>>>>

Monday, August 10, 2020

Sunday - Post Earthquake -


Sunday morning New River views.

I kept waiting for aftershocks.

Growing up in San Jose, California – in the San Francisco bay area, we ALWAYS watched and waited for aftershocks whenever an earthquake of any size rumbled through.

Truth be told, there were very few of note that happened during my childhood.  Any of the devastating ones that toppled bridges and overpasses happened after I had moved away, gotten married, and started a family far away from the old stomping grounds of my youth.

Yesterday was different.  It’s not that earthquakes don’t happen here – they can happen anywhere.  It was just so oddly unexpected, like an out of body experience of “can this be real?”

What happened yesterday is the strongest earthquake to happen in this area since 1916.

For those wondering, the epicenter just south of Sparta, NC is only a 20 minute drive from Quiltville Inn.


Your NC week in review – LOL!

But other than that – the day settled into that lazy kind of summer loveliness, not much breeze, just sunshine, heat and the sound of cicadas all around.

Son Jeff came up from Jonesville NC (On the other side of Sparta, down past Elkin) to mow the lawn at Quiltville Inn.  We had a good visit with much talk of the quake.

I was just glad that no china fell out of the china cabinet and broke, no bookcases toppled over.

And it had me thinking back to that 1916 quake and how the folks who lived in the house at that time would have reacted.


Our hike up Round House Road beneath a cloudless sky.


Water rushing down the mountain to the river.

Click to Play:



In Sparta, closer to the epicenter.

Some homes were shaken off their foundations.  Some chimneys fell.  I didn’t hear of anyone losing their life – but seriously – 2020!  Are you done yet?

I did spend part of my afternoon getting the green string border on the Blossom Time quilt!

r

And while I was cutting and measuring -

And looking and realizing -

WHY does this border work so well when nothing else would?

It’s all in the leaves/stems of the blocks!  There are so many different greens within the quilt that not one single green would work as a border.  And the floral prints with multiple colors that I pulled out to try wouldn’t work either.

NOTHING said “YES!” to me until I pulled out Robin’s string blocks and chopped them into rectangles and pieced them together to be this border.


And it’s even better – if there is a bit of Elvis!


And a green M&M!!

In other studio news:


These three, getting along great!


Lola – being even being a bit vulnerable!

This is NEW!


And even eating their treats together!

It has been almost 2 weeks now.  And things are looking UP!  I’m not sure that they will ever curl up together and sleep.  Lola never did that with Dresden, he was too dominant.  But who knows with these two.  It seems to be just a bit better every day.

My plan for this Monday?  I hope to get a backing pieced for the Blossom Time Quilt – which turned out Queen size due to block sashings, sashings between the blocks and borders.  So much for keeping it a Twin! LOL! 

Don’t you agree that a quilt will let you know what it needs, and when it is done?  That’s my story anyway.

If I get a backing done, there will be quilting to come next.  And I can’t wait to get it loaded into the machine.

It’s going to be a scrappy green back – bigger quilts use more fabric, and that is a good thing too.

How about your Monday? Anything in the works?



Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Vintage Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt shared by Cathy.

Perspectives change. Things become more clear the longer we live.

Maybe a side effect of 2020 is learning to focus on what is truly important.

And the orange in this quilt is signaling to me that I am ready for pumpkin flavored everything!



28 comments:

  1. You are right, the string border is perfect on your beautiful quilt. I have never been enthralled with tulip quilts before - but OMG, this one is incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you had no earthquake damage.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I truly feel that one good thing from this challenging year called 2020 that has slowed us all down is that we get to experience the shift in our lives to see what is really important. This is something to be grateful for. My heart goes out to those who have lost so much during this time. I am trying to be aware of what I can do when I notice someone's loss, is there a part I can play? Really enjoyed the video.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lol! Pumpkin anything has no appeal to me, and that is ok. If we all liked the same things life would be boring.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This played over and over in my mind yesterday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zstZkoGyZS4. Glad to see that all of the furry babies are getting along so well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. talk about serendipity -- perfect border for that quilt, wow! and look, maybe the uncertainty f the quake encouraged the critters to join up!!! All 3 being female might have something to do with it... and all are adopted! LOL and so greatly loved, how could they not come together? Happy summer day! again, thanks for your contribution to my life... be healthy all y'all Cats in Carlsbad CA

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loving the string pieced border! Yay the cats are getting closer and I too am READY for Fall evrtything :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that border, it is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad to hear you only felt the earthquake and had no damage
    It’s being a different kind of year my microwave died in (?) April refrigerator died last week I ordered one but it can’t come until September I can’t risk my life to go try to find one to come sooner patient is my new life ❤️👵🏻

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fall displays are out at Walmart, so pumpkin "everything" can't be far behind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You mean Walmart doesn't have the Christmas stuff out yet? Haven't been in one since March. Bet Hobby Lobby has some Christmas decor out, after all it's August already! LOL

      Delete
  11. I love the blossom quilt. You are amazing!
    When you mentioned Pumpkin, I remembered a sign on a radiator shop last year that said. "We will flush your radiator...with pumpkin spice" I got a good laugh. It seems like everything was flavored with pumpkin spice so, why not.
    Make it a great day! Thanks for everything you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Earthquakes always intrigued me. I spent most of my life in the "Bay Area" and felt enough of them to last me a lifetime. Truth be told, it wouldn't bother me at all to never feel another!
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful and fun pictures. I loved the sound of the creek, it's so soothing.
    Your animals continue to entertain me! Zoey is a hoot and the cats are wonderful. I don't know what I would do without my furbabies!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I so enjoy your blog Bonnie! We see something quilty going on everyday, on going fur baby antics, beautiful glimpses of life in Virginia & a whole Inn dedicated to quilting, plus life inspirations!

    I love your Bloom Time quilt and the border IS perfect! Yes, our quilts speak to us! I rarely know exactly how I will finish a quilt, or even totally design it, until I begin to cut & sew blocks & they are on my design wall ;-) ... that’s part of the fun for me! I know many ppl love to design with a computer but I want to touch & feel the fabric & have the happy surprises when it’s actually coming together!!

    Have a blessed day! And no more earthquakes!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Green String border for the WIN, Bonnie!! Good to see that Lola and Ivy are getting along better. WAIT!! Pumpkin season was supposed to end?! I've been eating pumpkin flavored yogurt all year long. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Maybe Lola just needs a friend. Dresden my have overpowered her personality. 🤔

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the quilt! It's now on my bucket list! However right now I am wanting to do a quilt in autumn colors...maybe a maple leaf pattern. I love pumpkin spice! But I save it for October thru January. My birthday is in September, so I hold on to "Summer" until my birthday. I will do apple spice in September though.😄

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes pumpkin flavored is speaking to me as well. Blossom quilt is a beautiful quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh how much fun to see Zoey, Lola and Ivy that close together.
    Having treats together.....wow!!! They are really warming up to one another.
    Someday, when it's cold, I'm looking forward to seeing them all three curled up together:):):)
    Grateful you had no damage from the earthquake.
    Robins string blocks are perfect for the border on your quilt. Don't you love it when you come up with just the right combination!!
    Have a great rest of the day!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Working away on my Gypsy Wife quilt, got to dig into the scrap boxes for quite a bit of variety. Really trying to get this one done because it needs to be on the design wall until it is finished! This needs about 60 different background strips, of varying lengths. Amazing how my box of fabric for this quilt is just getting fuller. It was supposed to use up the box! It has another quilt or two still in there. A star quilt will be created with the leftovers, then maybe a log cabin?

    ReplyDelete
  20. My mind is blown by the NC Checklist!! You share with us the most beautiful scenery and, of course, beautiful quilts! ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have been reading your blog for years, following every quilty word and loving it. Now it would be OK with me if it was all Zoey Jo, all the time. She is the star of the show as I see it. Thanks for being the most generous person on Earth.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Scary earthquake! But fantastic the puddytats and Zoey are all getting on. Best news of the day!
    Love the border - it is perfect uh huh uh, thank you very much! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  23. When I heard about the earthquake, I knew that it had to be close to you, as I live in eastern TN. I'm glad that you suffered no permanent damage to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have some friends who felt the earthquake as well and they are in NC. We had a tornado go through our area late yesterday afternoon. There was a lot of damage and there is still power outages. We were blessed not to suffer any downed branches or power outage. I was glad since my 95 year old mom lives with us. It would be difficult for her. Plus I needed to sew in the basement. Thanks for your pictures and ideas. I love that border. Now to get back to the basement and sew for the rest of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I live in Saratoga, next to San Jose and experienced the '89 Loma Prieta quake. We all dont want that experience again. I feel for your antennae being up after your recent quake. The night will come that you sleep through without worry for sure. Also I am so grateful for your heart in taking in Ivy and getting the crew used to each other. Ivy needs you as I think all of you need her. Happy treadling.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Those string green border pieces are just adorable and that melon is perfect you found just the correct borders to make this spring blossom quilt just perfect.
    I’ve never experienced an earthquake here and all I can say is I’m pleased you are all safe and sound.
    Stay safe
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your quilt is turning out beautifully, I absolutely love it! I am so happy to see your beautiful furry friends getting along! Thank you for adding a little quilting joy and nature fun to our lives!

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)