Hello, Monday!

There is something very satisfying about putting the last stitches into ANY project – whether big or small.

I finished the binding, hanging sleeve and label stitching on my Heritage Quilters, Illinois signature quilt last night with a smile.

I re-read each name, each wish and word.

I was transported back to March of this year, iffy weather that included snow flurries (and total snow dumpings!) and the promise of spring around the corner.

A week of beautiful clear skies and lake views – but that Chicago wind – oh, boy!

But mostly I remember the smiles and the excitement and the fun of being in the midst of all of this constructive creativity.

Ready to hang at Quiltville Inn!

I’m already dreaming up what my next small project will be. 

I also received a lovely stack of gifted “thinking of you” blocks while teaching in Pennsylvania for our Summer Series with Mary’s Quilt Shop.  Ladies and gents, these blocks are WONDERFUL.  

I haven’t decided if I will do several different small quilts with them, or make them into bed quilts for the Inn for others to snuggle under – i am letting the ideas percolate and hopefully will be able to dive into them during our long winter months ahead.

I’m also playing with my Leader & Ender units!

These are growing nicely as Leaders & Enders in between the other project piecing I’m doing.  There is quite a stack here on my table, and on my design wall.  Final layouts for this project are as of yet undecided – but this challenge goes all the way until next July – so there is no rush.

if you build the units, the quilt will come!

Have you joined in yet?  You’ll find the pattern and instructions for Jewel Box Stars under the free patterns tab at the top of the blog. 

2’’ squares + 3 1/2’’ strips + Essential Triangle Tool will have you on your way in no time.

But remember – it’s not a race – it’s a Leader & Ender project and it is supposed to take A WHILE for these units to become enough for a quilt.  It’s not the main course.  It’s the dessert!

I mentioned yesterday about the problem with the automatic gate to the laneway up to the cabin.  Turns out, a whole new gate was needed.

The old one was about 20 years old, rust had taken over in places, it was heavy and causing a strain on the automatic opener -

Now check THIS out!  Click to play:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Sep 22, 2018 at 4:01pm PDT

Much much much better!

And once the leaves are gone, the solar power will keep the battery charged and we won’t have to swap it out every couple of months the way we do in the summer when the leaf cover prevents the sun from hitting the solar panel.

Things are starting to yellow -

Leaves are becoming evident on the ground!

Yesterday afternoon there was quite a breeze and I actually witnessed a flurry of leaves on the air – flitting this way and that until they found a place to land on the lane way.

It’s going.  Summer is actually gone – I’m not quite ready for pumpkins yet, but I will be by October 1st.  Just give me another week of September please!

Other signs of fall on the way -

This photo was actually taken by trail cam in August – but look at the rack on this guy!  I think he was surprised by the click of the trail cam – he looks startled!  Look at the velvet on his antlers – a 6 point!  Not quite in the rut yet, but soon.

And there are still bear in them woods!

Oh, baby!

This is a young one – so where is mama?

Yesterday afternoon we went to meet the contractor at the Quiltville Post Office to establish a plan for replacing the windows  - we are down to the wire and I hope that they can still be done by Thanksgiving time.  They want to get them installed before we get too cold and rainy as the old windows have to be OUT before new ones can go IN – there is drywall and repainting to deal with as well.

You know all of those best laid plans with home remodels?  Double it for commercial things like this.  Windows are on order and we should be going shortly.

Meanwhile, the electrical guy said he should be able to start on the floor plugs for the Quilting Quarters within the next week or so as well. 

I’m just anxious for something to begin – somewhere.  Soon.

Just a few new things…

The dresser goes with Jean & Jerry’s bedroom set.  I have paired it with a vintage oak framed mirror that was hung yesterday – a piece that was given to me by Holly when I was in Louisville at the end of July.  It’s perfect here.

The beautiful Victorian style lamp is one I picked up from Wendy on Friday – I’m in search of someone who does lamp repair – there is a spot on the metal piece between the two globes that needs a bit of repair, and to have the electrical checked out.  It’s a BEAUTIFUL lamp – and it’s GREEN.  So it goes in the green bedroom #2 don’t you agree?

I’ve spent the weekend at the machine working on projects – and it feels good to be making some positive progress on things that needed seeing to.

It doesn’t mean I don’t have my “moments.” but I’m getting better at taking things one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.

And it helps being here surrounded by these mountains.

Quiltville Quote of the Day.

I love the simplicity of this cozy four-patch!

As we start this new week ahead, remember to take some time not to be anything, to do anything but just to simply BE.

Have a wonderful Monday!