Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Quilt Show at the Library

Periodically, the local guild hangs some of their quilts at the Community Library.  This is one of those times.

My Women of the Bible quilt was hung near the entrance.  This was a Block of the Week online project that I started in 2007 or so and finished a year or two later.   The schematic at the side lists each woman represented and the name of her quilt block.  (e.g.  Eve: Garden of Eden)





In one of the side rooms, the Jungle quilt that I made for Natalie is hung.  It was started in a Nine-Patch Pizazz Lifetime Learning class taught by my friend Susan Tennison. 



 By the children's area, we hung a collection of "tiny" quilts.  several of mine were in there, including some of my journal quilts.  (Like the one of the car resting against the tree - don't even ask!)










Lots more quilts - it's a friendly group and we enjoy talking and getting together and showing off our work.





Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Spring is coming

Spring is coming.  My very first bluebonnet is blooming.
I planted quite a few seeds last year.  This plant and one other came up.  I'm hoping it will be the start of a lot of blue!

The ajuga has a few blooms.  It's doing very well in that very shaded area by the back door.




And the iris are starting, too.
These are all pass-alongs from my sister, who got them from my mother.  










One little poppy made it this year - my sister gave me this seed, too.  But her poppies are in full sun and are glorious. Mine is kind of shy.





Also blooming in my backyard is the pot of kalanchoe and the hen-and-chicks .



Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Kitchen Redo in Progress

 I liked my little kitchen before.  It's very small and part of an open floor plan.  The other half contains my grandmother's table and a blue-painted hutch that I bought last year.

But it didn't make me smile.

I called in my niece and her husband, who removed the cabinet doors and painted all of the cabinetry  a cream color which matches the walls.  They did a great job and the room is much more light filled now.

While they were working, I looked at my cabinet contents with a critical eye and removed some unused dishes, which makes it easier to access the remaining ones.



I"m not totally happy with the contrast between stove and cabinets and am mulling over possible solutions -
     paint the lower cabinets darker?
     get a new stove?
     add color via a new countertop?
     get over it?

Would a floor update help?   That's certainly on my list for later.
New countertops, too.  Mine has a place or two where someone (who could it be?) placed a too-hot dish on it.


.


Because it's an open floor plan, the kitchen and
living room play together better now.

I really enjoy changing things around and
playing with colors and layouts and shapes

Friday, February 12, 2016

Mama


I am sad today as Feb. 12 was my Mother's birthday.   She was born in 1916.    

Although I KNOW that I have some wonderful pictures of her, these are the only three that I can find.    I am ashamed that I am so poorly organized.  But then, my memories of her are sharp and dear to me.

She was a sweet person and I loved her dearly.  
I felt loved when we were together. 



Monday, February 8, 2016

A Family Tradition

I learned to quilt from my grandmother; I can remember many good times with her, arranging blocks and chatting.

Many years ago, my sister salvaged some good blocks from a worn quilt and had them framed for me and my nieces.

It's a good way to remember good times and to show respect for a fine family tradition.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Twelve Days of Christmas

Today is the twelfth  day of Christmas.  So it's time to take down the decorations.  

This quilt (the picture is at Show and Tell at the Guild meeting) is just gorgeous.  Linda Woodward made it and donated it to her local library for a fundraising raffle.  They sold a thousand tickets and I WON IT!!!

The design was published by the Quilt Guild of Dallas Texas in the 80s.  Linda did the applique by hand. She added an original border which makes it even more special.  It's hand quilted and a real work of art.

It spends mosts Christmas seasons on the wall in my living room.  But this year it was shown in public at the local Heritage House museum.   As a backdrop for Santa, it was the star of the exhibit.


Because the ladies of the Guild decorated the museum and staffed its Open House, the museum committee allowed us to sell handmade articles there.  We raised enough money to double our treasury (which is pretty small - it's a small, new guild).     I'm looking forward to some good programs in this next year.   And thinking of earmarking a few baby quilts to be sold at next year's boutique.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Poinsettia Pin

This year I bought a new red sweater and wore it to all my Christmas events.    One Sunday my sister and I went to church and I noticed she was wearing one of Mama's enameled pins.  So I went to my jewelry box and found another.   It felt good to connect to her.   Vintage is so IN, in my book.

I love the holidays.

Monday, January 4, 2016

November

November starts by adding a little fall color to my entryway shelf.

The framed motto says "Do one thing every day that makes you happy."   Fall colors make me happy.  There are far too few of them here in central Texas.




Thanksgiving makes me happy.  Being with extended family at my sisters is always a good time.  Watching the kids play in the leaves - solving a jigsaw puzzle with my nieces - eating a meal in the decorated garage.   That says love and peace to me.



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But to the dog, love and peace are an empty sofa and the knowledge that "mom" will be home again soon.