#ThankfulThursday #XPlusQuilt #NiceMoments
Everyone and everything at home was as it should be. Nothing urgent requiring immediate attention. No plans and just the luxury of being able to spend the day in a relaxed fashion, doing as I pleased.
My kids were happily enjoying time with their friends, making lots of great school holiday memories. I got to meet and chat with a really lovely lady. I'd not really spoken with her before (other than organising kids activities), but after a 2 hour chat, found that we had so much in common and could honestly have talked for days and days.
I worked on some more of my X Plus Quilt blocks. I had a few pieces cut from the last time I'd played with this project and they'd been sitting on the end of my sewing table (and generally just being in the way). After I added the last border to my Midnight at the Oasis Quilt, I thought I'd make a few more X Plus blocks to use those pieces and move them out of the way. But then I kept searching and cutting up fabric to make more and more blocks.
Once the cutting is done, these blocks come together remarkably quickly. I chain piece a whole bunch of the corner blocks and then once they're trimmed and pressed, I pile up the pieces which make up the rest of blocks and get to sewing them all together.
Here's a little secret - after than initial trimming and pressing of the corner blocks, I don't press the blocks until they're finished. Yes I'm being lazy, but gosh it saves a lot of time.
I finished putting together the last of my blocks this morning and counted that I have now got 27 completed. I think I'll make 3 more and then lay them out in a 5 x 6 configuration to see how they look.
Now, in one more bit of 'nice' news, I bought a new mug during the boxing day sales. It's from a store called Bed, Bath and Table and was 1/2 price. Yay for sales! It is my new favourite mug and the perfect shape for quick cooling of hot drinks and nose bumping is not a problem.
Nice!
After weeks of bushfire smoke and not being able to see the mountain behind my house, this morning is clear and smoke free. We've had a few evenings of light rain which already seems to be making a difference to the back lawn and garden in general. It's been a long time since I've been able to sit out here on the back deck.
There's a layer of ash over everything in the backyard and thankfully we have a pool blanket to keep the water reasonably clean. We've been very lucky that the bushfires haven't spread this way and keep our fingers crossed that the firies can get them under control while we have a few cool days.
Have you got a favourite mug for your tea? My husband thinks I'm silly when I say tea tastes better in a mug with a cat on it. I have several cat tea cups/mugs, but this one is my favourite.
I hope you've had some 'nice' moments in your day too :)
Love the blocks and tea mug. So glad you and your family are safe. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteI have 2 different tea cups. One for bags and one for leaves. I also have 2 different cups for coffee. I use the sachets and depends on if I want a small or large cup. Then I have a milo cup which is huge. They are at home and I have others at work..
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how we prefer certain cups/mugs for certain drinks. I have a cupboard full of mugs that I never seem to use, unless I have guests.
DeleteLove your message today on thankful Thursday. My daughter texts me daily and reminded me today we have so much to be thankful for. And you are another reminder. Love your blocks!
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that your daughter texts you daily. It's lovely that you have a close relationship and I hope that my daughter and I remain close as she gets older (even if she is approaching the dreaded teenage years).
DeleteFrom Maine where we have snow on the ground and it was 16 degrees out when I headed out to the barn this morning. I happen to love the cold, winters, and even lots and lots of snow even tho it’s a lot of work for us 74 year olds with keeping a wood stove going. (My husband is still working but I retired from nursing 2 years ago. Therefore, I do most of the wood hauling since Mike is working. Yes, he does a lot on the weekends also.
ReplyDeleteI have been so thankful to hear that there has been some rain in your neck of the world now..... not sure where but say a video where people were ecstatic with joy huddled under an umbrella. Such a large tragedy and devastation in the wake of the fires. When our kids were little we lost our home in the middle of a blizzard as we were outside hooking our plows up on our vehicles. (We both plover). I can barely imagine what people are and will be going through now. Only the outside structure remained of our home. But, we were rejoicing immediately and afterwards because all four boys along with us and the dog were safe. For us, everything else was non essential. So, my heart and prayers go out for the hundreds of families affected by the fires. And fo entire communities too.
Before i forget..... I love almost all X Plus quilts that I have seen but OMG, this one is stunning. Wow!!! (Yes, its on my To Do List).
And Last but not Least: When you hear of a group that is collecting quilts for those who have been affected by the fire, Please, please, please post the information. I am ready and willing to mail a few quilts off. I don’t happen to stash my quilts. I make then for a gift for a specific person. Lol, last year I put our name on the list because our few are many, many years old. Therefore used daily and greatly loved.
Thank you for your beautiful message. It is hard to imagine how people are feeling with not only their homes, but whole communities burnt down.
DeleteThese blocks are really fun to make and I'm pleased that you have it on your 'to-do' list. I used the free pattern available from Scissortail Quilting which makes a great size block.
There are a few groups collecting finished quilts for families in need. I have included some links in this blog post: http://www.sameliasmum.com/2020/01/burning.html
Or if you'd prefer to make and contribute some quilt blocks, I posted earlier today about my local quilt guild who are collecting 'tree' blocks to make quilts. This might be a better option for people overseas who would like to help (and postage wouldn't be as expensive as a whole quilt): http://www.sameliasmum.com/2020/01/regenerate-quilt-block-free-pattern.html
Your X Plus blocks are beautiful. I'm praying for rain for your country. Yesterday I went to a thrift store and bought a new coffee mug that says "Victoria, Canada", it brings back great memories of trips to that beautiful island.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning when I wake with my coffee or tea, I write in my journal 3 things that I am thankful for and 3 things to work on. Quiet contemplation really gets my creative energy going. Be safe and keep making beautiful things.
Hi Joni, I love your idea of journaling each morning. What a wonderful way to start your day with pleasant thoughts and a mission to work on. Thank you for stopping by x
DeleteHi Joni, I love your idea of journaling each morning. What a wonderful way to start your day with pleasant thoughts and a mission to work on. Thank you for stopping by x
DeleteAnorina: I do hope the fires stay away and die out, our state sent a few firemen to help out with the fires.
ReplyDeleteIs it true the fires were started by some people? just curious, someone told me they heard it on the news.
Love the quilt squares, so much fun in color.
Have a lovely day.
Catherine
Hi Catherine, I hadn't heard if the fires were deliberately lit, but you know, it honestly wouldn't surprise me. The main problem is that everything is just so dry because of the drought and that is what has given the fires so much fuel.
DeleteColourful blocks are the best, don't you think? Happy sewing my friend :)
love the blocks... such happy colours…. great mug too.... my favourite are the thin china kind.... pretty pretty thin ones.... and tea does taste better in a nice mug...
ReplyDeleteHugz
My mum loves the thin china mugs too, especially the ones with the lovely flower prints and the gold rim. It's an easy go-to mothers day gift for her (because they seem to break very easily).
DeleteYour blocks are beautiful! I love the happy colours you're using to sew them and think it will make a remarkable quilt, Anorina.
ReplyDeleteAmazing the effect even a bit of rain can have and so happy to hear that you're getting some and having a bit cooler temperatures. Hopeful that more is on the way - and that there will be an end to the bushfires.
I too, have a favourite mug - it holds just the right amount of tea and keeps it warm longer, which makes that simple pleasure, even more enjoyable!
Thank you so much Katherine. I do love bright and happy blocks. They're much more fun to work on than boring colour ones ;-)
DeleteHope you have a happy weekend of sewing.
Love your X blocks! There was so many of these quilts going around the internet years ago, but I never made one of these either. Very fun looking and your fabrics are wonderful.:)
ReplyDeleteIt seemed every second person on Instagram was making an XPlus block, didn't it?
DeleteI am late to the party, but better late than never :)
Happy Sewing xx