the print bag holds large muslin and white backings....tired yet?  I sure am!  and by special request, am showing again the milky masquerade flimsy aka sparkle pattern...

still putting things away and trying not to think about the UFOs calling my name...and yesterday took a break and watched "Brooklyn" while quilting on the Hawaiian, which is just about ready for its binding....april finish maybe?  I hope so.....

unpacked but....

this was taken with flash but there is no lamp in that room yet....well, there is a lamp but no bulb...but this will give you an idea of how the stash organizing is coming along.   yes, those are PILES of fabric but really, looks like a lot more in this photo.  the reason it is just tossed about is that a lot of fabric was used as packing material, and so to get at other stuff, just flung the fabric aside for the time being.  a bookcase will arrive next week to get it off the floor.  actually, for 3 days out, the apartment is looking pretty good...the kitchen is almost all done, 2 of the sewing shelves are done and the cedar chest is now packed with its usual stuff.  still a lot piled around for which am slowly finding spaces.  first up had to assemble the elfa drawers, then the other set where my UFOs reside and get the antique sewing table up that is currently being used as a desk.  printer is functional (no internet yet), drawers are full.  surprised that toner cartridges were not completely dried.   found 3 packages of computer paper, 2 of carol doak's foundation PLUS the ream from amazon.  clothing is mostly in the closet now and nice to have something other than fleece pants to wear.  my 2 pairs of sox that have worn over the past year are getting a much-needed break!  Tuesday night after movers left and I had spent the day unpacking, slept an incredible 10.5 hours without waking at all!  that is unheard of for me.  last night another 9 hours, a testament to how exhausting this process has been.  even so, thrilled to be here and to have an apartment in such a lovely place.   ***  today's quest is to find a source for herbs by the ounce.  usually whole foods or organic markets sell them and my collection that was in storage for an entire year are gonzo.  ***  lastly let me sing the praises of Allen & Coles moving company out of Portland, Maine.  everything--and I mean EVERYTHING--arrived in tip top shape save for one shelf of an old side table that is easily repaired and the plastic cover to a stoneware pie plate that cracked.  it is only used in the refrigerator so some wide clear tape fixed it good as new.   things that were old and fragile and of huge sentimental value all arrived in pre-move condition.    

up to date...almost....

with the farmer's wife sew along now that these are done...

finally got the papers all out of these blocks, each with lots of little pieces.  been working on the 365 as well as currently about 2 wks behind on those blocks...but have cut the pieces and once i sit down and sew for a bit, will be caught up as they work up fairly quickly.   busy with settling in issues and finding my way...thank you mapquest!  making lists of where to go once all the unpacking is done, which is still on hold for the van to arrive.  while i love having a professional mover, working within their timetable is simply awful.  and one of the places i found first was this....yep, chick-fil-a...my all-time favorite chicken place.  the day i visited it was school vacation and the restaurant, parking lot and drive-thru were all mobbed. 

this town is so quaint and historical.  the downtown area is chock full of little brick rowhouses that must date back at least 200 years, plus 2 huge park areas, a modern library, an arts center, and plenty of unique stores.  it is so easy (relatively) to find one's way despite the glut of one-way streets and alleys that also surely date back to colonial times.  and francis scott key, the author of our national anthem?  he would be glad to know they have named a mall after him...LOL!  ***  still hugely sleep deprived due to my non-bunk while waiting for furniture.  caffeine only works so long and then it's nap time again.  ***  senior center quilting this morning despite pouring rain.  phoebe and i ventured out with the 365 blocks for some quilty sharing....but no chocolate (hear that vic?)!   then home--love that word home--for a quick lunch and a few errands.  did i mention i really love it here? 

secret sewing

signed up for doll quilt swap and that is what is currently on board, that plus catching up on farmer's wife...yesterday made 4 blocks in 4 hours and have only 2 more to go.  as for 365, well that is another story.   about 10 days behind on that one, but it's a matter of spending a few hours to get current....as for life in maryland, am loving it!  hoping this is the week of the van's arrival....am still giddy as a school girl at having my own apartment.  at night just sit and look around, placing things and thinking about how it will look.  have connected with a church very close by as well.  mail is arriving in my mailbox, so guess that means i'm sorta settled.  the craft room is being well used by me, as i can sit and sew, spread my stuff out and watch TV as well...hoping to have photos tomorrow of my blocks.  maybe will get some 365 done today as well....weather is cooler and windy and wild.  had to actually wear my wool hat and jacket this morning.  am told this will change soon, tho.   now off to spend the day!

surprise finish...

the little wallhanging found in a box used as packing material is now done, washed and ready to hang on my apartment door....

colors are a bit brighter than actual due to sunlight pouring in but it's a keeper for now...has to be 3-4 years old anyway due to fabrics....so that's 2 projects this month that are finished and with the moving van coming within the week, all my UFOs will be in plain sight to nudge me on to more finishes...not much doing until then.  another gorgeous day for finding my way around and picking up few foodstuffs.  went in to my new bank and the woman told me about a terrific greek restaurant close by....mmmm greek salad, i am ready for that!   still flying high on having an apartment with my own bathroom, kitchen and sewing studio.  have diagram all ready for when stuff arrives so can get up to speed on sew alongs ASAP....wishing you all the very best day! 

getting settled...sort of....

my cable isn't in yet so posting from a public computer aka nothing here to upload, just a brief update.  been exploring some and made only a few wrong turns so far.  have found important places like grocery store, library, chick-fil-a, walmart, gas stations, etc....just past day or so have gotten down to sewing on the surprise wallhanging used as packing material in a box.  glad to say it is ready to bind and will be a march finish, yay!  movers coming in about a week so remainder of unpacking is on hold until then.  have managed to apply for a few jobs as imperative to find work of some sort to support my quilty habits and pay student loans.  and the complex?  very lovely, lots of friendly people, lots of amenities and comforts.  feels strange having my own little kitchen again!  coming here from gray  New England was like stepping into Oz...everything in living color and lots of green!  hoping to have pictures next post.  have contacted a couple of guilds and planning visits soon, and quilting at the senior center is Thursday, so lots of opportunities to sew!  and even tho I live in senior housing, didn't feel "senior" until today when reading that Patty Duke had died...oh my....until next time!

the street where i live....

yes, have finally arrived in maryland at my new senior housing complex (thursday) and signed my lease friday so homeless no more!  nobody is happier than me, i can tell you...

of course there is NO SNOW here at all...spring is in full swing and loving it! my apartment is newly renovated and very nice...lots of amenities like many senior digs. just today got the car finally emptied, a huge task! had a nice trip down over 2 days, my brother came with me and drove.  he is a keeper, i will tell you!  things will improve once the moving van arrives with bed and rest of my household and sewing things.   for now roughing it and taking ibuprofen regularly...LOL!  of course parting with my maine family was tough, but closer to my one and only peep who has been in touch and is visiting soon.  feels so strange living alone again after so long, but have connected with senior center close by and next week library and guilds.  do not plan to hermit in the room by myself all the time if it can be helped.  course, a little job of some sort is on the agenda too as student loans always loom large.  ***  traveling through PA my brother desired to stop at the martin guitar factory and i was happy we did...it made him beam from ear to ear...a short visit but a life-long memorable one....i took this photo of him....he is my hero this week for sure.  made the trip fun and seem shorter than usual. *** posts will be sporadic until comcast and i touch base. and did i mention?  there is a craft room that was said that nobody uses....until now that is!  

a finish!

couldn't let march go until a finish was posted....the summer sampler sew along from last summer is done!  the blocks are small at 4" finished and it is a bit larger than first realized.  it'll hang at mum's and pretty up her place, along with the table topper and valance, both with red.  more little blocks done but still lagging behind a bit.  lots of nonquilty things going on this week, so not sure how much sewing will actually get done.  *** winter is back and it's a SNOW day, 3-6" the weather guru says, but won't last due to longer, sunnier days and warmer temps.  it's the last gasp, no doubt---we hope anyway. 

let's celebrate!

definitely NOT a hallmark holiday but one to celebrate regardless...

and expect all the faithful will gather round the machine or hoop or cutting table to play.  alas, today is a work day for me, but most days i do get to play with my quilty doodads and beautiful stash fabrics.  sewing on the 365 blocks continues as well as farmer's wife blocks.  now that have rebounded from the late winter crud, hope to sew play even more.  ***  and even though THAT WORD aka SNOW cropped up again this weekend, looks like it is swerving out to sea and spring can officially begin tomorrow.  has been a blissfully brief and warm winter with ice out earlier than usual and even opening up fishing season much earlier than normal.  now all that is needed is a place to live....sigh....today would be good!

luck of the irish?

even though i am not personally of irish descent, perhaps some of the luck of the leprecaun was with me today.  2 months ago the binding for the summer sampler was cut and rolled for today, when it was time to pin it on.  now, binding is something i almost never measure, rather cut by eye and add a bit for insurance.  so wasn't worried as i started pinning it on, and then this happened...

got to the end of the binding, which fit perfectly except for these 2 little ends...that's all that was left.  would never happen again in a million years no doubt, but today, thanks to those leprecauns maybe, i was a happy quilter.  now off to finish and cross off a UFO!

throwback thursday

while doing some file housekeeping of the laptop, saw this photo taken at the gerald roy exhibit in NH a few years ago and wanted to share with you.  it's a pattern that has caught my eye recently and might be a future project.

in the meantime, just about ready to start binding on the summer sampler, so should be a soon finish.  no new stash and it's getting easier to delete those fabric sale emails.  of course, all bets are off when at retreat later this year....lol!   no green beer in my day's agenda, just some block sewing and quilting, which is way better in my mind.  wouldn't turn down a green bagel tho....top o' the morning to you!

in good company

catching up on blogs early this monday spring morning and find that several are in the same boat....that is, experiencing some sort of illness that, while not serious, has resulted in sewing hiatus.  did manage to get together one FWS block last night and also cut pieces for several 365 squares.  despite the slow down, enjoying super spring temps that are breaking records nearly every day here in lobsterville usa!  also like several bloggers, have added NO new stash this week, so maintaining the status quo which is good indeed.   included this photo taken by me 2 years ago on a trip to maryland...it was april and this cherry tree was in full bloom...isn't it gorgeous?   and if it's monday, then it's a work day.....lucky me!

almost done...

turns out, one CAN quilt in a cough syrup/vaporub stupor!  must be the extra aspirin allowing better blood flow to the fingers...LOL!  only 3 more blocks to quilt, then it's the border and binding, wahooo!  this is for mom's place, will hang over her bed.  it'll get a good home and i don't have to store it in the car or wherever until whenever, a win/win indeed.  not quite back to baseline but slowly getting there.  this crazy on/off spring weather is sooo nice but is a wardrobe selection conundrum.  even so, yesterday morning at 4 am it was 55 degrees...imagine!  *** and would be remiss not to remember my dad especially today, the anniversary of his passing.  turns out, 14 years ago was home from school sick as well...when the call came to go to his hospital bedside, i knew then he had died.  i found this poem in the newspaper and saved it..."he walked on earth a little while, a promise to fulfill; but in our hearts, through peace and love, he walks among us still." 

lucky day!

was catching up on blogs and woo hoo!  am the lucky winner of a pillow kit, seen over at jan patek's blog...i love her patterns and fabrics and have both a pattern and a FQ bundle waiting for me to use.  isn't this an adorable pattern?

thank you, jan...will be watching the post for this...glad i don't have to sew on this today, sidelined with a fever/sinus/sore throat/chest congestion thingie that has been brewing nearly all winter, no doubt a side effect of constant warm-then-cold weather.  aside from dosing with over-the-counter products, have been napping and quilting alternately today.  don't you hate it when trying to blow your nose, the eye waters instead????  so this was a nice way to end the day amid vaporub fumes and watery eyes.  love giveaways!

little block respite

up until now all the 365 blocks have been 3.5" unfinished...so got a break from them with the center block of this medallion.  mind you, this isn't the ENTIRE center but most of it, now done. 

the feature fabric of this center block is a jo morton, no surprise there...it is a beautiful print and have some in this dark blue and also in dark green.  and honestly, am not trying to stick with blue fabrics, but a good portion of my stash IS some shade of blue, it being my favorite color.  this was a short break, now back to the tiny blocks for the rest of the month i think; then it's hopefully finish the medallion and piece together the inner dark border.  it'll be fun to get to that point.  after that, am thinking it is 6" light blocks for the next border.  ***  see saw weather continues.  after a few days of very cold, the coming week is going to be 40s and beyond.  looking forward to flowers and color!