Friday, March 12, 2021

Mountain Musings

 Hello Everyone,

The calendar, and my daffodils are telling me Spring is right around the corner, but Mother Nature begs to differ.  We received another 6-8" of snow on Wednesday which makes for perfect quilting weather.  Mazey loves to frolic in the snow.  Her fur attracts powdery snow like a magnet, and she ends up with little snow dingleberries hanging from tummy to tail.

On Tuesday we headed out for a hike along the Arnold Rim Trail and watched the snowstorm roll up the spine of the Sierra Nevada mountains.   It's quite thrilling to watch the clouds, listen to the wind, and feel the temperatures plummet like a stone.  It makes all of your senses come alive.....in addition to keeping a lookout for bears along the trail.  The closest we came to a bear was a large pile of recent scat.   Mazie's senses were on overload as she pulled at the leash while investigating every inch of the trail.  For every one mile that we hike, she travels at least three times more crisscrossing back and forth across the trail investigating under every fallen tree, and around every rock.


During the snowstorm, I spent time in my quilting room cutting 204, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squares for a project.  These little squares didn't make a noticeable dent in my Betsy bin.



I want to do a remake of my Lovey Dovey wallhanging.  This time I'm going to be using fabrics by Betsy Chutchian.  I also think this will be a good project for my three retreats later on this year.  That means I also have to write the pattern.


Speaking of pattern writing, that's what I've been working on for days/weeks now.  There is an elevated level of effort working on a pattern for a block of the month program.  The pattern is turning into a sizeable book.  I can't show you my design, but I can tell you about it.  The center of the quilt has 16 blocks, which are the same design, but the fabric placement is unique to each block.  So, each block requires its own page in the pattern.

I've been in constant contact with Marcus Fabrics while we develop this BOM together.  Seeing what goes on behind the scenes to bring a BOM to fruition, has been quite educational.  Marcus Fabrics pays great attention to every detail, and so do I.  I should be receiving the fabrics by the end of the month, and I can't wait to dig in and follow along with my directions.

This has been a busy time of year with the completion of the dreaded taxes.  We have to drive to the neighboring town to visit with our accountant and sign on the dotted line.  Pulling everything together was a huge job off of my plate, and I have a giant sense of relief that they are done!

I hope you have a great weekend.  Most likely between time spent at the computer writing directions, we will be taking a hike in the snow with Mazey and her dingleberries.

Soon,
Lynn



19 comments:

  1. Morning Lynn! Those are a lot of little squares to cut out! can't wait to see your next design, it'll be another beauty. I'll be up in Angels Camp next month,,, hope the snow will be gone with spring in full force. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Send me an email Jeanne and let me know when you will be up in my area. Maybe we can get together for lunch.

      Delete
  2. Lynn,
    So glad you're doing okay. You have been sooo quiet, I was getting a little concerned (I forgot about the forever present taxes). I am looking forward to seeing your BOM project, but I am equally excited about your use of the "R" word (retreat). Take care and hugs, Sharon McD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your concern. I've been spending hours and hours in front of the computer until Mr. Joe and Mazey drag me away to the great outdoors. Once I get the fabric and start working on the BOM, I'll probably be even more sequestered away from the light of day. The retreats will be a go! Snowflake Lodge is preparing to open soon. I'll try to get info out soon to you and your girls.

      Delete
  3. Never a dull moment in the mountains, Lynn! Glad all is well, I was as concerned as Sharon! I’m so happy Mr. Joe and Mazey keep you “moving”! If it was me, my mind would be a puddle by now! Can’t wait for that BOM!
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, my brain is a puddle of gelatinous goo right about now. Sometimes I just need to step away from the computer, and quilt.

      Delete
  4. Oh that snow is beautiful! So funny that you are working on those "Betsy" squares. I am currently working on a quilt (hand appliqued circles on squares) with just Betsy fabrics and to my surprise, I have amassed over 400 prints. Yikes! Most are fat quarters or smaller, but still. Can't wait to see what you do with your "Betsy" quilt. Enjoy the snow while it lasts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow Wendy, you have a lot of "Betsy" fabrics. I'm not even close to 400 prints.

      Delete
  5. What a post Lynn... So much to look forward to seeing from your quilting journey!!! And retreats!!! If you need something to hum along the way: "Dingle Bells! Dingle Bells! Dingle all the way!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Wow! We are enjoying beautiful 70 degree weather here in Florida. I sure don't miss the cold and snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I've been freezing for the last three months, even with the fireplace going 24/7 in addition to the heater.

      Delete
  7. Sounds like a fun hike although I must say I'm done with the snow aspect. I can't even imagine looking out for bears! A BOM???? I know your pattern will be wonderful. I'm wondering when will it be available ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for asking, Susie. The BOM will roll out later this year.

      Delete
  8. LOVE getting my taxes finished - you must be in the mood to celebrate. Good luck with your pattern writing; it sounds like quite the undertaking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting, Marie. It's not only the pattern writing, it's also the shop monthly cutting guide. This is why I'm anxious to get the fabric, so I can double-check my calculations.

      Delete
  9. Love your fabrics that you have cut! Can you tell that I'm drooling here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are drooling over many different lines from Betsy Chutchian. The box includes fabrics from Nancy's Needle, Sarah's Story, Susanna's Scraps, Rachel Remembered, and Harriet's Handwork.

      Delete
  10. the snow is beautiful, but I'm glad it's not me in it! :-) I love seeing snow dingleberries on doggies' fur: so funny!! And I would have thought that the bears would still be in hibernation...yikes!! So happy that a retreat is in the works for this year!!! And we bought a new home in Marysville: I'll be about a half hour from Betty! Thank you from introducing us! Hugs, H

    ReplyDelete