Pillowcases and Trivets

Since the fire/smoke season hit (it used to be called summer), I lost my sewing mojo.

Who wants to sew when it is 100 degrees in the sewing room? Who wants to turn on the iron? And if you do turn on the iron, you have to turn off the window air conditioner (the only one in the house, and it is upstairs), because the iron and the air conditioner do not play together.

And the smoke is so thick that one cannot open windows at night and early morning to cool off the place!

Enough of that whining. Things could be worse.

Ever since summer became fire season a few years ago (this is our 4th year of drought), we pack our Go Bags and try to be ready for evacuation, should there be a need. It has come close a few times.

But we are so blessed.

This year, it was my oldest sister who had to evacuate. This was so unexpected! She lives in the big city. Spokane. All of my sisters (and myself) were born in Spokane. And thankfully, another one still lives there and took in our evacuated Big Sis.

Eight long days.

And then she received word. Her home is still standing, and she can go back.

So blessed!

I live 2 hours north of Spokane. The air had cleared and the blue sky was fabulous! For a brief respite, all the windows were opened.

But fire season isn’t over. The smoke is back.

I adjust, like we all must to our circumstances.

I really like making pillowcases because they are so quick, easy, and make great gifts!

If you would like to see more pillowcases, you can click here. I have made quite a few.

And sewing something, anything, brings back the sew mojo.

Pillowcases

I have also done some scrap sewing.

More trivets (potholders or hotpads).

Trivets/Potholders

These are also quick and easy and make great gifts!

Click here, and you can see how I make them. However, I don’t make a circle template anymore. I just draw around a plate. Faster and easier.

Trivets/Potholders

Have fun and carry on!

Charms from the 90’s Finish 3

Back in April, I cut and sewed these tumbler blocks from charm square swaps with other quilters (a thing of the 90’s).

The plan is to use up all of those 90’s squares. I think they have finally collected the appropriate amount of dust.

90's Charm Squares

They stayed on the design wall until after vacation.

Long after, but not too long.

90's Charm Squares

I sewed these up into another sweet little table topper.

90's Charm Squares

The quilting is super simple.

Just machine stitching along the seams.

90's Charm Squares

And now I have another little project hanging out in the gift box until it is needed.

That is so much better than a stack of uncut squares collecting dust.

A lot of dust.

90's Charm Squares

Have fun and carry on!

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Hurricane Ridge

One of the Hubster’s and mine favorite places to visit is Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park.

Hurricane Ridge

We have been visitors here since our children were wee ones, and now they have families of their own.

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Hurricane Ridge_Olympic Mountains

It seems fitting that this would be our last stop before heading home on our vacation.

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge

On this 3rd of May, 2026, some of the trails still have plenty of snow on them.

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge_Glacier Lily-Yellow Avalanche Lily

Spring brings the cheerful Glacier Lily (also known as the Yellow Avalanche Lily) out!

Hurricane Ridge_Glacier Lily-Yellow Avalanche Lily

Hurricane Ridge_Yellow Bellied Marmot-Rock Chuck

Lots of friendly spring-loving hikers were out enjoying a beautiful day with gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountain Range.

Hurricane Ridge

By clicking here, and scrolling to the bottom of the post, you can see in the very short video how Hurricane Ridge got its name.

Hurricane Ridge_Olympic Mountains

See the world around you!

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