Quilt Camp Preparations

July 21, 2026

Next week, Sadie & I will be hosting three teens (can’t call them ‘tweens anymore!) for quilt camp. So far, it’s been a collective effort with friends adding things to make it extra special for the girls. One friend contributed a collectible box for each girl to hold her fabric kit and camp swag. I was able to borrow two folding tables to help meet workspace needs. Others donated random batik leftovers so I could cut extra 10″ squares to offer more variety for their selected projects.

A sewing machine I’d loaned out several months ago for a teen sewing program at a nearby library (and thought was permanently gone) was returned in time for camp. It’s original shipping box had deteriorated to the point where we actually threw it away at the library last week. A hard plastic sewing machine case was suggested as its replacement. FB marketplace showed one available 6 miles away from me – clearly in good condition, but rather dirty. Twenty minutes of scrubbing with hot, soapy water yielded a perfectly usable sewing machine case at a fraction of the current crazy retail prices – plus Sadie got a ride.

I’m also trying to complete two current projects and get the quilt sandwiches basted before my sewing space is converted back into classroom mode for a solid week. This way, I can FMQ and work on other projects while their creative chaos is basically confined to the rest of the room.

I’m thankful to be on day six of prednisone. The allergic rash is mostly gone. My doctor mentioned it would probably be another week before the flare-up subsided completely and my feet/ankles would be the last to recover. This definitely seems to be the case! Anyhow, I can wear short sleeves in public again without grimacing. That’s a good sign.

Have ultra sensitive skin? Do a patch test on any insect repellent first!

July 16, 2026

Before I left on my trip last week, I picked up a can of the Off! Clean Feel Fragrance Free insect repellent because I knew South Georgia would be full of biting insects. I’m the person that will let you know if there are fleas or mosquitoes in an area before you ever see them. ‘Cause I’m apparently a magnet for biting insects.

The product worked exactly as described. No smell, no sticky feel, and I didn’t get bit by mosquitoes, flies, chiggers or no-see-ums on my trip. I applied the product as directed and showered each evening to remove the product. However, after two days of use, I was sporting an angry red rash on my feet, ankles and upper arms that continued to spread. Benadryl, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream helped, but I had to see my primary care doctor to get a 10 day round of prednisone to help my body process the histamine response. Allergic contact dermatitis was my diagnosis.

I’ve used Off!, Cutter and other insect repellents for years with zero reactions. Not this time. This particular insect repellent contains picaridin 20% instead of the usual DEET. I don’t know if it was the picaridin, percentage of picaridin, or one of the unknown “other ingredients” in the product that caused my allergic reaction, but you can bet I’ll read the active ingredient list more closely on the next bottle of insect repellent that I buy.

Cutter Skinsations was my most recent bottle of insect repellent. It has a DEET 7% as the active ingredient. No reactions and no biting insects either. Adding that to my shopping list.

Reaction to insect repellent containing picaridin 20% as the active ingredient

Traveling with Sadie

July 11, 2026

Sadie and I embarked on a long anticipated getaway this week. We visited a place that’s been on my personal travel wish list. I also wanted to see how well Sadie handled traveling for a few days to an unfamiliar location. We spent three days at the Laura Walker State Park in Waycross, Georgia. I rented one of the pet-friendly cottages, complete with a lake view. An unexpected, but very welcome bonus, was the really nice, shaded dog park adjacent to the visitor center.

My plan was to hike the park trails, explore the surrounding area (3 quilt shops within a 1 hour drive) and have a mini-quilt retreat. I know South Georgia is hot and muggy in the summertime. That said, the extreme, brutal heat of the past few days was not expected, nor was the smoke from burning debris leftover from logging activities in the vicinity. This meant outdoor activities were limited to short walks and frequent visits to the dog park instead of hiking park trails. We explored pet friendly businesses in the area, but mostly stayed inside our cool, air-conditioned cottage.

Overall, Big Girl handled the trip well. She made herself right at home in the cottage once she saw her water bowl, food bowl, bed and a non-skid throw rug laid out. She was not a fan of the laminate and tile floors in the cottage, however. We have carpet and hardwood floors at home, with scatter rugs strategically placed on the hardwood for traction. I had to buy a second non-skid rug to place in front of her bed, so she could easily find her footing when she got up. The beach towel wasn’t cutting it.

I’d definitely like to visit again in the early spring or late fall – when the weather is cooler – to take advantage of the trails and to be able to drink my tea from the screened porch each morning as I look out over the lake (without sweating at 6:30 a.m. and without the smoky smell).

Sadie, now a BARK ranger!