It never rained hard – it just dripped all day and never got to 60 degrees. Once again, no porch time for me.
Look what I found! My nearly finished Pokeberry Quilt tucked away and all it needs is a few more berries. I have to make myself finish it.
Ran to Mason City for a few errands because I sure can’t work outside in this weather. My seeds aren’t even planted. Sad.
Reader photos
If you look at the actual plant it’s quite unattractive but the once a year blooms are worth it.
And here’s Barney!
I love Jan Patek’s work. Hope you finish your’s. It is very pretty. God bless Maggie. I have an aunt that will be 100 this September. Don’t think I’ll make it that long, but I’ll keep trying. Just found your blog. It is very inspiring. I love to see all kinds of quilting and stitching, gardening and growing. Will try to keep on visiting your site. Thank you for your efforts, it is uplifting to read. Nancy B. from Corydon, IN
Nancy – welcome! I’m watching The Fever lose to Conn who hasn’t won a game yet this year. They miss Caitlyn! Are you a fan? Everyone here has become friends through the years of our newsletter called the Goat Gazette and now Chicken Scratch blog. Maybe we can celebrate your aunt’s 100th birthday in late summer. Please email me about it mid August. If you’d like to post a quilt on the blog you need to send the pic to my email – maryehazel2020@gmail.com
How do you finish a wool quilt? Do you quilt it, use batting, what do you use for backing? I have a beautiful wool top that was given to me, but I don’t know how I should finish it.
Shirley – I’ve seen it sparsely quilted with big stitch, I’ve seen it tied. I think backings were cotton, maybe flannel. Or don’t do anything – hang it with a sleeve or use it as a bed topper. I can’t wait to hear what the readers say.
Shirley,
My grandma made us a large throw from wool squares; it was layered with batting and tied with yarn. It was beautiful but so heavy we laughed about not being able to turn over.
I saw a similar one which was backed with flannel and tied with yarn, no batting. It was perfect for a winter sofa throw, etc.
Good Luck!
Mary, sorry the green thimble isn’t working. The light green part at the end of your finger is the part to catch the thimble. I don’t know if you could turn it as it is pliable. Maybe the leather thimbles or the pliable plastic (?) thimbles would work better for you. The main thing is to get used to them! My 7th grade homec teacher insisted that we use a thimble or we wouldn’t pass the class. I got used to it and continue to use for most hand sewing.
Look at the cracks in the ground of the cornfield! Not nice. We finally got a day of sunshine, but I don’t know a lot of people who were complaining about the moisture.
In the meantime, summer is almost here. The city parks dept are planting their flowers starting today as they think our cold weather has passed? I did buy 3 seed geraniums when I got groceries this week. So there is hope?
Take care everybody. Betty in Rapid City
Am I the only one that doesn’t think the plant is ugly? I like it, it is very interesting and reminds me of my head when I get up, quite unruly. To me it can’t decide if it is a cactus or a regular house plant because it resembles both. I like the unusual and after wearing a uniform for almost 30 years, had to wear mickey mouse undies and unmatched socks to be myself and not a carbon copy of the men. To this day I very, very seldom match my socks, just put them in a drawer and pull out two. My friends think I a little crazy but makes me feel independent!
Drippy day here. Very gloomy and drizzly. I’m driving two hours one way to go see a neuro-surgeon who is said to be the best in the state to get his opinion before anyone operates on my spine. I’m hoping for good news.
Have a great day. Thanks for the pictures of the unusual plant, can’t wait to see more flowers open.
Linda – I didn’t realize your back was so bad! I don’t want to give up my current lifestyle so do not want back surgery even though it’s been recommended. I hope you’re not traveling alone to this appointment.
The comment button showed up after months of only being able to read Mary’s blog. I am so happy because I missed all the readers comments. It’s like hearing from old friends. Happy
Cathy – I don’t understand the intricacies of the blog or any other online info. Why would they just show up now? I don’t get it but I’m glad to hear from you.
when I opened your email I thought you were going to tell us you had begun some Tole painting projects.
Brenda – haha! That’ll be the day when I paint anything.
Hello Mary and everyone. Yesterday it was just like at Mary’s house. Today was so so…I went outside at 4 p.m. and was sitting in the sun and then a cloud came over and it got chilly, plus the gnats came to invade my space! Ugh! My head is still itchy! Hate those bugs!
Grrr.
Have a good evening.
Joy – have you had ticks? I have found one 3 days in a row around my waistline! I told Rick maybe he should put that med on my neck and shoulders like the dogs! They’re creepy. I’ve also had bites resembling tiny red dots that continue to itch for weeks. And I rarely have been susceptible to bites in the past!
I love the washer tub your plant is in. Your poke berry quilt is really cute! Hugs,
Sandi – the big plant is not actually planted in the washtub – it’s in a pot which is sitting in the washtub keeping it higher because the leaves are so long! Plus I can move the tub which is on wheels back into the shop for winter.
We had a cold drippy day in southern Iowa too. I went to my grandson’s baseball game and FROZE! I was glad when the game ended and I got home to warm up.
The kitty with the quilt block looks innocent. Or maybe guilty? So cute!
Love those little 30s blocks! Is there a plan? Very gray and drizzly few days here in Ohio, too.
Meredith – oh, you know me, there’s never much of a plan. I just like making the blocks
I agree! I think the piecing is my favorite part of quilting! Those blocks are pretty darn cute…
Meredith – do you remember the measurements? 1-1/2” and 3-1/2”
Mary, I saw a thimble from the H&H Show that I’m going to try and thought it might work for you…It’s from, Home of the Ugly Thimble by Cathy’s Creations. It’s a custom leather thimble. Hopefully it works! Nancy
I know 30’s are not your favorite, Mary, but those little blocks are darling! Can’t wait to see that quilt finished…just keep having fun sewing it!
Rain every day this week is great for the yards. Good time to sew little squares together to make four patches for a church project!
I counted 14 blooms on my night blooming cereus about to bloom. Can’t wait for them to open.
Gloria – did your start come from me? I can’t remember. Mine are pink – I wish I had a white one.
Yes you gave me the start and the blooms are dark pink. I just love it.
Gloria – do you know anybody that has a white one?
I don’t but I’ll look for one now that I know you want one.
A rainy day in the panhandle of NE. We have had over 2 inches of rain in the last four days. We really needed it as we were so very dry. Have garden plants waiting to be planted, oh well!! Get caught up on my x-stitching. Take care, cl
Great, now I want to make the 3″ blocks in 30’s reproduction fabrics now, my stash is calling me. Love the Yellow Cat Kaffe quilt and would love to see more of it please.
Rose – do you mean the Kaffe blocks with the yellow cat in the picture? I can’t find a cat quilt.
Yes, the yellow cat laying on the Kaffe quilt, I like the pattern especially since I have the Kaffe fabrics.
Rose – she’ll show us further down the line.
Sherbert is a great helper, NOT!🙀🥴 I’ll post a photo of the Kaffe Amalia quilt when I get it done. It’s in rows right now.
Is it GE Designs Amalie pattern. If so I think I have it.
Rose – have you made this quilt?
My friend made the Amilie quilt with blue and lime green Kaffe fabrics. It is such a gorgeous quilt and such a simple pattern by GE Designs. She had it in our recent quilt show.
Mary I love your folk quilt, so worth finishing. I’ve only made one folk art quilt and my granddaughter claimed it.
Hey, Rose – now you know how I feel – I want to do what you’re doing!
Love your Pokeberry Quilt. Make sure to finish it.
The drippy weather is making your house plants happy.
If Barney lives in the barn, his name suits him.
Walked this morning with friends before it gets too hot. Cleaning and some stitching on the agenda today.
Sending prayers your way.
Lynn – yes, Barney does live in the barn this his name. He’s a really nice cat – very sweet mannered.
The Pokeberry quilt is wonderful. Just work on it 45 minutes every day, it will be done in no time.
We had a big graduation weekend, so I’m kind of draggin’ today.
Lori, I like your advice about working on it 45 minutes a day. I tend to do things in 1/2 hour time blocks.
Nice photos today! I like the Pokeberry quilt – nice job!
It’s dreary and drizzly here in central OH too… I haven’t even been to the nursery to buy bedding plants. With the chilly weather, it shouldn’t take long to harden them off – LOL! It is supposed to get better over the weekend, but I’m more than ready for warmer temps and sunshine!
Thank you for sharing your days with us. I so enjoy reading about your life and all you do! Amazing!!
The Cereus plant is interesting. Never seen anything like it.
I had a funny story. My dog Buster never plays with toys. He’s eleven. A golden retriever mix. My daughter bought him a steak toy, a duck. He was not interested at all. I’ve never seen him chase a ball. The most interesting thing to him is other cats and dogs. My granddaughter car came to stay. The one in the drawer. Really made Buster happy. The cat, Gus, brought a small2″ plush chicken drumstick into the kitchen and proceeded to toss it around and pouch on it. Buster decided to get into the action and grabbed the tiny thing in is mouth. Trying to get the cat to play with him!
I was so shocked. He needed a cat to show him how to play.
Carolyn – he needs a cat pal!! Just like Hank who loves my cats but his mom says she’s allergic.
Mine is blooming as well. This is after at least six months.,Without watering it. But you are right they are definitely a very ugly plant. In fact, so ugly, my sister-in-law could not get hers to bloom so she threw it out!
Do you water yours while it is in the basement?
Terri – yes, I continue to water through the winter but probably not as much as when it lives outside.