I love to piece blocks and even assembling is ok but quilting and binding? No, just no. But finally I slap myself and make myself load a top on the long arm. This time it was Touch of Spring – it sure didn’t feel like spring outside – cold and windy. It even snowed for a bit.
And then I had issues – mostly with the blue Japanese squares – the fabric is coarse and loosely woven making it stretchy compared to the rest. Why is this never easy? Is it because I’m defeated before I begin?
Here it is on the table but it’s going in the washer next.
Touch of Spring pattern, $5 and SASE – one stamp sufficient. Cash or check only. Mail to:
Mary Etherington
2345 Palm Ave
Garner, IA 50438
I’m watching the games tonight but neither has been good and exciting. Boring, frankly.
Thank you to all who sent Diane Reisdorfer a card! She has loved receiving them – Connie visited Diane today at the care center.
Connie looks good! So tan from 2 months on the beach!
Reader photos
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I bought this picture at a thrift store for $2 several years ago – not because it was a perfect photo of a little dog but because I’m sure this little dog was treasured and loved beyond measure. How do I know? This terrible blurry snapshot was enlarged and professionally framed by The Perfect Edge in Decorah, Iowa. See?
The picture is awful but imagine if the dog belonged to an old lady who loved him. Her family took the only photo they might have had, framed it and hung it in her room at the care center, where she had to go leaving her little dog needing a home. I want to imagine the little dog being loved in a new home and possibly visiting her owner at the care center. When the old lady died her things including this framed picture were dropped off at the thrift store and she became a memory.
……………….
And this is the book I’m reading – probably why I thought of the little dog picture.
I think I’m going to really enjoy the humor in this book. Surely there’s humor somewhere in old age.
It’s 35 degrees and the wind is strong from the northwest – can you just imagine those sweet little Easter dresses and white sandals tomorrow morning hunting eggs outside the church? Brrrrr……
P.S. Both games have been too boring to enjoy unless you’re from Michigan or UConn. And to think I’ve been waiting for this an entire year.
As much as I enjoy preparing a big Easter dinner I’m always glad when it’s over! But I’ll do it again next year Lord willing! Even though my grands are in their 20’s they love those Easter bags I put together! And the girl friend of one of the boys was totally shocked I fixed one for her! Guests are treated the same as family here. I don’t think her family is very close & this is just different for her. She’s a sweet girl. Ron was shocked at all the food I prepared, but my son & his boys can really put away the food! They’re not big people either, but they’re tall. Having disposable plates & plastic ware sure made cleanup easier. My son set up my new printer while here. So thankful for him! Now I have time to do a bit of sewing & some reading. Our new library is scheduled to open on April 11th! I plan to go to the grand opening. This Friday my friend who owns Preston is flying to FL for 4 days & Preston is coming here to stay! He & Boots will have a grand old time! They play hard then nap! They do this over & over all day long! Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter day! It was a bit cold here (40’s) but it’s going to warm up by the end of the week!
Alive – Boots and Preston will entertain you!!
Wow! The quilts are all beautiful! Amazing!
It was a beautiful sunny day in Easter. Today, is cool, but no wind!
Mary,, I usually have to talk myself into a session of binding, not sure what I hate that but, so it goes.
Kids are here. Having a god time.
I love cutting out and sewing the quilt blocks. Don’t mind the sashings too much. Start to get less enthused with my quilt when I put the rows together. Detest putting on borders. Then , since I don’t have a quilting machine, I need to take it to my long armer so I have to gear myself up for the cost. I don’t enjoy attaching the binding to the quilt but I love sewing the binding down. And yet, after 50 plus years, I love making quilts. I’m looking forward to watching a MBA game tonight that the Mavericks are playing. I love to follow Cooper Flagg who is from the same area of Maine that I am from. Thank you for your blog Mary. I enjoy it every single day!!!!
Ginger – thanks for those thoughts about quilting – I love making quilts, too, actually. For me it’s the journey nit the destination. I am familiar with Cooper Flag / great player!!!
Yes Mary. I am a “journey” quilter for sure. I am the same with my counted cross stitch. Cooper had a great game last night scoring 45 points. It was fun to watch him play against Labron James. The good news, Dallas won!!! Cooper scored 51 points Friday night against Orlando Magic but they lost the game. He’s only 19 years old. Lots to look forward to.
Ginger – yes, it will be fun to see Cooper grow in his BB profession! He’s just a kid!
Happy Easter Mary from the gal who said “It’s Winter” in a chilly May morning at your camp. Years ago.
It’s chilly here but not 30 degrees…brrrr!
Hugs
Sherry Ware in Texas former shop owner!!
Happy Easter Everyone!
I was bored with the games (and I’m a Michigan fan) – don’t like blowouts.
Had to laugh when you said you had to slap yourself to get up and put a quilt on thr longarm 🤣I have to slap myself to do the same thing with housework!
Lovely quilts one and all!
Kelli – what a boring game and I love BB but yikes, what a blowout
Happy Easter everyone, especially you Mary. I’ve ordered the book from the library – here lately I could use some humor into my day……. Putting some binding on a baby quilt today as the shower is this coming Friday. Diane looks great!!! Glad so many of us could brighten her day with just a simple little card. We all need that! 🙂 Mary, for me, I hate cutting out. If some little elf came along, cut out all my pieces, I’d be thrilled to just sit and put it all together. I love to cook – hate washing up all this dishes after. 😂😂
Mary. Happy Easter.🐇
If you make anything creative, you probably dislike parts of the process.. I hate ironing the quilt when I finish a row. All those seams. Yuck!
Your blue and brown quilt is beautiful…. I made a blue and brown quilt when I was part of a bee. Inspired everyone to use the colorway and make a quilt.
When my children were Sunday School age we lived in Michigan. No spring there, but the girls all had Easter dresses even if they had to wear winter coats.
Have a blessed day
Lee
I
Live in North Carolina now … spring is my favorite time of year here. Lots of blooming trees and I already have a geranium on my porch.
I loved Judith Viorst’s book. I am 86 and I love her outlook on life. I am so fortunate to have my husband still making me laugh every day. After reading this book, it prompted me to look for others she has written. It seems she has a book for every decade.
One more comment, since I live in Michigan with a U of M alum, of course the game was not boring for us, just amazing that talented young men can play so well under pressure.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
I loved the commercial with Catlin Clark and some big named MBA players.
Happy Easter everyone.
In spite of your quilting problems, I love Touch of Spring and will not only order it, but jump it to the front of the line. AND shamelessly copy your fabric choices!
The final four games were boring, and as we’re traveling to see our son, I mostly knitted on the travel sock I brought, with just a glance at the games now and then. So weird for the Final Four to be that dull after so many exciting matchups this month.
Your story about the little dog made me sad. …. If we have a dog that outlives us, our son has promised to take it. He’s married to an ardent dog lover and I know they would take good care of him/her.
And last but not least, the quilts and Mortie were beautiful. I love the embroidered bird quilt – what a labor of love that was.
Bye, everyone – have a blessed Easter!
Stay positive Mary. Your quilt came out great.
Beautiful sunshine this morning but nippy in SW Iowa. Some trees have leaves!
Happy Easter to all!
Being from Iowa and having Iowa in the Big Ten, we were rooting for MI all the way. We thought the game was great, seeing the magic those MI players used against AZ (sorry AZ friends). We are rooting for MI all the way. We were very sad that IL lost—-we were hoping for a Big Ten game in the Final Two, but done of the teams should hang their heads. Think of all the teams that didn’t even make it on the bracket. It has been fun watching most of the games. We are not night owls so do not stay up late for the late games. Now this afternoon is the women’s final two. It should be a good game.
Enjoyed all the excelent quilts today! I finally got my March DD done, but haven’t taken a picture of it yet. I’m working on some of the leftovers from doing that quilt, which was made from 2 1/4″ strips, left from bindings.
Happy Easter to all! Jesus is Alive!
Yes to Sandy as we do have hot cross buns on Easter. It’s a tradition for us too.
I loved that you rescued the doggie picture and imagine it’s history. Maybe some one in your area will recognize the cutie and share what happened. We can hope. If you ever get the real story, hang onto your story that some one out there gave this little guy a loving home and is cuddled up on a lap.
I thought the Illinois/UConn game was pretty exciting! We were cheering for the Big 10 team, so the results were disappointing for us. I didn’t care if the Arizona/Michigan game was a thriller or not, but since our grandson attends Michigan, we hoped they would win. Don’t you just hate it when the kids who didn’t win look so, so sad afterwards? I feel so badly for them…Someone has to lose, but they play so hard and then the disappointed on thier faces is hard to watch.
You made me laugh out loud this morning when you said, “But finally I slap myself and make myself load a top on the long arm.” Now I’ll be thinking about that every time I have to try to make myself do something I don’t really want to do. LOL Happy Easter! ~ Suzanne in Michigan
Suzanne – I’m betting MI takes it. Since I have no skin in the games, I just want an exciting game. I agree – I feel so bad for the losers – when Boozer threw that pass that was tipped by Mullins he cried in the interview and my heart broke for him. Yes, I’ll be cheering for MI!
I’m so glad we are not in the 30s but 48 this morning! We had a big storm and a tornado 🌪️ warning yesterday, got a lot of rain.
We’re going to our daughter’s for Easter 🐣 today in Tyler and playing Mexican Train dominos.
Went to a Barn quilt class Thursday and met a lady that knows you and Jo from Jo’s country junction! I didn’t catch her name but she’s down here in Texas for part of the year. Has pretty red hair and MS so she used a foam roller instead of a paintbrush. I love the block but it’s more messy work I don’t want to do again. Darrell is going to hang it above the garage.
Love the beautiful quilts today and “3” in the box lid.
I have a few little cherry tomatoes already coming on! Penny and Lucy say “hey” and Happy Easter 🐣 everyone ❤️
Pamela – hmmm, I wonder who that was. It’s very chilly here this morning – 30 degrees!
Judity Viorst also wrote the kid’s book, Alexander and the Very Bad, Horrible, Day. She’s a great writer for sure. My mom had a picture of her dog that she took to the home with her. She also had a photo book of family dog pictures too.
Hi Mary, l got a professional portrait of 2 little fluffy dogs at a garage sale one, called them muffin and cupcakes, they were so cute! Unfortunately they went to the charity store when l downsized, l hope someone else is enjoying it now!Do you have hot cross buns for Easter? They are delicious, but l have been trying to watch my diabetes lately Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
The 3-inch quilt is amazing and all the embroidery on the other one is stunning. I never mastered embroidery, but I do love seeing it in quilts. How disappointing to have an issue with your blue fabrics, I do like the blue and brown combo and now that is done its off the “to do” list. Finished is perfect in my book. I read her book, I feel bad about my neck, it was a hoot. I look forward to hearing what you think of it. Happy Easter Mary, and I wish you a perfect sunday of playing in church.
I love the 3” quilt… the flowers really make the quilt colors shine.
Looks we may get some rain next week. Lordy, we need it.
Are you bring cinnamon rolls to church for Easter? That’s kinds one of your traditions.
I loved the fiction about the dog picture. Perhaps, someone will think that about Loretta when I’m gone.
The culinary students at our community college has an Easter brunch. Some friends and I are going. The menu looks incredible. And speaking of students, the sewing club at one of our high schools is going great. They have made some awesome pillowcases. Learning how to use sewing machines, measuring fabric and finding seam allowance. How to iron fabric, hand sewing and how to sew on buttons. So much we take for granted, they are discovering. I love it.
Happy Easter to all
Jo – I loved making those cinnamon rolls for Easter but times have changed – us old ladies always baked but today the young women buy a bag of stale donut holes and call it ok. Very sad to me. I hope you get rain! I worry about what will happen to my pets when I die – if it’s unexpected and I’m not ready.
Judith Viorst could find the humor in any age! Who could forget “I Feel Bad About My Neck”?!?
Forgot to mention the beautiful handwork on the bird quilt today also, what fun the house quilt is! 🌻
Mary,
I am so surprised by the Michigan game score. I’m still watching though!
I have been in Indy at my daughter’s helping her with her seed starting which she acknowledges she is super late this year! She also was watching a foster rescue dog whose foster mom went on vacation. Junior did great for us. He is definitely a people dog so I’m glad he is in a foster situation now. I returned home this evening just in time for the Michigan game! I’m tired out though.
I caught up on a few recent posts. My condolences to Sharon on the loss of your sister. I’m so sorry.
The quilts have been outstanding this month in these few days already!! I am really thinking about a scrap quilt like the one Rose made. I saved the photo from the first time you posted it and still love it seeing it again. Going to get out my #10 hopefully tomorrow sometime.
I love the photos of Mortie in the cardboard boxes. What a fun cat!
Happy Easter everyone. 🌻
Sunflower – I thought of you during the game and I’m betting on MI to take the crown – I know my MI friends are thrilled – I just thought it was a boring game.