At The Layout Stage.

The rush to beat the falling leaves before all the leaves have fallen is ON!

I think I've gotten everything laid out where NONE of the same fabrics are touching each other  (Heaven forbid they do!!) 

And I'll spend some time this weekend getting this top put together.

There is something about sewing that is soul centering.  Like the activity of putting pieces in order in a quilt allows my mind to put pieces and timelines and to do lists in order at the same time.

Quilting is not an act of denial.  It's a method of stilling the chaos.

Favorite accidental fussy cut!

It's been many years since my last trip to Alaska, but in amongst the sandy colored strips I was using for this quilt was a strip from a fat-quarter I had purchased.  With MOOSE.  Because, Alaska.

Somehow most of the other fabric squares I cut from that strip just had moose legs, or moose heads, and rarely a moose survived the rotary cutter to show his whole body, but in this case...this moose makes me smile.

Scrap quilts just bring me so much happiness - and all of the memories of previous places I've been and the memories that we made are in the fabric pieces.

If you've purchased special fabrics for a commemorative trip quilt that you just can't seem to get around to, I would encourage you to take one strip off of those saved pieces and USE THEM NOW in a scrap quilt.  It turns every quilt into an instant memory quilt.

Speaking of memories - let's all laugh at that paisley triangle that is just below the moose print.

How many of you still have any color variation of this print in your stash?  It's OLD!  Be a bit passive/aggressive and cut it up and sew it in.

And can we just all clap that the points in this photo are mostly okay?  For this week, that is accomplishing something.

Over at the inn...

Susan has been diligently strip pieing on a kit she's had for a while.  The fabrics are lovely.

This will be beautiful!

Got a kit hiding in the depths of the stash? Kits are GREAT retreat projects.  Easy to simply bring and work on - no packing stress needed.

Leaves and nine-patches for the Pineberry quilt are coming together!

Another cute and quick finish made from a Halloween layer cake.

I love these bocks!

This is Off the Rails by Lisa Alley of  Bearhug Quiltworks.

Quick fun with an adorable Halloween panel.

Just because the pattern shows a Christmas panel, doesn't mean you have to stick with Christmas!  

Got a panel you love but aren't sure what to do with it and wanting to do more than simply just bordering it?  Check out other panel centered patterns by Lisa at  Bearhug Quiltworks.

Of course, hard sewing quilters need their sustenance!

Diana used her culinary skills to create this beautiful charcuterie board for all to enjoy.

It's almost too pretty to eat.  AMOST!

Lola on my lap this morning.

So many comments and well wishes for our son Jason.  I can't personally reply to them all, but I have read them.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  We know this is going to be a long road ahead.

He sent photos yesterday of where he was camping in his converted van.  And the news from him is good and positive.

He said he slept for 12 hours straight. (Fresh mountain air will do that to you when you have zero cell service, can't doom scroll on your phone and can't watch movies late into the night.)

The only reason he was able to call was that he had decided to LEAVE that campsite after a bunch of hunters rolled in early in the morning to set up their campsites - hunting season opens this weekend!

Having enough of that....he has now moved on to a state park where no hunting is allowed.

I'm waiting for the next update.

We have some leads on short term rentals in the Vancouver WA area, but are still in the research phase.  Day by day things are falling into place.

It also helps to be able to stay busy somewhat.

I will likely have more info by Monday.

10 days from today that tumor will be gone. I'm keeping my focus on that.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

You know what they say....Go on and kill⁣ them with kindness 'cause you just can't kill them! ⁣
⁣
Quilt from the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, NE!

There is just SOMETHING about red and cheddar that makes my heart sing!⁣

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone -