International Quilting Weekend Doings!

Dresden is trying to keep the quilt from falling as I bind.

Or that is what his look said, but really he just wanted me to stop sewing, pay attention to him, give some belly tickles and let him settle right in, right where he was.

Oh Dresden!

I know the cats have felt a bit on the outs since I first walked Zoey through the Quiltville Post Office door.

Now when I come through they are wary – “Does she have that thing with her – or not?!”

And it’s been busy – so sometimes I have her (When the Hubster is working from the cabin he can keep Zoey so I can work at the QPO without extra puppy patrolling.)

Yesterday was hysterical!

The cats are SO curious.  And I was trying so hard to get Zoey trained to STAY on her bed. (I think we are mastering it – she did really well!)

But the cats were interested – and kept prowling closer and closer.  of course, Dresden wanted the sunny spot, dog or no dog!

What you can’t see is that Lola is just off camera in the sunny spot for the next window down.

It was a hilarious stand off.  Or Lay off.  And laughter is good for the soul, isn’t it?

Binding of choice!

If it weren’t for this “shelter at home” thing – I’d be hauling the trailer to Wallburg to bring my stash up here.  It’s not easy working on a small stash consisting mainly of Scrap User’s System strips, a small cabinet of fat quarters and “smaller than 1/2 yard pieces.” and a few tubs of various things that are stored under the table at the QPO (Mostly florals because I’ve been wanting to use those things up as backings for placemats and more.) and my string bins – some sorted by color and stored under my long arm quilting machine, and one big bucket of “accumulated everything – unsorted” next to my cutting table at the cabin.

when it came to binding – I needed a piece big enough to do the job, but something that complimented the purple.  I’m not 100% in love with this choice, but at this time I am okay with “that’s not bad.”

This big hunk of floral is no longer in the stash!

And while it is not my favorite – 7 yard of it are now gone leaving breathing space in that bin and it is FINE as a backing.  Circa 1990 something.

“You hiked me nearly 3 miles You made me ride in the car. I had to stay on my bed at the QPO while the cats prowled around and stared. We played zoomie fetch in the yard chasing balls until I couldn't run any more. And now you expect me to vacate your comfy chair so you can bind a quilt? Think again, mama!”

We did have a lovely hike – just Zoey Jo and me.

Need a drink?  Just go all the way in!

We are thrilled that she loves water – I can hardly wait for sunmer!

We explored an old abandoned farm yard.

The tree grew up where the tractor sat for decades!

Do you wanna drive, Zoey?

Who drove this last?

Who turned it off for the last time and left it sitting here?

When were cows last milked in this milking barn?

We hiked all the way up to visit the McMillians.

It’s become a pilgrimage of sorts.

This is the high spot on our hike, the perfect spot to catch your breath, check out the view, say hello to a mostly forgotten family, find gratitude in my heart that though times are uncertain right now – we have this.

Yesterday’s mask request post brought about a lot of comments, some positive, some not.

Many are throwing themselves into a mask making weekend – the perfect way to incorporate fulfilling a need during international Quilting weekend.  It’s a beautiful thing.

My friend Martha’s sister Missy works in the Emergency Department at Forsythe Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC.  They have just put out a call for homemade masks, and so my plea is going out to those in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina to PLEASE jump in and help fill this need.

While texting with Martha, I was forwarding her messages on to Lisa who lives in Winston Salem and is going to pass on the information to the Winston Salem area guilds – including Kernersville and surrounding area.  

If you are reading this before any formal request message from your guild or organization reaches you – please don’t wait to be officially called to do this.  Just begin.

I asked Martha whom they should contact with the mask delivery and they said just bring them to the emergency department and the nurses there will take care of distributing them.  She is so grateful!

Also -for those in the Winston Salem area: There are satellite hospital clinics with the same needs - please check with Kernersville or Peace Haven areas.  Let's fill this need!

They need them badly – and while they won’t stop the Covid-19 virus, they can cover the existing masks extending the life of the masks they have, and can be used in other ways.

If you don’t have elastic – even ribbon loops or sewn selvage loops will work.  Some are using cut pony tail holders -

Whatever you can do – please do.  Perhaps tag team with a friend over Skype and sew these together over the next coming weeks.

This morning the fun also begins with Gudrun Erla’s Quarantine Quilt Along!

As soon as this posts – I’ll be heading to the QPO to start sewing along with everyone else.

I’ll be going live around noon Eastern Time as Gudrun checks in with several of us through the day to see how we are progressing.

There will also be live sessions of tips, tricks, helps & hints on Gudrun’s Facebook Page.  Let’s get this day started!

I’m going Queen size!

I want the quilt to be for my son. -

The quilt does use big pieces and I spent some time last night pulling fabrics that I could get the size of rectangles needed (Free pattern on Gudrun’s site only free through today!) and I will do a bit of stash busting with those rectangles using what I have on hand.

I’m not sure how far I’ll get today, but I’m going to find out.  I need something positive and I believe this will do it.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Today: Replace worry with the determination to remain calm.

Instead of fear, cultivate kindness, patience and compassion. (Especially toward those you are sheltered up with!)

The things you focus on this morning set the tone for how this day will go.

We need positive ripples and the still voice of reason whispering "We can do this. It will be okay."

Have a lovely Sunday, everyone!