I am grateful for…maintenance

Gratitude is one of my tools for keeping me centered! I have a set list I acknowledge daily. They usually are the standard–a warm bed, health, loving family and my dog! But this week I have thought a bit more about my list. My minister listed gratitude as one antidote to anxiety and disappointment. A friend has started a gratitude list on Facebook. In the mean time, I have been busy with appointments–those annual medical ones that seem a lot more often than yearly, the six month ones–I strongly dislike going to the dentist and having someone poking around in my mouth –and the monthly ones–such as hair cuts. As I drove home from an appointment, I pondered the cost and time I spend on maintenance–maintenance on me and my home. But then I visualized what my existence would be without the funds, resources and knowledge that I have access to that allows me to maintain. I came to the conclusion that I should add “maintenance” to my daily list of “I am thankful for..”

I volunteer one day a week at a large food ministry. I visit with scores of clients who live on a very limited income. Often there is no incoming income. In most cases, these clients have no money to spend on “maintenance”. I was shocked at the number of people with missing teeth or rotten teeth. I will chat with folks whose heat or air conditioning has stop working. Many of the clients need someone to bring them to the facility because their vehicle no longer runs. They just didn’t have the resources to maintain healthy teeth or to have the heater check yearly or to have the oil changed at the appropriate time.

When I taught Sewing 101 in high school, I was constantly surprised that students and/or the student’s parents would throw away a shirt if the button came off or if a seam came apart. After one day’s lesson on “sewing on buttons”, I would be shown a rescued blouse or jacket because they now knew how to repair the garment. Maintenance requires skills .

Maintenance is facilitated by having a circle of friends, family and acquaintances that will point in the right direction or lend a hand.

Maintenance is usually not exciting. Repairing a blouse is satisfying but no one is going to compliment you on your new top. We don’t invite guests to admire our ac unit after the yearly check up! And even the most diligent maintenance will not keep our cars, clothes, water heaters or bodies from wearing out! But regular maintenance will make the road to the end smoother.

So, to my generic list of “what I am grateful for….” I am adding the resources to maintain.

My Quilting Group at FUMC is also on my gratitude list! I am amazed and thankful I have such talented and creative friends. Look what came this week!

This adaptation of a nine-patch is everything Christmas –from the tradition deep reds and greens to the motifs quilted over the 54″ x 73″ lap quilt. The red and green stripe used in the binding is the perfect final touch. Drape this quilt over the back of your sofa and your home is “beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. $100 SOLD

And speaking of Christmas decorating–

These gingerbread men are surrounded by peppermints! They wear red and white vests and sport rick rack trim. The table runner is 12″ x 42.5″, machine quilted and hand bound. All this sweetness is $50.00

This quilt is not technically Christmas, it could be out all winter.

The winter birds –chick-a-dees and cardinals are framed in various red and green prints.

There is a rule of thumb that the more shades and hues of a color used, it is less important that all the fabrics “play together well”.

Can you count all the different tones and shades of purple in this quilt? They seem to be “playing together well”. The quilt is lap size, 52″ x 70″ and is quilted with lots of angles. It is hand bound and would a great quilt for someone going to a “purple” school but didn’t want an “in your face” school mascot quilt. $150 SOLD

Most Moms-to-be today are opting for non traditional “baby” colors. This small quilt is non-gender specific and features big bright colors.

This is a castle for a mermaid princess. It is soft flannel. The castle is appliquéd. It is firmly tied and is washable–even princesses get their blankets a bit soiled! It measures 50″ x 52″ and is $75.

This quilt could be either a wall hanging or a child’s quilt or a lap quilt.

All these flowers are machine appliquéd. The quilt is machine quilted. Measures 48″ x 48″ and is $150.

This red white and blue quilt would be perfect for your summer time picnic table or thrown over a swing on the porch.

Your favorite quilter would enjoy this stocking filled with fat quarters, new shears and the newest notions. Stockings are about the best part of Christmas morning. Both stockings are $25 each.

A new group of hand embroidered tea towels arrived via Peggy. $9 each–all cotton muslin–great for drying china.

We will have lots of vintage quilts at the sale–this is a hand embroidered hand quilted baby quilt. 37″ x 48″. $30

The baby this comforter was made for is over 30 years old, so we are going to call it “vintage”. This pre quilted fabric was backed and tied. The decorative edge is “prairie points”. 33″ x 44″ $30

I have so very much to be grateful–and on that list is you. Thank you for taking the time to read my random thoughts and to preview all the lovely items we will have at the Quilt Etc. Sale next week! See you there!