Friday, June 27, 2008

Weekend Notes

While doing some idle blog hopping this morning, I happened on Paula's Coffeetime Quilt Studio and she showed her Siggie Swap quilt made from the blocks we swapped last year. Not just last year, but EARLY last year - February to be exact - and mine were still in a baggie somewhere in the nether regions of my UFO closet. I was ashamed. Abashed and chagrined. Gee - it's been that long? REALLY? So even tho I'm usually a lurker at Coffeetime, I left a comment - "I'm doing mine today!" and Paula e-mailed me back - "I'll be watching!" So I went gold-mining through all those totes of forgotten projects - ("wow! why didn't I ever finish that? It's cool!") and finally came up with the blocks. Spent some time playing around with a layout, and even made a couple more blocks to even out my chosen design, and voila!
At the end of the day I have a half quilted Siggie Swap! That was such a fun swap, and it was fun to look back at all the names. I wonder if anyone's interested in doing that again?
The big news here is still our fires, as it will be for the next few weeks. The smoke is choking - you see UPS drivers and such all wearing masks. The roads are mostly empty - this was highway 101 (our main artery) yesterday at about 10 am -

It's a strange, surreal time. Headlights and kitchen lights on in the middle of the day, and it's so quiet, so still. I couldn't figure out why it was so quiet until late this afternoon; the birds are gone! Where? Who knows - it's smoky everywhere you go. Maybe they found someplace LESS smoky to hide out.
Land of the Midnight Sun - that's what it feels like. It's tough to stay inside and keep all the windows and doors closed 24/7 - I hate that part! - but I bravely hid out in my sewing room with Rhapsody.com and chocolate and sewed and read blogs all day. I even found a brand new blog written by someone in the thick of our closest fire! It's been the best source of information about evacuations and what we can do to help. They mentioned needing simple things like first aid supplies for cuts, scrapes and poison oak so I ran down town and scooped up a bag full, brought it home and gave it to the next truck that went down our road on their way up to the fire. I wish I could do more to help, but probably the best anyone can do is keep praying. Those kids on the firelines need it and California as a whole needs it and our little county needs it.
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14 comments:

Anne Ida said...

Ok, now I feel even more guilty! It all started yesterday when I too read Paula's post; and now you have stirred that feeling again! *lol* I still have mine in a plastic bag in a drawer!

I love the layout you have chosen for the siggie blocks! (mind if I do something similar?) And your border fabric is perfect - really sets of the scrappyness of the blocks! Have fun finishin the quilting!

Wishing you a great weekend1

Dawn's Daily Journal said...

Shhhhhhhhh...mine are still in a baggie too. Hmmmmmm as soon as we get our stuff back (movers) I may just have to tackle a new quilt. :) I love what you did with the blocks!!
dawn

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Those two bottom pictures are eerie..I hope some relief in the weather comes soon and that the wind and rain travel the right way to help get those fires out. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Sweet P said...

Hooray! You made your siggie quilt! I'm glad I could inspire you to get it done. I love your setting.

The fires are awful. I can't imagine what it must be like there. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you stay safe!

Anonymous said...

Su....we've been watching the fire issue too...so very scary! Our prayers are continuing.

Siggy swap...hmmm...Well, yes! Of course!

I have one siggy swap quilt from 10 years ago, I think it's time I have another don't you?

Pam@
www.pamgwillim.com

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

Wow, those pictures really bring the forest fires to life for those who live so far from them.

I pray they end soon.

Do pop by and say hello.

Fabricfaire said...

Siggie quilt,cute name,nice layout!
Funny about the birds. Even w/all our smoke ours are still singing away and eating! Clearlake looks like it is covered w/fog. Boaters are almost none existant.

~Bren~ said...

Your siggie quilt is wonderful!!!
The smoke is terrible. I heard the Sacramento area is full of smoke too and the closest fire is 90 miles away. It must be worse for you. I have been praying for your safety. We are experiencing more birds than normal this year....Like a Hitchcock movie at times!

Teresa said...

Your swap quilt is great! I have done several of these and you are absolutely right, it is so much fun to look over the blocks. If you decide to organize another on, count me in.

I participated in Dear Jane siggie swaps for a couple of years. They were a lot of fun and so exciting to find that you had someone's "prize" block and were to receive an extra goodie.

Leslie said...

Well I was wondering what you've been doing with your 'last few days'. Now I know! The sewing and chocolate sound like a good idea.
And you answered my questions about the area while I've been away. Still no improvement. Normal life is going on down in Santa Rosa and it feels weird after a week of our surreality.

bettsylyn (Lynda) said...

Oooh, another quilt to make me feel guilty.( Like Anne Ida) And your layout is interesting too - it might be a way to solve the problem that Tracy was having - the points meeting properly - she mentioned it on sweetp's blog. I still have a few must do quilting projects but I am going to bring it up in the list. Thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Hi Su Bee, I was wondering how you were faring with the fires.Last summer we had to drive thru the bushfires to reach our destination.Stay Safe. Love to see the finished siggie quilt. Regards Lyn

Paula, the quilter said...

Mine are stitched together. It is even basted and ready for quilting, I just have run out of time this past month. I need to quilt it, I must quilt it, I will quilt it. This will be my mantra for July.

Elaine Adair said...

Terrible, terrible fires - and so many. We're thinking of all of you affected by this tragedy.