Dollie quilts

Given the likely crazy few weeks ahead, I am sharing a "mini" of sorts a little early.  These two dollie quilts were cut and finished by my Grandma Mary Lou in the early 90's, from a tiny Grandmother's Flower Garden top she rescued: 

She meander machine quilted the white backgrounds, and tied the centers of each "flower" - 

They are so charming and sweet.  

And now they are packed away.  *All* of my quilting stuff is ready to move over to the "dated-but-new-to-us" townhouse next month: 

This does not even include all the quilting stuff I had in Tokyo, which was part of our "sea shipment."   It's just too much stuff.   Sometimes I daydream about chucking it all and taking up embroidery, watercolor, and knitting - all of which, combined, would take up far less space! 

In other news... David and I have been walloped by Covid.   We had avoided it for SO long that it was sort of a shock to get it.  The worst symptoms for me have been bad headache (like, scary bad) and extreme fatigue.  We are on the upswing I think, and counting the days til we will safely be able to visit with people again.  

With September right around the corner, I've also been considering joining a local quilt guild.  I feel shy about it, but I think it might be a good idea.  What about you... do you participate in a local guild? 

xo

Cynthia 

Getting a bit settled in NC

I haven't done a stitch of quilting, but I am on the verge of getting back in the groove.   It was definitely fun to unpack my quilting books. 

The past two months have been really intensely all about "the move." I have all the pieces in place, except that I'm still waiting to buy my car (it is taking forever to arrive at the dealer).  I am so grateful to be able to use my daughter Noelle's car. 

I have been so humbled by this experience.  After three years in a small (some would say tiny) apartment in Tokyo, my body was just not ready for a three-story townhouse, and it's been such a challenge, physically.   

I have needed and gratefully welcomed a lot of help.  My brother has been over multiple times, and my son Tommy visited for a few days and worked non stop doing whatever I needed, and more. 

Once boxes are on the right floor, it's fun to unpack and I'm almost finished with that.  When I tune in to news about Ukraine, I'm further humbled that my problems aren't problems at all.  

Guest room ready: 

Sewing room is bare bones, because almost all my sewing stuff is still in Japan.  Board books and stuffed animals for Charlotte;). 

And last weekend Kaela, Joe and Charlotte visited... and ... they are seriously considering a move to North Carolina!  Oh my goodness that would be amazing. 

Charlotte loves the Story Dolls my Grandma Mary Lou made for my girls so many years ago - melt my heart! 

They left on Sunday, and yesterday, I felt for the first time since starting this whole crazy process, that I truly had some free time.  So.... I got myself to a local quilt store, yes I did!  I went to Cary Quilting Company for a good look around and some 1/4 yard cuts of this and that.   I have a baby quilt to make for my cousin, and finally feel like I can get started!  Something simple and non gendered, to be ready by end of April.  

xo

Cynthia