I know you all voted today and now we wait for the results. I’m watching Season 3 of the Lincoln Lawyer instead of election returns. Vote pattern is $10 and a SASE.
Yes, we’re all glad to hear from Betty – let this be a lesson to all of us. If you’re a regular commenter and you disappear, I will track you down! Smile.
Here are pictures from Houston Quilt Festival – we spent many years doing this and it was so terribly much work but when I see these pictures I want to go back again!
Reader photos
As I was looking for a black fabric today I realized what a terrible mistake I have made all these years. I have these half yards folded and stacked with the fold to the outside – fading the fold! I am just sick about it and it’s all that way. I can cut around it unless I’m piecing a back for example. Ugh.
Look at this great old block:
Evidently I wanted a challenge because I decided to piece a border like this – it’s hard!
And it has to fit mathematically!!! Two flying geese to one long edge. Oh, I sorta wish I hadn’t started this but after struggling with this all evening I guess I can be brave and turn on the tv.
We should all be thankful the election is over no matter the results. And I still haven’t turned in the tv to see how it’s going. I’m watch8ng
I love seeing all the quilts….I love the turkey quilt—It has to be a Country Threads pattern…We have so many wild turkeys here that look like that….
That close to a bobcat…Wow….brave>>> Great photo!!!
Li made the perfect comment. This was definitely a joy for our eyes. I will archive it so I can look at it over and over again when I need motivation and lifting of my spirits. I agree with the comment about not giving up voting. I am disappointed and at 84 probably not going to see a woman as president but I will vote as long as I live. Thanks for all the effort you put into your blog. You are so appreciated!
I feel like a broken record 🤣 but all the quilts pictures are sooo fun! They are a joy to peruse. And that bobcat photo – WOW! Who knew Montgomery Ward still out out a catalog? I remember the store like it was yesterday!
I am still having trouble getting city/state with my name on comments – sometimes I grind my teeth with technology 😡 can anyone relate?? So I’ll just say it here – I’m from Clinton, Ohio!
I’m sooooo glad all the election commercials are over 👏
Oh my gosh. That triangle border. At least I have been schooled well on grain line and when to use quarter square triangles. It really helped on a border I sewed like that. Ended up piecing by hand. It is my go to. Had to ensure that everything would fit. It was a small red and green irish chain around 44″x62″. Thank goodness it was not any bigger. I think that next time I will use half square triangles for a similar look.
Children of the Mountains Update: I finally was able to connect with my church quilting group this past Monday. They are still collecting quilts and blankets and they are taking turns driving them up to the disaster areas in NC. I noticed much were not child related items so this just confirmed for me we are targeting the right group, THE CHILDREN !!!!! They also gave me 4 sewing machines so I’ll take them for our event and keep them under the table to give out when the right persons come along. Otherwise I’ll save them for the Spring Giveaway. I have everything cataloged and have sent out the last 4 notices that your items have arrived here in SC as of this am. If you have any questions just call or email me . I wish you could see what has been sent. I’ll send pictures as I go along but again, I thank everyone for their donations that are helping me pull this of for the kids.
So many creative quilts! To the person who displayed a folded quilt on the back of a wooden chair – I have one just like it! My mom designed a pillow to fit the shape of the curve at the front. My grandparents had a dresser, two twin beds and this rocker. Four generations have made use of this maple set – grandparents, parents, sibling and myself, and my daughters. The quilt was pretty on the back. I need to get cracking and send a quilt picture on the back of my chair. 🙂 Happy Wednesday all.
Jan
Is the pumpkin wall hanging a Country Threads pattern? I really like it–simple, but pretty.
Sara – yes, it is
Mary, I think I met you in person at the Houston quilt show. (Or Now that I think about it, it was Portland.) I remember being at a show with you and you kindly took me around to many of the fabric purveyors and it was great to have your insights and recommendations. Houston is a fantastic show and I hope all quilters can attend it at some point. I remember getting on the elevator at my hotel on my way to the show one morning, hearing the excited trill of voices and one of my colleagues said oh yes, that’s the sound you hear at these quilt shows — the absolute joy and excitement of all attending.
Love all the quilts! And that border, Mary! So pretty!! The picture of the pond is Koi fish. This is located at The Pines Pet cemetery & crematory in Lebanon, Ohio. One of the employees took Ron & I on a little tour & said the pond was stocked with Koi. There’s a Heron that trys to pick up the Koi out of the pond to eat & they’re just too heavy & they end up injuring the fish. She didn’t say if the Koi die or what. Ron had the pleasure of feeding the Koi & that’s what you see in the picture. We were there to pick up Bentley’s ashes. They also have a small framed quilt that Mary designed on the wall called “Bone Appetit”. They said many have asked about the quilt. They now know who designed this sweet little quilt!
Love your complicated border, Mary! You are a wonder!
The little container with the pinecones and pillows is just darling. I am doing some little Halloween and holiday pillows and doing that with an old wooden bowl. If I stitch enough to show, I’ll send a photo! LOL!
Yes, Houston was terrific. I feel so blessed to be able to go without a lot of travel hassle. Jen Kingwell and her family were in their booth almost the whole time. Laundry Basket Quilts seemed to be full of people. Deb Tucker from Studio 180 was constantly doing demos on her great plastic templates and has some new “petite” ones for all of us who seem to be working smaller right now. It seems like some of the major booths from years past are doing their own retreats and not coming to Houston except maybe for the market part. Fun to just swirl in the colors!
I would love to go to the Houston quilt show one day. I have many friends who have been, and it sounds amazing. I have been to the Paducah show many times while we lived in TN and the Quilt Museum there is always a fun road trip. I recently signed up to take a 3-day class to learn how to college quilt the Lori Heine way. I will try my hand at her pin cushion pattern. Had the first day of class and it was lots of color planning and showing us tools we will need, and we came home with about an hour of homework. I need to dig through my stash and find some reds for the pincushion. The rain has ended for a few day and I’m grateful for some nicer weather. I voted but we chose to watch a movie last night, learning the results this morning is fine with me.
Kim – I took a class and started the pincushion – which I recently threw away because it was an unfinished mess!! I could think of so many better ways to do it!
Lori Heine has a unique approach. I saw her speak years ago at the Asilomar event in California. If you ever get a chance to attend classes I highly recommend Asilomar.
I have a suggestion to protect the edges of fabric so they don’t fade, throw a sheet over them. So glad the election is over. Have received much wanted rain the last week. Have a few peppers and tomatoes to finish up canning. Probably will do for chili. Did some sewing yesterday, and will be glad to get at it again after some cleaning. Have a good day!
Bernadette – funny you should suggest that because I already did that on the reds – I guess I just had a brain fart and forgot the blacks. Duh.
Love all the pictures especially the quilts.
I just got back from retreat at 3 yesterday and voted after a pit stop. My area voting place was very busy but I was able to chat with a couple of friends.
It rained the whole time we were at retreat so we did not venture out except to the quilt store next door. That means I got lots done.
Your blogs bring up so many memories. After reading your blog about the snowstorm on Halloween, I reminisced for days about the people and time of my life of the story I wrote in the comments.
Lamoni has a beautiful library that I visit often. My husband was an avid reader and one day when I was in the library, I saw the book Lincoln Lawyer and brought it home. He was hooked and read every Michael Connelly book. I also found the Lincoln Lawyer movie DVD at the library for him to watch.
Rading about the quilt show in Houston reminds me of when my husband took mom and me to Des Moines to the Cross Stitch event at the Civic Center. (I think it was the Civic Center? It was downtown on a corner.)
When we got the Sears and Wards Christmas catalog, I gave one to each of my sons and they wrote their names by the things they wanted for Christmas.
Maybe when a person gets my age and is alone, it is natural to reminisce. Thanks for bringing up so many sweet memories!
Sheryl – I agree – readers have many memories and I appreciate their comments which makes the blog so fun. I am once again drinking coffee and reading comments while listening to the news. It’s like having coffee with my friends. I might start the Lincoln Lawyer series from the beginning again – don’t you love Mickey Haller?
I didn’t know Lincoln Lawyer was a series. I’ll have to see if I can watch it. It’s been years since I saw the movie.
Sheryl – it’s on Netflix – different actors than the movie, I’m sure.
It’s so fun to see all the photos. I especially liked the old quilt block that is hand stitched.
These pictures are wonderful! From wildlife to Houston, so interesting. Loved the couch quilts. My favorite kind of quilt! We have a little rain today: so needed!
Mary, Thanks again for contacting Betty. I think we can all rest easier knowing she’s ok.
I see a couple of Country Threads quilts in the Thanksgiving decorations. I enjoy seeing all the quilts pictured. I especially like the burgundy with the gold and white star type blocks. Great color combination.
Looking forward to political ad free days ahead!
I too am loving all the couch quilts and especially their feline and canine adornments. I only went to Houston once, in 1999. My Mom who was not a quilter, flew down from Iowa and met me there. I signed us up for two classes that were hand piecing and she gamely worked at it. We never finished either project. The show was overwhelming but wonderful. This was pre internet sale days and if you wanted exotic or different fabric or patterns, Houston was it. I took an empty suitcase to take back all the fabric I bought. I still have a few pieces of Japanese indigo fabric I bought.
Seeing all the Thanksgiving decorations is a good incentive. I still haven’t taken down all my Halloween stuff.😁
Karen’s. In MD
Hi Mary, we got a plonker for prime minister in New Zealand this time(not a woman or kind person) too! I just keep to myself, quilting, watching movies and enjoying my grandchildren (and the dog!). Going to do sleep test tomorrow, hope it will work, tiredof drifting off all the time. Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Sandy – I’ve always been apolitical because I don’t think anything that happens in Washington will have any bearing on my life. My life won’t change.
I’m glad to hear someone else feels the way I do…
Hi Sandy,
Please make sure that you are drinking enough water. I try at least for a good amount morning, afternoon, and night. Thank goodness for sewing.
Hi Li,yes l drink lots, up a couple of times during the night as a result!
I’ve purchased clearance pieces of fabric with the fade down the fold for backing. I cut it lengthwise with the fold and seam it back together where the fabric has not faded. Fortunately I keep most of the large pieces in closet storage or rooms with no sunlight. If I find a faded piece I just go ahead and cut it down the middle because I don’t want to pick up a piece thinking its okay and start something I cannot finish.Lo
mary, that is alot of work for a border. so much math. i’m not sure i’d want to do it.
the black fabric with the fade on the fold. i put my fabric the same way and have had the same issue with fading on the fold. it never once crossed my mind to put the fold toward the back. would make it harder to figure out what the fabric is. i don’t know the answer. wish i did. patti in florida
Patti – that’s what I think as well – I’d have to handle each piece to find what I’m looking for – sigh
hi all. i want to tell you about the bobcat and the owl at dd’s house. dd (katharine) said she went screaming at the bobcat who was interested in her ducks and it wasn’t afraid of her at all. just looked at her like she was crazy. she caught the picture of the owl and i just thought it was so beautiful. wildlife is something we don’t see alot of in the city tho we are seeing black bears, wild turkey, coyotes and vultures, not counting the alligators in the pond behind my house. that explains those pictures. dd is my daughter and the one raising the ducks, not a reader of this blog.
i love all the quilts tonight. thanks to everyone for sharing yours quilts. the church donation in south dakota is beautiful. would be fun to make.
the quilt i showed was the one i spoke about last night. i worked on the second one today. it is ready for borders to be added. i chose two colors – one for top and right side and one for bottom and left side. with alternate squares separating the quarter squares, it meets the requirement of adding three fabrics. i should have it ready to show tomorrow night. trying to make up for lost time when i was feeling under the weather. tho i must admit i did lots of thinking and sketching when i couldn’t do anything.
we had recorded shows from sunday and monday so we didn’t have to deal with all the election stuff. they just drag things out so much. hoping everyone sleeps well tonight. patti in florida who is glad we know that betty is okay. i think we should all add this blog to the list of people to contact when we pass.
Patti – yes, please put this blog or my email on your contact list if something happens to you!
Sketching, Patti? Would you mind sharing some of your drawings with us?
sorry, susan, my sketching is lines and boxes and ‘x’ to show layouts for quilts. not real sketches. more like i have 20 blocks or i have 11 blocks. how will i lay them out? sorry. not very interesting, but if you are truly interested, i’ll take a picture and send to mary. patti in florida
Patti – I have lost the picture of the ducks. Can you resend it along with names again? Sorry, Patti
The church donation from South Dakota is striking. It looks easy to make. I enjoyed seeing all the quilts.
Mary – I’m 76 – I’m not voting again if a woman isn’t elected in 2024. And that’s all I have to say about
that…
I’ve got 2 cats – orange and white brothers – one is asleep on a couch quilt and the other cat is asleep on a chair quilt! 😂
Nothing I want to watch on TV.
Heading to my sewing room 🧵
Take care everyone.
Sharon – ditto
Oh, Sharon, please vote again next time. I am disappointed, too, but let us never give up! Enjoy your sewing!
I loved the Lincoln Lawyer, I binged watched it. Love all the couch quilts. I’m watching PBS election night. They are not so “in your face” program. I have been knitting hats but will start a quilt next week. Have a great night.
Hi Mary,
This is the perfect evening to view all the terrific couch quilts. I needed the joy for my eyes. Making a few log cabin blocks to send to Asheville. Sewing is really terrific tonight. Take care.