Italica Top, and Quilt-y Love

Yesterday I finished my Italica quilt top. It's been a labor of love for several months, and I'm happy to say it's large enough to be a useable quilt - 71" X 84". The addition of "tracks" and stripes as filler, at the top and bottom gave it just the extra size it needed. 

Now, to tackle these leftover bits and scraps! I have enough of them that I can surely incorporate many pieces into a backing. Thinking perhaps a wide vertical strip of bits and pieces, set slightly off-center. 

It's gonna be just about like piecing another quilt top, but I know it's the best way to make good use of pieces that would otherwise languish in the scrap bin. 

In October I gave away 14 quilts to members of my family. I was thrilled to receive the sweetest thank-you note from a nephew, niece and great-niece (she printed her name), and a picture of  her tucked under her "Village" quilt, ready for movie-watching. She's precious! Gosh, this picture just warms my heart!

I also receive two pictures from my sister-in-law who put "Scrap Snap" on the guest room bed of their new home.

And, a picture of her two granddaughters (also my great-nieces) under "Urban Abacus," made in 2014 and never used. Tucked beside each of the sweet girls are quilts I made for them when they were born. Seeing quilts being used makes the time spent making so worthwhile!

Book Recommendation

Another book recommendation is Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney. Oh my gosh... you guys... If you have ever lived in a senior living community, or visited one to understand the culture of it, you absolutely must read this book!

Though the story is about 70 year-old Helen, whose real name is Clemmie, the first few chapters focus on Helen's life in Sun City, South Carolina. She lives in a small tri-plex on a short, looks-like-everyone-else's cul de sac, where residents drive to conveniences in golf carts, and spend their days socializing. Honestly, just replace "Sun City" with "The Villages" and the author has pegged our lifestyle to a T!

However, the story diverges because Helen's hiding something that happened to her more than 50 years ago. And the unusual man, Dom, who lives next door to Helen might not be who he seems. Certainly the couple living two doors away have something to hide. Helen unknowingly comes across a "thing," (she doesn't know what it is) sends a photo of it to her nephew, and sets in motion a series of events that fill her with regret. Neighbors who are friends are not who Helen thought they were. Nor is she who she seems to be.

For the way the author pegged living in a retirement community, identifying senior topics of conversation; their complaints; their aches; and their foibles - and that she made me laugh, I'm giving this a high score. Let me know if you read it, and what you think!

Linda's score: 4.8/5.0

And COVID-life continues. 

The highest number of US deaths in one day was reported yesterday: 3,103. So much grief in this season of joyful anticipation of Jesus' birth. If experts are to be believed, sadly, numbers will get worse before Christmas. 

Behave safely, my friends. Linda