Dropping off the face of the quilty universe has one advantage: you get some sewing done. But first, let me talk about the Carrefour Quilt Show (France) posts.
All discussions of any project begin with this process: throwing out thousands and thousands of corrupted files on my computer. It’s like how you can’t find the evaporated milk to make your pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving until you clear away all the bunches of canned food in front just so you can get to the back of the cupboard.
Same, same. Every time I start to work on the Carrefour photos, Something Computer-Wonky This Way Comes, and it gets in the way. But the pictures are coming, because I want to show you a lot of the beauties that didn’t get all the press.
Soon, my pretties, soon.
I’ve been re-downloading a lot of the patterns I’d purchased on ETSY and on quilters’ websites. Most of it has been a pretty smooth recovery. I’ve been having real troubles with a clothing patterns site, and we’re trying to work it out, but I’m about ready to give up on that one. And a badge site wants me to re-buy the things I’ve already purchased. Yes, I have the real-life badges, but the digital ones were zapped in the Great Computer Meltdown of 2025. (Gee, I should get a commemorative plaque, or something, to put on the desk.) Buying and purchasing is a lot more complicated when sellers can switch their products from one platform to another. [Public Service Announcement: I now have three hard drives at my disposal for backing up.]
And yes, some pattern-writing has been delayed as I’m having to recreate the digital files that were lost (see illustration, above, of all that I lost in my Shine Circles patterns). I’m just glad it’s up online and free for the download if you click on the link.
I’ve been helping a new mother-to-be design her first baby’s quilt. And for those who are interested, I’ll have it on here for a freebie, once I finish (we moved on from that design, just to warn you). Affinity’s digital editing software is now FREE, apparently, so you can get some of that, too, to design your own quilts.
Remember 2020? Haha.
I’m standing underneath my quilt Azulejos, hanging in the gallery at Road to California in January 2020, before Covid-19 and all the Murder Hornets were released and when the world turned upside down. Well, I’ve been wanting to make this pattern in deep blues and cheddars, and I finished it this week.
Just a reminder.
It has been dropped off at the quilter:
I worked on these, while listening to the end of Louise Penny’s novel Black Wolf, as well as this:
It’s not the Thursday Murder Club series, but a new freestanding novel, and I really liked it. I lost track a little bit, of the minor characters, but the main characters are well-drawn and entertaining, and yes, the novel and I and the Economy Blocks hummed right along.
I finished it last night and rushed out in the setting sun to take a couple of photos, such as this stained-glass effect.
I delivered that one to the quilter this morning, too. I had started this #scrappythriftblockchallenge with Taryn of @reproquiltlover on Instagram. I wrote up a guide sheet and shared it (you can find it all on this post); the quilt begins with this blog post. [Note to all the Historians out there: first Instagram post was on March 31]
I’m just kind of ready to finish up a lot of loose-ends projects that I had started at the beginning of the year, when my abilities were hampered by anxiety/depression/sadness and a lack of wanting to do anything. Over time, a lot of those issues have resolved, faded. Sadly, I think I lost a couple of friends during the last two or three years, when the one-two-kapow-punch of my parents’ death really knocked out my creative — and other — lights. As those who have lost parents know, no death goes easily into that great night (thank you, Dylan Thomas), so I should add it was all the swirling around of everything that knocked me back.
So I chose HelpMeMakeSomething projects, like these economy squares, and a Block of the Month, and a reworking of an old favorite pattern, plus squircles (which are still ongoing).
Here we are in the waiting room at the medical clinic, because all that stuff still goes on, doesn’t it? People get sick and husbands and wives need check-ups and gosh, they already have their Christmas Tree up and it’s not even Thanksgiving.
It’s no shame to admit you can’t make it without some help, and all the quilters I know (well, maybe minus one or two…) are more than willing to sit beside you while you figure out a path through the gloom. And somehow, this fall I started to feel like myself again…with Energy!
We were supposed to go somewhere for Thanksgiving, but Life Intervened, so now I’m considering a new roll recipe, and maybe a stab at that Delicata Squash Pie in the lower right corner, but with a gingersnap cookie crust, instead of the recommended graham cracker.
Lastly, I decorated:
Thank you, Trader Joe’s. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this, and/or write something, or maybe just carry a thought or two around in your head. I’m grateful for you all and for what you share; what rich and varied lives we all lead.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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Thank you Elizabeth, for sharing. I can relate. I am in San Diego and really appreciate your outlook. Happy Thanksgiving, Kimbi
I laughed at your last comment about carrying a thought or two around in my head. Sometimes there are just way to many thoughts swirling around and I loose track. Your blue and cheddar quilt is wonderful as is the economy block top. I’ve never taken a stained glass effect photo and they’re always so cool to see. I’ve a collection of purple and orange and can’t decide what to make. Lots of ideas and no final choice yet. Actually lots of quilts waiting in the to do cue. I haven’t sewn in months. 2026 I hope. Have a lovely Thanksgiving . We’re having a quiet one and looking forward to Christmas with the grandies. They’re at a great age now. 4 and 15 months.
I always enjoy your ‘this and that’ posts, Elizabeth! Both your latest quilt finishes are lovely- the green one fresh and sunny, the blue/cheddar one more grounded and moody! You had me puzzled there for a moment at the incorrect piece from the Azulejos pattern, but I see it has to do with the trimming! How clever of you! Surprise, surprise I am sewing again, making a half rectangle triangle quilt, whatever size I can muster to make it. I had a new stash of fabrics feeling lonely so I decided they should be used! Your Christmas decorating is way ahead of mine! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, wherever you may be.
I SAW YOU THERE IN REAL LIFE IN 2020!!! Gosh we got that trip to California in just under the wire, or maybe slightly past the wire but anyway. we still call it Sunny California because that’s what Baby Madeleine called it. I think we bookended Covid with California and Boston!
Anyhoohow …. Enough reminiscing about the dark times. You have been on a tear! And I commiserate with your computer problems. I am about to bring in my Computer Professional. I’ve got so much on my plate. I don’t know how I’m gonna have room for turkey…. Happy Thanksgiving right back at you and Dave.
I’ve always love the cheddar/blue combo. Great remake. The economy blocks in green look so pretty. Love the leaded glass look. Nice to finally have some sunshine for the photos.
Love your quilts! Just found your blog. Thanks for taking the time to share!
I LOVE your cheddar and blue quilt and the green economy block top too! Your computer issues sound horrible. I’d be tempted to chuck everything and start over 😲. Kudos to you for persevering through those inevitable difficult and challenging situations we all face at various times in our lives. Thanks for your blog which I enjoy so much!
Aha! Richard Osman. I couldn’t recall who recommended his books, but it must have been you. I’m enjoying them, so a big thank you! As for “life, the universe, and everything” you’ve been going through, our saying around here is, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” Glad you’re regaining your energy, but just look at all you accomplished even without being your usual self!
We are experimenting with gingersnap cookie recipes (first batch over the weekend were more gingerbread than snappy and lacking in ginger). I’m so glad you are feeling more like yourself. I do really love the glow through your Economy block quilt: it reminds me of komorebi. And congratulations on the completed blue and cheddar quilt top; that went quickly!
I’m so glad you have started to feel like yourself again, Elizabeth. I feel that since covid there seems to have been a great deal of loss in the world in so many ways and I really hope we are coming through all that now. Your post are always very thought provoking and your makes are an inspiration. I love your economy block quilt 🙂
Sadly, I am learning how grieving impacts one’s life and creativity. I can’t imagine how it’s been for you, losing two parents (Why have I noticed lately that too many people write “loosing” instead of “losing”? Why does that irritate me so much?!) and then friends too. I must remind myself that God won’t give us more than we can handle. But I’ve found that creativity isn’t necessarily the best therapy. My abilities aren’t as sharp; mistakes are made. It’s time for a refocus onto something more “mindless,” like diamond painting.
I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through, computerwise. Sounds dreadful, especially for a designer/seller as you are. I love what you’ve done with Economy Blocks. That green color is nice and refreshing. And yay for easy decorating with Trader Joe’s. No decorating here (no one comes to our home, so I don’t take the time); no Trader Joe’s for that matter. 🙂 Keep going, making beautiful things, as you always do.