Queen of the Strawberry Patch Quilt

Queen of the Strawberry Patch Quilt

I am lucky to be able to care for my granddaughter several days a week. She's (mostly) a joy! But many things in my life have shifted to accommodate my new schedule.

My garden has been somewhat neglected this year, but I kept reminding myself about priorities. We are still eating canned tomatoes from the past year when I put up 100+ quarts, and 80 quarts of beans. Because my shelves were still full, I allowed some beds to rest, some occasional weeds, and gave it minimal life support for months. But every day we would walk the gardens, check the greenhouse, water plants, touch, smell, and be barefoot in the grass. Even if it rained, we were out there. One day we just let ourselves be rained on until thoroughly wet. We watch birds, worms, the bugs and bees, and dogs running through the orchard. Today we were out quite early talking about the moonlight. I'm smiling as I remember and write this. 

Modern Heart Quilt & Bluprint

Piece & Love Solids Day Dream Quilt

I was saddened by the recent news that Bluprint would be closing in the near future. I was pleased with, and well served by the Craftsy company that later became Bluprint. In the past years, they offered a way for indie, or independent designers, to get their foot in the door by selling patterns through the platform. I watched some of these quilters rise up to greater renown within the community, and it was exciting. Retail stores compete with online quilting supply websites, and some are happy to see Bluprint go. But I worry that with our unstable economy in the light of COVID-19, and the number of companies filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is this a sign of things to come for our smaller stores? Many have been in decline, and the number of closures over the past decade is alarming. I'm not sure I want to foresee that future.

Surely thinking about all this spurred me to dig out a kit I'd purchased this winter from Bluprint. The Piece & Love Solids Day Dream kit by Cloth Parcel was bought with the notion it would be a quick make. It was, but I will be very honest with you--I was not happy with the pattern. 

City Sampler Mini

 City Sampler Mini Finish

While I didn't lose interest, I lost time. This was never going to turn into a full quilt of any size, and no more UFO's for me. I put spare minutes together here and there to finish this up, and in a few days I'll even show you it's been hung. Amazing stuff, huh?