Summerville Quilt Finish

Hello! I picked this beauty up from Rachel, my longarmer/friend's porch last Saturday. It was in a black garbage and remained in my car for quarantine until Wednesday--when I finally got see it. This is Summerville in Vintage Picnic fabric by Bonnie & Camille. My sister gifted me this kit a couple of years ago.

Rachel did her magic and picked a chubby flower with meandering vines and leaves. She is a newer longarmer and has a great eye for patterns fitting quilts--I have her make the decisions and I have not been disappointed yet! She is really talented and I think it is perfect!!!

I have not washed it yet, but I folded it up and put it in my glass display case. I will know when it will find its home or when it will get used at my own house.

Last Sunday, I signed up to make a quilt for a foster child through @quiltforachild on Instagram. I selected an 11 year old girl who likes pink, red, and gray. She is described as a "girly girl." I immediately thought of this pattern Hearts at Home by Chelsi Stratton--so I bought it and started on the heart centers--all of them are pink.

 I am going to make it with 20 blocks instead of 16, so it is long enough for a twin bed. I am using pink, red, gray, and turquoise. Rachel is already mulling quilting designs--she told me flowers for sure. 

 The gray blocks are done and I am working on the turquoise ones now. Ideally, the quilt needs to be done in 4-6 weeks. I am making it my priority because I love sharing quilty hugs especially with a deserving child.

This stunner is one of Rachel's. She longarms for me and I hand bind for her. We both love trading--binding is so relaxing for me and she is still exploring on her longarm. She quilted this one with a pink variegated thread and these cheerful flowers. It is a big one, so it will take a little time to bind. I plan on working on it for Slow Sunday Stitching: https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com

How is everyone holding up? I coped with a little retail therapy this week. My hubby called it "frivolous," but I think it was bargain priced necessities. I have been eying these light weight, cozy sweatshirts from Target for awhile and they went on clearance. I needed the post-it pads for work and mug cakes are a favorite sweet because they are single servings. See necessities! Hang in there and stay healthy!

Quarantine Sewing

Hi friends! I am sorry for being MIA--I have been working, sewing, cooking, and of course staying home. This whole situation is surreal, but we are making it work. First, I have to say how thankful I am that our daughter is home from college. She and my hubby pretty much drove straight through from Syracuse to Montrose in 29 hours. They arrived here on 3/16. Prior to being sent home, she had been ill at school--fever, aches, chills, cough, etc. We are pretty sure she had Covid-19, but neither my hubby or I have any symptoms. So either we are asymptomatic or she was no longer contagious, not likely. Several of her friends have tested positive since they have been home, so it is pretty likely she had it too...She has recovered and is working on finishing up her classes online. Her graduation ceremony has been rescheduled for May 2021 and we expect her job to be delayed.

Our school district has cancelled in person learning for the rest of the year and I am busy teaching distance learning. I am grateful that I already used a lot of digital platforms with my students before this, so it has been easier on all of us. I love checking in with them through Zoom meetings weekly--for the most part we are sticking to our regular schedule. I am actually working about the same amount as usual--it is just different not seeing the kids in person. 

I have used this time to put all my blocks from my Sunday Best Quilts Sampler. I of course used Bonnie & Camille scraps. I am trying to decide if I should add a white outer border like Sheri did or leave it as is like Corey did. What are your thoughts? I just ordered a wide backing that is big enough for either size...

 I also made all 64 blocks for Summer on the Porch in Boundless Garden Party fabric. I got this kit for Valentine's Day from Blueprint (they are closed during this time, but keep this one in your want to make queue https://shop.mybluprint.com/quilting/kits/summer-on-the-porch-garden-party-expand-a-quilt-kit/672545?SSAID=384437&sscid=41k4_hwjiw&sasClickId=41k4_hwjiw&cr_linkid=ShareASale_Banner_ShareASale&cr_maid=46579&cr_source=ShareASale&cr_medium=ShareASale) and I want to use this queen sized quilt on our bed this summer. I just ordered a solid looking turquoise for the backing. My goal this week is to sew it together, so it looks like this (below)!

Thanks Myra for the beautiful fabric and design!

Do you remember this finish? This was Clementine that was a quilt along with Fat Quarter Shop in 2018. I had the privilege of making one. My daughter and I are gifting it to one of her besties moms. Fran (the mom) is a doctor in Kingston, New York and has been extremely helpful to my daughter while she was at college. She has been battling the virus that she got while treating patients--a true hero. She was released from the hospital this morning, so we are sending this as a quilty hug for all her kindness and her recovery. I hope she enjoys snuggling under this cheerful quilt as she heals.

I didn't get to make a last care package to send to my daughter at school, but I did get to put together an Easter basket.  It was harder just picking out things online, I missed wandering through Target and Marshalls.  I still put some fun self-care items together: bath bombs, French lavender lotion & shower gel, face masks, hair masks, chai k-cups, a water bottle, and Reeses' eggs. She loved it and likes being home with me cooking, her dad cleaning, and our dogs to cuddle with.

During one of my Zoom meetings this week, a kiddo asked me if I had been to the local food pantry yet. I said no and she told me they had been twice. I am heartbroken that my kids are suffering during this time. I had a grocery gift card sent to their home anonymously and may need to send more to their family and others before this is over. Take care of each other and stay healthy!

Tanya