What a late night it was with the Democratic Convention lasting until almost 11:30! I’ve always said I’m apolitical – nothing they fight over in Washington will likely affect my life here on the farm so I ignore 99% of it.
Many of you will probably recognize the name Judy Hasheider – she’s a well known quilt instructor and SHE READS THE BLOG!!! I was shocked when she sent me pictures of her sewing room and thrilled at the same time.
Have YOU sent me pictures of your sewing room/space?
Reader photos
Mary in Wisconsin – thank you once again for your gift card. You don’t even leave a return address so I can send you a thank you card!
Regarding the copier – I have not had the time to shop for a new one so I’ve been going to the library in town. Please don’t send any orders for anything until I get set up again. And please don’t order a pattern I haven’t even promoted without checking with me. Please don’t jump on the bandwagon if someone else mentions a pattern.
Last week I said no more orders for #585 How To Quilt and I’m still getting orders past that date. I’m mailing out the last stack today.
Here was my highlight yesterday – highlight and surprise! Eggs!!!
They’ve been busy laying the sweetest little round brown eggs in a spot I don’t check all that often. I’m back in the egg business. Thanks to any chicken owners who commented about DE – I have a plan now. The shells on these little eggs are so tough they’re hard to crack and because they’re pullet eggs I adjusted my custard recipe this week. Custard and Angel food cake are my go-to recipes when I have lots of eggs.
This is what I’ve been busy with in the evenings and it’s just mindless piecing which you know I love and remember, for me it’s the journey, not the destination.
That box full of 1-1/2” squares called my name. This may never get quilted – right now I’m just putting it in the pile. I have a quilt on the longarm which I’ve been ignoring now for several weeks.
The WNBA plays tonight – many games but not The Fever. I’ll watch back and forth between the convention and the games.
I started cleaning my sewing room and this wall is being saved for newly found thrifted pictures or new quilts. I’m halfway down the counter but ran out of steam last night – I’ll bet no cleaning fairy came in last night to finish! I feed the cats on the counter and I let it get just too messy – and when the parakeet dies I’ll have lots more counter space.
Have a great day, Everybody!
Isn’t that the truth!?! My husband thinks it’s the young MBAs trying to justify their jobs. And, its everywhere. Constant changes and not for the best most of the time.
I am in love with your little squares quilt too. It makes me want to run into my sewing room and start sewing my little 1 and-1/2-inch squares together. However, the beans I picked yesterday are waiting to be canned. We are supposed to get rain soon…maybe today. It’s going to last for several days, and boy do we need it. We had a spit of it last week and that is all since mid-June. It has rained a lot in some places in the PNW but not here. Maybe rain means sewing. Yes. I’m for that.
Mary…did I send you a photo of my Black Swallowtail Caterpillar? I thought I did, but as you know I do have trouble with sending photos. I have been watching him closely and he is getting very big now and he is very hungry, chewing away on my celery leaves. I think he will go into his J position soon. Would you like more photos of him. I am quite fascinated by him, as you can tell. HaHa
Mary I really enjoyed your blog this morning. I adore Judy’s cutting table/cabinet and to find out it is from a railroad makes it super special. You can probably see the green envy glow in the sky way out by you. I do need to send a photo of my congested sewing area, just need to figure out the connection between my phone and email.
The pullet eggs also make me envious. I loved my chickens but I’m not sure I can get my chicken yard back to usable after the bear pulled my chain link fence off the post and out of the ground. Plus, my husband needs just about everything done for him now so I don’t think I can take on another chore.
Love the bits quilt you are working on, your piecing little pieces makes me want to do the same but I never find enough time to do it all! Hope you are feeling well. Wish they would schedule your surgery a lot sooner, I would be having a fit!
Linda – I didn’t know about the bear and the fence! Yikes! I love my chickens so much – terrifies me to think how I’d feel if something got them. They have a very big safe yard but I’d really love to see them in my house yard – it just scares me too much. Use my email and tell me about your husband. Mindless piecing is my favorite.
I love Judy’s sewing room – the L work station, railroad counter, what looks to be an iron with an IV like one other person said, the neatly stacked fabric so she can easily see to pull fabric. The cutting table is so neat – unlike mine – with some nice displays.
We just got back from a trip to Houston to visit family. Yesterday was catch-up day in the yard. I walked 14,500 steps according to my smart watch. My legs ache today. More outdoor work to do today, but the lawn is mowed and it looks so nice. We need to seed grass where the lawn got torn up for our new septic tank in June. I am not looking forward to the work, but will like the lawn. This is the first summer in many years that we have had green lawn all summer because of the rains. Most summers I am walking on crisp lawn. I enjoy this year’s softness, since I am often a barefoot woman, and the color.
So much to look at, Judy’s sewing room is amazing. It is so big I’m envious. Today I too got the old “continue reading” button at the bottom of your email. I got so used to just clicking on the go to blog I didn’t notice it till someone else mentioned it. All the quilts are beautiful. I especially like the second one from the top. It’s what I’d call a “happy quilt “. Great blog again today. Thank you Mary. I know it is a lot of work for you and I really appreciate it. I look forward to reading it every day.
I love all the pics today. That’s the cutest pile of little eggs ever! I’m not sure about the bright green sewing room though.
judy h., your sewing room is wonderful. love the walls with the black/white accents. lots of room for company and/or other stitchers to visit. the iron looks like it has an i.v. – probably not but … who would have thought to look at a railroad station for a cabinet. are there still railroad stations in small towns? I’ve been in the orlando area way too long. love the green color in quilts along with a navy or a brilliant blue. all the quilt pics are wonderful. the flying geese coloring is great. the cross quilt is so elegant. i keep scrolling back and forth and losing my place in the blog. egads.
the rescue kitties have certainly grown. i think all cats love boxes. mine has to sit in every box that comes in the house. he has two longish ones with the packing paper that he likes to nap in. i bought one of those donut tunnel things for him and he has barely stuck his head in it. no clue. maybe he’s an ‘old dog that doesn’t want any new tricks’. funny about the eggs. amazing what we learn about farm life.
i agree with everyone else about jo and the jail ladies. if you need something let us know and i’m sure you’ll get more than you need. nice to hear from betty again and a couple other ladies who have been m.i.a.
today i managed to finish piecing the pineapple blossom top (bonnie hunter pattern). right now it is 55×65 and has outside sashing (red with yellow cornerstones). can’t decide if it needs a border. already large for me, but… should have photo’d before i picked it up off the bed. made the binding for the plaid angel challenge quilt. that makes four ready to deliver next month. the seniors have asked for larger quilts than just wheelchair size. makes sense to me. i like the larger ones for the single moms coming out of abuse shelters so they can sit and read with their kids. made lots like that years ago for the shelters.
i love doing the kind of piecing you are doing in the evening. i can solve world problems while doing that. of course no one knows that i’ve solved all these problems.ha! have a set of purple/green potato chip blocks being made that way (google it). i think i need to cut more blue 2.5×4.5 pieces but i have more green pieces that can be used for backs. of course, i could also put whatever i want on the back. i went through a couple years where i put Christmas fabrics (non-religious) on the back of the quilts for kids that i donated. multi-purpose.
hope everyone is doing well. stitching on fun things. patti in florida
Betty, I am so relieved that you are fine. I also kept looking for your comment because I enjoy your response. Great that it was a computer problem. Yay! Betty is back!
Betty, it is so good to hear from you; we have been worried.
Judy’s sewing room is great; I think I need to reorganize to make me more productive.
Jo, it is always good to hear about your trips to the jail. Do your quilting students need supplies? I would be glad to contribute.
Mary, I love your patchwork quilt; it is one of my piecing faves. Thanks for this blog. 🥰
We are having great weather—low temps and low humidity. It feels almost fall like.
Hi Mary, I am commenting on Sunday and Monday. I had to do a little fancy fingerwork, but found the place to comment. No worries. I love Judy’s sewing studio. Wow–it is so nice and big. And, it is so organized. Are those Longaberger Baskets on the bottom shelf? I live near where they are made. I am still working on mine–lol.
We bought a new mattress and this AM I had NO back pain. It took a while to talk my husband into it, but he loves it, too. Men–gotta push them!!
I am head to the Guild meeting and taking many kits for Honor Flight quilts. The members are so good to keep making them and I have a wonderful Vietnam Veteran who delivers them.
How are you feeling, Mary?
so what new mattress did you buy? those of us with back issues would love to know, thanks. patti in florida
Diane, is Longaberger still making baskets? I loved them but they were so expensive. Please tell us what the name of your mattress is, I have needed one for years but one never knows what is a good one. One cannot compare them like we used to be able to do when looking for cars!
I love Judy’s sewing room. I like the older furniture and the quilt on the wall, All the quilts are lovely. Even the morning glories are beautiful, even though I’m sorry to see them in my garden.
Me too, I got the comment bar, then the ads and comments showed up.
I liked the way Judy trimmed her room with black and white. I’m not sure I could start with apple green.
At jail today many changes. The girls have been moved to a huge pod. Room for over 20 inmates. Their old pod kept get flooded from sewer backups!! Yuck. They grabbed what they could. Not a lot of sewing supplies. Yarn and crochet hooks. My plan was to demo binding. No rulers. So that went out the window.
Now they do have windows, and a small courtyard. So the can go outside. Prop the door open and get fresh air. This pod is 2 stories. I don’t know how many beds are on the 2nd floor. All very open.
Hopefully they will be able to get carts and remove the rest of the sewing supplies. They have 1 sewing machine because I took it home to fix and returned it today when I went. No scissors, thread, needles, fabric, books, extension cords, etc. hopefully next time will be better.
Valerie – I love your quilt. I have a table runner similar to your wallhanging. Your colors are great as well. Thanks for sharing it.
I enjoyed all the quilts and the sewing rooms. I finally got a breast cancer quilt pinned on my long arm today. I have had the top finished for quite some time and have always done something else instead of it. Our hospital has a night for women’s health issues, and they focus on breast cancer survivors. The quilts are given to women that have survived breast cancer. I will donate mine for that evening in October. Our small quilting group donates several each year. A beautiful day in Oskaloosa today. I enjoy days like this.
Did anyone see the moon last night? It was amazing.
Take care everyone.
Jeanine – I saw the moon! Awesome!
I love seeing all the old wooden cabinets and furniture in the sewing rooms!! It is beautiful.
Hi Mary, that sewing room looks bigger than my granny flat! I am having the carpet shampooed this morning after a couple of accidents by Bella, everything off the floor , makes the place look bigger and tidier!What sort of parakeet do you have Mary? Can we have a photo please? Bye now, have to be ready for the carpet cleaner! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Sandy – my parakeet is green – I don’t know what kind he is. I got two about 10 years ago and evidently I left the door open because I found remains on the floor – likely eaten by the cats – about 2 years ago. When he dies, I’m looking forward to his space. I will miss his chatter but not his mess. I’ll take a picture of him.
I had a friend who always used that lime green as a neutral in her quilts. They were quite stunning! And now that I’m thinking about her, she was the fastest quilter ever. When I would still be making a plan, she would always have her quilt cut out and start making blocks. Sigh …
Candy – maybe it’s that sour green color that makes quilters work fast!!!
Judy, thanks for sharing your sewing space today. The railroad counter is perfect for a cutting station and what a great repurpose of an old counter. I have carpet in my new quilting space and I think a piece of plywood will be put under my 2 chairs. The mats always crack or aren’t big enough to roll over to the iron etc. Your idea is perfect. You have a well-organized space to feel inspired in. Today the email message said “continue reading” and when I clicked on it, along came the ads and the comment section. Perfect! I like your idea of making custard with all those eggs, yum. We are busy picking up the woods behind our home and piling them so the landscaper can haul them away for us. My husband would leave them but I don’t want to be tripping over them while I wander to see what is blooming now. So, more time spend outside picking up sticks and making piles. Bought a nice book on natural wildflowers to Wisconsin woodlands and I hope to plant a few things for the birds, butterflies and pollinators.
I love the green in the sewing room! All very pretty. And the black and white quilt on the wall is beautiful.
And the eggs! What fun.
Spending today shopping and packing to go on a trip to Colorado to see my sisters. And my daughter is traveling to Colorado with me. My brother is going to stay here with my dog so that’s taken care of. Stocking the house for things for him to eat. Will try to send pictures when I get back. We’re going to go to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail. Should be beautiful!
Your small quilt is an inspiration. It’s so pretty!
Carolyn – a fun trip ahead for you and with your daughter, too. Sisters and daughters – so glad someone is staying with your dog, too. Can’t wait to see the pictures.
I didn’t watch either political convention, I am also a-political! I agree that all the stuff they fight about won’t affect me in my daily life on our mini-farm. I feel the rural areas of our country have been forgottten & they don’t want to deal with us, only the big cities. That’s enough of politics! I like watching the Little League World Series—the kids play for the fun of it! My air conditioning went out in out upstairs, so not getting much sewing done here, since that’s where all my stuff is. But at least the weather is beautiful here in KY today!
Today’s a good day. The comments showed up! I sure missed them. It has been so long since I could get into the comments and I’ve really missed all of you and your everyday thoughts.
The picture of the elderberry bushes really gave me memories. When we lived on the farm, there were bushes at the end of the grove. When Dad would go down to that field, he’d give me a ride and picked me up when he was going home. I’d sit there and eat elderberrys. They were good. And Iowa tomatoes, too.
Sewing rooms, kitchens, offices — people have different habits. Some are so neat it hurts and others are a total disaster. Different strokes for different folks.
Hope this lasts . Betty in Rapid City
Betty, So happy to see your comment. It’s been so long that I was starting to worry about you. Glad to hear that it was just computer problems.
Betty – BETTY! You’re back and I’m so glad!!
Oh! I’m so happy to hear from you, Betty Klosterman!!! So glad you commented! I’ve been so worried about you…Jan in MA
Fun post today! I am reading it in a hytte (traditional hut) high up in the forest on one of the mountains overlooking the Sognefiord in Norway. Breathtaking views of mountains and fiord and waterfalls and even snow, everywhere you look, sometimes we are even above the clouds. The hytte has a fabulous old hand quilted quilt on the bed, and there are handmade rugs and wallhangings too. Just got the fire going in the stove and getting ready for an evening of embroidering.
Fiona – what are you doing there? On vacation? Can you take pictures for us? Isn’t it cold? Gosh, I’d love to see the quilt and rugs!!! And what does a hytte look like???
Wow! What an experience for sure! Share your photos, please!
It’s interesting that some people can get comments on the email. On my email there is no comment section. It doesn’t even state that there are comments. But, now at the bottom of the email, there is a highlighted box that states “continue reading.” Clicking on that takes me to the blog with comments. Go figure! They just keep us on our toes! The quilts today are very vibrant as well as Judy’s sewing room. I am off to roll my mother’s hair today.I hope the Convention doesn’t run that late Thursday night. I need an early start to head back home. Hope everyone has a lovely day.
Martha – and I’m just curious how long a drive it is for you
Love the sewing room pictures! I can now see the comments and post a comment again.
I have tiny squares also and it must’ve been taken apart and the seam allowances are still folded over and pressed. I think I’ll save them for a rainy day. Too much outside work to be done yet.
Also. Red to send pictures of my sewing room.
I can also see the ads and read and make a comment on my email without having to go to the blog. Who knows? I love the eggs. Does one hen lay a whole bunch of eggs like that or is it more than one hen. Or maybe nobody knows. I think Judy must love that color of green. I would like it in a quilt. I am wondering about the photo with the iron attached to something coming from the ceiling. Do you know what that is? I love all the photos. I also like the idea of sewing the 4 patches as leaders and enders. I may try that. Thanks so for a lovely post!
Brenda – a mature hen lays one egg every 26-30 hours. These guys are very young so this amount of eggs took several days but eggs can sit in room temperature for up to 6 weeks and still be fine – if they’re unwashed. Guess I’d better be making some potato salad, too.
Hi Mary, in Europe when you go to the grocery store their eggs aren’t refrigerated either. It took us a while to get used to it but when I had my own chickens a friend of mine that travelled each summer on her sail boat and fridge space was at a premium, asked me if she could buy a few dozen eggs from me and would I please not wash them or refrigerate them. That was the first time I’d heard of that. Then with some research I realized unwashed eggs don’t need refrigeration.
Teresa – you’re right!! I never wash my eggs and if I get a dirty one I break it for the chickens. Once the “bloom” is washed off the egg, bacteria can permeate the shell.
The iron is a gravity feed Hot Steam iron. I have used this brand of iron for several years and love it.
Brenda…I replied about the iron but unfortunately I posted it on the comments about the eggs. 🤣🤣
Would you pass along the info of Daniela Stout of Cozy Quilts. We all have so many patterns using precuts.
She will be missed by so many quilters. She recently sold the shop/ Bernina dealership in California and planned to do more pattern designing. The cancer must have taken over.
Lovely blog posting this morning!! Your mini quilt is beautiful – are you going to put a border on it before quilting it? Janet S – I’m forwarding my grandmothers solution to a problem similar to yours….she made sure it was the person who was harassing her and then used a shrill whistle into the phone and hung up. It stopped after that. If it doesn’t, use a fog horn or something else equally obnoxious! Sure took care of THAT! That person is trying to scam you AND being rude not to stop — so I wouldn’t feel bad doing that to stop it. Yes, my grandmother was one of a kind!
Hi Mary,
I love my Canon printer/copier I mail ordered from Target during the shutdown. I periodically order inkjet cartridge refills. It’s WiFi capable too. Easy to digest manual. There are 2 versions of the Canon printer on sale right now: one for $50 and another for $60. I have the Canon Pixma MG3620.
I love those funky green walls. It’s something you see in New Orleans homes…inside and out! My annual trips to the Crescent 🌙 City and FILLED with color!!
I’ll send pics of my sewing room soon!
Lisa Bauer
Stacy, MN
Lisa – that sounds very cheap to me. Can both copy 11×17 paper? How many copies can you make with one cartridge?
I absolutely LOVE the piece you’re making from the 1 1/2 inch squares!
We too stayed up way past our bedtime last night. And then watched Stephen Colbert afterwards – what a huge auditorium of 4000 people he was in there !
Impressive stadiums they build to hold crowds now. The Buffalo Bills are getting a new one too. Naps will be needed this afternoon.
Loved all the pictures but my email of your post stopped after eggs so no picture but all I did was go hit your title and it took me to the internet posting and I could read it all so I was happy to see even more.
You find good pictures at the thrift store so having more wall space is wonderful. I should stop piling up my bookshelves in my room so I could tack up some small wall quilts like I’ve seen others do. They are too cute to keep rolled up in a wire basket.
Kathy – I can’t believe I forgot to stay up and watch Colbert!!! And when I did go to bed I couldn’t sleep so it’s a double whammy!!
Maybe you can catch Colbert on YouTube?
I enjoyed looking at Judy’s sewing room several times! I also have carpeting in my sewing room and we put a clear office mat under my chair, but it drives me crazy because the wheels of my chair make “craters” that I have to struggle to move out of. I never thought of putting a piece of plywood under there instead. It would make rolling around so much easier! Thanks Judy for the great idea! I love the furniture from the railroad station also.
Mary, I love your little sewing project! I have a similar one going. I have been sewing together 2” squares as leader/enders for the last couple years. It’s like a bonus quilt in the making. It is fun to see it progressing now.
The quilt with the three crosses is so beautiful! Lovely to hang in a church.
I decided to sort through my stash and supplies. I’ll bring some of it to the Iowa house. Now my sewing room is in a big mess but will sure be nice once it’s finished. For all of those worried about messy sewing rooms – it’s a sign of creativity. I find I can’t be totally neat and create.
I like the green walls in the sewing room. My walls are also green but more of a bluish green. I LOVE the quilt on the wall behind the sofa.
We went to a concert last night – Yes and Deep Purple. Older rock bands but the music is still good. It was actually pretty cool in the arena with 100 degree heat outside.
Mary, your 1 1/2″ squares quilt top looks wonderful. That is making best use of your time, that is something I need to improve upon.
Enjoy your day.
I have been showing photos of the sewing rooms to my husband. He is a neat freak and laments having to share my sewing space with his well organized desk. He now realizes my stash is not as monumental as most and my piles could be higher. After 58 years, we realize neither of us is going to change our concept of organized. I am envious of Judy’s space and talent.
I love your scrappy quilt.
It’s great seeing Judy’s sewing room. I sure would love to have lighting like she has.
Since Friday, I have been having a scammer calling me saying he/she is from Publishers Clearing House(claiming I have won millions). After reporting them to PCH, and blocking their number, they keep calling. I can’t figure how they get through so now I just pick the phone up and hang up immediately. Talk about persistent. It’s driving me nuts.
I have read that these scammers have a block or a lot ? of numbers, so you need to keep blocking. They will get blocked on one number so they go to the next. I noticed that the scammers I got were using numbers in the 200’s,700’s and 900’s. So I block those numbers consistently. Then of course the ones I answer. I hardly get any of these calls anymore. My husband answers his phone with Hello this is Sherriff so and so and one time Sallys whore house but he still gets lots of calls.
Ruth, That sounds like a great way to answer the phone. I’ll have to try it.
If you can tell it’s a scammer phone number…don’t answer. Just let ring. If you answer, your number is redirected to a “good number list” because you answered. Those lists are then sold to other telemarketing outfits. It goes on and on. If somebody needs you, they can leave a message.
Jo – that’s my take on those phone calls, too. I never answer them!
Bobby in MD>
OMG….after seeing Judy’s sewing room, no way am I sending pictures of mine! I can’t even get in it anymore. Every space, including floor is a jumble! Ha! Time to clean, which isn’t my long suit.
Bobby – oh, you’re among friends! When mine gets piled too high, I can’t settle down to a project.
Me too..everything in one place and comments showing up like they used to..I will begin my sewing room cleaning when the gardening is done..ha
That green on the sewing room walls was a little hard on the eyes but who is looking when busy sewing. And I love that color green and have stash in that color!
Fran – I’m with you – I wouldn’t be able to relax and think. Evidently Judy is much more adventurous than you and I.
I’m surprised! Today I can see ads and comment from your email. I have been having to go to the blog for that. Hope it stays like this! Have a blessed day Mary.
Gayle – you’re kidding!!! How does this happen – why can’t they leave it alone? Just as soon as we all get used to a new layout, they change it back????