necessity, they say....

is the mother of invention.  i never invented anything but having a need and finding a solution has challenged the little gray cells many times.  during a sleepless early morning, trying to figure a way to move quilted items to a tall shelf--vertically challenged, you know!  here is the shelf...

this was my solution.....

used the walker and wooden step left over from broken hip rehab, along with my regular step stool, to gain enough height to move things and make sure i had necessary support to avoid another broken hip.  worked like a charm!  i'll use this method to hang the rest of my wall quilts too.  

so now i have this....empty half shelf

that i hope will fit these....

things that need basting and quilting.....(ignore broken printer on bottom)....hmm might be a tight fit.  getting the last couple of stacks off the floor makes me happy.  

while moving things around, came across these in the "to be quilted" pile, 3 more of the hawaiian album blocks.  thinking a table runner for these once the squares have been evened up....

in addition to the blocks--i think there are more tucked away--came the pattern and a small stash of beautiful hand-dyed fabric pieces to make more.  i don't think i'll be making more but will finish up the blocks and use the remaining fabric elsewhere.  as i said, these were gifted to me and it's my honor to use them.

friday finish

quick post to report my 11th finish this year...that's one per month for the numerically disadvantaged, which includes me!  being a hand quilter slows me down from many of my fellow peeps but it's the part i like best.

the colors are off, being more muted and dark in person...the pitfalls of electronic eyes...really happy this is done in time for the holiday season.  

hope your turkey day was enjoyable...mine was quiet and subdued but glad to spend it with family.  then it's back to some wedding quilt sewing and  a re-watch of the parade.  no shopping day for me....i've got more UFOs to tackle!

We Gather Together...

to ask the Lord's blessing.....for me, it's not just today but every single day.  gather those i hold dear in my heart and prayers.  though i miss those huge holiday dinners with aunts, uncles and cousins and my grandmother, joining with my dear daughter and my dear son-in-law is equally enjoyable.  may you also commemorate this important day with those you love and cherish!

it's worth remembering that our native peoples actually kept the pilgrims alive and from starvation that first difficult year and joined with them in the first harvest feast.  it doesn't erase the horror that followed, but i imagine that recollection is painful. we owe them so very much.   i'll sign off with this masterpiece created years ago by my cherished chipmunk!

Tuesday tale

what's on the design wall?  wild turkeys of course!  as an homage, i'm having chicken on thanksgiving day....LOL!   actually, i ran to the store this morning and NO turkey legs or thighs whatsoever....a whole is out of the question, so chicken it is!  

folk art nativity is out of the hoop and ready for binding, so because nature abhors a vacuum, immediately pulled another UFO for possible december finish.   was gifted a number of baltimore-style blocks of a hawaiian theme.  decided to assemble them as smaller projects and this is the first.  i'm doing echo quilting of course and do so admire the lovely applique work as i quilt.  

monday pulled out the selvedge basket and sewed up some string pieces for potholders.  my mum is in need for a few and decided to make extras.  half the selvedges are used up and plan another day to empty the basket.  

starting this week, wednesdays are declared wedding quilt day.  hope to have the top done by the new year so it can be basted.  

stormy, rainy and windy day here with "cold" temps, as the weatherman says, arriving after.  when he says cold he means 40ish....will be dining with DD and SIL thursday and then it's heavy into christmas festivities.  putting up my tree very soon and bask in enormous thankfulness that i'm here to see all the cherished ornaments once again, but the real reason for christmas remains in my heart as always.  wishing all a blessed thanksgiving and hey, go easy on the pie!

all i can say is....

this is probably one of the worst tops i ever made in 40+ years....truly.  i cut each triangle individually on the straight of the grain, pressed not ironed, spray sizing on every piece, cut borders lengthwise and measured more than a few times....i like it color wise, but oh those borders!  i don't want to take them off or fudge anymore because it would probably end  up worse....i'll finish it of course....blasted bias edges!  will definitely keep me humble!  LOL!

it's a gorgeous late fall day...out doing a few errands and spied some bittersweet beside the road....i love the colors and it brings back memories of long ago....snapped off a few branches and here they sit.  the view is the back of my building where there are colorful trees but the sun is eclipsing them.  

while at mum's took a snap of this wall quilt--tropic pennants--as i don't have a copy among my completed photos....just love the colors and thinking i might make a companion piece and call it 'arctic pennants' in shades of blue/gray....

and flying back from maine got to ride in southwest's fancy plane....decorated with an indigenous hawaiian design to promote their hawaii flights i think....more inspiration!

quilting on the folk art nativity is coming along and should be a november finish....then it's on to another UFO, hoping for an even dozen finishes this year.  also roughing out what needs to get done first part of 2024....definitely wedding quilt top and baste.  i'm saving two small starts for 2024--buggy wheels and advent sky--as i'd like to finish a few of the bed size pieces that have been waiting long and can fit the smaller things inbetween.

picked up lots of autumnal produce today so it's been a whirlwind of cooking to have on hand--vegs, applesauce etc.  a squash pie is also on the list....recipe from the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich, MA....a definite keeper!  

never enough thanks

for all those who have served and are serving....

i'm a descendant of many such men, the truest of heroes, and at present are twin nephews, now recently deployed to the middle east.  may God protect them as they serve!

quick visit to my family in maine and of course this was on the menu....never get enough of delish maine certified lobster.  

stitchery on hand and plenty of hugs and laughs before my return home to MD...

Time change

 

this was the weekend....extra hour, well not really but i'm glad for the earlier daylight.  i seldom venture out at night but i am an early riser and the daylight gives me some oomph to get going.  but more time change going on here.

midnight is past and Christmas morning ahead, so gotta get the folk art nativity done...it's in the hoop and maybe by thanksgiving a finish?  we'll see...

and yes, 'midnight at the oasis' is finished!  here's a bed shot.  it's throw size at 62" square and not sure yet how it will get displayed....it was instant love when i saw this pattern, which was a gift to me.  i'll freely admit it was a challenge but ignorance catapulted me into things before, so i took it on.  not the easiest to hand quilt, which was definitely work, not a lot of fun.  but it's done, looks great from the rear of a galloping horse.  as someone told me recently, "a blind man would give a million dollars to see it."  i love it anyway.  the colors are much more vibrant in person.  my camera won't transfer photos anymore, so these were taken with the tablet.  

once halloween is over, it seems everyone acts like Christmas is next week!  holiday events are on the calendar.  my gift list was pretty much final months ago, so no last-minute frenzy.  *** i'm packed and ready to go visit family for a quick visit before snow flies--not me, them!  with the budget on life support, probably won't be able to go again until summer.  my un-raise in social security will hardly get me out of city limits.  but plenty of quilty projects to occupy me thru the maryland un-winter!

more temptation

pam buda's new sewalong--Liberty's Crown--is testing my determination.  Rather than english piecing or foundation piecing, i'd simply hand piece and, well, it isn't THAT big and the pieces are small, sure it should be a quick finish....but wait!!  the UFO list is calling haunting me so i'll reluctantly decline but save the pattern.  if you can't resist, hop on over to heartspun quilts and jump in!

summer has definitely left the building here in MD...me complain?  not a whit!  my maine wardrobe serves me well both here and during my soon visit up north.  i'll be gone only a week but hand sewing already packed....taking these two along....

'alaska' block kits and prep of applique circles for the dutch chintz panel UFO....nope i haven't forgotten it.  in fact, it could be a flimsy fairly soon...but the biggest news is....the binding on "midnight" has begun!  perhaps a finish this weekend.  next in the hoop is the folk art nativity as Christmas is fast approaching....my holiday plans are usually few, but already some events on my calendar.  now back to sewing!

Tricks or treats?

this cutie cat was sent to me by a quilty pal who does the most beautiful cross stitch as well as quilts!   this was definitely a treat!

streak of lightning is nearly a flimsy.....all the strips are done and a rummage in the stash unearthed this green that will be the border.  not my first choice but it'll work and besides, it's on hand and using it will make my frugal self happy.  there'll be some left but every little strip or FQ used up is progress.  another treat!

i did find this piece, a beautiful magenta-ish solid and there is definitely enough for the border but another plan is percolating.  a woman in one of my online quilty groups makes the most beautiful, mind-blowing, gorgeous whole cloth quilts....big ones, small ones, every one a masterpiece.  i queried her about method etc. as a whole cloth has been a WHIMM--work hidden in my mind--for a very long time.  this fabric will be perfect!  another treat! 

then to the bookcase where i pulled out this tried-and-true book published in 1980, only one year after my quilt journey began.  she published a second volume as well, both gems and chock full of patterns for my whole cloth.  i'm thinking 36" or 38" square with a center design, some cross hatching, some feathers....oh the ideas keep coming and coming!  another definite treat!

the biggest treat of all is that i am still here to have all this fun!  Six years ago tomorrow heart surgery gave me a second chance.  Yes, it was horrible and yes i've had plenty of detours, pity parties, embarrassing moments, and worked harder than i ever did in my life.  all those medical caregivers who treated me, gave me advice, listened to my issues and pushed me to keep working harder are the true saints....my All Saint's Day angels.  To say i'm blessed is a huge understatement.  I thank them and my God every day!

another week nearly gone...

we are fortunate to be enjoying summer weather, probably for the last time until next year.  back to shorts for a few days.  another week with NO medical appointments makes me a happy camper indeed.  rather, busy with fall cleaning and sewing of course!  so here is the streak of lightning so far....

only 2 more rows to assemble....happy to say busted the entire piece of the tan background fabric...not a smidgen left, only the tiniest of snippet pieces of waste.  how did i manage that?  this gem that's been my math go-to for decades....

calculated the number of triangles needed and measured my fabric and the book said i had enough....and it was right!  this is probably the most valuable (to me) book in my quilty library.  border fabric might have to be purchased as the stash is coming up empty...maybe.   i've a couple more UFOs that need assembling, but most are just waiting for quilting.  

the quilting on 'midnight' continues, now working the last border.  more work than the others of course, but one side is done.  should be a finish soon.

if you see this adorable blondie today, wish him a happy 66th!  this is younger brother and he was a charmer from day one.   don't see him often but always in our hearts nevertheless....

keep calm and sew on!

crazy weather day

right now raining and windy and yeech outside...hard to believe before 2 pm it was sunny, seasonably warm with a light breeze...just right for a bit of exploration.  but first, here's streak of lightning so far...

 

 sandy point state park is only 16 miles from my home....a view of the bay bridge over the chesapeake bay linking the eastern shore....seven miles of white knuckle driving for me.  below is a picnic area about 20 feet above the shore....blogger is acting out so can't show you more... there is plenty of parking, a first aid station, a bath house, snack bar and porta-johns....blogger is being hateful so more later i hope...

ADDENDUM:  switched browsers and blogger seems to be a bit more friendly....was able to upload the photos so i'll add another of the snack bar....

more UFO sewing

most of you know it was amish style quilts that drew me into quilting way back in 1979.  my first quilt was a sampler but moved quickly to those solid geometric patterns.  this book was an early purchase...

look close and you'll see the drool all over every page...lol!  i wanted to make every single bed size quilt in this book.  i did make some but mostly i've used it as inspiration for several projects, many small ones.  the binding is loose and it is well worn, but it's still a gem and still used!  thus this UFO...

bias edges kept me from making a streak of lightning quilt for a long time, but with the help of my friend....

this was unearthed after the move and has been essential in assembling these rows.  i've got the second strip almost done with 6 more to go...so far so good.  i'm using these solids from the stash...

the tan on far right is the constant background.  won't bust all this stash but going in the right direction.  this will be throw size when done.  a border of some color will be added, hoping there's enough of the right color in the stash.  then it's on to the fun part--the quilting!  

today was the autumn clothes swap.  out came sweaters, turtlenecks and sweatshirts.  i did leave one pair of shorts on the shelf for any renegade summer day.  i'll also be sneaking in the fall cleaning between sewing time.  that's the retired life!

week's wrap up

for a change a few events this week, not to mention the horrific news that is consuming every channel's newscast.  i watch only a few minutes and then shut off.  still hobbling a bit from the iron incident but fortunately doesn't interfere with my pedal foot...LOL!

'advent sky' is now a flimsy...this gets put aside until 2024 unless i give up sleeping nights....lol

 

 

have a generous selection of hand dyed fabric pieces gifted to me by a dear friend, now gone....i've used a few, waiting for the right project.  then i saw bonnie hunter's 'butterfly kisses' block....

the plan is for 25 blocks, giving me a 40x40 wall quilt.  nice blank squares for quilting too! at first look i thought two blocks were wrong but it was the dark vs. light that tricked me...

these were new starts for 2023, but now it's back to official UFOs...

just so you know....

 I proudly stand in support of Israel....

the right method

 tackled the strippy stocking border and worked well....and it's done.

so thanks again to the very generous quilter who sent me the scraps....next?

while the walking foot was on the machine, quilted this little placemat, again from gifted scraps.  this finishes the stack i received...had just the right backing and binding in the stash.

progress on 'midnight' moving along and should pick up now that i've finished quilting those teeny churn dash blocks...the quilting isn't perfect because so many seams in such a small area, but should keep it from sagging when hung....if it does actually get hung up.  it's pretty large but not bed size so thinking of other ways to display.  

after gym today, plan to baste the nativity and the amish buggy wheels wall quilt, plus finish the top of 'advent sky'.  i could wash floors but that doesn't appeal to me.  

clara klutz lives here...while sewing/ironing, foot caught in cord and iron fell off board and onto my ankle.  it was off thankfully and avoided serious damage, but foot now black/blue, swollen and pretty sore. 

pretty melancholy since housing problems have once again erupted.  honestly, i don't do anything but mind my business, don't gossip, be pleasant to all...but the housing hellion seems to follow me and create disaster and ruin everything.  i am devastated as i truly felt quite content but no more.  fervently praying God will sort out sooner rather than later.  the sun is out and gym will lift my mood....if not there's always sugar....LOL

disappearing week

where did it go?  probably disappeared with quite a few events for a change. friday was vaccine day, one in each arm....bad idea as i ended up with TWO sore arms.  didn't get sick per se but a bit draggy and mild tummy upset. 

 we had warm temps so christmas sewing was a distant plan, but did manage to make some progress.

advent sky ready to assemble....close up of the fussy cut angels from a small piece that is now totally busted!  might call it heavenly hosts, not sure yet.  brings to mind the story of the angels singing the night of Christ's birth.  

and the gifted scraps?

got this far and ran into small snag on the binding....plan B in the works and should finish today.  the walking foot is the best tool for this, i'm thinking.  all scraps used except for some strips of the snowmen.  when i saw the diagonal stripe piece i knew just what to make.  these strippy stockings are really fun...i've made lots in many different fabric styles. 

cooler has arrived so cooked up a big kettle of beef veg & barley soup, some for now and for freezer.  winter quilts came out and clothes swap this week probably.   

couple of discouraging events here at the new digs....the bloom is off the rose so to speak....if i absolutely had to move again, it would be to a tent out in the middle of the woods or desert island...hermit lifestyle should be safe enough i would think....sigh

it's come to this...

have had to add moderation to all comments....weird people commenting who are apparently on google but no information as to who they actually are....

finish #9...

and no love potion required!  nine finishes so far this year, on track to knock off 3 more before 2024 i hope...curtailing new starts has aided the whittling of my UFO list.  

a certain someone sent me a squishie this week....some cute snowmen and pastel prints that i just knew would be fun to use...plan in place...watch this space!

 

chilly temps mean fall baking is back....larder not quite bare but a loaf of home-made bread is always welcome....oatmeal.

the best of all months starts sunday!  cooler temps are here--out come flannels, fleece pants, sweatshirts and sweaters.  maybe a few more days for shorts but soon they'll get packed away.  *** happy to say hip/knee now all better...TLC and exercise have put it right.  *** farmer's markets winding down, which i'll miss terribly.  *** sewing mojo full throttle and gift ideas in the works.  ***  exercise routine back on track and the best of all tonics!   thankful for so many blessings....