Sew Many Blocks!

I did the deed!

Last night while enjoying a long phone conversation with a friend, I emptied my basket of Shoo Fly Shoo Leader & Ender blocks and began to pin them in sets of 10.

“There has to be at least 100 blocks in this basket!” was my thought.

And then after we had made our goodbyes and talk-to-you-laters I counted the little pinned up bundles.

There are 283 blocks here!  TWOHUNDREDANDEIGHTYTHREE!!

Well okay then.  It’s DEFINITELY time to do something about them.

But what about the remaining stack of kitted up bits, pieces and parts?  I’m going to finish them too.  And it’s likely I’ll get 2 quilts from the lot rather than go king size.

My focal size for quilts these days being somewhere around 70 x 90 to fit twin beds for guess where?  Quiltville Inn!

192 blocks set 12 x 16 with 1 1/2’’ x 4 1/2’’ cut sashing plus borders will just about bring me to that.

For an alternate layout I might try the leftover blocks on point with a plain setting square – either choose one color and go scrappy within that color family or even – GASP – choose one piece of yardage to play on-point with?

And then there is always the fun of that zig-zag setting I love so much.  We shall see.

Life in Grayson County VA -

Where it is perfectly acceptable to drive your hay tractor complete with bale spike up the highway to drop off the wife's mail at the USPS!

This happened yesterday and it just gave me the giggles.

If you look closely in the cab – there is a man wondering who this crazy lady is whipping out her cell phone to take a photo of his rig. #shethinksmytractorssexy  Hahaha!

My day was much like this -

Get all of the mail out.  Meet up with Martha and Don for lunch at the Corner Market Cafe, 4 miles up the road from Quiltville Inn.

Go back to the QPO and load all of the boxes that are going with me today to Bedford, Virginia for our two workshop days ahead.

Decide that the back room at the QPO also needs a good clean out and rearrange, which lead to even the mopping of floors (Oh, what a glamorous life!)

I was home by 4:30 pm, but then was informed that we had to go to West Jefferson for a Lowes/Walmart run and I said “Okay, then – if we are doing that I need a stop at Dollar Tree!”  “Okay, if we are doing that, we are eating dinner out!”  “Well, okay then!”

We picked up supplies to install hand rails on the front brick walkway steps that lead to the front steps  going up to the porch at the inn.  It’s going to be a big job, but I realized over the past couple of events that a hand rail there is really needed.

Poor guy – he has quite the list of “This needs to be done…..” before the next group comes next week.  Not all of it will be done, but he will make head way while I am away teaching.

Blue Binding Done!

By the time we were back, groceries unpacked – this was the ONLY stitching that happened last evening.  2 episodes of CSI and I was ready for bed. 

String placemat tutorial found under the free patterns tab at the top of the blog.

Love this for the backing!

That leaves only 4 left to finish.  I am bringing them with me to Bedford as I just don’t think there will be machine sewing time over the next couple of nights – long busy full class days, and evening dinners out – it’s only 2 nights and this will do.

Remembering Mark 4 years ago.

I love flipping through my Facebook and Google Photos memories to see what happened on this day in previous years.  Little did I know when I started Facebooking 12 years ago, that I would have this blessing of all of these captured moments at hand.

This is where we were 4 years ago.  Mark on his motorcycle while dad and I road on his.

I miss him so much.

The truth is, we slog through each day, doing our best to stay positive, looking and working toward the future, pushing pain and heartache aside, reminding ourselves that this is the way of life.

We will lose people we will love.  People who love us will miss us when it is our turn.  But these memories will always be brought to the surface bringing with them a flood of emotion.

How fast does 4 years fly?

And how is it I still have those tennis shoes? LOL

It’s been a year and a half since Mark left us.

But looking at this photo I feel the warmth of that sunshine and even the smell of boat fuel on water floods my memory as I look at this photo.  I can hear the lapping of the wake against the dock.

Oh, how I miss my brother.

Rio Verde, Feb 20, 2016.

And we savor the memories.

(And I wish it was that warm here today!)

For all of the family who find themselves exasperated by my ever-present photo taking -  

This is why I do it.

Thank you for letting me share my heart. 

Today – I’m out as early as I can – as soon as I can send this off – There is snow expected this morning and I need to get my van up the road in a northeasterly direction to avoid the brunt of it before it comes in.

I’ll still have some in Bedford/Lynchburg, but it will be loads less than what is predicted here,and I want to be off of I- 81.

Will there be antique mall wanderings on my way? I hope so!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Quilt shared at my visit 2 years ago by Kevin Womack 

Being thankful opens our eyes and hearts to see more to be thankful for.

I am so grateful and looking forward to my time with the quilters of the Peaks & Pieces quilt guild of Bedford, Virginia this weekend! !

My drive is only 130 miles - let's see how just how long I can drag it out! Lol!