I don’t know how much this makes the news across the country but Northern California is basically on fire. It is horrendous. We had a local fire about a mile from my house two weeks ago. It burned 350 acres and caused a lot of local damage. Before this we had a fire up at Yosemite. It burned 4,700 acres and is just about contained. Along with this fire is the Happy Camp fire (the name is sort of ironic.) Burning still, it has consumed 132,000 acres. It is in a wilderness area so it hasn’t burned many structures. Closer to my home, we are dealing with the King Fire. It is burning near the town of Placerville which is about an hour from my house. But as the crow flies, it is much closer. This fire is now burning just over 92,000 acres. There are over 7,000 firefighters working it and it is only 35% contained as I write this. The fire started over a week ago and has consumed 65 structures so far. It is a horrific fire. The worst part? It was started by an arsonist. The suspect has been arrested. Just unimaginable. Crazy, smokey, frustrating times.
Here is a picture of the smoke we are dealing with. This was taken this morning by my hub.
Luckily this afternoon a breeze came through and cleared the smoke for a while. I am sure it will settle back in by morning. They closed a number of schools on Monday. For today and tomorrow they decided to keep the kids indoors and cancel after school activities. It is completely unhealthy to be outside. The good news is that we have a 60% chance for rain on Thursday. We are so excited! Doing a rain dance for sure. Keep your fingers crossed for us. We need to get the fires contained and we desperately need some (a lot, a lot, a lot!) of rain.
Since I was inside all weekend with the exception of one trip to the grocery store, I spent a great deal of time at the sewing machine. It was a good opportunity to work off my stash because there was no going to the fabric store. Here are a few things I worked on.
I used more of the upcycled burlap that I love creating with. This pennant is hanging up above my (very fancy!!) design wall, inspiring me. On the design wall is a strip that I created with some holiday fabric scraps. I will add some lengthwise strips to the long edges to create a Christmas table runner but I need to find something at the LQS because none of my fabric worked. Love the banner though.
After making the “CREATE” banner I decided to make one for the holidays. First I made this one:
I put up a few odds and ends on the mantle to give it a holiday feel. I like the pennant with the exception of the E on the end. It needs to be a darker color so I will replace that flag.
This is the other one that I made.
I like this one but it needs some embellishment. I think I will add some buttons to the ends of the twine for weight and maybe that will dress it up a bit.
Finally, I made progress on a holiday lattice quilt that I am making. It will be set on point and needs sashing. I am thinking of using a fabric that is a deep cream color, tone on tone, for the sashing. Again, I didn’t have anything for this. I need to get the sashing as well as a fabric to use for the corner and setting triangles. But this is coming along nicely and will sew together quickly.
Not bad for a few days stuck inside! Hoping for clear skies tomorrow and a trip to the fabric store. Simple pleasures, right?
Linking to Stitch by Stitch, Freemotion by the River, Fabric Tuesday, WIP Wednesday and Let’s Bee Social as well as Needle and Thread Thursday. Links to these wonderful sites are found at the top of my page under Link Ups.
We have been hearing of the fires and drought in California. I sure hope you get some rain to help with both situations. While the smoke makes for a pretty cool photo, it is not fun to breath. You are all in my thoughts. I really like your banners, especially “Noel.” And your lattice quilt is going to be beautiful! How big are your blocks in your lattice quilt?
Thank you Ramona. We are really needing a reprieve from all of this smoke. Especially for those (like my MIL) who suffer from asthma — she is really having a time of it.
The blocks on the lattice quilt are 6 1/2″. This afternoon I am off to get some fabric to sash the blocks. Thanks for stopping by!
I feel your pain! We had forest fire right on our doorstep last summer, and know how anxious that makes everyone. The smoke from the King Fire is here in southern Idaho today, not as heavy as you’re experiencing of course, but it’s here. I can’t believe an arsonist did that – what were they thinking? We heard 2000 more fire fighters were sent in this week to help. Here’s a prayer the fires will fizzle before the snow flies.
Thank God for these firefighters. The report says the fire is up to 93,000 acres this morning. The arson thing is hard to get my head around. This devastation was actually caused with intent? How can that be? Praying for rain this week, both to help with the fire and to clear the air a bit.
Take care,
Bernie
Horrible to see this smoke so close…I have read about the fires but didn’t know you were so close / oh i do hope it rains and this gets contained!
Thank you Deb. That is what we are all hoping for. A fiercely wet season!
Love the idea of using upcycled burlap for projects. Very nifty!
I hope the fires subside soon. I live in SF and we decided not to go up to South Lake Tahoe as planned for the weekend because of the fires. Keep safe!
Rescheduling your trip was wise. They are having a lot of issues with smoke up there. No fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
I remember those days. Be safe.
Thank you RoseMary. Hope this ends soon!! Hard to believe it but over 134 square miles have burned with this particular fire and it is not yet contained. Yikes.
Love all the Christmas fabric projects you have been keeping yourself busy with… But especially the lattice quilt! Praying the fires will be put out and that you will all be kept safe. Hugs!
Thanks Lorna. It is sort of funny to work on holiday projects when it is 85 degrees and smokey outside. But it kept me busy! Just bought the sashing fabric for the lattice quilt today so that will be next! Take care.
Loving all the Christmas fabrics posted today, stay safe till the smoke clears
Hi Pam,
Thanks for stopping over. A bit early, I know, for working on Christmas projects. But it kept me busy during this strange weekend. Looks like we might get that rain tonight. Yahoo!
Best,
Bernie
I like your Christmas quilt but I think the light sashing may cause you to “lose” the light squares in the 4-patches. Well anyway, I want to applaud you for being so far ahead (considering I finished my last year’s Christmas quilt on January 6).
Hi Lisa:
I have been thinking of that… I want the light sashing so I may have to replace the 4-patches that have white squares in them. I agree. Thank you for your input though. I am hoping to get it done for the holidays (this year’s holidays!!) We shall see.
Take care and thanks for coming by!
Bernie
Okay, I see now that I am miserably behind! I am so sorry about the awful awful terrible horrible fires!