Weekly report

It has been a week of snow, cold, and drifts.  Just when we think we can get out of here (I live in the country at the bottom of a hill)  it snows again.  Never a lot of snow - we rarely get the 12-24 inches, but 1-3 of light fluffy with a wind behind it is enough to make our roads impassable.  Add that the the 3 Ice storms from earlier in the month which hasn't melted and I tell you it is dangerous out there.  Now we are under a 3 day wind chill advisory and today the temps won't get above 0.  So guess what,  I'm staying home again!!

At any rate This is my second week of 15 minutes to stitch in 2021 - I got a late start since I didn't find this cool thing until last week.

• 15 minute days/week = 7/7 days
• 15 minute days/Feb = 14/14 days
• 15 minute days/2021 = 14/14 days
• Success rate = 100%

 To do list for the Week of February 6-13:

1) Quilt on the Stars Around the Garden UFO - Worked on it 4 days this week.

2) Work on Big  Bird from Sesame Street Quilt - Completed Big Bird 

3) Block 22 For Bible Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird - Completed Block 22

4) Start Hearts and Kisses Baby Quilt - Started this quilt 

5) Work on Sophia's Garden Blocks - Worked on Block 20 - almost done.

6) Work on National Day Quilt Blocks - got 8 blocks quilted & labeled and 1 block nearly done.

To do list for week of Feb 14 - 20:

1) Work on Quilting for Garden Quilt

2) Finish last of Sophia Blocks

3) Start Fozzie Bear  Block

4) 8 Hearts & Hugs Blocks

5) Quilt 4 more National Blocks

6)Block 23 of Bible sampler quilt

Snowy Saturday

 Third Snow storm this week!  I've really had enough!  We don't normally get this much snow in an entire season - we've had it in a week - this is the 5th storm in the last 3 weeks or so - But I am grateful for a warm house - plenty of food - warm blankets and a loving husband to help keep me warm.  It is supposed to get very very cold this week and I'm also grateful I don't have to go out anywhere before possibly Thursday.  I would love to go to church tonight but with the snow and the blowing and drifting it really isn't safe so I will get it online in the morning.  

I did accomplish a lot today.  Finished the quilting on the center medallion of my Stars around the Garden quilt.  Will start working on the first border tomorrow - it shouldn't take nearly as long to quilt it - famous last words. 

 I have been fighting with a quilt called Taos.  I have misplaced the Part 6 pattern - that wasn't so horrible I could work around that, but then I last of the diamonds for the center Medallion wouldn't come out right - one side was the correct size - the other side was 1/2 " too long - no idea what was wrong.  I had already ripped these things out twice and recut some of them and just had enough.  I packed the entire thing away.  I will get the rest of the monthly patterns and hopefully I will find the missing one and someday in the future I will go back to it.  For now I have so much that needs quilted or needs pieced that is actually fun to keep me busy for quite a while.

I did complete block 21 for my Bible Sampler Quilt:

It is Children of Israel, both the study and the title of the block.  The scripture is Exodus 1:1-11.

Second Full Week of 2021

 I can't say 2021 has started off much better than 2020.  Last year was the 4 day migraine, this year two huge ice storms and more riots.  Oh well - I've decided to ignore the rest of the world for a while and see what I can do in my little sphere of influence to hopefully make friends and neighbors lives a little bit brighter.  Maybe changing my tiny bit of world will help change a bigger bit of world.  

The new Mug Rug I made to be part of my project for the new year.  Just hopefully the first of many.

I completed the 18th block in my Bible Sampler Quilt - The Coat of Many Colors from Genesis 37: 1-4 & 25-28.  It is the story of Joseph the favorite son of Jacob and his rocky and destructive relationship with his 10 older brothers and the tragedy that ensued.   

I used Deb Tucker's Studio 180 tools and technique sheets to create the block.  It can be done in many ways.  The corners are called shaded 4-patches, the centered blocks are a form of flying geese.  The full name of the block is Joseph's Coat.

I've been working on a lot of different things this week - among them the Sesame Street Quilt and the Taos quilt - both of which are months in the future for completion.

My daughter gave me a Christian Day Planner for Christmas and I really like it.  So I decided to make something to keep the pen and pencil close so I wouldn't be constantly searching for them when I wanted to make a note.  So this is what I came up with:

I have several that are bookmarks that slide over the pages.  I added the pockets to hold the pens.  It certainly is making life a bit easer since I always lose track of my pens/pencils.  

 

Icy January

 It has been an icy January so far.  Two massive Ice storms and days on end of fog, but thankfully it has not been terribly cold.  Cold enough to keep the ice and snow around but not cold enough to freeze your toes off.  Of course I would love one of those Januarys where it is 65 and sunny and you can go walking in your shirtsleeves - but those are few and far between.  

This was taken in the fog the morning after the second ice storm.  It was foggy for three days.

This was taken out my back door the following day.  The trees are covered still with ice and Hoarfrost.  It was one of the most beautiful sights I had seen in the neighborhood.  It turned foggy again later that day and we haven't seen the sun since. 
 

I am learning to take my beauty where I can find it this last year - sometimes it is hard to come by.  

My block of the week (#17) for The Bible Sampler Quilt is Jacob's Ladder - the story of Jacob's Struggle with God in the wilderness.  

I made it using the Wing Clipper II from Studio 180 and one other ruler from her collection.  Making flying Geese with precision piecing is just not my thing - they always come out wonky and look terrible.  The story of Jacob's Ladder is in Genesis 28: 10-15.  The name of the block is also called Jacob's Ladder.

My first completed project of 2021 is a Snowflake wall hanging.

I like to hang small quilts beside my front door - a long narrow one on the left and a square one on the right.  For winter I had a Snowman for the left but nothing for the right so I used the old tried and true method of making snowflakes from grade school, traced it on fusable and appliqued it to the square.  

I have no idea what my next completed project will be - even after spending last year trying to clear out my UFO's - I still seem to have more that I should have.  I guess this year I will try to avoid starting too many new projects and work on completing the ones I already have going.  

Winter is upon us!

 We had our very first real winter storm of the season - with the Storm Warnings, the snow, the sleet and the icing on the cake was the freezing rain!!

Depending on exactly where you were you got from 3 to 12 inches of snow.  We got about three and then a heavy coating of ice.  Personally I would rather have just the snow or preferably just rain, but thankfully I don't have to go out today at all.  Took the trash out to the can earlier (just outside the garage door) and was thankful I didn't have to go any farther as it was covered in ice.  The plow did come down the road in the night so it is good and we could get out if we had too.  He will probably come back through again this afternoon and pass again.

I finished block 16 of my Bible Sampler Quilt.  The Story is Abraham and Sarah's Visitors, when they receive the visit from the Angel of the Lord and two angels to announce the pending birth of Isaac.  A meal is cooked and served to the visitors.  The story is in Genesis 18:1-8.

 The title of the block is Hearth and Home.

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to one and all.  It is a bit of a different Christmas around here as we have no family or friends visiting. No huge festive dinner in to oven and no gifts under the tree to distribute to one and all.  But none the less it is Christmas Morning, the celebration of the birth of Christ.  We did get to see our Grandson the other day.  He drove over from Chicago to visit each family member who lives on this end of the state.  He was alone, but at least we got to see him and spend some time with him.  The rest of the family, at least one person in the household has had COVID and I am not going to risk any chance on coming down with it.  Christmas doesn't need a crowd to be joyous - it just needs my joyous heart.

This week I made the 15th block in my Bible Sampler Quilt.  The Story is Beautiful Sarai from Genesis 12:8-12.  Abram, for some reason heads to Egypt, then at the last minute realizes that the Egyptians might kill him and take his beautiful wife, Sarai.  He tells her to say she is his sister to protect him.  But what about her - that lie makes her more vulnerable.  We just can't seem to learn to trust in God - This was God's plan for Abram to build a people and a country and he can't do it with Abram dead and Sarai a concubine of the Pharaoh.   At any rate - God intervenes and teaches Abram another lesson in trust and obedience.

The name of the block is Wonders of Egypt.  It was partially paper pieced with a lot of Y seams.  I think this is all preparing me for another quilt I'm working on that will have a LOT of Y seams. 

Bible Sampler Block 14

 Block 14 of the Bible Sampler block is Bod Blesses Abram from Genesis 12:1-2.  God tells Abram to leave his home, country and family, and go to a new country that God would show him.  And God would bless him and make him a great nation. I don't know about you, but that would take a lot of faith and trust and God did reward Abram for it.  

The Block is called House.

Bible Sampler Block 13

 Block 13 of The Bible Sampler Quilt is called Everlasting Promise based on Genesis 8:20 - 22.  The story of God's promise to never destroy the earth again by flood.  He set the rainbow in the sky so we would be reminded of his promise each time it appears.  

The name of the block is Night and Day - that is also part of the promise - night and day will continue until Christ comes again.

Bible Sampler Quilt Block 12

 The 12th block of the Bible Sampler Quilt is based on the Story Dry Land Appears from Genesis 8: 8-12, after the Flood that lasted close to 200 days - for us that is nearly 8 months - not including the forty days it rained.  Can you imagine 240 days stuck in the house with your parents, siblings, and their spouses for that long.  Well maybe some on you can with the pandemic quarantines!  Add all the animals into the mix and it would have been a difficult time - and you couldn't go out and walk down the road and take a drive in your car!

Imagine how exciting when the waters started to go down and they could actually see land in places.  I would have been doing a happy dance.

The name of the block is Dove in the Window   I paper-pieced the block so it wasn't too difficult to do  just two wide Y seams.  I'll be back next week for block 13.

Bible Quilt Block 11

 The 11th block in the Bible Sample Quilt is the story of the World Wide Flood taken from Genesis 8:1-7. We've had some pretty horrendous storms here and I loved through Hurricane Gloria back in the 1980's in New England so I do know about rain and wind and even Tornados but this storm took the cake.  Noah had to built an ark for his family to survive - him and all the life on earth.

This block is called Open Window.  Despite my aversion to diamonds and Y seams this block went together pretty easily.  

Bible Sampler Block 10

 Block 10 For the Bible Sampler Quilt is Noah and The Ark from Genesis 6:13-19.  The Story of how God Saved a remnant of his people from the destruction that came.  He has always promised a remnant of Believers will remain after any disaster.

The name of the block is Doors and Windows.  Basic squares - except they were very small!!  

Bible Sampler Block 09

 The Ninth block for my Bible Sampler Quilt is Leaving the Garden based on Genesis 3:20-24.  The Consequence of sin (wrong doing) is usually a loss.  I remember when I was a child I broke the house rules and needed to be punished - it was just before my birthday - so my mother cancelled my birthday party.  My birthday was ignored that year.  You best believe I was on my best behavior for every year after that around my birthday.  Adam and Eve lost so much more for their sin.  They lost their beautiful home, their close intimate relationship with God and they were going to suffer pain and loss for their lives.  I don't like the consequences of my actions, but there are the direct result of disobeying God's Law.  But Praise God that he sent his son to pay my debt and save me from my sin.

Title of the block is Mother's Favorite.

Bible Sampler Block 08

 Block Number 8 in my Bible Sampler Quilt is The Curse.  This is taken from Genesis 3:10-13, 16-19.  It is the result of the disobedience.  We all have to suffer the consequences of our actions - even though there are those who would like to do away with consequences - it cannot be done.  We have to live with them for the rest of our earthly life.  Jesus takes away the eternal punishment when you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, but that does not remove the consequence of your actions in this life.  

The other name for this block is Adam's Refuge.  More Y seams which I'm thankfully getting better at!

Bible Sampler Block 07

 The Seventh Block of the Bible Sampler Quilt is Adam and Eve disobey.  It was a pretty basic block - 4 patches and V- blocks.  I used a V-block tool to get those blocks more or less correct.  The Bible Reference is Genesis 3:7-9

Name of the actual block is Garden Walk.

Bible Sampler Block 06

 Block 6 of the Bible Sampler Quilt is The Garden of Eden.  I have made this block several times for other quilts and there is nothing earthshattering in it.  It is 4 Squares in a Square and Sashing between  it was an easy break for a couple of other ones I've done

Scripture for this block is Genesis 2:15-18, 21-23.  The Block is actually titled Garden of Eden.  

Living under Stay at Home Order Part 5

There are days when everything seems relatively normal and there are days when I feel like the entire world has fallen apart and nothing will ever be normal again.  I usually recover from that fairly quickly.  But I haven's been out to do my regular things - quilt clubs, aerobics, Quilt shop hops, lunch with my granddaughter and friends, quilt shows, church, Bible Study all the things that gave my live routine.  Now I have trouble remembering what day it is and even what time it is.  That is the hardest part is the lack of the usual routine.

I am managing  the last few days have been really nice and we did get all the yard work caught up, and also got both decks scrubbed down.  Yesterday we went for a walk down to the creek.  I was surprised that I could easily walk that far.  Since my knee surgery I have had trouble walking distances - but I guess cleaning the yard and scrubbing decks helps!!  I did find some wonderful flowers while I was out. 

The Violets brought back so many memories from when I was a girl.  We lived in an very rural setting and there were woods behind our house.  Every spring the floor of the wooded hillside looked like this.  I would spend hours picking violets and brought home large bouquets to my Mom.  Those were really good memories.

Another sure sign that the world is continuing to move forward are these gorgeous Daffodils from my neighbor's yard - actually they were closer to the ditch by the road - but it doesn't make them any less beautiful and  sign of hope.

I never saw Virginia Bluebells until I moved here - and I used to live a lot closer to Virginia than I do now!!  I think it's just a name.  I love the fact that the buds are pink - a beautiful shade of deep rose pink, but when they bloom they are this lovely blue.  I haven't seen any bluebells for a few years, but the entire hillside was covered yesterday when we walked by the creek. 

I'm still working on my quilting projects, Hue is coming along - I have the center medallion about half quilted and I am finished with the National Day blocks for April - not photographed yet but I will get around to it soon. 

Made more note cards, most of these ones have been sent out also,  want to get a couple more make and then I will have to order some more card bases as I only have about 3 more.  I'll work up an order - there are other things I'll be needing but nothing really urgent.  We are actually hanging in there fairly well.  Hubby does the shopping for groceries - I don't go anywhere - I'm at a much higher risk than he is although his risk factor is up there, but he's being careful and we are trying to eat well and take care of ourselves.  The Governor just put us on Lock Down for an additional 30 days - until the end of May. 

Talked to my daughter yesterday and we decided to hold a huge family Birthday/Anniversary/graduation/Mother's Day/Easter/and possibly 4th of July party when this is all over.  Since this started and before it ends (if it ends on May 30) we have 5 birthdays, 2 anniversaries and 1 graduation in the family.  One of those birthdays is a most important 1st birthday!! 

 

Living Under Stay At Home Order Part 4

It has been a crazy, informative time - There are many good things about the Quarantine and there are many less than good things.  There are things I thought I would miss and don't and things I didn't realize I would miss and do, and things I knew I would miss and I really miss them.  I miss seeing my grand kids and my great grand kids so very much, but then I knew that.  I miss the big family get togethers - you know the ones - they are exhausting and exasperating and so much fun!!  I miss lunch with my girls - daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters - lunch with my friends, & Coffee with my BFF. I miss Church and Bible Study and that Fellowship - but am grateful to my pastor for posting everything on the internet so we can all keep up and keep in touch.  And I miss my quilt gatherings and friends, and I miss the road trips with my quilt buddy.

I've found I have more time to help Hubby with the Spring Yard work - not something I'm thrilled about - I hate yard work - he usually calls me in when he wants something to die - if I tough a growing plant - it dies.  I have two black thumbs - I can only grow Dandelions!  I have more time for cleaning - UGH - not my favorite thing either!!

I've actually been doing laps in my driveway now that the rain has eased off and the temps are back up to something resembling Jacket weather.  I mean would you believe it - we had a couple of 70 degree days and then in one week we had TWO - not one but TWO - snow storms.  Not little flurry things but 4 - 6 inches of wet sticky stuff.

Snow on the Maple bud trying to come out.

The poor Robin in the back tree trying to avoid the snow.

I have also had plenty of time to work on my sewing.  I've been working on a Block of the month called Sophie's Garden - it is part cotton fabric with applique in wool.  I haven't done a lot of work with wool so this is a new challenge.  I also have my second Quilt of Valor  Ready to be quilted, that is going to happen as soon as I get the center of my Hue quilt Quilted.

I've also been working on my National Day Quilt  These ones are all my own design as Angie decided to take a break.  That's okay as I have been having a lot of fun with it.

April Fool's Day
Find a Rainbow Day
National Unicorn Day
Easter Sunday

I have the rest of April's days planned and/or completed but not finished and photographed.

Today I plan to try my had at making a face mask, finishing the center of the Hue Quilt and working on a Challenge put out by my favorite Quilt Shop  The Quilt Box.  Might have to help Hubby clean the front deck if it warms up a bit.

Been doing a lot of reading too mostly by comfortable, familiar authors:

Alien Allure by Hope Callaghan
Broken Bone China by Laura Childs
The Killer of Pilgrims by Susanna Gregory
Emerald by Phyllis Whitney
A Minute to Midnight by David Baldecci
Plaid and Plagiarism by Molly Mcrae

I'm looking forward to many things - a big family birthday party, a road trip to see my great-granddaughter in Chicago - a road trip with my Quilt Buddy/BFF, a Road trip with my Hubby, and a Church with all my church family.

Stay safe and Healthy.

Living Under Stay at Home Order Part 3

Our Order was supposed to be lifted on Tuesday, but things are not going well over in Chicago so the Governor has locked us down until the end of April at the earliest.  We had planned a trip for out 50th anniversary and my sister and her husband planned a party for their 25th with their daughters flying in, one from Oregon and one from Australia - but I don't believe that is going to happen.  Life is on hold for the foreseeable future.  The thing seems to be that what is separating us is also drawing us together.  My family is all seeming to be talking to each other even though there were little spats before all this started.  By talking I really mean texting - but it is still communication.  We are all cooking - my daughter was making a pot roast the other day and I've actually been cleaning out all those "Planned overs" I had in the freezer for a rainy day - well I think the rainy day has come. 

My other thing is clearing out all those old projects that have been sitting around my sewing room for YEARS! 

 This Chevron Quilt started live about 7 or so years ago when my Quilt Sister and I went to Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, MO.  I ended up not getting enough Charm Packs  so on another trip to Hancock's of Paducah I found more light that would work.  It ended up still not being enough and I scrounged to find things that would work.  Finally drew it all together and finished it - a bit smaller than I planned but done!!  It is going to the Charity pile. 

This is the 11th of my Monthly Silhouettes - I've been working on the 12 of them for at least 6 years.  They aren't all that hard to do as they are appliqued - and I do Machine work for that - it is just doing it I guess.  Anyway it was completed in the last couple of weeks.

This is a relatively new one.  It was started January 2019 as an internet BOM from Quilt Doodle Designs and the last of the blocks was posted in January 2020.  I completed the quilt on March 30, 2020 and I plan on keeping it but Don't know for sure yet.

National Crayon Day
National Puppy Day
National Quilting Day
National Real Tolkien Day

This as caught me up on my National Quilt Blocks to the end of March.  I'm working on April 1 but it is not done yet.  Hopefully Kellie will be back soon with some ideas to continue on.  It's not always easy to find a day you can transform into a quilt block.  Like what do you do with National Burrito Day!!

I am staying home and finding things to do.  We have spent two afternoons so far cleaning the yard up after the crazy winter we had.  We have at least one more day on the front yard before it begins to look normal.  I had trimmed back a couple of bushes in the late fall and didn't get them cleaned up before the snow and rains hit.  The leaves didn't get cleaned up as most of them didn't fall before the snow and rains hit, and the wind took a lot of small branches and sticks out of the front trees and all that has to be cleaned up.  What a mess!!  Oh well it gets up out in the fresh air and sunshine, both of which are good for us. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Spring has come!?

Spring has come - or is it our False Spring or our Teasing Spring or is it really Spring.  At any rate the Robins are back, the birds are singing their hearts out from the trees in the neighborhood and the sun is shining - well sometimes.  Yesterday it was foggy damp and cold, and on Tuesday it poured rain all day and was pretty chilly - but at least it wasn't ice and snow and the robins and other birds were still around and making merry music! 

Yesterday I went to my Thursday Quilting club and we had a little quilt show of the quilts we made a year or so ago.  We all used the same basic pattern but each chose a different colorway and each one had something that the maker changed - a border - a different block or something.  Each one was unique and it was amazing how different each one looked. 

This was my entry - called Autumn Stars - It was very well received - I think because of the sharp contrast with the background - it made everything pop out.  I'm pleased with the results.  

I'm still working on my National Days/Months blocks.  this is really fun project  If you would like to join in - the National Days Tutorials are at I think it needs stitches Blog.

National Gingerbread House Day
National Tea Month (January)
National Heart Healthy Month (February)
National Umbrella Day

National Groundhog Day
Mickey Mouse Birthday
National Cake Day
Valentine's Day

National Handwriting Day
National Flashlight Day
National Cupcake Day
National Necktie Month (December)

I will be teaching a class on paper piecing in a few weeks and I really need to get busy on my lesson plan and my sample - I have it started but the most difficult part is actually sitting down and doing it.  I want to get on that today.  I also have a couple of quilts to finish for the Quilts of Compassion drive for those affected my the Tornado in Tennessee.  Check out their Facebook Page HERE.

I am an avid reader, from Dr Seuss to David Baldecci to Jane Austen  Occasionally I find one I don't like and there are certain types of books I won't read - but I love books - too many books and not enough hours to read them.

I rediscovered Charlotte McLeod  I loved her in the past and have started reading her again - it is as much fun as it was the first time around.  So far I've read

The Family Vault - A Sarah Kelling & Max Bittershon Mystery

God Rest Ye Merry  - A Peter Shandy Mystery

Others include:

One Good Deed by David Baldecci

Tucan Keep a Secret - Donna Andrews

Pirates in Peril and Matrimony & Murder by Hope Callaghan

It's a new world!!

Well, It will be a new world for me soon.  So many things are happening.  I had to have cataract surgery a week ago Tuesday - and another one next Tuesday.  Seeing is a bit difficult right now - but surprisingly - out of my left eye - I can see pretty well - which only makes the right eye seem worse!!  By this time next week I will have a bright new world. 

I have finally completed a couple of things.  After my disaster last year, not a lot got done.  But the other day I made a pattern for and made a vinyl lined bag for when I am able to return to water aerobics. 

I still need to make a couple of drawstring bags to put in it for my shower gel and sundry things - just procrastinating on that. 

I also just finished a quilt.  I quilted it on my domestic machine in a version of quilt as you go that I worked out myself. 

I've called it Stars on the Prairie.  It started life as a BOM but there were some things I didn't care for so I redid them to my liking.  It is 90" x 90".  I know it will be gifted to someone, I just don't know who yet.

Working on the pattern for our Lydia Circle Guilds new BOM for this year.  Have the quilt designed, just need to get the first month's pattern together.  It's called Life's Journey. 

Well I need to get some things accomplished so be ready for my eye surgery next week.