Parsonsfield Finish, Winter Gatherings, Other Ideas

 

Hello, hello! It's an iconic January afternoon, cold and grey with dandruff-y flakes of snow falling all day. Mo is puzzled, asking often to go out to play and sun himself on what he must imagine is his warm sunny deck. 

But not. He plays in the snow instead, seems happy. But then...

*I'll be doing my flowering bulbs this weekend for next week's post. I had no daytime water this week due to sewer investigations---repairs? Cannot plant flowers without water. The bulbs are happily stored by the chilly back door for now.* 

Instead I will share my first finish of '24, top only: Parsonsfield, Humble Quilts' fall sewalong. Such a sweet result, I do love it!

Mostly low volume. My mom would call this dense vanilla/ white palette: "ice cream" colors.

It had its photo shoot over the past few days.

I think it is pretty, with my heart shaped Valentine bandboxes, lower left.

Some closeups. I usually include special fabrics gifted to me, esp on small intimate quilts. And then many of the shirtings were from Temecula Quilt Company's white and cream collection of a few years ago.

Someone pointed out that my few darks are VERY dark. In my defense, they seem to photograph darker than they appear in person. Maybe once quilted and washed they'll merge better? Meld? Not changing 'em now anyway.

PF is about 22" square, I think. I don't know if I will hand quilt, machine quilt, or send to Lori C for professional quilting. That didn't stop me from looking for fun backings! You may recall I make a big deal about backs and binding [then never look at that again, lol].  I had all along planned to use the darker bud, left as the backing. This is the remainder of a piece of quilt backing gifted to me by a quilt dealer friend who sadly passed away this past year. He will be much missed and I wanted this to be his tiny tribute from me. But I don't think it is enough.

The fabric on the right is a thrifted pillow case. Sweet but the percale is too dense for handquilting. Other choices, the adorable rosebud used skimpily on the front, and a safe nonentity on the left.

Was I not good! I feel it is a "Low volume" success. Not a hint of cheddar or red snuck in.

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Recently I ordered a hard copy/ printed copy of this Quiltmania magazine. I am very impressed with the quality of this mag; so many quilts and patterns for $16.95, beautifully photographed etc. A few odd wordings as it is apparently translated from its French origins, not written in English. Not a problem, just a momentary quirk now and then. I haven't bought a magazine in probably 15 years, so I m enjoying this treat.

I bought it for this pattern by Barb Vedder. I love this and wanted to keep a pattern available on my to make list. 

This wonderful Baskets by Julie Porter is also featured.

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After Parsonsfield I spent a few days fixing Mo's outdoor sweaters for the cold ahead. He doesn't mind wearing clothes but hates putting his front paws into sleeves or armholes. I make the sweaters ''over the head then open with just a belly band. Mo was so pleased. And I made a couple of Valentine Hearts.

My etsy shop is still blocked, so maybe if anyone is interested I'll post the hearts on IG and here. Very limited quantities. A few stuffies, a few metal beach rusted, etc.

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After everything for the hols is put away I like to enjoy winter and focus on nature and quiet times. Lots of candles and winter gatherings. I am always one to enjoy the day and season I am given, as it comes---No Flags til 4th of July, No Bunnies til Easter!

Most berries are faux, mushrooms are handmade by me. I'll probably add branches of pussywillow or forsythia to the crocks if I get back to Trader Joe's soon.

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Cooking: I must tell you that meatball recipe I posted last week was delicious! I used beef, not pork, sour cream instead of buttermilk [who keeps buttermilk on hand? Can I even get it here?]. I added more spices: fennel seeds, caraway, tarragon, parsley, basil, black pepper---in addition to the dill weed. Gravy, noodles! Top w sour cream.  Exceptional on cold nights. Now I think I 'll stir up a pan of cornbread, just to make the house warm and cozy. No other plans so far. [frozen pizza, yum!] Have a great weekend.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

Perpetual Nature Journals

 

Hi! It's a grey day here now with more storms brewing~ As I write this week's blog post I'm burning my Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissant candle. It's delightful, the whole house smells like hot chocolate, so warm and cozy.

Today is journal catchup day--but maybe I'll throw in some quilty stuff at the end. I filled an entire year of the tiny perpetual nature journal---and started year two. I am quite proud of the effort accomplished, if not so thrilled with the results.

But first...I was looking for a knitting pattern yesterday and instead found a very old journal at the bottom of the Star Fish bin that holds my knitting supplies. It even has notes/ cards from my mom, sigh, including this cover piece. She had a big Nantucket basket filled with heart stones like the one in this drawing.

An unfinished sketc by me: Robbins Hill Beach, Cape Cod.

 Quite fun to see, I  thought.

Shells on the beach.

Pressed Seaweed, and a big ''eagle'' feather, not pictured.

24 years ago. Seems like yesterday, but then..another life, another world.

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Nature Journal, starting late November. 

Starting Year 2!

working ahead a smidge:

The sky for grey squirrel nests. They have a family colony--do they hibernate up there, or?

Last of 2023 Scribble pages. 

I am out of my grocery list pads, too bad. 

[I totally imagined those red feathers were from Mr Cardinal, who still shyly appears now and then. But I'm pretty sure they're from someone's Halloween costume or even my neighbors' garish red feather Christmas wreath, though found early November???].

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Parsonsfield is coming along. 

I was all set to cut the final borders last night, but decided to check Lori's version. And I am glad I did because the border she made is delightfully wonky and prim, I love it. That's for this weekend if the power stays on. Fingers crossed. Humble Quilts

Tomorrow I'm making Swedish meatballs and egg noodles, can be eaten cold if need be. {Meatballs w Mushroom Gravy...} Have a great week! Next week we'll start our indoor flower bulbs, so you have time to order prechilled bulbs from Amazon, and dig out your fave delft bowls or McCoy planters. [postponed bec I just was informed I will have no water here for three days,  some sewer project!!! UGH. I can't plant bulbs w no water...]

See you soon!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

PS I adore sherpa fabric--even got sherpa sneakers [Allbirds] for winter Mo walks, great Christmas gift, along w wooly Bombas socks. Bombas give one pair of socks to homeless person for each pair of socks sold. I love that. Bombas socks [they aren't just wool, in case you can't wear wool].

Just for fun...2017 pics