Grassy Creek mystery quilt

 We have started this year's mystery sewing/quilting with Bonnie Hunter!  I have to put my fabrics together for this mystery.  I hope I have enough...I think I do.  

Here's the link if you would like to join and make your own version.

Grassy Creek, part 1

Bonnie gives clues every Friday until the New Year.  I've participated in several mysteries and they are so much fun.  I sew and sew, piece and piece and wait expectantly for the reveal!  Bonnie loves her scrappy pieces and because of her, I've ventured out to use every bit of my scraps to create my own version.  Before finding Bonnie, I would buy the fabrics as specified in various patterns and pieced them with just those fabrics.  I ended up with scraps a plenty and when a fellow quilter at a guild meeting gave out Bonnie's website, I was hooked.  That journey started over 10 years ago!  My time just flies by!

Bonnie begins setting up the mystery by giving out suggested colors about a month in advance.  This helps one organize and shop for fabrics to create the quilt top.  I have purchased small amounts throughout various mysteries and still have plenty to use as the years have advanced.  My goodness, you would think with the mysteries, I would have culled my fabric stash by now!  Not even close!  Ask my kids.  They have helped me move my sewing studio several times and the fabric boxes just keep coming.

Here is the link to read about the introduction and how to get started.

Grassy Creek - A Quiltville Mystery (Introduction!)

Have fun!  I love piecing and enjoy the whole process!  

Looking back on the year 2020....

 Our numbers have come down, but the Navajo Nation is still on lock down for the weekends.  It is essential, since the tribe was hit with many families being affected by this virus...this monster.  We've lost many young people and also many elder members.  It has taken a toll on everyone!  

Different states have instituted their own edicts to combat this virus.  Here in New Mexico, our governor has worked and is still working to help curb our numbers of people getting the virus.  Essential workers is now the norm, along with face masks, and daily reports of rising numbers of people being infected with positive tests and sadly, the deaths as a result of this pandemic.  We've been vigilant in following the set protocol and numbers are slowly coming down.  Surrounding states, this is not the case.  Each governor is in charge with how to best curb the infection rate.  Sadly, our president is not issuing nationwide compliance rules and regulations per the CDC.  In fact, he is campaigning and having large face to face rallies expounding his greatness.  

I cannot explain how the whole summer has gone with little intervention on the part of our leader.  He has made this whole experience political....the Republican governors are allowing restaurants and places of business to go on and not asking the people to use the virus protocol to help curb the infection rate.  Our summer holidays were horrible with many people getting infected and our president saying things like 'we don't need more testing; this only increases our infection rate'.

Other world governments have shut down their countries and have issued mandates as prescribed by the medical community and their infection rate and death counts have flattened.  Why can't our country do the same?  Our medical personnel is overly tired and have expended unseen amounts of personal protective gear combatting this virus.  We witnessed many states having to repurpose their factories to meet the demand of providing the much needed protection gear.  Too much has transpired and it is overwhelming to think and write about this tragedy.  It hurts my heart as to the loss of many because our leaders refused to listen to the medical specialists and the CDC.

The school year started with us teaching and reaching our students via virtual means.  We opened the schools to allow our elementary students to be taught face to face and now many staff and students have been exposed.  In my little world, we wipe down and wear face masks daily.  Why do we have to work in such conditions?  We are considered 'essential'.  

We are in 'shelter in place' mode as I write this blog.  People have been asked to stay home for the holidays in other states.  Here it is mandated and I am so glad, because we are not combatting the high rates of infection as other states are.  I am doing my part to stay home.  

It saddens me since we did not visit with family for Thanksgiving.  Yes, it is disheartening, but I would rather do this to keep my parents and in-laws safe.  

We elected another leader to take over.  Power to the people and how voting has made a difference.  Our current president is touting that the election was stolen from him and has legally stopped the counting of votes for over 2 weeks.  With a sigh of relief, the powers to be, our country can move on with our newly President elect.  No concession has been made public yet by our current leader.  What a child!  We are the laughing stock of the whole world.  As I said before, we have been experiencing the ill effects and poor decisions and I certainly look forward to a better run government.  We can only hope and pray.  

It is hard to believe what has been happening, so I've included a tidbit of today's news. .

Lock down happening across the country....https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/los-angeles-issues-stay-home-234009118.html  

Our current leader downplaying the election results...Current leader

Whew!  I have been sewing in between making bread, gardening, and catching up on the latest world news.  I have made over 30 masks and have been mailing out to the family.  I also have some to donate to our local town.

Currently, our town has been in lock down during the weekends to hopefully curb the pandemic.  We were last in town over 2 weeks ago to pick up mail and to post packages.  It was so busy prior to the lock down...I could not believe how many people were out and about shopping and lining up for fast food (4 weeks ago), hence the lock down!

I get the feeling of being locked out as some have complained, but for me, I enjoy my solitude here on the ranch and find many projects to satisfy my creativity and when I don't sew, I am baking, not baking, I'm crocheting.  I have so many little projects going and it feels great to have the time or not to pick up from the last stitch or so.

My husband has been working on his projects too.  Because of his organizing, I have been able to get to boxes of my fabric stash.  My problem is how to find an economical way to store them.  I live in an "A" frame house, so wall space is at a premium.   A normal shelving unit takes up more floor space to account for the slanted walls.  I have thought about making a 45 degree slanted shelving unit to store my fabrics...this will take time since we have to plan and work around the pandemic lock down times.  Because of our remote living, a simple shopping trip takes over 2 hours of driving plus the time waiting in long lines; but I can wait.  My hubby also has some great ideas, so I will wait.

Here is my latest project...just about finished with quilting the top...3 more blocks and areas to complete.  This is the "Dogwood Blossom" pattern of Hollyanne's String & Story.  I found her blog through Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

Hollyanne also had a quilt along too.  I signed up for the WIP challenge.  The challenge was to complete 3 works-in-progress projects.  I finished the first two...my grandson's quilt and my TOBE apron.  This is the last one.  I have been quilting it and have enjoyed sitting and taking the time to sew.
String & Story  Here is Hollyanne's website.

Hope quilt...
I have also joined a new quilting group...Gudrun's quilting crew.  Gudrun of GE Designs has had 2 quilt alongs since the start of this pandemic.  (I still need to take pictures of the Elvira quilt top; the first quarantine quilt along.)  This is the second quilt along, the Hope quilt...this time, her pattern was available for a donation.  The donations went for food for those who are struggling and do not have the resources due to this pandemic.  I have more blocks to finish...I am making the full/queen size top.  I like her designs, too.  I haven't purchased her specialty rulers...she does include instructions using the regular rulers.  This is great since I don't have to buy if I choose to use my rulers.  She has lots of fun quilt patterns.  I purchased a couple more and can't wait to get started once these are quilted and bound.
Here is Gudrun's website....GE Designs

Quarantine! Corona Virus

My goodness!  This has been an eventful year.  We are all on quarantine status due to the Corona virus pandemic.  We have been out of school/work for over a month now.  Many people are either heeding the warning to stay home or running around towns for who knows what. 
Our Navajo nation has been hit hard...not sure, why and how it started on the western part of the reservation.  I have been reading family posts via Facebook through this pandemic and have seen pictures of people standing in long lines without so much as following the social distancing rule or wearing some type of personal protective equipment.  The National Guard has been called in to help monitor activities outside of the local Walmart.  The reservation has been put on lock down for the weekends with curfews during the week.  This has been hard since most of us work paycheck to paycheck and have very little set aside. 
My husband and I have been sequestered here on our home site working on various home projects.  We are making do with the supplies we have on hand.  We do not like having to venturing out unless we need food or medical stuff.   As for the rest of the family, they are holding out and staying away, too. 
I have been sewing face masks and mailing them to family.  I find it hard to do, because as one sews, you are constantly thinking about the many who are suffering either with the virus or lack of resources.  I have to sew to provide protection for my loved ones.  My brothers and my sons are out on the front line due to their jobs. 
I have been working on my many 'works in progress' or WIPS.  I have many internet sewing groups memberships and these quilters have joined together to keep us working and to keep our sanity in tack.  Items that I have finished or started...
Indy's quilt; face masks, Elvira quilt quarantine quilt along with Gudrun of GE Designs; Dogwood blossoms quilt along with Hollyanne of String and Story; Bonnie Hunter's quilt along...the Unity quilt; a little spit kit bag using scraps, etc.
I have finally gotten into and found my sewing boxes of fabric and notions since moving here.  It's like Christmas! 

TOBE 2020

TOBE apron 2020

Indy and his quilt

2020 has started with a bang!  So many things and forms to finish at school...testing and more testing!  Whew!  I feel for the students; we have been testing non-stop from August to now. 

We have been quarantined!  What?  The corona virus has hit the states and several hot spots have been sending the CDC folks into a frenzy.  We received news from our NM governor about closing schools for 3 three weeks!  This is unprecedented!  

This is now week two of no school..of course, we do have more documents and forms to finish according to our principal.  I'll find out more..I got bumped off the conference calling...yes, I have sad phone service where I live.  I live in a very quiet, beautiful, remote small ranch...I see wildlife most days; it is worth the tranquility and beauty I view everyday! 

Our country has been quarantined, more restrictions in some states, but we are patiently waiting for the pandemic to peak and slowly go away.  For now, it's caused a mental hardship on most...many do not understand that social distancing means staying away and remaining at home.  This is evident in states where remoteness abounds.  Less contact with humans means less chance of obtaining the virus!  I understand that we are social beings, but we can keep in touch by means of internet usage, phones, etc.  We've keeping in touch with our family through email and instant messaging.  We have kept our shopping forays to a minimum.  

Sunday, Gudrun of GE Designs, had a fun event going...a major quilt on-line retreat.  She provided a free quilt pattern, "Elvira".  I got my fabrics together and began cutting after viewing her 1st program.  I have watched 3 of the 4 screenings and have completed my 'uphill' blocks, block "A".  I need to cut out fabric for the 'downhill' version or block "B".  Many have posted with their finished blocks.  Some quilters have started quilting them!  Here's the link.  Also click on her blog to obtain the free pattern.
Gudrun's Quarantine Quilt Along

It's Saturday evening and I have not found my fabric for this year's mystery!  We moved over the summer and I have been looking through the various boxes in my garage to find the right fabric colors.  I found lots of fabric to make clothing, but not a sign of my quilting fabrics.
I'll keep looking!

I love the blocks and am looking forward to cutting and sewing the parts
. 
Here's link with many quilters showing their progress.  Worldwide quilters' progress
Bonnie is so gracious to share her pattern, but she will only have the instructions up for a short time, so if you are thinking about joining us, here's the link to her blog ...The "Frolic" reveal mystery quilt

I have been busy sewing other projects for Christmas and also for my mom's birthday.  I am so far behind with January birthdays!  I took pictures of the microwave bowls, hot pads, Mom's walker pockets, and the beginnings of the 2019 Treadleon TOBE bowtie blocks. 

I also sewed together a couple of the Diva wallets.  They are so pretty, but I did have some trouble threading the set screws for the wallet closure of one wallet.  I was so careful to start the set screw, but two screws would not go and now they look as if they are stripped!  Ahhh!  I feel like Charlie Brown.  I will probably have to go and order another set of parts to use on the second wallet. 

I also sewed a purse organizer for Mom, too.  I didn't get a picture, but I can so next week.