Mary Brown progress

For my Mary Brown progress
click here for those who are checking in for that.

I finished my block earlier this month.

Stay safe,
Robin

What I'm doing to stay busy

I've been trying to stay busy so my mind is occupied with more positive  things.  I am quilting the 1857 quilt in a 2" grid with #8 DMC thread.  I bought a color chart from DMC years ago when I was into cross stitch so I was able to match the color of the backing fabric perfectly.  I ordered the thread from Herschner's online.  I wanted to do big stitch so it would go faster but I didn't want the color of the thread to detract from the applique.

I wasn't sure how many balls of thread I would need so I ordered five.  I have eight rows to do and I'm on row three and the 2nd ball. I can always order more if I need it. (if that sweet store in Stephen's Point Wisconsin is still open after all this. . . )  These pictures are a little dark but when I took pictures with the flash the color was off.

I finished the applique on the first block of The Flowers pattern by Linda Brannock.  It was fun to sit and applique instead of worry about the world for a little while.  I am going to embroider words on each one of the blocks.  I'm prepping the 2nd block which Linda calls the "Volunteer Bloom".  It's like no flower I've ever seen.

Have you seen this?  It's a digital print of the Derby House quilt on sateen.  It measures 80" X 90".  It's a beauty!  I don't know if it will be a backing or if I'll just quilt it as a whole cloth quilt.  I couldn't resist.  I bought it from Quilter's Lodge in Draper and the shipping was free.

Well, here we are in 1969.  It is me (on the left) and my best friend, Jan, standing in front of her brother's pride and joy, a 1970 Opel Kadet.  We are in uniform and ready for our last pass and review. Look at all those shooting medals above Jan's left pocket.  We were members of the Logan High School Sponsor Corps.

I'm showing this picture because I am using this uninterrupted time to work on my life history.  I have sorted and organized box after box (I keep too much stuff).  I am happy to say that I have two large boxes full of stuff to give to to my kids so I'll be getting rid of that as soon as we can see each other.

I have pictures to compile and stories to tell.  This is my office of sorts and that big white box in the foreground is what I am going to tackle today. The brown box is notebook after notebook of my journals which I hope to compile too.  I wrote 2 short biographies of my parents to preface my story and yesterday I typed 2 pages.  I was just going to compose something short and sweet but I can tell already that I have too much to tell for it to be very short.

Who's going to read it?  Maybe nobody but, by organizing my history, it has made me grateful at this time of uncertainty and I feel happy instead of fearful, a double blessing.  I also have a focus instead of just waiting for the other shoe to drop.  (Now, if these aftershocks would stop happening . . . ) 

I do have to share that I read my diary from my Senior year and was so embarrassed that I shredded it.  I was so boy crazy.

I hope you are not ill and if you are that you'll take care of yourself.
Robin

Too many projects, not enough peace.

Much brighter in person.  Picture was taken in my sewing room with limited light.

This is the latest block for the Alice Jane Blue quilt.  It was a block that seemed to never end.  I'd get one part done and then the block wanted more.  I'm think I'm finally finished.  This is supposed to be the white rabbits pocket watch.  The center of the clock is a tiny appliqued circle.  I don't think I've ever made a circle that small - so teeny.

I made a block for the Cheri Payne Christmas quilt.  I think it's needs a bird (you know, partridge in a pear tree) but I'll determine that later.


I also finished a block for the Flower quilt by Linda Brannock.  I am working on too many different projects at the same time   With the Panedemic situation and the earthquake, it makes me feel so fragmented.

We did have a 5.7 earthquake today with over 80 aftershocks so far.  We're fine but it was already an unsteady time and now the earth shakes and groans.  I spent the whole day watching the local news - I've got a headache.  I hope nothing wakes us up during the night.
Robin