Ahhh, this getting back into a normal work routine is hard stuff. I’ve been doing lots of little things around here, but nothing really substantial. We’ve had a gorgeous weekend (well, until tonight — drizzly, just in time for the full moon that we can’t see boohoo!) so I did a little gardening. MyDadLovesMeBestSister bought me this pretty hydrangea — aren’t the colors gorgeous?
Don’t worry — it won’t look like that next year. It will look more like the picture below. My hydrangeas have been pretty fussy the last few years and this year there have hardly been any blooms. Who knows what the problem is? There are a lot of teeny tiny wannabe blooms on them now — I’m wondering if the ridiculously wet spring we had this year made them not want to bloom — and now that it’s drier, they’re giving it their best shot. It’s going to be too little too late though — a frost is surely not too far off. Can you believe it’s almost October???
Now that The Aunts’ Quilt is almost over, I’ve been wondering what to work on next. I’d love to start a new project to attempt to make a dent in my stash, but I’ve realized I have way too many UFOs and need to get to work on them. They’re all really sloooooow, long term projects. I might have to do something quick for a little instant gratification before too long. I dragged out the UFOs — there’s the Chuck Nohara quiltalong (which I’m not really along-ing, ’cause if I were, I’d surely be kicked out by now), the Trip Around the World, some paper-pieced stars, and my little Liberty churndash blocks.
Sadly, in my search for these, I found other, older UFOs. So … no starting a new project for me! I’m thinking I’ll just work a little on each of them for awhile. I worked a little on the TAW earlier this week. It’s very slow going now that I’m on the bigger rounds — I’m estimating that one round is probably 5 – 7 hours of work. I need to prep some Chuck blocks — those are fun to do. The stars probably won’t get much attention. Not sure where to go with them and I’m really not a fan of EPP. And then there are those cute little churn dash blocks. I LOVE them — but whose idea was this??? (I’m lookin’ at YOU Jan!) I worked for several hours on them this afternoon and only got some hsts and long strips stitched and pressed. Slow, slow, work. Good thing I’m fairly patient!
There’s been a little work in my little shop too. More new fabrics (it’s that time when all the stuff ordered at spring market arrives!). These two cute little Japanese prints — a garden print and a cute little black check.
And teeny little Japanese mini-stripes by Yuwa. Love, Love, Love. These are perfect for stash-building. I first saw that little black stripe at Amitie in Australia last fall and when I saw other colors at market in the spring, I knew I we had to have them!
And, lastly, I’m still going through trip pictures. The last part of my fun trip was in London — I’ll show you more pics next time.
Ok, I’m off to trim up those little hst blocks. Have a Good Week!
XOXO,
Anna
Hey – the full moon was amazing here. It was still high in the sky at 5 am as I was driving to the city, with the early morning dusk on the other side of me. Not a cloud in the sky – then some balloons over the vineyards as I get to the outskirts of the urban sprawl.
My garden is really moving along. Although we have reached our limit for planting considering our water storage capacity to get us through our hot and dry summer.
Thanks and love your posts.
Oh dear, my comment seems to have disappeared – it’s been a while since that happened!
Our hydrangeas always do well here because we get a lot of rain – all year round. Maybe that’s the key? I don’t know, I’m not a gardener! ;o)
you must be getting all of the rain – it hasn’t rained here for AT LEAST 40 days and 40 nights and the temps have been in the high 80s … and that makes me sad cuz i think we are not gonna get any fall at all – we’ll go from balmy to frigid overnight – like last year…
now that i see her again – i have MISSED your trip around the world – it is so good to see her back … and i’m gonna REALLY miss the Aunt’s Quilt posts – cookies and gorgeous blocks are the best…
Hello!! We are in the same boat. So many UFOs to finish – and I have so many others lined up that haven’t been started yet. I’m putting myself on house arrest till I finish some of them. I have been trying to finish hand quilting my little hexi quilt while my husband is in Canada this week, but it’s not looking good. But at least I’m gaining ground. Have a great week!
did you find out about the hydrangea mystery? that is sad. i love the one your sister got for you, it’s gorgeous.
your WIP’S put me to shame. i think churn dash and chuck are my faves, but TAW is fun too, oh my, i don’t know how i will choose, at least i have some time to figure it out.
that fabric makes me SWOON. i’ll have to get some straight away. love those stripes for bindings!!
can’t wait to see London!!!!!!!
:waves madly
Well sister it would be hard to get back to a normal routine with all the fun you’ve been having the last several weeks. Much more fun to travel I’m thinking :). Flowers – LOVE THEM – but so not a gardener. I hope, pray and water that they survive the 3 months I give them – come Labor Day – I pull them. But I sure enjoy looking at the labors of other gardners and think I should try it lol. Anywhooooo I hear ya on the UFO’s – I’ve finished 3 of them the last month or so – quilted and bound – talk about excited to get there – it’s always a good feeling. Looks like you have some pretty UFO’s there even if you just look at them – I think that counts cuz there out of the box lol. LOVE those new fabrics – those stripes – be still my heart – I think I should need some :).
Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse
When I lived in NJ I had hydrangeas that wouldn’t bloom. They never got beyond buds. I took a sample to a garden center, found out it was a fungus and was sold a spray that solved the problem. Good luck!
I had a fun trip in London last week…I wonder if we saw some of the same things….I saw Benedict Cumberbatch as Hamlet which was amazing, visited the V&A and saw our model of V&A Dundee on display…wandered the Southbank and Spitalfields… Oh and lots of Shaun the Sheep at Covent Garden. I look forward to seeing your photos…
Your hydrangea is such a lovely colour. I’ve been working on my UFOs too but yours are much prettier than mine. It’s fun to see your new shop fabrics, I particularly like that black check and you’re right that those stripes are stash must haves. Love your London photo though it made me a bit dizzy.
I’m clearly not a real quilter (I knew that already, in fact) because I don’t have any UFOs. I can’t imagine starting something else till I’d finished what I was doing. I think this may have something to do with having a sewing room – or not having, in my case. I don’t have room to store more than one work in project. Or possibly it’s just that I don’t have enough brain to think about two projects at once.
Ooh, lots of lovely projects to keep you going. Your hydrangea may need some feeding.
Great idea to rotate working on your UFOs, must remember that. Your churn dash blocks are the cutest, but your Chuck Nohara blocks are my absolutely favorit. You must keep going with them!!!
And not to forget; Happy Birthday dear Anna. I hope you are having the best day and a wonderful year ahead.
I love hydrangea, but they can be a bit fussy. I got lucky with mine here ct it seems to like it’s location so far. Don’t make my mistake and prune except for clipping old blooms.
what a great batch of UFOs – they are all fun and colorful.
love those tiny stripes :)
I wouldn’t be able to resist working on those adorable little Liberty churn dash blocks!
Anna, wishing you a VERY Happy Birthday today! XOXO
I’ve never tried growing hydrangeas (I think it’s too dry here in NM for them), but isn’t there something about the acidity of the soil with them? I hope you find the solution because they’re so nice to have. Happy birthday!
I call it “idling my motor”, but dithering works, too. I’ve been busy, just not blogging. That’s where I’m definitely dithering! Our hydrangeas loved the wet Spring and outdid themselves blooming. Different climates, obviously. And we didn’t get to see the moon either. However last night, when it didn’t matter at all, was beautifully clear. Bummer!
Oh your sweet little Churn Dash blocks! I am beginning to think there is no Normal Routine.
I’m behind with my blog reading, Anna, and am so interested to catch up with all your news. I especially enjoyed the Scottish posts as I’ve been there a couple of months ago and these brought back wonderful memories.
Amalia
xo
Hydrengas are my favorite. I have blue ones in front of my house. We don’t get the purple ones here, but I think it has to do with the soil. Your quilt is going to be lovely. Have a great weekend.
We’ve had a stinky soggy summer too! And I hear you about needing a few little, quick projects for instant gratification in spite of knowing we need to move on the mountain of UFOs……..sigh!
Those little churn dash blocks are adorable. One of my favorites!
We are enjoying some lovely late Summer days, filled with sunshine and blue skies!
Love all the bits and pieces in the photo’s and those mini-stripes by Yuwa!
I love that Japanese garden print fabric. I can just imagine a cozy quilt made with it. Happy October to you!
I can’t wait to see your churn dash completion, they’re SO cute with the fabrics you’re using so far.
YAY for UFO progress!!