Featherweight Club updates

Hello everyone.  Since our 'stay in place' order has been extended til the middle of May, I guess you know that the May FW club classes have had to be cancelled.  That means that we won't be able to have another club class until fall and so many have told me how sad they are to not get together.  Me,  too.  I miss all of you but let's hope things can get back to some sort of normal and this virus can be corralled so we can get back together.

We were in the middle of a few things at the last club class so let me clarify where we stand on our projects.  First, the Scrappy Stash Buster's challenge will be extended until next year.  Alice L is in the lead but when we return in the fall everyone will have had a chance to make a race out of this.  You're probably home and have time to pull out fabric to sew.  So, let's get busy and scrappy quilt away the time. 

I hope that the selvages block that we made in the last club class has inspired you to make something interesting using your block.  Maybe you've even made a few more and will have a cute little quilt to show us next fall.  Keep the ideas flowing.  I'd love to hear about what's in your plans for your block.  And, revealing what you've done with that selvage block will be item number one when we meet again.

If you signed up for the April club class, the May club class, or the maintenance class and you paid in advance, you can call the Quilt Patch (517-423-0053) and do one of three things.  They will send you a check to refund your payment,  apply the payment to the next class in the fall, or apply your payment to any purchases in the store.  And, just so you know,  you can buy things from the store and Kathy is offering curbside pickup service now that the non-essential store policies have been somewhat lifted by the governor.  If you need something, give the store a call.  I'm trying to do that before we leave for the North woods.  The Quilt Patch needs to stay open so we can meet up there when this is over and done with.

There are 2 retreats scheduled for August and I've been in contact with the retreat house owner. Everything is still planned as scheduled and I'm still accepting names for the waiting list because I think some people will drop out due to the virus.  I totally understand that.  I'll keep you all posted as we get closer to August and send out information to those signed up or on the waiting list. 

If you have any questions about our FW club things or just FW questions, you can still email me and I'll get right back to you.  jdquilts123@yahoo.com

Okay, you all have been so wonderful, sending cards of encouragement, emails, and text messages during this battle the Big Guy and I have been going through with his cancer diagnosis.  Thank you all so much.  You can't imaging how loved and cared for we both feel.  He's doing great with the infusions he's been getting and the last one is tomorrow.  In another month, we'll know if they worked and whether he will have to go through chemo or not.  My prayer is that he won't have to do that.  But, your thoughts and prayers have truly helped us get through this.  Thank you all so much.

I will try to post a little more during the summer months.  Do keep in touch.  This little break in our usual life plans will be temporary and keeping in touch is really important to keep us upbeat and strong.  If you get a chance, head over to the forum and post a comment or two (https://jdquilts123.proboards.com/).  I hoped that venue would give everyone a chance to stay connected.  To do that, you have to use it. 

Okay, stay safe!  Stay strong!  Have a great day!

How's everyone doing out there?

This past Sunday and tomorrow would have been our FW Club Class for the month of April.  That nasty virus thing caused more cancellations and most of us are sitting at home whether working or being retired.  And, I know many are a bit stir crazy wishing they could get out, see family or friends, and just get back at life.  While some feel like they are in a prison, others are just using this time to get some things done.  I'm trying to be the second kind.

We're adjusting to the new normal at our house, too.  But, we're dealing with something we never thought we'd have to be living through.  Annual blood tests and a weight loss with no effort brought a bit of a scary diagnosis for my husband.  His non threatening non hodgkins lymphoma of 20 years decided to get aggressive and the dreaded big "C" word came out of the dr's mouth.  After a pet scan and a bone marrow biopsy, the plan was revealed.  He's started his infusions and will be having one each week for 3 more weeks. 

While I intended to keep up with posting here, our family needs came first.  And, I don't know how all this will play out.  The governor will tell us tonight how long the 'stay in place' order will be in effect.  But, under the circumstances my commitments may change.  I will keep you all posted as we learn more.  And, the FWs that I have for repair are done now.  We'll figure out how and when those will be brought back to their owners.  They like being at my house getting fixed but then they want to go back home.

I mentioned at our March FW Club Class that I got 7 vintage quilt tops from my husband's cousin that need to be quilted.  So, I'm working on those during this time at home.  I finished one last week and here are a couple of  pictures of it.

There is another top just like the one I finished so that will be next.  Here are pictures of the other 5 vintage quilts.  These are all hand pieced but very well done.  If you have any suggestions on how to quilt them, let me know. That is always a challenge for me.

And I hear that many of you are working on medical masks.  That's so awesome.  Keep it up.  Everyone should be wearing a mask when going outside.  You can get patterns over on the forum that I started for us to chat.  People haven't been doing that but I hope you all will start chatting.  It's a good place to connect with each other when you can't get together face to face.

So, let's all stay in place, wear our masks, and keep in touch.  I'm so glad your little FWs are ready and willing to help you through this difficult time.  Thanks to all that have been keeping in touch.  I miss you all so much!