Silver Linings in a Pandemic

 At Hip Stitch: 

Sometimes positive outcomes come from initial negative ones. A husband and wife came in, not wearing masks. Honest to God, I spaced out that I should have reminded them that it's required. I haven't had to do that in ages (months?)

We struck up a conversation, saying our hellos. He said to me something along the lines of "isn't this whole thing (mask wearing/pandemic) ridiculous?"

I responded, "No, I really don't think it is," and we had a tiny bit more back and forth before I said that it's ok for us to agree to disagree. And that was that. No anger, no tantrums, no defensiveness, nothing

negative. His wife was shopping for fabric, he was along to be with her, and that's where the focus was.

And I was a little unnerved by the whole experience (our staffer Lisa stepped in and offered them masks to wear, which they put on), and then we went on with our day.

How.....refreshing.

And thinking about sweet Madelyn, a new quilter who came in a few months ago to shop for her 1st projects, then brought this finished top in to proudly show it off. We posted it on Instagram, and her mom chimed in with how proud she was, and then the icky comment came in - an opinion about mask wearing. We removed the comment - that was not the place for that negativity.

Here's Madelyn with her beautiful quilt:

Making this week:

A finished sweater -  blocked to get the size and fit just where it should be.  This all wrapped up today, so only a picture of it in the drying phase:

  But, a FINISHED sweater - yippee!

Learned this week:

Sometimes, it's perfectly ok to politely, respectfully, simply - agree to disagree. And then go on with our lives.

Silver Linings in a Pandemic

 At Hip Stitch: 

Rachel:

I've known Rachel for at least a year? (honestly, remembering anything is a challenge these days)

She teaches at a local elementary school, and is my "National Parks" customer.....I love when I've known a customer enough to know their fabric style & taste.

I love that she's a regular - that Hip Stitch is a place to be and leave the stress of teaching behind, that she brings friends in to the store. I love that she loves the National Parks. I love that she can come in on any given day, and if I'm not having the greatest day, we can at least smile at each other and say hi, and other days that are better we can have a good chat. I love the comfort of her visits.

Making this week:

Quilting!  (not piecing, but QUILTING)

It's time to get this one quilted:

On the back porch....a sheet first, then the backing then batting, then the top.  Took my time - used these:

The Elmer's to touch up the skinny scallop cut strips that came loose; THIS spray for attaching the batting to the backing, then the top to the batting.  THIS pen to draw the first lines for quilting.

Then, one of THESE needles to start, to make it easier to get through the glue and the Steam a Seam.

Two hours later - time for a break when the bobbin thread runs out.  This time with my quilt and my machine and walking foot and a great podcast and the sun shining in the window has been lovely!

Learned this week:

My friend who lives in Maine sent me a link to THIS NPR story on:

Solitude.

Pandemic Isolation.

Creativity.

Journaling.

Silver Linings.

Silver Linings.

Silver Linings.

Silver Linings in a Pandemic

 At Hip Stitch: 

Sabine:

It was close to closing time, and quiet young woman came into the store to shop. Not sure whether it was shyness or just needing to be left alone to browse, we said our hellos and offered assistance if needed, but otherwise took her cues and left her to be on her own to shop.

When she came to have her fabric cut, I asked her if she was visiting because she had a distinct accent. Oh my gosh, what a fascinating young woman!

She - Sabine - had just finished hiking the Continental Divide Trail, which took her 4 months and 10 days - Canada to Mexico. She hiked it with a few friends, and her trail name is "Mermaid" (I didn't know that was a thing - trail names!)

She said the best thing about doing it was being able to take off her mask. (oh, there's nothing like the outdoors). And that she missed her sewing machine.

Now THAT'S my kind of girl.

(She's also hiked the Pacific Coast Trail, by the way)

Making this week:

I posted this on the blog a few weeks back, have looked and looked at in person, but it wasn't 'til today that Cathy from my weekly Zoom Happy Hour group noticed that 3 blocks are turned the wrong way.  

Holy cow, do our eyes decieve us or not?!?  Can YOU see those blocks?  And now that I see them, I can't UNSEE them!  As I told the group, it's a good thing I like to seam rip!  (my mother liked to seam rip too.....is that a hereditary?)

Learned this week:

A fabulous podcast series on beliefs on Kelly Corrigan Wonders, and so far I've listened to her interview:

Suhag Shukla, who is the Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation on all about the 3rd largest religion in the world (she says 'treat others well, and treat the planet well')

Anne Lamott, who is described as a woman who is "celebrated for her raw, hilarious accounts of stumbling toward her best self"

Rainn Wilson, (yep, "Dwight" from The Office) - and why his religion is the most important thing in his life.

There are 7 more in this series - I highly recommend this to ANYONE. Huh - opening our minds a bit and listening thoughtfully,,...what a wonderful thing to do......