I got a call from my dear friend, Melissa yesterday inviting me to join her and her sister and sisters-in-law at a little family quilting retreat. I was thrilled to have a free day and to be able to go! They were meeting at Donna Vidmar’s home. I was excited to see her place and her sewing room. She is an Amazing quilter.
This morning I packed my bags and a project and headed up the canyon with excitement in my heart. I’ve had a hard time breaking back into my quilting life since our return. My family history work has pulled me away. I needed to get some quilting mojo back!
Here is one of Donna’s recent quilts:
One of the perks of knowing Donna and Melissa is that they are Peter Vidmar’s family. I remember watching the 1984 Summer Olympics while getting ready to move to Nigeria. That was the year Peter competed at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, winning two gold medals in the team all-around competition and pommel horse event, while also earning silver in the individual all-around. Peter was the team captain. I cried when he and the US team won. They won for all of us.
Today in Paris, Faith Kipyegon from Kenya raced to break a 4 minute mile. Peter, always an Olympian, was sure to have the TV in the sewing room set to watch this event with us, which was quite thrilling. We all watched and cheered as she rounded the track in this exhibition run.
She fought to the finish line in a final time of 4:06.42, more than a second faster than her world-record mark of 4:07.64. This time won’t count as a new women’s record, since it was an exhibition race using male pacemakers—but it was still an eyepopping performance.
She fought to the finish line in a final time of 4:06.42, more than a second faster than her world-record mark of 4:07.64. This time won’t count as a new women’s record, since it was an exhibition race using male pacemakers—but it was still an eyepopping performance. You can watch the race below:
Today I sewed together the first of my Chopped Snakes quilts, made entirely of scraps. These quilts are perpetual projects in my sewing room as I work to keep my scrap basket under control.
Donna’s Halloween quilt: 
This evening we took a nice long walk around the neighborhood and over to the Heber Temple site. Hopefully that temple (announced 2 years ago) will soon be started. It was a great day doing what I love with friends I have missed.
