Life is getting busier??? Or I just went into survival mode?

Hello All!  I hope you're safe and sound.  Sound being the questionable part!

I'm not playing the camera game with the grandkids.  It went a long time, but they were making fun of my photos - I was running out of things to picture!!  I looked online for something else that would work ... but we all just ran out of steam!  It was fun while it lasted!

I've been spending a little more time with Road to Oklahoma.  I need 80 of the 8" blocks to make my "go to" size of quilt.  60 x 80-ish!  That's a lot of scraps!!  I thought I was getting close but alas, components made - only enough for 50 blocks ... oh dear!

I have enough +/X blocks, just finishing what I have cut ... I love to put a row of blocks on the back - it always cheers me up!  Maybe blocks done by June 6???  We'll see.  I'm also working on our guild summer challenge, and 2 Mod Squad assignments for our scheduled meeting June 12.

Here are some +/X blocks I've made:

 

Christmas 3(?)                         Wild Animals

  

Fabrics bought in Japan                             Stars!!           

 

Graphic B&W                     Got the Blues!

 

Graphics Light                       Flower Garden

10" blocks for Quiltmania's Pandemic quilts for Hospital staff

I've been reading more now that the library allows us to reserve and pick up books.  I recommend:

The Flight Attendant  Chris Bohjalian

The Dressmakers Gift  Fiona Valpy

Year One  Nora Roberts (SF)

The Snow Child  Eowyn Ivey

The Most Fun We Ever Had  Claire Lombardo

I'm an avid reader and love mysteries, thrillers, SciFi, and even romance!  I love fiction!! 

 Last year was a slow year for me - 45 books read.  (I have to admit, ebooks don't always get counted.)  So far this year - 43!!  I think I'm headed for a banner year!!

So - keep on keeping on!  Stay safe, wear your mask!  And QUILT ON!

A lovely sunrise reflected in the Western Sky - photo by my DH

Tips for Safe and effective face mask use from from Dr Oz and Dr Roizen

Tips for Safe and Effective Mask Use

By Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen, MDs

In the 1994 movie "The Mask," Jim Carrey's character — a mild-mannered bank clerk named Stanley Ipkiss — is transformed into a hyped-up superhero when he dons a vivid green mask.

Fortunately, wearing a protective nonmedical mask doesn't make you manic, but it does make you a hero. That's because it reinforces the benefits of social distancing and helps you protect yourself, your loved ones, your neighbor, and the country from the spread of COVID-19.

But it is vital that you know how to use your cloth mask so it is not a potential source of viral transmission.

1. Use high thread-count fabric. It should be tight across your chin, nose, and cheeks, but not touching your lips. If it touches your lips and virus droplets permeate the mask, they can enter your mouth. And vice versa, if you are infected (but maybe don't know it) — your moist lips can transfer the virus to the outer side of the mask and out into the air.

2. Do not touch the mask with your hands.

3. Wash it after every use. (Have a backup.) Remove with the ear straps and place directly into the washing machine. Then wash your hands well. You can also put it in an air-tight plastic bag for 72 hours — that’s how long it takes the virus to die.

This was sent in Dr Oz's daily emails.  Seems like good advice.

Well, that week went fast!! For quarantine!!

No, I did not go on a vacation trip.  I was right here.  Apparently just busy in the sewing room! :)  I did get a LOT done!!  All those ripped blocks are done - this time the correct way.  And it makes a world of difference!!  It's a wee bit WILD! But I'm loving it.  Don't you??

But Wait!  There's More!  I've been on a mission lately about more blocks - making more than 1 a day!  It's so much fun!!

  

Elvis after complete overhaul                  Christmas!                 

  

Bee 2                                    Sewing 2

 

Sweet Water fabrics               Quilt of Valor block

 

Halloween 1                             Halloween 2

 

Halloween 3                           Fabrics from Japan

 

Junk foods                                    Brown block

Beach 2                       Covid-19 

                                                       (top right or bottom left fabric)

Then I took a day off and worked on another block I've been wanting to do - Stripe Me Lucky, a Jen Kingwell Collective pattern by Michelle McKillop.  And it's just as much fun!!!  I had to change it, of course!  I made the strips wider and left out one round.  More Stripe fabric goes between the blocks.

 

Our county got released from quarantine.  Free, Free at last!!  BUT don't go wild, there are people out there with the virus.  They may not know it, they may not think they are giving it to you, but it is what it is!!

WEAR YOUR MASK - everywhere.  Wash it every night (or if you have more than one, change them out)  But always wash them between wearing.  I throw mine in with the towels, or just wash it with dish soap in kitchen sink.  Lay it out on a towel, it'll be dry by morning.  If it's double-sided, never switch the side against your face before washing it!!

DON'T GO CRAZY!  Yes, it's exhilarating to have choices!!  Wear your mask, social distance and if there's a crowd, leave!

AND if anyone gives you crap about wearing a mask.  Turn away, make an exit, and make a promise to yourself to NEVER make them a quilt!!! You can tell family that, it just might help keep them in line!!!

I have been to the quilt guild's meeting space 3 times in the last 3 months.  We received requests for face masks. We sprang into action and made hundreds of masks, it was amazing!  

But the last two times I was there to drop off/pick up something:  there were quilters NOT wearing masks!  The same ones that were sewing away!!  It makes NO sense.

So yesterday we had to pick up challenge fabrics.  And we brought our spring challenges.  The leader took a picture of us with them.  And I wore my mask.  She said, "Don't you want to take that off?"  And I replied, "NO!  This is going on FB and we have to set an example!  Wear the mask!"  By the end, 3 of the 6 had masks on during our picture!!  Think you look silly??  Who cares??  You look safe!  You look like you love your family.  You look like a caring person who wants this over with quickly, please!

 

 

 

People who wear masks!  The two with quilts, coming soon to FB!!

BE SMART!  Wear a mask!  And if someone says something, leave it on - they don't really know who you are!!!!  Just leave anonymously!!!  Tee-Hee!

Done Ripping, still resewing blocks

Note to self:  After researching patterns, and collecting data - please refer back after one sample block!!  Not wander over and take a peak after 29 blocks!  Just saying!!

The photo game continues!  Here's some of the latest - all in our apt:

 

 

 

 

The last one - here's a hint - it looks like a face and it is -of a nautical type!

On "May the 4th be with you!" I watched Star Wars IV and other movies and ripped, ripped, ripped!  But, if I resew 5 blocks a day - I'll be back to 29 blocks completed on Mother's Day!

My Mom, Granny, to our family, died a few years back.  She lived to be 97 but she hated being told what to do!  (so that's where I get it!!)  One flu season was tough and they locked down the retirement home she lived in.  It drove her nuts.

She and her dog had a one bedroom apartment with a patio.  TV, books on tape, A little kitchen, and meals delivered.  "I'm locked up in a puppy mill!" was her refrain for that one week!!  She would have HATED this!

Even I can't get my mind around it - I've been doing this for over 2 months???  I think I've left our complex 9 times!!  And normal isn't even 'just around the corner!'  Bah Humbug!!

Here are the photo reveals:

 

 

  

 

The Whale is a salad tong!  It was a gift from the kids - but no one could guess it!  Stay Safe and QUILT ON!