As The Iron Steams - Season 2 Premier

I can't believe it!  I've had to lay another iron to rest.  It was only 8 months old.  You can see the first installments of the serial HERE and HERE.

In order to provide full transparency, I must admit that I dropped the old one.  I was concentrating on my pressing and thought I was over the board..... It seemed fine at first, but I fear it was just stunned.  In no time it was leaking all over :(

All I could think is "I don't deserve nice things".  So I bought a cheap iron this time.  So far we are getting along just fine.

I've made progress on my storm at sea.  I'm shocked how long it takes to make such a tiny quilt.

Here is a photo to show the scale -

I've sent these blocks to Beth for her House Swap.
There is still time to participate.  Deadline is January 1st. 

This is my "girls just wanna have fun house"

She is also collecting 12 1/2" blocks for charity quilts.

With so many things to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving I want to take a moment to thank all my blog friends and readers who leave me nice comments, words of encouragement, and who have also shared their inspiration with me.

Happy Thanksgiving U.S. friends, and thanks to friends everywhere!

odds and ends

Happy Tuesday - Just popping in with a post of randomness.

Here is a little quilt that I had hanging and I don't think I've shared it before.  It was made for a Brownstone Guild Challenge in 2009.

The challenge was called Literal Translations.  So you were to make a quilt based on a block name or a setting, i.e., Ohio star, barn raising, irish chain, bow tie, etc.

I did "Log Cabin".  It is raw edge appliqued and string pieced.

The backing is funny pig and holly fabric that I won at a fabric exchange.  It still makes me laugh.

Today I'm working in my "Frankenstorm" quilt.  It is really fussy working with this tiny pieces.

Look how much it has shrunk after sewing!  I'm not a great paper piecer, so this is a little bit of a challenge for me.

Last week I picked up a few Christmas Plants - Amaryllis, Paper Whites,

and for a change of pace, a Christmas Catcus.

Look at this lovely example of a red  and  white Christmas cactus quilt.  I found it on line Here.

Does this dog look guilty to you?

After the heat came back on, there were a lot of quilts to  put away.

Have a great week and I'll see you Friday.

Pioneer Days!

Thank you so much for your emails and messages checking on us here in northern NJ after Sandy.  We were out of power for a full week.  Now I know why pioneer women of the 19 century kept journals.  Everyday seems the same!

My thoughts are with all my friends and neighbors who still may be out of power.

Here was our first stash of supplies.  We had to go out for more fire wood, candles, and ice.

Luckily we were able to eat out to get hot food.   Thanks Five Guys - you complete me.

Thank you to my friends who took me in for a meal, cup of tea and to charge my devices.  Your sheltering friendship really helped me through.

Here are some of the flying geese blocks that I exchanged with Jill and Susan.  I think I'll be going with this setting.

I did lots of hand applique' while listening to Winter of the World, by Ken Follet.   I finished the first border and got a really good start on the second.

To see more visit the Jubilee Quilt blog here.  In the post you can see how I made the pattern and prepped the vines and stem for applique.

On Sunday and Monday before the storm I started this miniature quilt to commemorate Sandy, aka Frankenstorm!
It is the Storm at Sea Pattern - appropriate right?  lol

The pieces are quite small.  This is how far I got when then the lights went out.

Now I'm off to cast my vote and bask in the heat of my cozy well lit home.  The Nor'easter is on its way tomorrow, so the candles and flashlights will remain on hand.