Sunday, November 23, 2025

Memory Keeper III ~ Sew & Tell - 11/24/2025


Wow... where did the week go?  I didn't have a lot of time in the studio, but I did get the two memory quilts labeled and shipped.  We had a "day out" and purchased a chair... but before I get caught up in all of that, let's take a look at this week's feature.


LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color shared her inspiration and process for a "watercolor" pumpkin quilt.

It all started with a pumpkin she spotted while on a walk and some scraps.

Since she was unsure of creating the shadow area, she pulled out some other scraps and created a fun needle case.  Be sure to make a visit to her blog to see how she made it as well!

I have made needle cases before and they are so handy to have for travel in the car or in the camper, or even just an extra near my chair. ;)  I have several!  Christmas is just around the corner... they would be a great small gift to tuck in a stocking or for a friendly neighbor.


Since I mentioned my chair I'll share the news of our latest purchase.  My wing-back recliner is 11 years old and being closer to a large picture window than Daves and endures more exposure to the sun and has faded over the years.  He decided that we needed to begin looking for a replacement.  We made a day of it in Pueblo shopping.  We shopped at several thrift shops as well as the furniture store.  We found a few options, but no chairs that needed to find their way to our home.  

We stopped in at the local (Trinidad) furniture store and found better choices at better prices!  We love to shop local, and it helps when the prices are competitive and fair.  We decided to take a day or so to consider it, rather than make a purchase at that time.

We returned a few days later, the chair was still there and still a great "black Friday" deal, and we brought it home.  It didn't take us long to realize that the chair had been sprayed with something heavily perfumed and causing me to become congested and sneezing.  We doused it in baking soda overnight and then sprayed it with some odor neutralizing spray for removing urine stains.  After spraying and vacuuming several times I am able to sit in and enjoy.

It is comfortable to sit and sew and I am able to recline all the way back since it is a wall-hugger.  The wing-back chair was not...


I enjoyed a day of slow-stitching as I added the binding to the Color Wash Hexagon Quilt.  I am working on the 4th round of quilting the hexies.  Will I finish this 2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge in 2025???  Only time will tell. ;)

While I was enjoying a slow day quilting, I could have, should have been in the studio getting a third Memory Keeper quilt top done.  After sending off the two memory quilts for my customer, she asked if there might be enough left for a third. Really??? Now you ask?  


After assessing the leftover scraps, I decided that there would be, with a little help from the jelly roll strips that I won at the retreat. ;)  I pulled out the Sticks & Stones pattern and started cutting all of the little bits that I had first to utilize them in the best possible way.  I had several other pieces that were much larger to use for all of the stones and some sticks.

The blocks are ready to be joined together and ready for borders in a short time.

The first quilt happened to have been delivered on the birthday of the recipient.  I was told that she opened the box, wrapped herself in her Mom's love and sat on the couch and cried.  I will never grow tired of creating special quilts for others to cherish and embrace as they recall their loved one's life.  I am blessed to have been able to send Carla a birthday hug from beyond! 💗 Paula should have her quilt just in time to be able to spend Thanksgiving with her Mom... ;)

It is hard to fathom that Thanksgiving is upon us this week!  Oh! My! Goodness!!  Just how did we get here???  And so fast???  One day at a time, I guess.  I've been working on being more intentional with each day... to be a blessing to others in small and ordinary ways.  For it is the ordinary days that seem to outnumber the extra-ordinary days, right?

We will be spending Thanksgiving Day with our youngest daughter and her husband.  His family (parents and sister) will be there as well.  We haven't spent a great deal of time with them since the wedding in 2017.  I am "in charge of" cranberry sauce (homemade - and my favorite dish of the Thanksgiving meal), gluten-free dinner rolls and mashed (white) sweet potatoes... and games. We'll be playing the game "Telestrations".  It is an interesting game that combines Pictionary and the telephone game, and it is fun to play in a larger group.  As the description says, "The worse your drawing, the funnier the game—no artistic skill required!"

Will you be gathering with family or friends to celebrate Thanksgiving?

What is your favorite part of a holiday meal?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!  
Let's get the Sew & Tell party going.  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, November 20, 2025

Walk About Retreat

As promised, here I am with the retreat update.  My arrival on Friday afternoon found me greeting a few familiar faces as well as a few new faces.  As I got settled in, I mingled a bit.  Others arrived shortly after me and I assisted with toting and unloading them.  I was to be borrowing a table from another quilter, and she had not arrived yet. :( I set up a small trimming and pressing station and started marking the sewing lines for my HST units... and continued to help others get moved in.


As it turned out, a sweet gal had a second table that she had planned to use as an organizational space for her pieces.  The coordinator stated that there probably wasn't going to be room since there were 17 quilters. Wow!  What a great group!

Gwen allowed me to claim borrow her extra table, and we were stitching away in no time at all... after figuring out our power situation.  A few extension cords and power strips managed to solve the problem. ;)

By dinner I had all of my half-square triangle units sewn together, pressed and trimmed to size.  I got the rows laid out and sewn and by 8 pm I had the top ready for borders.

I was done for the night and returned to the small area I had set up for trimming and pressing and pulled out my hexagon color wash quilt to hand-quilt.  The location was great as others visited the station for their own pressing and trimming and I was able to talk and laugh with them.  I stitched until I was tired and turned in for the night as others were busily piecing away.

The morning dawn on Saturday was beautiful, and pictures never do the moment justice.

I soaked in the beauty as I did my daily Bible reading and then went to work on the borders of the quilt.  Slowly the other quilters arrived in the common area where all of the machines were set up with coffee in hand.  By breakfast time (9 a.m.) I had my borders complete!  The top measures approximately 62 inches square.



I had to modify the border to create cornerstones since I was limited on the amount of lighter/contrasting fabric I had for it.  It meant that one of the borders has multiple seams, but it looks fine.

A small group of us went for a walk, probably about 2 miles. A snack was needed after the walk and then I settled in for piecing the second quilt that I had.

I took a scrappy approach to the yellow and teal HSTs for this one.  Piecing was interrupted by several activities... gift exchange/grab bag game, a "show & tell" followed by strip poker.  These are some wild & crazy ladies. ;)

Show & Tell

show & tell

Strip poker was a game that included a die and a jelly roll. Each quilter took three strips and took turns rolling the die.  The marking on the die told you what to do... here's a link to the "rules", though our version was slightly modified.  It took a long time to play out with so many quilters, but it was fun.  I thought it was especially fun since I came out as the winner... and winner keeps all!  Hahaha!  

I was challenged to make a quilt with the strips and bring it to the next retreat in the spring.


The gift exchange was fun as well... so many quilty gifts, notions and patterns!  Here's what I ended up with.

Our youngest daughter loves baking and aprons.  She will be getting this one as a part of a gift. 💗🎄

After getting back to my machine I was able to get the yellow/teal quilt top ready for borders...

And then it was time for dinner.


I haven't had the time to get borders added yet, but I'm in no huge rush to get it finished.  Here are a few of the other Walk About quilts made over the weekend.



First, I have a third Memory Keeper quilt to make for my HS classmate.  Her other two were sent out and will soon be wrapping them in love from their Momma.

Here's the progress on Color Wash... I have three full rounds of hexagons quilted.  I need to get the binding on it so that I'm not dealing with fraying edges. 

The retreat coordinator is always on the lookout for fun games and activities... Do you have any suggestions?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you (and share with the coordinator.)  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Memory Keeper Finishes

 
I'm so glad you are here!  I am writing on Friday morning because I am joining some quilty ladies at a retreat.  The location is just 40 minutes away and is quite affordable!  Just $75 for two nights.  This is only my second retreat though they have been holding the retreat weekends at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM for years, twice a year - typically April & November.  Because I am scheduling this post, I'll be skipping the weekly feature...

But I just have to share the fact that I finished the two Memory Keeper quilts.  I really had not planned on it.  I got them quilted and then focused on cutting fabric for the retreat and packing... 

But when I had all of that done, I found I still had a few hours... I went on a mission to select binding fabric.  I was a bit surprised at what I chose, they I really am pleased with them.  I kept thinking a contrasting solid... or even a flanged binding of two colors to match the quilt.  Nope!

They did not want that.  They did not want that at all!  I They chose blue prints... The sunburst print in blue was used as the backing for the Paper Lantern quilt last month.  And the darker blue large floral print was from a wedding quilt last year.


The binding process went super-fast because there were some 2-1/2" strips already cut of each fabric.  Here are some of their glamor shots...










Keep Piecing!

Melva

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Thursday, November 13, 2025

Quilt Retreat Ready

The opening lyrics of John Denver's song, "Leavin' on a jet plane" are running in my mind...

All my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go... Well... almost.


I've made my list and I have my fabric cut... for two quilts.  LOL!  I couldn't decide which one I wanted to make more.  So, I cut both.  The cutting instructions indicate it is pretty basic.  The focal prints are 10-inch blocks (finished) and only 24 squares of contrasting fabrics are needed.  The throw quilt will finish at 60-ish inches square.  Make the half-square triangles and then join them together to surround the large blocks.  For this reason, I have not marked my HST. (I did not race through the last retreat quilt, but I certainly was not talking as much as everyone else - I was the new kid on the block and only knew two other quilters.)

It was alluded to the fact that I was an overachiever the last time I went since I was the only one that finished a quilt top.  I may certainly be considered an overachiever again if I actually get two tops finished.


Here's my list... 

What am I missing?
What else do I need?

Leave a comment... I welcome input from those that have participated in quilt retreats than me.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, November 9, 2025

Little House Feathers ~ Sew & Tell - 11/10/25


It is time to party again!  I do hope that you will join in and show us what you have done over the previous week... or month.  It does not matter if you haven't offered an update in a while.  I understand!  Life happens and, at time, at a very rapid pace!  If it has been a while... I don't mind - I'll grab a cup of tea as you get me (and a few friends) caught up.


The featured party participant this week is Amira from the Little Mushroom Cap. She shared a cozy fall quilt and offered a gentle reminder to "focus on the now."  Many people view fall as a ramp-up for the busy, hectic holiday season.

All of the hubbub and fun of Halloween with the kids, costumes and candy followed by Thanksgiving and moving into December with Christmas and then a New Year right on the heels of that celebration.

November is a good time for gratitude... every little thing!  Like Amira stated...  small finishes, the satisfying reminder that progress, no matter how small, still counts.

So, here’s to November — to gratitude, to slowing down, and to cozy quilts that make our hearts full.

Remember when I started my "Blessings Jar"? I have been remiss in adding an ordinary blessing each day, but I have added bits here and there.  Some days are easier than others to remember the little things.



Just the other day as I pieced a backing for the Little House sampler quilt, I offered a quick praise that I had just enough fabric to get it large enough for the quilt.  It meant that I have some extra seams.  Given the log cabin design of the blocks, I have lots of seams there.  As I started quilting the FMQ feathers (it has been a while!) I was struggling with skipped stitches and thread breaks. (3 in just the short section on the right side of the feather.)  Every single one of them was where there was extra bulk from the seams. **sigh**

I was getting frustrated and even considered ripping it all out and doing something easier... like a lattice grid or hanging diamond.  I was finding and using every excuse to avoid sitting at the machine to do the free-motion quilting.  Excuses like cleaning house (what???), checking the mail, doing the grocery shopping (when I had just gone the day before)... painting the shop with Dave (yes, I even enjoyed that 4-hour distraction 😉)... and the laundry.

I kept hoping the backing fabric that I had ordered for the Memory Keeper quilts would arrive so I could legitimately work on something else!  I had a headache on Saturday morning that was increasing in pain.  I finally sat and listened to a book and looked, searched and dug into deep storage for fabric options for an upcoming quilt retreat project.

As the pain subsided, I returned to the machine.  I had decided to try the other side of the feathers and had much better success.  Whoop! Whoop!  I still need to figure out and adjust my positioning of the quilt on the machine to get the right side of the feathers completed.  It is a struggle I have every time!  I just need to pull out a practice piece and figure it out... But I felt more accomplished since one side of the first run of FMQ was done.  (Yes, I know the coloring in this photo is awful, but it shows the quilting and the points of thread breakage.)


I get have to set the sampler quilt aside and begin the quilting of the memory quilts... the border/backing fabric was delivered on Saturday! 

At some point I will then need to finalize my fabric pull for the quilt retreat quilt... And gather everything I need for the retreat.  I am praying that nobody shows up sick and shares as they did the last time I joined the retreat. 

Options... Maybe 2 quilts?
I have two options... one would make a more masculine quilt with wildlife and browns.  The other is much more feminine... teal and yellow with birds...but scrappy!


I'll let you know which I choose later.  I have things to do!  Quilty things to do! 

Let's get the party started!

But before you go... 

Tell me one thing you can do this week that will help you to slow down and enjoy the moment

I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, November 6, 2025

Miscellaneous...

The week has nearly slipped away and has been busy...  We completed the painting of the shop and out-buildings over several days, usually in 4-hour segments.  Our muscles ached from the repetitive movements and odd positions required for the lower sections.  It looks good!  As we painted, we guesstimated that it has been at least 12 years since any painting had been done.  That was when we installed the windows in the shop and opened for business.  

I am still in a holding pattern as I wait for the border and backing fabric for the memory quilts.  As I waited, I filled a few small orders for a customer that requested several therapeutic rice bags and hemmed a tablecloth for her.  She is a faithful customer that comes back time and time again for the rice bags.  She and her daughter use them on a regular basis in the winter to warm their hands or feet during the winter evenings.

As I delivered them, she sent me home with 5 pairs of jeans for hemming.  Hemming pants in not on the top of my favorite jobs list but I don't refuse them either.  They are quick jobs that generate a little cash with little trouble.  I know some quilters will just refuse to do the job... 


With a little extra time on my hands, I have spent time in the kitchen.  I had a bag of avocados that needed to be used up before turning bad.  They became a dressing and some chocolate pudding.  Yes!  Chocolate pudding.  

About 8 years ago there was a recipe floating around on social media for it... Avocado pudding.  Since I had recently made the radical diet change cutting gluten (in addition to many other foods) it was a recipe that a sweet friend shared with me.  It took a few years before I was willing to actually try it.

Again, I had two avocados on the verge of being tossed.  I pulled the recipe out and figured I would give it a try... if it was terrible I would just toss it away.  Well... I was shocked at how it turned out. 


It has a beautiful creamy texture and a rich chocolatey taste without being overly sweet.  Give it a try!  It is rich, so small portions last a long time.  Dave likes it best when I turn it into a "mousse" with whipped cream by mixing in equal parts of the pudding and whipped cream.  Sprinkle some crumbles from graham crackers or other cookie over the top and you have yourself a fancy dessert.

I also mixed up a layered jar mix that I had made before we went to Red River.  The bars are always a hit.  You can find the recipes for them (and Sand Art Brownies) here.  And the jars are a quick "hostess" gift or perfect for a neighbor that enjoys cooking. 

Gluten-free Sourdough bread was baked, as well as some soups and Loaded Chicken and Potatoes.  Dave told me last night, "I love cool weather meals!  They smell good, taste good and they warm the house as well as my tummy."  You can find the No Guilt::Go Quilt recipe here.

I am itching to get back to quilting!  TODAY... I will pull out the Little House blocks and get them into a top!

What are some of your favorite "cool weather" meals.

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, November 2, 2025

Memory Keeper ~ Sew & Tell - 11/3/25



Welcome back to the Sew & Tell party at Melva Loves Scraps!  My party is open for quilters and crafters who want to share their projects... their progress or their celebrations of finishes.  

After being gone for a week, I was overwhelmed with the comments on the previous week's Sew & Tell as well as the Out of the Dark blog hop.  Everyone is so kind with your visits and comments... I apologize that I didn't respond.  Please know that I really do read each one!  And answer any questions you may have.  However, I am embarrassed to admit this past week I needed to get a fresh start and cleaned the inbox of email. That being said... let's look at this week's star.

Diann from Little Penguin Quilts with the progress of her 2025 RSC project.  

It is always interesting to watch as a project that starts with scraps and "no real plan" come together, and Diann's Quarter Star project is turning out to be lovely.  The transition in colors is magical and mesmerizing.  

I learned in my early quilting attempts that if your eyes move naturally across a quilt without stopping or getting stuck on a particular section, the balance is spot on.  Well done, Diann!


I was using this "skill" or "technique" as I placed units on the design wall for the memory quilts that I am making.  My client sent me a box of her mother's house dresses and selected two layouts.  Most of the clothing I received were very dark... darker than for my liking... but it is (they are) not mine.

Both quilt tops are ready for narrow borders.  They really need something lighter to frame them and finish them.  Fabric is on order...  I asked the customer what her mother's favorite color was because I wanted the backing to reflect her personality.  If I had guessed, I would have thought pink-ish/purple.  Good thing I asked... it was green. 💚I chose two pieces of Art Haus fabric from Connecting Threads, featuring green.

The above photo was taken in the studio... 

This second photo was outside. 

Truth be told... I didn't want to take the above quilt off of the design wall so I headed outside. ;)

The natural lighting really changes the look.  

I hope to grab some glamor shots outside when they are finished.

As I pieced these quilts, I listened to two books...  the book "The Story Keeper" by Lisa Wingate was an interesting story and held my attention.  I also listened to "Before We Were Yours"... again.  Both stories focused on family and the Family stories and histories (and secrets).  

My love for history, family stories and connections was the reason both of these books held my attention.  And they were the perfect accompaniment to these quilts that I have called "Memory Keeper I & II".  Through these quilts my HS classmate (and her family) will be able to wrap herself in the love of her Mom and recall memories of sitting with her, talking with her, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, maybe playing a game or two or watching television.

Whatever her memories may be... this quilt will help to keep the memories alive in her mind and heart.

As I wait for the fabric to arrive, I'll turn my attention back to the Little House quilt.  Another story that tells of family history!  I'll join the blocks together and get borders on it... maybe even get it sandwiched.  (That may be a stretch too far...)  I'll have to think about the quilting of it. I'm open to suggestions!



I'll have plenty of time to ponder the quilting design (maybe feathers?)... while we paint the small sheds and shop since we are supposed to have a few days with temperatures in the 70s. We've only been talking about the need to paint for 2 years.  Oh well... ;)

No color change... just a need to freshen up and protect the wood from deterioration - especially the shed next to the 5th wheel.

Gotta go...

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Adventures in Red River

We arrived home on Sunday afternoon and I quickly got the Sew & Tell party link opened and active.  And then got things put back in place and laundry sorted and dinner planned... and then we headed to the hot tub.

As we soaked, we reminisced of the week with our friends... Here's a recap. ;)  

Our arrival to the "cabin" on Monday night was past dinner time for us... A quick meal of leftover chicken & dumplings transformed into a soup with a salad and a few crackers fit the bill.  We got the beds made and proceeded to fall into them for the night.

The "rental-free" use of the cabin came with a few "honey-do" items.  Removing the carpeting on the stairs was the first item that was tackled.  There was not enough room for all four of us to occupy the small space, so I sat it out, took pictures and finished sewing the binding on the Paper Lanterns quilt.  I used a variegated thread for the big stitches to the front of the quilt.  

While I love this quilt, it is not one that will have a permanent home with me.  I am ready to release it to a new forever home.

A stroll around town and lunch at the RR Brewing Company was on the agenda after the work of the stairs was complete.  It was mid-week and "between seasons" and many of the stores and restaurants were closed until mid-November when the "ski season" kicks off.  

New king-sized mattresses were moved in and we had bed frames to assemble... but the frames were the wrong size. :(  We were all sleeping on mattresses on the floor.  Let me tell you... it was a challenge getting out of bed.  The homeowners were contacted and informed of the error and had new ones on the way.

An auto-tour of the Enchanted Circle was slated for the day on Wednesday.  We visited the Wild Rivers Recreation Area first.  It is the location that the Red River and the Rio Grande River converge at the bottom of an 800-foot-deep canyon with steep rocky walls.


From there we drove to the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos.  We discovered as we arrived that they no longer allow people to walk across the bridge.  The access to the rim is also restricted so a really stunning great view is no longer possible.  We heard that the walks across the bridge had recently been restricted because there had been too many jumpers.


Taos was the next stop.  We arrived in the square, and kinda went in all different directions.  Dave was on the hunt for some tylenol or aspirin for his headache (altitude induced and not enough water), Jamie and Jack had their dogs with them and started visiting a few shops... I headed for the quilt store. :)  

I searched through the store but didn't see a single item that insisted that I take it home with me. Our daughter Rebecca sent me this little cartoon... It made me giggle.


I caught up with Dave and Jack (who now had the dogs) and had the chocolate factory in their sight and were discussing what they desired.  Chocolate Peanut butter fudge was their request, and I went to the store to acquire it.  Sadly, they didn't have any, but I selected a large peanut butter cup for them.  They enjoyed one and it (and the aspirin and water) perked Dave up.  Jamie was still strolling through shops, so I caught up with her and left the guys to hold down the bench as the dogs rested.

After leaving Taos we drove to Angel Fire.  There's not a lot to see in Angel Fire, short of the ski area.

Eagle Nest was the next town on the circle... There is a little more to see there than in AF, but we were all tired of the drive and opted to head back to Red River.

Games were played in the evening, laughter ensued and fun was had by all.

Thursday was a workday... A long, hard workday... with plenty of room for me to be involved.  The carpet in the living room was removed, staples from the padding pulled and the whole thing swept, vacuumed and mopped and then furniture put back in place.


Friday was a day to recover... it was even harder getting out of the bed on the floor after the hard day before.  We enjoyed a casual walk in the Carson National Forest in the morning and showed Jamie & Jack the campground and surrounding area that we enjoy.  

It was a cool morning, and steam was rising from the ground as it warmed


Dave and I relaxed in the afternoon as our friends visited a few more RR gift shops that were open since it was Friday.  Dave napped, I quilted on the Color Wash Hexagon Quilt.

Bed frames were delivered that afternoon and we were all excited to be off of the floor that night!

There was a stove that still needed to be moved from the trailer to the house, but we were waiting for the word from the owners if that was a "go" or "no-go" because some electrical work was needed for the installation.

Word came Friday night that it was a no-go, and we were free to play all day on Saturday.


A 4-person ATV was rented, and we headed up the trail to Greenie Mountain.  Rain on Friday afternoon turned to snow and the higher in elevation we climbed, the more snow we found.  We didn't grow cold since we had an enclosed, heated cab.  good choice guys! 

We descended the mountain and grabbed a quick lunch and headed out again.  

This time, to Goose Lake.  The road was much rougher and rockier.  It was a slower trek up, though once we got to the lake... it was worth it!



Dave and I imagine that we would have had a similar experience/view had we made it to Comanche Lake in West Cliffe, CO in August... had I been able to make it.

We had about 1-1/2 hours before the rental needed to be returned and the sun was headed down below the mountain and temperatures were dropping... we descended the rocky, bumpy, rough road and arrived at the rental shop with a just a few minutes to spare. LOL.

A homemade pizza was for dinner followed by a rousing game of Korean Checkers.  It is a game board that my Dad made 60+ years ago.  It is similar to "Sorry".  Uno came back out, and we all had laughed and laughed again. ;)  Mexican Train Dominos was enjoyed at some point during the week... I'm not sure when.  LOL

Sunday morning started early as we had to get the towels laundered and put away, vacuum and clean bathrooms... and our friends had a long drive ahead of them.

The owners had received pictures of all that we got done and stated that they needed to comp us all another week next year.  Whoop! Whoop!


Dave stated last night... Yes, we were away for almost a week.  But I don't feel like I had a vacation.  LOL!  We may need to load up our camper and head south in a few weeks for a resting vacation. ;)

I am looking forward to returning to my studio to work on the custom memory quilts for a HS classmate.  I have all of the pieces cut and the fusible interfacing should be delivered very soon.  Until then... I'll keep quilting my Color Wash Quilt.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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