Granny's Wash Day

Memories of sheets and housedresses hanging on the line at granny's house prompted me to design this adorable quilt. Some of the fabrics are 1950's vintage, from Granny Rose's collection of sugar and flour sack remnants. I added new pieces that would complement them, along with white muslin. 

Each four patch block is made up of chisel sections and triangles turned to create the design. This one didn't take long at all, since most of the colored triangles were already cut. I think it looks a bit like the dasher in an old time washing machine. 

A simple quilting pattern of even squares finishes off the vintage look. I used light yellow thread for the straight stitches. The backing is an old sheet of pale yellow with pink, blue, and yellow flowers.

I am lucky to have sweet childhood memories of summer days on the Tennessee farms of both sets of grandparents. And, luckier still to have Jerold's grandmother's fabric to use in my quilts. For more of my posts about Granny Rose, Granny Hill, and sugar sack fabric, click on those labels below.

Accuquilt dies used:
55735 Chisel 2¼” x 4½” finished
55147 Half square triangle 2¼” finished

Remember when

life was simpler,

and we didn't have a

care in the world?

Down In Mississippi

This week's quilt is made with a vintage block called Mississippi. I used light fabrics in lime, aqua, lavender and cream. The large 13” blocks were easy to cut with AccuQuilt dies. I used a Blue Wren strip cutter die for the narrow sashing.

Down In Mississippi finished out at 45” x 60” size. I quilted with cream thread, using Angela Walters' Elvira ruler to free motion stitch wavy lines. It was great practice and so enjoyable.

Down In Mississippi

I've had plenty of time to quilt the past two weeks, since we haven't left the house because of that nasty virus. It isn't a hardship to stay in because my home is a refuge, a place where I'm comfortable and happy.

I like puttering around, sitting on the porch, hanging out with my husband. I can always find something to do. So far, we have enough supplies and food. I really don't like grocery shopping anyway, so I haven't missed that a bit.  My fabric inventory would probably sustain me for a year.  

I wish more people would take this pandemic seriously and just stay at home. Sure, I miss breakfast at our favorite diner, our April camping trip was canceled, I'd like to shop for spring flowers, and I won't get my hair cut on schedule. But I don't think any of that is more important than our health or our lives.

The number of cases, and sadly, the death toll is rising quickly.  STAY HOME, PEOPLE!!

Accuquilt dies used:

55010 5” Square charm

55147 Half square triangle 2 ¼” finished

55731 Signature 4 ½” finished

Blue Wren die used:

6015 1 ½” strip cutter

Little Green Apples

Wearin' of the green for St. Patrick's Day...it's a natural at our house!

I'm sewing with green, too.  Little Green Apples is a lovely baby quilt in shades of green and white. These prints are old fashioned, just like the pattern. The curved seams in the Apple Core die went together perfectly on my Janome 9400 machine.

I quilted in white thread, using straight stitch and following the curves. The outside borders were stitched in straight lines. This little beauty was a delight to sew, and finished out at 42” square.

I have several projects cut and ready in case of quarantine due to the current pandemic. In fact, I'm thinking about staying home anyway. Who wants to risk getting sick? I need to spring clean, and I'll use ANY excuse to sew all day.

Accuquilt dies used:

55036 Apple Core

55017 2 ½” strip

Sláinte!

Seaside Carnival

As soon as I got my latest Accuquilt die (on sale!) I grabbed some scraps and started cutting. Bright turquoise and sunny yellow colors with crisp white are perfect for contrast to show off this pretty design. They remind me so much of my favorite place, the beach.

I sewed four Hattie's Choice (55220) 9" blocks together and added a coordinating striped border to make a cute table mat. These pieces are small, but easy to sew. Backing is bright yellow with white dots. I quilted with white thread 3/4” apart from the center out, in quarter sections, creating a nice geometric pattern. Seaside Carnival is 21” square.

I already have several more ideas sketched out that use this die but they may have to wait...this one made me hear the beach calling. I'm headed there 'cause I need sea therapy and toes in the sand.  There will be plenty of inspiration for new quilts, a couple of fabric stores to visit, and lots of fresh seafood.

This Thanksgiving week I am grateful for being able to live the simple life that I love, surrounded by those who genuinely care for me. I'm glad I learned to let go of things, people, and situations that don't bring me peace and happiness.

🌟  Count your blessings! 🌟 

Windswept

Have you ever had fabric beg to be used? Those leftover pieces from last week's quilt did just that. It kept telling me that all I had to do was cut some squares and center sections in white and I had a new quilt. Well, maybe it was just voices in my head, but I couldn't resist.

I used two Crossed Canoe sections and two 5” squares in each block. I tried several arrangements and settled on diagonal bands of color. Backing and binding is a tiny lattice print in pale lavender. I quilted with white thread in straight stitch rows 1 ½” apart.

The old fashioned prints work well with the modern tone on tone white print. Windswept is a sweet snuggle quilt, 45” square finished size.  The best part is that it only took 3 days to finish since I already had most pieces cut.  A bonus quilt!

Accuquilt dies used: Crossed Canoes BOB 55181 and 5” square 55010

Always listen

to your inner voice

💬

The world is giving you

answers every day.

Learn to listen.

Milestones

After a relaxing week at the campground, I'm staring right at a significant occurrence in my life. Yep, my 65^th birthday is here; I have a Medicare card to prove it if you don't believe me.

I have officially reached that milestone. I am OLD. Senior. Elderly. Antique. Mature. Over the hill. Maybe even wiser. I have learned at least three things in this adventure called life:

1)  If it makes you happy, do it

2)  If it doesn't, then don't

3)  Go your own way

Turning 65 isn't so bad, really. I'm not yet senile, ancient, a doddering old crone, or ready for the nursing asylum. I have added a few extra pounds but they smooth out wrinkles and might give me a bit of a cushion if I fall down. My bones are occasionally creaky but isn't that what Aleve is for? I am still sassy, curious, and eager to learn new things.

There are nice perks to getting old. Senior shopping discounts save me a few bucks. I can eat early and get home in time for the news. Medicare costs less than my previous insurance. 

If the weather is bad, I can stay in and read. If it's pretty, I can play outside. I can sew all day if I choose to. I don't have to drive at rush hour or care what anybody thinks. I have plenty of time to enjoy my home and the world around me.

So what if I'm 65? It's just another milestone. Senior life is good. I've quit saying someday; instead I'm asking what about now? I'm looking forward to many more years of following my own path.

Now that I'm old,

I don't want people thinking

“What a sweet little old lady”

I want them saying

“Oh crap, what's she up to now?”

Dazzler

Dazzler

I love purple...from grape to lilac, amethyst to lavender. I recently added touches of royal purple to my guest bathroom. This small 18” x 22” wall quilt, Dazzler, is made up of drunkard's path blocks. I quilted around the curves in dark purple thread. This one only took a day to complete. It's satisfying to work on small projects because they finish up quickly.

Now I am on the hunt for a couple of matching hand towels and perhaps a colorful rug. It's the little things, you know, that bring me joy. 

This month I've been making a daily note of gratitude. Looking back, most of them are simple pleasures, and I like that. 

  

Sometimes we get so caught up
in trying to accomplish
something big,
that we fail to notice
the little things
that give life its magic

Reflections And Resolutions

This new year started cold, with a low of 4 degrees this morning. Our electricity went out about 5 am. Although it was back on in an hour, I was very happy to have a gas fireplace and range. There was another good side to being up so early...we were able to watch a beautiful full moon setting followed by a brilliant sunrise.

2017 was a good year. There were a few challenges along the way but everything worked out like it was supposed to in the end. We went camping several times at Defeated Creek and Dale Hollow Dam. We spent a refreshing week at Island House Hotel in Orange Beach. We started eating healthier and walking at least an hour per day. Home improvement projects and hobbies kept us busy and we were never bored.

It was a stellar year for sewing! I scored big with fabric and sewing tool purchases. I completed a total of 58 sewing/quilting projects, the most ever since I started a sewing journal. Needless to say, I cherish the hours I spend stitching.

For 2018, I plan to continue living a quiet, happy retired life. I will stay on a healthy eating path and increase my walking time. There will be camping, reading, maybe another beach trip, and lots more sewing. 

I'll make an effort to give myself time to fully experience each moment, to linger instead of rushing. Laughter with friends and loved ones, lively conversation, and learning new things are on my list. Most importantly, I want to practice awareness so that I don't miss a thing.

Wishing you all a happy and fulfilling 2018.

May you revel in the simple pleasures of life. 

Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

Strip quilts are fast and easy, but still allow for creativity. Wine Cellar brings to mind sweet sangria and crisp, bubbly spumante. 

Coordinating wine and burgundy 2 1/2” strips are sewn alternately with a subtle cream print, then trimmed into 8” diagonal squares. The same cream Sedona print is used for sashing and backing. Quilting is simply stitched in 1 1/2” parallel rows. The tranquil 43” square would make a nice wall quilt.

I had a bonus week since we came home early from camping. After unloading and cleaning the camper, I spent most of my time sewing, designing, and reading. (Who would have guessed?) I would sew all day every day if I didn't have to eat and keep the house clean. And I've found that I can't drink wine while sewing.  Too many crooked seams.  I'm thankful that my sweetie has hobbies too, so he understands my addiction to fabric. 

 

Twilight Stars

Twilight Stars

The friendship star block is a fairly easy one, made up of squares and half square triangles. Purple, true blue, and navy batiks with light gray centers show up beautifully against a sky blue background. This 40” x 52” size would be a nice crib or lap quilt. I sewed the top in August and finally quilted Twilight Stars on Saturday.

I put together a little bonus quilt from the scraps, called Grapesicle. I used my new equilateral triangle die to quickly cut pieces, so the front was done in a day. 

Backing is pieced in random strips of pink, purple, and gray, set in two rows. I stitched along the triangles for an overall diamond pattern and bound it with a gray stripe. It measures 22” x 26” and coordinates with the grape walls in my sewing room.

✦✦✦✦

“I just want the simple things. I want to lay on a blanket at twilight and look at the stars. I want to breathe deeply, then exhale out negativity. And I know it is within my power to do just that. So I did. I left crazy drama behind to walk straight toward simplicity and peace. I've never been happier.” – Author Unknown 

 

A Day Worth Living

What will you do today? Make choices so that you can look back and say that this was a day worth living.

Share a smile or a hug.

Be productive.

Express gratitude.

Get some fresh air and sunshine.

Move: walk, run, stretch.

Learn or do something new.

Pamper yourself.

Make time to just be.

Laugh and have fun.

Enjoy eating great food.

Compliment someone.

Seek beauty in the ordinary.

Be in the moment.

Find adventure.

These are a few suggestions for your consideration, however, please choose your own.

“We are not here to live out

someone else's idea

of a satisfying life.”

Recipe for 2017

A toast to the new year!

Always Thankful

A Breath Of Fresh Air

Twisted Picnic Squares

How refreshing! This morning I have our windows open, with fans pulling cool, sweet breezes through the house. That's a welcome change from the heat and oppressive humidity of the past two months. I'm having my coffee on the porch as I write, watching the hummers feed. It's a perfect way to begin a Monday.

Last week when it was so hot and rainy, I stayed indoors to finish another quilted piece. This one is in country summer colors with two old fashioned bright blue floral prints and contrasting red gingham accents.  Perfect for a summer picnic, don't you think?

“Some old-fashioned things 

like fresh air and sunshine 

are hard to beat.” 

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Expectations

We all have expectations; whether they're high or low depends mainly on our current situation. Sometimes they give us a false sense of security. Other times we are pleasantly surprised when the outcome is better than we thought.

As we wait for the groundhog to appear tomorrow, enjoy a few of my favorite quotes on this interesting subject.

Coffee has given me unrealistic expectations of productivity.

This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion, that's what you will get. Don't get mad when it's not what you want to hear.

People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point.  The glass is refillable.

It is a mistake to set high expectations for people who have already let you down.

Too many people miss the silver lining because they are expecting gold.

I wonder if my expectations are too high, or if I am just expecting things from the wrong people.

Follow the trail of your dreams, not the highway of others' expectations.

Lessons Learned and Things Remembered

It's been an interesting year. As I reflect on 2015, these thoughts come to mind.

The only person that you can really change is yourself.

Things don't always turn out like you planned, or the way you think they should, but they mostly turn out like they are supposed to.

When you focus on what you want, everything else falls into place.

There's a lot of beauty and joy in ordinary things.

Some fools aren't worth the breath needed to cuss them out.

There are people out there who pretend to be nice, honest and compassionate, but ultimately their words and actions prove otherwise.

Surround yourself with the things you love; discard the rest.

It's ok to say no to unnecessary crazy.

Choosing to be happy is good for your health.

Life is better when you're laughing.

In the end, only three things matter:

how much you loved,

how gently you lived, and

how gracefully you let go

of things not meant for you.

--Buddha

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy The little Things

Christmas and the end of the year can be stressful.  There's shopping, wrapping, decorating, and cooking to be done.  Scheduling time with friends and family and meeting other obligations usually makes the holidays more hectic.  

Here's a hint that might help ease your stress.  

Just STOP.  

Now think about what you really love most about Christmas.  Is it cookie baking, or decorating your home, or giving your time?  Visiting with friends?  A quiet evening with your love?  Watching movies in your PJ's? 

Do THAT.  

Whatever makes you smile is what should be pushed to the top of your to do list.  Let the other stuff slide, or get it done quickly and out of the way.  Say no thanks to crowded stores, boring events or people that you don't care to be around.  Say yes to laughter, love, and simple pleasures. 

These little things that you love most are the memories you will always cherish.  Do more of them.  
 

Home On The Range

I've been baking, roasting, grilling, and simmering on my brand new gas range. We installed it last week and I love it! Just a bit of countertop modification was needed, compliments of my favorite guy. The shiny stainless steel gave my kitchen an instant update, and even better, it was on sale! Only one hiccup so far with fish sticking to the griddle, but I'll chalk that up to operator error. I've used gas before in the RV, but our former stove was an electric relic from the late 70's.

The chess pie I baked first didn't last long enough for a photo, but I made sure to get one of my latest creation: vanilla Bundt cake with eggnog frosting. I substituted eggnog in place of milk, and added a dash of nutmeg. Yum!

Thanksgiving turkey will provide a chance to test out the temperature probe, and of course I'll be baking my signature pecan pie, along with cheesy crisps, pecan cornbread dressing, and chocolate chip cookies. If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen...it's way more fun when you have a new toy.

Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful, and relaxing Thanksgiving!

Grateful