aaaahhhh!

the Canadian cold front is here...days are balmy--warm, breezy, dry--and idyllic.  no matter the weather, sewing goes on anytime.  pulled out a UFO in progress, some strip pieced spider blocks...

but before resuming, there were 4 small, ancient orphan blocks in the drawer and decided to use them in a "rustic" topper for the table near my chair where I spill put things...

yeah it is a bit wonky partly due to the homespuns, but it's functional and used up more backing scraps and some flannel scrap as batting.  quick machine quilting and binding and done! 

this is the drawer with far more plaid scraps than i'll probably use, we'll see.

what else?

a cute little summer stitchery, free on the internet, and when it was done, hopped right into christmas...

this will be tree-shaped when finished....2 more christmas thingies waiting.  *** now that I can venture outside, back to the fitness center and some driving to nowhere just to soak up the fresh air and delightful days.  joann's sent me a generous coupon for my birthday month, so will have to visit and see what's what.  hoping that with new CDC guidelines, the senior center will fully open without masks....

downsized

this block will be easily recognized by many...it's 'beaded lanterns' by christaquilts...a freebie on the internet.  her block measures 6x12" but i've downsized it a bit and final finished size is 4.5x8.5"....i'm calling it 'blue lanterns'.   

i've about 1+ yards of the gray print so uncertain how many blocks i'll make...ming tsai, the boston chef, has 2 restaurants--blue ginger and blue bamboo--perhaps he will establish another and call it 'blue lanterns'?  i just made one block to get the measurements right....maybe before vacation i'll get all the pieces prepped....lots of different blues of course as the stash is overloaded with them!  the september mini is basted, too!

lots of people seem to be downsizing.  when i was forced out of my little house, i was fierce and now miss some of the things i jettisoned.  since then i've lived in far too many places, certainly not by choice, only feeling at home in a very few.  so it is with this senior complex, definitely NOT my idea of home at all.  perhaps the next place will be...or perhaps i'll never have home again.  i keep hoping as there is something to be said for the comfort of home, an oasis, a sanctuary, a place that fits, to claim and belong. 

it's monday again!

another scorching one as well but relief approaches!  confined to quarters means a sewing blitz!  here are all 18 of the 10" churn dash blocks...

hmm that purple one might have to go....the key to this project is similar value all across the board, at least i think so....pulled out the 3 of the 16" blocks i had previously made for a look see...

nope nope nope....backgrounds way too light but the biggest problem is i don't really like them that big.  and that purple sticks out again!  it's history for sure.  someone asked me how big this will be and i rechecked the pattern.....80x68.5"   oh oh....too big for me.  so, on to Plan B.  thinking of scrapping the 16" blocks, take what i have done and do a re-design with them.  minus the purple one of course!  so watch this space....

what else got done?  august mini basted and to be quilted before vacation.  september mini is also ready to quilt that'll get done after vacation.  picked up some cross stitch plus quilting on the gift quilt.  i also did a big shredding project.  next 2 weeks focused on last minute cleaning, laundry, change bed, returning books, emptying fridge.  now down to counting the hours!!!

churn-ing along!

triple-H weather continues so lots of sewing is getting tackled, not the least of which are more churn dash blocks...13 of this size are done, 5 to go

getting anxious to put them all together once the last are done, probably some time in september.  then this got finished today...

and fabric karma was with me today when i went to look for a backing....

just big enough for this stocking so it's a win/win....this will get donated to earn some cash for my favorite charity.  *** also finished today is the august mini, well it's basted and ready to quilt....might even have time to do september's as well, at least get the top done.  *** puttered in the stash a while and pulled some that'll go to the same charity.  don't worry, there's still plenty for me!  ***  and just now thundering and lightning along with raindrops the size of golf balls....maybe this will send the muggies away?  we sure hope...

goobye july!

here in maryland, summer is now half over and dog days are well and truly upon us with a vengeance. makes for great sewing weather inside!  the july mini is done and ready to show...

years ago participated in a block swap of friendship stars...recently unearthed and decided to use some (yes, there are more) and the cheddar print was spied in the stash...perfect!  it was a small piece and is now gone except for a few short pieces...even small projects can bust stash!  on the back is more of the fish border print gifted to me by dear friend marianne a few years ago. linking up with wendy and the other monthly mini makers!

it's a companion print to some san diego-themed fabric, so i believe it was her intention to make a san diego quilt but never did.  the fishes piece was about 11 yards or so and i've used most of it now...what's left will back a few more small quilts.  *** and then this got finished....

a rustic placemat made from those gifted christmas-y squares....and the backing of this was also a piece that got busted.  bit by bit the stash is getting used, which makes me happy indeed.  while pulling for churn dash blocks, noticed some pieces that will get flung, the "why did i ever choose this" type...

my babylock machine is all cleaned up and packed for its trip to my sister-in-law.  since my mother is passing her vintage singer to me, don't need to stockpile machines.  i've still the featherweight and my treadle, so my stable will consist of all vintage singers...wouldn't trade any of them for a brand new high-end anything...except maybe bernina---nah, not even that.  

next task is to baste the christmas gift quilt, keeping me on target.  so far this year have busted about 40 yards of fabric and added 12.  plan to pick up a couple of background fabrics in maine for some scrappy donation tops.  plenty of sewing ahead to keep all 3 machines humming!

midweek musings

and what have i been doing?  sewing, that's what.  

when i started quilting, always oohed and aahed over traditional style, so this hearkens me back to the 80s!  it'll be hand quilted of course with a green binding...it deserves a country vintage backdrop but alas, have to settle for public housing industrial beige.  

few more churn dash blocks done, fabric for 6 more stacked on the sewing table.  if vacation doesn't totally detour me, should have a flimsy by end of september maybe?  

what else?  "midnight" is half basted, should finish today, then it's the large christmas gift that'll get tackled.  might also baste the christmas wall quilt while the table is up.  the july mini is being quilted, so that should be done to show monday.  

other than these, busy vacation prepping....duffle is out and partially packed.  next is to line up transportation tickets and make last set of lists.  all this plus fitness visits, PT visits and summer veg cooking are probably why july is whizzing by!

thinking cool...

it might not be as hot here as where you are but it's more than hot enough for me.  am venturing out early morning only for PT and then yesterday for the farmer's market...gotta have my veggies!  with media constantly mentioning 'christmas in july' sashayed over to the chilly side!

i had a july mini top all done but thought might change to something red/green and found this trip around the world idea, so pulled the repros and cut it out.  it's really too big for a mini but like it a lot so will just finish for myself.  and set up some of the squares gifted to me for a holiday stocking...these 2 things will be on the sewing agenda this week....and not one but 2 finishes!

the tula pink butterflies are done...the designer is someone else but i cannot find her name just now so i hope she forgives me.  this might go to my mom if she wants to brighten up her space. another official UFO crossed off....and then this....

those spring-y umbrellas were not an official UFO, just a new start for this year but now it won't get to be a UFO.  the hoop was bare until pulled this one from the stack...

the baskets made with that beautiful jo morton gold print called 'glad tidings'...will be quilting this until the gift quilt is basted.  tomorrow the folding table is going up to baste that one, plus 'midnight' and the july mini, which will be hand quilted too.  ***  more than blessed to be inside with a/c and fun things to do.  as always, my cup runneth many times over!

first one done!

 

this is the first of 18 churn dash 10.5" blocks that are in progress.  someone asked me about the measurements....the center square is 4" cut, the corner HSTs are 4 1/8" cut, the 4 bar pieces are 4 x 2 1/8" cut....and the block comes out to......a skosh under 10.5"  at least mine did.  i'll make another and check if it's the same.  if so, then it might have to stay that way.  i did measure twice before cutting....perhaps the 40 wt thread on the spool is making the difference?  *** like many others, we're under a heat advisory today, poor air quality, index in triple digits...i'll be working out at the fitness room here today and sewing of course!  

then and now

years ago made this for my mom from a commercial pattern.  i was a sewist and a newbie quilter and decided to combine techniques.  recently the zipper needed replacing and the bag looked well used and faded.  i fixed the zipper and promised to make another...of course, the pattern got sent off to the thrift but a similar one was found.  

this is called the 'alana bag' by cat out of the bag designs.  all done except sewing on the handles and inserting the lining....it called for 1/4" foam inside which i've never used and, well, it's a pain.  just joy has a very low shank and doesn't like it either.  the rest will be done on the featherweight.  those are kaffe fassett vertical stripes and handle with that luscious magenta batik.  i think she'll like it.   *** yeah it's hot and humid here too....i've got PT early thursday but until then, i'm hibernating!

finished on friday

 that would be the 26 churn dash blocks--the 6" ones...

another batch of pretty colorful blocks....now on to the 10" ones...and while rummaging thru the stash, came across some that had properly 'aged' so to speak...

even more revolting, more than one had never seen the scissors!  now that's pretty scary!  no doubt there will be more of those....it seems i've always been drawn to bright colors but lacked the inspiration and ideas to use them...until now.  interesting to see how the next batch will look.  *** summer rolls on and the days are one long fiery span.  spending more moments daydreaming of cool ocean breezes and waves....

latest batch

here are the most recent churn dash blocks....there are 14 of the 6-inch done, 12 to go.  pulling out all the brights and some funky prints from the stash for them. 

am cautiously pleased with what's done so far...the real test will be when all are finished and begin assembling the top.  next up are 10" blocks and only need 18 of those; lastly will be 16" and need 16 of those...so stay tuned!

my life-long love of sewing began at age 8 when my mother sent me to 4-H.  someone asked me what that was and i couldn't come up with an intelligible definition, so here it is.  4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.  *** another week begins and thankful for every single day!

a finish - a start

the summer weather has me inside and sewing up a storm!  finished my 'batik splash' quilt, 64" square, my apologies to the designer as i don't have her book/name at hand.  this is off to dear daughter's next week.

that's the finish...and the start?

this small wall piece got popped into the frame and should be a fairly quick finish.  no destination in mind but perhaps my mom would like it to brighten up her space.  and one more thing....

while the kaffe fabrics were piled on the table, cut the remaining shuttle (lozenge?) pieces for another wall quilt.  these are so colorful just love working with them!  *** july's big task is to baste the gift quilt...batting and backing on hand so just a matter of motivation.  that and the july mini, already in progress.  ***  PT extended a few weeks working on balance and fine tuning abilities.  will finish just in time for vacation, yay!

celebrate and honor!

 

have a wonderful holiday filled with thanks and reverence for those who earned and protect our freedoms.  for those of you who take a knee or turn your back on the flag or anthem, remember every single time you do that, someone died and spilled their blood for you to have that freedom and you are disrespecting that sacrifice.  remember, too, those who lie in foreign graves, those who never returned, unknown and missing, families still waiting for answers and closure.  always working toward a more perfect union....

sunday report

i'll be away on July 4th so am posting my progress today....first, now we are 4!  four of the 6" churn dash blocks are done, 22 more to make in july...do you think anyone will notice they are bats???

then, the 'midnight at the oasis' is a flimsy!   finally attached last border section just this morning...

the camera plays tricks with the colors but you know how vibrant kaffe fassett prints are.  this was a real challenge quilt for me.  lots of handwork and piecing, always hoping each border would fit properly and checking my measurements a gazillion times.  if you make one, advise stay stitching the checkerboard border as i found it stretched a bit in places.  i'll be prepping the binding today and a good press, then ready to baste.  *** so what next?  bonnie hunter has a new leader/ender challenge...how did she know?

my 1.5" strips tote is packed to the gills....i won't be making the quilt pattern she offers, but just sewing up the foursies for future use.  these come after finishing the christmas squares broken dishes blocks.  i'll be cutting up more shuttle or lozenge pieces from my pile of kaffes for the wall quilt in progress.  only 100 will be needed and some are already cut...

happy to say 3 large spools of thread--2 machine and 1 hand quilting--were finished off this week, so must restock soon.  with summer dog days here in earnest, will be in the 'studio' except for fitness visits and cooking/eating all those fresh vegs from the farmer's market.  counting the days to my trip to family in maine and some serious beach time.  my soul is longing for salty air and ocean vistas....

nick of time

i don't make teeny tiny blocks like many so this is my kind of mini.  it's the boston star pattern i've been saving...i lived in boston and surround most of my life, so it brings back all kinds of memories.  it's red and blue and gray, not quite white.  it also resurrects long-ago ancestors who fought for establishment of our republic when maine was also massachusetts. and it's done.  on time.  as good as it gets!  (whoops..linking up with wendy and other monthly mini-ers)

and here's the placemat from some of the gifted christmas squares. don't you know had just the perfect small piece for the binding.  will pop into the donation bag for the thrift, hoping somebody will buy and enjoy.

another hot week....midnight border on tap and finish the batik splash.  *** holiday plans consist of mother duties for dear daughter off her feet with an injury...nice to be needed still...see you in july!

sewin' along...

first, can i say it again?  PT is sooo under-rated.  an extremely painful shoulder has resolved AND a few new modalities have improved balance and walking immensely.  the shoulder was part residual from fall and part sewing setup that has been tweaked. ***  busy weekend--farmer's market, some house chores, exercise and lots of sewing helped me avoid news!  whipped up more of the christmas broken dishes blocks...

black/white print almost gone...have a few ideas on how to use them.  then, made a few of the 6" churn dash blocks....will need 26 and had planned them for july, but here's a preview....

don't look like much at this point....but they look good along side the little bright ones...yesterday went back to 'midnight' border blocks.  had hoped this would be a june flimsy and still might be....

they are fun to make and a bunch are cut and ready to assemble.  love working with those happy kaffe fassett fabrics.  *** the monthly mini ready to bind, today maybe, and the squares placemat.  with 3 days left to the month, the batik splash won't get finished, but close.  and before friday, the border on the gift quilt will be done as well.  *** the weather is hot and humid and gas tank nearly empty until payday friday, which is the day maryland gas tax goes up another 7 cents.  no holiday plans at all but might veer off the chicken for a pizza! 

saturday for squares

with the secret sewing project top just about done--just a border to add--decided to let my quilty muse take flight and she headed right for those christmas squares recently gifted.  how to use them?  organized them again by print....and sewed this up first...

all those pretty neutral backgrounds called me...another placemat but not before i add some wildlife applique, maybe a moose or bear and a tree...i know just the person for it!  then, more of the broken dishes blocks....

this is what's left of the black/white print...

so not too many more....next?  set these aside for a patchwork stocking...

leaving these....

after using some to finish the black/white print, maybe a few more stockings.  i have plenty of suitable lining fabrics...maybe i'll use the neutral prints and add a moose to that or just some trees....anyway, respectable dent has been made and a hot saturday has been well spent.  the only other thing done today was a quick trip to the farmer's market to replenish vegs.  pretty soon will need to replenish some thread!

churn dash-ing

only one photo today...most of my sewing is on the secret gift quilt project, but i did get all 29 of my little churn dash blocks done...a june goal.

one will need replacing as the contrast is minimal...but waiting until assembling the top as there might be others when the time comes....

and this fall, sending just joy to live with my sister-in-law.  mom has decided to pass her machine to me.  it's a vintage singer 328k work horse that sews like a dream.  a bittersweet transition of course, but it's been hardly used for many years, which won't be the situation here i can tell you!  featherweight and trudy treadle still on board for now, keeping the machine stable at 3, which is enough.  

evenings spent quilting 'batik splash' hoping for a june finish as well....we'll see. 

lastly, if you are a praying person, say a quick one for me and my sister...both of us near top of housing lists.  we've waited over 3 years, so long overdue for safer places...thanks!

monday report

monday again?  crikey, weeks go by fast...but have truly been busy all week.  doing what?  first, the weekend was spent sewing together the secret gift quilt.  the top half is done...it's a biggie at 90" square and got 5 rows put together when i had enough.  will probably get the top done before week's end.  this is the largest quilt i have ever made and will ever make.  what else?  

a bunch of little churn dash blocks got cut out and ready to sew before sunday ran out.  on today's list.  *** last week at the farmer's market, purchased a jam tart for $2 and the more i thought about it, the pricier it seemed, so tried some of my own.  i don't have the fancy tart pans but they taste the same...

might have mentioned culling old quiltmania magazines....something that can be problematic...LOL

most of the pages i saved were for small projects except this one that more than whispered to me.  of course ran right to the stash for a tryout...

while i don't have enough background yardage for the entire piece, pulled several FQs of same value.  when i finish one, will just continue with another.  will probably skip the sawtooth border.  absolutely no rush on this, long list of others first, but just couldn't pass it by.  and so it goes....

wednesday morning status

a hot weather week--great for sewing!  mr. mailman delivered a squishie the other day....

a baggie of scraps...all 2.5 inch squares...and a book about the area where my mother's ancestors and family are from....washington county, maine, downeast it's called....the northeastern corner of maine, "where America greets the day" as the morning sun shines on America there first!  the squares are all christmas themed...oooh quilty muse sprang into action!  sorted them by pattern and some prints had only a few, others many.  how about a placemat?

so the very light print, gold and green are now gone.  what else to make?  a trip to my stash and pulled a black/white christmas print and presto! some little broken dishes blocks...

how many to make?  that's easy....whichever fabric runs out first....a tad less than half yard of the black/white print and this many squares left....

closeup makes them look much larger but none bigger than 2.5" -- a few under that got tossed.  it'll be a leader/ender type project...so more stash will be busted...what is it about someone else's scraps that make them so inspiring/tantalizing/fun?  *** elsewhere, more secret squares done, more hand quilting done, floors got washed and laundry too.  with every day to sew, still feel like there is never enough time to accomplish what i plan....spooky!