A Heavy Heart
It is with a heavy heart that I tell you about my friend, Carmen’s, devastating fire. This newslink has more details. Some of you may have Prairie Spririt Alpaca/wool pressing mats, bought the WARM socks or her yarn …
Carmen is OK. She’s mourning the loss of several alpacas, chickens and the alpaca guard dog, not to mention the barn and the winter’s supply of hay. There is a go-fund me page, if you’re inclined to donate.

Mystery Quilt is happening!


WIP-B-Gone

Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This fun challenge started October 1, 2023! It’s not too late if you want to join! It’s totally up to YOU as to how you want to use the challenge.
As I said in an earlier post, my sewing room is was a total disaster. So, I decided that the challenge for me will include DAILY cleaning/tidying and Sewing. The blue portion of the sewing machine is Tidy/Clean and the Orange is Sewing. The sewing room is looking better, my embroidery thread drawers are neat and tidy!

Cleaning???
Hmmm … the rest of my house is not being cleaned! Does that mean I’m sewing enough?

Stitching Stuff

Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
- January –September: 256 / 273
- October: 15 / 15
- Total: 271 / 288
- Percentage: 94%
Stash Report

Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
I finished this Pattern Test quilt for Songbird Designs. It used 10.5 yards of Island Batik fabric. You can read about it HERE.

Yearly Tally:
- Fabric Used since the last report: 10.5 yards
- Fabric Used in 2023: 169.5 yards from non-IB: 69
- Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 17.5 yards
- Net Fabric used: 159 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday

Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from last week:
- Quilt and bind “Splendor” progress, but not finished
- Make flange binding and Bind “Pin Dot Floral” Quilt #3 √ DONE
- MAKE on “Monster Mash” project progress, but not finished
- Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics Not done
- Work on November IB challenge progress, but not finished
- Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow” Not done
- Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √ DONE
This week’s list: (purple highlight is priority #1 , 2 & 3)
- Finish Quilting and binding “Splendor”
- Finish “Monster Mash” project
- Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
- Finish November IB challenge
- Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow”
- Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.
Design Wall
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week.
Piecing projects:
- Work on “IB November” project
- Work on “Monster Mash” project
Quilting:
- “Splendor”
- “Dashing Through the Snow”
Upcoming Blog Hops
Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Monster Mash (My day is Oct 26)
Island Batik November Blog Hop: (November 1 is my day)
Moose Stash Quilting: Sew It – Show It: Turkey Trot (November 13 is my day)
Just Let Me Quilt: Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop (December 4)



One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
Linking to:
- So Scrappy @ Scrap Happy
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- Frédérique @ Quilting Patchwork Applique
- 15 Minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
- Sew and Tell @ Melva Loves Scraps
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- Monday Musing @ Songbird Designs
- To Do Tuesday @ Quilt Schmitt
I’m so sorry to hear about the fire at Carmen’s place. That is so sad. Praying for her and that the go fund me will be a success. Thanks for the link. I do love my alpaca wool mat she gave the ambassadors last year. Thanks for sharing my pattern again…and testing it! You’re the best!
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Thanks, Brenda! The go-fund-me is looking OK … It’s fun to test your patterns! They are so different than my own!
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So very sad for Carmen and her wonderful farm. I did donate as soon as saw this…oh so sad for her.
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Thanks, Kathleen! I’m sure she appreciates all of the help she’s getting!
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Prayers to your friend. Test quilt looks great, good way to use scraps.
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I’m sure Carmen appreciates the prayers!
It was a fun quilt to make!
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So sorry to hear the fire at Carmen’s barn and the losses. Your version of Brenda’s quilt is beautiful!
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Thanks, Nancy! I’m sure Carmen appreciates the sentiments! And Brenda’s patterns are fun to do!
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My heart is broken for Carmen. 😢
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Mine, too!
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A fire is just devastating, hoping Carmen can bounce back. You’ve done really well with your WIPs Be Gone efforts. Hopefully by the end of the month, you’ll be in much better shape in your sewing room. Happy stitching this week.
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Thanks, Kate!
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Carmen farm’s fire is a tragedy, for her and the animals, so sad. Speaking of heavy heart, mine is not light either, because a teacher was murdered Friday in the North of France. Today we have to be there to support the other teachers, and the students, and try to explain intolerance. Very sad day too.
On a more cheerful note, I love how your mystery is coming along. And wow, your studio is going to be so neat!
Thank you for sharing also this beautiful finish, and linking up.
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Oh Frédérique! How sad … senseless deaths are just that, senseless!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the mystery!! and yes, I’m pleased with the progress in the studio!
Thank you for hosting the Link party!
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Sorry to hear of the barn fire. It’s devastating. You’ve been making steady progress. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks, Bonnie.
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Oh No! Poor Carmen. Such a tragic loss to both her livelihood and her heart losing her dog and several other animals.
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It is tragic. But it could have been worse … there are a LOT of alpacas that spend the night in the barn! But it’s still traumatic!
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😢
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So sorry to hear of the fire
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I know … it’s so sad!
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I’m so sorry to hear of Carmen’s fire – how devastating. I’m glad she is okay, but can’t imagine the shock from going through something like that.
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I know how in shock I feel, and the farm, the alpacas, etc are not mine! I know I’ve visited several times … but … well … words do not express the true feelings !!!
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