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Saturday, November 22, 2025

What A Day!


This is my staring into the abyss of fog on the mountain.

It's beautiful in a way.  Comforting like a hug.

And yes, the sun is there to burn it all off and I know it won't last long.

This is a metaphor for how yesterday went for me.

So much second guessing.  So much stress and anxiety.

But today is a new day and we pick it up from here.

I let some comments get to me that my count on yesterday's units - the FIRST CLUE of the mystery were already wrong.

How could they know?  "It's supposed to be a square quilt, this count doesn't come out right."

And so I thought THEY must be right and went and sent out an alert that the count was to be 16 sets instead of 24.

And then it hit me.  They haven't seen the quilt.  They haven't made the quilt.  They are making assumptions based on the first clue out of the gate?

And I went and counted on the ACTUAL QUILT - and I was right the first time.

If you caught my messages yesterday about needing 16 sets instead of 24, it was reversed quickly.

I was right the first time. I shouldn't have worried.  I shouldn't have listened to other people's opinions when we were just out of the starting gate?

Okay.  So if you saw that, got that email, look for my correction on the non-correction.

You still need 24 sets of 4 for Part One. If your PDF says different, please correct it with a pencil to say 24. 

And if you are commenting on part one that you can't find where the clues are posted....well, honey - just look up.  You just commented on part one and all of the information is there.


I've had too many balls in the air, too many plates spinning.

Jason had a doctor's appointment yesterday.  He has developed an infection at his incision site and is on heavy duty antibiotics to take care of it.  So my mama worry is in hyper drive.

He has another appointment on Monday to see that it is healing.

We still do not have pathology on his tumor and the not knowing is truly keeping me agitated with worry.

So I took some time to count the remaining block kits for the traveling hexie project since it will be going with me next Friday to New York and then on to Germany and Austria with my Craftours Christmas Market trip.

THREE!  I only had to cut more aquas to complete three kits to bring the number up.  That gives me 8 motifs left to finish the quilt.


Lola keeping watch at my cluttered cutting table.


Baggied up and ready to fly.


The motifs will be for travel, so I have switched to working on the side borders in the evening time.

Are you watching  Ken Burns' American Revolution documentary on PBS?  It's so good!

There is so much I had either forgotten, or things I didn't know and wasn't taught in school.

And maybe because I'm in my 60s and living in Virginia things are just hitting me different somehow when I imagine what things were like where I am living in the 1770s.

I keep saying to myself "It happened here.  It happened here."  Growing up in California, it was just a story, it didn't feel real. I was so far removed.  But it happened here.


And this is where I need people to clap.

When we emptied the Wallburg house so it could go on the market (Remember that we had several offers in 24 hours?) some stuff was just binned and stored in the garage.

Since coming back from Washington/Arizona I have completely culled through and emptied 2 bins.

One bin had me laughing - I had told Dave just that morning "Welcome to static cling season!" as my hair has become fly away and I didn't have any anti-static spray to spray down combs and hair brushes on hand.

Guess what was in one bin?  Not one - but THREE new cans of anti-static spray.

And trust me - I'll never need to buy another pen or pencil again.  We are sent for the next 100 years.

I was going to scribble with all of the pens to make sure they worked, but instead I put them in a shoe box at my standing desk and will just dispose of them as I come across ones that won't write.


Yesterday's adventure also included a trip to the dentist - and to cool my jets after that I stopped by the antique mall for a wander since I hadn't been in many months. I spied a lovely 4 patch quilt that was lovingly hand quilted - in super condition!


1960s-1970s prints - just really sweet.


I turned the corner to find this star quilt on the wall -

Take a close look at the top & bottom scalloped border/binding!


Found folded in the cupboard next to the star quilt -

I love the pops of cheddar and pink in the corners of the blocks.


Pretty backing fabric!

I'm guessing this one about 1890?

It was in excellent shape.


Needlepoint hanging on the wall -

This one made me feel a bit melancholy.  All the wealth of the world could not buy you a friend or pay you for the loss of one.

This one hits.  For any friends we've lost to death, to moving away, or friendships that just don't fit anymore for whatever reason, on their part or yours, and life just moves on.

It just hits.

I wonder how the person stitching this felt about the message they were stitching.  Who were they missing?

So here we are at Saturday and into the weekend.

We have a community Thanksgiving dinner to go to tonight which should be fun.

Up on deck today: Finishing the kits for my Germany/Austria travelers.  We'll be working on my Warm Hands, Warm Heart stitchery as we work our way through our Christmas Market adventures.

Once those are done - I'm heading for the machine!

What plans do you have for your weekend ahead?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

There are plenty of scraps to sew up and I will do my best to make a dent!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone -

 

29 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:32 AM EST

    👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 here you go! It feels so good to empty bins! Thanks for always keeping us entertained.

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  2. Prayers for y'all - hoping Jason feels better soon and that the pathology report will be good.

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  3. Anonymous9:33 AM EST

    I’m so sorry if my comment yesterday was one that caused you to rethink your numbers. Although my brain is puzzled about the number of sets not being a square number, I totally trust you and your design! I should have worded my post more carefully.
    Mary Lou

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  4. Love that cute little 4 patch quilt. I may need to plan on starting one of those (but FIRST must get closer to finishing 2 of your quilts!!).

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  5. Anonymous9:40 AM EST

    How is your husband Dave and what projects did Dave and Jeff accomplish while you were gone. They are such busy beavers...

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  6. Anonymous9:45 AM EST

    Bonnie, I adore the picture at the top of the blog. Stared at it for a good long time. Where I grew up in CA (PNW in general) there was lots of lupine and beautiful mountains. Thank you for putting up the beautiful scenery without a quilt this time. (I love the quilts, but I needed that serenity of the mountain meadow today.) Have a great weekend! Kathy M.

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  7. Bonnie please ignore the people that need to criticize. You are an amazing busy lady and when real life throws more on your shoulders you have a right to even take a few days off to just catch your breathe. Most of us appreciate all you do to bring us joy

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  8. Big hugs coming your way. Praying for you as you wait for answers about Jason's pathology report as well as healing of the infection. I pray that God will surround you with His love, peace, and comfort as you wait. Place your trust in Him. I also pray that these "arm chair quarterbacks" will keep their misguided opinions to themselves. How can they know a mystery quilt is wrong. Sounds like some "wannabe designers" that think they know it all. There are some like that wherever you go. You have thousands of followers who love and trust your wonderful designs and YOU! Have a wonderful weekend. (((HUGS)))

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  9. Ok, first of all... what a beautiful way to start the morning!! I'm jealous!
    2nd of all. Isn't the main rule of mystery season "NO WHINING?!" People are really weird this mystery season for some reason and for that I'm sorry, Bonnie. With so much going on in your personal life, it's ok to make mistakes. Let me rephrase that. It's ok to make mistakes period. Reading that made me angry. I love your mysteries, and I enjoy the process.
    I'm glad you got some self-care and went antiquing. Those quilts were absolutely pristine and beautifully done for the time period.
    As for my weekend plans; it's our Thanksgiving break. Today is for family, and then I have a few days of my own self care at the sewing machine. I am looking forward to that. Have a wonderful weekend and drown out the negativity.
    I hope Jason continues to heal and he will. I am continuing to pray for you all. Hugs from South Central Texas.

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  10. I'm sorry some people are so flipping rude! I recently posted about being helpful or not commenting. Got me removed from a group. Oh well, I stand for kindness and civility in 2025. It is sorely lacking.

    Hugs to Jason, Dave and you as you await news on his health.

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  11. Katie Gomez9:51 AM EST

    My arms surround you with love, kindness, and warmth as you do your work as educator, gifter, and especially mother. Thank you for all you do for us. I can’t imagine. ☮️💜

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  12. Anonymous9:53 AM EST

    I am so sorry you had that wobble yesterday with the count. Too much stress. It creeps up on you and when you think you are juggling beautifully, suddenly something slips. Hopefully, your upcoming tour will be a good break - let someone else take charge and enjoy the scenery! Catherine H.

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  13. Judith L10:24 AM EST

    You have more important things to worry about than blog comments. Stop reading them for awhile. Love your work and all that you offer as most of your people do. Prayers for you, Jason and your family.

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  14. Anonymous10:32 AM EST

    You have so many things on your plate and still you keep up your blog and the mystery quilt posts. I can't imagine the work this takes, the organization and the things that don't get done at home. We appreciate you and personally am grateful you take the time to do the "fun" trips as a type of get away for your own mental health. Prayers for Jason and his healing and great news on the pathology report. Waiting can be the hardest part. Hope you have lovely holidays with those that you love.

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  15. MissPapa10:42 AM EST

    Prayers for Jason and Hugs for Bonnie. Have a great weekend, Jenny

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  16. Anonymous10:54 AM EST

    Yes I trust your measurements and counts. For our fair I design the block for a competition and make up the kits. I always tell people to read twice and cut once. I have numerous experienced quilters tell me my instructions are incorrect. They have never seen the block. People just have to trust your experience and sew on. Wishing Jason all the best in his recovery. Elaine, Ontario Canada

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  17. I'm so grateful for everything you do for us, Bonnie, and I'm sorry about yesterday's mystery fiasco. I really hope everything is ok with Jason. I'm holding him (and you) in my prayers.

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  18. My prayers continue for Jason's complete healing and for his very supportive family. May God watch over all of you and hold you in the palm of His hand. Take care.

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  19. Anonymous12:49 PM EST

    Bonnie, I used to use static guard on my brushes and combs. I could always tell when winter was coming, lol! Now I use a little bit of leave-in conditioner instead (as well as conditioner in the shower) … works well and doesn’t have that nasty smell! I like a creamy leave-in conditioner, not spray … I want it in my hair, not all over the floor! Anyway, it works well for me, and might for you too. Thanks for the new mystery. I think I’ve done four of them, but not for a few years, so I think I’ll jump in this year! I’m taking a class at my LQS tomorrow. We’re making one of Laura Heine’s collage quilts. I’m making a jellyfish. After sorting through my fabrics and getting prep work done, I’m wishing I had just bought the pattern and worked on it myself at home, sigh! Candy

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  20. Sending lots of love and support! I admire how you are continuing with your many quilting projects while also taking time away when you need it and being honest about the hard, scary parts. It's comforting to me as I walk my own difficult road.

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  21. Anonymous1:40 PM EST

    Love your quote of the day. That’s me today. Losing special friends is just so melancholic. I wish you a good day and speedy recovery to your son. 🧒

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  22. Anonymous3:32 PM EST

    Good afternoon Bonnie, I am still praying for healing and good news regarding Jason. You sure have a lot of things going on right now. God sent you some nice fog to help you rest and calm your mind. Hope you are having a wonderful day and enjoying something you like to do . I am cleaning out my sewing room . My fabric has outgrown it's bins. I am sorting and rehoming some of it. I am having some fun before I must clean house and cook for Thanksgiving. Thank you for this wonderful mystery. Brenda Jackson

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  23. The inversion is at my house. So gloomy. Glad to have lots of color in my Quilty Zone. Working on the mystery, ignoring the people whining. Have a great Thanksgiving week!

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  24. Plans for the weekend? We are supposed to have plans??? Actually, I'll be working on a mystery quilt by you! Congrats on the bins.

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  25. Elizabeth Yennie9:34 PM EST

    Sending prayers for your son. Really, that's the most important think right now. Give yourself a little grace Momma.

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  26. Years ago when my youngest daughter was about 11 or 12 years old she had discovered a couple of lumps in her breast. When the surgeon removed the lumps she said they were the size of small eggs. It took for what seemed like forever to get the biopsy results, which wasn't easy. My heart is with you and your family and prayers for a good outcome.

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  27. Linda Gysin9:16 AM EST

    The fog is wonderful. I love to wake up to a misty morning. I’m painting walls in my new teeny studio. I take frequent shoulder ache breaks and think about how to store my stash, haha! This space is less than half my former space. But so cozy! Thank you for the Lupine Mystery! I truly appreciate the gifts you share so freely. Hugs to you and prayers for your son.

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  28. Hi Bonnie. This is my first time following you and my first mystery quilt. I'm so sorry that you have people 2nd guessing you AND that you are going through this with your son. I'll be praying for you and your son (and for those that think they know more about the mystery quilt than you do). I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. I got some sewing on a BOM yesterday. Haven't started the mystery quilt because I'm trying to get organized as I have a hard time doing any sewing when my sewing room is a mess. Sigh...I just want to sew but my poor ADD brain seems to need the peace and quiet of a room that is clean and ready for any project to be pulled out and worked on.

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  29. Anonymous10:13 PM EST

    I am sending hugs and all the positive vibes your way. I hope Jason responds quickly to the antibiotics and that he receives answers soon on the pathology.

    And many thanks on giving us a mystery quilt even as you do have so many plates spinning. It is an amazing gift to give as you experiencing a couple of bumps in your road.
    Safe travels,
    Jen

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