Last Sunday our Church had a Pot Luck lunch to welcome new staff members. It was a huge success! The hall was full of families, couples and singles enjoying the food and the conversations–measured by the sounds of laughter and occasional bits of dialogue. The long tables were crammed with all sort of salads, side dishes, and desserts. We were encouraged to return to the food table for seconds.

Our head minister has expressed her feelings about pot luck; red jello and deviled eggs are a must. And too much planning spoils a pot luck. If everyone brings dessert–what a feast! But of course, somehow, there is always a great balance of salads, relish plates, crock pots of baked beans, an occasional bag of chips and gooey chocolate brownies and luscious coconut cake. How does it happen? My theory is that most of us have a special “take to a pot luck or the in-laws” dish that we are sure to bring. My “go-to” recipe is broccoli salad–the chopped very fine raw broccoli flowerletts, red onion, bacon bits and dried cranberries with coleslaw dressing. Peggy brings the coconut cake. And those single elderly men are good for a bag of chips!

We all know these events don’t “just happen”. Someone has to make the tea, set the tables, count the chairs, and run the dish washer. But as we left the dining room long after everyone else, we were already planning the next one.

Our Quilt Etc Sale in October is very similar to a pot luck dinner. There is a lot of behind the scenes work, hours at our sewing machine, and very little organized planning as to what will be served! But just like a pot luck dinner, there will be a wonderful assortment of items. Truth be told, after each sale we seriously discuss what sold well and what do we need to include next year. BUT then we all go home and make our specialities! Some quilters prefer appliqué..some make kits …some use one line of fabric per project…some are scrap quilters..some like to make a lot of little items…some follow patterns …some create as they go. And all our individual specialities result in a very diverse offering at the sale!

As promised in my last post, many new projects are ready to be offered for sale. A regular smorgasbord of items!

Peggy’s favorite flower is tulips and these will last all spring on your table. The backing is a light blue. The machine quilting is a tulip floral pattern, also. The top measures 36″ x 36″ and is $50.

These low- volume holiday prints are a gentle reminder of all we enjoy during this special season.–gifts, candy canes, holly. Measuring 41″ x 42″, it could be a table topper or sofa throw. $50

We welcome Janis’ contributions to our “pot luck”!!! Everyone eagerly waits to see what she will contribute, given appliqué is her speciality.

Rich browns, gold and beige batiks are used for the background. The lime green leaves add pops of colors. A very special message is machine embroidered across the top. 16″ x 27″. $55

Appliqué with wool or flannels add warm texture to the art work. In these three pieces, warm colors and cozy fabrics add to the autumnal mood.

Fall colors, cozy fabrics, excellent craftsmanship and fall produce! So much more special than decor items picked up at big box stores! 17″ x 20″ $55

Pumpkin spice, pumpkin pie, white, blue or purple pumpkins–the lowly gourd has become the symbol of fall. I have friends that are counting the days until the coffee shops offer pumpkin spice lattes! My favorite pumpkin is pie–with real whipped cream!! This wall hanging is 15″ x 15″ and $50….maybe hang it over your coffee bar at home?

Fall, traditionally a time of harvest, has become a time to gather together with family and friends–an added bonus. We will hanging loops if you want—12″ x 17″. $50

Did you use a scrunchie with your long hair? A fashion accessory that comes and goes–and it is in now!

These have upped the style with the bow addition. $3 each.

Check out the photo gallery for our large selection of quilts, baby items–you name it! Thanks for coming to our “pot luck” –hope you found something to your taste!

Before I start this post, I want to be very clear—there is nothing about quilting in the following paragraphs. It has been three weeks since I have been with my quilting group, and longer since I have sewn–not counting hemming my husband’s slacks. The only “quilting moments” in the past two weeks were looking at the floor tiles/mosaics and thinking to myself “that would be an interesting block pattern”.

So where was I? What was I doing that kept me away from quilting? My husband and I, my two children and their spouses and the three grandchildren flew to Rome to spend 10 days cruising along the Italian coast and the Greek Islands. It was hot …but no hotter than Kansas…though tough on my family from temperate Washington state. Most places were very crowded, but when four of the nine of us are students or faculty, we went during school vacation. It was expensive, but it was a once in a life time experience. A small cup of gelato cost $6 but that did not stop any of us from indulging?

We visited well known landmarks—

Florence was a treat. The added bonus was that we traveled through Tuscany to Frienza. How many books have I read and movies I have watched that were set in Tuscany? There really are villas on the top of hills surrounded by vineyards!

Florence had the best salesmen also!! After purchasing a leather belt for John’s birthday, the sales person zoned in on the red leather jacket I was admiring and insisted I try it on. It was marked 780 euros—BUT because he could tell I was a kind woman, he would sell it to me for 300 euros! Needless to say, I didn’t bring a red leather jacket home…but I did look good in it!

Pompeii boggles the mind–Learning about the lifestyle of people who lived two thousand years ago was humbling. I did not know that most of the citizens of the city escaped; the bodies discovered were mostly of the upper class or wealthy….persons who did not want to leave their wealth behind. Human nature has not changed a great deal!

The olive farm we visited was a great example of agriculture tourism. Reminded me of visits to winery’s in Napa Valley.

John is standing in front of a 400 year old olive tree. The experience felt authentic..Now I know not to put my olives in the refrigerator and the meal was fantastic!

The best part of the trip was the eleven days spent with my family. On previous vacations, I wish over and over that the kids/ grandkids could see this or experience that–but this time, we were creating a memory together. I loved watching my grown children reconnect. I often speculated about the memories the 12, 15 and 19 year olds will have on this trip twenty years from now. Here is my guesses—

Our guide in Athens set the bar so high that all the remaining tour guides could not compare. The 15 year old soaked up more history and mythology in five hours than his entire semester of World History. Aristotle had been a member of the Presidential Palace Guards, so he timed our trip to correspond to the Changing of the Guard..and of course sent us photos of him while in the Army.

Our nineteen year old –who served as our travel agent, will be the next Rick Steves. He would have spent every free moment exploring…and we never ordered too much food at a restaurant, we would just pass our plates to that end of the table. He was with Grandpa at the olive oil tasting, when Grandpa stuck a toothpick into a jar of what he thought was olive spread and put it in his mouth. It was hand cream. Pretty sure that is a memory that will be shared over and over.

I am so grateful for this experience and thank you for allowing me to share the highlights with you. And know, when I was a bit stressed or stuck in a long wait, I often calmed myself by dreaming about my next quilting project!

Next week there will be lots of new quilt finishes–I promise!

Yesterday was the first day of summer, astronomically speaking. Our local weatherman tells us the first day of summer, meteorologically, begins June 1. And if you ask my family in southern Texas, summer began mid-April given the mid 90’s temperatures. But, yesterday had the most hours of sunlight, and today we start the journey back to winter solstice.

Did you do anything special with those extra minutes of sunshine? Much like the “extra” hour we get in November when the clocks are set back an hour, I find the body will only do so much no matter how much sun shine there is or the time on the clock. But, in the winter months with darkness coming earlier, my mind does allow me to stop “doing” sooner. Maybe I do get more done in the summer, hmm?

Are you on “team summer” or “team winter”? Not putting on multiple layers of clothing to walk the dog in the summer is nice. Spending more time in my sewing room in the winter because I am not watering flowers or doing lawn work is appreciated. Planning an event in the summer and not adding the phrase-“if the weather permits”–meaning if there are no icy roads, is good. Less laundry in the winter–a sweater may be worn several times–a t-shirt worn just one afternoon in the Kansas summer is ready for the wash. When it is summer, I think fondly of the winter months and vice versa. Perhaps that is why Autumn is so popular. Aside from pumpkin spice, you get a little of summer and winter. Deep down I like living in a four season climate.

The Quilters at First sew for all the season all year. This week we had finished projects for Christmas, the Fourth of July and year-round use.

This lap or nap quilt is 56″x 60″. The fabric for the quilt was chosen by my daughter who is more adventurous in her selections. I love it, but would have been hesitate to use all the prints together. The flying geese are in sets of three going up, down, left and right. The backing is a soft solid grey. The machine quilting is side to side and the motif echos the leaf shape in one of the prints. $175

Shirley brought three table runners!

Christmas presents all wrapped up for your dinning table. These packages have ribbons and bows. The machine quilting is especially designed for this runner. The backing is a whimsical print that has become part of our holiday traditions–Charlie Brown and his tree! This scene stealer is 16″ x 55″ and is $60.

All you Kansans–here is your table runner–

Not especially any one season, but it does give off a restful, chilling vibe…maybe the blue binding. The backing and hand binding allows this runner to be reversible. It is washable so you can leave it on the table when you put the salads out for lunch. 16″ x 47″. $40

A vintage hand and machine quilted wall hanging– (sorry, it needs pressed)–$25.

One of the best things about summer–your grandchildren and the teacher in your family can spend time with you! We are on a two week vacation with my immediate family, so I am packing my walking shoes, sunscreen and off to make some memories I will look back on this winter!

Change is difficult! Nothing you did not know, but it just needed saying . The Quilters at First said good bye to Rev. Rebecca Goltry-Mohr yesterday. Rev. Rebecca has been the Associate Ministry at First United Methodist Church for seven years and one of the greatest supporters of our Quilt Sale and on-line sales. In the Methodist Church the appointments are not for life—and we were lucky to have her with us seven years. True, we had to educate her about the Quilt Sale but she was a quick learner and she probably has more quilts in her home than the average 30 year old!

We gifted her with a “gift certificate” –so she could pick out what she wanted either at the sale or on-line. And gift certificate was a sneaky way to make sure she would come see us at the sale in October—shhh, that is our secret.

We wish her the best in her new chapter of learning and serving. We are happy she will get to spend more time with her two daughters at this stage of their childhood. Our hearts of full of gratitude for all she gave to our church and the community. But, gosh, we are going to miss her smile! And to our new in-coming associate minister, give us some time to adapt to the change–we will embrace you and your family– but know you have some mighty big shoes to fill!

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New projects in the quilt room–

Four summer placemats–that could be reversible. The faux flange adds a bit of blue with the red stars. The a machine quilted and bound. They are washable. 4 for $40. 14″ x 16″

Pennants add a festive mood to a party–for a birthday, new home, graduation, baby shower—what ever the occasion. The fabric ones may be used over and over.

There are 10 flags–the length is approximately 80 inches. $10

I share an opinion with my daughter that all I need to be organized is the right containers. These little “thread” catchers help organize your sewing space or your office or the bed side table. Only $10 each

You do realize that Christmas is only 6 months away, don’t you?–well, five if you start decorating your home the end of November! This 55″ x 61″ lap quilt has an old fashioned “yuletide” or perhaps Victorian feel. It is machine quilted and hand bound on a cotton/polyster batting. The backing is the from the same fabric line. $125

And if you are looking for a gift and not sure what to give–we will make-up a gift certificate in any amount for use at the sale or on-line. And thanks for helping deal with changes…..

Memorial Day Weekend—as many meanings and memories as there are readers. Memorial Day, or as many of us grew up calling it Decoration Day, was created immediately after the Civil War to honor the Union soldiers who gave their lives to preserve the Union. After World War I the federal government declared the day was for all who had sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

Memorial Day has become the “official” start of summer with pools opening, car races, trips to the lake, cook outs and Memorial Day sales on everything! And even though I shop the sales and serve hamburgers, I do spend time remembering the lives and services that allowed me to enjoy my lifestyle.

My paternal grandfather suffered from the effects of mustard gas in the French trenches during World War I. My father landed on Omaha beach during D-Day and was injured in the hedge rows by German shelling. My son was on some of the very first flights over Afghanistan post 9-11. I will always remember their service. But I will also honor those who persevered here—a great-grandmother that strapped my grandmother to her chest so that she could continue the work of her dead husband on their prairie homestead. Or the grandparents that survived the 1930’s on a rocky Ozark farm but make sure their children were feed and educated. My grandmother who did not hear from my father or the army for six weeks after D-Day but had received a package of his personal effects in the mail. I will honor my mother who washed dishes at night in a cafe to pay for her college tuition and my father who read grown up books to me after a day in the fields.

My parents honored our families by decorating their graves with flowers from our yard. Peonies buds were cut during May and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in newspaper for Decoration Day. Honeysuckle was gathered and put in chipped mason jars. We traveled only a few miles to the cemetery with the flowers and jugs of water and divided the flowers among the graves. I may not be able to honor them today by placing flowers on their graves but I am grateful and they will live forever in my memories.

The time between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July has become the “red, white and blue” season. The strong colors of our flag are used everywhere! We created a red, white and blue showcase in the halls of First United Methodist.

Obviously we like this color combo –these were pulled from our stash that we have preparing for the October Quilts Etc. Sale.

These placemats were made later.

The placemats are 12″ x 16″ and could be reversible. They are machine quilted and the binding features a faux flange. They are machine washable. $40 for 4

More quilts from our cupboards that could be in this theme of red, white and blue that are for sale. And of course, these would be a great addition to your home anytime in the year!

We just keep adding items to our cupboards–here are the latest additions.

Made from cozy flannel squares, the quilt is lap size, 45″ x 54″. It is machine quilted with a machine applied binding. The backing is also flannel—perfect for snuggling. $100

Ready for Halloween –Heather made two versions of a spooky table runner. One is 13″ x 23″ for $30 and the larger one is 14″ x 30″ for $40. Those little witches don’t look to scary!

Elaine contributed these two utilitarian bags from pre-quilted fabric.

Use these for shopping bags, pool bags, —they are sturdy, washable and $15 each.

Enjoy a hamburger–make that a cheeseburger, for me this week end. And remember that each of us are enjoying this life because of the many people who gave it their all —

Been to a Little League baseball game lately? I attended three this past week end to cheer for my “out-of-state” great nephew in a local tournament. I am much more familiar with league and select soccer which moves along much quicker than baseball, so I had plenty of time to observed the crowd. I quickly realized Little League baseball has an entirely different language than pro baseball and certainly than soccer. Little league baseball parents could go an entire game without saying anything original. Here are a few of the phrases used (over and over):

You got it, buddy!

Shake it off!

Stay tall!

Reset!

Stay in the secondary. (this is to the catcher)

Challenge him!

Bring the gas!

Protect the plate!

It only hurts for a second!

Back that up!

Contrary to all the posts on Facebook etc, I really never heard anything negative or put downs. There were a few mutterings about the umpire but nothing ugly.

As I set there in the hottest day of the year–so far, slathered in sun screen, I thought of the words of encourage I hear weekly from quilters to other quilters. We don’t have the incredible number of phrases, but here are some of ours.

“It will be used somewhere”–fabric purchased because you just liked it or it was a great bargain–the buyer is feeling a bit guilty but the rest of us are assuring her the purchase wasn’t a waste of money.

“It will quilt out” Oops, there is a wonky seam or pucker! This is an assertion that it won’t be noticed after it is quilted.

“It will press out” Again-a pucker or noticeable easing of a larger piece of fabric to a small piece that can be made less obvious with some serious pressing.

“Someone will like it”. This phrase may be particular to us since we make things to sell. When a project is really different- not a good way or maybe even edging toward ugly, but we must included it in our sale offerings, we offer up the hopeful phrase that someone will buy it.

“Interesting” I really don’t want to hear someone say this about my projects..see above.

“It will never be noticed on a galloping horse” A mistake or small flaw is not noticeable, especially from a far.

“Cheaper than therapy” An excuse for spending $$ on fabric or quilting tools

“Finished is better than Perfect” Motivation to finish a project rather than let it set on a closet shelf.

If you are interested in joining our group, we will teach you our favorite used phrases of encouragement plus the common quilters jargon–“stitch in the ditch”, “chain piecing”, “fussy cut”–but that is another post!

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Most of us are in the middle of working on new projects and did not have many finished projects this week….but there were a few.

This bright 50″ x 50″ quilt would be prefect for picnics or watching the Wind Surge from the hill. My grandchildren always wanted a quilt in the car to snuggle under after a chilly soccer game or on a road trip. $75

I have already purchased one of these soft toddler books for a “soon-to-be” great nephew or niece. The books can be chewed on without ruining it. They make no noise when dropped from a pew or high chair! Perfect size for little hands. $25 each

How many hours went into this queen size hand embroidered, hand quilted quilt? It would be the perfect bed cover for a vintage theme room. It measures 81″ x 93″ and is in perfect condition.

This wall hanging or table runner was made with a Sandy Gervais line called Merry and Bright. It is 22.5″ x 26.5″ and offered for $40. Not too early to shop for Christmas!

Have a good week and remember–“You got this, Buddy!”