It is a sunny 54 degree day here in North Iowa – the air is warm and there’s no wind! It was time to retire Wear Warm Clothes until next January and replace it with Trip Around the World that I finished last winter.
Now before any of you ask how I hang quilts, here are my tools.
Please notice that my walls are actual wood – soft pine that I can staple into very easily. They are not paneling which you can’t staple into. I’ve also done this with dry wall but you have to be careful not to staple in the same area each time. I know I’ve posted this before but I don’t think you understand that the staple is not going to damage the quilt. And even if it did, I wouldn’t care because I’ll always be making another quilt of some kind. Easy come, easy go!
Brrr also came down in the entry.
Replaced with Devils Claw.
Here’s the red and white Big Star – available in the online shop as a pdf download. Will hang in the house soon.
(It took me almost 6 hours to bind this quilt by hand because of my stiff arthritic fingers! I hate getting old!!!)
This area is one I’d like to change – these little quilts have been up for 8 years now – I think they should come down. What do you think?
This could be my new goal – making small quilts for this area.
This quilt has been identified by many as Christmas Pickle by Linda and Nancy of Possibilities and the Great American Quilt Factory, old friends that we knew years ago. I was able to order a used copy from Amazon – I’m definitely going to make this quilt – I already knew how I would draft it but now I won’t have to. Yay!!
The snow is melting and we have mud but we also have spring! I love it!
Love your quilts –
Wonderful pictures!!! Your tastes are moving to brighter quilts now so maybe some new small ones up on the wall will make you happy to see them up there.
Oh I am with you on the hand binding…takes me days and days now but I still love the process and look of it. We were 45 and sunny but cooler tomorrow and Friday. The maple syrup growers love this up and down weather for tapping trees so they need it.
You could pass the small quiltes you take down to me. 🙂 I love the wall filled with them.
Beautiful quilts and the Wear warm clothes is so cute!
Will you paper piece the New York beauty blocks? And what colors will you use?
Today I actually finished your Tall Snowman AND Harvey. Am waiting to take pictures and then they are on their way to St. Louis to new famlies. I’ll send you pictures.
The last I heard it was 61 degrees with a bit of breeze outside. Very nice.
Betty in Rapid City.
Betty Klosterman – yes, I will paper piece. I made a small New York Beauty several years ago using shot cottons.
You have so many pretty quilts hanging. I only have one spot in my house now where I can hang, behind my bed. Do your quilts hanging outside get much of the weather or are these protected a bit? Can’t wait to see your Christmas Pickle quilt!
Jody Randall – some are protected but some are not and they do fade badly. Like I said I can make another one!
I didn’t put on thermal underwear today!!!!!!!!!! A sure sign of spring! Another sign is my kitty shedding all over everything! That is why they made lint brushes.
I love your collection of smaller quilts, but just like the larger quilts, it is nice to be able to switch them out every once in a while.
Warmer in Kansas, too!
I have a bunch of small/ miniature quilts in the upstairs bathroom. It’s kinda the company bathroom, so I don’t worry about too much moisture. I think your idea to replace those is delightful…you go.
I’ll bet the geese, chickens and goats are itch to get outside too.
Jo in Wyoming- they were ALL outside today and loving it!
Lucky you Mary! I just tried to order the book and it is UNAVAILABLE! You probably got the last copy. Darn!
I love it too! I’m always so happy when spring comes. I know we’ll get more snow but for now, I’m gonna enjoy!
Today, there’s been a good snow melt but it takes awhile for a couple of feet of snow to disappear when the temps are in the mid 30s. Peeking out between some snow mounds today were… my primroses, with tons of little buds. They never fail me. Always the earliest blooms, along with the crocuses, which have yet to send shoots. Welcome sunshine! Please bring warmer temps and no more snow to western New York (generally a futile prayer in early March, but hey, why not hope?).
Is there a pattern for the Wear Warm Clothes quilt? It is so cute.
Carol – Wear Warm Clothes will become available as a pdf download next summer.
My primroses are peeking out! Yea almost-spring!
Can you tell me the name of the book with the Christmas Pickle pattern? I think I would like to try it but not sure which book to order.
Hi Mary! Spring is so great! You can just smell it in the air! I love your scrappy trip around the world quilt and would like to make one too. Can you please tell me the size you cut the squares? Thanks a bunch.
Debbie G – no squares – 2-1/2” strips using Bonnie Hunter’s method.
Okay. Thanks
I sew the little round curtain circles on the ends of my quilts to hang. Put old used sewing machine needles in the wall to hang them on. No need to remove the needles. Each quilt can have it’s own set of needles in the wall. They are right there when you hang the same quilt the next time. Also works if using a dowel rod with eye hooks.
Peggy S
What will you do with the small quilts? Any chance we readers could buy some? I would be willing to buy any and they are so lovely I wouldn’t care which one I received. Glad spring is coming to Iowa.
Angie from Baltimore – how would I ever sell them fairly? If you have an idea, let me know.
I think if you placed one price like you price the ones you do sell in town. Then package them and state “you get what you get. No choice”. You could sell them. I know I wouldn’t care which one I received they are all gorgeous
I am sure everyone would love them. I always look for quilts when I go to shops. Even if you quilt you are appreciative of other people’s work. I bought one at a place that was a bit cockeyed and when I took it to the counter the lady said”. We NEVER thought anyone would buy this but the lady that made it can really use the money “. My cat LOVED it and when I would put it in the washer she waited until it came out and back on the couch and up she would go and walk around and then take her nap.
Angie from Baltimore – well, that might work! But not all readers would be happy to get an unknown. I just don’t think yours is a no-fail solution but I’ll consider it.
Well I am interested so if you decide I am IN. By the way have you ever read The Persian Pickle Club by Sanda Dallas? Loved the book and some more by her. I emailed her how much I loved the book and got a response back from her that evening. Surprised me
Back from the 2nd C19 injection….80 miles round trip! Got new watch battery as there was time before our injections; got them done in the car. Had quick lunch from drive thru and since the car wash was too busy we started north for home! Met our son @ top of our hiway entrance as he was just called out for a fire.
Saw quite a few Mule deer 🦌 close to hiway @ lower altitude and a few Elk sunning higher up on the mountains like they hadn’t a care in the world. Fishermen in a couple boats 🚣🏽♀️ on the Salmon River. Sun was intense 49o up here with plenty of melting snow dripping off the roof. Wonder how far off Spring is?
My husband hung Harvey up for me yesterday, Mary. Love to see your Huge Red Star hanging outside. Lucky you finding the Christmas Pickle pattern! Know yours will be beautiful.
Hope you receive your Yoder order soon.
Launa – I did receive my Yoder order two days ago. I think they have a very bitter taste towards the end of chewing one but I’m more than willing to give them a try!
I love that Christmas Pickle quilt also and ordered a copy. Thanks for the information. Happy Spring. Sunshine and last morning in the 30s today in Texas. Looking forward to Spring. My snowdrops are starting to bloom.
Received this about 3:30 this afternoon and there are no comments.
Debbie G.
Your small quilts on your wall are adorable, but I know how it is when you want to see something new. Good luck with your new creations.
Your display of little wall quilts is lovely Mary. As you make a new one, take an old one down. I’m not making any more bed quilts as I have arthritic fingers and hands, but since I have a lot of wall space in my apartment I make wall quilts to fit the available spaces. I can’t cut and sew for hours on end like I used to, but I try to do some creating every day. Slow and steady, etc. Love seeing the photos your followers send in. It’s like a never-ending quilt show. Take good care of yourself, wear a mask, be safe and just breathe!
Mary, you can send your Wear Warm Clothes quilt to me. In my area of the Southern California mountains it is in the 30’s today and we have had a couple of inches of heavy wet snow. So ready for Spring as it’s been a long winter here. 💖🌷💐🌷💖
Your quilts are beautiful! I don’t get the comments on the day of the blog, but I do get them the next day, so I do get them!
I miss the comments.
I think it would be really fun to be making new small quilts to replace the 8 year old ones! A fun goal to have in mind. I love making tiny quilts but I need a place to display them. I would love wood walls, lol. I usually hang my hooked rugs with small map pins over my fireplaces – they have wood above them. Works great. I can’t imagine piecing the Christmas Pickle quilt! Is that paper pieced? It is really amazing, just love all of the colors. We’ve had nice weather the last couple of days after a wicked windy weekend. It’s not 54 degrees yet but I think that’s coming, it will be so nice! Jan in MA
We’ve had beautiful spring weather here too! I love your spring quilts you’ve hung. I’m glad you found out the name and where the pattern is. It’s a beautiful quilt.
Love all the quilts, especially the devil’s claw!! Most of our snow is gone in NW Iowa! Hoping for some spring rains…we farm and need it for the upcoming crop year!!
Your little quilts are so darling – however, it is fun to make more and switch them out sometimes! So many beautiful quilts today, some yours and some DD’s! I have to get my picture to you – just getting the binding done – I am slow – too many things going on I guess! Just spent a few days Dogsitting with our granddogs.
8 year old Newfoundland/golden retriever mix and 9 month old English golden retriever (they are white). She has so much energy that – I think we need a good night’s sleep tonight. Then off to get our second Covid-19 vaccination in the morning! Hooray! Saturday morning off to Cedar Rapids, IA to get our own puppy!!!
Omg!!! Is that Hazel on your quilt, so cute!!!!!
I love, love, love all the quilts! Esp love WEAR WARM CLOTHES quilt. Is it one of your patterns? If so, is it still available?
Hi Mary,
I saw on your post that you ordered a used copy for Christmas Pickle from Amazon. I didn’t realize that it was included in their Home for the Holidays book. I just ordered a used copy. Thank you. Love your blog and all of your quilts.
I love Wear Warm Clothes & really need to make it. Love what replaced it (in fact, I’ve currently got one in the works!). I knew that pickle quilt looked familiar. I have (or had) that book and their version was darker but beautiful. I had it marked forever as one I wanted to make then decided I never would. You get lots of beauties made and quickly!
Found a great hanger for any one like me who can’t staple into their walls, it’s called the “ Hang it Dang it” it is adjustable and hangs level every time if you follow their easy directions.
Beautiful quilts, Mary. I love Devil’s Claws. My responses post but not right away, usually by the next day. We are having spring weather here, too. However, March can be full of surprises. I enjoyed seeing Telly and Hazel chewing on the same log; they are so cute. 🤗
The Christmas Pickle quilt looks to be paper pieced, so many wonderful fabrics. I look forward to seeing what yours looks like. I’m with you about quilts, whatever works to make us use our quilts, hanging with staples, fine. I always tell folks, please use the quilt, take it on picnics, let the dogs lay on it in bed with you. Why save your good/best stuff for company? Its nice to see the wall of tiny quilts, I know what ever you change out will be wonderful and lucky us we can see what you create.
Kim LeMere – one particular quilt I gave to a friend has never been used. She’s saving it for her daughter – I didn’t give it to her daughter, I gave it to her and it hurts me to think she won’t use it. I wish I had it back.
😲 I love all the little quilts!
Hi Mary, like Jeannie l am getting the comments a day later, l guess it will work out in the end. Off to my craft group today, about 20 of us meet at the Baptist church in Miramar, wellington, fabulous morning tea and lots of talking!have a great weekend, best wishes from sandy
Sandy – I read that New Zealand had an earthquake today – obviously not by you if you’re going to your craft group.
Hi Mary, we had 3 earthquakes way up north, so no danger here.The best one l have been in was in Taiwan a few years ago, while my son and wife where in Europe and l was looking after 2 cats, ablue tongue lizard,2 pygmy pythons (the reptiles were hibernating thank goodness) and a large tank of fish. 2 hours south in tainan 114 people died when a building collapsed and the movement went on for ages.l was worried about how to get all these animals out of the building safely, we wwere on the 8th floor and the stairs were steep!So nothing worries me now! Take care, best wishes from sandy
Sandy, glad to hear the earthquake did not affect your area. I’ve been waiting for a report from my granddaughter who lives near Christchurch. Then I saw that the earthquake was in the north island and she is in the south island. That menagerie sounds like our grandson except he does not have snakes! Thank God! Take care and so glad N.Z. does not have the number of COVID cases that we do. We look forward to being able to get together with friends – someday.
Sandy – wow, talk about a very stressful situation! Glad you’re ok. How are Stella and Luna?