Thursday's Threads: Slow Stitching While Waiting for the Eclipse

My husband and I have just returned from viewing the total eclipse in rural Missouri. What an experience! It was like we had an appointment with Mother Nature. We knew when and where to be, but we had no control over the weather. At the appointed time, we were ready with our eclipse glasses. However, we could not see the sun through the clouds. Just about 30 minutes before totality, the clouds thinned out, and we were able to watch the moon pass between us and the sun. Then came totality! Unbelievable is the only word I can use to describe it, and I saw it myself! I took a few photos, but they do not do it justice. Here is a link to the experts at NASA. They have some good images there.

While waiting for the eclipse I did get some slow stitching in. 

I worked one of my English Paper Piecing (EPP) projects. I am making a Christmas Wreath out of 1/2" hexagons. The wreath will then be appliqued on a 12 1/2" square. It is a kit from Connecting Threads. I like doing EPP projects when I travel because they are very transportable. 

English Paper Piecing at Arrow Rock Historic Site

​We glamped at Arrow Rock Historic Site in Missouri. There was hardly any cellular connection there, and their wifi went out on Saturday, so I felt very cut off from the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook and Instagram groups as well as my web site. However, my colleagues in the QAL stepped right up and answered questions. Thanks, Guys! You are the greatest!

While we were there, we visited the city of Arrow Rock. Of course, I went to the Craft Store there. They were hand quilting a beautiful quilt. The pattern was a variation of the Disappearing Pinwheel by Missouri Star Quilt Company. I enjoyed visiting with the women there and finding out about their quilting group. They make a quilt every year and raffle it off. They had photos of all their quilts in a scrapbook. They were beautiful! They also had a scrapbook of original newspaper clippings of quilt blocks published in the Kansas City Star. Many were from the 1900's. I had seen reproductions of these blocks, but it was the first time that I had seen the original newspaper clippings. What a treasure! If you are ever in Arrow Rock, please stop by and say hi to the ladies for me!

We did a lot of relaxing around the campsite as well. Here is a photo of me in front of the Glamper. Our mascot, Purdue Sock Monkey, is sitting on my lap. We take him everywhere. (My husband and I are Purdue grads.) There is also a photo of him ready for the eclipse! It was fun to get away for a few days, but we are glad to be back on our farm in Oklahoma. ​

Relaxing at the Glamper

Sock Monkey Ready for the Eclipse

Don't forget that Monday, August 28 at midnight is when the window closes for the Block 2 giveaways! You can see my Geese in Flower Pots pattern here. The free pattern for Block 2 is here. You can also see all of the released patterns by clicking on the link under the I WIsh You a Merry Quilt-A-Long logo in the righthand sidebar or going to Quilt Alongs in the menu.

There are three ways to enter the Block 2 giveaways. Do one of the following by August 28, 2017 at midnight EST:

1. Upload a photo of your finished block to my Linky Party.
2. Upload a photo of your finished block to the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group.
3. Upload a photo of your finished block to Instagram using #iwishyouamerryqal

Blocks 3 and 4 will be released August 29th. I will have links to the free patterns and will reveal my version here on my blog.

Linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching this week.

​Happy Quilting!

The post was first published at JANDA Bend Quilts.