Time once again to check in and see what has been happening in the Hottovy household recently. We traveled to Breckenridge in July for the first time in five years. We hit a few of our favorite spots - Fatty’s Pizza and Park Avenue Lofts - and also enjoyed several Nebraska Passport stops on our way out - Ole’s Big Game Bar in Paxton, Cheyenne County Museum in Sidney, and Hangar 39 in Potter - and our way back - Feather River Vineyard by North Platte and the Old Depot Winery near Brady.
We spent the first weekend in August at Czech Days in Wilber and introduced our grandson, Henry, to his first parade. The firetrucks and the candy were highlights for him.
Finn and Lindsay then spent a week with us while Dustin went fishing in Canada. Finn is the happiest little boy and quite entertaining as he learns new things.
In September we visited Ruby in Minnesota and went on several adventures with her including a trip to Fawn-Doe-Rosa where she fed the ducks and deer.
We finished off the month with a bout of Covid which was fun for no one. I did, however, get quite a few things done in the sewing room during our isolation.
My biggest accomplishment was finishing the Swoon Sixteen quilt that I started two years ago. I heard about this pattern by Camille Roskelly on Sherri and Chelsi’s A Quilting Life podcast and knew that I had to add it to my list of quilts to make. I then decided to make it in a fabric designed by Sherri and Chelsi and found a good deal on a bundle of fat quarters from their Sincerely Yours collection. These fabrics in pinks, purples, peaches, and reds seemed like the perfect quilt for Ruby. I also decided to make four extra blocks so that it could be used on her bed. Since she was still sleeping in a crib or a toddler bed I didn’t need to be in a big hurry to get it done. Even so I feel good about getting it done for her. I stitched an all-over flower design called Field of Dreams to match the flowers in the fabric. I hope Ruby knows how much love is in every stitch!
I also finished a quick project that I added mid-year to my original to-do list. A few months ago a customer brought me a small quilt that she had made which featured a cross-stitched center. Several other quilters had rejected her idea of quilting this project so I was a bit leery of trying it myself. But I told her that I would experiment and see if I had any problems quilting on the Aida cloth. I found a small cross-stitch project that I had made several years ago and added a few borders to it. Even though it only measured 6”x8” I loaded it onto my long arm and stitched away. I then found a pretty frame that my mom had in her storage room, cut the piece to fit in the 5”x7” frame, and now I have another pretty Christmas decoration. Even better I discovered that stitching on the Aida cloth would not be a problem!
I also made some progress on the three kits that I have had in my stash. I accomplished the most on the Written By The Stars kit as I now have all 30 of the blocks complete and ready to add the sashing. I started sewing on this kit on my birthday in July when the Panama Quilt Guild had a sew day at the Presbyterian Church. I was only able to spend the morning there but it was a fun way to start my special day.
All of the fabric is cut for the Charming Wonder quilt. I will most likely not sew on it until the top for the Written By The Stars quilt is put together.
I have all of the fabric washed for the Every Which Way quilt. If I need a break from sewing then I will cut out the pieces for this quilt.
As you can tell I don’t mind having projects in various stages of completion. Sometimes I like to sew - sometimes I like to cut - sometimes I like to plan!
I also added several projects to my list that were given to me by my neighbor’s daughter. Three different quilts were in various stages of completion so I have made it my mission to finish them. More about those in a future blog.
I also completed 15 customer quilts and ten Quilts of Valor. So it has been three months of a good balance of activities both in and out of the sewing room. And the next three months promises more of the same!
Hello Hottovy’s! We survived harvest and on to the next season! Thanks for the life update; I always enjoy hearing about your travels. Looking forward to seeing the Charming Wonder and Every Which Way quilts when they are completed. No pressure though! 😁