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Sunday, May 03, 2020

First Weekend of May -


This is Lola -

Evidently she is trying to compact the triangles back into the box to keep them from overflowing.

It feels like they are overflowing anyway.  And my current project isn’t using up enough of the small ones so there may be another paper piecing idea to put those to work soon. 

Well, maybe not THAT soon – but I’m on the lookout for something that will use small precious and pretty triangles too sweet to just toss unceremoniously into the trash.

It’s the challenge that makes it fun, right?

This was yesterday at the QPO – which turned out to be much more of a pleasant day and frankly made up for Friday’s downward spiral of events.


That “not enough seam allowance” issue?

Solved it on this one!

(Because I am bound to repeat this accident regularly it seems.)

The shortness of the seam allowance overlap was found BEFORE future triangles had surrounded the piece so I was able to add a bit more to it before continuing.

I AM including this in the quilt just to mark the day and the time in which it was sewn.

I think it is important that we record these things for future generations.

Through this whole process of shelter at home during a global pandemic I have been wishing to know what life was like for those who lived through the 1918-1920 crisis.    Was it written down and recorded in journals, diaries and day books of ordinary folks like you and me?

Are we recording this somehow so that future generations will be either proud (or appalled?) at how we handled this?

Today is Sunday May 3, 2020.

-Gas at Wilson’s is $1.37


-milk is $3.49/gal


- We are nearing 60 days of social isolation. In the US alone, there are just over 1.1 million confirmed covid19 cases with nearly 65,000 deaths as of this morning. Numbers are increasing rapidly.

- Schools have been closed since March 17th and are teaching remotely on-line. Schools will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year.

- Only “essential” retail stores are open such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies. Amazon delivery windows average 3 - 4 weeks when they used to be max. 2 days. No gyms are open, and it’s almost impossible to find weights, exercise equipment, bikes, etc.

- All extra curricular/ volunteer/business meeting and other gatherings are now on virtual meeting platforms i.e.(Zoom, House Party, Go to Meeting, Whatsap, Webex, Google Duo) the list goes on. Hang in there, life will continue and eventually, all together, we will get to a new normal!

- There are lines / tape inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart.

- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery & drive through.

- Playgrounds and sports fields are closed. Most beaches, parks and cemeteries are closed to the public. No visitors are allowed in hospitals.

- All major and minor league sports competitions have been canceled as well as kids' 
sports. The NFL draft was done virtually this week. 

-American Idol was done virtually this week.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.

- Weddings, family celebrations, and graduations have been canceled. Funerals limited to 10 people graveside.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.

- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person or on Facetime online.

-Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes and assisted living residences.

- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.

- Places of worship are closed or online. (Though some in my area still gather and ignore church closure rules.)

- We have to stay away from each other more than six feet.

- Shortage of disposable masks and gloves in hospitals.

- People are wearing masks, some places REQUIRE that you wear them to enter. People are even sewing their own cloth masks for sale or donation to medical facilities. In Virginia, face coverings are recommended, but so far not mandatory.  I am wearing a mask when I am around people.

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them! (This goes the same for flour and yeast).

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 6,8 or 9pm)

- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. the supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA, Canada and Europe have closed their borders.

- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)

- No one is traveling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.

- Wi-Fi and cell phone providers have extended their limits to provide connection to the Internet for people to continue to work from home and for students to learn from their teachers.

- Many public pool access, concerts and summer activities will not be allowed/take place.

- We don't know if baseball seasons will start, hockey season will continue/end or any summer camps, etc. will run. Lots of teen/college summer jobs are up in the air.

-Colleges have not made definite decisions about whether to take their classes online, in person, or open at all for the fall.

-K-12 has ended their school year and plans to open for the fall have so many unknowns, social distancing, new guidelines for keeping everyone safe. How will it be scheduled? Can sports and activities continue as they have?

- Society appears to be divided about whether or not we should continue to isolate or open back up and get the economy going. It's an election year and politics are messy and complicating this issue.

Why do I post this?

Next year & then every year after, this will be an annual reminder that life is precious & that nothing should be taken for granted. We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful.

The other day I had the privilege of chatting with Lyric Kinard about our situations, our families, our designer jobs.  There was no agenda – just a chat, seeing where it went.


Click to Play:


It was a lovely break and good to chat with a friend and gain their prospective and a feel for what is going on in their world as well as share my own.

While I don’t feel safe with opening up, I am very aware that folks have lost jobs, families are impacted in ways I can’t imagine and I understand the need for many to get back to work. 

But let’s do it in the safest way possible.  Storming state capitals with assault weapons dressed like soldiers from the death star is not the way to do it.

And masks may be a hassle and inconvenient, but they are necessary for the next while to get us past this.  This isn’t a time to be selfish about our own rights, but more concerned about the rights of that elderly couple next door that may be more susceptible to this disease than you think you are.

And with all of this going through our minds – we turn to our creativity to help sooth those frayed and frazzled emotions.



And some?

They just keep packing those triangles down to the bottom of the bin -

And no matter what – keep purring!


Enjoying the little things -

Our first “eat out on the porch” meal of 2020!

I will take a home grilled burger over a restaurant burger any day.  And eating outside always makes things taste better, doesn’t it?

Today Jeff is coming up to mow the inn.  I will go visit and chat with him (from 6 feet away) and catch up with how things are going with Ashlyn in their new place.  

I’ll take care of the cats at the QPO, do a bit of work there, and then get ready for tomorrow’s next clue for our Unity Quilt Along.  Are you ready for it?


Did you catch yesterday’s announcement?

To celebrate the beauty of May and Mother’s Day coming up I am putting all digital patterns in the Quiltville Store at 25٪ off using coupon code DIGITAL25.

This coupon code is good for the entire month, but code must be used at time of purchase for the sale price to be in effect. Don't forget to use the code!

No refunds if you forget, okay?

You'll find everything in the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store.

Where you will also find the Addicted to Scraps book still at the low low price of $15.99 while lock-down lasts. (June 10th here in Virginia.)

And it comes with a free Wanderlust table runner PDF pattern, so maybe instead of purchasing that one at 25% off in the digital pattern sale, you’d like it for FREE with the purchase of Addicted to Scraps?  No coupon required for the book purchase.

I have also added new goodies to the store, so check out the NEW category and see what’s there that you might also need.



Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Oh, how I love a simple nine patch!

Any amount of moving forward is still moving forward!

Sometimes progress can't be measured by the eye but it's there.

However you spend your Sunday, be safe, be happy, be grateful.



30 comments:

  1. I'm so grateful to have a home to shelter in, and to have my husband to shelter with me. Please stay safe everyone!

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  2. Hi Bonnie
    Thank you for your words. The pandemie is realy uge in USA, In the Netherlands we're slowy go up again. 11th of may elementary schools will re open, half time, half classes. I hope it isn't too soon (I am a teacher) I am so happy with my crafts and blogs to visit. Books to read, a garden to tend. Small things are important to be content with. I hope we don't forget what really matters in life, after this is all over. Wish you all the best. And a great thank you for your inspiring blog. Conny (from the Netherlands)

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  3. I either had a senior moment or exercised creativity with my Unity quilt this week. I had finished over half of the flying geese before I realized I switched the color instructions so my geese have a light body and darker wings. LOL I have decided I want to make my quilt wider so I am thinking about adding geese to the sides as well as the top. I would sent a picture except I don't do Instagram. Is there another way to send one?

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  4. Scraps for stuffing pet beds? Apparently all they really want are the scraps!😉

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  5. It makes me sad to see the list of things that have happened/changed since the pandemic began. But, I am grateful my family members are all safe for now and I have a home to shelter in. I love the picture of your first eat out. We did that last night too. Love a good grilled burger. I see you have Hellman's mayonnaise. Funny, but for the 25 years I lived in NC we loved Dukes mayonnaise and still miss it. Can't get it out west. Thanks Bonnie, for your great daily posts.

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  6. I am grateful for the chance to slow down. I will wear my mask. To protect others as well as myself. I saw a MEME that said to check on your Huggers, they are not ok. Washing hands and keeping 6' away.

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    Replies
    1. My son is a great hugger and I can see on his face how painful it is to stand 6 feet away from him. I miss it, too.

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    2. Someone put a sign on a tree that said " Hug Me" . I think that might be fun.

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  7. Oh Bonnie, You are so inspiring. I make a To-Do list every morning but I never thought to document all that is going on with this virus. You have done it so well on this blog. Thank you for everything you do for us quilters. Have a creative day. Adore your blog and first thing I read every A.M.

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  8. It hasn't been warm enough to eat outside yet, but we have grilled a few times. Darling kitty scraps!!

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  9. Thank you for being honest about where we are and stating the facts! I wish more people could see it that way. And thank you so very much for your creativity and inspiring quilts, it is quite a gift and I am thankful for that!

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  10. Bonnie - I love reading your blog always, but today's was especially heart-warming. There's just something about a cat finding comfort among the quilt scraps to remind us that a quilt truly is a purrfect hug! thank you for sharing some Lola love with us!

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  11. I don't have young children, but I wonder how they're reacting to playground closures. Imagine going for a walk, and as you pass the park, your parents tell you "no" to climbing! I've been watching Jimmy Fallon doing his show from home, as his daughter climbs all over HIM. Funny, but I don't envy them!

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  12. Bonnie- Thank you for the list of 'life during Covid19'. I think it is important to document these times. Thank you for having such positive, inspiring posts. Love seeing & hearing about your cats & Zoey as well as your quilting adventures.

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  13. Things are opening up in Arkansas but we still have a daily total of 50+ cases so it does not seem safe to me. I am elderly, have diabetes, a heart disease, high blood pressure so I believe that I will continue to stay in for a little while longer. May I say happily. I am blessed to have a beautiful home, enjoy the nature outside my door and have my quilting, reading, and anything else that seems fun to do. God has got this and there is no need for me to worry. My husband is considered essential for the infrastructure so he does have to go out daily.

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  14. I'm so excited that things have began to open up here although only at 25%. I had lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant on Fri. (ate on the patio and was able to get my fave soup which hadn't been on the limited menu during lockdown) and ate at my fave tea room which I was TRULY afraid would not be back! Both places were masked up, gloved up and cleaning meticulously. It was awesome!

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  15. I'm so glad you wrote it down! Virginia sounds very much like New Mexico except that the Navajo Nation is being hit really hard right now. We are concentrating on helping that part of our state with water, food, masks, medical care, further restrictions, even the National Guard.

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  16. Thank for your summary of the year. I am very thankful for everything. This too shall pass, keeps going thru my head. My immediate world has not changed too much. I'm normally a homebody. Your new mystery has done a lot for boosting my spirits. Thank you for that! Have a wonderful day, week and keep wearing that mask!

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  17. Your list of things that are happening is perfect. We should all also be keeping a gratitude journal; it's so easy to forget the blessings we have. You are always reminding me of those blessings, Bonnie; thank you. YOU have been added to my gratitude journal.

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  18. I enjoyed your video with Lyric today. When she mentioned the shortage of machines, it popped into my head that most sewing items are imported and once we buy up all in the US.....it is gone until importing starts up again. I have read some comments from quilters about not being able to find fabric....Michaels has fabric online. I just ordered 6 spools of 50wt thread in case that gets low. I read your blog daily and learn so much. Be safe and well.....Virtual hugs...

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  19. Love reading your posts every day! We had burgers on the grill last night too!

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  20. I live in a rural area. A friend, who is an RN in charge of an ambulatory Alzheimer's unit in our county, along with her staff is caring for 39 residents (out of 42) with Covid-19. They lost five people just last week. It is heartbreaking and I am worried for her. I don't think we will be safe from this virus until there is a vaccination or reliable treatment. And, yes, I am very grateful for my home, health, nature and quilting. I agree we all need to think of others when we are shopping by wearing masks and honoring the 6 ft. distance.

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  21. Hello from New Zealand, It is the same over here and tomorrow May 5th, at 6.30 a.m. I am taking my son to hospital for an operation and I won't be able to see him until he is released. That's hard to deal with.

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  22. My husband's grandmother started writing letters to family "back east" when she lived away from her family for 50 some years. We are reading them and learning about the 1918-1920 flu epidemic. We have no business complaining - none at all. We've also been reading the War Years when 6 of her sons, one daughter, and several sons in law were in uniform at the same time. We have no business toting guns into the capital and demanding our "rights" if we first have not taken care of our responsibilities. We are thankful today that grandma's daughter in law saved many of those letters and that her grand daughter is compiling them and we are still encouraged by them. I have been writing a weekly letter for 38 years because I too moved away from family and I have saved a copy of every one. Someday I hope my grandchildren will see that we struggled to live with grace, unselfishness, and service to others through these days. Thank you for not only inspiring my quilting, but also inspiring my heart. God bless you with good health and safety.

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    1. I am tired of hearing people demanding their rights while endangering other people. One thing I always remembered from a law course I took in college. Our professor used to say "your rights end at the end of my nose." This is a time for us to work together to get through this and not endanger those on the front lines. People who refuse to abide by the safe distancing rules endanger everyone. Before my Mom was even born, her parents lost a baby son to the 1918 flu epidemic. I remember my grandfather only speaking of that once and that was to say he held the baby's small coffin on his lap going to the cemetery. They were very sad times then and they are now. Today, we know more about social distancing and cleanliness. It's sad that some people think that should not apply to them.

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  23. It does make me wonder why we can wander quite populated in Walmart.... and it is impossible for a guy to get a haircut in a simple shop with maybe three people. That is just wrong. I do hope the ones that are screaming for true non-essential businesses to reopen are fully prepared to deal with the precautions and safety standards. How should we deal with that. Not everyone has a MS in Orgo Chem like me. I am fastidious.
    I love your kitty. Mine nap in my scrap bins too

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  24. It is always so fun to stop by your blog when I have a minute... seems like I spend less time blog reading with covid . I loved your chat with Lyric... she is precious and you are amazing ... what a fun chat you shared! Thanks :) Happy sewing Bonnie! Thanks for the sale in your store too <3 Kathi

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  25. Lola looks so cute and extremely comfortable in your box of scraps.
    Thank you for your words of wisdom, even here in the Channel Islands were our virus figures are not as extreme as mainland uk we still need to be cautious and follow the protocols. Everyone needs to remember they are for our protection as nobody want to loose a loved one.
    Stay safe
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne xxx

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  26. Hi Bonnie, you did such a great job outlining and covering the worlds situation today. It was so easy to understand in simple words. If people would only follow the rules and self distance and isolate when needed we would all be a lot safer and this would end a lot sooner. Please take care.

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