Quilts, dreams, Musings, Plans etc 2023-2024

First blog post of the year! Time flies by. "The days are so long, but the years---they go so fast." If only we could hold on to the ''little kid' years, the holiday excitement, the wonder the joy. Mo and I are feeling lonely today. 

I didn't get this post written yesterday as planned. I spent the day putting in storm windows and extra insulation of bubble wrap, in case the storm brewing is high winds and snow. 

2023 was not a very productive quilting year, no new large, a few small. This was mostly deliberate, as I had taken a step back with my quilting, asking why , for what---since they are Dumpster bound. Of course the joy is in the planning and making, the final product is less important. I know that but still...

Cartwheels. 

Blocks bought on eBay during Covid, finally quilted  [Quilters Imagination/ Lori C] and bound this spring.

Giraffe in Egypt, a carryover from Lori/ HQ's antique block challenge. Handquilted by me.

Ladybugs and Lemonade, a utility nap quilt for a child:

 Temecula Quilt Company, super micromini phone rest quilt. A challenge in hand piecing, as I recall.

Welcome ~ The Hospitality Pineapple finished. [quilted by Lori C.]

                                

Top completed. Liberty Pumpkin by Jan Patek. [a wink and a shrug for IG and elsewhere online ''influencers and sheepy-followers'' that start Fall decor day after Fourth of July. 

Parsonsfield, Lori/ Humble Quilts Fall sewalong. A challenge in ''low volume". Partially done/ In work. I stopped bec of holiday prep.

Flamingo Strings Stocking, for a little artist friend:

String pieced Flamingos drinks/ phone mat for me, next summer. I may add binding. I am thinking of doing this idea in a large summer quilt, I really love the funny tropicals and flamingoes. 

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Winter 2024 Projects Plans, hopes, dreams:

I really really want this finished asap! As soon as I recuperate from Monday's IV treatment I hope to spend January and February on this.

And another winter quilt. Silent Night.

This is the pattern pic, by Jan Patek.

I was working on this to be my after Christmas wintery quilt when my vision went bad in 2020-2022. I struggled so to do the appliqués, not realizing I was unable [suddenly] to see the pieces. Upset, I set it aside, but I do love the design and am now ready to try again. [do I leave all the awful sewing, a memory nod to my panic and struggles? Esp bad are the Stars and Moons' points on the Sky area, As I recall I need 18 more blue and white Stars , borders and some piecing. Doable if I focus once Marsh is done. The Stars are too-dark indigo blue, not black, btw. Not clanging them now.

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I also want to make a Christmas quilt. I have the TQC reds and greens for a Log Cabin. This is from a blog I follow, so sorry I am not remembering whose. Tell me if it's your.

But then I  treated myself to these glorious holiday inspired fabrics from Two Thimbles. The shop is on IG and very seductive. @twothimbles

The bad news is I have NO idea why I chose these [other than I do love them], because what I want to make is the improv Little Trees, inspired by Barb Vedder's Little Trees. This is my 2021 Candy Cane Lane version. I kept it out now to keep my focus. I hope to make a quilt a child might love and rescue from the black trash bag of doom someday. Tutorial HERE

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One reason I quilted less is that I painted, sketched, and journaled much more. The final journal entry each year is all my bits and pieces saved from the gift wraps and other bits. I cut out the Trader Joe's bags' Gingerbread village, thinking to make a little accordion booklet for this year. But--messy, right? 

Apropos of nothing, this charmer caught my eye. How I'd love to have the energy and focus to create this crazy Beauty. It is a pattern from Sentimental Stitches.

The weather is worsening, so dark! But I can't picture snow at 38*? Mo and I will head out, more soon. Have a great week 2 of 2024.

Mo is underwhelmed by the walkies plan!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

Beautiful beach pics this week from Nicky in AU, via Penny in South Africa.

 Imagine---summer days!

Happy New Year!

 Best wishes to all my friends here at Gone to the Beach!

love

lizzy and Baby Mo

2023 ~ Looking Forward, Looking Back

 

a Christmas robin

Hi everyone! Almost New Years Eve!---is your Champagne in the fridge? 

Christmas here was wonderful, so much fun and happiness, great memories. Mo enjoyed all the hub-bub and was proud that he still still fits his teenage Ugly Christmas sweater.

Some traditional outings didn't happen but I did get a whirlwind shop at Trader Joe's. Buying a gourmet feast for Christmas Eve is a family tradition.  I had hoped for fresh pine and holly but no. 

Later when I got home and looked at my pics, I noticed the very charming combination offered instead, of small red poinsettias, whte branches, and pussy willow. I love this idea.

At the time though, I was all focused instead on getting the last bouquet of red tulips. Here they are in the chocolate tin.

Another container I'd saved has greens, eucalyptus I think, plus scavenged pine.

Here is the food, set out on the kitchen counter away from Mo.  We had set the challenge that I could/would make as good an antipasto patter as our much loved but very expensive Italian shop we love.

My friends brought a favorite wine, fun because it's called Summer in a Bottle, a nod to our love of summer afternoons at the beach.

Cookies and other sweets. No cannoli, though.

No pics, but the following day was a fabulous BBQ---what my friends called a steakhouse dinner. Caesar salad, Filet mignon, golden mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and kale.  So good.

Mo was invited and he had fun! But was oh so tired, I think he slept for two or three days.

The Flamingo Christmas stocking , filled with glittery supplies from the Dollar Store, was a big success. Here it is all finished and stuffed with goodies.

                                                                      ...........

Now the Tree and decorations are almost entirely put away. All that remains are my stocking stuffer lottery tickets [what if I win!] and my gifts from my brother and sister in law, including vintage sewing items, darling putz houses, 

and fragile vintage bottle brush trees. Even pink and purple.

The tulips have been rehomed into a white ironstone pitcher, set on a TQC mini a month quilt for a hint of Spring.

A sweet jar of fresh rosemary sprigs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the twigs took root!

Also from Trader Joe's and how I wish I had bought at least three, a white hyacinth in a pretty reusable forcing vase.

We're loving the new rug, and over the next few days I'll put away red quilts, switching up for blues.

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On a cooking note, one day last week I made an IG recipe that caught my eye. Vegetarian meal or a hearty savory side.

Vegs Gratin---Mushrooms, cabbage, onion, garlic, corn, in a creamy cheese sauce, with parm and breadcrumbs on top. Really delicious. I couldn't understand the very complicated British instructions, so just made a classic white sauce [bechamel] with cheese and added to the lightly softened vegetables. All in a Pyrex dish til the topping was brown and toasty. Not the prettiest presentation. If I make it again, I'll have to add something green or, as suggested ,red bell peppers diced.

And for blog friend Robin, my mom's chocolate mousse recipe in full. I haven't made it in years but it was always very successful and much liked by everyone.

Best Wishes for a happy New Year!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....