When it is heavy on your mind that you haven’t written in two weeks and your browser opens to the “write” page, twice, you know the universe may be sending you a message. So, here I am, glad to be here with you so let’s get started…..

Two weeks. I finished the class that had the free motion quilting blocks. It wasn’t necessary and I had other things I wanted to do, but it is important to me to finish things, to a degree, and I wanted the practice. I like the blocks. They are no where near perfect! Not in the cutting, piecing or quilting, but I picked colors I liked and being at the machine is always good.

Then I decided to get distracted by my desire/need to have better pincushions. I did some research and got supplies, like crushed walnut shells which I re-bagged and scented with a variety of essential oils. I had also found a cute little bird pattern and decided to make it to go with the hopscotch quilt to give to my aunt. I may be odd, but I don’t like the idea of sticking pins in an animal, but it will complement the gift. It’s almost finished, just the hand sewing to attach parts and close, but I’ll share that when done.

I am quilting the hopscotch quilt!! Over half way through. I gave up for a while – hence the pincushions and birds – because, again, the kid was home or I was waiting to hear I needed to get her. All I can say is that we do not winter well. She missed a lot of school last year too in the dead of winter. What I don’t know is if it is a winter thing, or being in the house thing – there are some issues with where we are living and maybe some underlying problems affecting out health, but did move here after years in hot places. On that note, we said we would stay where she could continue at the same school til my daughter was matched for residency (in March 2020), but not necessarily in the same house. I am practicing all my spiritual principles of prosperity and gave up lack and limiting thinking for Lent, but that’s a whole ‘nother subject!

I am using one of the pincushions I made as I remove the basting safety pins as I work on the quilt. it was pretty easy to tuck them in the case in the drawer as I went, but I noticed I was struggling with some that weren’t sharp enough, hence the ground walnut shells. I have another I made some time back that has very fine steel wool surrounded by batting, but the humidity here had me questioning how long that would be clean and neat.

I began to wonder how usable this was going to be. There are a lot of overlapping fabrics with tiny patchwork, and then the batting and close quilting and how packed it was for shape. I was pleasantly surprised that the safety pins went in pretty smooth. I may have a new obsession and use for tiny scraps! If only there were people I could share them with – no one close sews. More for me and maybe decoration for the craft room I dream of, which is a consideration for what to do with those practice blocks! The long pincushions are the same fabric as the practice blocks with some pink added to brighten them up. Hmmm.

But for now, it is the quilting on Hopscotch! There have been a couple of places I picked out some messy stitches, but for the most part I am accepting that even though it is to be a gift, I am still learning and it is okay to not be perfect – otherwise, I would not be able to complete anything. I’ve got a quilt top in my stack from maybe 18 years ago waiting for me to be able to do it right – no more. Anyway, want a peek of Hopscotch in progress?

I had to let my wonderful daughter-in-law know her gift would not be finished in time for her birthday, but sadly, that is almost expected from me. I love that I am getting better at figuring time frames and getting things done and won’t wallow in befores. I also know that when the kid is home for weather, power outages or ill health, that is priority and I can’t be focused on the next stitch, speed of machine, placement of hands, gathering of bulk, AND deal with a bored, not feeling well beloved child. Little projects, like the pincushions, are great to toss in here and there. She’d rather I was making coats for her stuffed animals and has great creative ideas, like someone else I know. Oh – her school had her book parade the other day. The kids are to dress as a character from their favorite book and walk the halls and in front of the bleachers of parents. She stuck with her same thing from last year, the dinosaur tail and mitts to go with her dinosaur facts book. I guess I didn’t post that before so here you go – last years pic….

I went to her classroom after the parade to see if she was going to stay for after school play or had had enough. She is still recovering and generally won’t push health wise, especially since the after school care wouldn’t let her call home earlier in the week – and she was visibly ill, as in poor color, swollen throat and so on! In the classroom, the teacher’s assistant, I think she calls her the para, says across the classroom, “Are you her grandma? You are the best grandma ever!” I am an introvert, a hermit. Yes, I was a church minister and in front of and with people a lot, but that was with that grand purpose and many years ago. Now I live very quietly, so it was awkward and pleasing all at once. Then I remembered she is the one that wants a zebra hat! And, of course, Indigo wanting to give her one adds to the “grandma make me….” list. One of the kids asked me if it took months to make that tail. I wish I could make one for every kid there!! I even researched the cost and it’s the stuffing that makes it unfeasible for us right now. Wondering about alternatives that would be light enough if you have any suggestions! This is a very poor area and little things make a difference. The teacher told me that same day, (I felt like a star with all the attention) how much it meant that Indigo had taken a bag of oranges in to share a few weeks back.

But, no dinosaur tails today. Today’s agenda is finishing laundry so we are ready to start a new week, putting a second coat of paint an old chest of drawers (yes, there are projects that don’t involve a sewing machine) and QUILTING! Listening to prosperity classes as I sew has been great. It’s the weekend, the kid is home today, but so is mom and she is awake since she didn’t work last night. I know other things will pop up today like, oops, groceries, but hey, I got my time with you! Yay!

Love you – take care of yourself and I’ll be back next week.

Cathy