This is 56.
It seems so fitting that I had a birthday right smack in the middle of the huge move that’s really a big, dramatic start to the second half of my life. 🥳
Last week we drove 2661 miles to our new home in Portland, Oregon.
That’s a LOT of miles!
We started in North Carolina, then went through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa (for something like 5 minutes), Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and finally all the way through Oregon. Whew! Five of those states were totally new to me.
We had our dog with us. Look at that sweet face!
Augie usually panics in the car (one of those rare dogs who hates to go for a drive) but the vet gave us some very special medicine that helped him relax and enjoy the journey. He was SUCH A GOOD BOY!
Because he was with us, we didn’t stop and do any sightseeing along the way. But we didn’t need to - the scenery from the car was amazing! We saw the gentle east coast mountains, plains and grasslands, rugged west coast mountains, high desert, and the absolutely breathtaking Columbia River Gorge right at the very end. So much variety!
We also saw lots of animals. I saw a coyote in the median of the interstate, a great horned owl sitting atop a highway sign, silhouetted against a gorgeous sunset, HUNDREDS of sandhill cranes, herds of pronghorn antelope, some alpacas, and a few wild horses. I wonder which of those animals I’ll make into a quilt pattern first?
I didn’t do as much drawing as I had hoped. Somehow, sitting all day is very tiring? I made just one pattern.
We saw so many snow-capped mountains on our drive!
And now we wait for our furniture (including my sewing machine and all my supplies!) to arrive. In the meantime, we’re having some painting done.
Here’s what things look like right now.
I can’t wait to get everything set up and share photos! I’ve got some really fun projects planned to make this house a home.
While we wait, we’re exploring Portland. Spring is busting out all over - flowers and fresh green leaf buds are everywhere!
I’m really enjoying walking everywhere we go.
While I’m traveling and have no access to my sewing machine, you all are sewing up a storm!
Look at the gorgeous quilt that Jamie made for her grandson with the Woodland Critters pattern! Beautiful!
Deby used the Paper Dolls pattern to make this terrific T-shirt for her granddaughter - who has blond pigtails and whose school mascot is the Aces. So cute!
Joy led a family project to make this adorable quilt for a new grandson! She used the Dinosaurs quilt pattern, and each family member appliqued a different block. Didn’t it turn out beautifully?
Head over to the Shiny Happy People group on Facebook to see lots more fabulousness people are making with my patterns—and to ask questions and share photos of your own projects. It’s my favorite place on the internet!
Coming next week. . . Ollie Opossum as a single block pattern! (He’s currently only available in the Woodland Critters pattern.)
Of the three samples I made, which one do you like best?
Wondering where the archives and sale section is?
That’s now its own newsletter every Friday! I really love having the space to feature something from every year Shiny Happy World has been around - such a tidy little sliver of all the content on the site. 🥰
Last week - in no surprise at all - this was the link clicked the most. 😁
It’s my most popular free pattern.
If you know someone who’d like to read this, please share! 🥰
Happy stitching!
I hope you have a fabulous week!
Best,
Wendi
🥰
PS - This video about mending is just delightful. It’s animated with little knit animals!
What gorgeous quilts!
Happy Birthday, I am glad your trip went well and Augie was not sick. Can't wait to see more after you get settled in. Good luck with everything.