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Tuesday, April 09, 2024

What Eclipse?


Do you see that cloud cover?

Even if I was in the path of totality for yesterday's eclipse - it wouldn't have mattered.  

This is spring in Southwestern Virginia.  

Cloud cover in the mountains and no blue sky - at least not yesterday.

And yes - there was a sprinkling rain shower or two as well.

But it didn't dampen my spirits - because I had some surprise visitors bearing bins of fabric!


Meet Holly & Marshall! Aren't they so cute!


We enjoyed a quik conversation and then they brought in TWO boxes/bins of completely de-boned 100% cotton shirts - all organized.  Oh my goodness!


Check these out!

These are ready to be cut into strips and pieces and made into some wonderful quilts to come!


I see so many in here that I absolutely love.

When visiting with Holly and Marshall they explained that they were newly-weds - the 3rd time around for both of them.

Both had loved and buried 2 previous spouses.  I looked at Marshall and asked "And knowing that she's buried two already, you still jumped in??"  And he said "Absolutely!"

It was just such a precious conversation. 

And off the drove to go explore whatever they could find on the Blue Ridge Parkway, heading north through Virginia.

Destination? Undecided.  Playing it by ear.  Exploring the countryside and following their whims.

There may or may not be quilt shops included.

These are the lucky ones, my friends.  I wish them the best!

(And I get to keep the storage bin! LOL!)


Into the afternoon -

There was a news channel just showing the eclipse from different cith locations in the path - no commentary - just lovely ambient music through the whole thing.

It was WONDERFUL to watch.


Mirrored reflection of me as things got closer to totality.

Here in Virginia it started to look like dusk on a winter's day - and yes - I was burning a candle to carry on the relaxing feeling of the beautiful ambient music.

I put away strips I'd cut down from backing margins over the weekend.  I tidied things.  I cleared off my cutting table and other horizontal surfaces - much needed.

I vacuumed. The whole thing felt like a holistic experience.


Even by TV - amazing!

And to go with our eclipse theme - I got into the grove with this:

Click to Play:
@quiltville_bonnie My Licorice Twist PDF pattern drops on Monday 4/15! ๐ŸŒ–๐ŸŒ”๐ŸŒš๐ŸŒ”๐ŸŒ– We will be celebrating with a pattern gift away including a facets of black cotton roll from Cotton To Quilts. ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰ Stay tuned for more details!๐Ÿฅฐ✂️๐Ÿ’Ÿ๐Ÿงต #quiltville #quilt #quilting #quilttok #quiltersoftiktok ♬ Moon - Dormir Profundo Music

And then this bit of silliness:

@quiltville_bonnie Pulled this meme from the 2017 eclipse. ๐Ÿ˜Ž⁣ ⁣ It still makes me giggle!๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #quiltville #quilt #quilting #quilttok #quiltersoftiktok ♬ original sound - Bonnie Hunter

 What can I say? LOL! I grabbed the theme of the day and ran with it.


And yes, I got some good photos thanks to cloud cover.


Zoey through the sliding glass door in the basement studio this morning.

She sits there surveying her whole world.  I wonder what she is seeing, hearing, smelling.

And once she's done she trots back over to the door and knocks with one paw.

She promptly curled up on her bed in front of the gas fireplace next to my computer desk and is out cold to the world.

That surveying thing can take a toll on a body.  LOL!

Today - back in the groove, baby!  Housekeeper Susan is on her way to work her magic and get the inn sparkling clean.

The Quilt District arrives on Wednesday! Woot!

Oh - and during that whole eclipse thing/ I also drew up another quilt I need NEED N E E D to make.

Probably in people's least favorite colors according to a post I saw recently asking people to list their LEAST favorite color.

And I decided I don't care. My quilt, my vision, my colors - my rules.

Just wait and see!

That said - Don't let ANYONE put shame on you for your fabric choices or color selections. Always remember that the Quilt Police are self appointed and their opinion doesn't matter.

Thanks for the reminder in yesterday's comment section, Barbara.  Next time...think before you hit send.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I was talking to some folks about motivation the other day. It seems we agree.
Projects with deadlines are more likely to reach completion, giving us a greater sense of accomplishment and are less likely to languish.
This is greatly illustrated by how many mystery quilts are finished in short order after our yearly Quiltville mystery is revealed simply because it has been broken down into manageable weekly clues.
Can you break down your current project into the same structure?
Make a habit of setting reachable goals!

Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone!


 

25 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:22 AM EDT

    I was in the path of totality but clouds were coming and going. I didn't go to any of the big gatherings around here, just my backyard. I kept an eye on the sky and went out and checked (with the glasses on) and was able to see the beginning of the eclipse. Got my chair out in the lawn, sat and watched. As the eclipse progressed, the clouds would scoot through and move on. While I didn't get the 'picture perfect' view of the eclipse, it was one of the COOLEST things I've ever seen! Seiously doubt I'll be around for the next and that's OK.

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  2. You motivate me 100 percent. And I'm grateful for it. I need it.
    Ooh what color are you going to make your quilt with? I must of missed that question.
    I burn a jar candle when I'm in my sewing room too. And play music.
    I'll be working on my Bristol today since it's still up on the design wall.
    After that is fini I'll work on Indigo way....because life did get in the way. No worries it's all good.
    Have a Sparkling day
    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't say - not yet. Just in the beginning stages and I don't know if they are going to work.

      Delete
  3. Thye next eclipse will be on my 75th wedding anniversary! Suppose we will still be here on earth or in heaven??

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  4. Six of us traveled from lower Michigan to Mid-Ohio for a day and caught totality. Just.So.Cool. Looking forward to Pineapple- so tempted since it's paper pieced. I do have trouble keeping good seams otherwise.

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  5. Anonymous9:56 AM EDT

    I guess I'm the odd man out here. I hate deadlines, they stifle me and I shut down. I'm at my best when I just go with the flow. I'm also a finisher. I almost always work on just one project at a time from start to finish. It's even hard for me to do a leader ender project along with my main project...too distracting. I'm methodical and just enjoy the process of each quilt. I'm definitely not ADHD. Isn't it beautiful that we all have our own styles, our own personalities and our own methods, and we all get to the same finish line eventually.

    Sherri Oxley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:05 PM EDT

      we love you Bonnie, the quilters at my group were discussing how awful the backing comment was. For every troll out there you have Bonnie Groupies. Like swifties only Hunteries?

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10:01 AM EDT

    I had to go back and read yesterday’s comments.
    WOW. Hard to believe that commenter is a quilter. Most quilters I know are very non-judgy, and very supportive of another quilters selections.
    She maybe should have just thought those things and not shared them in print. I think she was way outta line.
    Bonnie, thanks for all your positivity and encouragement.

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  7. Anonymous10:20 AM EDT

    I must say my least favorite color is brown until I made Silk Path and combined all my shades of brown into a luxurious wall hanging size. I then decided that I love all colors and what you pair with your least favorite color can make it be the piece de resistance of a quilt.

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  8. Saw the eclipse from Austin, TX. Cloudy day, but cleared enough to see the marvel!

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  9. Anonymous10:56 AM EDT

    Love your licorice twist quilt. It's just beautiful!! I can't wait to see what you come up with next. I'm trying to finish up a quilt I started a few weeks ago before I start something new. My mantra for this year is "No New UFOs". Let's hope I can stick to it. LOL!! Mary from FL

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  10. Deadlines: I do love that about the Quiltville Mysteries. When I look at the finished quilt I am always blown away that I actually made such a complicated quilt. But you are SO right. When you break it down into manageable pieces and stay on task you can DO IT. You just have to take the next right step.

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  11. I turn workshop projects into baby quilts: finish smaller and faster & avoids UFO's, plus adds to community outreach from Guild.

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  12. It will be interesting to see what "people" choose as the least favorite color. I will bet that once they see your quilt, they will have a change of heart. You have a way of putting uncommon pairings together and creating beauty! It's been cloudy and rainy around here so no possibility of any version of the eclipse to see. I have watched some news feeds. What an amazing thing to experience.

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  13. I had to go back to read the comment...... I am speechless

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  14. I have to say that my least favorite color WAS brown, until Bonnie made Bear Branch and I saw how the brown made the turquoise shine. Here and there having brown in a quilt didn't bother me but a quilt with mostly brown, no way. Now I'm collecting browns so I can make Bear Branch and Silk Path one day. THANKS Bonnie for broadening my color vision!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I would avoid brown and then silk path came along and I began looking for brown tones. I love how our mind opens up to possibilities when we have an open mind

      Delete
  15. Well I would have said my least favorite color was green. Until I organized up my stash and realized I had more green than anything! lol. I loved the back and I am glad you used it. I have the toile in red. Sadly I bought so much (because I love it) that I will be able to cover the entire back with it and match it up, lol no comments! I like to flip my quilts over to the back because I love the fabric...and no, my quilts don't go with the colors in any of my bedrooms. I have the most hideous fabric that is years old (from the 90s) that I am saving for the perfect quilt back. think daisies and calves...lol

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  16. I saw the eclipse from the Crown Point Historic Park in NY close to where I live. It's on Lake Champlain, very historic with the remains of a British fort. The day was perfect and the eclipse was amazing. Feeling fortunate to be alive and able to see another of nature's wonders.

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  17. Anonymous2:54 PM EDT

    I like all colors. Especially brights. Think Kaffe Fassett. It was too cloudy here to see much yesterday but my granddaughter Is in college in Erie, PA and got some great pictures. Your dogs and cats are so cute!

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  18. WOW!!! WHat an awesome surprise & they sound like such a fun couple!
    Yesterday I felt like we were stood up by Mother Nature... HA! In South Central Texas it was total cloudiness with a chance of rain; in fact, it had rained right before. I'm happy for the ones that got to actually witness it. Maybe I'll be around for the next chance to witness Mother Nature at her finest.
    Thank you so much for continuing to inspire and create! I love reading about your day, & yesterday sounded like a good one... despite the rudeness of some people. Have a fabulous evening!

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  19. Love love love your licorice twist, it's awesome ! So did you ever meet Holly and Marshall before? They just stopped by in their wanderings to gift their favorite quilter? Love that you included their picture and told their story, how up lifting that they have found each other :0). Happy Sewing :0)

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  20. Anonymous11:45 PM EDT

    I have found that even colors that aren’t favorites can shine with the right combination. I teach at one of our grade schools and our PTO bought glasses for the whole school to watch the eclipse. We weren’t in the path for the total eclipse but it was close to a total eclipse. My sister drove 6.5 hours to watch the total eclipse and it took her 10 hours to drive back home! Her first 30 miles took 2.5 hours!

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  21. We had similar overcast, "partial eclipse just looked like heavier clouds," experience here in Minnesota. I went out on my porch around the max (allegedly 75% where I am) and no shadows at all, so no "weird" ones, and couldn't even tell where the sun and moon were in the sky. About 15 min of sunshine 4 hours later and then back to rain, which we need, but shish, how about coming a day earlier? Tuesday was bright and sunny, go figure. Glad we travelled to Missouri for the 2017 one because I doubt we'll be around for the 2044 one.

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  22. I always thought I wasn't crazy about blue, but I made a quilt that had lots of blue and I love it! I have a "friend" that definitely belongs to the quilt police. Sometimes I do things that annoy her on purpose! But to me quilting is fun and relaxing. I do tend to pick colors I like, but sometimes if there is fabric for sale I will buy some just for backs or whatever, no matter what color!

    ReplyDelete

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