Bits and Pieces

This colorful quilt uses some of the smallest pieces I've ever sewn into blocks. Talk about saving scraps...women of the 1930's would be proud.

When I got the spider web die for my birthday, I started cutting fabric remnants. Selecting different colors, I randomly stitched them together. Because of the tiny pieces and many seams, it took several days.

I used a natural muslin for contrast to showcase the web shapes. I chose a meandering stitch to quilt in free motion, with cream thread. Bits and Pieces is 36” x 48” in size.

I love the final product! The die is awesome for using up the smallest of remnants. It looks like an old fashioned quilt that my grandmothers would have made. I can't wait to make other versions with different background colors.

Bits and Pieces

It seemed like a perfect project to sew around Mother's Day. I thought about how women during the Depression years would have spent their time. They'd cut up old curtains, housedresses, shirts, and feed sacks to create a warm quilt for next to nothing, using faded blankets for batting.

Thankfully, I don't have to worry about saving every cent, although I do get a certain satisfaction out of using leftovers to make a bonus quilt or two. It must be my rural Southern thrifty dirt farmer roots showing.

Accuquilt die

55487 Spider Web 6"

Blooms For Mother's Day

These gorgeous flowers always bloom in May, and they remind me so much of my mama, Sam.  Jerold's mama also loved flowers, so every Mother's Day we bought them pretty hanging baskets for their porch and patio. A spring and summer of colorful blooms brought them more joy than a couple of days of expensive flowers in a vase!

Sam liked digging flowers nearly as much as she liked fishing. She'd stop by the side of the road to get a wildflower and never, ever passed up a plant sale. She generously shared cuttings and bulbs that I still enjoy today. Quite a few of them came from her mother's flower garden, especially the iris. I often gave Sam pots of perennials, which we planted together in her yard. I hate that I didn't get to dig up any of those daylilies and ferns before her house was sold.

Apparently my love of flowers must be genetic; I have an old fashioned rose that came from my great grandmother and a blooming shrub from my granny. 

This Mother's Day, I'm buying hanging pots for myself, and planting a few perennials in memory of the women in my life who passed on their passion for flowers and digging in the dirt.

Flowers...

are sunshine,

food,

and medicine

for the soul.

~Luther Burbank

When It Rains, It Pours

What started out as a normal two week camping escape to Dale Hollow Dam somehow turned into a wild and crazy string of events. We are back home, safe and sound. We handled the stressful stuff well, didn't panic, and actually enjoyed camping. But, I don't think we will forget this trip.

Day one: on the way to Celina, the left rear truck brake got hot, really hot. When you're pulling a big honking 5^th wheel on a twisty, hilly two-lane road, this is not good. Got to camp safely.

Day two: Ordered brake parts at NAPA, only parts store in town.

Day three: Guys at NAPA were great, next day service. Jacked up truck and installed new brakes. Not many campers to observe our amazing work. It is quiet and peaceful here during the week.

Day four: If you're ever in Celina you HAVE to stop at Los Primos for excellent Mexican food. Their Chicken La Loma is the best I've ever had. Just the right amount of cilantro in the fresh salsa. And who knew that a small town Mexican restaurant has all you can eat fried catfish buffet on Fridays? NAPA guy stopped by and asked us if all was well with the truck.

Mother's Day: Scattered the last of Sam's ashes in the trout stream where she and Allen loved to fish. My mama is rollin' on the river now.

Day six: Jerold is feeding the squirrels roasted peanuts in the shell. Three are lined up outside the camper every morning, and taking nuts out of his hand.

Day eight: Drove back home to mow grass and pick up mail.

Day eleven: Woke up 7 am to flood warnings at home. Checked our cameras and sure enough, basement had water. Drove home and found Hwy. 52 blocked near house, detour to Gallatin and back up ridge. More water than I've ever seen across fields and roads. Driveway washed but passable, ditch a mess. Vacuumed up water and started fans to dry out basement. Around lunchtime, a minivan wrecked into the ditch in front of our house. No one hurt, they left van where it landed. Jerold graded drive so we can bring trailer back in. Back to Celina along Hwy. 52 yard sale, shopped a little along the way, ate more Mexican food.

Day twelve: Decided to shorten trip and come back home to air out basement. Traffic crazy along yard sale route. Got home, unhitched. Minivan gone. An hour later, a thunderstorm slammed through, blowing over a dead pine tree out of the woods across our driveway in front. Good timing that we got in before it fell.

Day thirteen: Pulled dead pine (covered in poison ivy) off driveway with truck and picked up debris. Jerold graded driveway again. Basement dry.

Day fourteen (today): Picked up mail, sprung Callie cat from jail. Now we're all home where we belong. 

There are always a few bumps in the road, but I am hoping for calmer days ahead. 

Lessons Learned From Sam

My mama is a feisty, outspoken redhead. She grew up on a farm and worked hard all her life in many different jobs to help make ends meet. I learned these important lessons from her over the years. 

Be smart. Acquire skills that will help you find a sustainable career. Develop a wide range of interests. Life is more fun and you'll never get bored if you enjoy what you do. 

Be self-sufficient. Don't depend on others when you can do things for yourself. That includes knowing your way around the garage as well as the kitchen. 

Be frugal. Live within your means. Anything worth having is worth working and saving for. Don't waste time or money. 

Be pretty. Always look your best, smile, and wear cute shoes. But it's fine to get dirty when you're fishing, digging in the yard, or working on a car. 

Be determined. You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.  Remember, some roads don't lead where you think they will, so... 

Be practical. Life isn't always fair. If you can't fix it, to hell with it.  Get over it and move on.

Happy Mother's Day, and thanks, Sam!

Random Observations

 

Thinking something does not make it true.

Don't fix problems you don't have.

Good customer service is rare these days.

Always water the grass you're standing on.

Some children honor their mothers once a year; others do so every day.

Tend the flowers in your life, and pull the weeds.

Don't be a someday person...do it now.

If it looks, acts and smells like a skunk, it most certainly is one.

Believe in more than you can see.

There are more flavors of crazy in this world 

than Baskin Robbins ice cream. ~JRI

Don't ever take a fence down

until you know why it was put up.

~Robert Frost

Marvelous May!

Cinco de Mayo: Since I love Mexican food, you can bet I'll celebrate by enjoying chips, guacamole, a big plate of Pollo Loco and an icy cold bottle or two of Pacifico.

Mother's Day: Without my quirky and hard working mama, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. She always took good care of me, so now I'm returning the favor with love. I'm grateful that I can talk with her daily, and that she's still a feisty redhead. Thanks, Sam!

Flowers: My yard is full of spring flowers and I love them all! Pale and dark pink peonies, delicate white azaleas, violet tall phlox, purple, peach, white and yellow iris, hot pink carnations, sweet smelling lilacs and heavenly roses in yellow, orange and pink.

Strawberries: I don't grow them but Portland berries are the sweetest and best. They're beginning to come in, so I'm heading to Bradley's for a crate of these juicy delights.

“My mama taught me that I had the power to achieve my dreams, to find my own way, and to be responsible for myself.” ~ Katie Scarlett

Thanks Sam!

I took my own advice from last week's blog and wrote dozens of notes in a little book for my mama, Sam.  I told her what was special about her, why I loved her, and that I appreciated everything she has done for me over the last fifty-nine years of my life.  I ran out of pages before I ran out of things to say.  She loved it and we had a wonderful day together. 

Here are a few of my favorites, along with photos of our beautiful flowers that we both love to tend.

I love that you are a sassy redhead

I got my love of flowers and plants from you

You taught me the joy of living

You showed me that girls can cut grass & fix stuff

I inherited your tendency to move furniture often

Thanks for those Saturday trips to the library...Reading is still something I love

You taught me to sew and cook

You gave me your love of SHOES and clothes!

 

I'm proud that you're my mama

You showed me how to speak my mind

I got my work ethic from you

You were a fun scout leader

You drove me and my friends all over town—skating, bowling, swimming

I love you because you are Sam  

 

Without you I wouldn't be the woman I am today

Five Special Mother's Day Ideas

The traditional Mother's Day gifts are most likely flowers, candy and a pretty card. 

That's what I usually give my mama. She expects me to bring her a couple of hanging pots of petunias or geraniums. Since she loves flowers, it's a perfect gift.

This year, however, I'm going to do something extra. Even though I'm not a mom myself, these five ideas seem pretty special to me.

TIME – Everyone wants to spend time with the people they love. Set aside a day or a few hours to do something with your mom and let her choose the activity. Even if it's just drinking iced tea on the porch, make the experience fun and relaxing.  

CHORES – Look around and notice what needs to be done around her house. Painting, mowing, weeding, a leaky faucet, moving furniture, or just regular housework. Don't make a big production out of it, just do it.

SHOES – No mother would turn down a day of shoe shopping or a cute pair of shoes, no matter if they're 4 inch heels or comfy house slippers.

PHOTOS – Scan a few photos of the family, vacation pictures, or outdoor shots around her home. Mount them in pretty frames and help her decide where to display them.

A LIST – Write a list of the special qualities she has, things she's taught you, why you appreciate her, fun times you've shared, and what you love about her. Put it in a frame or write it into a small notebook that she can keep with her.

With all these ideas, throw in a little laughter and a few hugs. You'll touch her heart and bring her joy!  

For those of you who are moms, have a fabulous Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Projects: Earring Organizers and Pretty Beads on a Chain

Here are a couple of quick, easy projects to create for Mom or for yourself. 

 

Display earrings where they can be seen, instead of cluttered in a drawer. All you need for this project is an embroidery or quilting hoop, some tulle fabric, and a short piece of lace. You can use several smaller hoops or a large one. Lay the tulle over the inside hoop, slide the outside hoop over, then tighten the clasp. Pull the tulle snug, then trim close to the edge on the back side. Mom can hang her earrings by color or style. 

For post type earrings, use a medium piece of lace, push them through the holes and clasp on the back. I used a decorative pin as a hanger. 

These hang beside my mirrored closet door, making it easier to coordinate with what I'm wearing. I found the embroidery hoop at a yard sale last year, and had the tulle in my stash.

 

Now that she has additional storage, make Mom something pretty to add to her collection. Costume jewelry is easy and fun to create with quick change beads. You can find the basics at any craft store or in most variety stores with a craft department. Choose a simple silver 16” chain with small clasps and string it with colorful, inexpensive beads. Make sure the holes are large enough to slide easily onto the chain. Add a focal piece or keep it simple. Give her a few extra beads in silver or colors to mix and match. Hoop earrings can be made in a snap, too; there are several styles available.

Useful Notion: Creativity doesn't have to be difficult or complicated. Walk through a craft store for ideas...you may discover a simple project that leads to a new hobby.

“My mama taught me that I had the power to achieve my dreams, to find my own way, and to be responsible for myself.” ~ Katie Scarlett 

 

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