Thanksgiving day

For the first time in adult memory I did not cook and serve a turkey for my crew at home. Instead we drove up into the north Georgia mountains to meet my future daughter-in-law's family for the first time.

It was almost balmy out so we ate outside on the deck and later gathered around a campfire out front.

The food was terrific, the company and setting even better. It felt great to be welcomed into this happy tribe.

The extent of my duties for the day? Open a bottle of wine!

writing in the snow

I had forgotten how expressive free motion quilting can be given the right combination of surface, thread and a well set-up machine.  I didn't even waste time with a practice piece, just jumped right in and before I knew I was speaking in tongues with the aliens... again.

this is inspiring me to think again about whether and how to use machine quilting on the big works in progress that are so stalled.

wonky snow jewel

To keep the frenzy of production work in perspective, I got the blue horse (or is it a blue cat?) out of the UFO pile and hooped it up. No more vacillating about machine or hand stitching this one will take more time - time that I am going to make and effort to give it.

Meanwhile, back at the factory, things are going smoothly because I am still working with the colors/fabric that appeal to me the most (there are two more courses of three not showing ) . The backing for this quilt is a beautiful damask tablecloth - not vintage, because it has to hold up to use - but with an exquisite pattern.

Tomorrow I will give the Janome a new needle, a quick cleaning and work some equally wonky white feathers in around the color blocks. Don't I sound confident?  I am NOT.

time well spent

Like Nellie, I'm turning out wonky log cabin blocks to be turned quickly into functional, warm quilts. These are going to be set in a dazzling field of white, like flowers in the snow.
It's satisfying work and adds up quickly to something that will matter, one way or another.

more shopkeeping

I'll be working on stocking up the store this weekend.

I've been digging through the bins and there are treasures galore! The holidays are upon us, like it or not.

More later!