Social distancing? No problem!

Given worldwide concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic, life hasn't seemed quite normal. Though we had company earlier this week and enjoyed a lovely visit with my cousin and his wife, awareness of the Coronavirus cast a shadow on everything. Then, emails began to trickle in, canceling or postponing this or that activity.

I was scheduled to teach a free motion quilting class here, Wednesday afternoon; that has been postponed.

I was contracted to give a free motion quilting presentation to members of Ladies of the Lakes Quilter's Guild in Lakeland. I apologetically backed out. The program person told me their members would be in attendance. Really? At this point, wouldn't it be irresponsible to not adopt social-distancing?

Apparently people have differing views about this pandemic. I'm erring on the side of caution, and have no problem staying at home. After all, I'm a quilter! Does anyone who makes quilts have a hard time ever finding "something to do?"

When I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the worsening Coronavirus news, I turned to "mindless" piecing, or "mood sewing." I use those terms because it's the kind of piecing that's satisfying when I don't have to pay attention to what my hands are doing. I can be introspective. Spend time in thoughtful prayer.

This week's mindless sewing was piecing another dozen blocks for my #colorblockpostagestampquilt. These are 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" squares from my leaders/enders basket, alternated with 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" solids. Each 64-patch block finishes at 8" X 8". I have more solids cut/ready to go.

During travel time to/from QuiltCon in Austin, Texas, I English paper pieced Prudence Quilt blocks. Since I'm randomly using scraps and fussy cutting some yardage, I wanted to see how the blocks look together. I'm liking it! In particular, I'm happy about choosing the small black and white stripe for in-between blocks.

This project was part of last week's sewing activities. Daughter Jill, for whom I made this Moroccan Tiles quilt, requested a table runner from the same fabrics, using the same design. It's 13" X 27-1/2".

Every evening, after several hours of sewing at the machine, I sit down in my comfy aqua-colored swivel-glider, pick up grandma's vintage quilt, swing my Daylight Slimline lamp over my lap, and big stitch quilt X's across the quilt top. I'm quilting with Sue Spargo Eleganza #8 pearl cotton.

You can see exactly where it's quilted! (Gosh, doesn't my new camera take great pictures?!) See the ripples? That's the quilted part. See the smooth fabric a little higher? Especially along the border fabric. That's the unquilted part. 

Compared to last week's lively audiobook review - Where'd You Go, Bernadette - this week's listen is extremely tame. I checked out a Christian book - Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll.

I've always liked Esther - the only book in the Bible that doesn't mention God, or use His name. I listened to this because I adore and have watched many times the movie "One Night With the King," a beautiful movie portrayal of Esther's story.

Oh my! I just looked and found the movie on YouTube! Watch it here.

Reverend Swindoll provided numerous insights into Esther's seemingly fairytale story. She's an orphaned Jewish girl being raised by her Uncle Mordecai. She's a beauty, and is invited into King Ahasuerus's (AKA Xerxes) palace to be pampered and adorned to meet the king. When Esther is favored by King Ahasuerus she marries him. Then, after the king's prime minister, Haman, decrees that all Jews must be killed, Esther boldly steps in for an audience with the king. She tells the king that she too is a Jew. Still he grants her every request, even to the point of executing Haman... on gallows Haman had built to execute Mordecai! Esther then issues a new edict that saves her fellow Jews from death. It's an interesting and remarkable account of God's sovereignty. He can do all things, through anyone, and accomplish good. It's a message every one of us needs to hear. 

Linda's score: 4.0/5.0

Be safe. Stay healthy my friends, Linda