royal sewing

with the cold finally abating, able to do something else today besides blow my nose and pop tylenol...LOL!  first up, a project for my own princess....the cross-stitch diva....

her very delicate and precisely stitched fairy blocks....all it needs is side borders and then baste/quilt....they are adorable and she has already reserved a place for this....and betty was in a sewing mood so progressed to block 3 in the barbara brackman sew along...

am way behind on this with 4 blocks to get caught up, but maybe by next week...with only 9 total it'll be a quick finish...a great short SAL giving me the opportunity to use some really nice fabrics from the stash...and february half over???  impossible!!!  spring is coming tho as just this morning the sun was out and birds were chirping in the trees....

happy valentine's day!

The world may know my words, but it has no such privileges with my heart - Jane Austen 

day 4....

of the head cold that is slowly resolving....and with it return of my quilty mojo, again slowly....but last week before it hit, got this to the flimsy stage...

so it now resides in "the pile" to be basted and then quilted....and with the amish churn dash quilting done, this got put into the hoop as the next lucky quilt to be quilted...

it's "cabana daydreams" and a complete 180 from the dark amish solids.  a good project for spring that'll be here in a month or so.  it'll be sidelined once the cross-stitch top is done for a basting blitz day.   would like to finish the "fairies" by the end of february as DD has been so patient for its completion.  the only other must-do is the QOV top that should be ready by march in order to get it quilted and bound and ready for june award....all this WILL be done once the drippy nose and sneezing are history....

slow stitching sunday

up early this AM and quilting on this...only 3 blocks to go plus the setting triangles, so it'll be a February finish for sure. 

there will be machine time as well...DD is an expert cross-stitcher and asked me to make a wall quilt from some adorable fairy blocks she did.  she picked out the fabric last summer from the stash and has been waiting patiently for other things that needed to come first.  now it's her turn!  she has already selected space for the wall quilt in her home and the ball is in my court.  maybe it too will be a february finish!

RSC II

month 2 of the RSC sew along and all is well here....actually had to cut stash to get the needed strips as the shoebox had only a few.  after these got finished, worked on a few other things and confess did a bit of lollygagging around outside in the 70-degree weather.  am so ready for this to come and stay....even my mom in maine got a reprieve from bitter cold.  it's the january thaw just a tad late but better than never!

good news from PA!

FLASH!  phil did NOT see his shadow meaning an early spring.....woo hoo!  for us here in MD it's coming this weekend....what a great way to start a winter day--the sun is shining bright here and temps are on the rise.   me i am celebrating a finish...the paper doll books are done and will be on their way today..

lots of fussy cutting and sewing but the result is two adorable playthings for special little girls.  but my fingers were itching for some machine fun, so pulled out an easy UFO and got this far on this wall quilt project...

it'll say "home sweet home" when done and incorporates lots of bright colors--batiks and some very nice grunge dots--(thank you janet!) and it'll be for me.  this may not be my forever home but wherever, it is sweet to have a home.  ***  and mr mailman brought some goodies for me yesterday....a beautiful trinket box from dear daughter, 2 hand knit hats from my mum, a jonesboro, maine, history book with scads of photos of, well, scads of ancestors.  then my sister sent this...

when i belonged to the New England Quilt Museum, attended a talk given by Pam Weeks on this very subject and got to see a civil war quilt up close and personal.  I thought about buying the book but it was a want and not a need, so had to pass.  my dear sister got this a while back and i am super thrilled!  PS it's autographed too!   *** and yesterday finally got the border traced onto this UFO...

this is one of the true oldie UFOs that got put aside due to my timidity in tackling this part.  at the senior center was able to spread it out and finally get it marked.  there is one section i tried to do in my small space that is (gulp) upside down, so that'll have to be washed off (washable graphite pencil) and redone.  ***  also prepped final border on the guild's round robin challenge, so that's closing in to get done.   *** and (cringe) some former football jock on TV just said "it TEACHED the kids...."  uh oh....needs some verbal instruction i think! 

seeing red

last year at this time, only 3 months out from my cardiac surgery and struggling with basic daily needs, couldn't get behind this at all....fast forward one year and and things are hugely improved.  can't encourage enough to be a champion for one's health.  THREE, yes THREE primary care doctors fluffed off my shortness of breath due to physical deconditioning and obesity....turns out they were so very wrong.  One specialist even performed surgery with general anesthesia WITHOUT a cardiac clearance...so you can understand my gratitude for life today.  today i'm better, stronger, leaner, improved 1000%....HEALTHIER, tho not without the trauma and struggles of major surgery and recovery.  DON'T ignore annoying, recurring symptoms.  DO advocate on your own behalf.  DO find a physician who will pay attention to issues that trouble you.....it may save your life....

quilting and sewing

though haven't posted much lately, it doesn't mean there isn't plenty of sewing and quilting being done...this is the primary get 'er done project, two fabric paper doll books...

machine and hand sewing are called for putting these together...and they are adorable!  in addition to the "pages" with a variety of dolls appliqued on them, there was yardage of "clothing" requiring a few hours' worth of intricate, fussy cutting.  there are pockets inside the front/back covers where the clothes get stored.  they really are very cute and not as complicated as first thought, just plenty of TV time sewing....and when a change of pace is needed, still quilting on this UFO that is over half finished now.  determined to hack away at the UFO list this year...

this quilting design was chosen as the stencil has been on board for years and hardly used....hindsight being 20/20 as my divorce attorney said, might have selected something different but won't change it now....probably the final recipient won't care at all.   ***  winter is on/off, today being off and tomorrow definitely on so it'll be another full day of sewing fun with the required exercise squeezed in someplace.  so thankful my insurance covers half my YMCA membership, which is just one of many monday gratitudes!

for dora

remember dora?

remember dora's quilt?

it's done, finished...and hopefully off to its new home very soon.  been quilting on this for a whole year and happy to have reached the end.  now both dora and i can rest....in a job well done.

frozen

that's outside, but inside it's toasty warm and betty bernina is smokin'!....totally ignoring my to-do list in favor of some fun....remember the bow tie blocks done last week?  they actually were enough for the last block of the next row of this long-term project.  i do believe this is my last bow tie block quilt...LOL!  so i've been singing away with the oldies station and working on this...

with 2 rows to go i've only 120 more bow tie blocks to make, not 150 as previously thought.  and with this row finished up using some plum strips that deconstructed from a previous project...so am really busting scraps along the way.  really anxious to get to the quilting part as it's going to be a fun project to quilt.  now back to a couple of must-do things that got temporarily sidelined.  a-weema-way, a-weema-way, in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.....

inching toward a challenge

since starting quilting 40 years ago, there are now national teachers who have stopped teaching and traveling.  among those that i wish i had taken classes with is ruth mcdowell.  at the beginning of my quilting career, her instruction was way beyond my expertise; later on she was doing only 3-day workshops that were way beyond my budget.  i got her book from the library recently and am poring over the details of her technique....

 why you ask?  for this...

this photo was taken in boothbay harbor a few years ago....this garden was on the corner at a bank and snapped the pix as the beauty of these snapdragons and the color combo were just stunning.  i want to make a wall quilt using ruth mcdowell's technique.  the fabrics are on hand already (Marden's) but until now too timid to attempt.  first step is to enlarge photo...next to fedex office for a bigger version.  freezer paper is on hand as well.  from time to time will give updates...this is out of my quilting comfort zone but just have to try anyway.  first tho, gotta renew my book....

bevy of bows

monthly bee yesterday yielded this smallish bevy of bow tie blocks for the UFO in progress...

while hesitating to solidly (no pun) commit to particular goals, there is a sort of plan for the snail-like dwindling pile of projects in process and this is one...it's my busy box take along and think still need around 150 or so of these little bow tie blocks.  my conundrum is that i want to work on ALL the UFOs every day, humanly impossible though it may be.  few more necessary tasks and the day is mine....peaceful quilting to you all!

vicky and bertie

barbara brackman's 2019 sew along is "stars in her crown" referring to the 9 children of queen victoria...each block is named for one of the children....the sew along is 2 weeks old and happy to say am current....

late start was partly due to fabric selection but once i found one, the rest were easy.  chose some of my faves including a blue (naturally!) and am really liking them so far...these are 8.5" blocks for a smallish wall quilt with sashing yet to be chosen....with plenty of jo morton fabrics on hand, should be easy peasy!

snow sewing

hunkered down in the apartment for the weekend proved to be quite productive....first got my 'antebellum album' blocks sewn into a flimsy...

a narrow border is next...had hoped enough of one of the pinks would be on hand but doesn't appear so....that is the drawback of buying half yards or FQs....but have a couple of other options to try....then have to start on barbara brackman's new sew-along, already 2 blocks behind....next, the donation quilt binding is ON....yes, do believe will have a big quilt finish this month....that'll make 2 official UFOs gone which is 2 more than got done last january....so now the hoop is holding this...

one of 4-5 amish style quilts on the UFO list that is just about half quilted.  will this get finished in january too??  remains to be seen....oh and i've planned another for that scrap bag of cherrywood solids i've been hoarding...but concentrating on NO MORE STARTS until more get finished.   ***  both sun/mon mornings got woken up by snow plow....imagine!  that seldom happens here in the south...but lucky to be able to turn over and go back to sleep....thinking today will be another snow sew day...isn't it grand!

first finish!

a small one but done nevertheless...it's my thrifty hearts, so named as i found the precut hearts in a baggie at goodwill plus some plaid nickels and the white background fabric...only $2 so it had to be mine...

i had made 2 other small quilts with this find, one tea dyed and it's my mom's...the other got given away but this one i'll keep....and a belated christmas gift arrived the other day.  a stashbuster member asked me if i would like to receive some things from a quilter who had to relinquish her stuff due to health reasons...i always feel a bit ghoulish as i can't imagine how difficult that must be.  no doubt it is a very real concern in the back of any quilter's mind....the "what if" possibility....but have vowed to either use myself or share with others to honor the gift and the giver....

the book is needed for this fabric kit, which i've requested from the library...also included were several charm packs, 2 EPP starter packets, 2 layer cakes...all delightfully received and appreciated.  it perked up my week immensely as it included a brief hospital admit, a couple of unexpected doctor visits, more prescriptions that discouraged me a bit.  all is well now....not cardiac related but that will always be a concern... *** this snowy weekend dedicated to finishing a big quilt and moving on to the next UFO....

house block update

if you are on facebook, hop on over to see some that have already arrived....

https://www.facebook.com/Debbies-Quilt-Shop-638954046160056/

sunday sewing

got an early start once silence curfew lifted here at the reform school...first up was to get the plenty good pink dots to a flimsy...

plan to set this aside as it needs more blocks and a decision on the final size.   colors are much brighter than the camera picks up.....my donation quilt aka dora's quilt is ready for binding, so chose a fabric and got that prepped....then this little project has been moved around several times and it was time to finish....found these hearts all cut in a baggie with lots of plaid nickels at the goodwill....so i'm calling it thrifty hearts...

the binding for this is ready as well...a muted red plaid....small but cute i think....last but not least,  finished up the house blocks for california....they'll be on their way tomorrow and will brighten some quilt for one of the fire victims....

working under a handicap as the horrific neighbors have been suffocating me with their perfume or air fresheners or whatever they use to cover up cigarette smoke....my eyes have been burning and watery for two days now, leaving me hoping smallpox might make a swift and resolute return.  the smokers have had 3 years to stop but multiple warnings, idle threats and no consequences have been ignored of course....word is the manager is afraid to confront and follow thru...when i complained she told me there would be retaliation and i guess the suffocating fumes must be just that....another day in the taney village torture chamber....

seeing red

christmas stuff has disappeared and it's valentines everywhere....so whipped up this little fabric box for a possible workshop...

then it was on to the rainbow scrap challenge for january, also red.  decided to make 4 blocks every month that'll give me a total of 40 at year's end.  the pattern chosen is a bonnie hunter pattern that i've not seen done anywhere...it's crayon box, fitting for a challenge that uses crayon colors.  

and have you made any houses yet?  got 2 done with 2 more to go...with my scraps could make several entire quilts but UFOs are beckoning....

knowing what it's like to be completely displaced from home and goods, my heart goes out to these fire victims and happy to do what i can and spread the word.  i never suffered thru a fire, which has to be so much worse...another day of overflowing blessings!

new year, new quilt, new PIF

got all my 2019 calendars up....this is susan branch's yearly offering.  she is a wonderfully talented watercolorist who lives on martha's vineyard and california (a new england transplant).  warning, be careful when you visit her website for you will be tempted beyond your credit limit...LOL!

and just before 2019 arrived, finished my postage stamp quilt!   have yet to trim all the ties but it's done and on the bed, waiting for its inaugural sleep.  a great feeling it is to finish a long-term project, meaning years i hauled around those small pieces, always cutting up more for this day.  and now i don't have to cut up any more that size...win/win!

and with the new year comes a new opportunity to pay it forward.  you remember lori of humble quilts?  she posted a photo on her blog of a quilt shop owner who is collecting house-theme blocks to make into quilts for fire victims.  lori offered these directions for a quick block, 10" finished, that won't take a bit of your time today while you make plans for the year ahead!

this uses 2.5" strips and i'll "see" if can rustle any up....do you think?  this was karma indeed as my plan for the RSC was to hack away at this overflowing bin of 2.5" strips.....

hoping to reduce these with planned projects and whittle this pile down significantly....now that the postage stamp is done, turning my attention to finishing up the red/cheddar donation quilt that needs to be out of here before the month is over.  quilters, to your machines!

2018 tally

first of all...closest thing to a tiara i own, but the sentiment is real!  one of my tasks today is to make a hair appointment....about time!

spent sunday tying my postage stamp quilt, binding today, will be close but hoping to finish before midnight.  progress for 2018 was good considering my slow start.  my frankenbatt bag is nearly empty...

as far as UFOs go, managed to knock off only 6 (postage stamp will be 7)...eeeks....with 14 new projects started aka  UFOs for 2019.   regarding stash, due to generous donations, ended the year with acquiring 96 yards but used up only 29 1/4 yards...not counting the postage stamp that will give close to a 60 yard gain.  so even though i personally lost weight this year, the stash is now considered morbidly obese...LOL!  a few big finishes for the coming year will go a long way to slimming it down.  my charity efforts will ramp up slightly the beginning of 2019 but don't intend to let them get out of control like last year.  ***   a rainy new year's eve but the christmas tree lights are cheery....plenty of sewing to do and no real household tasks pressing....as always, delighted to have another day to bask in the love of my family, to love them back and spend time sewing up a storm....happy new year to all!

2019 Planning

Sshhh....don't tell God i have plans for 2019...you know what happens when you do!  seriously tho, it'll be more of the same...tackle UFOs, some new starts and plenty of scrappy sewing i hope...2019 marks 40 years of quilting for me and they have flown by in a nanosecond, it seems...would that i could do this for 40 more!  will be off on a running start new year's day and something new this year....the rainbow scrap challenge.  january is for reds and formulating a couple of ideas to be at the ready....

i'll also be joining in barbara brackman's brief sew-along paying homage to the children of queen victoria.  it's 9 weeks, 9 blocks, with a choice of 8 or 12-inch blocks...thinking i'll opt for the 8 inch giving me a manageable wall quilt size for an eventual quick finish.

she has recommended this palette of fabrics so before start date of january 5th will be diving in my own stash to get some...pretty sure have plenty on hand.

and thanks to a kind and generous quilter, was able to replenish batting and muslin from joann's with sales and coupons.   got only 10 yards of batting at present due to space limitations and 5 yards of their good legacy muslin.  also picked up batt and back for the 365 so can get that completed in 2019 as dear daughter has claimed it for her own and mom is happy to oblige. 

got thru christmas with some dietary slips but back to fish and vegs today.   had thought about splurging a bit on new year's but with plenty of cardio-approved things in the freezer and the forbidden sodium rampant in nearly everything, will just go with what's on hand.  back to sewing!

christmas wrap up

the brief break from blogging proved to be a boon to my creative muse....

a cross-stitch pinkeep for a special friend.....

a sporty wall quilt for my son-in-law.....

a stitchery nativity for someone with no available horizontal surfaces (ME)!

a couple of christmas "portraits" from preprinted stuff donated to the senior center....they were so cute and festive, just had to come up with a way to use them for decorating....

this was a gift from my daughter and her husband, my very own maryland blue crab ornament!  it's that coated papier-mache so just right for a small branch...i love it!   my celebration with family was over the top and just being with them was the best gift ever....got other nice gifts from family and friends, but it's the things that can't be purchased that are the most precious--my loving family, my physical health status this year compared to last, time to relax and enjoy the reason for the season, festive music, colorful lights...overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness at my many blessings....hope yours was the same!

merry christmas early!

definitely NOT my tree at all, but omigosh if it were!  the last package is on its way, one more sewing giftie to finish up and a bit of holiday cooking to come but doubt i'll be blogging before THE DAY arrives....there is housework to do (not much) and lots of sewing i want to do before january arrives, so blogging is pretty much on the back burner.  have done a few holiday events here in snow-less maryland...gawd, i LOVE these winters....and pretty much tackling the master list daily and feeling profoundly thankful and grateful for my health this year.  still exercising regularly, of course, and watching the cardiac diet (mostly), feeling totally astounded at how different things are this year from last.   wishing for all the merriest of a Blessed Christmas, ever mindful of those who won't and yet still dream.  the real gift is to be grateful for whatever situation is yours.....

almost.....

meaning most everything i need to make for christmas is completed...and still time to go...how good is that?  the tree is up AND decorated...

loaded down with ornaments with even more that didn't have room....the stocking workshop is now history and it went well with everyone taking home a festive stocking, some of my christmas fabric stash gone for good, and then came home and made myself another...

bought this angel fabric in lancaster some years ago and used it for the backing....at the time couldn't buy more than a yard and have been sorta hoarding it since then, but the time had come to play with it....and santa came a bit early to my place...bought this last summer and have been saving it for the new year, fresh start and all that...

it's bonnie hunter's new perpetual calendar/datebook that is chock full of gorgeous bonnie quilt photos including some from her new book.  years ago, like 12 or so, bonnie nudged me out of my matchy/matchy cocoon into color explosion and my quilting has never been the same, which is a very good thing!  she'd be happy to know i'm paying it forward, urging others to walk on the wild side of color....