The white winter wonderland didn't really happen.
I had envisioned inches of white and fluffy wonderfulness - and what we got was freezing rain and a build up of treacherous ice that had tree limbs cracking under the weight.
I did make the right decision to stay home and not go anywhere - Rain on top of ice is nothing to take lightly when it comes to mountain road driving. Or driving ANYWHERE for that matter.
Just check out the ice on that rain chain!
A day in the cabin studio! In the middle of the week! It wasn't quite a "jammy day" but let's say that things were extremely comfortable with the gas fire place glowing, and a cinnamon candle burning - filling the room with its spicy aroma.
I finished up Poldark on Prime, switched over to Netflix and entranced myself in Night Shift - a series about the emergency/trauma department at a San Antonio hospital. Perfection!
This was my snow themed sewing -
Even though the snow didn't really happen -
I busied myself with mindless neutral strings.
What can I say? The bin was here from the previous couple of quilts I've finished with neutral strings. One project often leads into ideas for another, and I just went with them.
I even sewed in some holiday Grinchy cheer!
It really was a great day to stay home and play. Even without all of the fluffy white stuff.
Evening binding progress!
This quilt isn't very big. Less than 50'' square. So it didn't take too long to work from one side to another during my evening feet up time.
I have just begun side 3. Making progress! And I love knowing that my evening stitching is waiting for the next evening to arrive.
That pink striped binding is really making me smile. Isn't it crazy that I had to wait 25+ years for the right place to use it?
The leftover binding strips will end up in my 2'' Scrap User’s System drawer, lying in wait with the other pinks for the next project to come around.
It's time to draw for our winner of the Quiltmaker Bundle Gift-Away!
Not only will our winner receive ALL of these goodies -
But also a PDF download of my new Sugar Top quilt and a Sugar Top Fabric roll from Cotton to Quilts!
In search of entry 4325 of 8677!
Linda Helzer!!
Linda, please reply with your shipping address to the email I sent you! Your PDF pattern is also attached to that email, and we will get the rest of your goodies out to you as quickly as the USPS can deliver -
And it's good to remember that they are experiencing MAJOR delays right now due to unprecedented holiday shipping, dealing with the following as stated on their tracking pages:
ALERT: USPS IS EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED VOLUME INCREASES AND LIMITED EMPLOYEE AVAILABILITY DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND REMAIN COMMITTED TO DELIVERING THE HOLIDAYS TO YOU.
SO SPOT ON!
I have heard from many of you whose packages are somewhere in the "No one knows where the package is" zone. Have faith. Show some patience. I am as concerned about your packages as you are.
It doesn't help to file PayPal claims as they KNOW the situation the USPS is in - and they also have your tracking number and can tell where it is in the system.
I can't thank you enough for sticking with me. Once your order is in the hands of the USPS - there is nothing I can do to speed up your delivery. Please watch your tracking numbers and give it a couple of weeks. That's about how things are right now.
Remember when you were little and to order ANYTHING you had to "Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery?" Hopefully things will never get THAT bad. This is just a flash back to how "instant" we expect things now. We have become so impatient that we pace in front of the microwave because it doesn't cook fast enough.
Today I vow to BREATHE. It will all work out. If your package is truly lost I will replace it at my own expense. But we have to give it time to come through the system.
We still have another Gift-Away in Progress - did you see?
I have a Pine Tree Point Roll to gift away from Irene at Cotton to Quilts!
And a Pine Tree Point PDF pattern to go with it!
Enter to win ON THAT POST!
We will be drawing for the winner of the Pine Tree Point Bundle on Saturday - so get your entry in.
And there are more fun December Gift-Aways yet to come!
Today I'll be spending my time at my desk getting Part Four of our Grassy Creek Mystery ready to go live tomorrow morning. How are you coming with your parts 1-3??
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Today I feel the need to just pet my fabric, talk to my fabric, create with my fabric, be one with the fabric and BREATHE!
That is AFTER the desk work part is done -
Anything fun up for your Thursday?
I am on track with grassy Creek after a slow start. I'm doing half the clues for now.
ReplyDeleteJust finished baking a batch of cookies for hubby. Next up, working on Talkin' Turkey. So happy you are having 2 "snow" days at home! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to remember that most of what we are ordering these days aren't things that we need for physical survival, however much we want them 'yesterday'!! Mental health maybe. Thanks for brightening my day each day with the quilts and sayings, I appreciate the lift of spirits they bring, and I love seeing the quilts and challenging myself to see if I can figure out how the block was put together. Only five days until the sun starts back north!😃
ReplyDeleteIf a package is with USPS, the recipient can go on their website and file a complaint. I've done that for two packages and, amazingly, they get delivered two days later. Rather than file a complaint with Bonnie, try filing the complaint where the problem is... the USPS.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
DeleteI finished my part 3 yesterday afternoon but still need to trim off bottom and measure them to verify my final size. Today I plan to do some machine embroidery and make my son a pillow for his couch for xmas. That will be my last present I am making. Enjoy your day and I am ready for Friday to get here. Nothing like rushing time one day and wishing it would slow down another day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing your blog....I start my day with your positive thoughts! Merry Christmas and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteIt's a day to do paperwork and maybe play with the Cricut to make a welcome gift for our new President of the Trail Center here in Nebraska. Still working on those part 1,2,3 slow and steady wins the race. Snow mix forecast tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful to all the shipping folks. With all the online ordering being done this year, the systems are just jammed. I've had packages speed to me, and others take a long time. I'm just happy to be able to do as much online as I can, between COVID restrictions and a broken ankle (still healing after 3 months).
ReplyDeleteI bet Lola is sad and lonely without you at the P.O. I know you left her plenty of food, water and treats to tide her over! I am doing just 1/4 of the Grassy Creek units this year. So fun! Looking forward to tomorrow! -Gina in Missouri
ReplyDeleteAll caught up for now. Won't be able to play with the group tomorrow morning though, got to drive 30 miles to see my retina surgeon for a follow up appointment
ReplyDeleteIt’s not only packages, but also First class mail....My husbands pension check was mailed out on December 1st and has yet to arrive.....Heavens only knows where it is....Thanks Bonnie for all you do for us ....Enjoy your day.....Dot M.in Pa.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Linda! And I shipped a few packages on Monday and the very kind guy at the window warned me that their usual estimates of delivery times need to be doubled! I'm okay with that, but it was nice he was so up front with the whole situation, too.
ReplyDeleteGrassy Creek is awaiting its Clue #4. Packages are wrapped and under the tree. So today is candy making day for Christmas. Tomorrow is helping my friend who is in a wheelchair (broken femur) run some errands and have a day out of the house, including lunch. Peace and happy fabric one on one that always means good things in the future for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, I do remember the times in the 80's when I'd ordered from a catalog, my favorite was from Lillian Vernon, and yup it took 4 - 6 weeks for delivery. I still have some of the items I'd ordered then, one of which is a wooden Christmas decoration that has 3 tiers and spins around powered by candles that turn small fan blades at the top. I still have the original box and take it out every year for the holidays...though I have had to re-glue a few pieces back together over the years. I rarely use candles as there's enough air motion from the HVAC system to slowly rotate the nativity scene represented in the small wooden figures. Funny, just a couple of years ago I saw almost the same item in a Tuesday Morning store (a home goods discount store that usually has quality finds). I was so tempted to buy it, but resisted the urge. My old one is still fine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory you have reminded me of with this post! My grandmother was a big Lillian Vernon fan! And she had one of those Christmas decorations, with a duplicate later sent to my family (while a child)!
DeleteNo sewing today. Finishing up the cookie baking!
ReplyDeleteI ordered a quilt book last spring that was sent from Texas to Michigan as it was an out of print book that I located. Six weeks later I did not have it so I filed with USPS and had it less than 24 hours later. We also have vaccine in the system which is priority.
ReplyDeleteToday's saying was made just for me!! So many people don't know they were saved by my stash!! Hang in there Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteI too want to maintain a "never killed anyone" streak :) I appreciate having any delivery. I lived in a third world country for years and there was no such thing as mail much less package delivery...I wish I could tell USPS that there was no rush on my packages. Where am I going? LOL
ReplyDeleteWow! Look at your ice. It will be fun when it turns to snow. Enjoy your sewing time. I have rain and will finish up Christmas gifts. Then I can get started on Grassy Creek. Excitment! :)
ReplyDeleteThat partial quilt posted at the end of your post (with the daily saying on it) is one of my all time fave blocks having made SO MANY Home of the Brave quilts. It's so easy to do when swapping or many hands are in the mix as it can (most of the time) be trimmed to work! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm close to having Clue 3 done. I feel like many don't think about the fact that the pandemic has such a ripple effect. I'm thinking of holding off sending out Christmas cards until after the new year. Greetings of cheer are good anytine, right?
ReplyDeleteoh dear, I got clue 1 all done, clue 2 cut out with 1 set done...clue 3 in the process of being cut and 0 blocks done. Will have plenty of time though to work on it yet. We adults no longer exchange presents as we all have more than enough "stuff" and sadly everyone also has enough "quilts" Doesn't stop me from making them...will find a use or someone to give them too. Really been enjoying my stash...of fabric, thread, scissors, cutting mats, well everything...except I did need one new die for this mystery which surprisingly got to me in 4 days although I did not do the speed shipping....I was impressed!
ReplyDeleteWe all want instant gratification. I remember when I was still working and the FAX was such a boon to getting documents fast. A customer wanted to send me a FAX and upon being told the FAX number was busy asked, "Don't you have a second FAX I can use?" I just laughed and asked them to be patient. Enjoy your time out of the ice. We had a lot of that when I lived in Massachusetts and it can be treacherous. Just Sew!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you got ice instead of snow. That's disappointing when you're expecting a great snow. On the other hand, your quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for emphasizing over and over again the value of patience waiting for a delivery. I work for an all freight forwarder and our delivery staff is working up to 12 hours daily (federal law limits hours). Also, "filing a complaint""where the problem is" falls onto the office staff, instead of helping the customers at the front counter. So thank you, Bonnie, again, for counseling patience. Coincedentally, my neighborhood hasn't had mail delivery for 2 days now - which has never ever ever happened. Instead of complaining, I'm worried about my mail carrier. He's a great guy and he's HUMAN.
ReplyDeleteBonnie - I have met you in Wilkesboro and again in Winston and have been lurking these last few years. I want you to know how much I appreciate you and all you do. Life has been hard this year but we are still here and will ring in the new year. The positives way out weigh the negatives so keep on keeping on for those like me who need your blog, mysteries, recipes and pointers. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJust starting Part 3 after cutting all the pieces out. Am having a great time doing this mystery and learning new things which make me smile.
ReplyDeleteNo fun stuff today...paying bills and picking up grocery orders. But, I wanted to thank you for giving us an “up close and personal” view of your latest quilt. It encouraged me that, even with you using a long arm, with all the seams in that piece, things shift and go wonky with the seams. I try so hard to keep that from happening, and it’s like beating your head against a wall. I guess seeing that a professional has the same issues made me feel better.😍. Have a wonderful day, and stay safe with all that ice!
ReplyDeleteSo, as you cut pieces for the Scrap User System are you also separating them into colors within each group? Pros & cons? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh that PIG DOING YOGA made me laugh! I love that fabric and have a small piece that Ive spread around where neutrals are needed, as its so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI once waited 9 months for a fabrick order (international). Wrote it off as a personal loss and moved on. What a huge surprise 9 months later when it shows up in prestine condition. Today that specific fabric is a beautiful Scrappy Trip Around the world quilt.
ReplyDeleteBonnie: We had enough snow for everyone - we even made the Evening News (Binghamton, NY). Not sure I can attach a picture here of out my back door. I'll have to post it on social media. We don't experience ice here very often and I imagine that can be more treacherous. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThe USPS really is going above and beyond. We have had several ninja deliveries by predawn postal ninjas wearing headlamps moving at incredible speed through my neighborhood recently. My ever alert canine early warning system made sure I didn't miss them though.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to part 4 of Grassy Creek. There was a time when installments were mailed, along with millions of cards. Now the clues and cards are electronic! what amazing times we live in!
:) By now I recognize the loud idling of the Fed Ex truck without even looking. Maybe they can't even spare the time to have it serviced.
DeleteThe quip at the end of this post is your funniest yet. Thank you so much for what I'm sure will be the best laugh of the day! Merry Christmas and blessings to you and yours. I'm waiting for packages like everyone else. One was shipped from Indiana on December 1st...it's STILL sitting in one of two warehouses in Indianapolis...so they say....and won't possible be out of there until the 21st at the earliest. Sheesh! I better go buy some more fabric to maintain my "streak-free" run!
ReplyDeleteActually canceled shopping trip with daughters in anticipation of big snow. I am 82 and thankful I can sew on days like that. Love the mystery.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
On my deck it measured 41 inches. Beautiful but a clean-up horror. Sewing all day.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I love your drawing about the journey of a package! Today, I am making a 100 mile trip tp Burlington, VT, to take a friend to a doctor's appointment. We will have a fun evening, together, then, I will come back home, tomorrow! No snow to speak of up here in Northern NY.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any Christmas spirit you could send me??
My brother works for the Post Office so I understand the delivery issues but why is a package going from Oregon to Chicago area to Des Moines,IA to Grand Rapids, MI to Chicago area to Des Moines,IA and hopefully not to Grand Rapids, MI again? It has been within 5 miles of my house 3 times now if it is traveling the usual route by truck on Interstate 80. The package has been scanned in 8 different locations and twice in the same day at Des Moines and Grand Rapids at alternating times. I feel like we're playing "Wheel of Fortune" and hope it will drop in my slot sometime. A vague 6 to 8 weeks is OK but being able to know where it is with tracking and hoping it falls off the merry-go-round is driving me nuts. The package contains 3 OOP quilt books bought at unbelievable price and condition so I'm just hoping they show up at all.
ReplyDeleteBy sheer dumb luck I ordered presents for our kids Thanksgiving weekend, and they arrived quickly (no, not wrapped yet! I still have time.... ;-) ) I did order some goodies for myself recently (they were on sale, how could I resist??), so arrival is not crucial. (but it is amusing to track them!)
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie & fellow Quiltville blog readers, it's Christmas Eve day in Australia, with temperatures hitting the high 30's to low 40's (celsius), that is 90 - 100+ (fahrenheit) on the West Coast. Christmas is generally spent in/around the swimming pool and air conditioning. Bonnie thank you for your blog each day and generosity with your creativity. Wishing a safe, healthy & Merry Christmas with a happy & prosperous New Year ahead to you, your family & all your blog readers.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Bonnie. We all appreciate you. Better New Year, right???
ReplyDelete