The Comfort of Quilts

Soon after I moved to my current location, I was included in a group of ladies from my new church.  These ladies knew I was needy.  New location, family trying to acclimate and a very medically needy father that came along for the ride.  I didn't have much to offer this group other than letting them hear me vent during our weekly Bible Studies.  It was an odd dynamic for me; I was used to being the one that ministered to others.  This time, I was completely unable to reach out, having nothing left to offer.  So I let these lovely ladies minister to me.  They showered me with gifts on the first birthday away from my home base.  One of them, still remembers my birthday.  (Thank you, Sweet Sharon!)  I drank all this care in like a healing potion.  Another, Gentle Friend, went above and beyond the call.  She made it her mission to care for me while I cared for Dad.  She dutifully picked me up every Wednesday to just get me up and out the door.  Some days would find me sort of catatonic with my latest stress and she would quietly just drive me around, taking me to lunch or some store that, she said, 'would do me good to just look at different things.'  I still think of that statement when I minister to others today.  Just get in a different environment to switch perspective.  Very wise.


Today is a lazy kind of day.  Miss Dixie awakened us a little past midnight, warning us of some Stranger Danger between our house and the northerly neighbor.  The rustling of dry leaves and a heavy shuffle brought her to warning status to her masters.  Hubby and I were properly awakened and warned, but thankfully, no guns or knives or pointed objects were needed.  Methinks it was probably one of the legions of cats that think that we have a waiting list after the demise of Miss Kitty.http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/04/rip-miss-kitty.html.  Don't really want to think about if it wasn't cats.  Anyway.  I was awakened and that was it till four AM.....By the time Hubby was off to work, I was more than ready to climb back into bed.  The new chill coming in my northern windows beckoned me to reach on my quilt rack for that extra cover to snuggle in for a supreme sleep.


I woke up to see the unfamiliar cover yet favorite quilt on me.  The sound of the gentle, rare, rainfall to our parched land, was music to my ears.  I laid there for awhile, listening to the rain and basking in the comfort of my special quilt. Ten years ago this birthday, Gentle Friend gifted me this fine quilt.  I love everything about it; the color, the arrangement of the squares, the vintage fabric, the quilting template used, everything.  I still remember the awe I felt when I opened this gift.  I know what it takes to create a quilt.  I know the time, energy, expense, the heart, that goes into each creation.  And for Gentle Friend to share this amazing gift with me, well, I was overwhelmed.  Still am.


So as I laid there in quiet retrospection and peaceful appreciation for her and all the times and ways that I have been comforted and cared for in my life, my heart was full.
And what should we do when a heart is full?
Spread it around.  Share it. Let others in on your peace and comforted spirit.


I'm off to my sewing room......

Garbage Pie

I could have used a jacket on my walk this morning.

After scorching this summer, even a normal temp seems chilly.  Mind you, you will not hear me complain, merely comment. So naturally, as the flowers die off, and the morning glories bloom abundantly in the cooler mornings, a girl's thoughts turn toward.....

CARBOHYDRATES!!

Yes!  Today was Pie Day! I have had on my list for over a month now:
'Make Pie for the Sanitation/Street Department Workers'

I can bet that not one of you has ever had a list with that particular notation on it.

I appreciate my Garbage Men.
As a collector, redecorator, remodeler, gardener, I can manage to quickly fill a garbage can or two...or three..You get the idea...

I can have limbs the size of full grown trees and twelve bags of garden rubbish and rotted timbers from a house project, and they will cart it off.  Quickly.  I had a whole room of '50's tile squares AND the underlayment sitting obediently at the curb and they took that without a blink.  Hubby will tell me time and time again, 'They will never take that!'...I laugh confidently and say, 'You don't know MY guys!'  Then I time how long it will take before a previously hidden garbage truck or city pick up, zooms onto my street, prepared to take care of the Crazy Old Lady on 8th street.  For awhile, I thought that it was community pride by not letting my trash sully the streetscape.  Now I think that they just like me.

I always wave to them on the street.  The guys hanging off the side of the truck, always let loose of a hand to wave back.  They smile as both my dogs have fits over the noise of the truck.  We exchange glances as we (and maybe the mail carrier, even though these days, he has wimped out to delivering mail in his little truck) are the only ones on the street if it's snowing, 10 degrees, or raining like cats and dogs.  They gotta look at me as the COLo8thS but also the Nutty Dog Lady.  They at least get paid for being out in hostile weather; I on the other hand, am just nuts.
I did have one teeny bitty fear.
Remember?  I make lousy pies.  I overwork dough, I am too rough in the rolling out and I've never been happy with my pie crust recipe.  Hubby can work it like a pro, but sadly, I fail.
That was until The Retreat! http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/07/sigh.html
Pretend Daughter Kris showed us how to make a pie.  I love her recipe and her handy tips.  But better than that, I loved that she left enough dough in my freezer for me to make my garbage men a pie.  I remembered how she rolled the supple dough out and I tried my hardest to replicate her gentle touch.  And it worked.  Not the prettiest pie ever made, but certainly not my usual sub par standard.

So off I went to the Sanitation/Street Department garage to deliver me homemade pie to 'my buds' the Garbage Men.

Another thing checked off my list......

Michele's Bag

Funny how things work out.  Years ago, while I was caring for my dad in his home, I sought distractions to help with the heaviness that comes with 24 hour care giving.  Baby Girl was in junior high and even though by care giving time line left me with very little time to be an 'Active School Mom', one of the things I enjoyed doing was designing and making purses for her friends.  I made these purses by hand, not having room for my sewing machine amidst dad's sick room equipment.  Working with the materials and occupying my hands was therapeutic to my jangled, sleep deprived nerves.  Since that time, I have wondered what happened to those early bags.  One day, I found one of them at the second  hand store, noting the date that I stitched in the bag for a birthday.  One fell apart in shreds after countless repairs for a stubborn young girl unwilling to let go of it.  She was one of my first customers when my new bags started to be produced.  I believe the current count for her is four.  Then there is the Facebook Connection.  Baby Girl had a long ago junior high bud contact her and ask about my bags.  She told BG that she still had the long ago bag and that her little girl plays with it now.  Her birthday was approaching and she kindly contacted me with a birthday wish to purchase a new and much improved mama's collection handbag.Eldest/Admin had recommended that I develop a purse survey to aid in the creation of a custom made bag.  So Junior High Friend was sent one, returned it filled out and the result is what is pictured here.  And this is a Premiere Edition as well!  A matching cosmetic bag was requested to go along with the purse so after researching and remembering Chicago Friend's lesson at the retreat this past July, I endeavored to design one myself. (See Sewing Simple Saturdays this week for more on that!)   Also, whilst on my Smoky Mountain Vacay, I had the opportunity to pick Crazier Don's busy brain regarding my business.  CD has had his own business for many, many years and since he was on vacation and actually sitting still (well, somewhat), he was more than willing to give this Business Newbie some input.  One of the swell ideas he was to give me after I shared with him my mission in creating bags and totes, was to include, deep down in the seam of my purses, some relatable bible verse that will be read, almost stumbled upon at some later date.  Brilliant!  I remembered a winter coat I had years ago that I had worn for quite awhile before I noticed one freezing winter day, a little tag deep inside that simply said, 'May you stay warm in your heart today'.  I loved that little note and now I want to share that bit of encouragement with my customers.  I asked CD which out of allllllllll the verses in the whole bible I should use and he stated simply, (duh), 'Pray about each one for each client'.  Done.  I prayed over the fabric before I made the first cut and asked the Master Designer to reveal the verse that this customer needed.  And He did.  But I can't tell you.  It's a secret.  But I can tell you that I loved making the labels for other young mama's bags/purses/totes/diaper bags.  I loved thinking of them finding the tag and reading them with a feeling of encouragement as they care for their little ones and themselves.

Fuel your Spirit today. 

Potpourri

Have traveled a bit this summer.  Collected sights and memories and now that I'm perched for a spell, I'm having fun viewing all that I have taken in.  Swell visits.  Companionable people. Fun car trips.  Nothing on a National Park Scale, but lots of lovely visits with some of my very favorite people. Miss Vivien, of course.  And here at Baby Girl's Baby Shower for her Baby Girl, Vivie and I clued in on each other and quite honestly, it took me awhile to see anything else.  We spun a neck grabbing hug as we caught up on all our lovins.  The photo of the grandest gathering of lovely young women was taken at Squirrel Park.  Aptly named.  And there were actual squirrels there, not just a Mimi crawling up a slide for her granddaughter.  In the heat.  After traveling three hours.  For a special party. Vivie and Mimi had to have some time. In her piggy tail photo, V is wearing a dress that Mimi made her.  Didn't think the fabric or pattern could have gotten much cuter.  I was wrong.Then there was the Niece Lovefest.  Eldest/Admin is absolutely smitten with her Unborn Niece.  She could not wait to feel for herself the magnitude of movement that Baby Girl is experiencing.  I walked in on this moment.  Two sisters with the Baby Mind Meld.  Adorable.Kindred Spirit Friend, Stained Glass Artist, author, poet, most precious of friend.  And we are quite silly as well, climbing into the back of her seatless RAV, indulging in Whitey's Ice Cream.  We laughed and giggled as we traveled to her gracious home, while our Hubby's caught up on their lives and listened to the Two Buds in the Back.  And our Leaving Photo had to include, Pearlman, her doxie, who just at that moment wanted to be a Cory.As Crazy Dee was purchasing some Spectacular Gem adorned sandals, I came across this sign that really does define us.  She still owes me $10.00.

Peek a Boo.  I see you, most Wonderful Granddaughter.....Mimi loves you......

The Vacation Market Bag:

While packing for The Trip, I realized, I'm sure, as the cobbler did when sending his children outside without any shoes, that I had no proper book bag.  This summer, I have made over a dozen of these things in all shapes and sizes, but, alas none for me.
Despite the busyness of travel preparations, I sat right down at Close Friend Sewing Machine, determined to have a mama's collection Market Bag of my own.
My vintage stash provided the tablecloth that had spent too many days outside on various tables to be useful as an actual tablecloth anymore.  But never no mind!  It's good parts made an excellent weight for the transformation into useful market bag.  Cast away hand towels of long ago made an appropriate pocket and seasons ago blue and white striped porch cushion fabric finished up the project with a fun lining.
Stout and solid to carry the multitude of books that I think that I need on holiday.
I believe I did read from three of them, including my Bible and notebooks that go with that, so the lugging of my little library was not totally wasted.
Fun things, new tote/market/book bags.
Fun thing to carry around previously used/loved items in a whole different form.
Fun thing to have collections that constantly shift and change.

What does your favorite tote bag look like?

Vacation Views

This sign pretty much describes our vacation.  Call it the 'Whatever/whenever/Or So Vacation'.  Four Older Folks with no agenda, no plans, no tickets, no appointments, just lots of free time and a beautiful backdrop.  Hubby so needed a Nothing Vacation and thanks to the benevolence of Crazy Dee and Crazier Don, they made it happen.  If you remember from last March, http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/03/prayerful-productivity.html, the wonder of still having CD around is more than a miracle.  All I could think of on this vacation with her, was how crazy different it could have been.  How lost I would be without her and how very thankful I am for a reprieve.  This vacation, we laughed and carried on like we  had no tomorrow and last March, her tomorrows were very much in jeopardy.  This Lazy Vacation had some lovely relaxing moments interspersed with some serious shopping and bargain bagging and just to make sure I stayed grounded, My Close Friend, Sewing Machine, came with.  After all, I have a Baby Quilt to make.  And what would relaxing be without sewing?  I finished another crocheted market bag for Eldest/Admin en route and tinkered with quite a bit of embroidery in the car while I tried to ignore Crazier Don's wild driving.  I kept my eyes to the mountains or my hand work and tried to ignore the highway.  Or racetrack that I think CD thought we were on.  Whew.So on this More Than Pleasant Sunday, take some time to take in my views for the week:The brook that ran right outside our window, the swing that helped me organize my home life, the balcony where I spent some quality quiet time, the handmade ice cream place that made me forget my frozen yogurt regimen back home, the lazy mill near a pretty amazing sewing shop, the mountain cabin that was built in the 1800's on the side of the Smokie Mountains, and of course, the Skyline Tram up the mountain.  Do not be deceived.  I was NOT on this.  I took the photo of CD and Hubby on their climb upward.  I wasn't THAT relaxed.Refreshment.  Perspective. Peace. Quiet.  Rest= Vacation for Us.  Thank you Lord.

Simple Sewing Saturdays: Volume Twelve: Resourceful Resources

You are never too old to learn something new.  Daily, yea, hourly, I find new things about life and all that is this earthly adventure. That's what keeps it so darn exciting.  Even though I have been sewing since 1971 ('70 if you count an elective Home Economics Course that I cheated through), I am amazed at the amount of Sewing Knowledge that I do not possess.  In that regard, I am gratefully appreciative for those that can instruct me in the basic and the advanced type of sewing that I so admire now.  I remember my first How To guide; a Butterick published book; spiral bound and full of helpful illustrations.  This book stayed close by my in my Early Adventures in Sewing.  I am now infatuated by the young women that are incredibly talented and possess an incredible amount of technological and business savvy.  I am their biggest fan,standing in awe of how they do it all.  Pictured are some of my current Sewing Crushes.  I LOVE these books and know that you will too.  Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching by Heather Ross.  heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/  A wonderful book promoted by all my favorite bloggers and referenced often.  This past week whilst on my vacation, I stumbled across this sweet little fabric/pattern store,http://www.patternhutch.com/, absolutely jammed  tight with amazing fabric and the patterns that I see online all the time.  And there, waiting for me to purchase the Perfect Vacation Souvenir, was Heather's exceptional book!  I got to look it over and see why so many love it.  Hubby was more than willing to let me purchase it.  It was vacation, after all.  I spent the evening pouring over the patterns and recipes, (yes, Heather has wisely added some yummy recipes for those heavy sewing days!)  I'm telling you, no respectful Sewist should be without this book.

And then there is my new hero.  Anna Maria Horner annamariahorner.blogspot.com authored her book, Handmade Beginnings, last year.  I snatched it up after previewing it AND finding out that Baby Girl was expecting.  I believe she wrote it just for her. It is filled with great baby/mama making things and great sewing instruction.  Then, just as I was standing in awe of her mothering (six children) sewing, designing, business expertise, she goes and wows me with her writing skills. annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2010/08/bridge.html.  So amazing.  Bring your tissues. 

This next book arrived while I was gone on vacay.  I feel like I know about it from the countless times it is referred to in my favorite bloggers writings.  I have admired the quilts made from this pattern: www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2009/04/log-cabin-promises.html .  I knew that I had to make this quilt.  Fabulous.  This past year, I have acquired a Pretend Granddaughter that absolutely loves a quilt that my mother in law made for my Eldest Son many years ago.  The poor quilt is worn to pieces but she is smitten with the love woven into it.  I want to make a quilt woven with love for her.  But I need help with fabric artisans far ahead of me, so I purchased Suzuko Koseki's book. I LOVE THIS BOOK.  Beautiful projects.  Great illustrations.  It shall get passed down to my progeny worn out. 

While this Simple Sewing Saturday's Volume is not really a  practical instructional, it indeed references books that we all need as sewists/newbie wannabe sewists.  Learn something new in sewing today.  Sewing develops patience, detail, understanding of procedure and the importance of being careful.   These skills leak over into all areas of our lives, so utilizing them  in the sewing realm helps me to see the importance in all those other areas.

So, I thank all the brilliant authors that have shared their knowledge with me so that I can share it with you.

P.S.  I have a secret.  I have a friend that is coming out with a book soon and wonder of wonders, privilege of privilege, she has invited me in on it!  Coming Soon!  Watch this space for more details!www.craftleftovers.com/blog/