Quiltville Mystery 2020

For the past 5 years or so I have been doing the Quiltville Mystery that starts on Black Friday. Last year I almost didn't do it, because I was 2 years behind already and the cancer surgery was looming, but I decided to go for it and am so glad that I did. I was able to finish those last 2 years and get all the blocks done for the 2020 mystery. 

I have been switching up the colors a bit and this year is no exception. I think I'm going to use dark pink for red, medium pink for orange, purple for the gray, and yellow and green where yellow and green are in Bonnie's colors. I have a bunch of neutral packs that I am going to use for the white. I pulled and sorted my batik stash last night in anticipation. I love learning from her mysteries. I have the rulers and I enjoy making each step. 

 #quiltvillemystery #grassycreekquilt @Bonniehunter

Owen's 1st Holy Communion

 

Sunday I was able to go to Philip, my hometown, for my nephew's first communion. It was delayed from the spring due to COVID. He's also my godson, so I especially wanted to be there. 

Dad and Ann were also able to be there. 

We took a picture with the grandkids that were there and Grandpa and Grandma. My brother and his family also took a family picture as well. 

It was a private mass for the 4 kids making their first communion. Their teacher, was Miss Ellen Schofield, my kindergarten teacher! 

 

We also went to the cemetary and visited mom's grave as well as both sets of my grandparents. 

 

A couple weeks ago my breast cancer survivor sister Heidi was in town for appointments and we had lunch together. It was so wonderful to catch up with her and visit. 

Regina's Sew Together Bag

My friend Regina kept telling me she wanted a Sew Together bag, but I kept threatening her that it would have the naked men fabric if I made it for her. She was game, so I used her favorite color, orange, some leftover fat quarters, and a few scraps of the men to make this Sew Together bag. It's sewing business on the outside. 

But the men just make the inside.

I also used the aunty acid fabric which turned out to be super cute and fits her perfectly. 

Regina is my crazy friend, but she's also the one who answers the phone every time I call and is always ready to visit and catch up. She absolutely loved the bag and I enjoyed making it for her.

 

October Sewing

October ended up being a busy month in my sewing room. Since I was able to get out to Dad's house and quilt, I was able to finish several projects. I've been working on the Journey to Nebula sew along, so I made this pillow topper Lucky Charm. The back has a zipper in in and I bound it. 

I also quilted and finished this mini table topper, Moda Love, which is 12" finished. 

I quilted and bound this mini Jacobs Ladder in Fragile fabric. The blocks are 2" finished. 

I bound this Elvira quilt made from Sakura fabrics that Trappor Masson quilted for me. 

I also made this Sweetheart table topper and quilted and bound it. I love this pattern and plan to make it again. It's a free pattern on the Jaybird quilt site and uses her rulers. 

I cut out a Meadowland quilt from my Homemade fat quarters. I still have more background to cut out, but at least I have it all cut out and the pieces sorted. 

My stash usage started off very slow this year, but has picked up significantly this fall. 

In This Month:7 yards

Out This Month: 18.5 yards

In This Year: 99.5 yards

Out This Year: 125.25 yards
+ 25.75 yards used from stash

 

Bucket list trip

If there is one thing that having cancer has taught me, it is to make memories and do the things you've always wanted to do, because time is not guaranteed. Last winter we made the decision to go to a Nascar race in Kansas City in October. We paid for the tickets, the hotel, and made our plan. Then COVID hit. We really didn't think we'd get to go, but since the track is in KS and they have looser rules, we were re-seated and we were still able to go on our trip. We left early Thursday morning, October 15th. We stopped for lunch and a walk around Falls Park in Sioux Falls. We stayed in Council Bluffs on Thursday night, then got up early Friday morning to head into KC. We were met with a lot of hunters all flocking to SD for the opening hunting weekend. 

My request was to go to Quilting is My Therapy, Angela Walters shop in Liberty, MO. It's just outside of KC and we went there first, so we didn't have to backtrack. It was a cute shop and I had a fun look around. 

Then we headed to the Zoo. The kids love the zoo and we had great weather for it. 

We rode the train and the tram. 

 We went to a World of Outlaws race on Friday night. Then to Springfield and Ozark MO to see a great aunt on Saturday. Sunday it was bitterly cold, 34 with the wind chill. The race was soooo cold, but we survived and made memories. I'm so thankful our trip went off without a hitch and we didn't get sick. We had a wonderful time and we're already planning for a similar trip next year.

Quilting Day at Dad's House

 Last week I pieced the Seaside table runner for the #journey2Nebula quilt along. The stiletto comes in really handy when piecing it. I quilted it and bound it Thursday night, then worked on the hand stitching on Friday morning and Saturday night. I finally got it finished and gifted to my co-worker Chris who got married at the beginning of the month. 

As I was piecing it, I worked on these Toni blocks. I've been using them as leaders and enders. They are from the Glamping Gypsy line (that I still have too much of!). 

Saturday I was able to go to Dad's house and quilt. I started with Frolic mini Jacob's Ladder quilt. It's 20x24 and all the blocks are 2.5" finished. 

Dad took us to the Wicksville church for lunch and a craft bazaar, then back to quilting! I quilted this mini Moda Love quilt. It's 12" square. Then I quilted both Cabin Fever quilts on the same backing piece. I did one with loops and the other with swiggles. 

I also quilted this Lucky Charm pillow topper. It will become a 20" pillow. It's so easy to quilt these up quickly at dad's, especially when everything goes well. We were home earlier than expected (which never happens). The next day I realized I forgot to quilt the Sweetheart table topper, but it's small and I can do it at home. 

Last night I whipped up a couple more face masks. One for my MIL and one for my daughter. I think they will love them. The batwing pattern is so fast and it fits so well. 

This week we leave on vacation and I get to go to #QuiltingismyTherapy shop. To say I'm excited is an understatement! I'll be sure to share photos when we return.