Indigo Way quilt mystery

It's the last day of 2023.  This was a rough year for my family.  We lost four close family members starting in January, May, July, and November.  

This has been my solace this year unlike the year when I lost my two younger brothers a few years ago.  I could not sit and sew that year.  I finally picked up piecing and sewing when Bonnie announced her quilt mystery that year, 2018.  I felt peace as I sewed and reflected upon my precious memories.

Here I am again, but with a different perspective.  My mil, my mom, and my dad lived a full and fruitful life.  They left with peace and faith in God and Jesus.  On the other hand, my brother left too soon.  

We miss all of them, but we continue to pray and live as we were taught.  

I am ever so grateful for people like Bonnie.  I need the comfort of working along with others doing what I love.  Sewing is my time for memories and looking back and also forward as I pick up and live.  

Looking forward to another brand new year is exciting, yet remembering the love and strength of all who formed and made us who we are is so comforting.  Praises and love to my beautiful family members, Sonny, Owen, Mom and Dad Barber, Darren. and my mother in law, Carolyn.  We love you and we miss you very much!  

The piecing begins with another mystery...sewing with Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.  Here is the link to help you get started.  

Quiltville Quips @ Snips

I have gathered my fabrics and printed up my clue.  I love her mysteries.  I know that I have become a better piecer using her techniques.  I have fallen in love with scrap quilts, just like my Grandmother.  Grandma used what ever fabrics she had.  I remember many of her fabric pieces used after she finished her dresses, skirts, and tops.   She also used Grandpa's torn and worn denim jeans; she made herself a denim apron worthy to keep up with her as cleaned and carded sheep's wool for her weaving.  

Grandma Bekisbah was also a Navajo weaver.  She started with shearing her sheep all the way to dyeing her wool, then creating the intricate patterned rugs.  Grandpa tried to make it easier for her and purchased store yarn at the local discount stores or at Navajo Shopping center in Gamerco, NM.  She still preferred making her own yarn.  This is a lost art as I did not trek alongside her as she picked the various plants for dyeing.  I watched and practiced all the other steps, but have not taken up weaving.  My cousins and my daughter have taken weaving classes at our local university and are weaving simple designs.  My cousins of Table Mesa are artists and have sold rugs. 

Let's get started with this year's mystery!  Bonnie shares her instructions for a limited time, so it's best to save and/or print the instructions.  I have my own specific drive files with her past mysteries.  

 I have finished this year's Quiltville's Mystery quilt!  It is at the flimsy stage; I'll need to locate a backing fabric and finishing quilting it!  I enjoyed making this quilt.  I used all of my turquoise and purple fabrics so I had to make a stop at my local quilt shop.  It was fun to visit and see all the folks and to select new fabrics.  I have not been shopping for quilt fabrics much this year.  I have spent most of my time preparing and getting lessons set up for my culinary students.  

Thank you Bonnie for another beautiful quilt.  The quilt is no longer available via her blog but one can purchase the PDF pattern.  Here is the link for Bonnie's shop....Quiltville shop  

Bonnie is a very creative person and has so many patterns...I have purchased many and I love her books, too.  I have about 3 quilt makings at various stages...I have them in fabric bags and when I need to sew, I pull one out and sew.  This is so relaxing for me.