Your Efforts MATTER!

Thanks from the nurses & health care workers in Winston Salem, NC!

Our plea for help a week ago was answered by so many of our local NC quilters and beyond!

I received these photos from Martha yesterday (Her sister is a nurse in the ER at Forsythe Medical Center in Winston Salem) and holding back tears I was told that they had received enough home made masks for every member of staff to have one as supplies run out.

You have done phenomenal work, and I know many of you are reeling and feeling mask burn out.

If you need to take a day for yourself (remember, put on your own mask first before helping others! HA!) do it.  Recharge your batteries by working on your own projects, switch gears.  Make it a day of secure errand running so you are ready for the next week ahead. Whatever it is – it is important to remember that you can’t let yourself run out of gas (for yourself, or your car either way!) and self care is important.

Yes, we know that home made masks can’t stop everything, but they can HELP.  And something is better than nothing.

There is now a thing floating around the internet saying to put a layer of non-woven pellon interfacing between the two layers of fabric to act as a filter. I’m not the one with the answers on this stuff.  I think the ones left with an opening to insert any kind of disposable filter helps  - so do some research and check with our medical peeps to see what their needs are.

Click for Face Mask Pattern.

Things to know – fabric ties may be more comfortable and adjustable than elastic  ear loops as elastic can rub the behind the ear area raw.

If you don’t have elastic – cut 1’’ strips across the belly of a tee-shirt and then TUG them so they curl up.  no need to sew them – use them as elastic or cording.  We all have plenty of tee-shirts that can be put to good use.

My heart and my thanks go out to all of those who are serving in the front lines of the medical field dealing first hand with what also could infect them.

These are hard times.  The cheery masks you make may brighten a nurse’s day.

My heart and thanks go out to you too! You ARE making a difference.

In other Nursey News:

This beautiful lady is the Hubster Dave's aunt Mae, his dad's younger sister.

In the midst of all of this crisis, Aunt Mae at 82 is about to graduate with her bachelor's degree in nursing

She received her nursing certificate in the late 1950s, at the time when there wasn't a need for a college degree. There was such a high demand that nurses were able to learn on the job.

She has persevered and with her journey back to college coming to an end her daughter, Dave's cousin Lisa said her high grades are evidence that she "rocked it.”

Mae was expected to graduate this month and bring her family together to celebrate. However, with the worldwide Corona virus pandemic forcing people to stay at home, that won't be possible.

The silver lining of aunt Mae's story is while many of us feel stuck or like we're missing out, there is time to accomplish everything life has to offer.

Much like her path to education, we are being faced with obstacles that seem too challenging to overcome.

But, with determination and the willingness to accept what we cannot control, we can conquer every hurdle, even if the end result doesn't look like what we had planned.

We are so proud of you, Aunt Mae!

Martha’s 2- color Unity Quilt Along center in progress!

We talked about making units as Leaders & Enders in between mask making (And bouffant surgical caps too!) and this is how far she was when she sent the photo.  GREAT JOB!  Yes, you can do much of our Unity Quilt Along as Leaders & Enders in between working on other things.  There is no need to feel like it is “just another project” but can be worked along the side of your main project, whatever it is.

This is Tracy’s 3 color version!

Aren’t her colors the BOMB!?

There is more to see by checking our #unityquiltalong tag on Instagram.  Keep up the good work, everyone – we’ll be ready for our next round on Monday!

Getting Instant Pot Inventive!

Along with all of the canned goods and other sundries I brought up to the cabin from Wallburg – a big tub of steel cut oats.

I’d tried crock pot cooking these before.  Didn’t like the result.  They take forever to boil on the stove – stirring constantly.

So I gave it a go in the instant pot – WONDERFUL! Just put in the ingredients, set the time and go about your business.  No stirring!

Not too pretty – but realistic!

And it was so so so simple.  2 cups steel cut oats to 5 cups water  add 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla.  Cook on manual for 4 minutes and let it self release the pressure for about 20 minutes.  Then switch the pressure valve from locked to release to finish the job.  Stir and serve.

There was enough leftovers for ONE more bowl – someone can have it as a snack later.  I would say that this recipe is good for 3 servings even though it was supposed to be four.  We like big bowls of oatmeal.

I brought a lot of different dried beans up with me and am anxious to try them out in the instant pot as well.  If you have a favorite instant pot dried bean recipe – could you leave it in the comments below?

When Mama comes home!

This was yesterday when I walked in the door from working at the QPO.  Evidently I sat in HER chair and she wanted in it too.  How could I say no?

One spoiled Kelpie girl at bedtime.

She is still not herself yet.  She is leaving her stitches “mostly” alone which is good, but her appetite hasn’t really come back yet.

I have found that I can take a piece of cheese stick, make a hole in it with the point of a knife, tuck her pill right inside and she will eat the whole thing, pill and all.  So I don’t have to poke pills down her throat.

Maybe today is the day that she starts to feel more “normal”?  It’s been a big and rough 3 weeks for her.  From shelter to new home to vet from being sick, and just when she was recovering from that and starting to feel better she had a surgery.  No fun.

And this continues!

Extended through Lock Down!

We have to continue to do something to make the most of social distancing!

I have placed my stock of the Addicted to Scraps book on deep deep discount at just $15.99 (regularly $27.95) and it comes with a free PDF pattern download for my Wanderlust Table Runner.

If you've been waiting for this book - now is the time. Put your stash to good use while you retreat away at home.

You'll find it in the Quiltville Store along with other goodies you may want to add to your cart - check the NEW category to see what else we've added.

And please let me add my thanks here for helping to keep my small business running. It is making a huge difference in the lives of my family.

Stay informed, take precautions, stay home, stay safe!

Wash wash wash your hands!

Quiltville Quote of the Day

I think the trick is to be open to the wonders of any experience from the beginning.

And through it all, seek out the good around you every day.

Don't wait until it's over having to look back to find the silver lining!

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!