Productivity during the Plague!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I did. 

I got to be the guest for the first time in many years.

                                              Bringing Home the Tree by Buttermilk Basin.

A hostess gift and early Christmas present for my DIL.

She hosted Thanksgiving dinner for the first time and it was delicious.

We even had Jalapeno stuffing, which was the best!

She always appreciates the quilts I give her

and loves to display them in their home.

Makes me smile.

Lori of Humble Quilts posted info on how to donate to the Oregon fire victims.

Wanda Joy quilted up a bunch of charity quilts donated by Monica J.

 and then my quilting teacher and good friend, Betty O., bound them for me. 

I will mail them Monday after 2 more get their bindings sewn down. 

If you would like to learn how to contribute,

here is Lori's post.

Since I spend so much time in my sewing room these days,

I am finishing up most of my UFOs.

Harvest Moon by Heart to Hand is quilted! 

My first all wool quilting job.

Botanical Sketchbook by Dawn Heese of Linen Closet Designs.

This is wool on homespun and was my first attempt at free motion quilting.

Of course, they both need their binding, which is my least favorite part of the process!

So I guess I cannot officially call them a finish,

yet.

What is next?

Fancy Forest by Elizabeth Hartmann

for my new grandson.

Yes, one thistle is missing. 

Today's goal is to get this guy finished up.

I have this darling fabric for the backing.

I can hardly wait to try ruler work on this one.

Then there are several more modern quilts in my queue.

Oh, how my tastes have changed!

I even purchased some Tula Pink fabrics and a special ruler for a quilt with curves.

I don't do curves or notions, so this is something new for me! 

I know Jan is smiling right now.

Finished up Sue Spargo's Squash Squad this week. 
Waiting to see what she designs for the borders.

As my friend Betty says, "Thank goodness for my sewing! Without it, I think I would go crazy."
All I know is the pandemic, which I have gone to calling the plague, has made me productive. 

Stay safe, and sew on!

The Circle of Life

 My longarm machine is in its new home. 

I named her Wanda Joy, after my mother.

This used to be her bedroom when she would come to visit.

My next goal is put a few pictures I inherited from her on the walls.

She loved modern art and had the most eclectic collection.

Right now, I am just learning how to load the machine and do edge to edge quilting.

I pieced some simple quilt tops and will donate them to LINUS...a good way to use up stash.

I plan to take some classes soon on free motion quilting and ruler work.

This edge to edge stuff is very useful,

but I feel more like a computer operator than a quilter.

Still embroidering...

6 of 9 Squash Squad blocks.

I am so thankful for projects like these on social media.

Without them, I think the anxiety and isolation would overwhelm me.

I said goodbye to my mother this year and 

welcomed another grandchild.

The circle of life.