Spring has arrived!

 At least on the calendar.  Things are slowly waking up here, but very few wildflowers can be found.  The yard is full of crocus, though!

I'm heading down to the Towpath tomorrow, where I hope to find a few blooms.

I've had so little energy the past few days, I can barely force myself to even stitch.  But I did play along with FNSI on Friday night, when I finished my green hexies for March RSC21.

Last week I finished quilting Ruby Jubilee by Kim Diehl.  It laid around entirely too long waiting for inspiration for one last section.  And it took no time at all once I decided what to quilt.

And then there's Winter Village.  Since this photo was taken, I've done all the applique, and it's in the to-be-quilted pile.  I'll be doing an all over design on this one, so it won't take too long.  

Since we last spoke, I've had a birthday and received a lovely gift card to JoAnn's.  I had to pop in last week for some buttons, so I perused the book section.  This was a very frivolous choice, but it's a birthday gift, right?  I haven't sewed in a zipper since I was in school, and as you can imagine, that was more than a few years ago.  But there's a small bag in this book that I MUST have.  I've already recruited a sewist friend if I need help.

So that's what I've been up to.  What about you?  I was shocked to realize I hadn't posted in over a month.  I thought it was only a couple of weeks.  Time flies . . . . 

Keep on stitching!

Peggy

The Snow and Ice Continues

 Maybe I need to change my header photo, to reflect current weather conditions.  Or maybe we'll just stick with the more cheerful flowers.

On the bright side, the nasty weather allows for plenty of stitching time.  I finished my Burgoyne for my UFO challenge for my small group.  Although we're not meeting, we're continuing with our challenge.  I think I finished piecing this at a retreat last February.  It spent entirely too much time in the to-be-quilted pile.  This was inspired by a picture in Edyta Sitar's Patches of Blue.

I also finished stitching Lori Holt's Sew By Row.  Now I just need to decide how to finish it and get it on the wall.  I have a few other older cross stitches that I'd also like to finish, so maybe some of that will happen this week.

My Winter Village is continuing to grow.  Because I bought a fat quarter bundle instead of the kit, I don't have enough fabric for the sashing and borders.  I may make a quick trip to a fabric store tomorrow.  And I expect to have another quilted finish by my next post.  I might be able to finish quilting the final border tomorrow, and get the binding attached.  Then a little binge watching on Netflix for a couple of evenings, and I'll have a finish.   My To-be-quilted pile is dwindling!!

This lovely item showed up in my mail yesterday from my friend Di.  It's so bright and cheery, and I just love it.  Thanks Di!!

So what's happening in your part of the world?  I hope you're all staying healthy!

Keep on stitching,

Peggy

Snowy Days!

 Yes, we got snow.  Again.  I think the official total for our town is just over 10 inches.  If you're a weather wimp like me, that translates into a lot of stitchy time.  I'm old and retired, and I just don't go out on snowy roads anymore.  It snowed all day on Sunday and Monday, and I swept off the sidewalk a couple of times.  Once it piled up too much, I just left it for the HOA guys to deal with.  

Most of my time the last couple of weeks has been spent on a cross stitch project, Sew By Row by Lori Holt.  I will probably finish it later today.  I have nearly finished the last row since I took this photo.

When I cut my fabric, I didn't allow enough extra on the sides to be able to frame this, so it will be made into some kind of wall hanging, with a fabric border.  Naturally, it will go in my sewing room!

I also made a little wall hanging for my bathroom, which is being redecorated.  I chose the colors to coordinate with an extra shower curtain that I've had.  But once I hung the curtain up, I don't like it, and it's way too short!  I'm currently working on Plan B.  I already had the pegboard, so I'm trying to work with that in  some way.

And while I haven't officially linked to RSC21, I am going to be working with my rainbow of scraps this year.  I made some pink hexies in January.

I've also been reading more and trying to cook more.  There have even been some new recipes!  Life is good!

Keep on stitching,

Peggy

Progress Continues

 I'm making good progress on my January projects.  I think I mentioned last week that I have totally fallen in love with cross stitch again!  I can't really show you a picture of my current project, because I roll my fabric up as I stitch, and it is a horrendous mess to look at.  Could I run downstairs and iron it for a pic?  I could, but I'm not going to.  

I stitched for hours and hours on Wednesday, while I was watching our Inauguration on TV.  I was holding my breath all day, hoping there would be no violence to mar the day.  I believe there were a few protests around the country, but nothing major.  Our new chapter begins.

I'm loving this Stitch-along with Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts.  I've learned a couple of interesting tips from watching her YouTube videos.

And while this is NOT a difficult project, I spent a lot of time with Jack on Friday.  Sometimes I don't read instructions, because I think I know what I'm doing.  That doesn't always work out.  Lol.

Friday really wasn't a very good day in the sewing room.  My iron died.  It just chose not to turn on.  I was able to use my tiny travel iron to finish the house blocks, but larger projects are on hold until the Amazon truck arrives on Wednesday.  RIP iron.  

Today was a quilting day, and I'll have a finish to share on my next post.  Tomorrow is binding day!

It has turned very cold here, so all these quilts are coming in handy.

Keep on Stitching!
Peggy

New Projects in the New Year!

 What was I thinking????  Every time I saw something new online the last couple of months, I decided I needed to sign up!  So I started Four new projects in January, in addition to a few that were already in the works.

First, Kathleen Tracy is doing a small Mystery Quilt.  She's also doing a Sew along, and several other projects, but I'm only doing the mystery.  Here are my blocks for the first month.  She is keeping it pretty simple since there are so many other things going on.

I'm making a Vintage Linens quilt with the 1914 Boehm House Vintage Quilt group.  I have been acquiring vintage linens for many years, and this is a perfect use for them.  Here are the pieces and parts of my quilt.  I haven't decided on sashing and corner stones yet.  This is offered as a Facebook class, and it's not to late to get started!

Number 3 is Winter Village by Edyta Sitar.  I bought the pattern and fabric a few years ago, but never started making my village.  She is offering it as a sew along, so I decided now is the time to dig it out and get to work.  This didn't photograph very well, and I'm much too lazy to go downstairs and try again.

And last, but far from least, is a cross stitch project:  Sew by Row, a Lori Holt pattern, also being done as a stitch along by Fat Quarter Shop.  I did a lot of cross stitch before I discovered my love for quilting, and I've done a little over the years.  I'm now addicted again.

I'm showing the pattern instead of my piece, because I discovered a huge mistake this morning, and it requires much frogging.  Not fun.

I also have another new addiction - YouTube.  I've only watched a few videos in the past, but now I'm watching quilting and cross stitching the entire time I'm stitching!!  Oh My.  There's so much to learn.  

So what are you up to these days??

Hugs,

Sunny/Peggy

2019 Caribbean Cruise

Thanks for the warm welcome back to blogland.

In January of 2019 and again in 2020, we cruised the Caribbean!  That is not something I ever thought I would do, but when a friend invited us, we decided to give it a try.  Since I was in the planning stages the last two years, and I'm obviously NOT this year, I'm reliving some memories, and dreaming of the day I might cruise again.

This is most of our group of 10.

We met up for breakfast most mornings, disembarked the ship together, and then met again for dinner.  There were no expectations of where we needed to be or when, or with whom.  It was the perfect arrangement.

As you might imagine, I took hundreds of photos, but I'll only share a few.  I was fascinated by everything!  I was up before sunrise most mornings, and watched us sail into port.  And quite often, I was able to witness the Pilot onboarding.  With the exception of the Bahamas, the other islands were mountainous, which surprised me.  I'm accustomed to the sandy barrier islands of the east coast of the US.  The waters really were the amazingly beautiful turquoise colors that you see on postcards.  

Oh the sights, the colors, the plants, the people, the food, and just the cruise life itself.  The rest of our group were all seasoned cruisers, and were entertained by my amazement of everything.  Hubby and I took a tour of most of the islands.  Some, including Tortola, had been devastated by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017.  But since tourism is so important to the islands, they bounce back pretty quickly.  Especially the port area where we docked.  I guess the ship companies pay to get that area   back quickly.  I was amazed by all the high-end jewelry shops.  I expected more local crafts and experiences.  

Even the steel drum band that met us on the dock at Antigua was probably staged and paid for my the shipping company, but I loved it!!

This little dude, however, was probably not sponsored by the ship!  Iguanas are much larger than I expected.  

After our 10 days on the ship, we made our annual visits to family and friends in Florida before we returned home.  I'm really missing them this year.  Maybe next year!

My next post should be about some of the new projects I'm starting this year.  There certainly are plenty to choose from online.  

Hugs,

Sunny

2020 Catch-up and Close out

 I see a lot has changed here since I last  posted.  I was just reading some blogs, and thought I might give it a try again.  If anyone is still out there, pop in and say Hello!

As many of you are aware from reading Facebook, I lost my husband in early July.  It wasn't COVID, but because of the COVID situation, he was unable to get decent health care.  And while hospitalized twice, he was allowed no visitors.  I'm grieving, and carrying a LOT of anger!  But...I have never been more aware of how much love there is in the world.  Certainly in my world.  I am strong, and I will carry on.  

We lost a cat, and gained a new one in March of2019.  Miss Harley chose to live her entire life on the first floor of our 3 level townhouse.  In early October of this year, she decided to join me on the second floor, in the living room!  She loves people, and is finally adjusting to that OTHER cat.

Her usual position, LOL!

There's a squirrel on the deck!!

I stopped sewing for several months this summer, but now it's the only thing keeping me sane!  I moved my sewing room, and it is so much cozier and more efficient.  I finished this memorial quilt for my sister early during Lockdown.  It's made from our dad's shirts.  

And I recently finished one for my brother.  Are you seeing a theme here?

Finished version

Following a Design Wall Malfunction

I now have a beautiful design wall, that is properly attached to the wall, so there will hopefully be no further malfunctions.

My other recent finish is the result of a block exchange with 9 other quilters.  The quilt is made of 64 embroidered blocks.  It is based on a quilt that resides in the Virginia Quilt Museum.  I chose to quilt and finish mine similar to the original, although mine is machine quilted.  The prairie points are hard to see because they're up against a pink design wall.  I hope to get better pictures soon, but I'm quite pleased with the quilt!!

The finished quilt

 

a close up of the edging

One of my extra blocks

I think that's enough for now.  Perhaps I'll be back in a few days?

Hugs,

Sunny

August OPAM

August was a good stitching month for me.  I set some goals for myself, and I'm doing quite well, if I do say so myself.  I have to quilt one of my larger UFO's for a UFO challenge, and I decided I wanted to clear my entire pile of  to-be-quilted tops before I tackled the UFO.  Two more small ones to finish this week, and then I can tackle the biggie. 

In addition to the quilts from my last post, I pulled out some blocks that I received in Block Swap Adventures many years ago. I'm quite pleased with the result!  I don't remember who all sent all the blocks, so if you recognize one, give me a shout out!  I had requested all basket blocks.

This next quilt is a baby quilt, made with leftover fabric from a similar quilt a couple of years ago.  After making the top, I still had some fabric so I cut it up for a scrappy binding. 

For our nature shots this time, I'll leave you with some 'sunny' sunflowers!

These are late-blooming flowers, so it means summer is coming to an end.  This summer has been so hot and rainy, that I'm not sorry to see it going.  Plus, vacation is scheduled for September!!

Keep on stitching.....Sunny

Peek- a-boo!

Quilting is Happening

I know, I know.  I just posted a couple of weeks ago, and I'm back already.  Much quilting is happening here.  I have to finish a quilt for my UFO challenge for our small group, and I deliberately put it at the BOTTOM of the to-be quilted pile.  I'm hoping to get the entire pile finished!  Cheer me on, please.

Unfortunately, things like this come along.  I saw this in (one of my) new books, and I knew I had the perfect fabric for it.  So what's a girl to do?  Clear a space on the sewing table and get busy!!  This is in Edyta Sitar's Patches of Blue.

And then there was this!  I saw a picture on FB, and immediately had to have one.  The one I was was in blue, and if I ever do it again, it will be blue.  But my little neutral fabric had specks of red, so I went with red.  The baskets are 2 inches!!!

The next two are charity quilts from the scrap bin.  I try do make a small quilt nearly every month in the RSC colors.  I give you Red and Teal.

The teal is a larger version of a Pam Buda pattern, and was pieced at my recent retreat.  The red is supposed to look like plaid, but my color selection was a fail.  However, it made a nice cozy little quilt.

Speaking of RSC, here are my orange blocks for August.  I'm sticking with lighter values this year.

There are two other quilts in process of quilting.  I didn't like the way one border was coming along, so ripped it out, and have to start over.  And I got too tired to finished another small quilt last night.

In other news, the wildflowers are still blooming, and there are a lot of butterflies to be found!

What's happening in your sewing room?       Sunny