I haven't been writing much, but that is fine.  I have been busy working and planning various lessons at school.  This year, I have been given the task to teach 3 levels of culinary in one sitting.  Whew!  It takes a lot of organizing and planning to teach 3 levels and to set up cooking lab experiences to match the course content, not to mention, the times we have to showcase our class when visitors arrive.  Oh, did I mention the times we cater?  Yes, it has been quite busy.

I could retire, but I enjoy working with high school students.  This is a very important life skill and it is a life fulfilling venture for me.  

On to fun things...I am participating in Bonnie Hunter's quilt mystery of 2025, "Lupine and Laughter" series of clues.  Here is her website ...Quiltville  Bonnie shares her quilting know-how, her tours, and what have you.  Join and I know you will learn so much when it comes to scrap quilting.  I have been sewing with her for over 10 years and I love her style and patterns.  

I enjoy the creating process of gathering the fabrics and selecting the colors from my personal fabric stash.  I do have to admit, I had to purchase more purples and baby blues this go-round.  They are on my favorites list and get used for most of my projects.  

I have my sewing mojo going; still mourning but it helps to have an outlet and this does it for me.  The quiet solitude of cutting, marking, and sewing each little piece helps me reconnect with memories and family.  This explains why I have to add to my purples and blues, they are the colors of my family.  

So every Friday, until New Year's, Bonnie shares her clues.  I anticipate the final reveal!  I may be behind from time to time, but I am not in a rush.  I am enjoying what quilting does for me and I know that others are enjoying their process and connection with fellow quilters.  Thank you Bonnie for empowering each of us as we journey with this year's mystery!    

It’s a flimsy!

 

Whew!  So many bits, triangles, geese, and 4 patches, but it was fun and definitely challenging.  Thank you Bonnie Hunter for another exciting sew along 2024.  It’s time to do a final pressing, check for any mistakes, and prep for the quilting.  You can’t really see my newest addition, but I have the Rebel of Grace quilting machine.  She sews beautifully and sews like a dream.  I currently have one quilt set up and have sewn about 1/3 of the top.  This will need to be completed before I am able to set the quilt frame up for the “Old Town” quilt.  

I love the colors!  I had most of the fabrics, but had to make a shopping trip to our local quilt shop for more turquoise and neutrals.  

Difficult years

 Well, it has been a tough year.  So long 2024 and welcome 2025.  

We lost several family members…my mother-in law…January 2023, Mom in May 2023, another brother in July 2023, and Dad, November 2023.  I have been grieving and remembering the joyful times we shared.  I stopped sewing and quilting this past summer and fall; losing my mojo for the most part.  I have been working on quick small projects, but just didn’t have the motivation to head on up to my small room to sew and create.  I have many quilt tops which need to be completed.  I do not feel guilty at all for stepping away for the time being, it takes time, but I will get back into the swing of things sewing.  

2024 has not been been any easier…I lost close cousins in October and November, and an auntie earlier in June.  My sister lost her stepson in the early spring.

As we age, more and more pass on.  Now I understand what my grandparents and my parents were referring to about life.  I have a great husband who is very supportive and is there for me when I cry as I remember sweet memories.  

Reading about this year’s quilt mystery, I didn’t feel ready to start another top, but as the time approached I prepared and searched my fabric stash to begin.  With work and long travel times, I knew I wasn’t able to get going, but I saved, printed and organized my instructions.  With school finished for another semester and my final college class completed, I sat down and begin cutting and measuring.  My previous post, I have completed the first set of three clues.  This sewing time has allowed me to reflect and reminisce the happy and sad times of these two past years.  I needed the solace that sewing and piecing brings, the simple joys of working in small amounts of time between life happenings.  I am still grieving, but I am finding much needed comfort in taking care of what I enjoy doing, along with memories of making gifts for my loved ones.  

I have been given the fortitude I need to keep going,  caring for and loving my family.  Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me love and teaching me to be resilient, patient and strong.  Thank you for loving family members and loving friends and above all, a loving and comforting God and son Jesus.  

Sewing this year’s 2024 quilt mystery, Old Town, with Bonnie Hunter.

 I now have the time to cut and begin piecing Bonnie Hunter’s 2024 mystery quilt, Old Town.  I’ve chosen her color way and am using what I have on hand from my fabric stash.  Last week, I had to purchase more neutrals and some melon fabrics.  The melon color is one color I don’t have.  I have lots of teals and reds and large amounts of white.  I decided to add more patterns with my neutrals instead of using plain white.  Here are my pieces for clues #1 through 3.  I am working on clue 4.  Bonnie added another clue this past Tuesday, so we have 6 clues to piece, with another upcoming clue this Friday.

I am using my vintage Singer 403a.  I love sewing with this machine!  

Here is the link to access Bonnie’s mystery.  She shares with us every year her quilt pattern she creates while she visits and discovers new towns and sites as she travels the world.  This year she went to Poland.  I love reading and learning about what she shares of the various places she tours and visits.  

Old Town quilt mystery

For Christmas, I got the Little Rebel sewing machine and set her up on my quilting frame.  I love how easy and quickly she sews my quilt top.  She is available through Grace Quilt Company.  Her sewing area is 13 inches.  (Last Christmas, I invested in buying the Q-zone quilt frame also from the Grace Quilt Company.  It suits my space and I have been able to finish a couple of quilts this past year.)  

I have the Sweet Sixteen machine made by Handiquilter; she is a table top model and I get tired pushing and pulling my quilts under the needle.  I have to manipulate the pinned quilt top and it is not easy especially with the larger tops.  I have a full length queen quilt frame, but I do not have the room or space to set it up in our smaller home.  I had hoped to set up the Sweet Sixteen on that frame, but there is no room right now.  We have plans to build a small studio for my quilting, but that will happen sometime down the road.

Well, it is back to piecing clue #4.  Have a great Christmas!  

New Bonnie Hunter quilt mystery!

 Yeah, another mystery with Bonnie K. Hunter!  She has the colorway up for this year's mystery quilt...Starowka (Old Town).

Old Town Mystery Quilt Sew along

I love the color selection!  Now, I need to head upstairs to find my colors.  I know I have plenty of neutrals, but melon and turquoise?  That's fine, another trip to Gallup Sewing Mart for more fabric.  

Bonnie will start posting the first of many clues on November 22.  If you're interested, join us by using the link and begin downloading your own copy.

What fun and I am so excited to begin!  Happy sewing!

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.

Mystery quilt with Bonnie Hunter 2022---Chilhowie quilt mystery

 Another great start with Bonnie, once again, offering and designing a new quilt mystery for this year 2022.  I have collected my fabric in her colorways and finished with part 1 and 2.  The colors are beautiful!

I didn't have quite enough purple and orange, or so I thought.  I found a stack of orange, of course, after purchasing more from my local quilt shop.  Ehh, it's okay.  I will have more variety!  Actually, I haven't made any quilt purchases for about 6 months, so this is my time to handle and caress the new fabric selections.

I'll post my progress once I run down stairs to get my I-pad.  I am in the middle of cutting the pieces for last week's clue.  Me behind?  Nah...I'm taking my time this year.  I have not been as vigilant with completing my Christmas gifts for this year.  

I have been taking up needlework, both crocheting and knitting, and loving it.  Progress is a little slow, but I enjoy sitting and doing the needlework for the day.  I usually don't finish large items such as afghans, but this year, I found Mikey.  I have been participating in his crochet-along and have finished 3 afghans this year!  That is an accomplishment for me!  I've been so wrapped up with my needlework!  I feel so accomplished!  I purchased a circular knitting machine, a 48 needle Sentro.  I've made a couple of beanies.  Learning curve, well?  I am finding out that not all yarns love the Sentro.  I have put this down for the time being as I need to concentrate more on getting my Christmas finished....that is, cut out and sewn!  

What has been happening since last year?

Major changes for me and my husband.  I've accepted a teaching job at G Central High School teaching culinary.  Our district has stated a new thing (most schools across have a similar form) of pathways.  I and another pathway teacher have started teaching what we know best and boy, it has been a rough ride.  I am waiting for the dream kitchens....I was promised we would have our commercial kitchens by November.  Well, November has come and gone...we have one stove/oven, which we share amongst 12 students in one class period.  I can't complain about the students, they want to learn about the culinary field.  They are doing such a great job even with the lack of pots and pans, cook tops and ovens.  We take turns sharing the oven and we use the stove with gas cylinders (Prostart requirement).  I've had to improvise may times to create the cooking experiences needed for competition.  I am still learning the ropes when it comes to requesting for equipment and food items....our purchase order system is rather slow.

I love teaching and it makes it worth all the effort and trials when my students are shining during special events.  We have made and served pancakes to our veterans back in November; we served during our Open House extravaganza this month.  Parents were beaming as they watched their child serve and perform as a culinary team. 

My colleague has had to do the same...he has brought in his personal tools to teach students the world of wood construction and they had been pretty successful.  They have built and constructed 3 very well built dog houses with a shingled roof!  At the of the semester, his crew was working outside constructing the storage shed needed to store their lumber.  

My husband switched from teaching math to taking over as a school dean.  He loves it!  I knew he would; he does great with decision making and also working with the students.  He makes his rounds to observe teachers working at their craft.  He has to evaluate and provide suggestions when needed.  He has more duties and has had to stay a bit longer on several evenings, but he loves it. Besides working as a dean, he is working on his administration license and master's degree.  I am so proud of him!  

 

 

Finishing up Christmas gifts.

 I am busy crocheting gifts for family.   I also have been machine embroidering gifts, too.  Here are the cute Mandala purses.  I purchased the embroidery file from Kreative Kiwi.   She has so many cute designs.   Check out her website, Kreative Kiwi. I need work on sewing straps for these cute purses.   

Here is a warm sweater for my mom.

Starting Rhododendron trail quilt mystery

Clue 4

 clue 1 & 3

clue 4

 I'm off and piecing my fabrics.  I knew I had most of the colors for this year's color palette.  I do need more yellows, though.   I could also use more teal/ turquoise.  I thought about using my Accuquilt. But for now it seems easier to use my specialty rulers...Bonnie's Essential triangle tool.   I really like having my fabrics in various size strips. It is easy to pull and cut into the desired shapes and sizes.  Here is clue #1 and clue#3 sewn together.   I am about halfway with clue #4.   I can hardly wait for the reveal.   This will happen usually on the start of the New Year.

Working on Grassy Creek in November.

 This is last year’s mystery quilt sew-along with Bonnie Hunter.   I was torn between using whole pieces of grays for the sashing bits, but I thought, why not go with string piecing?   I had plenty of bits and pieces of a variety of grays from other sewing projects and guess what?   I used them up!  This is a good feeling. I purchased more and am currently sewing up the last 20 for the sashing.  I have 3 rows sewn with the last two sets of blocks waiting to be joined.  I’ m looking forward to sewing the borders of more strip piecing!   I know I won’t finish in time before this year’s mystery begins, but I’ll still join.  I’m digging through my stash and it looks like I’ll have to purchase more turquoise teal.  On to the fabric store, whoo hoo!

Here’s my Grassy Creek in the soon to be flimsy stage.

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. 

I just love spending Thanksgiving with family!  We've moved to New Mexico and spent our first Thanksgiving here among family.  We had snow to welcome the special day, but it melted by mid-morning.  It was great to spend the afternoon talking with Mom, Dad, my sister and her husband.  What a great way to catch up and spend time thanking and thinking of family events over the past year.

Our children were nestled in their homes celebrating with friends and family, too.  With Friday as a working day, our kids could not make the trek here.  We miss them and love them dearly.

Another year and it's time to open the website to this year's quilt mystery hosted and written by Bonnie Hunter.  This year's theme is lots of blues and fuchsias all to commemorate the Texas wildflowers!  I have yet to gather my fabric (I am still unpacking my quilting stuff), but I have downloaded and saved Bonnie's instructions.  I will be going through my boxes this afternoon to look and locate the various suggested colors.  I love her mysteries; I have participated every year since a quilt friend suggested her website during one of our quilt meetings way back way...2011.  I am an avid fan quilter and have purchased her books.  I am so excited since she will be teaching several quilt classes in Arizona (this is so close to me)!  I need to coordinate my work to the days she will be in Arizona.  I hope I do not have any conflicts.

This year is a first for me...Bonnie would like us to upload our photos of our progress through Instagram.  I just signed up for my account and have started learning how to use this venue.  My account is https://www.instagram.com/badezbah630/  I do not have any photos yet for this mystery.

Follow me and Bonnie....https://quiltville.blogspot.com/  This is her website and blog...you can download your own copies of this year's quilt mystery.