Scraps and Squirrels

Picture the scene at the end of the party.  Empty bottles, missing silverware, dirty dishes, stained carpet, mess everywhere and you don't even know where to begin.

Scraps Explosion

Half Made Blocks

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge feels like a party and it IS a lot of fun...till you get to this time of the year.

Now the party is coming to a close and there are blocks everywhere. How many blocks? Did I lose/misplace some? I was going to redo that one but then forgot. Where do I even start?

Framed Jewel Blocks (Light Borders)

I should start at counting the blocks.  That way I can answer the question - how many blocks?

Will it be enough for one quilt? Or more. May be I will need to make a few more.

Aah Good Intentions!!!

As I opened the box where I had been storing the RSC (Project#2 now renamed Framed Jewels) blocks, something else fell out.

OOPS. It was a squirrel. Actually it was too pretty to be a squirrel. It was a chipmunk.

So off I went chasing that chipmunk cuteness.  Please excuse me Framed Jewels. It is not like you are going anywhere.

Leftover Strip Sets

These strips were left over from Shadow of Light. Like many scraps and block trimmings, they were too small to use and too big to throw away. 

What if...

Becoming Something

Finished Zipper Pouch

Chipmunk Captured!!!

Insides Matter Too

But wait there is more. When I opened the bag containing zippers, five other chipmunks jumped out. Who knew I was housing a whole family of chipmunks in between RSC blocks? 

A Whole Family!!!

I found a few other fabrics, already cut into perfect sizes, ready to become zippered pouches. 

When did I do that?

Fall Colors

Perfectly Coordinated Zippers and Tabs

Sandra, I am sure you have come across a squirrel within a squirrel.  A Dreami within a Dreami. Well, actually I did not drop the first one but chased all six at once.

Colorfully yours

Feed Me, they yell!!!

And here they are - the whole family together. Look at them, so innocently posing for the picture.

A very Big Dreami 

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By now the Framed Jewel Blocks were completely forgotten. But I counted the Picket Star Quilt blocks. Enough for three quilts - one each of small, medium and large :-D

Nine blocks in a small quilt. The next thing I know a flimsy was finished. 

Picket Star Blocks - Finished Flimsy

The Picket Star Quilt Blocks (17" square) are time consuming to make but the quilt top comes together so quickly. I added a border to protect the precious points. The flimsy finished at about 54" square. 

What about the Framed Jewel Blocks? That will have to be in an another blogpost. Did you chase a squirrel? Were you sidetracked? Or did you stay the course. I'd love to know.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's So Scrappy Linky and Sandra's Dreami. See full list on the sidebar.

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Hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.

These are difficult times and we may not be able to see our loved ones. It is hard and it is heartbreaking. I understand. But there is good news. The vaccine will be widely available next year. We have to hang tight for just a few more months. We can do this. Together we can beat this. 

Next year we will have a huge party to make up for all the missed parties.  We will cherish every embrace, every kiss and every handshake. I am sure my arms will ache from receiving and giving big squishy hugs. But I promise to clean up all the mess from that huge party, I promise. It will be worth it!!!

 

The Journey Continues

The journey has been long, uphill and relentless.  These pictures are from a display at the Dulles International Airport in February 2020. I believe it is relevant to share them today.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Display at IAD in February 2020

Me: Imagine you are eating a slice of the yummiest blueberry pie...
Paul: Oh I love blueberry pie
Me: Yes, but this is oh so much better than any other blueberry pie
Paul: How so?
Me: The crust is flaky and the filling is made from fresh blueberries
Paul: You know I will eat any blueberry pie
Me: I know but stay with me. Just as you close your eyes in pure bliss when all the flavors from the warm filling and the buttery crust melt in your mouth you taste a big lump of salt

Paul: WHAT???
Me: That is how I feel at this time.
Paul: I see. So this is all about you.
Me: Well, mostly. My happiness is marred.
Paul: Why do you focus on the lump of salt and not on the blueberry pie?

Me: Because it is not perfect and I want...

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: Nothing is perfect and nothing should be.
Me: I don't accept that.
Paul: Is our marriage perfect?
Me: No, but it has gotten better.
Paul: So there is room for improvement
Me: But why did you say that nothing should be perfect?
Paul: Because achieving perfection would be the end of the journey.
Me: And we must go on...
Paul: For a more perfect union, yes, absolutely.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: Set aside the salty lump, what do you love most about the outcome?

Me (excitedly): You mean other than the historic election of Kamala Harris? First woman!!! First woman ever in the White House!!! First woman of Indian descent!!!

Paul (with a calm smile): Yes, beyond that.

Me: Hmmm... the fact that we had the most historic of turnouts ever since 1900.

Paul: Over 145 million Americans cast their ballots

Me: That is a historic win for Democracy.

Paul: What else?

Me: The fact that Georgia turned blue is pretty phenomenal.

Display at IAD in February 2020

Paul: And who made that happen?

Me (almost shouting): STACEY ABRAMS and her initiative Fair Fight!!!

Paul: Which you support with your monthly donation.

Me: YES!!!

Paul: So in a way your efforts made Georgia blue.

Me (eyes wide): I did not think like that. 

Paul: It happened.

Me: If ever there is an award for turning adversity and defeat into opportunity and progress Stacey Abrams will be the top contender. 

Paul: If Stacey Abrams had become the Georgia Governor in 2018, she may not have launched Fair Fight and Georgia may not have turned blue.

Me: I see your point. 

It was time to celebrate.  Mari and I met for lunch, ice-cream and fabric shopping.  

With Mari (masks were worn at all times, except eating/taking pictures)

Salted Caramel Ice cream 

Bright & Cheerful

Come to me, my lovely!!!

Too yummy to pass!!!

Once home, my discussion with Paul continued.

Paul: Did you miss the news about ballot initiatives?

Me: Oh no. I heard that all ballot initiatives related to decriminalization of drugs were passed, including decriminalization of magic mushrooms in DC.

Paul: That is huge for any person ever caught/jailed for a minor drug offense and had their entire future ruined for it.

Me: That should also ease the burden on the police forces.

Paul: Let's hope there are other police reforms with the new administration in charge.

Me: Oh I was reading the APTA newsletter...

Paul: APTA?

Me: American Public Transportation Association sent out their newsletter and it said that a record number of voters supported public transportation initiatives in Austin and San Antonio in Texas, Bay Area in California, Seattle in Washington, Missoula in Montana, and Monroe County in Michigan.

Paul: So good news on the professional front.

Me: Yes. Good news for Public Transit anywhere is welcomed by all transit professionals everywhere.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Brown Blocks

Paul: Did you know about the LGBTQ candidates who had historic wins in 2020?

Me: I heard about Sarah McBride and Taylor Small.

Paul: There are others who won their state level elections. Mauree Turner was elected to state legislature

Me: Is Mauree Turner a transgender woman?

Paul: THEY are non-binary.

Me: Which state?

Paul: Oklahoma.

Me (eyes as big as saucers): WHAT??? Oklahoma? WOW!!! 

Paul: And you thought that all the LGBTQ folks lived in SF or NY.

Me (sheepishly): Most, I guess. 

Paul: Even conservative America is changing.

Me: The clatter was so loud that it is hard to hear the fluttering of the hummingbird. 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Black Blocks

Paul: So what is your lump of salt in the pie?

Me (at a loss for words): Um...

Paul: That there wasn't a blue wave as the polls predicted?

Me: Kinda...

Paul: Polls aren't an exact science. But that is besides the point.

Me: What is the point?

Paul: If there was a blue wave, they would be resting on their laurels and taking things easy.

Me: And we must keep fighting the good fight because we have ways to go.

Paul: Exactly. Just like Stacey Abrams did. Use the setbacks to propel forward.

Me: So we need a lump of salt in the pie?

Paul: Proverbially, at least.

With Stacey Abrams at the grassroots and Kamala Harris (about to be) in the White House, I feel pretty awesome. Working together we have lots more to do. Oh what fun we will have in this journey together!

Ooh Chocolate 

Kaffe meets Ruby Star Society

The Woods are Dark & Deep

Honey & Caramel

In November, I am working on black and brown Picket Star Blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  It is just another way to celebrate black and brown women who paved the way so that we could be here today.

Floral Dots & Little Dots

Abstract meets Floral

Big Floral meets Little Floral

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's Linky Party. 

See full list on the sidebar. 

If you have any thoughts about Pie, Politics or our Path ahead, won't you let me know?

Please wear a mask to protect others and yourself. We are in this together.