Quilting with Let Them be Little

Do Grandma's-to-be actually NEST?

I'm not sure what's normal... 

but nothing about 2020 is "normal" thus far. 

So as the lockdown went in to effect, 

I grew increasingly grateful for my excessive quantity of fabrics hoarded.

(I mean cherishingly collected through the years)

All of my projects for the nursery center around the fabric collection:

Let Them Be Little:

a modern, children's fabric line designed by 

Simple Simon and Company 

for Riley Blake Designs.

I have made 2 of almost everything- 

because my daughter and her best friend 

since Brownie Girl Scouts are

pregnant at the very same time. 

Both were actually due the same day.

(And who says childhood competition to the finish line ends in childhood)

Luckily I was able to start the quilts with a wonderful panel!

I added some borders... and a binding on first quilt- and the topper was done!

Since I had that panel perk- 

I decided to jazz my daughters quilt up 

with a row of prairie points! 

After the toppers were completely pieced...

I made my sandwiches-

and started pinning.

 Some close up details:

I added a 2 1/4" binding stitching on front by machine... and hand stitching on back to finish

*****

And...,

Here are several other projects 

I've created during Quarantine 2020.

Flannel backed Lovie 

created with Let them be little fabrics 

& prairie points

Baskets to store diapers and supplies:

pattern downloaded from

https://www.ehow.com/how_12343106_make-reversible-fabric-storage-basket.html

*****

A port-a-pack to carry diapers and 

wet wipes from:

https://crazylittleprojects.com/diapers-and-wipes-holder/

*****

"wee-wee" cups- pattern shared by

https://www.peekaboopages.com/2012/06/pee-pee-teepee-pattern.html

*****

Luvie created with AGD machine embroidery:

https://www.anitagoodesign.com/product/sweet-dreams-applique/

*****

I am loving in-the hoop embroidery options- 

All designs purchased on line-

created on my Babylock Elisimo 9000

& completed with my "It's a Snap" pliers

Oh well... off to sew some more now...

2 weeks after Avrams' birth: 

For Scott & I, 
becoming grandparents meant a desperate 

drive from Texas to Indiana. 
Our journey was delayed 'til 

after our champs were discharged from 
a stressful week in NICU. 

It meant driving 1000 miles in two days - not being 

sure what lay ahead for rest stops or motel experiences. 

It meant anxiety over how to deal with: 
food... 
fuel... 

restrooms... 
motels... 
and what if we had trouble with our 

overstuffed nursery transport vehicle?

This adventure shall forever be thought of by me as the
" Covid19 First Time GrandParent Schlepp".

To limit the risks, 
I obsessively packed up a bag of masks, 
gloves, 
toilet paper, 
paper towels, 
lysol 
and sanitizers.

I limited fluids- to minimize restroom stops.

I'd been maintaining self-isolation since March-
 focusing all my nervous energy in my sewing space. 
My only outside contact with the Covid19 world 
had been my husband. 

Unfortunately- being at the hospital- 
he is exposed to it all-
 so we both took every precaution we could for months. 

Many rest stops were closed completely. 
Others, were so clean- they frankly deserve a gold star. 

Same with restaurants... 
Some only allowed outdoor seating or drive through. 
You just had to check ahead...
Some restaurants were allowed 25% occupancy 
depending on state. 
Those that were serving, 
couldn't attempt to serve full menu... 
so you just make do.

We learned (sometimes too late)- 
you had to really pay attention to state
 & county for availability of services! 

Don't even mention TENNESSEE to my bladder!
(We won't discuss it further)

Motels have new occupancy rules which would 
benefit us- and later- work against us. 
But overall, I was really very impressed 
with their preparedness. 

And then-
Here was the big moment, 
when being a grandmother would finally seem real. 
(Not that sewing obsessively for months 
was not a constant rehearsal).

We drove 14 hours through storm after storm… 
But finally, we were there!

Scott knocked & opened the door… 

& there they were… 

curled up in corner!

 My baby girl- 
a momma now, 
nursing her son. 

And as I stepped through that door- 
I truly understood the joy of a grandparent. 

So yeah… travel is tough during this chaos of Covid19… 
but given the chance, 
I'd be back in my seatbelt tomorrow 
repeating that Covid19 Grandparent Schlepp!