I have finished very few quilts this year so I am excited to share this with everyone. It is a cheerful quilt and a fun pattern to make. As you likely remember, I tested this pattern for Sew Preeti Quilts. Preeti writes delightful patterns and has several listed in her Etsy Shop.
I did make an internal compromise with this project. I really wanted to spend some time and quilt the center of each block with a picture of sorts. I had them all planned out. However, life is so crazy right now and I decided the free motion quilting would have to wait for another project. Instead I did a version of a zig zag/serpentine stitch going both vertically and horizontally which was a very quick way to finish this little quilt.
The zig zag adds some fun texture and will probably be enhanced even more after being washed.
I have quite a large piece of this polka dot fabric which made the backing choice a simple one. Binding was done with the same red fabric as used on the front.
Our fall colors were extraordinary this year – most of the trees have dropped their leaves at this point.
Moving on to non-quilting topics, I have exciting news! Ray and I have decided to move from California up to Washington. I am sure you can guess the main reason. Yes, you got it. There are two sweet girls up there we are wanting to see more often. Between the pull of being near the grand children and the drawbacks to California life (mainly very hot summers and the dangerous fire seasons), we decided to go for it.
We have talked to a realtor and made a list of projects to do in order to have the house ready to list in early Spring. To that end, we both have been very busy. Ray bears the brunt of the really hard work but I have a fairly long list as well.
Here is one project – you’ll surely relate to. I moved my sewing supplies downstair to the family room in order to create a guest room.
In the twelve years we have lived in this house, this room has never been so clean. After the holidays I will have all the carpets cleaned and the guest room will be staged for showing. For now, I am just reveling in its tidy state.
Julia’s room was in need of sprucing up as well. When she was about 10 years old, she asked if she could have a blue and lavender room. Time took its toll on this room so Ray and I painted it a very pale gray.
As with the guest room, I cannot believe how tidy Julia’s room is. This room will also be rearranged for showing but the hard part is done.
I can’t show you the new sewing space just yet – mainly because I haven’t taken a photo for you. (Let’s be honest, it is a hot mess!)
Finally, here is another project I am working on. I am a huge fan of photographs and have so many albums. But they do take up space. Rather than move them all, I decided to pull pictures out and organize them by year in photo boxes. One might think this is a quick and easy task, and it should be. But with each album I get pulled into the nostalgia and memories they contain. So while this is really enjoyable, it is not quick!! Evenings have been spent poring over the books and sharing pictures with my kids via text. It will get done all in good time. I have emptied about eight albums and they fit into two boxes which saves a lot of space.
That is enough for today. I need to get going to the grocery store for a few things. Julia comes home tomorrow for the whole Thanksgiving week. I am so excited! I haven’t seen her for eight weeks which is the longest ever! Have a wonderful day everyone.
Linking up to my favorites since I miraculously have a finish!! You can find them at the top of the page under Link Ups.
Oh, this is exciting news! I’m so happy for you, but I know you have lots of work ahead. Your two finished rooms are lovely – the guest room is so inviting! So glad Julia will be home for a week – enjoy your time with her! Happy news, Bernie!
Thanks Wendy. I am so looking forward to the upcoming week. There have been three trips for groceries this week as I keep remembering more I need. Hoping after today’s trip to a very crowded store I am done. I think so – there is no more room in the cabinets for refrigerator(s). Lots of family is headed here for Thanksgiving. I hope all is well in your part of the world. XO
I’m so happy for you and your family. Getting close to family and grandchildren is a blessing whatever the prompt. We moved from a life in NC to TN about a year ago. Now it’s home- with 6 grands close by-4 are seen almost daily. Bless you as you get things ready and pack!!! Beth
You have us beat Beth! We have just the two girls. I am sure as time goes on, the other kids might be willing to provide more for us though. We are excited at the idea of living closer but overwhelmed by the idea of selling the house, packing etc. It will all happen. Just have to take it project by project. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
We actually have 12 grandchildren total. The other 6 live in Wilmington, NC (2 boys) and Charleston, SC( 2 of each). Our daughter here has 4 boys. We’re getting very close. Our son and wife and 2 girls.
We are truly blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving AND Merry Christmas!
Beth
Beautiful finish to the Masala Box quilt. It is a fun pattern and yours is a great version of it. Congratulations on the move decision. It is huge, but I am sure you will be so happy once it is done. It is a lot of work! I started that photo project in 2017 and still have not completed it. I definitely need to.
Thank you Kathleen. As for the photos, even if I don’t finish, reducing the number of albums moved will be a good thing. At the moment, I need more boxes. After this Thanksgiving week, I will be back at it! Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!
The Marsala Box quilt is perfect with the serpentine stitch for quilting. And you have been busy behind the scenes! I wish you all the best in the transition and know you are very excited to be closer to the grandkids. Enjoy your week with Julia over Thanksgiving. 🙂
I know you are all too aware of what a move takes! We keep looking at houses in the evening and it is really exciting to think about. The reality of the task of purging old stuff and packing is a whole other thing though!! Looking forward to having Julia and her brothers here for the holidays. Take care Yvonne. 🙂
I love this pattern!!! Good luck with getting your home ready to list. Have you started looking for a place to move TO? I’m eagerly awaiting news on a new place for us. Will enjoy learning about your potential move as it draws closer and closer. Take care…
I have been reading about your desire to move Carol. Will be thinking of you as we go through this process. Hope you will see your kids sometime this week for Thanksgiving. Take care.
Masala Box is so fun and happy, Bernie! I love your quilting, and the dots for the backing, too. That’s fun news about your planned move! I guess I’d better get my Positivity quilt in the mail – I’ll do that after Thanksgiving.
Oh my gosh Diann – no hurry on mailing the quilt. We have months before we are moving. Even then, I need to figure out how to continue to support Mercyful quilts. Hmmm, another item on the list of ‘things to be done’. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
We made our big move 5 years ago, from SoCal to SW OH, to be closer to our kids & grands. We haven’t regretted it for a second. Congratulations! You’re going to be so glad when you’ve made the move, both for the proximity to you sweeties, & because you’ll have unloaded & refined your “collections.”
We are really excited at the prospect of living close to the girls. I grew up with close grand parents and want the same for my grand children. So the move will be a good thing – not such a fun process though! We collect too much stuff and when it comes to deciding if we should keep it and move it, I am surprised by how much I want to purge. Many trips to donate items to the thrift stores have happened and there will likely be quite a few more! Happy Thanksgiving Jay.
You can never get back time watching young ones grow so it’s comforting you wish to be a part of their lives more frequently. I never regret nor feel I missed out on anything by being close proximity to my children and grandchildren. We are there for each other. No price tag on that! Lots to keep you busy over the next few months. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your daughter home.
I agree completely! The girls change so much between visits – I want to be around for the day to day growing up. I had lots of time with my grand parents as a girl and it will be so nice for us to have that pleasure with our grand girls. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
So excited for you, Bernie! Grandchildren are the best reason for a move! Moving is always a lot of work, and you’ve already got a head start. It’s like a new beginning and new journey…enjoy it all!
Exciting news, Bernie! It will all be worth it in the end, I’m sure. Bonus: I’ll bet you discover supplies and projects while you’re packing/organizing/unpacking in your new home that will inject massive amounts of new creativity and energy in your sewing once you get settled in Washington!
Bernie, I love the zigzagyness of the quilting along with the dots. Such a happy quilt! I sure can see why you want to move closer to the littles. And Washington is another pretty state! Have fun getting ready to make the move—daunting at times—but you are giving yourselves time, which is great. It’s okay that the photos are taking a while to go through. That’s the whole point of photos—to take them out sometimes and enjoy the memories. Have a beautiful thanksgiving with Julia!
It turned out great. Teal and red go well together. Good luck with the move.
Your colors are so pretty together in the quilt, and it looks especially good against the leaves backdrop! I’m so excited for you Bernie. I wondered when that would happen and certainly understand! We’ve not regretted our decision to move closer to our daughter and the littles, and let’s be honest – for me it is much nicer to be in north Texas and close to my beloved Oklahoma than down south. 😉 I need to visit more often to keep up with your happenings!
I know it will be great to see the kids more (both adult kids and small ones) However being in the midst of cleaning, decluttering, painting etc is a lot of work. I won’t be sad to be on the other side of this phase!!