Silver Linings in a Pandemic

Fabulous customers:

Geri:

She came to New Mexico to go antelope hunting with her fiance.  They met in a bowling league, became friends, were widowed and are now together.  They’re from Delaware, and this is her 1st visit to NM.  We talked about the drastic difference in the land, especially flying in!  She has a house on the beach in Delaware, is a quilter, (1st time) antelope hunter, bowler, and best of all, a wonderful sense of humor and a great outlook on the world.

Update: Geri called me when she got back home to Delaware - here she is with her prize antelope!  She loved the beauty of New Mexico:

Making:

I started the 100 Acts of Sewing Dress No. 3 at Hip Stitch craft night Friday.  I love Sonya's patterns, but full confession - reading the word "caftan" in the description gave me pause, and a flashback to Mrs. Roper:

Here's what I made - just needs sleeve and bottom hemmed:

(think I'm going to love it!)

Learned this week:

Gulp!

Silver Linings in a Pandemic

Fabulous customers:

Karen brought in her Eversewn 20 machine to learn some of its features.  Her last machine was an old Singer that did a straight stitch.  That’s all.  I LOVED the jaw dropping moments when she learned that her new machine:  could make a buttonhole to FIT the button due to being able to slide the button right onto the foot itself; that there was a ‘stop/start’ button so she can skip using the foot pedal; that the decorative stitches make beautiful designs just by selecting a stitch and pressing ‘start’.  That was priceless.  Sometimes, it’s just the little things that bring us happiness.

Making:

A continuation of the Mountain High Quilt - I'm about 1/2 way done with my paper pieced blocks:

Learned this week:

I went into the new mask mandate with some trepidation, not sure how accepting customers would be.  I learned to believe in the best of folks.  They usually show it!

Speaking of great humans, I met Dr. Eva Moya, who is a professor of social work at Univ. of Texas El Paso.  She gave a lovely and inspiring talk at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, all about her help with humanitaran efforts at the US/Mexico border.  

Our customers purchased 2 dozen Eversewn sewing machines - we'll be taking them to El Paso and Dr. Moya will be a point person to help get them across the border to help empower those in need.  Reut spearheaded this effort!

To my right is Dr. Moya, and to my left is Roxie with the Dignity Mission with the church.

Silver Linings in a Pandemic

Fabulous customers:

Tomato Soup:

Add milk or water?  This was the conversation I found myself engaged in with 2 customers.  How we got to this?  I have no idea.  One minute we’re standing side by side in the store, looking at fabric and patterns, the next, debating over which is better - milk or water added to a can of tomato soup.  Then, of course, this must be eaten with grilled cheese.  And so on, and so on.  These gals were in town with a National Guard conference, and, well, added to my list of “best things about my day”

Making:

My daughter sent me a text and a picture. The text:

"if we're gonna keep wearing masks, I decided I should finally get around to hanging them on hooks!"

The picture, in her tiny apartment:

That was the kick I needed to work on stop feeling so hopeless and sad about wearing masks again, and just do it.  ("embrace it" is a stretch.....)

She and I made a pact to each make some new ones.

I began the “Mountain High” quilt this week.  

The kit is from Stitch in Durango, and the owner LeeAnn is gracious and kind and has a wonderful shop (don’t believe me? - her shop was on the COVER of Quilt Sampler this past spring!)

I began it after a spell of no sewing.  Just not feeling it and riding out the "creative block"

Its foundation strip piecing, and I did all the ‘boring’ parts - cutting!  But for me, choosing which colors to group together and what pieces to pull out of each group to cut was so perfect to get me back in my groove.  I only just started on one block, but holy moley, this is fun!