Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Summer Quilt Catch Up


Simple Summer Quilt

Life has been anything but simple for nearly 2 years now. I know I'm in good company across the planet when I crawl out of bed after midnight because I can't sleep--again. My neck and shoulders are sore from canning apples and making applesauce all day. My head is full of swirling thoughts like, How the heck are we going to get through this mess? (Certainly not by depending on the government!) 

My last post was early August when I was still working on the quilting of this summer quilt. I needed an uncomplicated project to stitch on, and I loved having something in the frame to pick up for even a few minutes at a time. But August turned into a difficult month healthwise here, and funneled us right into September and a local outbreak of Covid. We were included as well as many friends and family, but thankfully all came through without serious complications. I was out of the studio more than a month, though, and feel like I'm still catching up on sleep.



Effy helps.




My mom saw this quilt, and fell in love with it. I was so happy to give it to her because she has never really wanted a quilt before now. The texture of hand quilting is so different than machine quilting, and I think quite special. And because I kept this quilting to a minimum, the whole quilt has lovely loft and softness to it. Add in the soft colors, and it's simply one of my favorites!



Blushing Susie

My garden has been my biggest diversion this summer. Mainly I grow food, but this annual vine grew just outside my back door, and had the most stunning flower colors spilling over the wall all summer long.




My tomatoes held on until just a few weeks ago in late October. I still have a few cherry tomatoes left on the counter, if you can believe, and the winter vegetables are doing well. Kale, mustards, spinach, hardy lettuces, beets, arugula, chard, and so on will keep us in greens through the milder winter months.




The greenhouse never made it up this summer or fall. Things are so unpredictable. But while we've waited, we've decided on a few more changes. Move things here or there, cut back a tree, etc. Slow decisions. Few things in our lives allow those now. I'm rather glad at having some control over something these days. 

Come on, Doxie girls.
It's time to sew again.


 


6 comments:

Linda Swanekamp said...

Good to see your photos and hear from you.

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry to hear you and your family had to deal with Covid first-hand. Ugh. Glad you're on the mend.
That's a beautiful, bright, happy quilt! And the flower outside your back door--charming. Do you know what kind it is?

Barb N said...

We got breakthrough cases of Covid in September also! Just after we went to Boise for Labor Day Weekend. Not fun at all. I'm glad you're feeling better, as are we.
Maybe sore shoulders and neck are a way of telling us to slow things up a bit. Your flowers are gorgeous, as is your quilt. Isn't it fun to have a family member fall in love with one of your quilts> You mother will definitely snuggle under it's quilty goodness :)

audrey said...

Your summer quilt is so lovely. I love the simplicity and happy vibe to it. Your backing fabric color just makes me smile! Life has definitely not been simple for anyone. Reading through your post was sweet today, like talking to a good friend over the fence and catching up a bit.:)

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Glad you're on the mend. All the best.

Sandy Panagos said...

I'm glad things are starting to look up for you and your family. What a lovely quilt. I'm sure your mom will really enjoy it.