Happy Birthday, Miss N

My youngest grandchild, Miss N turns 10 years old tomorrow. I will never forget the week she arrived–my strong, intelligent, independent mother left this life and my strong, intelligent and will be very independent granddaughter entered this life. Tears of grief and tears of joy

My Mom had one granddaughter for whom she made girly dresses, bought her baby dolls and books. They shared a bond that was different than the bond she had with her three grandsons. Not that each one of them wasn’t special to FaMa..the oldest was her first, the second was named for his grandfather and the third shared the beautiful brown eyes my mother gave as the reason she married my father. She was so delighted I was to have a granddaughter.

According to my Mom, birthdays were there to be celebrated! No matter the circumstances—financial constraints, physical distances, or your age. When Mom turned 80 we had a huge party, new dress, relatives from far and near, flowers, balloons, cake and hundreds of photos. She loved every minute of it.

One important part of birthdays is the traditions that each family has that belong to just you that day. Growing up, the angel food cake was BIRTHDAY CAKE. When I learned others thought of a different cake, I truly felt a little sorry for them. My husband had burnt sugar cake; my grandchildren get to choose an ice cream cake, my bro-in-law chose German Choc. What?

Some families have a special dinner plate for the birthday person. One friend’s mother used a particular cake plate for just birthdays. My son’s family wear those pointy cardboard birthday hats…no matter how old. In one nephew’s family, the birthday person gets all the doughnuts they want and can eat for breakfast. We have lots of little presents to unwrap. A phone call with a loud rendition of “Happy Birthday”–it is important to have these anchors.

If you are just starting out or know a family making their own traditions, Janis made a quilt for you. Pull it out just for the b-day week. Drape the quilt across the special person’s bed. Use it as a table topper underneath the cake and presents.

The quilt measures 46″ x 48″ and is machine quilted. Spill punch on it–throw it in the washing machine. Quilts get better with love and laundry.

The colors are bright and happy and gender and age appropriate. It is a party on fabric for $125.

Leave a comment if you are interested. Check out the Photo Gallery Post. Lots of new items.

Nostalgic for Lucy

Did you grow up watching “I Love Lucy”? We didn’t have a TV for much of my childhood, so re-runs and the iconic grape stomping and candy assembly line scenes was my introduction to this much loved comedy.

“I Love Lucy” is one of the images that comes to my mind when I get nostalgic for the fictionalized America of the 1950s. The comedy is part of the cultural history that identifies a person as US baby boomer..ouch.

Amazon Prime Video has two videos at present featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez–One is a original documentary, Lucy and Desi and the other is Being the Ricardos.

We just watched Being the Ricardos with Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. “During one productions week of “I Love Lucy”–from Monday table read through Friday audience taping–Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a series of personal and professional crises that threaten their show, their careers and their marriage, in writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s behind-the-scenes drama.” —Amazon prime video

The real people were complex, powerful and innovative—-much more than the one dimensional characters they played. Although the plot jumps from the present to the past to the present, I would recommend watching it–it is worth the 2 hrs 12 min.

Probably due to the release of these two movies, the nostalgia for the past and the interest in “mid century” furniture and home decor, I Love Lucy fabric is available everywhere.

Phyllis S. made a full apron with her Lucy fabric. It is pink and grey–very fifties! She even used ric rac.

The apron will fit anyone –it just covers more the smaller you are. There is a potholder and skillet handle holder also. The set is only $30. Domestic bliss can be yours!

If there is a particular type or style of apron you would like to see, please leave a comment and we can talk! Also check out the Photo Gallery for more aprons and items.

Bunnies!

I just love bunny rabbits. Yes, they ate my lilies outside my sewing room window…and the cone flowers… and the special Kansas wild flowers I babied. Pre-Taka, we thought that the bunnies would not want to live in a yard owned by a dog and that they would move on and our flowers would be safe. But the dog and the rabbits declared a truce and have accepted each other. With this truce, we have actually named them and feel some responsibility for them—and planted flowers in raised beds and tall pots!

But my favorite bunnies are the pastel porcelain bunnies I bring up from the basement storage every spring to “play” in my living room and dining area. They live on the sideboard……


On the mantle….

On small tables….

Once friends discover you collect bunnies, they are generous in their gifts. My sister-in-law brought me little white bunny salt and pepper shakers that will be introduced to the “fluffle” this spring. (A group of rabbits is called a fluffle—a perfect name for bunnies!).

And last week this air freshner showed up on my door step from her!

My theory is that in this crazy world, you can not have too many things that bring a smile to your face. Janis R, the quilter in our group that does wonderful appliqué, agrees.

Peter Cottontail is nattily dressed in a plaid vest with a bow tie that matches his ears! Molly is hiding behind that Easter eggs. Because it is only 6″ x 22″, it would be perfect for many places in your home.

Moll

Molly and Peter Cottontail would love to help you welcome spring. Leave a comment and I will get back with you.

Wearin’ or Decorating with the Green

According to my Ancestry.com’s DNA analysis I am only 7% Irish, but on St. Patrick’s day I will boast of my Irish roots. St. Patrick’s day is a fun day of wearing green, sporting a shamrock, drinking green colored beverages, and greeting others with “Erin go Bragh”. St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, commemorated the saint’s death in the fifth century, and like many other Christian days evolved into a holiday that is a blend of many different factors—Celtic folklore, Irish political events, the huge migration of Irish to the United States and the Catholic Church. The day has become a day to recognize the contributions of the Irish to our nation–and to have fun!

Green is the color we associate with St. Pat’s day–in fact most of us learned very early to dress in green to avoid a pinch at school or from siblings. Green represents the Emerald Island, Ireland’s other name. Green is supposed to make one invisible from leprechauns! Another story is that leprechauns pinch those who are not wearing their favorite color, green.

Most of us who have passed the pinching stage decorate our home with green in March. It is usually the next color used after the red and pinks of Valentine’s Day are put away. Green also promises the winding down of winter and the the early signs of spring. Green table runners and placemats offer a spot of green that can remain out after the 17th.

Perfect for a side board top or down the center of the dining room table, this runner measures 14″ x 36″. The back side is a light speckled green that would work with Easter. It is $40.

Six placemats are in this set. Each mat measures approx. 15″ x 18″. They are backed in a dark green and the set is $55.

The runner is made up of 4 inch log cabin blocks. It is 14″ x 26″ and $30.

The Shamrock has become the symbol of Ireland and of St. Patrick’s Day. According to legend, St. Patrick used the three leaf clover to teach about the Trinity in his quest to convert the Irish to Christianity.

What could be more lucky than four patchwork shamrocks? Is is 14″ x 41″ and is $30.

These two wall hangings do not take much wall space but they add a festive mood to your home.

I can just see a leprechaun tipping his hat to me and wishing me the “top of the mornin’ “. He must know the pot of gold’s location–look at his hat buckle and his shamrocks! 17 1/2 ” x 17 1/2″ and $40

Janis appliqued these symbols of St. Patrick’s Day on wool with a blanket stitch. The muted colors are great for those who like a quieter celebration. It is 9″ x 35″ and $50.

So, if you are 7 % or 70% Irish–“Erin go Bragh”– Ireland to the end of time.

Lessons Learned, Part II

Remember the quilt I was making for my grandson? (Lessons Learned) It is on its way to Washington State via UPS! I can write about it and show photos here before it reaches him because… do you know a 16 year old boy who reads his grandma’s blog? No, didn’t think you did!

He choose the backing from an online company while I was visiting them over the holidays. He kept saying he wanted denim–that his “baby” quilt had denim on the back. No, it didn’t. The backing was a tone on tone blue that to him resembled denim. After his mom and I convinced him that denim would make the 100″ x 100″ quilt so heavy that he would be trapped under it, unable to turn over, he selected a dark green grunge.

He still wanted the National Parks panel on the back. I wonder what his future wife will think of this addition? To add the panel on the back, I had to cut the 108″ backing down the center, and piece the panel with the other pieces. Do you know now much I hated doing this? One of the joys of 108″ wide backing is not having to piece it! What we do for grandchildren.

Trish L, long arm quilter extraordinaire, suggested this pattern to compliment the top and the recipient.

This pattern was the right density and not girly. It was a quick turn around and now to sew on the binding. I have a love/hate relationship with binding. I love hand sewing the second edge to the back, but dread machine stitching the raw edge. This would be even more of a challenge given it was 100 inches square. I had to clean up my sewing table to give myself room to maneuver that monster under the machine.

After several episodes of 1883, Ozark and Vera, it was finished! I even embroidered his name, the date and “my title” on the back–maybe less likely to come off over the years than a sew-on label?

I had to take it to Church and hang it from the stair well to get a good photo.


It was only fitting that after all the challenges with this quilt, that the “quick” trip to the UPS store took 20+ minutes at the counter. New worker and unfamiliar software? But we all kept our cool and wished each other a good evening with smiles as I left. I wanted only good vibes going with this package.

I do realize that this quilt means a lot more to me than to a 16 year old, but someday in the future….? He has a 13 year old brother. I had better get started. It will be a whole different ballgame with him!

(New additions to the photo gallery)

UFOs

Every career, hobby and organization has its unique abbreviations or acronyms. When my son was in the Navy, I hardly knew what he was talking about when his conversations consisted of one abbreviation after another. Once while standing on shore looking out in the bay, I ask about a ship on the horizon. “It is a BFS”. I will leave it to you to figure that one out. My daughter is well versed in education jargon. When she is explaining her week to me, I understand about half of the various programs or plans of actions since all have a shorten title –usually just letters! My daughter- in- law speaks medical jargon. My husband is well versed in engineering talk.

But I can confound them with my “quilting” verbiage! “I need to go to my LQS to pick up a couple of FQ.” “I would love to join a BOM club but I have too many WIP as it is.” “My favorite block is a HST.” Need a translation? “I need to go to my LOCAL QUILT STORE is pick up a couple of FAT QUARTERS (18″ x 42″ precut).” “I would love to join a BLOCK OF THE MONTH club but I have too many WORKS IN PROGRESS.” “My favorite block is a HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE.” And some of those words have particular meanings in the quilt world. New quilters often have a difficult time understanding a commercial pattern if the author relied on abbreviations that are common to seasoned quilters such as RST (right sides together) and WOF (width of fabric) and don’t include a glossary.

Most of us lament the number of UFOs hiding in our closets and storage bins. We are not suggesting alien spaceships have invaded our sewing rooms. UFOs in quilting world are UNFINISHED OBJECTS. I won’t share how many UFOs I have tucked away, embarrassing but not uncommon! Why? I became frustrated or I had to purchase more fabric to finish or I needed to clean up for guests and it was put away and forgotten. Or most likely– I can’t wait to start a new project with this lovely new fabric or intriguing pattern and I will just put aside this project “for a while”. There are as many reasons as there are UFOs. I do finish most eventually and it is a wonderful feeling.

January is the month of resolutions, especially among quilters. Many of us vow to finish up projects before we start anything new! Shirley has already eliminated two UFOs that had been hanging around too long. Fresh from LAQ (long arm quilting), they are TGIF (thank goodness it’s finished) and we are happy to share them with you!

The teals, purples and grays are combined in this pattern to give a very contemporary feel. Measuring 62″ x 84″, it fits a twin bed perfectly. The machine quilting of randomly spaced straight lines–matchstick–also add to the modern mood.

I would be tempted to occasionally flip the quilt over and use the backing for a different look. Morning glories match perfectly and are a happy reminder of summer. The quilt is $200.

Solid black fabric combined with random batiks create another striking non-traditional quilt.

Measuring 50″ x 65″, it is a large lap quilt that could be used in a variety of decors. The black fabric compliments each batik and ties together the scrappy look. I like the use of HSTs –remember, half square triangles! The machine quilting is a swirl pattern softening the points and block’s straight lines. Yours for $150.

I often must look up the abbreviations my younger friends use in their texts to me– being of the age that spells everything out, but I do know my quilting abbreviations!

As always, leave a comment if you are interested in a quilt or have an interesting story about abbreviations.

“Sew” much Love, Part II

Do you remember the boxes covered in red, white and pink crepe paper and lace dollies that were created to set on our desks in the elementary classroom for the single purpose of collecting valentines. I am not sure why we had to have boxes–everyone signed their cards and in my small school with two grades per room, twenty five valentines were the most even the most popular student received. Well, as a retired teacher, I do know–it was an easy “art” project to occupy student’s time for a week and everyone had something in which to carry the valentines home–most of us rode buses, a magnet for lost papers, report cards and library books.

Several years ago, the art teacher in my grandson’s school sponsored a contest for the most unique, most well crafted, etc. valentine boxes. A eleven year old boy can not have the adjectives frilly, sweet, pretty or cute used to describe his entry.

The entire family came up with ideas. He chose to create a USP mail box. Dad, Mom and Grandma were itching to help but it was his project! It didn’t win, but he was so proud of it.

I think we all wanted to help because Valentine “art” is fun–it is bright, it isn’t serious and it is short term. The Quilters at First have had some fun with valentine fabric “art” –each piece has been listed in the Photo Gallery, but since we had so much fun with them, here they are again.

This table topper is and made from a variety of red fabrics. Each piece is an half square triangle, one of my favorite blocks to make. It is machine quilted and if you look close there are hearts in the quilting. It is 30″ x 30″ and for sale for $40.

Many different valentine prints were used to create this charmer. The center is filled with dozens of “hour glass” blocks. The backing is also a valentine print–no photo–but one could flip it over and have a second table runner. The table runner measures 14″ x 38″ and is $40

A greeting card or a pillow pattern or an ad in a magazine will give Janis an idea. She uses her magic and creates something new and even more charming. This table runner would go great with a dish of conversational hearts or cup cakes with lots of frosting near by. It is 11″ x 38″ and is $50.

As always, if you are interested, leave a message in the comment section. Have fun getting ready for February 14.

Kansas Day

Do you celebrate Kansas Day on January 29? According to Google, Kansas Day is “fairly unique” among the different states. I grew up in Missouri and I have no memory of a classroom party for my state or coloring pages of the state tree, bird or reptile! When my children were in elementary school and I volunteered to be a co-room mother due to my working/single mom guilt, many cup cakes were decorated like sunflowers for Kansas Day parties. Later, my husband, born and raised in Kansas, created Kansas trivia contests for us. I have made him sunflower placemats. It is a big deal in our family.

The Quilters at First may not have a party to celebrate, but we do like sunflowers, the state flower. They work well in January as well as part of your fall decor.

This table runner is 12″ x 42″ and made from various batiks. The sunflowers win the diagonal corners are “Dresden petals”. Dresden quilts were very popular during the 1920-30’s, but have been adapted into contemporary designs. The runners is $40.

The pillow measures 18.5″ x 18.5″. Dresden templates were used to make the petals from tonal yellows, oranges and browns. The petals are hand appliqued. Pearl cotton was used to hand quilt around the flower as well as the petals. The back of the pillow is machine quilted. The pillow is $30.

At present Kansas is suffering from drought conditions. I can not remember the last time we had rain of any substance. We need moisture and would welcome precipitation in any form–well, maybe not ice, but measurable snow would be fine!

These snow people express our feelings well.

The pillow is approximately 15″ square. The snow people are hand embroidered. The pillow is machine quilted. It is $30.

Shades of green fabric was used to create the framework of sawtooth stars and flying geese. The table runner is 22″ x 57″ and would fit into your decor all winter long.

These hand embroidered snow people would be happy as a table runner or chest of drawers topper or even a wall hanging. It is $75.

If you are interested in any of these pieces leave a note in the comments section. We will ship these items for the cost of the postage. Happy Kansas Day–even if you are living in Virginia or Washington–temporarily 😉!

“Sew” much Love

Happy 2022! Yes, it really is 2022. I wrote my entire annual Christmas letter referencing 2020–it wasn’t until I was proof reading the draft a few hours latter that I realized we were finishing up 2021! I hope your holiday was filled with love and laughter. I traveled to Seattle to be with both my children and grandchildren. Grateful for Alaskan Airlines, dishwashers and negative COVID tests.

The Quilters at First have lots of “Quilty” projects on the drawing board but most of us took a break from sewing. We did not take a break from shopping some of the great fabric year-end sales!

After the Christmas lights and decor are put away, the house can seem a bit bare. I believe that is why Valentines Day with its pretty pinks and reds is welcomed. February in Kansas can seem longer than the twenty eight days on the calendar.

Also, Valentines Day can be somewhat iffy for some folks. But affection and gratitude can be shared with best friends, extended family and co-workers. In fact The Atlantic Monthly wrote that over fifty percent of Valentine cards sent are to others than a “significant”. But we all can agree that February can use some color other than grey. The following items from the Quilters at First are sure to add some love to your home.

This small wall hanging or table topper is 21″ x 24″. Hanging triangles are in the back top corners for a dowel rod, making it easy to display. Or use it on your table under a vase of flowers or greenery. $30

Octagon shapes are perfect for round tables but are at home on end tables or dining tables. This valentine fabric with grey hearts is more contemporary than some of the seasonal prints. Measuring 24″ x 24″, it is $45.

Table runners areas not just for tables–this 14″ x 28″ collection of hearts covers the top of a chest of drawers. It is machine quilted and bound in a valentine print with an inner flange. It is $40. SOLD

This 17″ x 21″ wall hanging is a cozy collection of hearts-appliqued and pieced. To add to the vintage feel, it is hand quilted. The hanging sleeve is already on the back. $30

Bunting can be used many different places–fireplace or vintage furniture or a corner that needs a party feel. Each one is $10. One has 10 pendants, the other two have 9. From end to end the tape measures approximately 120″.

These delightful mug rugs (coasters) are machine appliqued and machine embroidered. Buy the set and keep them all for yourself or gift one to six lucky friends. These wool felt rugs are $40 for all six.

A variety of seasonal prints were used in this table runner. Due to my poor photography skills with a phone camera, it is difficult to see the hearts in the machine quilting. Measuring 23″ x 42″, this piece could easily be converted into a wall hanging. $45

Presidents Day, close to Washington’s Birthday is also in February. What do we associate with Washington from that childhood fable? Cherries!

These red and white potholders would be a great valentine for the cook in your life. Ric-rac, my favorite trim, is used on these functional as well a decorative potholders. There is a layer of batting and heat resistant fabric used. Each one is $5.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please contact me in the comment section. It shows up in my email so I won’t miss you!