The 2020 31 Day Writing Challenge

 Day 4 - Favorite Tools

I took an Interleave Class with Nancy Arico of Junto Space last Thursday and having flat seams is important in this project.  I keep the Clapper by my iron and use it often.

What is a Clapper and How is it Used?  

It really is a game changer when there are many seams or intersection in one top/block. My strips may not be the straightest or even, however, they do lay flat!

Into The Light

This phone, glasses holder, fabric weight pincushion combo was my gift from a Guild Quilt Retreat. Tutorial available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQhkxXrUo4g. One of the Guild members made it and I love it! No more searching under fabric, etc. trying to find my phone. (and glasses)

The Pentel Gel Roller fabric pens are perfect for writing on fabric. They don't bleed or fade and they can be purchased from Amazon or Walmart.

#202031daywritingchallenge #day4favoritetools

The 2020 31 Day Writing Challenge

 Day 3 - My Machines

I use these two machines to do all of my piecing. I purchased the serger to make pillowcases for Case for Smiles and the serger makes the sewing so much easier. I have been a Bernina machine user for the last 20 years. I am familiar with them so this one is my go to machine. 

When my Granddaughter expressed an interest in her own machine, we bought her a Bernina 215 Little Red. Adding a skin to it really surprised her!

 

I love Bernina sewing machines because they are so easy to use and maintain. Getting them serviced yearly is important along with a thorough cleaning and oiling often. Changing the needle after @8 hours of sewing will keep your stitches beautiful. 

I remember now why I didn't stay with this project last year, it takes time and persistence. I am already days behind, I will catch up!

#202031daywritingchallenge  #day3mymachine

The 2020 31 Day Writing Challenge

 December 2, 2020 - Day 2 - Sewing Space

Usually I sew in my room downstairs, however, two friends and I are taking a ZOOM class tomorrow and we are socially distancing sewing together. I have set up my space in the living room.  It seems that since the isolation during COVID, I prefer to be upstairs and in the midst of everything. My husband is an easy going guy who doesn't seem to mind the mess and I am not a neat sewing room kind of person. Many of my Quilt Guild friends Zoom from their neat and orderly sewing studios -- complete with a long arm, cutting and sewing stations, perfectly lined up fabric on the shelves--totally amazing to me. I spend some of the meeting time looking behind them at their rooms. You have to be a special, non-judging friend to even enter my sewing space downstairs. I always thought if I had more time I would clean it up---during the pandemic, I have plenty of time, but no motivation to clean. I'd rather sew! 

Last night I looked back to see how far I had made it into this challenge last year. Not very far and my post for day 1 was almost the same pictures and information. And yet, if you had asked me I would have said life has drastically changed in the last year. In some respects it has, perhaps sewing is one area that is consistent and controllable. I have participated in three Sew-Alongs during COVID,  The Project Linus Mystery Quilt and  Elvira and Harmony organized by Gudrun of GE Designs .

Zoom classes have taken the place of in person classes and have increased the opportunities to learn from a wider pool of teachers in all areas of the world. My sewing tools are close at hand, no need to cart a heavy sewing machine and awkward cutting mat and rulers. I can change my fabric selection on a whim and look for a replacement in my stash. Purchasing fabric has become challenging, I prefer to see, feel and compare it rather than order online. Fortunately, there are many fabric/quilt shops within driving distance of where I live. Unfortunately, not all of them are following mask  wearing and social distancing guidelines or are in a state which requires me to quarantine when I return home. I can't even keep the rules straight on a daily basis and I am a rule follower. A vaccine and 2021 is coming soon!

#31dayblogchallenge2020 #day2sewingspace

The 2020 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

 December 1, 2020

Cheryl Sleboda (muppin.com) is once again hosting the 31 day writing challenge. I always have the best intentions and then lose interest. I hope to stick with it this year. If you want to join in...http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2020-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/.

 Here are the prompts for this year. Looking them over, I can see why I don't follow through. When others share their workspace, it always looks charming and neat; mine looks like someone let a 2 year old loose to play.

 Day 1  - Introduction

Who am I? I am a Wife, Mother, Nona, retired librarian, quilter, and a book reviewer. I am 65+ years old and by society's standards "old." Other than a few creaky joints and occasional eye issues, I don't feel old. 

My favorite people...

I am active in two Quilt Guilds - Brandywine Valley Quilters and Calico Cutters Quilt Guild. Neither Guild is meeting in person, so we are Zooming each month. I really miss in person meetings and have grown weary of Zoom. Both Guilds have charity projects going, so I have managed to stay busy during Covid restrictions. I use a HandiQuilter Sweet Sixteen to machine quilt and admin a machine quilting Facebook Group. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HQSweetSixteen)

As a librarian, I reviewed books and have continued to do so while retired. I worked as a high school librarian and reviewed YA books, I now read mystery, historical fiction, realistic fiction, and suspense.  There has been a shift in the last 5 years from physical to eBooks. I will read any book, anywhere. I knew in 3rd grade that I wanted to be a librarian and I never veered from my goal. I am a Leo and can be single-minded/determined/stubborn/bossy. There's a Little Free Library in front of my house...old habits die hard. My husband made it for me and it has been a popular source of books for my neighbors during the pandemic.

3 D and optical illusion quilts are my favorite! The one at the top of the page is the Labyrinth Walk pattern by Christopher Florence that I made my husband for our 40th Wedding Anniversary. I am fascinated with their design and construction, my mind doesn't quite work that way. I am so fortunate that I have a friend, Cheryl Holman, who designs them and sometimes needs a pattern tester. In a future post, I will share her latest pattern and my table runner. 

My all time favorite activity is to sew with children in the Philadelphia Children's Hospital.  Ryan's Case for Smiles helps the children to sew a pillowcase to take home with them. I cannot wait to get past Covid and return. In the meantime, both Quilt Guilds continue to make pillowcases to send to area hospitals. 

 One day down, 30 more to go...stay tuned!

 Follow me on Instagram kathy.nester

 #31dayblogchallenge2020 #day1introduction

2020 Monthly Color Challenge - December

 December - Cardinal Red

Male Cardinal

The Cardinal is one of my favorite birds and I am visited daily by several during the summer months. 

For some fun facts about cardinals https://www.worldbirds.org/cardinal-bird-facts/

 To find this month's block instructions and video,  visit Patterns by Jen   https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2020/12/december-2020-monthly-color-challenge.html

Jen's process is so clear, these units always make me laugh!

Frixion pens are great for this block because the lines disappear when you iron them.

 

Set your seams by ironing them, then press to the dark side

 

This is one of those blocks that requires concentration to make sure that each unit is in the correct position.

Bloggers for this month:

Pretty Piney Quilts 

Kathleen McMusing  

Create With Claudia

Quilty Creations by Fawn 

Kathy's Kwilts and More 

Everyone Deserves a Quilt 

Woohoo! Look what I won! Thank you @WarmCompany

 Here  are the sponsors for this month, make sure you post a picture of your block at the end of the month! 

Join the Facebook Group - Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen

Follow me on IG - kathy.nester 

Start watching for information on the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge, 2020 is my third year and I look forward to 2021!

#2020monthlycolorchallenge #decemberblock

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel

 

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan. New York: William Morrow, 2019. 322 pages, Meet the Author, About the Book, Read On. ****

Told in the alternating voices of child Tilly and adult Tilda, Hogan presents the complexities of a mother - daughter relationship. Seeing her childhood through the eyes of Tilly and her interpretation of the situations and events created by her mother and then to read her mother's journals forces Tilda to re-evaluate her memories and feelings. Tilda's boyfriend Daniel sums it up, "I think it's all about love." The outspoken, confident Tilly is hidden inside the quiet, awkward, insecure Tilda and the two become one when her mother's secrets are brought to light in her journals. Faced with uncomfortable facts, Tilda is determined to seek answers and to visit those who provided a safe environment for a troubled child.

I received a copy of this book as my November read for The Bee Keepers- The Book Hive Book Club Facebook Group.  When the book arrives each month chosen by someone else, I sometimes dread reading it because it is accompanied by a journal. I confess I rarely read what other's have written about it and may occasionally read what the owner has to say. I read for enjoyment and am not comfortable dissecting and answering questions. I have read many books and genres that I would not have chosen and have been pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the way in which the story unfolds and the interconnectedness of the characters. The Paradise Hotel provides a safe haven and the perfect backdrop for a larger than life Queenie, Tilda and her mother.

Ruth Hogan's debut novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, was a Sunday Times #1 bestseller and translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives in Bedford, England, with her husband and a pack of much-loved rescue dogs.  

#queeniemalonesparadisehotel #thebeekeepers #thebookhivebookclub #bookstagram

Follow me on IG @flamazing_books

Coronavirus Quilt Finishes and life during a pandemic.

April 2020


Just like everyone else, I am having a hard time getting motivated to quilt and sew. I made masks for a local hospital, family, friends, and neighbors. I used Leah day's youtube tutorial for a pattern, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNX0cRrYj6U

Elastic is hard to come by and I have read that it is irritating to the ears, so I started making masks with ties. More labor intensive, but they seem to fit better, if worn properly.

A local hospital gave my Quilt Guild members fabric and a pattern to make their masks. It is a woven material that is used to sterilize medical instruments.

I have added a Free Mask every day to the Little Free Library in front of my house. Someone left a roll of Toilet Paper in return two days in a row. 

I have decided that I really need to get some of my UFOs finished during this stay at home time. Motivating myself is another story!

I completed this quilt top at my Quilt Guild's Retreat in March. It is a free pattern by Sew Can She at https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2018/6/19/baby-heart-log-cabin-quilt-free-quilt-pattern This sweet baby quilt is for a friend's Grandbaby. #Coronavirusquilt1

I participated in Gudrun's Elvira Quarantine Quilt Along, http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2020/04/quarantine-quilt-along-elvira.html

I have ordered red matching fabric for the binding and waiting for it to arrive to finish this quilt. #Coronavirusquilt2 #qqal1

I have a friend whose daughter is having a baby girl in the fall and wanted a girlie, pink quilt. Hope from GEDesigns is a fast, fun, easy quilt to make and to use up scraps of fabric. I also made a lap size Hope quilt. 

#hopequilt #coronavirusquilt3 #coronavirusquilt4 #qqal2

$35,000 was raised for charity through the sale of the Hope pattern by GEDesigns. For more information and yummy recipes, https://gequiltdesigns.com/blogs/ge-happenings/hope-quarantine-quilt-along-2-event

During this pandemic, I am starting the Tula Pink's City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks as part of a Sew Modern Bee. 

I am trying to make the "Stay at home" time count in my life and not get discouraged by world events. It has been a trying two weeks with the Pandemic and justifiable protests. On June 5th, my county in Pennsylvania moved from red to yellow in the transitional phase. Hopefully, green is right around the corner.  Green began on June 26th,  however, most people are still being cautious. Masks and social distancing are a must when going outside of the house. 

I have continued to work on the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks and have found these blocks to be addictive! Updates available at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2020/07/tula-pinks-city-sampler-100-modern.html.

November 20, 2920

Covid numbers are rising again in Pennsylvania, there are 3, 294 hospitalizations. All are requested not to travel for the Thanksgiving holidays. Dinner is to be eaten with members of our own household, so sad not to see extended family.

Sewing is my saving grace! Two friends and I made this charity quilt in sections. We each completed a section, then sewed it together.   

Fun to make and I’m sure a child will be happy to receive it.