Simon kitty update

Simon started feeling better not long after starting his meds this month but he has been sneezing again. He is still bouncing off the walls and I am serious about the bouncing. He finally finagled a way behind the entertainment center and has such a desire to sit on the fireplace mantle and pie case. Yep, he likes that piece of wood a few feet off the ground where I have prized objects like an old mantle clock (a wedding gift my parents received almost 60 years ago), my hubby’s signed photo of him with Arnold Palmer, some crocheted items made by my mother-in-law, some ceramics, candles, etc. So far he has succeeded in knocking off one of my brass candlesticks and some less important knick-knacks. I don’t know why he thinks he needs to be on the highest thing in the room. I know he has a little height challenge thing going-I know what that’s like. I have been trying to move things in the house so he will not break everything but this is worse than child-proofing a home because young children do not usually climb 5-7 feet off the floor-at least mine didn’t. I can see him thinking and planning on how to get to the mantle and then over to the pie case where I have some of my bigger ceramics.

Simon kitty taking a bath

I took this photo when I was photographing the star quilt blocks. He could sit anywhere else but chose rather to sit ON the blocks. Did I mention that he likes pink? He is a sweetie but we have ‘our’ trying moments at times. I will update about the quilted pillows after I take some photos.

Happy Gardening!

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Did you see it?

So, did you watch the wedding? Did you tune in to see the two exchange vows or maybe to see that ‘first kiss’ … or second one? I hope you did not blink. Did you have a celebration? Maybe you watched the procession to Westminster Abbey or the return in horse drawn carriages. The fashion conscious were interested in seeing the hats and dresses but at the top of the list was the wedding dress, bride’s headdress and jewelry. Yes, I watched but didn’t dress for the occasion unless my nightgown counts.

by Pascal Le Segretain of Getty Images

It seems that around here the most talked about hat was that of Princess Beatrice, but I liked (believe it or not) this hat and outfit of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. She may have been worried about her nose, but as my daughter said, if she was really concerned she would not draw attention with that hat even if it does take one’s eyes off the face just for a moment. And, where does this hat point? I didn’t like this hat at first. It reminds me of a boat or shoe, but the color is beautiful to me. I would never wear something like this, but I like this look-without the falling nose, of course.

It was a beautiful wedding. I like the added touch of trees in the abbey nave, and I thought “Kate’s” attire was modest – very appropriate. The dress was pretty with a shorter train than I expected, but I really liked the length. I thought her bouquet could have been a bit longer. I’m not a fan of huge bouquets but I like a little cascade down the dress-not much-just a little more than was there. But, it was simple. I also like the tiara Queen Elizabeth loaned to Kate-also appropriate.

I hope they have a good life together. The royal family appears to be accepting of Kate with little details that have come out. That’s a really good start. Well, back to real life, the one where we peons have to work and grovel to get anywhere, well, at least some of us.

Happy Gardening and may all of your wishes come true!

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Did I hear someone say, “Wedding”?

Everything is abuzz about the ‘royal wedding’ on April 29. My children could NOT care less, but I’m intrigued, possibly because of Lady Diana’s wedding day if it ever really was her wedding day. I remember her engagement to Prince Charles thinking, “How could she marry him?” Well, Charles looks so much better now than he did 30 years ago, but ‘looks ain’t everything!’  He was not a good catch, but that’s not the subject here. I tried not to cry, sniff, sniff. I didn’t know these people, but there was such a likeable quality about Lady Diana, her shy looks, and an awkwardness about Prince Charles. So many of us dare to hold on to that dream of a fairytale wedding and royal life even through the worst of times and even if there is no earthly way possible to be considered royal (at least for me). If we cannot have that fairytale life, many of us would like to see someone else achieve the goal because it gives us hope, and who does not like to celebrate in some way?

I still remember the day after ‘Princess Diana’ was killed. I was up early to cook breakfast. It was one of those hot days of summer and we were planning to do something as a family though I don’t remember what, maybe a day at the lake-I’m not sure. My husband was still in bed-he had to get his daily dose of morning tv so I was not expecting him to be downstairs for a bit. The next thing I know he was barreling down the stairs shouting the news. He was visibly shaken. My heart sank! I felt tingly and weak. Then there was emptiness, sorrow, and that feeling that I hate–that she was ‘taken’ too soon. I felt relieved in a way, thinking the myriad of conflict that she was trying to escape could no longer cause her any more pain. It was bittersweet because I think she was just trying to find her way the best she thought she could.

We peons in the states have such a love-hate relationship/adoration for the royal family. We want to love them because of the fairytales, possibly power, but they cause us grief when they make others feel so low in life (one of life’s paradoxes, I guess). My parents were all caught up in the royal pomp and circumstance-the regalia and tradition-back in the days before Charles and Diana because I remember when Princess Anne married. Please don’t say, “Who?” I thought it odd that my father would set up to take photos of the tv during the wedding, but my mom had us all up early to watch the affair. And, I remember the photos after they were developed–I didn’t get it. I was still young, I guess. I don’t plan on taking any photos (I know it’s so different with the web today) and don’t plan on ‘grabbing’ any from the web. Maybe it is because fairytales seldom come true. Maybe it is because I still remember those feelings I had preceding and after ‘Princess’ Diana’s death. Whatever happens, I wish this couple all the best. For most of us, fairytale endings don’t just happen. We have to work at them and through the difficult times in life, but that’s not the subject either.

So, best wishes to Prince William and ‘Miss Kate.’ May they find the happiness that William’s mum never had. And, check out Lillian’s blog for some yummy treats to help celebrate the day–just in case you do not have your scones and crumpets ready…I knew I forgot something at the store 🙂 .

Happy Gardening!

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Bad Weather

Awful weather! Thankfully, we were spared most of the ugly. Lots of rain in a small amount of time-it’s usually feast or famine around here. I was watching the tv as that one huge tornado tore through Alabama last night and am still trying to get hold of people I know to see if they made it through. I got word as I was writing this that a friend is ok but she has not heard from her cousin since lunch yesterday. He lived in Pleasant Grove and it was hit hard. I also have cousins that live in some of the worst hit areas. So, we wait. We don’t usually have storms come through like this-like the Midwest. This was quite unusual to have something of this magnitude to stay together for so long-into the night and next day and keep on going. And, the tornado that roared through Tuscaloosa…that was unreal that it remained on the ground for so long!

I woke up to a storm from this line early this AM and listened to it for about 30 minutes or so-thought the line had passed only to find that the real storm line had not reached us yet 😐 . So, it’s been a long day already and I didn’t have a good night before bed. This is not the posting I had planned to make but maybe later. Take care and be careful!

Happy Gardening!

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Update on the Star Quilt

I removed all of the star blocks from the quilt (top) that was first posted on Apr 19 (What’s Next?). I have washed and ironed each of them. Most of the stains came out, and the blocks look so much brighter.  

There are 19 blocks total but there are some holes in a few. One block will be lost completely as I am salvaging it for pieces leaving 18 blocks. I want to buy some fabric that better matches and coordinates some of the blocks (quality sale fabric), but I have decided to use some of the old sashing for some of the backs of the pillows.

I am also considering the possibility of a table runner made with some of the blocks, but let me get some of the pillows finished first. At the moment, I am working on some repairs then I will begin quilting.

 

Happy Gardening!

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Memory and fabric

Have you ever purchased fabric only to come back swearing you cannot remember buying it? This is the case with this piece of fabric. I remember looking at it in the store, thinking of buying it, but I do not remember paying for it-and no, I didn’t walk out with it without paying for it. I have a receipt but better than that I have a witness, a daughter, who tells me that, yes, I did indeed purchase it. She believes I’m just a wee bit crazier than she thought.

 

I was looking at this to use in our women’s group when we were making our prayer quilts. I remember thinking that it could be used for a man’s quilt-we had lots of flowery fabric that we were using for women and needed some more “manly” fabric. Since we have suspended our quilt making for the time being, I might go ahead and make it to give away. Hmmm, I don’t think I have anything that will really go with it….. I probably do, but I want an excuse to buy fabric since I have put myself on a fabric diet. Self-control…when it comes to fabric, I have a difficult time 🙂 .

Happy Gardening and may your memory be better than mine-always!

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What is Easter?

To many people, Easter is a time to celebrate the wonders of spring and maybe the Easter bunny. Of my faith and beliefs that I hold close to my heart, there is one sentiment that resonates above all (not exclusive to my faith) and that is THANKSGIVING. No, I’m not talking about that Thursday in November where we gather around the table with friends and family though I am talking about being thankful. I have been blessed in so many ways. Sure, there are problems surrounding me and seem to mount at every turn, but I have so much for which to be thankful.  The post I made last week (Patience) about Ronald G Davis’ grandmother being thankful every time she pricked her finger as she made a quilting stitch is something from which we can all learn. Maybe you don’t share the same faith as I do-that’s fine. We can still be thankful.

by ALDitzler at webshots

In the Christian faith, Lent and Easter focus on death AND life-you cannot have one without the other. Some people focus on the resurrection while some focus on the death but it is like the chicken and the egg scenario. You cannot have a chicken without an egg and you cannot have an egg without a chicken (one of my simplified metaphors). Now you may think thanksgiving is not the correct sentiment to hold dear on Easter, but thanksgiving  encompasses all – selfless love, forgiveness, and more.  I am thankful for each and every day, for water to drink, food to eat, a family who loves me and for whom I love, freedom to write my thoughts freely, and on and on. I’m thankful for friends and even enemies-people who may not like me or even hate me. This means that I still have a purpose in this world. May your day be blessed and may you have the opportunity to partake in this special peace.

Happy Gardening and Happy Easter!

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Maple Leaves

I am almost to the end of my sharing time with the projects that came from a friend. There are a few more quilt tops and some other projects she gave me, but these were the ones I wanted to work on first. I am not here to criticize-just to evaluate to see what I can do to make them the best I can. If that means I have to do a lot of work to be sure these projects will be treasured for years to come, so be it. Some I may never finish, but I think I have set some good goals. Now to keep them up.

I like maple leaf quilts. Maybe it is because I love fall or autumn so much. This quilt top has a lot going for it. However, if one looks closely one can see where the blocks do not line up though these photos may not show those places. There are a lot of pros but then there are some cons, too. There is also a row of sashing that has been added that is double knit. I will have to decide what I want to do with this project so I will save this one for last on this list (not counting the ones I have not shared). Who knows what situation I will be in by that time?

Happy Gardening and may you take a little bit of time and lots of patience in all of the decisions you make in life!

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Gingham

I have not seen a lot of gingham material in the stores lately, but this quilt top is a patchwork scrap quilt made of varying colors of gingham. I like the smaller checks as they show greater color, and I love the spring colors in this project-purple, pink, yellow, green, blue! I got a circular in the mail advertising a new line of gingham coming out, so gingham may become more popular in the coming months. Maybe?

This quilt top has some problems and cannot be finished “as is.” It will take a little time to get it where it needs to be so it will go into the pile labeled “TO THE SIDE-COME BACK TO LATER.”

Happy Gardening and may all of your project materials cheer your heart!

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Album quilts and shared projects

 

Album or Chimney Sweep Pattern

Memory quilts with names embroidered in the center of each block is a great way to grab hold of special memories. Many people use a pattern called an album block, but there is no agreed single pattern for an album quilt pattern. The idea is to create a frame of some sorts that will surround each name. The pattern shown here is a popular one referred to as an album block or chimney sweep block, but there are other options. 

 

Memory Quilt

 

As you can see this pattern is not the usual album type. This is another quilt top that was passed on to me. It dates back to 60 years ago. I am unsure of the name of this pattern, but there are 12 star-points with square blocks on point. It resembles a type of starburst. The names on the quilt are from a group of students in eighth grade. Some are still alive-one is my friend’s husband, so I want to finish this “as is” but I need to hurry up and do it SOON!

 

Have you made an album quilt with embroidered names or possibly using another pattern?

Happy Gardening! May you continue to make memories along the path of life!

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