super saturday!

exactly as weatherman had predicted (how spooky is that?) about 2 pm it turned dark and very windy and temps began to plummet...in 3 hours went from 68 degrees to 40 degrees....no matter to me....was engrossed in this that the mailman brought...

which had tons of eye candy and great articles, not to mention this...a gorgeous quilt by jo morton...

which had me drooling, but with laundry done was time to start supper....and what better for cold and blustery than this....clam chowder!   the simple new england kind with NO celery, NO flour, NO crazy herbs of any kind....just chowder with a dash of leftover cream added....mmm mmmm good!

will taste even better tomorrow....so fortunate that my local market carries the chopped sea clams normally used, since fresh, whole, shucked are exorbitantly priced.  will provid needed sustenance for mega cleaning before company arrives early next week....

on the wall....

today finally got around to hanging this piece that has been rolled up on the floor since moving in...

another of my imperfect pieces; actually this was a replacement for an earlier one that got trashed.  it could use more quilting in the white spaces if motivated to do so.   while tidying up, noticed this horror......

put this runner together eons ago from some squares inherited from the ex's aunt, most likely made by his grandmother....now that i've been instructed on old fabric types, can clearly see this brown stripe (lower right corner)  that has now horribly faded due to direct sunlight.  most of these fabrics are 30s era but thinking the stripe is older than that...immediately pulled it out of harm's way and it'll get put away.  and just for reference,  got out some broken dishes squares taken from a quilt top given to me probably around 1990 or so.   they are hand sewn.  the top needs some mending, and since it was quite large, removed one row for repair squares....but nothing like the brown stripe in these.  will defer to my pals cyndi and wendy for their learned opinions....

the colors are spectacular as the quilt was never finished, never used or laundered.  it's a someday project....remainder of the weekend goes to thorough cleaning of the apartment, finishing up my portion of the guild's raffle quilt and finishing up a donation quilt.   in the good news/bad news department, the 365 turns the corner today with the start of 6" squares for the final border.  won't divulge how far behind, but after the holiday this project will be my BFF.....or at least until the end of the year!

gone!

that would be another 3.5 yards outta my stash...

this issue of 100 blocks came to me in a giveaway and right away spied this block (left side) that was scrappy friendly...

my blocks were done in a variety of solids with the side/top sashing a charcoal....ran out of charcoal so for the last row, added 6" border of solid black on each side along with 2" top and bottom....no longer hiding out in the elfa drawer, but will get tied by some willing hands for a worthy cause.   ***  continuing to work on guild raffle quilt with a probable finish before week's end.....donation quilt all quilted and ready to bind and get mailed first of december...365 lags further behind but still hope to finish up by end of december, that and farmer's wife.   ***  christmas sewing plans finalized and easily do-able with other sewing.   ***  another year is nearly history, one that had big changes for me but at home and fully settled.  have navigated single and finally living alone--and loving it--with few blips although budget still very much a concern.  it seems that formal work is really behind me for good and although have plenty to fill my days, still feel too young to be shelved.  fortunate that gratitude for each day, and the Lord's pleasure to grant me same, plus creativity keep me engaged and involved, albeit with no extra income for many fun things.  things could be a lot worse....fortunately plenty of UFOs on hand for hours of free entertainment  ***  lastly, menu tip for the cost conscious...tweaked mac and cheese using half cheddar, half taco cheese, adding few slices of chopped pepperoni and sliced cherry tomatoes, divvied up in ramekins and popped in freezer....not boring at all!

thinking ahead....

last week a friend and I visited a new guild for an amazing program featuring WWII quilts collector Sue Reich...by all means go to hear her and see her quilts if you can....so interesting!   at the end of the evening, my friend won a door prize....this book

but after leafing through it and finding many applique projects (which she doesn't do), she passed it along to me...how lucky!  spied several possible projects (like I needed more!!!) and, with stash in mind, immediately honed in on this one....

tho a pillow is pictured, opted for a small valentiney wallhanging instead....so this morning (up 5 am) pulled out my fabrics and got it started....

hoping this will get done and NOT end up on the UFO list for next year.  along with this, made binding for donation quilt that's almost done, worked on guild's raffle quilt, some housecleaning, made a chocolate cream pie (yummm), cut background squares for a new project, sewed up some units for another project, puttered and organized in sewing space, made a christmas to-do list.....i guess that's about it....and there is plenty of day left so without further adieu.....

never forgotten....

my dad, a WWII vet of utah beach, at rest now for 14 years....he never talked about the war even tho we had a ton of grainy, sepia-toned photos of many fellow GIs....the few comments he made during my lifetime were casual things....scrambling eggs in his helmet, sights seen in paris, a glimpse of bing crosby....but the impact of war on his life was immeasurable with him fading away like most WWII vets from a constellation of ailments and then multi-system failure.  his corny jokes and tender heart live on through us.....just another imperfect human who left a great legacy....one of so many who served, worthy of all our honor and thanks....

still waging my own battle with 365 blocks....4 more added to the pile and still 21 blocks behind...hoping this weekend will afford some time to shorten the gap, eventually to win this war by december's end.  

a peek at upcoming blocks revealed some HUGE challenges....like a tree of life....in 3.5"??? are you kidding???  

november and flowers?

yes, even though we have plenty of this in the neighborhood...

this being the northernmost southern state, there are also these still blooming everywhere....some variety of a bush rose....they bloom continuously all summer and into the fall apparently...

drive by these often and just had to snap a photo....these are a lovely pink.....the tree photo was taken at a local state park, Gambrill, about 5-6 miles from here....up a small mountain with plenty of views overlooking the valleys.....built by the CCC back in the 1930s.   lots of picnic spots with grills too....will have to visit next summer and (make note) take hot dogs!!!   ****  upcoming church bazaar means tuesdays are ultra-busy sewing up tied quilts and other items for sale.  have contributed one bed size flimsy with another nearly done, which partly explains why my own sewing is lagging.  quilting on the donation quilt is nearly finished, thinking another week or so should see it done.  then can devote more time to 365, finishing farmer's wife (for which all background triangles have been readied) and the last few westering women.  empty spools are piling up as it has been a banner sewing year for me!

latest batch...

of  365 blocks, that is...still just under 3 weeks behind on this sew along that is plugging along at a snail's pace.  with the holiday closing in, going to make a supreme effort to be current before family arrives later this month.

funny how some go together smoothly but others are a huge challenge...the bottom row far left was a nightmare, one of the worst of the year, but it's passable and hoping will blend in ok with the finished project.   choosing fabrics randomly also results in some surprises as in the top right.   there are 3 corner blocks that are 12.5" unfinished waiting as well, but thought would hold off and do all at once and use same fabrics.   if your interest in this has been piqued, it's being run again next year--same patterns--for newbies or those on the fence or some who dropped out/fell behind.   even if january is catch up month for me, anxious to get this flimsy done.  hoping to make 2017 a year of wiping out old UFOs....  all in all, have to say in spite of the elephantine challenge, has been interesting and a boon to my machine piecing skills overall regardless of some that are far from perfect.

first friday finish

here we are solidly on the road to thanksgiving and my first november finish!  it's a table runner, pattern by kim diehl....quilted sparsely to hold it together, busting a mere 3/4 yard of fabric in total, but it's done. i think this came from her book "simple blessings".....

it's sitting atop a small bookcase flung to me recently, along with a small end table, that completes my furniture needs for the apartment.  this is in the bedroom holding a small collection of books and a few display items.   the end table is next to my quilting chair, freeing up a tray table that can now function as the dining room, as there is no eating space per se.  all the needed things now are smallish items that will come in time.  since the bed arrived, the echo is gone and it feels like a real home---plenty of sewing space, plenty of living space....feeling very blessed!

holiday baking

some time in the last year, a blogger had links to several Christmas projects....found this called 'christmas baubles' by jen daly for the moda bakeshop.  with endless fabric combinations in the stash, started with this one....

still need to move some squares around and add borders, but so far looking good i think....already my mind is veering off to kaffe fassett fabrics?  batiks?   civil war repros?   any fabric style would work, depending on your decor and/or stash.....***  october is just about gone and, shamefully, have not finished one UFO....did bust a fair amount of fabric and basted quite a few items, so hoping november will fare better.  with the end of the year looming, plus planned finish of 2 big sew alongs, the 2017 UFO list will still be way too long.....not too many new things started this year and not very many new fabric to tempt me, which should help.  *** and a BIG thanks for those of you who commented on the previous post....

extra! extra!

imagine, here in maryland a mere 7 months and 5 days and already making headlines!!!  well, on a small scale, that is....it's the senior center newsletter and here is my hawaiian and the other blue ribbon winner by my fellow super quilter, emilie, pictured.  the only blue ribbons of the senior center, that is. 

unlike some quilters who start every project with visions of big ribbons and even bigger payoffs, this project was started for one reason alone...the quilting.  my fingers tingled to get to the echo quilting, with the applique part a means to the center of the tootsie pop, if you will.  will probably never ever seek another blue ribbon, though i didn't this time either...i simply wanted to show off my beautiful quilt, as i was as stunned as anyone about its beauty.  and truth is, anyone can be an excellent quilter...it just takes practice and the sheer love of doing it!  

God's saturday gift...

by sheer divine providence, was gifted this today.   while the futon chair is comfy, the arms are like side rails and changing position is a challenge.  so thankful it has been my comfy nighttime solace and for those occasional naps....but beyond grateful for this gift.

couldn't wait to see the hawaiian all spread out....and with my mom coming for thanksgiving, the timing is perfect as well.  this was a big ticket item way outside my budget, but now my prayer list has shortened by one needed thing.  feeling so very blessed today and always really, ever mindful of so many who have much greater needs.  may God send them a gift today as well.   ***  gorgeous autumn day spent so far on a hodge podge of things--cutting bindings, doing a frankenbatt and frankenback, cutting out another pair of flannel lounge pants and not a moment too soon either, predicted to be 81 degrees tomorow....LOL!

bonnie hunter's mystery

the day has finally arrived when bonnie hunter has posted her color selections for this year's mystery project.   i absolutely LOVE bonnie's quilts, and her tips and influence 10 years ago kicked my quilty muse up several notches....but being a hand quilter, lots of her patterns have waaaay too many seams for me.  have made a few but have donated flimsies for someone else to machine quilt and use for charity, not a problem.  this year decided to repeat the effort and have pulled my choices from her color suggestions...

these are what i found and may be a bit stronger in value than hers, but i like strong colors anyway and definitely NOT buying anything for this mystery.  that, to me, is the whole point--to use what is on hand that'll give it a controlled kitchen sink look.  bonnie's quilt is large so going to make half the number of units for my project.  and didn't think there was any magenta, but whoa!  if you have kaffe, you have magenta to the max!   these are "special" fabrics that so far have just ogled and fondled, but time has come to use some....so bring on black friday and clue #1!

blocks and birthday....

and this thursday just happens to be the birthday of brother #2...he was our october treat...despite being quite scary and ghoulish at times...now a successful business owner and dad.....happy birthday bro!

between tuesday quilt-cam and yesterday, sewed up 10, count 'em 10, more 365 blocks....maybe by the time the weekend is over, i'll have more racked up....struggle to keep up at times, but the end is near for this mega-sew along!

have a happy sewing day!

flimsy fling

proof that the stash IS getting used up is this flimsy that got flung to charity just this week....nearly all those scrappy 9-patch blocks have found a home...

in september 2 lap robes were made with these blocks and this month's is a 72x78 flimsy.  so happy that they are no longer stuck in an elfa drawer.   this was a leader/ender project long ago and wish i could say the 2.5" square shoebox was empty but not quite.   the 2.5" strips shoebox is overflowing so i'm pulling from that for the 365 blocks, which won't make a dent obviously.   but there is progress busting stash that is downright fun and rewarding.  and a button i recently found at a local quilt shop says it all....

monday sewing

busy monday wrapped up with a bit of block sewing....actually the larger was done sunday, leaving me with 9 more farmer's wife to the finish....

then got back into 365....only one more september block and can tackle october's....will see how far i can get before november 1 rolls around and another corner block is posted....would think these tiny dark blocks for the 3rd border will soon be finishing up as the home stretch is in sight for the wrap up....read on facebook that another will start in january, but not for me.  ***  beautiful autumn weather continues and today cool enough for light jacket.  less than a month now to thanksgiving but doesn't seem possible at all...it's too warm!  now back to sewing..... 

3 - 2 - 8

three more blocks in the farmer's wife sew-along are done!   first time sitting at the machine for any length of time in nearly a week....

there are 2 more blocks printed off and sitting beside the old viking...after those are done, only 8 more blocks to wrap up this sew along....well before the end of the year too, which is reason for a happy dance!   next, of course, is get current with 365.  anticipate that possibly january will be busy getting these 2 projects to the flimsy stage....and aside from a double wedding ring sew along next year, it's UFO tackling....there are a couple that have been on the list far too long and sorely need finishing....so bring on sew-turday!

prime example...

for standing back when choosing fabric....

several years back was trolling the red tag sale fabrics for flannel to make winter lounge pants and found this.   it was really inexpensive and was in a rush, so grabbed the bolt and got what i needed....but to my surprise on closer inspection, saw these skulls and peace signs...so stuck with it and it has finally gotten sewn up....only me and the laundress (also me) will see it, so doesn't matter....mainly going for cozy and comfy.   and why, you might ask, am i sewing flannel on a stretch of 80+ degree days?   weather channel uttered "cold and blustery for the weekend" so planning ahead.   have fabric for another pair that is a pinky print, not halloweeny at all.   since my tragic encounter with certain maine doctors, necessary to have several pairs on hand since some bodily functions have gone haywire...just saying.   ****   starting to feel better after long stretch of sinus infection/sore throat/cold sores/chest congestion etc.  haven't really sewn much past week except some hand quilting and now these pj bottoms.  various blog and facebook posts are sending my mojo into overdrive and hoping to feel better in a day or two....me and my tissue box, that is.  so watch this space.....

first peek

on the yahoo group 'stashbusters' about 5 or so years ago, put out a call for orange scraps for a (what else) orange scrappy quilt.  many squishies arrived in my mailbox and got tucked away in a basket...then life intervened...but they waited patiently for this time when they finally got to play.  this is the first peek at what i think will be a deliciously citrusy scrappy..hmm a title maybe?

these are 12.5" blocks and the pattern is from the book "modern neutrals", even though orange isn't much of a neutral--but the gray definitely is!   it was difficult to choose a pattern and this one wasn't the originally planned, but am happy with the result.   there are 36 blocks total, and when done, there will be 8 or so of the gray funky circles--sorta of a kansas dugout block with points---probably quilted with orange thread?   had hoped to have 4 blocks done for the peek so the gray pattern would be complete, but fall is very busy in maryland, a nice change from summer hibernation.   ***  printed out another batch of 365 blocks yesterday, along with 2 more farmer's wife.  and i completely forgot about 'westering women' for september that needs to be done as well.   once again bask in the delight that quilting has brought into my life. approaching my 60th year of sewing--is that possible?--with no sign of boredom or disinterest whatsoever.  thank you, my quilty peeps, for your comments, compliments and feedback and camaraderie for all this time.  i could not have become the quilter i am without the support of this community.....

what housework?

indeed; that's what i say too...not that the apartment is dirty, but needs some tidying, plus vacuuming and swiffering a couple of small floors, but hey, i can do that anytime, right?  after a solid night's sleep, up at 4:30 am to breakfast, read, catch the weather, followed by a short nap and then sew!  managed to complete 5 more little blocks....

and the day is still young!   so might even knock off a few more before the sandman hits town.   only a mere 16 blocks to get current, but if i can get 5 more done today, could catch up by.....monday maybe?   thursday, friday, saturday and sunday are all scheduled....making up for summer's hibernation!  ***  autumn is so gorgeous here in the mid-atlantic....and no frosty car windows yet either....and no, i don't miss maine weather....my family and fresh seafood is all...and maybe marden's?   *** speaking of shopping, visited capital quilts in nearby gaithersburg the other day...the shop has doubled in size since my first visit 5 or so years ago and they have added bigger classroom space, a longarm room, lots of fabric and another bathroom....well worth the addition for sure...so slowly finding my way around to quilty places for when i run low on fabric...LOL!

monday design wall

well, not really the wall but the latest of the 365 blocks sewn saturday while netflixing...now up to september 22nd and just a shade off 3 weeks to catch up....this week's project!

sunday spent at church, doing some cooking and then off to a covered dish/music evening....i never met a pot luck dinner that wasn't delish and this was no exception.   rarely go out sunday evenings as it's the best night of the week for PBS, but with Poldark on hiatus seemed like divine intervention.  having decided who gets my vote a long time ago, avoid any debates, insult-slinging, candidate bashing.  like many, wish there were better choices.....

unplanned hiatus

didn't mean to be away from my blog THIS long but it's been a very busy couple of weeks for lots of reasons, all routine in nature.   the first week of the month is always busy for me with my guild meetings, my volunteer commitments and household tasks...it's when i do the bulk of grocery shopping and other miscellaneous errands (post office etc.) and was seriously derelict in laundry duties, so that took sewing time as well...did manage to get a few blocks done last weekend...

now that things have normalized, back sewing this morning starting with 365 blocks.  had to clear off a couple of vertical surfaces to get a clear deck for cutting etc.  have a bad habit of pulling out things to sew and then don't get at them so have to put them away again.   *** did visit a new-to-me shop up in gettysburg called "needle and thread fabrics." the shop also specializes in civil war re-enactment garments, but there was plenty of eye candy for any quilter.   and they have a good selection of sale fabrics for $5 py and under.  it's only about half hour from my home.   also got to see parts of the battlefield, which will revisit with mom when she comes next month.  caved and got a four quarter yards from the "freedom bound" line that followed me home.

lastly, another issue has been our gorgeous fall weather....after being inside for hot/hot, it's cooler, breezy and perfect for soaking up fresh air.  took car for a thorough cleaning inside and just soaked up that nice, comfy sunshine.  time for cider and apple crisp!

bit o' basting

you've seen this little flimsy before but now it is officially basted and ready for quilting....also basted my cabana daydreams quilt top too...next up is the peacock garden wallhanging....

and two more blocks for farmer's wife are done and in the pile...

i'm keeping up with the posted blocks but also went ahead and printed out a few others to see if i can wrap up this sew-along.   sure do like paper piecing for getting those points sharp! and it looks like 90 degrees is pretty much history.   loving the cooler temps and mild breezes....poor vic said there was frost in NH and my sister had to scrape frost off her windshield the other day....not here!!!

mr. jack is back in view!   he has forgiven me for keeping him in storage and out of sight for too many autumns.  fortunately is no worse for wear from those horrible times....as soon as leaves started falling, ran right to my decorations box and set him up.  

he looks pretty good for 37 years don't you think?   cannot believe my dear daughter was in kindergarten when attended a craft club and we made these stuffed pumpkin decorations.  he seems to like the apartment and his perch atop the cable box, warm for his bum....lol!

not quilt related....

pet peeve of mine....as one who has been overweight for some time, it has been my extremely bad fortune to have met several people who dispense weight loss, nutrition, exercise advice ad nauseum aka fat police.   there have also been several others who think they know what is best and/or "God's will" for me and my life, but that's for another day.   these fat police include medical people, of course; not the same ones who used to smoke in hospitals back in the day.  but it is their job and, being purveyors of judgments of every type, they often wrongly assume becoming thin solves every problem.  they, like the weathermen, spout these pronouncements based (often) on statistics.  did you know, for instance, that woody allen's father died a chain smoker at age 99?   obviously genetics trumped behavior....i could rave on and on but brevity dictates otherwise.  my hope for today is that all those do-gooder nutrition mavens have a really rotten day, and that the next time they decide to spout their self-righteous and usually unwanted advice to one who probably already knows they are fat, someone hauls off and whacks them in the knees with a baseball bat, hopefully producing a cure. 

abandoned!

that would be magic of christmas...for these reasons:  1)  i love the fabrics but they are not working together as i anticipated, 2) my quilty plate is pretty full and indecision and remaking of blocks is eating up time, 3) buying other fabrics is not an option, nor is there any guarantee the results would be better.   the focus fabric is the problem, i think.   it's been hanging around a couple of years because i love it, but this doesn't seem to be the right project for it.   sooo....the blocks so far go in the orphan pile; will continue to download the whole 25.  even pulled a bunch of christmas-y fabrics to re-start, but time just isn't available to do that...before reaching this decision, pulled out the 2 least favorite and took this photo....a better combo but the dark green is soo dark, even tho the contrast really helps the focus fabric...

and our agricultural fair is done but not before this happened....

yes, my hawaiian got a first place blue ribbon!  i didn't care about a ribbon, just wanted to show it off...but really the credit goes to the nancy chong video...without the tremendous help from the video, never would have achieved such stellar results....now back to 365 to catch up before october arrives!

saturday sewing....

woke up to downright CHILLY air but ooooh so refreshing!  did a bit of sewing yesterday to show....first up "carolina" block for farmer's wife....

think there are about 17 left to do on this sew along....then came christmas!  might rename this "cotton candy christmas" because of the colors....

still haven't swapped out the blah green one, but it's a work in progress....although i love that michael miller print, am finding it is really difficult to work with in a project like this....may end up redo on more of these than i'd like....or maybe stick to the red and green solid?   or keep it as an example of color gone wrong?  but this next piece came out just right!

with pumpkins aplenty floating all over facebook and yahoo, jumped right in and sewed up this little piece.   the triangle units and stars were already on hand from previous swaps, so an aha moment reminded me to use them up!   the flash on the camera shows this lighter than actual, but not as dark as the pattern, which was more primitive-y...it'll get hand quilted and displayed with other fall theme items....i toyed with the idea of more string type pumpkins, but time didn't permit.  ***  and now that housework is done, time to tackle 365 and maybe a pot of soup....sounds good!

time for a finish...

but first, my little blueberry clock is back on the wall after 1.5 years in a box and then getting new hands....so happy to have it home at last....

and the lady of the lake swap blocks have been finished into a donation quilt...they are sooo pretty and glad i opted for 2 rounds to give me enough for a good sized flimsy....

closing in on another finish but not sure it'll be done before september flies....seems so warm to me for september, hovering around 80s all week...but, as john belushi says, but nooooo!

saturday surprise

it was about 4 pm when finally got dressed (yeah, i know) after sewing a good portion of the day...decided to mosey on down to the mailbox and look what was waiting....

a fat 8th bundle of jo morton's "gratitude" with coordinating bella solids AND aurifil thread!!!!   you can bet my quilty to-do list just got a tad longer....oh yes, thinking of a di ford project here...these are soo beautiful...i confess i had a 15-minute pity party this afternoon after a very nice day sewing and roasting a chicken.   the job hunt has been a bust and some pressing big ticket needs were on my mind.  a chat with an internet pal cancelled that party pronto and then this.....i'm humbled, thankful, blessed and feeling totally unworthy of such blessings and guilty for even 15 minutes of the poor mes....

video recommendation...

yesterday morning getting ready to sew, popped in this video i found on the bookmobile...only an hour long but it was jam-packed with inspiration, ideas and enjoyment.  can heartily recommend it to see...five minutes in and my fingers were itching, my brain was whirring and the old viking and i were in sync...

reminded me of that oldie but goodie "quilts in womens' lives", another video well worth watching.  i  was block sewing of course, but the video gave me a sense of freedom and serendipity that took my "in the box" blocks to a new level.   first up was the next christmas block. this high contrast block was exactly what was needed.  have decided to replace the 2 blocks to the left....the polka dots are nice but too distracting from the focus fabric.  the lime with red/white print is a washout....the fabrics are nice but it takes more than good fabric to make a quilt work.   magazines show us quilts all the time that are ho-hum just to feature a fabric line, which defeats the purpose.   the 2 duds will go in the orphan block pile...anxious now to see the changes and a project with a bit more va-voom, if you know what i mean....

at day's end, my creative muse had been satisfied and 5 more blocks for 365 got finished as well....today's agenda includes some farmer's wife blocks along with 365....or maybe a quilt to be tied?   now into the shower to get this day started!

show and share...

today linking up with cynthia's orphan adoption day....two littles looking for a new home....first is a small set of churn dash blocks made with jo morton's red variety line...i've made a couple of wallhangings with these fabrics that i love and maybe you will too.    next is another small project, some precut plaid hearts gifted to me.   again, made 2 wallhangings with these and hate to see them relegated to the back burner.  these are FREE to a good home only, and will even pay first class postage to your US destination.   but they MUST be loved and FINISHED; would love to see a photo from you when they are....any takers?

now hop on over to see what else is available to adopt!

eleventh hour post....

had a busy day and after arriving home, had a teensy weensy nap and then a bit of caffeine, so got a second wind.....wanted to show my latest blocks.   now into september with these; skipped over the sept 1st 12" corner block as another will be posted in a couple of weeks, so will do them both at once.

figured would continue with these since the pile of dark fabrics are at hand and no room for a different pile on the table.   ***  at the senior center today, our little group spent time going thru fabrics on hand and lots of donations that had accumulated over the years.  some had to be eliminated as not appropriate for quilts or other projects, but it was heart wrenching to see.  mostly others did the weeding out and i tried not to look....my frugal dna was in overdrive, even though i knew they were doing the right thing.  my sufficient stash at home helped keep the fabric rescuer in me at bay.  ***  an empty schedule tomorrow means a full day of sewing....aaahhhhh!

scraps dwindling???

on my ironing station is a pile of dark scraps i've been using for my 365 blocks....and what the hey?? they are actually disappearing....albeit slowly, but disappearing nonetheless.   will have to go shopping in the stash and pull a few more as there are more tiny dark blocks in my future.   here is today's batch.   one more little block and i'll be in september.   the september 1st block is the first large corner block (12") of the final border, so the end is in sight.  

one little block a day didn't sound like much in january, but mostly doing them in batches and--no surprise--it has been more time consuming than it sounded.  ***  as for farmer's wife, i'm 22 blocks from being done and not sure the sew-along will be done by then, but hoping i can wrap mine up by the end of the year.  before september ends, have another donation quilt to tie and bind, and before october ends, another donation quilt has to be completed.  ***  and don't forget, UFO adoption starts friday over here !  might have a few small projects than need new homes.....

slow progress but progress...

another little block done for MMC  (modern magical christmas) because of an uber-busy week with lots of time spent at various meetings and some mundane tasks.   the digital camera has grayed out this green background fabric, which is much brighter in person but looks oh-so washed out here.  guessing the flash wasn't enough with window blinds closed.   i'll keep it in, just not close by the one above.  loving this color palette....21 blocks more so it'll be pretty colorful when all together!