Found out my kids are not in Iowa now... have returned to Memphis. The in-laws' house got broken windows and flooded. Tons of trees lost to wind, too. So sad. Nobody hurt, tho.

Ice, I love those blocks. I used that pattern to make my mug rug in the August mug rug swap. A monkey wrench is so cute.

I just opened macybaby's quilt that I received last Friday. Not really sure what color or pattern to add yet. Glad I have some time to think it over.
I will be making masks this week for church.

My son is also in Cedar Rapids. I was there today. What a mess!!! No power means no stop lights, no gas, no stores, no restaurants, no one going to work, no nothing. They used a snow plow to clears tress out of the streets last night. Chain saws are heard everywhere. Lots of semi's are laying on their sides, roofs blown off, siding ripped off buildings, power poles snapped in half. The radio said the winds were equal to a Cat 2 hurricane.....in Iowa!!!!! I have lived here all my life and have never seen anything like this! Phone lines are down and we saw a cell phone tower crumpled up like a wad of paper. It is hard to see. I brought home their food in the freezer to store here until they get power. I took bottles of water and batteries for flashlights. Reports say 50 people went to the emergency room, mostly fractures and one head injury. This morning, there was one death when a tree fell on him. Gas stations are closed so people went to neighboring towns for gas. The lines were blocks long. They would fill up their car and then fill 4 to 6 gas cans. I heard that my town is out of gas. We are 40 miles away.

No, Waterloo didn't get the damage that Cedar Rapids did. Waterloo was on the very edge of the storm.

I hope I never see anything like this again.

Hi Mary, your package arrived safely. What a beautiful top! I will be the end of the week before mine goes out.

Thanks for letting me know.

What a description, Mary! Wow.

I live in Iowa also...didn't realize there were so many of us here or with family here! I was in Cedar Rapids when the storm went through. We got to a Walmart parking lot and my 82yo MIL refused to get out and go inside!! So we sat in my vehicle getting rocked back and forth and watching things blow by!! It took me 2hrs to get home after it was over (normally 30-35min)...like Mary said CR, Marion and some of the surrounding small towns are a mess!! Thankfully we just lost some branches in the yard and a couple trees in our timber. We were just without power for a little over 24 hrs and got gas in Anamosa last night before the "rush" started on that.

I actually did a little sewing before heading to town yesterday so was able to trim those today even without power!

Givio's center and I have power...
 

Hi all, the storm went through and we have 3 grids down, huge areas without power including my office. No internet, no phones, no power. I worked from home today and I am so blessed because I have air conditioning, avoiding the 85 degree humid weather outside, and I was able to watch a movie and sew. I finished Givio's border tonight, so I'll mail out on time. IceBlossom, look for some goodies! You are a PEACH, sending such a nice bit of fabric, and I'm also sending some goodies to Mona (you are a peach too, hugs, thanks for the fabric, I now have some yellow, orange and red!!). With a bit of persistence, Givio's border is done with a few days to spare. Hugs all, stay safe.

reba - I love what you did to the top. your dresdens compliment it so well!

It’s beautiful, Reba.

Reba, I love how your border mimics the center shapes.
Both my husband and I grew up in Iowa.
It's sad to see all the damage. 2020 has been something!!!

Mary, such a vivid description of the storm aftermath! I was watching some on the weather channel and it matched the commentary exactly.

Rebecca, I had an inkling of what was coming to me next -- beautiful! Still only an inkling of what I'm doing next...

I'll be staying safe at home today and making HST for the Frolic UFO and then finally getting my new glasses prescription this afternoon. Already picked and paid for frames, so still two weeks or so away from the new glasses but it will be good to have them.

It's 4:00 am, hubby has just arrived at work by now and it is cool and dark and quiet all around. This is my sewing time!

Just read the Iowa account to DH - we are both humbled by the power of a storm. I do enjoy the weather descriptions from around the country!
Reba - you certainly raised the bar....awesome is the only word I can come up with.
Bugaroo - your center has been in transit from WY to AZ since August 3rd. I have it all planned out too! USPS is really getting bad.

TG, I checked on it this morning too! This slow boat to China mail is making me get a whole lot of nervous. When the post office opens this afternoon I will call her and see if she can find out where it is and let you know.
Feeling lots better today, thank heavens! And for info, no I am not still on chemo or radiation. What happens to me are strictly side effects from either or both of them. They tell me my treatment was so radical that I will have to live with the side effects forever. They have 1 option left for me to try but want me to stay "safe" until all this is under control. No hospital....no option. Hoping to get downstairs today and ponder on that center, my legs seem to be a little stronger and not the wobbly spaghetti feeling.

That top is beautiful, Reba!!

Storm update... The governor estimates 10,000,000 acres of crops are damages as the storm moved across the state. Iowa is an agriculture state so this will hurt everyone. Still no power and long lines for gas and food. I have lived in Iowa all my life and never seen anything like this.

Ice, I got your box of goodies the other day and finally had a chance to open admire. Thank you so much for the gifts.

Mail
 

TG, checked and they have the same info as we do. Left Casper and apparently sitting some where.
No idea on something for this quilt yet, you made it hard on me this time Macy. Still thinking about it

Rebecca, Thank you for the round you did on my center! It looks like a lot of work! The reflection of the shape that SBG did with the dark red in the corners was a great idea and the reflection of the shape I did in the center is another. I'm looking forward to seeing all this in person! :-)

Mona, I'm glad the greens got to you. I was only about halfway through my green box but was running out of time. Be sure to let me know if you would like more/what direction to go now that you've seen where I've been :p

Today I finished cutting the blue strips for the Frolic UFO, about to actually start sewing. I was about to start the other day but decided I needed to double check a few things which ended up as time consuming and unnecessary. But it is hard taking up an almost done project with a missing step, isn't so bad going up to a point and stopping but the way the mystery was I have things after the problem point as well as before. It was a pretty easy misunderstanding, 41 units instead of 41 sets of units...

Hello...an update from Iowa...we have power and I got things in the house taken care of yesterday (finishing laundry this morning), plus was able to get a few groceries and gas in a nearby town. Today I will be sewing some more blocks for my round on TG's center. Since I am 3 days behind I don't think I'll have it ready to mail Monday, but I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my progress.

Glad things are looking better in your part of Iowa. I believe your group mails at the end of each month, for receipt on the 1st, so there's no rush to mail... unless you have made other arrangements with your mailing partner.

Group 1: We are all looking forward to seeing the photos of the remaining round 2s. Is everyone on track to mail by Saturday?

Group 1....I already mailed mine and LeeAnn has it. I have received the next one from Ice blossom.

In case she isn't able to pop in, Rebecca sent me a private message that she was trying to mail out yesterday but would make it by the 15th if the 12th didn't happen. Which I said was awesome timing :)

I should be able to get my Frolic HST done today, but am going in an hour to help layout the comfort quilt project and audition a couple of potential backs. I had another moment of "oh, I better check that" and found I actually have even less to do than I thought. It's going to be fun putting this together, all the little bits already done for the most part, what I call the front-loading of the project.

Mail out & etc.
 

I mailed out mine today to IceBlossom and have already started on LeeAnn's from Sewbiz. I laid it out and got some feedback from my son and my houseguest, and decided to take their advice for part of the border and have that part almost all finished already. The difficult part is still to come though, which will take a bit to get right. Hugs all!

Thanks everybody, for the updates on what is where... It's pretty easy to get confused with a swap like this. Well, for me, anyway!

Hope there are no mail delays.

Here's what I've been working on while I wait for my center. A scrappy quilt using my 2" scraps I've had for years and years, and a Smudge the Tiger toy.

Great idea for scraps. I can't get the lid on my scrap box but I keep trying.

Sewbizgirl, so bright and cheery!

It looks as if everyone is coming along wonderfully with their quilts. All the creativity is so nice to look at as the quilts change. Great job!

I've been wondering how you were faring, Carrie. Good to know you are okay. I have family in Marion and just heard that they all had tree damage, but no house or vehicle damage. All are still out of power. Another cousin found 4 generators in her local area and ran them down so they could each have power at their homes. A mess down there. Stay safe. G

Hi Trish,
My package is on its way to you. I had my husband mail it today and he was so proud it fit in an envelope. Eeeekkkk! Just so you know it wasn't I who mailed it. LOL! The tracking # is 9505 5137 1233 0227 3900 01. I already have a plan for the next round. I hope everyone is doing well and I love seeing what you are working on. Blessings to everyone!

I got Jaba's quilt today...ideas are percolating :)

Also worked on TG border some more today. All the little blocks are sewn, just have to finish trimming them...

Will watch for it, LeeAnn, thanks!

Mona's quilt should be arriving in the mail today. I ordered the embroidery designs this morning (They were having 10 designs for $20 so I got a good deal on them). Will be selecting thread and fabric, and if I need anything, DH and I have a trip into Sioux Falls on Tuesday (he has a mechanical appointment). Now that we live two hours away, we rarely get there during the week so I'll be able to visit my favorite sewing machine place (they aren't open on the weekends in the summer) and they have a nice selection of embroidery thread.

I've been working on the quilt kit, it's a sort of a log cabin with some embroidery that goes in the center of the quilt after it's assembled. So it makes it look like a medallion quilt when it's not. It's named Fiddlesticks and Fancies. I don't buy kits that often, but the LQS had a finished one on the wall, and I fell in love with it - plus I had a 40% off one item coupon.

fiddlesticks and fancies

Macybaby, fiddlesticks and fancies is so pretty. Love aqua and browns. I'm also showing your package to arrive today,.

Carriem, hope you are healing up and not over doing your wrist.

Our weather in North Georgia has turned cooler and we are in the rains again. I truly feel like we are now in a rain forest! It has been so wet, I've not been able to weed my garden and my weeds are now over my head!!! If it was not for the sunflowers, I would have hubbie mow the whole thing down.

Macybaby, I've always liked Kim Diehl fabrics. Sort of anatique/civil war type prints. It's amazing what a change a little of applique made on that pattern! Thanks for sharing the link.

Just checking in, waiting for my next round to arrive (which could be today).

I've been working on a Bonnie Hunter Frolic UFO, it's getting to the exciting part where almost all the sub-units are made and I can start putting blocks together. Yesterday I made all the missing blue/red HST units, today I need to cut neutral backing squares (fabric is lined up ready to go). Organization on this project was tough, since I don't have to exactly follow the mystery directions, I'm going to put each set of the block subunits into baggies, and then I can start on the assembly. Today's goal is just to cut and organize and get ready to put on the back burner once my round arrives :)

I've been waiting for time to feed the dogs and for the Dollar Store to open so I can buy cheap sandwich bags, they will be just the right size and I can write on the bags with markers and so can quit counting and recounting what I've done so far. The time is now!

You all have a great day and stay safe no matter what you are doing.

Macybaby, that’s a gorgeous LC quilt! I can see why you fell in love.

Been working on my scrappy while I wait for my round to arrive. I made what seems like a billion 9 patches that finish out at 5”, but it’s only enough for two sides. So I need to keep making...

Reminder for group 1: Your mailing deadline is today.

Have a nice day, everyone!

I am really getting concerned about USPS and need imput. Bugaroo center has had a round by MacyBaby and a round by Jaba and was mailed to from WY to AZ on Aug 3rd. We have tracking that states it is in transit on Aug 4th and then nothing. Question is how long do we wait?? And Bugaroo - how long do you want to wait?? and do you want to make a new center and start it around again?
This is so beautifully done and my heart just aches that it is sitting somewhere out there.

It's been interesting all the stories about the mail slow downs... my first inkling of anything going on was with the first mailing. My lobby hours had been changed and other services cut back as well as the number of outgoing mail rounds. Plus in the fine print on the receipt it said that "oh btw, that 3 day service you are paying for should now be counted as 5 days". There are no other notices about that until after you've paid.

*SIGH* ....I watch this thread diligently ....hoping to see pictures of the quilt building....but I must have missed most of them....everyone does post a picture as they add their round...right? So-o-o is it my age and I missed what I should have seen? or are the pictures not really being posted????
What I see, I love. Just want to see all of these beauties!