Words & Stitches

I noticed that there is a little conflict brewing among the furry co-workers. I call it Chair Wars. There is a chair next to the table I use in the home office that was a gift from my mom. While I work away at my computer, I often glance over to enjoy the sight of a furry cutie lounging nearby. Like this…

Or this..

Slowly, it dawned on me that whichever cat claimed the chair first would “camp” there for the day…the winner of Chair Wars.

Then, one day, this happened..

At this point, I truly believed we had reached some new level of brotherly kitty love. I stepped away for a moment and came back to this…

I’ve also discovered that if I leave my own chair within a 30 minute window of quitting time, I return to this..

I’d love to say he’s trying to help with my work/life balance but I’m pretty sure he’s motivated by wanting to go out on his leash. I tell him often during the day that I can’t go out now, I’m working! I finish about four days of every five working on a stool… he’s too cute to move!

So, in actual fabric news, I took my fabric storage from this

To this

The actual impetus was cat-related…Winnie had gone MIA in retaliation for a trip to the vet (she’s fine, thanks.) I thought she was hiding in the storage area upstairs but instead she had donned her invisibility cloak and hidden in my bedroom. I’m working on a couple of commission pieces right now and found some fun soon-to-be scrub cap fabrics in the cleaning up. My current count is 51caps and 79 face masks. With Oregon requiring then now, I need to get a few more done.

The last few weeks were rough. Father’s Day followed the next week by our anniversary and then the 4th of July. By a combination of work schedules and migraines, and the ever-present Covid, I hung out with the fur for the day after a trip to the farmers market for flowers for Phil and a visit to his grave. Turns out that Max is totally not bothered by fireworks.

We walked for nearly an hour enjoying the sparkle of the neighborhood and remembering better days.

Today, I started on a garden project. More on that next time. According to my tomatoes, I may not have a black thumb after all!

Happy quilting!

Beth

Today’s my day on the Stitching Sunshine blog hop and I’m seriously in need of some brightness. I’m not going to lie, Father’s Day was rough and our wedding anniversary is Saturday so lots sorrow going on here. And the perfect way to combat it…. with some stitching!

I don’t create alone, though. I have a full staff of furry design assistants.

Despite their help, I managed to piece this little quilt. The sunflower center was a free block on line at https://sandystardesigns.com/2018/06/26/fallintoaqal-block-4-sunflower/ and the free- form letters were from the book “Word Play” quilts.

Photographing it was another thing all together…

And after many choruses of, “Griff, get off the quilt for just a minute” there is this…

My plan is to scallop the edges and bind it in white to make it look like a postage stamp.

Special thanks to Carla at Creatin in the Stickshttps://createinthesticks.blogspot.com/?m=1 for putting this together and herding her own set of Cats….I mean bloggers! Be sure to visit her blog for a terrific giveaway.

Here’s the full line up for today!

Wednesday, June 24th
MooseStashQuilting

PamelaQuilts

Podunk Pretties

Homespun Hannah’s Blog
Ridge Top Quilts
Words & Stitches
Storied Quilts
Ms P Designs USA
selina quilts

Happy quilting!

Beth

Hi everyone,

There’s fun to be had this week on the

Please hop over and check out these wonderful bloggers:

Monday, June 22nd
Just Let Me QuiltVroomansQuiltsQuilt SchmiltQuiltFabrication
Life in the Scrapatch
Karrin’s Crazy World
Just Because Quilts
Quilting Gail
Tuesday, June 23rd
Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and TravelElizabeth Coughlin DesignsScrapdashMaryMack’s blog 
karen’s korner
Sue S – hosted at Creatin’ in the Sticks
The Joyful Quilter
For the love of geese
Wednesday, June 24th
MooseStashQuiltingPamelaQuiltsPodunk PrettiesHomespun Hannah’s Blog
Ridge Top Quilts
Words & Stitches
Storied Quilts
Ms P Designs USA
selina quilts
Thursday, June 25th
Kathleen McMusingDen syende himmel
Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
Samelia’s Mum
Hill Valley Quilter
Seams To Be Sew
That Fabric Feeling
Creatin’ in the Sticks

My day is Wednesday, so you can be assured I’m rushing to get my design done… lol. After all, why break with tradition? I like to say it’s always the Festival of the Last Minute at my house!

Happy quilting!

Beth

I think I could be onto something. I set some teeny tiny goals and I think I met them all!

I moved the totes to the sewing room (by proxy… thanks, darling daughter!)

I picked out, cut out and made three scrub caps (one more than goal) with one more nearly finish. That brings my total to 50!

I did clean most of the table which prompted a sudden interest in the television.

Gizmo shares my fondness for the BBC!

I did not figure out the next machine quilting project but that’s ok. It can rise to the top of next/ this week’s list. I did swoop in and pick up an auction item at Mr. Domestic’s fund raiser…Tula! I just love Tula! And Mr. Domestic! If you have time, there’s a great zoom meeting tomorrow at the Portland Modern Quilt Guild featuring the Sara from the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Saturday, there’s a mask making summit hosted by Just Wanna Quilt and yours truly is on the panel. I’d love to have you tune in!

This week’s micro goals…

1. Finish cap #51

2. Decide on next fabric

3. Cut four caps.

4. Finish 3 caps.

5. Continue the War on Weeds that is happening in my back yard and research a cheap trellis.

6. Decide on next machine quilting project.

So, do you have any micro goals this week?

Happy quilting,

Beth

Well, May was not my month, folks. A lot of sorrow from Memorial Day (my husband’s first as a resident in a national cemetary.)

And, honestly, the world situation is wearing me down. So, I took advantage of my company’s employee assistance program and started teleconferencing with a therapist.

I also broke down and put this little guy back on anti-anxiety meds. I can’t handle the out-of-the-box issues and we’ve ruled out health issues

I’m also trying to take him out first thing every morning on his “wheesh” so we can interrupt his morning mission to retrace every step the night shift cat took the night before. I figure the result is a bit like a morning workout… I’m hoping it will center his thoughts elsewhere and help with his stress level.

As for my stress level, we all know what helps…fabric!

I can’t wait to decide on an inventory theme. I’m thinking florals in brights…. I’ll keep you posted. I have a plan for the rainbow charms… should be a quick one.

I’ve finished 47 scrub caps so far and now it’s time to cut out more. Cutting patterns has never been my favourite part if the process. You?

I’ve been saying for weeks it’s time to baste the next quilt. I miss machine quilting! I did finish my row for the row along but that will have to wait!

I’ve had a few masks to make, too. I’ve been keeping friends and neighbors supplied. These two were numbers 74 and 75.

And, I really need to stop browsing online…. that’s how these pretties landed at my house.

Let’s just say this… the combo of sad and fabric on sale is bad! Lol

I am really feeling pretty low energy right now. So, for this week, I’m going to micro-goal. I find when I’m overwhelmed, it helps. Here’s my sewing goals this week.

1. Decide on the next scrub caps and cut them out.

2. Clean off sewing table one.

3. Move empty totes upstairs.

4. Finish two caps.

5. Choose and find backing for next quilting project.

That’s it. The goals for this week. Let’s see how it goes. If you’re overwhelmed right now, too, maybe we could micro-goal together?

Happy quilting,

Beth

I was born in the early 60’s.  I grew up with images of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy.  I was raised to value humans.   All humans.  I was raised to believe that color shouldn’t matter.  Race shouldn’t matter.  That we are all the same.  All equal.  That the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement had helped put us on a path to equality for all.  

I was raised to believe that the only important thing about a person was how they treated other people.  That power came with responsibility.  That it was our duty to help people.  That we were making a better world.  

I’m appalled at what I’m seeing.  I can’t understand how it can be that in 2020, parents have to coach their children on not just how to speak with police but how to survive an encounter with the police.  I’m heartsick that there are people who have to feel unsafe going out for a walk…not because of their location but because of their skin tone.  

I’m a white woman.  I don’t know first hand what my friends of color have lived with.  But I do know my friends.  And when they speak out about what their experience has been…I empathize with them.  And I weep for them.  And I want to make the world better for them and for all of us.

So, yes, if you were wondering, I agree that #blacklivesmatter. And, if you’re on Instagram and you want to support a fundraiser with items of interest to us quilty people, check out @mrdauctionhouse for a wealth of quilt goodies.

Also, as the sibling of a retired officer, I want to say that I weep for the good officers who are committed to their communities and find themselves in the crossfire.

Stay safe friends. Help where you can. Love as much as possible. Be the best human you can be. God willing, we will all make it through 2020 into a better version of ourselves.

Today we’re having a very low- key hang out day for Mother’s Day. I’m getting to spend time with two of my favorite humans (aka my daughters. )

We’ve done masks, had a fabulous breakfast, my younger one painted our toenails, and we’re hanging out watching Lucifer and The Office. I have a feeling that years from now, this is going to be my most requested Mother’s Day plan!

Of course, it’s also a tough day as it’s my first without my mom. I miss her every day.

The girls also brought me flowers, something their dad did every year. I miss my husband every moment of the day but I’m grateful for the company and support of my girls and all our friends and family.

I’m working away on my scrub caps and finished four more yesterday. This brings my total to 36. I send them to work with my daughter and I’ve been delighted with the photos of nurses wearing them. My most recent used some Star Wars fabric I bought and some donated by Windham. I love that black with gold flecks!

Of course, the sewing room progress has been almost non-existent. I keep thinking I’ll do some organizing but I can almost always sew until the thought passes! I plan to get more done this week. I did play some with my scraps and am nearly done with my scrap vortex blocks. My goal this week is to baste the next cat bed…I mean quilt… and start on some memorial blocks.

Well, back to relaxing for us. I made this little collage of the furbabies to give you a smile. Griffie turned 17 this week. (He’s still asking about driver’s ed… lol, But, seriously, he’s doing ok for a senior kitty.)

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

So. weekends… what a concept! With the two job gig, it’s been six years since I had weekends so I’m really enjoying this “two days to do what you want” concept. Today I worked a bit more on the sewing room. Now, I’m totally not doing the stash and dash method of cleaning. I’m sorting, pitching, trimming scraps and making slow but steady progress. This room did not get this way overnight and it’s not going to get better overnight.

This, and one reusable grocery bag sorted and put away was my accomplishment today.

I don’t know if you can see it but this was piled HIGH with bits and pieces. It is in that very back corner by the book case on the right.

I also found a lovely remnant of Kona and cut a bunch of 1″ strips to make mask ties and ran them through the serger.

After which, I saw that my LQS had gotten in elastic which I promptly called and paid for (adding a couple of yards of batiks just because it’s good to show our quilt shops some love. )

I saw this little paw poking out from a chair as I was working on the room… I’m not even sure how he fit!

And now about the kitty krew last night…oh my goodness! It was like a comedy of errors.

When I went to bed I smelled poop…. and sure enough Mr. Jack (who tends to get cling-ons) had left an accidental gift on my pillow. Which necessitated the removal of the fuzzy robe which usually lays on my pillow which in turn usually holds the Gizmo who sleeps on my pillow. Well, tough beans, tonight Gizmo will have to make do with a flannel pillowcase.

Except a fresh pillowcase was apparently not up to Gizmo’s high standards and he could not be convinced to settle in to sleep. I even tried putting my own fuzzy robe on the pillow for him but no go.

I told him unequivocally that the laundry service in this hotel is closed at night and went to sleep. He apparently plotted his revenge for the laundry comment by walking me up several times pawing at the blankets. That’s his code for, “I’m cold, I need to get under the covers. ” But every time I lifted the covers, he walked away. In between rounds of this, Winnie decided to take out her frustrations on Jack for causing this uproar and depriving her of her favorite place to pad (the elbow of my robe with my arm in it) by pouncing on him while he was sleeping.

Milo and I were very much on team, “Can’t we all just go to sleep?” But we were outvoted by the drama-cat contingent. Eventually, I found myself wide awake at 5:45 but I got over it and managed to snooze until after 7. Which is quite the sleeping in experience for me! Needless to say, all bedding and robes are freshly laundered and I’m hoping tonight is a good bit quieter!

I hope you are well and safe and your bed- fellows are well- behaved!

Yep,  it’s officially started!  Yesterday we began the tiniest tip of the iceberg in the storage space which will become the “Space of all fabric storage. ”  Today,  a friend hauled away the second large item taking up coveted garage space and now we are ready to tackle this project.   I started by cleaning out the bin in the foreground.  Lots of odd bits of lace and trims used to fill this one up and almost all are charity-shop bound… when we can donate things again.

I’ve also cleaned out the drawer in my sewing table and my cutting table. Most of the result is a mess on my table but quite a lot has been put away or has not made the keep-it cut. Some other items in the storage space were re- homed to my neighbor’s kiddos. All in all, perhaps the equivalent of two large storage totes so far. Oh, and I threw out the old broken cutting mat that went to my table an old and horribly ruined rug. I think I may be begging space in the neighbor’s trash cans by Thursday if we can keep up the momentum. It’s going to be a long haul, this room, but it will be so worth it in the end. I’m going to reward myself with some cutting of scraps and “just for fun sewing ” after each bit of sorting. A girl needs something to look forward to!

Hoping you are safe and well.

Beth

OK, I totally planned to post this on Monday….and the accountant called. (Now, disclaimer here, I’ve been watching a lot of RuPaul’s Drag Race so the language may be a little sassier than usual!) Well, friends, just let me tell you that the news was 3 times worse than I had expected! Yep, I could buy a top of the line computerized brand new long arm machine with what Uncle Sam considers his due. Turns out, taking depreciation on the rental house all those years was not the best option! However, I also got hard hit because the tenant left the house looking like a crack den and on top of that the cess pool system was failing. Anyway, it knocked me for a loop this week. However, years ago, I heard Rita Cunningham say, “If money can fix it, you don’t have a problem.” And she’s right. Losing my husband, especially because the people who were supposed to care for him failed to give him a chance by following proper procedures…that’s a problem. The people worrying about loved ones with COVID…that’s a problem. The healthcare workers on the front lines having to worry about if they’ll have PPE…that’s a problem. This is sucky but, hey, it’s not really a problem. (It does mean that the used long arm I was hoping to buy in a year or so is not likely but, hey, you never know!)

So, I promised some super realism as I launch in the remodel of the sewing room. (If you’re super organized and can’t handle a creative mess, you may need to look away now.) Here’s my sewing room in all it’s messy glory!

Also, have you seen this awesome graphic? I’m hoping to find out the name of the artist so I can buy a small print for my sewing room. (I know I could just print it but I’d rather support the artist.) Who knew that sewing was about to become the new superpower?!

It’s Easter today. Another “first without” for our family and, of course, here we are isolated in our homes. I’m making a traditional dinner and filling the Easter baskets for my girl’s annual hunt. It won’t be everything that Easter usually is but it’s still Easter and spring is still filling my life with little snips of beauty. I hope your day is filled with hope and love and companionship across the airwaves, the video chats or the blogs. Deep breaths, my friends, hope is still out there. Or, as I saw it stated so eloquently, “This too shall pass…it may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass!”

Happy Easter,

Beth