Where did the summer go?

Me trying to not wheeze because of all of the smoke

It is amazing that three months have gone by in a blink of an eye. Summer is at an end and thankfully, we have begun to receive well-needed rain in Oregon. It has been so dry and the fires have really been bad. We were at a Level 1 evacuation level for two weeks and it was a long two weeks. When you are told to get ready to evacuate and you look around your home at what has taken you a lifetime to accumulate, it is an emotional experience. We gathered pictures, papers, quilts, and short-term clothing and stacked them by the door. I took pictures of everything inside of closets and rooms so that I would have something to see to remind me of items just in case. We were lucky because we didn't have to leave. Others were not as lucky and were homeless for many weeks and some lost their homes even through the heroic efforts of the men and women firefighters working endlessly trying to contain the fire and save as much as they could.

I have been trying so hard to catch up on some long overdo projects. 2017 has been a wonderful year with working on the World Quilting Travel Adventure but it did consume a lot of time in designing and creating the souvenirs and writing patterns and instructions. I realized that I was not getting any closer to finishing older projects. So after designing Australia, I stopped and finished piecing my Christmas quilt. The top is now done and is resting on the second bed waiting its turn to be quilted.

Next I pulled out The Lady that really has languished for years with its top being done but me not feeling up to the level to quilt it myself. I realized that I may never feel comfortable in quilting her so I bit the bullet and have been quilting her. It's been hard and I don't feel like I am getting anywhere near close to being finished, but I am plugging away at her.

Quilting on The Lady's hair

To give myself a break on quilting, I have been making a toothbrush rug for my kitchen. It is a perfect mindless activity after machine quilting for too long. So far, it is about 27 inches in diameter and I hope to finish it at least 45 to 60 inches in diameter.

Toothbrush rug in progress

My finished Israel souvenir was accepted in a local quilt show. I look forward to seeing it hanging next weekend. I was so nervous on whether it would be accepted. Isn't that silly? In the big scheme of life, that is really not even on a measurable level.

Other projects on my to-do list is to make a baby quilt for a neighbor's daughter who is expecting next year. She is such a sweetie and I so rarely get to do baby things. And speaking of baby things! I learned of an organization that makes NICU-friendly diaper shirts for babies, no matter how small! I immediately offered my sewing services and have my flannel all washed and prepped. I still need to locate a special soft Velcro and then I can start cutting and sewing. When you see how small the pattern is for a 1 pound or less infant, it is difficult to wrap your brain around a baby being that tiny. I received 7 patterns for babies from 1 pound to 7 pounds, 8 ounces and you get to choose the ones you want to make. If you are interested in using up a little of your cotton and flannel, please go to Twenty-Five and Four to learn more. I'm thinking this would make a great reason to gather several friends together for an afternoon party of sewing and fellowship while sewing these tiny shirts for such precious babies.

And before you think we have stopped travelling, we have not. Just taken a pause. I assure you that all this activity has not stopped me from contemplating Australia's souvenir and the different techniques to use for it. Honestly, I have gone from one end to another and still have not nailed down which techniques to use. It may end up an everything including the kitchen sink souvenir! The cooler weather is spurring me on to a decision and then I will start transferring the design to templates. I have my fabric chosen so at least that part is decided.

And as a famous person once said, "give your loved ones a daily hug and never let the sun go down with sourness on your lips. It'll leak out of other body parts!"  LOL