First quilt finish of 2023

I got the last clue and reveal of Bonnie Hunter's 2022 mystery quilt last friday.  I loved it!  I worked on it Friday, Saturday, and today. It is finally finished. It is definitely one of the most complex quilts I've made but it wasn't that hard. She had great instructions and I learned a few things from a friend recently to also help my piecing. Isn't it a beauty? My friend's secret for piecing?  Starch your fabric before cutting and while pressing the units.  It really does help to make more accurate cuts and seams.

I'll try to find or order some backing tomorrow.  Haven't a clue what I"ll use.

Our new custom dog crate was delivered.  As you can see the kids loved it as much as Puzzle did.

We had such fun with the kids last weekend when they spent the night.  The raided our closets to dress up like us.

Emma is giving me the "look" I often give her, ha!

They enjoyed playing "puppies" and we named them Polly and Patch (to go with Puzzle).  :)

I discovered my mom's old sewing machine.  My sister said I had it but I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out where it was.  Duh!  It hit me that it was inside the cabinet that I use for a table in our bedroom.

I opened it up and it worked!  This machine is a 1948 model and the one mom made all of our clothes with.  She evidently wore out the original cabinet, and I think maybe 30-40 years ago they found this one and refinished it for her machine. This would be such a great little set up for someone who sewed or quilted but didn't have a dedicated sewing room.

And one more of the kids....they don't have iPads at home but get to play games on Papaw's when they visit....which they love. He's keeping an eye on them while watching TV.  Fun times and memories made.  Hope they never forget.