Summer Squirrels are Happening

Happy 4th everyone! It sure doesn’t feel like July here. We are having a bout of unseasonably cool weather and the high for today is only supposed to be 69 degrees (about 20 degrees C). We are heading to my sister’s house for a BBQ but it won’t be very warm out!

Whenever I am ‘supposed’ to be working on something it seems like everything but that project appeals to me. Why does this happen? I should be working on piecing the blocks for the 2022 Positivity QAL. I have the pieces cut and I did get some of them pieced. I think about 20 blocks are made. But all sorts of other ideas keep popping into my head. So you know what I did? I set those QAL blocks aside and played with other fabrics.

Part of the reason is I wanted to make things that take no thought. The last couple of days I have had a cold dragging me down. Summer colds are unfair in my opinion and this one opened the way for a couple of summer squirrel projects.

Small flags for my girls

Here is one project but I actually made this one about a month ago and never shared it. We have one very tattered USA flag that was left at the house by the previous owners. When the girls were here they marched around with it. It looks awful and there was only one flag to march with. Not a great situation. I found some patriotic fabric on the shelf and made two little flags for them.

Backing for the flags

I think they are super cute. The girls weren’t overwhelmed with them. Maybe the timing wasn’t right. Or maybe they prefer marching around with just one worn out flag? Who knows? But these are sweet and I am sure they will use them at some point. I did glue the fabric to the dowel so the flag stays on the pole. A few drops of superglue on the dowel and that fabric is well attached.

Back to this week’s squirrel. While I was dragging around with this annoying cold I decided I wanted to make something really simple. I had just read through the Quilting Daily email newsletter where they quoted McCalls Quilting editor, Lori Baker, “If you feel like a challenge, do something new, learn something. And if you are feeling a little fragile, do something simple so your success is assured.” Mistakes happen all the time but I am more prone to them if tired or not feeling well. So an easy project was called for.

New summer placemats

This floral fabric was left over from making a table runner for my DIL several years ago. It is a home dec fabric from Jo-Ann’s. I washed the fabric and some matching solid fabric and dried it on high heat to make sure it was pre-shrunk. After pressing it, I cut three rectangles measuring 13″ x 19″ and did the same with the lining.

I assembled all three, right sides together, and stitched the perimeter. Flipped them right side out, poked out the corners and pressed them again. Finally I top-stitched around the edge at the 1/8″ mark. I think they are really cute.

Clearly I should work as a photography stylist. This table looks absolutely incredible. Hahaha. The placemats look cute and since we have white dishes everything works together. Simple and successful – just what I needed. Plus I used up fabric off my shelf.

Last weekend two of my sons and their wives took Julia out to celebrate her 21st birthday. Her birthday was in May but since she wasn’t home to celebrate, the kids wanted to take her out. It seemed like they had a great time. However three days later, one of my boys and one of my daughters-in-law tested positive for Covid. Yuk. Because it was Andrew from one family and Shar from the other, it was clear the contact was made while they were all out together. They both first showed symptoms on the same day. Even worse, this whole group was excited because they were supposed to go on a camping trip up at Mt. Ranier which they had been planning for weeks and weeks. The trip was cancelled. My older grand daughter was so distraught when told they couldn’t go on the trip. Her mama set up a tent in the backyard so they could pretend camp while Daddy was in bed feeling miserable.

Playing in their PJs in a tent in the backyard.

This fun didn’t last for too long. From here it only got worse. My other DIL and both grand daughters got sick and tested positive.

Doesn’t she look miserable? Poor girl.

Such a rotten time for all of them. Julia escaped it as did one of the guys. But the rest of them have been fairly sick. Julia had to isolate for quite a while and wear a mask when she wasn’t in her room. But it has been long enough now we feel confident she won’t get it.

Playing with Dad’s video game is a special treat

It seems like the girls are over the worst of it. It is amazing how quickly children can bounce back but not so much with the adults. One of my DIL’s still feels awful. What a rotten virus this is. This picture shows the detritus of a house with two sick adults and two sick kids. Blankets everywhere, water bottles and snacks. Playing with dad’s video game is a special treat though and the girls enjoyed this diversion. I wish I could have them helped out. It has been a tough week for them.

I will be back in a couple of days to share a finish. I got my 2021 Positivity quilt finished and just need to take some pictures and wash it. Can’t wait to share it with you. Enjoy the holiday everyone!

16 thoughts on “Summer Squirrels are Happening

    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Carole. I wasn’t going to go with them. My camping days are over. But they love it and were pretty excited. Plus they had done so much work to prep for the trip. On the bright side, at least they hadn’t gone and set up camp and THEN gotten sick. That would have been even worse! They are on the mend now tho. 🙂

      Reply
  1. Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts

    I agree that sometimes a simple project is perfect for how you’re feeling! So sorry about the Covud cases in your family – especially the little girls. It seems we keep thinking we’re past it, but the virus has other plans. I hope everyone is back to normal soon!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Diann. I have a huge family and it seems like so many of them have come down with it. I suppose most people will eventually? The vaccine really helps and makes for a better outcome but with the variants – it is still too easy to get infected. Oh well. Mostly I wonder when we won’t have to focus on it so much and it will just be something in the past?

      Reply
  2. Rebecca Grace

    I love your placemat fabric and I am envying you your high of 69 degrees today, as my flowers are wilting in down here in the Armpit Of the South… But oh, man — those photos of sick grandbabies just broke my heart!! I hope everyone is fully and completely recovered soon and that the camping trip can be rescheduled.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks! The sun is out this afternoon which is lovely but still just 69*. I don’t miss the California heat at all. Isn’t it always awful to see the kids get sick? Just makes me sad. But these girls have been great patients. When the Motrin kicked in they seemed fine and as soon as the time passed a bit they just wilted. I remember those days having little kids. Now it is crazy to watch my kids dealing with it!!

      Reply
  3. Kathy

    When things are on my mind I have to do simple things or else I make a mistake. It’s even hard for me to concentrate on the plot in a book so I either sew a quick simple project, cut up scraps or clean the house! I wish this virus was over but the variants are going to keep it around and it’s not fair. I am glad the vaccines prevent hospitalization and the medication is working but our lives are in someone else’s hands no matter how much we do to prevent getting it.
    Glad to know the kids are all on the mend and hope your DIL does not have long term affects.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Yes! That is the other thing I do when not feeling good or having things on my mind – scraps. It is one of the main times my scraps are dealt with. Like the day after a migraine – I will often play with scraps because my brain still isn’t functioning on all cylinders. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Wendy

    I do the same thing, play with other projects while avoiding the one I should be working on. It makes me happy to know my sweet friend Bernie is like me that way! Haha. Those little flags are adorable, and your placemats are lovely! Minimalist photography for the win, too! Haha! I’m so sorry everyone got so sick after the fun of celebrating with Julia. I hope everyone is back to full health soon, and ready to do that camping trip! Give Julia belated birthday wishes for me!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      It was such a bummer but they really showed Julia such a nice evening. They went to a few places, the first one (where the photo was taken) being the nicest. That place surprised Julia with a personalized menu which she is holding up plus a complimentary glass of Prosecco. Oh well. It didn’t turn out great but they are getting better.
      As for being like you Wendy, that is quite the compliment!

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks Cindy. The family is feeling better. We are hoping to get together on Monday if everyone tests negative by then. Crossing my fingers!!

      Reply
  5. Allison

    Yes! Much more satisfying to match our creative endeavours to our state of mind than to try and work beyond what we are emotionally capable of at any one time.
    Sorry Covid has run through your family. It is still such a menace. Hope they all recover well, even if it takes some longer than others. Cases have been rising here in the UK despite the Summer weather and gatherings happening outdoors.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Allison – It seems if I sew when I am not feeling well the mistakes are more frequent and I am so much more annoyed by them. It was more fun to sew something simple like the placemats and use up some pretty fabric at the same time! Win win. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sandra Walker

    Just loved this post Bernie even though I am so sorry to hear about Covid wreaking havoc in your family. Just this morning my youngest said she doesn’t think we will be taking our grandson to any restaurants because we are still in a pretty tiny bubble and she’s right. Takeout but no eat in. I loved reading about your squirrel, and I’m very happy you did choose something according to Lori Baker’s wise advice. She’s a gem btw. Will be watching for your finish!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you! The Covid spread is crazy. It was interesting that there were five adults who were exposed at the same time – all vaccinated and boosted. Three got it – two had a strong case, one had a lesser case and two didn’t get it at all? Who knows why? So yes, it pays to be careful. 🙂

      Reply

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