LOTS OF QULTING PROJECTS

I have been busy quilting, just not posting what I have been working on!  So, here is some of what I have been up to.  Most of these are quilt tops that will slowly be professionally quilted as I can afford it.  Some I have posted months or even a few years ago as I was working on them, but not the completed projects. Thanks to my friends, Karin and Ann for being the "quilt models" even if they were hiding behind the quilts!

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 My Aunt Grace's Circle of Friends is top is finally completed.  Yea!

 

This Block of the Month project turned out great.  I love the bright, happy colors of the 1930s reproduction fabric.

Karin is being silly!  This quilt does make you happy!  The center medallion and flowers around it are all hand stitched on the quilt.  This quilt top was a ton of work, but worth all of the time and effort.  More close up views will be shown after it is quilted and bound.

How can this bright quilt top not make you smile?  Just knowing it is finally done makes me smile!

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So, what do you do when you win two charm packs?  (A charm pack is usually 44, 5" squares of fabric all from the same fabric line.) Purchase two more, throw them all in a paper bag and pull out four charm squares at a time (making sure they are all different) and make four square blocks! Arrange the blocks in a way that pleases your eyes, sew them together, add a couple of borders and you got a very, very simple and easy quilt top!

 

I had five fabric pieces featuring tea cups left over from a different project.  Those got fussy cut and added to the mix.

Here's the backing fabric.

This was quilted at The Quilt Shop on Main in Jasper, GA. I think they did a wonderful job.

It is time for Ann to be silly in this picture. 

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I loved this fabric and the panels that came with it.  As much as I hate working with pre-printed fabric panels and after drooling over the fabric for about a year, I finally purchased it and made a quilt top. This little quilt will grace my back porch when completed.

 

Close up of this beautiful fabric.  Not fond of working with panels, but it was  worth is on this quilt.

 



Had to get the dragonfly panel in a picture!

 

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I fell in love with this quilt while visiting a quilt store in Colorado in 2008. I purchased the kit and finally got it done in 2013. It is my hydrangea quilt, so soft and pretty. Again, working with printed panels can be a challenge, but it turned out great. Can't wait to see it once it is quilted.

Close up of these lovely fabrics.  So soft and pretty.

 

Close up of a couple of the panels and the pretty border fabric.

 

 

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Finally, finally, finally this quilt is finished. I call it Jeannie's quilt after the owner of Ye Olde Schoolhouse quilt store in Cedarburg, WI, which was my home quilt store before I moved to Georgia. This was a project! Jeannie gave each of us in the Friendship Quilting Group a fat quarter and two quilt block patterns each month. We had to use the fat quarter fabric in each of the two very different blocks filling in the rest of the fabric from our stash. Over the course of the year we made 24 blocks. I added the Friendship Star square in the center. I think it is fabulous and can't wait to get it quilted.

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Put on your sun glasses and gaze at the Tropical Breeze quilt! This was a Block of the Month I did from my new home quilt shop, The Quilt Shop on Main. I had never done a piano border before and it was fun to make. Before this quilt top was done, my friend Sally was visiting. She really liked the blocks I had complete at that point.  We stopped in the quilt shop and she saw the completed quilt. While we were both looking at it I said I wasn't sure about the border and thought it might be too loud. Sally laughed and said she just loved it. So, once quilted and bound it will go to Sally.

See Karin and Ann's twinkle toes? 

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Thanks again to Karin and Ann for displaying and refolding the quilts for me. You're the best!

LIVING ON THE PORCH

I've been fortunate.  Both this house and my former home in Milwaukee had screened in porches.  Here in Georgia, the porch is small, but it works for me. 

After I moved in I purchased this little bistro set.  It works great.  I use it a lot, especially in the morning when I drink my coffee and check my email.  The fabric for the pillows I had for at least 14 years. Last year I had the ruffled pillows made for the chairs.  Notice the doggie door to the right of the chair.  Sam and Oliver can go in and out without me having to open the screen door.  Very convenient for me and they don't seem to mind!



This is how it looked when I first got the furniture.  It isn't a
practical arrangement to enjoy the view into the yard, but it does make a great picture!

But, I struggled with furniture. I had some antique wicker pieces, but they were not comfortable and were very low to the ground. So, the past year I looked and thought and looked and thought and finally purchased two chairs and an ottoman from Home Depot. 

A better arrangement

The chairs rock and they swivel and they are very comfy.  I know I will be doing a lot of reading, dozing and gazing at my garden in these chairs.  This year I will make covers for the small pillows on the lounge chairs.  I think they look nice and go with the "shabby chic" look I going for.  The quilted pillow on the chair will also remain.



My view when I look out.  It is a great place to view the birds,
watch the antics of the dogs and just chill!

This picture was taken one chilly morning when
ice formed on the fountain.  Slightly rare down here.

The small table fountain is solar powered.  I love the sound of the water and it is just the right size for the antique wicker table I purchased at a junk store.

Now, I needed a light to read by at night.  I have a ceiling fan with a light, but the light it is not bright enough.  I wanted a hanging lamp that would stay out of the way, and since that would be tucked into the corer and very protected to the elements.  So, I copied an idea.  I purchased this little decorative bird cage for $19.99 at Home Goods.  Originally it had a wood finial, but I ripped that off before I thought to take a picture.

 

I wanted a funky color that would go with the porch, so after consulting two of my neighbors, Pam and Lisa, I decided on red.  But, first I had to figure out how to put the light kit in it.  I'm not real handy.



I finally asked for help and Lisa's husband, David, put the light fixture kit in it for me.  Alas, I once again forgot to take picture.

Then, out came the spray paint.  Since it would be pretty protected by the elements, but still outside, I used a primer first.



Then came the high gloss red spray paint.

After a couple of coats it was ready to hang.



Sorry for the broom handle!  LOL

Wa la - a funky new lamp for my porch.


I am not sure if I will keep the little grates on the bottom of the cage.  Right now the shadows are fun, but they might bug me when I am reading at night. 

Cost?  Hmmm - between $35-$40.  Not bad.  I think it looks fun.   


Candle looks goofy in the picture and is
not usually set on the table.  Oh, well . . .

I also needed a small table with store for my gardening tools and to set things on. I got this "table" at another junk store.  It was a mess.  My brother-in-law, Marlon, secured it for me, added a stable bottom board and wheels so I can easily move it around.  After a few cans of spray paint to match the light fixture that hangs above it, I think it looks fabulous and the cost was around $30. 

Come on over for a visit and we'll relax, have a long talk, enjoy a cold glass of lemonade while sitting in the porch! 


A FINAL GOODBYE AND LETTING GO

Saying goodbye isn't always easy, especially when you know it is for good. 

I learned recently that a friend/former lover of mine died back in February.  While he had been in very poor health for years (cancer and surgery similar to what the late film critic, Roger Ebert had) and I knew he couldn't go on forever, I am still stunned by the news.  Surprised that he actually gone and also that I didn't realize it until now.  But, since my move to Georgia three years ago, none of his friends who knew me would know how to find me.  And, it was past time time for him to leave this earth - he really suffered.

He wove in and out of my life for over 45 years.  I met him when I was 12 and he was 17 and he dated my older sister a few times.  Later, in my mid-20s we met again.  We fell in love.  Oh - boy, we fell in love.  We did foolish things. He broke my heart, we hurt each other and both made wrong decisions that altered our lives, but the love - oh, that love - was always there.  He always had my back.  We both knew our relationship wasn't meant to be yet there were times we just kept trying.  Times of just friendship, times of beyond friendship, times of just being.  A decade could pass without our talking or a year, but no matter the amount of time there we were.  And, he was instrumental in helping me make a couple positive, major decisions in my life in the late 1990s for which I will always be thankful.

Sometimes relationships are easy, sometimes they are hard.  They can be good and strong and carry though a lifetime.  They can be sad, full of secrets and missed chances.  Ours was all and more.

Before I left Milwaukee in 2010 we talked.  He could still talk, but it was very difficult to understand him.  I wanted to see him before I left, but he wouldn't let me.  The deforming surgery and toll of his illness would have been difficult for me to see and he didn't want to see the expression in my eyes when I saw his face.  We talked several times since my move, but the last was in August, 2012.  He never forgot my birthday!  He said several things that should have made me realize it would be the last time.  He was making a final peace between us, letting me know his love was still there, as well as his regrets.  He was letting me go. 

So, now it is it time to let him go.  At least for this lifetime.

When we first got romantically involved, back in the late 1970s/early 1980s he would always tell me the phrase I wrote below - always in German, his first language.  Maybe over the years he told it to others - Lord knows we both had our share of relationships along the way - but maybe not.  I'm claiming it.  It does relate directly to what he knew I loved.  He would whisper it to me in times of sweetness, in times of passion, in times when I was so angry with him and times when he would just turn, smile and say, "Did you know that. . . " And, he knew it always melted my heart.  It was one of the very last things he ever said to me. 

Sie sind mein Mond

meine Sternen

mein Himmel

mein alles

  

And, to him I say, "You were always there and always will be.  So, until the next time 'round. I'll see you then and we'll finally, finally get it right. Promise."

SOMETIMES . . . .

Please see author's note at the bottom of this post.

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Sometimes life can be confusing and deciding on which direction to take can make you feel stuck.

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Sometimes you just need to start walking and hope for the best - all roads will get you somewhere 
and
sometimes taking yourself too seriously can cause you to take the wrong path.

 

 

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Sometimes looking straight ahead prevents you from seeing beauty all around you.
.  Learning from what is behind and on either side of you may be some of life's best lessons.

 

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Sometimes you just need to be still.
 

 

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Sometimes looking at things from a different angle gives you a new perspective.

 

 

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Sometimes making snow angels from falling cherry blossoms instead of snow

can be good for your soul - at any age. 

Sometimes we all need a little creativity!

 

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Sometimes you just need to stand out from the crowd.

 

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Sometimes patience really is a virtue ,especially when you only get one shot!

 

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Sometimes things are not as they seem.

 

 

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Sometimes things in life just need to be embraced!
 

 

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Sometimes  things that appear to be beautiful can cause you a whole lot of trouble.

 

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Sometimes it is just good to sit in awe.

 

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Sometimes you need to turn to a higher power, the one that calls to your heart.
 

Kwan Yin

 

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Author's note: all pictures in this post were taken by my friend, Pam, photographer extraordinaire, at Gibbs Gardens, Ball Ground, GA on April 7, 2013.  



Discarded Baby Quilt

Today I was out bumming around.  I've been looking in antique  and resale shops for a couple of items to use in my porch and garden.  Today I hit the jackpot at a little antique store in Ball Ground, GA and found exactly what I was looking for. 

Then I turned and I saw this darling, little baby quilt.

I have to say it tugged at my heart.  Someone, at some time, took the time to embroider and sew this sweet little quilt together  for a baby - most likely a little boy.  And, now here it was sitting in a rather junky little antique store. 

Puppies or pigges?  I think puppies!

It makes me wonder.  Who made it?  A young mother?  A grandmother?  Auntie?  Friend?

Was it ever used? 

Did a little child drag his/her "blankie" behind them, needing it to sleep and find comfort?

Little ducks

I carefully washed it.  It is in great condition.  And, I have no idea of the age of it.

Little chicks

Being a quilter, it always breaks my heart to see quilts dumped in resale stores and antique stores.  I shudder to think that someday some of my quilts will find their way into Goodwill.  I know how hard I work on a quilt and if I am making it for someone special in life - how much love I sew into each stitch.

How did it end up here, at this store?  I fail to understand how this baby quilt wasn't passed down (but, then I feel that way about all discarded quilts).

Kitty faces
 

For now I will keep this sweet, little quilt.

Maybe some day a little boy will be born and I will give it to his mother as a gift. 

But, I will make darn sure she appreciates the age of it, the love that was probably sewn into it and loves quilts  - both new and old.

Puppy face

WOMEN OF COURAGE QUILT

I've been slowly working on a Block of the Month quilt based on famous women in American history.  Windham Fabrics are used in this beautiful quilt designed by Denise Libscomb.  I won't go into how tiny the fabric has to be cut and how frustrating I find it working with tiny pieces of fabric, but I will say making this quilt is very inspirational!

What I do want to talk about is the women this quilt represents.   Each month I receive the instructions along with fabric to make two identical blocks.  Plus, I receive a short biography of the woman the blocks represent.  Most of the women I am familiar with - Susan B. Anthony,
Sojourner Truth, Mother Theresa, Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller, Corrie Ten Boom, Sacajawea, Rosa Parks and Christa McAuliffe. 

But, there are several fascinating women I never heard of (I am ashamed to say):

Nancy Wake - Member of the French resistance during World War II
Bessie Coleman - First woman African American pilot
Maude Finch - Ambulance driver during World War I
Mary Edward Walker - First woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor
Mary Roberts Wilson - First woman to be awarded the Silver Star
Madelaine de Vercheres - A Canadian girl who held off the Iroquois and saved a fort of women and children.

All of the women represented in the quilt were brave and remarkable women.  Women who faced danger, helped others, lived their beliefs and overcame insurmountable odds.  Some, like Bessie Coleman, Amelia Earhart and Christa McAuliffe died trying to achieve their goals or doing what they loved.  The sacrifices these women made are incredible. 

If you have a chance, take some time to read and learn about the women listed above that you don't know.  You will be amazed.  And, they might prompt all of us to follow our dreams, fight for what we believe in and be better women.

I'm Turning Into My Parents!

Mom ( Geneva), me and my dad (Verlon), Christmas 1996

It's not a bad thing.  It actually makes me laugh sometimes when I find myself doing what my father did or, I swear, when my mother's voice comes out of my mouth!   I think the older we get the more we tend to "turn into" our parents to some extent.  Fortunately, in my case, it is mainly a good thing.  I had wonderful parents.

For years my sister, Linda, has told me I walk just like my mom.  I know this is true.  Being retired I find myself wanting to bake more often, which is something my mother enjoyed.  I find myself using her phrases or doing something the exact way she would have done it.  I am starting to have hip and knee issues like she did.  My mom had  tons of health issues, so I hope I didn't inherit any more!  I am also impatient like my mom. I hope I have a good dose of her tenderness. I am definitely a "softie" as both mom and dad were.

Walking the dog with my daddy, April 1958

I get my love of walking from my father as well as my love of dogs.  Also, my love of nature.  I wish I had more of his "stingy-ness" although my mom sometimes had a better sense for business/finances than my dad did.  I think I have pretty good common sense, like both my parents.  My dad was a very romantic guy and I sure take after him in that aspect, too.  Being retired and on a very fixed income, I am learning their frugality.  Wish I would have learned it sooner! 

Now that I have a garage I find myself either pulling in too far or not far enough.  My grandpa had a rope tied from the rafters of his garage with a fishing "bobber" attached to the  end of it.  When the bobber hit his windshield he knew that is where he should stop the car.  Oh - I want grandpa's rope!  I chuckle every time I pull into the garage and think about it.  Someday I will figure out how to do it!  I can be bull headed like my grandma, too.  Not something I care to admit, and not as bad as my sisters (especially one in particular!).  My grandparents loved to entertain and enjoyed people, something I do, too.  My grandma also loved to feed people her great cooking.  While I am not quite as good of a cook as she was, when I do bake or make a large batch of something, I enjoy sharing it with my neighbors. 

We are all a blend of who not only "made" us genetically, but who raised us.  It's our choice to keep the good and discard the bad, if we can.  Heredity health problems or the color of our eyes we can't easily change, but mannerisms, actions and thoughts we can.  My friend David grew up in a divorced family.  His father was a lousy dad, which had a profound affect on David both as a child and as an adult.  David continually battles his lack of self confidence and self worth.  Yet David is a truly wonderful parent to his daughter.  When I asked him about this he said, "Every time I wonder about how to do something or handle a situation with my daughter I think about what my father would have done and do the opposite."  It seems to have worked.  David has changed his family dynamics in a very positive way.  His daughter, who will be going to college soon, is a very sweet, thoughtful and self confident young woman.

I come from a long line of strong women and have called on their strength to help me through the bad times as well as the good.  I also come from a long line of gentle and tender men, strong in their own right, but able to show love.  For this, I am thankful.

So, turning into my parents can be a good thing.  Well . . .  maybe!

Pondering Heaven and Hell

Recently on Facebook I was "unfriended" by a women I had been Facebook "friends" with for a while.  Although, I didn't really know her, we had mutual friends.  Y'all know how that Facebook friends thing works!

From what I can gather she unfriended me due to my "liberal" views (especially being pro Gay marriage) and the lack of Jesus in my life.  Well - to each their own.  I have my views and she has her views.  However, what cracked me up about this whole situation is that she told me I would be condemned to hell - fire and brimstone.  That's pretty vivid.

I haven't really thought too much of hell.  Heaven, neither, to be truthful.  So, I've been giving it some thought in my "ghastly, un-American liberal" and "godlessness" manner (her words).  And, I have concluded that hell doesn't exist and heaven is what you make of it. 

I've been through some really rough times in my life.  Really bad.  If those times weren't going through hell and back, well - I don't know what is.

Been there, done that

That being said, I have always joked that if there is a hell and I was sent to it, I would wind up spending eternity in the Precious Moments Museum, it would be constantly snowing and Julio and Willie would be singing "To All the Girls I've Love Before" 24/7.  Truly, for me that would be hell.  And, yes, there really is a Precious Moments Museum in Carthage, MO - the city where my parents met.  Go figure. I could never stand those figurines and it would give me great pleasure to smash them.  But, I digress. 


These things make me gag.  Where's the hammer?

Heaven?  Hmmm . . . that's a tough one.  I just can't grasp the whole angels, harps and sitting on cloud notion.  Since I tend to find God in nature and believe God is in us and all around us, I guess if there was a heaven it would, for me, be a beautiful garden.  A lovely garden with flowers, streams, trees, mountains in the background.  My dogs, my wonderful dogs that I have had in my life, would be running all around me and I would be with the people I loved while on Earth. 


Now this is something I really believe

But, I believe we never really leave the Earth. I believe our spirit may leave, our soul, but that there always remains a part of us, an essence.  Like the  Buddhists, I believe we return over and over again.  So, maybe I wouldn't be in my heavenly garden for long, but I sure do hope I see the dogs!  And, I believe the people we love the most return with us.  It is a continuous, flowing circle. 

Truthfully, this is a vast generalization and that's enough for me.  It gives me much peace. 

Since it is a lovely day here in Georgia and my dogs need a long walk, that is what we will do.  And, as we walk I will look at the blue January sky and watch the hawks float across it.  I will laugh at the sniffing of my dogs and wave to neighbors as they drive by.  I will look for bulbs already poking through the ground and marvel at just how good life is.  And, it is.  It is a true blessing from God.

For my ex Facebook friend?  Well, I hope the proverbial screen door doesn't hit her on her way out!