I’m watching the games with a quilt over me – I will not give up watching in the porch even though it’s a bit too cool for my taste. Haha! (By the 4th quarter I came in – I was freezing! )
Bob and I laughed over a couple cards he received that mentioned I’d give them “hell” if they didn’t send him a card. Haha!! I didn’t quite mean that but thank you for sending a card – better late than never.
So I’m sure you recognize the reader’s name Charlotte from Northern California. Her dad will abe 98 on May 21. I know it’s been a very short time since Bob’s birthday and then Michele’s back surgery and after this we’ll take a break. I promise.
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Hi Mary. Thank you for offering to send cards to my dad. He will be 98 on May 21.
My dad is the best dad! So kind and always willing to help everyone. He joined the navy during World War II when he was 15 and said he was 16. He was stationed at Mare Island, CA. My mom rode the train from WV to CA to marry him. She didn’t stay in CA too long since he was out to sea. They were married for 62 years until she passed 20 years ago. He started working at the local glass company 2 weeks out of the navy and worked there until he was in his late 50s when the factory closed. He was manager of the machine shop where he and his guys kept the glassware machines running. He was involved with his church until covid and was a great caregiver for my mom. He lives alone, is sharp as a tack, still drives to the doctors and the grocery store, makes great chili and vegetable beef soup and is in good health.
Jack Leep
1601 N. 18th Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Thank you so much for thinking of him.
Charlotte – my card will be in the mail on Monday.
My quilts made from men’s shirts:
When I saw Connie the other night she brought me this pincushion. She has volunteered to make 50 of them for a church function next summer!!! argh!!!
Reader photo
It’s late and I’ll post these pictures but tomorrow I’ll post them again with pattern numbers.
Loved all the quilts made from shirts! Mary, where on earth do you find all those well loved shirts? I’ve been saving some of my David’s shirts (when he will give one up!!) but may take another 10 yrs. to collect enough!! Those two kitties look like their ready for war?!? Do they live together? How I wish I could drive by your place, visit for a spell and have some tea together. We’ve just gone through our daughter having bilateral mastectomies for CA. What a scare and shock for our family. She is raising her grandson and I know that’s all she could think about…what would happen for that sweet child if things were different. So many were praying for my firstborn child, I had her when I was very young. I was divorced when she was 4 and my other daughter only 2. They gave me the strength to carry on…I met a wonderful man who adopted my girls and now we’ve been together for 53 years. David helped me raise two fine women. Now the girls are trying to “take care of us!” Funny how we reverse roles in life. I’m really trying to simply our lives, get rid of “stuff”, enjoy the smaller stuff. It will take some time to clear out some of my “stash”! I don’t know how I ever collected all of this fabric!! I need to find an organization that can use it! I will never make enough quilts to go through it. David always teases me that I could open up a fabric store! How I wish I’d seen your shop Mary!! We made many trips across Iowa going home to Wisconsin. The best pork loin sandwiches in Walnut, the antique capital of Iowa! Many of my antiques came from there. Thank you for all that you give back to us Mary. I look forward to your blog ea day. I wanted to post several times but so consumed with my dear Kimberly. Our days ran together. She and lil’ David stayed with us for 5 weeks until she could return to her home in the mts. (Conifer, CO) Happy belated Mother’s Day wishes to all…
Arlene – I loved your newsy comment! I am interested in what’s happening in my readers’ lives. You’ve led quite a challenging life, haven’t you and now married 53 years. I could write a book, too, but won’t.
I started collecting 100% cotton shirts when Bonnie Hunter wrote 2 books about it and I fell in love with thrifting for shirts. I still have so many to use – again, how will I ever use all this fabric?
And Kimberly – thinking about that little boy! I wonder who will help me when it comes to that. I’m sorry you didn’t get to the shop when we were open – I miss the shop and the people but 30+ years was enough. I was tired.
I should try to get rid of stuff but then it feels like I’m getting ready to die and I’m not ready for that. I love. Y stuff but try not to buy more! Haha!
Thank you so much for adding my dad, Jack, to your card shower. He will love getting your cards. The other day he said all he is getting is junk mail and political ads and some bills once in a while.
I love the men’s plaid shirt quilts too. I made my 2 kids quilts after my husband passed and a few others for family and friends when their loved ones had passed. I can’t wait to read this blog every day to see the great parade of quilts. Thank you Mary!
I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day!
Hi Charlotte:
Does your dad have any relatives in the Cairo, Petroleum, or Cisco in WV? My maiden name is Leep. My Mom’ maiden name was Jackson (from Cisco) and my dad’s name was Oral (from Petroleum, I think. Leep is not a common name so I wonder if we are relatives in some way.
Louverna (Leep) Tomer
Belpre, OH (across the Ohio River from Parkersburg, WV)
Louverna – wouldn’t that be a surprise? He could be related!!!
I just love all of the shirt quilts .Anything with plaid pushes my buttons. Good luck to Connie making all those pin cushions. I’m with you as I hate making multiples of the same thing. I’ll be sure to get Jack’s card mailed before his birthday. That Hazel face sure melts my heart.
Lovely display of the shirts quilts. Perfect color combinations.
It’s funny how cats act. Like they are always in “hunting” mode even if they are in your lap purring.
My granddaughter graduated from Kent State on Saturday. I was with both of my daughters for that. It was a great weekend to get away.
Next weekend back up to Cleveland area for my daughter’s bridal shower.
Carolyn – wow, you’re on the move! But fun events to attend – when’s the wedding?
So many beautiful quilts today, Mary. My DH recently handed me a shirt that he and his late father “shared” for several years before Dad passed. Lot’s of memories in those threads. The collar fold now has shredded. Rather than turning the collar, I would prefer making him a lap quilt of a good size. As it happens, I have a blue plaid shirt that will be good with his blue shirt. The star design from shirts that you show today is lovely. It will be my inspiration piece. Now, I just need to come up with a few more shirts, etc. to fill out the design.
Ok, Mary, I did it. I just finished writing and stamping a birthday card for Mr. Leep. It will go out tomorrow. I’m hooked now. It seemed strange writing to a gentleman, but his photo seemed so sweet. And he still makes his own vegetable soup at age 98. What a sweetheart. I signed with both our names so it wouldn’t seem too odd. 🙂 I am on board with sending cards now.
How nice that you had a good visit with Connie recently. Old/long-time friends are treasures.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I surely did. A great message at church, strawberry shortcake afterwards and then lunch out with DH, lovely bouquet sent from son. I am blessed.
Running out of space here. Blessings to all.
Very enjoyable quilt show today. Amazing that Connie has volunteered to make 50 pin cushions. Way to go Connie! Thanks for this blog. I enjoy reading it and the comments. Still visiting our son and his family in Elko, NV. Should get back home very late Wednesday night. We have a friend that lives out of town coming for a first time visit to the farm on the weekend. We are very excited to see her. It’s been over a year since our last visit.
I will gladly send Jack a card, making it to 98 is truly a milestone and deserves a happy card shower. Lucky him and his family. Connie’s pincushion is cute as can be and she will get them done; I have no doubt. I have never made a quilt from shirts, but I hear they are super soft and loved by those who own them. I own quite a few shirting plaids and need to make something with them that’s easy to do with stripes. I do love anything done with Log Cabin designs or patriotic. I bet having a TV on the porch will be much appreciated when the weather warms up. I managed to make sourdough dinner rolls and hamburger buns, then put some of each in the freezer for later on. Its been cold here in Wisconsin. Happy Mother’s day to one and all, no matter in what capacity that you are a mother, it matters.
Kim – it’s been too cold to sit in the porch which is depressing because I’m missing the birds! I told Connie she was crazy to volunteer for 50 pincushions! She said some ladies were coming to help stuff and close which will certainly help. Connie does like to make multiples of anything – I do not. Too boring – haha!
Mary, I love, love, love those shirt quilts – such soft colors and they look so comfy. And the backs are as pretty as the fronts! I just signed and addressed Jack’s card which will go out tomorrow. It was a nice spring day here for Mother’s Day. After church, we had Chinese for lunch, then I planted some new plants including a butterfly planter with dill, parsley and bronze fennel, and pulled a few weeds. God bless all mothers – those who have children or fur babies or dads, aunts or grandparents who fill in as mom.
I love the shirt quilts, too. I’ve never made an all-shirt quilt, but I have a rule that every quilt I make has to contain at least one shirt fabric.
Liked the standoff photo. I’m glad to see Barney looking healthy – didn’t he have an “owie” a few weeks ago?
My eight-year-old cat is sick, but getting a bit better with medicine. He has an infection called coccidia, which is caused by spores usually found in soil. But he’s been an indoor cat ever since I adopted him! He never goes out, and he’s my only cat. My daughter, a people doctor, looked it up and found that the spores can live in the colon for years, causing no symptoms, and then suddenly grow if the cat is stressed. So he probably got them in the animal shelter 8 years ago when he was a kitten. He was recently stressed by a trip to the vet for another reason.
Dot – I hope your cat gets relief soon – I am almost sick myself if one of my animals is sick. I love your rule about shirt fabric in every quilt. I have more patriotic quilts to photograph but too windy today. I think it was Tim who had an owie and I don’t know where he is right now. 😢
Your quilt parade is quite impressive! I am always amazed at your talents. And my favorite (like so many others) is the log cabin. The Picket Fence one gives me ideas since I have some layer cakes that I didn’t know what to do with. Tell Connie good luck on her volunteer work.
Carolyn
Oh and I wanted to ask what is that on the basketball girl’s face?
It is a face guard to protect the player if they have a broken nose etc.
Carolyn – I think I should do a log cabin show, too, because it’s my favorite quilt to make. I’ve considered covering my fence with patriotic quilts on July 4 facing the gravel road and putting a sign down at the corner for people to drive by. I have a good place for them to turn around but maybe I’m creating a monster trying this – but this 250th day will never happen again, will it?
Beautiful shirt quilts, the log cabin is my favorite. My card for Jack is ready for the mailbox, I hope he gets a shower!
Wishing all mamas, pets and people ones, a very happy day!
I am the one that made the wildlife quilt for my great grandson Sam from Montana. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of it or where I bought it, but I mostly buy my fabric at Bear Creek fabrics, an online store here in Oregon. Or, maybe Connecting Threads. You might check Etsy shops and search for wild animal fabric. I recently bought another wild animal fabric for yet anohter great grandson from Connecting Threads so that I can make him a quilt when he graduates. I am at the age where I need to m ake them ahead. What I really want to do is make a shirt quilt like Marys. I have some shirts saved up and need to desew them. (make them into usable fabric) In the meantime I have been planting tomatoes and other things in the garden(s). Happy Mother’s Day, everyone. I don’t have to cook today. Yipee!
The animal print fabric is a panel by Andover Fabrics. Under a couple of names: Reflections by Two Can Art and Reflections of Spring. I searched on Pinterest by “large wildlife print fabric “ and it is available on Etsy.
Connie – thank you! So many loved your quilt!!!
Sue, I love your wildlife quilt! It’s beautiful and so creative!
Sue – I don’t “unsew” shirts – just cut them apart and save the biggest pieces like the back. I have collected too many shirts – always buy 100% cotton for a soft cuddly quilt.
Mary, love your men’s shirts quilts.
Connie’s pincushion is adorable.
I am mailing a card to Jack. Would love his chili and soup recipes.
Sending prayers everyone’s way.
I don’t know the name of the pattern but have seen it before.
Brrr again cool this morning at 40 degrees. Will warm up nicely. This coming week looks very nice so I am still hopeful spring is finally here.
You bet I will send a card to Jack. He looks wonderfully spry and healthy.
Loved all the photos! The quilts are all amazing, Made my morning with coffee.
Mary, the quilt pattern is Beautifully Done by Anna Fournelle. Please refer back to the ‘Going out on top, 2-29-24’ post. This is where you wrote about the finished quilt.
Janice – haha! You are so nice to go to that much research – I don’t even know how to do that. I do know I didn’t have the pattern – I must have seen the quilt online and drafted it myself.
I love your quilts from men’s shirts, Mary! There’s just something about all those plaids! Maybe that could be the next thing people share photos of? I’ve made two but it’s been a while.
Roxanne – YES! I love the idea of showing plaid quilts – I’ll post that request tonight.
Love your quilts using men’s cotton shirts. They make me want to cuddle up with them as they look ever so comforting.
Love your post today. I love ❤️ the men’s shirt quilts. So comfy cozy. And the backs too! Fabulous! I have several I haven’t decided what to do with. This gives me ideas.
What a standoff. Who gave up first? 😀
Happy Mother’s Day to all – wheather of 2 or 4 legged babies.
Teresa – Barney gave up first but sometimes that’s when Three pounces – sigh – although he didn’t this time. So glad I gave you some ideas – please share!
I retract my last statement—Picket Fence is not right. AI found several other options, and it looks closest to Collage Quilt KIt from Fuller Fabrics. They just didn’t alter the position of the blocks. I like your quilt layout better!! Looks like it could be a good pattern for a layer cake.
Mary – per Google AI searth the last quilt is called Picket Fence from Busy Hands. Hope that is right!! I was sad the Fever didn’t win but they had two three point attempts to tie and they didn’t make the shots. I’m looking forward to the rest of he season!!
Debbie – I’m sad about the game, too, but why can’t Caitlin make those 3 pointers anymore? She has won so many buzzer beater games with that last long shot! I’m afraid she got hurt again – did you see her leave?
I really like the bear, fox, wolf, coyote quilt!! Would love to know where the fabric came from. I am glad it is Connie making 50 pincushions and not me.
Nancy – I hope the reader who made the wildlife quilt answers your question.
I love that quilt too and had the same thought. Where can I get that animal fabric? I made a similar quilt with wolves. I hope Connie shares a photo of 50 pincushions…better her than me.
Amazing quilts tonight Mary. The quilts made from shirts look so cozy. We don’t seem to have may shirts like that here in NH. You mostly see men wearing r-shirts or golf shirts. Love Connie’s pin cushion. Making 50 will be a lot of work but boy will people appreciate them. My card for Jack will also be in the mail on Monday. I’ll send a belated one to Bob too.
Ginger – and I never buy a poly-cotton shirt for my quilts / they’re all 100% cotton so yes, they’re very soft and pliable because the shirts had been worn and washed many times.