The Communique Layout

Popularized by Rhonda Dort, who uses the layout in her classes, the Communique Quilt Layout works for both featuring large fabric and panel pieces, as well as a basis for multiple block designs.

About Me

Welcome to Mouse in My Pocket! I'm Andrea, a web developer living in rural America with her husband and daughter. I'm excited to share my life with you as I explore some of the great things about living in the middle of nowhere.  Be sure to check out the blog below to see a few of the things that are speaking to me right now.

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On the Blog

23 Weeks

By Andrea | December 8, 2016

This week was our first visit to Perinatology (or the high-risk obstetrician).  It was a long appointment – almost 4 whole hours, most of which was spent on doing ultrasound scans of Spot.   Her anatomy all still looks good, but unfortunately, you can’t use an ultrasound to determine if she is small just because…

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WIP Wednesday – Star Blocks

By Andrea | December 7, 2016

I made a bit more progress on my Fuzzy Duckling quilt over the weekend.  I managed to make time to complete 4 more of the star blocks, giving me 5 finished.  That’s exactly half of them!  The only problem was it took me about 3 hours to cut and piece them all. I seem to…

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Bookish Questions – Favorite Holiday Read?

By Andrea | December 6, 2016

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, or something else entirely, it’s the holiday season.  That means it’s time for some festive reads. So I want to know – What is your favorite holiday read? What is your favorite holiday read? For me, the holidays are a great time to re-read books like the Harry Potter…

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22 Weeks

By Andrea | December 2, 2016

We’re at 22 weeks and I’m finally starting to actually look like a pregnant person.  Of course, along with looking pregnant, my lower abdomen is sore as things start to stretch.  That has been a bit annoying, but considering the problems I hear about other people having, I really shouldn’t complain. What I can’t live…

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WIP Wednesday – Just Ducky

By Andrea | November 30, 2016

I’ve felt like a slacker for the better part of a year, as I just haven’t felt the urge to do much sewing. But, thanks to baby Spot, I have a good reason to get back into my sewing room.  Yes for baby quilts! I never seem to have a problem picking out quilt patterns…

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Book It! – Thankful for Books

By Andrea | November 28, 2016

It was another slow month for reading, but I starting a little quilting project over the weekend, so I’ll be bringing that to you later this week.  In the meantime, let’s talk book.  I finished one traditional novel and two books of short stories this month. Second Foundation I finished Second Empire, the last book…

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21 Weeks

By Andrea | November 23, 2016

At 21 weeks, I’m more than halfway through my pregnancy. Last week was out anatomy scan. In case you missed our official announcement on the local radio, Spot Turner is officially Girl Spot. When you have connections, you get a live gender reveal on the radio. A video posted by Andrea Dillon Turner (@mouseinmypocket7) on…

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My Stapler

By Andrea | November 17, 2016

Funny story: at 20 weeks baby Turner is the size of a Swingline stapler.  If you’ve seen the 1999 movie Office Space, then you know the one I’m talking about.  If not, reference photos below. And, yes, I am a huge nerd. I have my very own red Swingline stapler at the office. And, I…

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Bookish Question – What book can you not live without?

By Andrea | November 15, 2016

What book can you not live without? When I’m stressed, or can’t sleep I read a lot of children’s and middle-grade literature.  Books featuring characters like Harry Potter or Nancy Drew.  They get me out of my head and help me to relax, which is something I think I might need a lot of soon. …

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19 Weeks

By Andrea | November 10, 2016

I’m officially at Week 19 of my pregnancy.  That means that little Spot is almost 6-inches long (the length of a US dollar), and at 8.5 ounces is a little over half a pound.  I think I’ve even gained about a pound myself.  I’m pretending that it isn’t from all of the popcorn I’ve been…

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An Artichoke?

By Andrea | November 3, 2016

I’m at 18 weeks!  That’s officially halfway to “full-term.”  Even though real full-term is 40 weeks, it’s safe to deliver anytime after 36, so they consider that full-term.  I’ve got 2 more weeks until the anatomy scan when we find out what kind of genitals this kid has, not that it particularly matters since I…

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Bookish Questions – Do you consider yourself a fast or slow reader?

By Andrea | November 1, 2016

Do you consider yourself a fast or slow reader? Lately, I’ve been feeling like the slowest reader on the planet.  Even though I know that I took on a complex trilogy last month, I feel like I didn’t accomplish much because all three novels were printed in one physical book.  While that is certainly handy…

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