Farewell my friend..travelin' on...

There have been many, many changes in my life since I posted last in January. Many of them difficult, some extremely difficult and some that hold promise for some future brightness. The tale of the past year plus is long...way too long, in fact. In March of 2014, my journey with Ebony, the travelin' cat, came to an end. It was one of the hardest decisions and actions of my life, but it was what was best for her. Even 7 months later, I miss turning around to find that little black face right at my elbow. For all her stand-offishness, she liked to be close to where ever I was. I miss her instant purr when I reached out to stroke her back or head. The list goes on, but enough of that. I am in a completely new location now. I have left the valley where I have spent the past 30 years and now live in a larger community. I do not know a single soul living here. The kids decided I needed to be closer to them, and I appreciate that. They don't realize however, that everything that is familiar is now missing from my days. I am starting over to establish some sort of familiar routine to each day. I have been sewing, which is good. Still working on those confounded UFO's of mine. Presently the challenge is Bonnie's 2008 mystery, Orange Crush, LOL. Yes, and it's NOT the oldest one, LOL. I will try to get back in the routine of sharing things with you here, in Blogland.

A road less traveled....

is definitely one that would lead you to my new abode. Off the beaten track is putting it mildly! My community in The Valley was small. ElmVille is tiny! Not much has changed in the 7 years I lived elsewhere.  Back in 1984 I arrived here, young(or at least younger), one 'new job' happy hubby, 4 'less than happy' school age kids and a pair of cats. Mama Cat Chelsea, made a dramatic leap for freedom when the car door opened and son, Marmalade looked on quietly. Mama was never seen again, LOL,there are probably a whole new line of gray tabby cats somewhere here in town. Marmalade accepted the new place. As did I, after a while. The maple leaf quilt was born of those early days of being the 'new fish' in the pond. Of knowing no one, and trying to adjust to the new smaller fishbowl existance. I was in my 'early' stages of being a quilter, but already adapt at doing it my own way. Thus the embroidered stems, and quilting done in sewing thread to match the leaves. It's no great beauty, but has served my family well for 17 odd years. It was my one and only attempt at prairie points!
And 17 years later, I'm back in this little hamlet by choice. A home coming of sorts, maybe the only kind a 'wanderer' such as I, could have. There really is no place I could call "home", depending on your definition. The quilt and I are both back where this adventure Began. No telling what the next chapter will bring *VBS*
 Sewing has happened. Sewing each morning with my coffee as usual. I'm up to date on my Rainbow Scraps Challenge, but lack a camera cord to show you my progress. October's color is orange, and I've got orange Shoo Flies a plenty! Maybe tomorrow the missing cord will appear...
 
And last but not least, my friend, Little Boo. He usually greets you on October 1st...but is a "Johnny Come Lately" this year...oh well, who's counting?? Better late than never!

Clean Up is harder.....

than preparation, I'm learning this week. At my age, with nearly 30 years of quilts behind me, you'd think I'd know it all...or nearly, right? Well, that's definitely NOT the case. That statement has little or nothing to do with these Rainbow Challenge "almost" finishes for April. I chose to spend my time and effort on things already begun, instead of starting anything new with purple scraps. That worked out fine. This one will need borders, since its only 36 X 48. I wish I had enough to make it one row wider, but I don't. So borders will have to do.
  In early April I had about 8 or 9 blocks made for an all purple scrap Yellow Brick Road pattern. I've brought the count up to 30, which gives me a 45 X 54 top, not sure if I will add borders to it or not. The blocks are ready to be joined up, but haven't laid them out as yet. My back has been acting up more than usual, so bending over blocks on the floor just won't do.
 I did get the machine quilting finished on this one in April, but of course, now I've mislaid the binding strips!! Hope to find them soon and get them sewn on. This one can be a donation quilt if we find a place that needs it.
 
Most of April's quilt related work has taken place at the dining room table, good light there, iron all ready on my right hand, DVD in the machine giving me some company as I work, and lots that needs doing. I did finish making the needed blocks for this Bricks and Stepping Stone(ala Bonnie of Quiltville) top. I don't love it, but then I pretty much never did.Let's call that Lesson#1, it's hard to finish up those you HATE! And Lesson #2 these past weeks is a repeating lesson, soooo many of my blocks come out smaller than they should. I have the "extra expense" 1/4th inch foot for my older Pfaff. It just doesn't do the trick...or does it? What I also learned, or maybe just realized, but lets call it Lesson #3 is that I AM NOT an accurate cutter. For most of my years, cutting has been done standing up at a table or counter. Seldom did I have good light on what I am doing. Often I was cutting late at night, etc, etc, etc. Sound familiar??? Over time the lines on the rulers wear away from the oil in our fingers and they get hard to see. Then lets toss in the ongoing damage to my eyes from a series of eye disorders. That began in 1988, or at least that's when I really began to notice. Hmmmm? I began to wonder and when I pulled out older projects, especially my "bits and parts" I discovered that most of my 4.5" 4 patches were actually 4.25" 4 patches. No wonder my blocks and rows come out the wrong size. I do see an improvement in things I have cut while sitting at the table with good light...another lesson learned! But I have some agony ahead as I finish up the older projects. And I am going to finish them! I have managed to empty 4 rubbermaids over the past week and a half. Besides what I am showing today, I have another set of blocks nearly all joined together. And a finished up set of blocks that need lattice. I've picked my project for the Rainbow Challenge with it springy PINK/ROSE color and have been cutting for that. Onward!

Color me blue....

Many of you will remember this quilt. Made years ago from a 9 patch project at a quilting retreat. I used my 9 patches(plus Betsy donated hers to me)and my tub of black scraps, to make the quilt. I liked it, and I utility quilted it. A couple of years ago, GS Nathaniel adopted it for his own. He's not hard on quilts like some boys are. It came home with me the day after New Years to be washed.
 And this is what washing revealed and what makes me blue on this January Monday. Actually, it would make me blue ANY day. Scrappy blacks and not knowing what could happen. This is what ALL the poly or poly blends are doing...shredding, or fracturing, if you prefer. In a few places they are gone completely except for the 1/4" seam and the row of stitching. On close inspection, the bad strips are outnumbered by the good cotton ones, so mending is my answer. I feel the quilt has many good years left, if I deal with the fractured ones.
 This is how I am doing that. Look close and note the PRINT pieces where lattice used to be. I don't see well enough to cover the bad ones in plain black. So I'm using print strips. I lay them over the rotted area, and sew down that first 1/4" by hand. Then I finger crease the other 3 sides and flip the patch into place and pin it. Using the same stitch as binding, I sew those 3 sides down by hand. So far I've patched roughly 12-15 spots..and have a few more to go. I'm happy that the cotton outnumbered the poly in those black scraps. It's slow work, but I've been doing it in the evenings as I watch TV.
 
On a happier note, I've joined the 2011 Rainbow Scraps Challenge at Super Scrappy. A color is assigned for each of the 12 months of this year, and you make whatever you want from scraps of that color. January is blue, and I'm using some of my blue scraps to make "you guessed it" 9 patches. I've gotten a late start since I just joined yesterday, but I'm ok with that. It is the result of a blog hopping trip last evening....love what turns up when you blog hop!!!

here I am.....

not quite missing in action, but absent for a few days. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and is ready for the calendar to change again, after tomorrow. Probably the best explaination for my absence, is "I'm tired". I'm certain I'm not alone in that feeling. I'm tired of the snow, the cold, the season, all of it. And I'm tired of being a good quilter and working on what I SHOULD. I'll be fine again in a few days when I can pick and choose what UFO or project I "pull" for that days sewing. I gave myself a little break over Christmas to combine left over Mickey Mouse squares with a pile of scrappy 4 patches. It's 40" square now, and I will be adding a 4.5" border, bringing it up to 48". It's for donation.
 And then last evening I pulled a rubbermaid of these red/white 4 patches and turned them into 16 patches. Got all that done last night. This a.m. I joined them into 6 rows of 6 blocks each. It's about 48" square and I'm not sure I will add borders. I may just quilt it, as is. I'm liking it's simplicity. It has the feel of the old Purina Feed signs that used to be painted on barns in rural WI. No frills, just big red/white checkboard squares and the Purina logo.
 
And lest you think there is NO peace in my Valley, I give you a glimpse into a typical days activity. Ebby snoozes here and there, through the house and all through the day. She's a sleepytime gal in this 9th year. Fat, sassy and full of bounce when she chooses. She occupies a footstool next to my computer chair, and when she chooses, just lately with encouragement, she has started jumping up on the computer desk and checking everything out for herself! And it only took 4 years!
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, and as the clock ticks down to midnight, our NYE UFO Countdown for 2010 will come to an end. We've done really well in meeting our individual goals and I'm so proud of ALL of us!! If you've got any steam left(and I sure don't)keep on keeping on!! I'm sure there will be UFOs carried over into the New Year, and some of us have jumped on board with Myra's PhD challenge. I'm looking forward to just "doing it"!! I'd love to end 2011 with NO UFOs at all...wouldn't that be awesome???

Sliding towards January....

and choosing what I will finish in the early part of 2011. Decisions are really, really hard for me. Apparently that's partly the nature of being a Libra. One thing I've loved about MY challenge is that I could choose to NOT choose which UFOs got finished until I chose to work on them. That's not the case at Myra's challenge. She's coaxing(mostly me)to "step up" and commit to what I'm going to do....darn! Well, I'm getting there. This elderly hand pieced bow tie has been chosen as #3.
 And I'm providing a closeup of those lovely feed sack and vintage fabrics for you vintage fabric lovers!
 I've also chosen this ancient Birds In Air. It dates all the way back to the late 1980's and early 1990's. It will become a quilt before the end of June, 2011.
 
Another oldie from the early to mid 2000s, Aunt Gracie's Stars is #5. It's such a simple quilt, I'm not really sure why I haven't finished it. Probably something else(like scraps and orphan blocks) was more interesting! Soooo...Ded. 16th, how are ALL of YOU doing on your goals? Many have met their New Years Eve UFO Countdown Challenge goals...how about you????

And now for a commercial message....

We're rolling merrily along with the New Years Eve Countdown UFO Challenge. And while it's wonderful, marvelous and all that jazz, I'll still have UFOs on January 1st. How about you?? Want to keep the mojo going and finish up more??? I do!!!!
And here's just the place to do it!!! Our pal Myra, is hosting her PhD(projects half done)Challenge again this year. Hers runs a bit longer than mine(which is GOOD) and I have jumped on board(my first time) and hope to get at least 6 more finished up by the end of June. If having less PhDs or UFOs or WIPs appeals to you...pop over and join Myra and so far 20 more of us in this new challenge!

Victory Celebrations are in order...

 this morning, and a HUGE bouquet of Queen Anne's Lace for Michele,With Heart and Hands. She has completed her 10 chosen UFOs and a whole bunch more! Michele has been playing in our New Years Eve UFO Countdown Challenge. Her chosen number of UFOs to finish was 10...which really shocked some of us. Quite the storm of additinal challenges rose up out of that number 10! At last count, I believe, 13 additional quilts will be made to benefit organizations of the makers choosing!! Clare couldn't resist Michele's goal, and jumped in with 9 projects promised, but on a different timeline...LOL. I'm so very proud of all your hard work Michele, and I know most of it is for donation...awesome!!
 And we need additional bouquets of flowers for Julie, Barn Quilter, and Roz, of Counterpane. Julie has met her goal of 3 UFO's and finished an additional 8 small quilts for gifts. If I'm not mistaken, I don't think she's done yet...LOL. Roz met her goal of 1 UFO finish this week, and probably will continue to finish up more! Way to go gals! Everyone's a winner!!!
 As for me, my play time this morning needs a change, so I pulled out the container with 6.5" log cabin blocks. I got 14 more sewed up and trimmed. Now I will put them neatly back in their container and put them away til next time. I am happy to find this many weeks into my "return mojo high", that I feel the same drive and desire to have this old stuff done. I've hung in there pretty well in the "no new starts" department and with some success behind me, maybe I can ride it out. I was sorely tempted to take on Bonnie's new Mystery, and even pull fabric for it, but talked myself out of starting, and quietly put the fabric away again. I think there's hope for me yet...LOL

The rest of the story....

 
..or at least an explaination. You probably wondered why it would take so many hours to have 11 blocks finished, when there were 7 finished ones in the container, right? Well, that's the rest of the story, you see.
First I have to remind you, I'm slow(in movements). Secondly, I only have sight in one eye, the other eye functions as backup but only sees a shadowy Big E. If I shut that eye, the good one loses focus faster, so I try to keep both eyes open. That helps,but I need to blink and re-focus fairly often. And third, two of the finished blocks had the big triangles sewn in reverse positions...LOL..darn those bias edges! Jack the ripper time on those!!
In overcoming my hang-ups, about this block, I worked slower, pinned more, and lay the block pieces out on the table next to my machine. I then picked them up in order, sewed them, pressed and laid them back in place!
That's why it took much of the day to get to 11 finished and 9 more prepped! It's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
I have 4 more blocks in progress this morning, and hope to finish all 9 by the end of the day. I wanted to ask those of you who have done the UFO Challenge in years past, if you'd take a minute and pop over to one of the new or newer challengees and say "hi", some are fairly new to blogging and it's nice to have a visit from someone *VBS*

The situation is serious....

 
and growing moment by moment. I feel like a ring announcer.."and in this corner we have Michele...". Well by now you probably ALL know what is happening here...right? No? Me either!
BUT...here's the latest scoop on the "situation"...Michele pledged 10 completed UFOs by New Years Eve. Clare decided to up the ante by saying she would finish her pile of quilts for Q4L(9) IF and WHEN Michele meets her deadline. I tempted Clare with a Q4L (stateside) IF she makes her goal.
This morning I got this letter from UFO challengee Carol: "Okay I now found out what Q4L are. Just to make this even more fun, if Michele finishes her challenge, Claire finishes her quilts, Finn finishes her Q4L I'll make and donate a Q4L to be given in Canada"
So I let both Michele and Clare know of this new information. And now, a upped ante from Yankee Quilter, Sio. And here's what she's offering...LOL I will "sweeten the post" and pledge one more Q4L if and when Michele...through Finn finishes.
And that's how the "situation" stands right now. I haven't heard back yet from Michele, but trust me, I will...LOL

The nitty-gritty about the UFO Challenge....

 
For anyone who wants to know, and to remind us veterns. The New Years Eve UFO Countdown is in it's 3rd year. We accomplished alot collectively by playing along with this challenge. The purpose is to try and clear the decks of some older(or newer)projects before we begin our next year of making hand crafts. I keep track and provide the updates and final tallies. What you chose, the number, the craft, it's all up to you. No one will check up on you..no quilt police. ALL hand crafts that need to be finished up are welcome. There are NO rewards or prizes other than the wonderful satisfaction of having it "done". As many say, "Done is better than perfect"! We are here to cheer each other on. It's a great chance to meet new quilters or greet new blogging friends. I'm merely the 'reporter' and stat keeper. You can post your choices and/or your finishes any way you choose.When you have a finish, either tell me in a comment or shoot me an email.
Given that we are starting later than the other years, give careful thought to how many projects you choose to pledge. You can always do MORE than your chosen number. Or it can be reduced down if you want or need that. The first year I chose 5 and finished 15. I didn't have BIG ones, and that makes a difference. This year I am choosing 5 again, and I'm a bit concerned, as I have one really BIG one. I also am planning on flannel pillowcases for each grandchild...read 15! And if time permits, one for each of my kids and their spouses. I'm not figuring those into my tally, but will give it my best shot at getting everything done! So, that's pretty much it. The logo is the the one from last year, and I'm feeling really "senior" since I can't remember who made it for us. Feel free to right click it and use it. You can link it back here if you'd like. It's not required. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email me. Oh yes, anyone can join us, it's open to everyone and it doesn't have to be on this particular day or week.

Amid the scraps....

 I found a quilt. And it's a quilt that "never would be", except for the scraps in a donation box. About a year ago I received a computer paper box of scraps and orphan blocks from a generous blogging friend. It may have been scraps from more than one quilter, but all in one box. Amongst them were these flannelish scraps that probably are brushed cotton. I'm not very familiar with that fabric, but these scraps are more than homespun but not quite flannel. Needless to say, they were pretty narrow and not very long. Just for the heck of it, I began sewing them together with no plan in mind. If a piece was too short, I simply added another scrap to it. There are some pretty odd angles in there...LOL. One scrap in particular wasn't "of" the family, being more a "calico" than anything else. It was warmer toned and brighter, but what the heck? I used it anyway. This little wall quilt is the result. Nearly all the scraps were used, barely a handful of odd bits are left. Not enough to go further for sure. And now the question is...does it need a border?
 I'm thinking YES...probably black, and I have this nice scrap of black flannel(from the same box, I think). Opinions???
  The Peppermint topper raised several comments and questions. In particular, the block. It's one that I saw at Making Scrap Quilts from Stash. Mary had used a jellyroll gift and this simple patch to make a neat quilt...easy peasy. A great suggestion from her was to alternate the turn on every other block to avoid seams lining up with each other. After I got going on this one, I remembered where I seen the block before....
 
In this quilt I call "Pumpkin Soup". It's a Thimbleberries design(from one of the books) by Lynette Jensen. She calls hers "Sticks and Stones". It's a great simple block and really works well with jellyrolls. Of course, it could be done in larger than 2.5" pieces for a quick donation quilt.
So far, there are 4, maybe 5, of us for the New Years Eve UFO Countdown Challenge. Any more takers?

Thursday Tidbits....

 What a difference a day makes...no rain, but lots of wind, and the mood of the landscrape is changed. Shades of November on an October day. No evidence left behind, Madame Wind removed all traces of those lovely leaves.
 And for me, a new perspective...moonrise and sunset playing among the clouds across the street. Pure magic!!
 A recent finish. I've hand quilted this Peppermint table square with perle cotton. Got it bound and ready for the holidays. I'm very pleased with the outcome.
  And a look at the backing I chose, a splurge for me. Using a whole yard of a new Aunt Gracies reproduction fabric because it goes well with the top, and makes the quilt reversable.
Regarding last evenings post, I am DEFINITELY going to host another New Years Eve UFO Countdown! Several of you have indicated an interest in joining me, so consider it a "done deal". Put on your thinking cap and decide how many you hope to finish up. I'm asking for your "challenge" number again. We might be a small group this time, and we are definitely working in a shorter time span.
In 2008, we began on August 25th, giving us 4 months and 7 days. 72 of us pledged to finish 300 projects.
The count on January 1, 2009 was 256 finished projects...wow!!
Last year we began on September 19th, giving us 3 months,13 days. 32 of us pledged to finish 175 projects. January 1, 2010 found that 24 of the 32 finished 148 projects. The numbers don't really mean as much as the personal satification we each felt about our success.
For what ever reason on my part, we are getting a late start this year...BUT....we have 2 months and 10 days. Choose your goal accordingly.
I will be posting the Challenge on my sidebar as usual, and will add your finishes as you let me know of them. I'll post some additional details for any newcomers. Just let me know you are participating and I'll add you to the list, along with your goal number. Feel free to email me at Finn922000@yahoo.com with questions, amounts or concerns. Happy UFOing!

Sliding into December...

and there are worse ways of making an entrance, so this will do. I didn't realize how long I have been missing until I updated the "finishes" last evening. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better, but everything seems to be tired, all at the same time! I do have a finish, my 3rd, for the challenge. It's been completed for a couple of weeks I just haven't gotten a picture taken. It's the tutorial runner, completed at last! I made extra units, making it longer than ever before. It's for my coffee table. I'm thinking about putting the Christmas tree on the coffee table this year. I think this will sort of take the place of a traditional tree skirt. We'll see if I like that or not. I did have a lovely Thanksgiving with my family. Here are a couple of pictures taken by DD#1 with my camera.
 This is Hailey Marie. She's 18 months now, and quite a handful in more way than one. She's big for her age and we tend to forget how young she is. All 5 of my children were at DD#2's house this year. They bought a new home in August and this is the first time she's entertained her family. We sat down to dinner at 3, with 10 adults and 11 grandchildren asking for another years blessings. The food was delicious and the it was enjoyed by all. Hailey saved room for her bottle and blanket.
 
This could be called the "boys table", with 7 of my grandsons eating together. Baby L was in his highchair. I imagine next year he'll be at the boys table too. The 3 granddaughers were at the kitchen table, with me...what fun! From 18 yrs to 18 months, with a 4 year old in the middle *VBS*
I have pictures of the whole group, chaos at its best, but those pictures are sitting at Snapfish, sent by DD#1. I have to see if I can figure out how to get them into my Picasa album.

This and that....

all are important to me, but not of great significance otherwise....LOL I wouldn't be Finn if I didn't fall prey to that elusive shadow called 'sew something new'. These are the main ingredients, actual African fabrics purchased at Treadle Art, in St. Paul, MN many years back. The purple is from my stash and is what will pull them all together.
 New posting at the Riding the Orphan Train yesterday...I've been very neglectful of that blog, sorry. Do pop on over and see who made this beauty from LEFTOVERs..parts, blocks and bits *VBS*
 I realized recently that I've become neglectful of "playing" with Ebony. At her age, she sleeps alot and it's become a two chapter book. Sleep and Eat...very little else(excpt complaining). I got to thinking about that, and realized that except for her "bedtime romp"(which involves tearing around the house as fast as a feline can) she doesn't play anymore. So I dug out some tissue paper this morning, put part of her toys under, and a few on top...she was one happy kitty all most immediately *VBS*
 In the sewing department, it seemed time for another "how are we doing on the UFO Challenge" posting. Soooo I counted up. We challenged quilters and sewers, have managed to finish 67 projects so far. Not bad, not bad at all!! Keep stitching gals!