Wedges Gone Wild!

I know, it's been a while. I'm still here... still sewing up a storm. If you recall, from a former post, my latest obsession was the wedge block. Well, I'm still at it with this strip pieced variation. These wedges appear to be spinning out of control! This 16 block small wall quilt measures 28" square right now, I have plans for borders; we'll see how this progresses. Now, back to the scrappy Kaleidoscope block quilt that I was working on before these strips took over! 

Spring is arriving around here in fits and starts. I'm enjoying the longer daylight hours and the warmer daytime temperatures for sure. I dug out my bare-root geraniums that were wintering over in cardboard boxes in the basement and potted them up last week. They're sitting outside and acclimating to new pots and fresh soil, at this time it looks like five out of six have survived to live another season, not bad. 

Spring break from school included some time here with the grands. Lynnleigh is working on her embroidery stitches with her companion who's always eager to share a seat with anyone who settles in.

I finished up this cross stitch last week, "Strawberry Basket" from Notforgotten Farm.; I'm unsure how I'll finish it right now; but, it's checked off the list and I've begun another pinkeep, a smaller one, from Summer House Stiche Works.

In between time: sourdough breadmaking continues, these variations on the theme took over the kitchen last week. I end up giving bread to friends and neighbors as Mr. G and I can't possibly eat all the bread that my ever-demanding starter requires!  I'll be turning my attention outdoors for the next few days as the perennial garden is beginning to show signs of bright green life and needs a bit of cleaning up. 

What's taking up your time and energy these days?

Life is Good!

Finally, A Finish!

No, not a quilt finish but a finish nonetheless. I believe that I started this one the summer before last but it's done, in a frame and ready for its close up! I had to laugh when I read Mary's Country Threads blog the other day and she referred to quilters who've taken up cross stitch as "jumping ship"! I haven't gone all in, as in totally overboard, but I do stitch to unwind in the evenings and have an outing to a cross stitch shop planned for tomorrow! Maybe I'm in deeper than I thought. 😉  It's been hard to get into the sewing room the past few days what with getting the perennial garden weeded and cleaned up for new growth emerging, and tending to the sourdough! Seriously, keeping up with the starter and using it on a regular basis is like a adopting a baby! Last week I did a big batch of cinnamon rolls and this week I've baked rustic whole wheat loaves as well as bread bowls for soup.  

Whole Wheat

Bread "bowls"; these were yummy!

I did manage to get another (2024) BOM block together in an effort to stay ahead. I'm still working backwards (2023) too, as time allows. I'm also piecing blocks L-E style at the same time; stay tuned for those; they're cute. 

    What's on your "finished" list lately?

Life is Good!

Reflections on January

I don't know where this month has gone. It's been filled with activity, not the least of which is keeping up with breadmaking from two different sourdough starters! What have I gotten myself into? Loaves are being gifted continually. I've branched out into English muffins, cinnamon buns and multi-grain breads too.
Without a lot of words or explanation I'm going to catch up with a post  resembling a photo journal; a look back at this month and what's been finished, what I'm working on and what's been started (there's always something new). 

Driving Age has become a full-fledged flimsy...

...borders have been added...

...quilts have been quilted...

...bulbs have bloomed...

...new starts have made it to the design wall...

...someone has turned ELEVEN, we made our annual pilgrimage to the AG store... 

...sacred stitches have been sewn...

...new recipes have been tried (Pear Pie using Bosc pears)...

...and new perches have been explored!

It's been a snow-less January here, that's not a complaint; we've had some serious cold weather that, hopefully, helps to keep the bug population down come spring. Thank you to those friends who've reached out to check on me in light of my sparse blog posts; I'm  here, all is well... 

 Life is GOOD! 

💗

Binding and Baking

"Sweet Sixteen" is off the rails, binding has been applied and the hand finishing has begun. I'm quilting up a few table runners right now, one day has a way of sliding into the next. The quilts are piling up. Mr. Goodneedle asked me last evening who this quilt was for. I have no designation in mind, I just keep at it, one quilt after another; and sew it goes. One would think that these scrappies would make a noticeable dent in the bin of precut squares; so far, I can't tell a difference! The bins seem as full as they've always been.

Sweet Sixteen uses 2.5" squares, the pattern can be found here. 

Two loaves of cinnamon swirl bread fresh out of the oven. These will be great for French Toast.

Remember these Quilter's Quarantine signs that we all had back in the 90's? Here's mine, they're not as funny today as they were back then; not since we've all learned what mandatory lockdown is like. Isn't it ironic though that the "treatment" listed on this is to attend as many quilt shows and shops as possible? It will be some time before we can know those types of cures, I look forward to those days!

Adapting in an upside-down 🙃world: I've been stitching up quite a few face masks using the  Valami pattern, click on the hyperlink to download the free pattern.  Once I got started it became easier, assembly-line style. It took awhile to gather all the necessary supplies but I'm good to go now, I've got the copper nose wires cut and at the ready.

I'm only using batiks, lining with cotton knit and using T-shirts ties. I have a nurse friend who took this style for a test run and pronounced the fit as a very good one, "the nose piece makes all the difference", she reported. Who would've ever guessed, months ago, that we'd be raiding our stashes to make face masks for health-care workers and personal protection? Stay safe, wash your hands🧼!

"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long."  Psalm 25:5

Life is Good!

Loafing Around?

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen last week, moving forward with my bread-making pursuit. At this time I have two, different, sourdough starters going. These loaves are a result of the second starter, it's a recipe from my life thirty years ago;  originally, I received a cup of starter as a gift from a neighbor. At that time, with children at home, I made two to four loaves each and every week! This starter that is fed with instant mashed potato flakes, sugar and water. 
Getting that going is all thanks to a good friend; how do you spell friend? I spell it: Y-E-A-S-T! This particular starter requires a boost of instant yeast and I got such a surprise when this baggie arrived. I got right to work. Now, to keep it going, I'll be feeding and baking once a week, I need to assign a bread-baking day.

So, that "wild" yeast starter is the trickier one of the two. I'm NOT giving up on it though. Last week I measured out a cup and set it aside for something less ambitious than loaves. Pictured in my mother's original, antique measuring cup. After doing much reading and research I decided to try my hand at English Muffins.

These turned out perfectly! They go through two risings; one before they're cut out and one after, then they're griddle baked on each side for ten minutes. They smelled wonderful during that baking phase. The great news is that they tasted every. single. bit. as good as they look! I may never go back to store bought. 

Buoyed up by the English Muffin success, I tried more rustic loaves with that same starter. They rose just fine, but I was underwhelmed with the outward, lumpy appearance. I would prefer a smoother, more elastic dough. I'll keep at it this week, I'm not about to quit yet. 

Sliced, these loaves did not disappoint. It's a denser, heartier bread- perfect for going beside soup or with olive oil for an appetizer. The flavor is quite good, it has a pronounced sourdough "tanginess". 

This one, the first bread that I mentioned (above), is sweeter and lighter, perfect for toast or sandwiches. Mr. Goodneedle couldn't wait to cut into it; even hot, right out of the oven! This received a thumbs-up.

YAGOF* was completed last week and in its rightful spot on the porch. As cool as it's been the last few days, it's nice to have it out there right now. Spring temperatures have retreated temporarily.

I backed this one with a wicker print. 

"Sweet Sixteen" is currently under the needle, just in case you thought I never left the kitchen-- I did!

And, once again, the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks have returned to the feeder. They've appeared every year for as long as I can remember, they don't stay long, a week at the most and then they're off.

This post is a recomposition of one created yesterday, I think that this is a reasonable duplicate of what I wanted to say. There's few things more frustrating (at least for me) than losing something in an instant while at the computer. Here's hoping that your week is a happy and productive one. 

Adapting in an upside-down 🙃world: We'll start to see a few things returning to the "new normal" here in North Carolina this week, we're in Phase #1 of re-opening. Fingers crossed that all goes well. I need to get back to my LQS, hopefully they'll reopen this week, I'm running out of supplies!! Wash your hands, my friends,🧼 stay safe!

"Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word." - Psalm 119:74

Life is Good!

*You're A Grand Old Flag

One Word Wednesday

~Fragrant~
Life is Good!