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Sunday, December 23, 2018

It’s Mountain Time!

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Balm to my soul, this is my bliss!

I arrived in Virginia yesterday afternoon, the van full to overflowing with groceries, quilt projects, items for Quiltville Inn – my clothes for a week, my backpack with my laptop and busy bag – It’s full on Christmas mode time.

There is a definitely “elevation line” as I climb up and over  the mountains on highway 16 leading north out of Wilkesboro, North Carolina.  the road rises steadily through Miller’s Creek, through Wilbur (also nicknamed  “the flats” by us) -  and up toward the Blue Ridge Parkway before finally reaching Jefferson, NC and onward to the Virginia state line.

The roads were clear with no snow until just before the parkway – By the time you have gone under the parkway overpass, temps have dropped 10 degrees from the high 40s to into the 30s and snow is still visible along the sides of the road, in yards, fields, farms, and definitely on the mountains in the distance – the remains of 20’’ of snowfall a couple of weeks ago.

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Brrrr, baby, brrrr!

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Sadie had the right idea -

Groceries were offloaded and put away, projects set in the cabin studio, suitcases and other items brought in to their destinations – and then the one thing I had been dreaming of for the past 4 weeks or more – a good long afternoon cabin nap.  No traffic noise, no neighbor noise – no mail to get out – just time for battery re-charging and THEN down to the cabin studio.

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First this happened.

I cleaned out the “leftover parts department” from a cabinet in my sewing room at home.  Left over bonus triangles, four-patches (Oh my gosh, I think I found enough to finish my Jewel Box Stars Leader & Ender challenge quilt!) and some  other stuff that just needed to be pitched. 

Do these four-patches look familiar to anyone?  They were left from last year’s Checkerboard Rails challenge! 

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Oh yes, this is getting cuter by the minute!

What a quick fix!

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One more border to go!

Way to let the fabric age to perfection! Evidently it takes 26 years to do it right. LOL!

I wish they never stopped putting the dates on selvages.  I love to see how long something has been archived before I put it to good use, don't you?

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No matter the age - it is the “Right” rusty red – and out of the cabin stash!

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I am so happy to find this piece in the cabin stash and have it gone - but also have it be the same era as the other fabrics in this UFO quilt top.  Some how it just works.  And isn’t that what matters?

I’d love to find a black/white stripe to use as binding – but we will see.

There were pork chops on the grill, garlic mashed potatoes and salad for dinner, followed by a family tradition of Home Alone on the TV with a fire blazing in the hearth. There was much hand quilting of Baptist Fans on the never-ending Oak Leaf quilt.  Life is so so so so good!

On the play list for the next few nights - Holiday Inn (We've already watched White Christmas) and perhaps a good long series of Harry Potter to hand stitch to.  I know that's a weird combo, but whatever floats the boy's boats and keeps our family in one room at the same time minus phones right?

We are missing Jason this year, but we plan on a video call on Christmas day.

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Good morning, world!

Son Jeff, Sadie and I caught the sunrise this morning while the Hubster caught a few more Zzzz’s.  Sunrises are my favorite time of day up here – especially in the winter when you can see the sun rise behind the ridges in the distance.  I feel cheated if I miss a sunrise.  They just set my day on course.

The course for today?  It’s already started around here.  Jeff and Dave hung a new roller shade in my cabin studio over the sliding glass doors so that I can filter out some of that sun that is just too much too much too much when trying to work at my computer.  I think they deserve a grand breakfast after their early morning efforts while I sat typing this blog post.

There will be a wander over to the Inn later.  I have some things to drop off, and there are decisions to be made on building out the hearth underneath the wood stove in the den to meet insurance specifications.  We may be heading over to Lowes to pick out what tile I want and figure out how we are going to edge it.  There is some “wood plank” looking tile that may blend well with the original wood floor that is already there.

But then again – we women can change our minds at any given moment and maybe I don’t want it to MATCH – maybe it needs to be it’s own decorating feature?  So we will see what they have to offer. 

I have already been given the kabosh on ANYTHING hexagon related.  LOL.

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Quiltville Quote of the Day!

String Star quilt photo shared by Kevin the Quilter.

I am up to this challenge - are you?

Joy and happiness to close out 2018 and full on focus for 2019.

Have a peaceful joy-filled Sunday, friends!



25 comments:

  1. The joy and peace of these mountains never stop. Thank you for sharing your days with us and for providing so much quilty fun. ♥

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  2. Go rest high on that mountain! Ear worm for the day. Enjoy and rest! Marilyn Marks, Cherokee, AL

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  3. i agree about aging fabric...and i have some that old in my stash as well...like fine wine it is!

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  4. Hearth idea. Make your designer mark and let it be a quilt pattern. Remember you want people to see it clearly and not create a tripping/safety hazard.

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    1. My thoughts also. While similar wood looking tiles sound nice, Something to let people know "hey, don't trip over me!" would be needed.

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  5. A Harry Potter marathon is exactly what I’m doing this weekend while finishing up some Christmas gifts. Have a wonderful family time and Merry Christmas! Mary K. In Wa.

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  6. Sounds like a Wonderful time. I think I can hear the soft sighs of relaxation from here. Enjoy.

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  7. Rest well Bonnie Hunter! Thanks for all you do for us. You are such a blessing.Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Tracy

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  8. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas. So nice of you to share with all of us, so we can enjoy vicariously. I'm enjoying playing in my creative space all day, then relaxing by the kiva with a Christmas book in the evenings. Indeed life is good, feel quite fortunate and grateful.

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  9. Merry Christmas Bonnie!
    A rest well deserved..

    Deb in Circle Pines MN

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  10. Almost heaven. I did go up to see the ponies at Grayson Highlands this year so I know how beautiful your area is and that you are surrounded by wonder. That is a great boost to Christmas spirit.

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  11. So glad that you've arrived safely at Quilt Villa to breathe and hunker down with your family for some much deserved relaxation and rejuvenation of your soul. God Bless you all. Merry Christmas Bonnie.

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  12. Merry Christmas dear Bonnie!

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  13. I wonder what that quilt would look like with the red border next to the triangles and then the checkerboard border?

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  14. Have a glorious Christmas and peaceful New Year Miss Bonnie. Thank you for your inspiration and all your hard work for us quilting ladies and gentlemen.

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  15. Bonnie, I had all of the ceramic tile, engineered hardwood and carpet removed from my entire main floor of the house and had Luxury Vinyl Plank Tile installed. It looks exactly like wood and it is 100% waterproof (not water 'resistant' which means water can stand on it only for a short period of time). LOVE it and cleanup is fantastic! Last night we had a Christmas Party with 38 guests. A glass of red wine got turned over and lots of droppings and crumbs of food. Cleanup was a breeze! I have an iRobot vacuum and an Aqua Spray Mop (fill reservoir with water)for cleaning (steam mops are not recommended for this type of flooring). I also removed the carpet and installed LVT in my sewing room and sewing room closet. LVT is great to walk on too!

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  16. I love your finish. You used up parts and pieces and came up with a super cute new piece. Wishing you a relaxing and wonderful Christmas with your family. Take care of yourself!

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  17. Always love black and white checkerboard with red. May you have a blessed holiday filled with peace.

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  18. The hst’s and checkerboard with that rusty red are delightful, love your imagination to put these together.
    Shame your missing Jason this year but it’s a sad thing they grow up and move on, we are blessed this year and both my daughters will be here with their 2 children it’s Taya’s first Christmas so it will enunciate to see her reactions. She is 6 months old and the happiest little girl. My grandson is 8 and very sweet with his new cousin, she only has eyes for Jack when he is around lol.
    Enjoy your Christmas do you hav3 a neighbor popping in for the 3 cats? I’m sure youll miss them but your rest time is needed.
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne

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  19. I’m pretty sure I have a black and white stripe for your binding, should you not find one in your stash. Merry Christmas! Thanks for an enjoyable year of re ding your blog!

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  20. Sooooooooooooooooo Glad I Live in TEXAS!!!!!!!!!

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  21. Merry Christmas to you and all those close to you. Blessings for health and happiness in the New year. Thank you for all you do and share with us.

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  22. Re the binding on the triangle time span quilt--how about some sort of check or plaid? Just saying. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  23. Sounds like a perfect beginning to a family Christmas! Since moving to Florida from Michigan,
    And leaving our 4 adult kids a year and a half ago, we are really missing them. Only one has the means to come here to visit, and unfortunately we are unable to make a trip back for the Holidays. Treasure the family that you have, as we will be thinking a lot of ours back home. Enjoy your well deserved down time. Thank you for sharing with us. Merry Christmas!

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  24. Have a very happy Christmas Bonnie with the family and recharge your batteries, thank you so much for all you do.

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