I always say “everybody has a story” and I get caught up with my online friends’ lives and stories and one of those friends is living in a care center in Minneapolis, MN. With Rick home to watch the animals, he has encouraged me to go places when I feel the urge so yesterday I drove to Minneapolis to meet Ann. We had a delightful visit for several hours – she is very witty, sarcastic in a funny way and into genealogy as well as being a quilter among other talents. Too bad she doesn’t live a little closer. It was a good day!
Glad you all enjoyed Ernie Joe Mauer’s story. I’ll try to slip him into the conversation now and then.
Here’s a quilt I finished lately from the book Strip Savvy by Kate Henderson. It’s called Windfarm, quilted in straight lines, of course and with a lively back.
As I folded it to put it on the stack of finished quilts, Colton showed up to help.
Here is one of my Labor Day boarders – Lucy, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, 2 years old and VERY lively. Like I always say though, the first day is the worst – tomorrow she’ll be tired. And by Tuesday night I will be exhausted. Two more dogs coming this afternoon and Bentley coming to spend Friday night as well. Ya gotta love dogs to want to do this! And I do!
Love your new quilt! Lucy is beautiful! So glad you can “roam free” once in a while. Friends are as priceless as pets and family. I was excited to get a package from Homested Hearth yesterday that contained four of your older patterns. They ran a terrific sale. My pattern library is starting to look like I was a regular at your shop! Too bad I wasn’t but you know……the distance thing!
Pam in NC but a former Iowa girl.
Glad to see that Colton is still with you. When I was working my way through the Charm School books and a new member of the charm club, I suggested to my husband that a visit to Garner and your shop would be a great trip. He looked at me like I was crazy. Then I told him about the cats, goats, ducks, dogs, and other farm friends. He thought it was a wonderful idea, and he spent a morning playing with the cats and watching the other animals while I had much fun shopping at Country Threads. Colton was a favorite. Loved hearing how EJM got his name.
How nice, you r able to venture, I am sure Anne enjoyed your visit…
Fun weekend w your pet visitors..
Regards from AZšµšµ
You also have to have a husband who doesn’t mind! š
Sharon – Amen to that – he has to love dogs, too, and thankfully he does!
How nice of you driving all that way to meet Ann! I’m sure you had a lovely time.
I like you new quilt better than the one in the book! The colors are beautiful.
Thanks for posting pictures of the dogs! I’m a dog lover so I understand why you do what you do! They are luck pups to have such a great place to stay when their families have to be away. I felt so badly when you lost your dog and then a few months later we lost one of ours suddenly. My heart is still broken even though we have another one.
Thanks for sharing the story about Ernie Joe Mauer. Your blog is such fun to read.
Ellie – thanks so much. What kind is your new dog?
Your blog is always enjoyable to read…like sitting chatting with a nice neighbor. Loved your cat story yesterday as they are so precious. I think your quilt looks better than the one in the book. Enjoy the dogs this weekend visiting you while their human owners grab one last summer holiday weekend.
Love your blog especially the animal stories.
Did you guys ever have a crazy quilt pattern? I’ve just acquired quite a bit of velvet and would love to try making a crazy quilt with it
Margie B
Margie – no, we never had a crazy quilt pattern but I’ll bet you can find one online pretty easy.
Always love to see Colton…Tuxedo Love! Today a little grey and white cat showed up in our ivy bed. It’s been hanging around for a while, I’ve seen little muddy paw prints on outdoor furniture. It didn’t shy away from my husband….I don’t know if it’s a stray but I sure wish we had a barn because our winters can be brutal in Buffalo NY. If it doesn’t have a Home I will have to make it one of those feral shelters. We kept a stray going one year with one of those,
I”ll bet Ann loved your visit—nice:) Does Lucy have curly hair? I thought it looked a little curly. I love the quilt, too, and the back is wonderful. Great weather in Central Ohio today–79 degrees but little humidity:) Have a great Labor Day Weekend.
Diane – Lucy has typical Chesapeake hair – sorta wavy and longer than a lab but shorter than a golden retriever.
Mary, you certainly brightened my day with your presence. I loved every minute of it and hope I didn’t talk your ear off!! Thanks for the names of other towns to check out, I’ll stretch my boundaries a bit wider.
I need to get back in touch with my fabric…So I can make quilts as quickly as you do. Trouble is, you finish yours and I’m more of a topper than a finisher. Love your newest quilt!
Enjoy the long weekend with your next group of 4-legged babies!!
Ann – I enjoyed our visit, too! Good luck on your search – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
I’m wondering if you’ve ever posted the kind of batting you like to use?
Pam – I like to use batting that’s very thin – not fussy about brand or type.
Glad to hear you are back with the living again. Being sick is a complete waste of time.
Remember I made the little 2″ paper pieced log cabin blocks in all the colors of the rainbow. The miniature is ready for the borders, but I’ve got to be in the mood to work with the black. All the time I was making the little blocks, I kept thinking about making them in a big quilt–10 1/2″ blocks. I’ve got just 2 rows to go just using fabric I already have and not buying more. It is such fun to make all the different blocks and it is amazing on the 1/4 yd pieces of fabric I got at least 30 years ago. The colors are wonderful using all the crayons in the box and then some. Plus I’ve found your fabrics from Wear Warm Clothes, Farm Life, and the rag rug prints. The sad part is the quilt isn’t making a dent in the stash. I’ll keep trying!
Betty – make those big log cabin blocks and it will make a bigger dent in your fabric collection.
What a nice picture of you and Ann, Mary!! She looks very sweet! I should have ridden along with you and went to see Pam! Maybe next time!!
b
Becky – yes, I think Ann lives in Pams part of the city or not far. Next time for sure.
Love the new quilt and all the fabrics! Especially the yellow with the black and white swirls-reminds me of the “Beetlejuice” movie.
Love your quilt!
Mary, I guess someone’s ears were burning after my previous comments. I answered a phone here today and it was no other than Trump!! Hate those robo calls no matter the caller.
Your Windmill quilt is so pretty…..and it was wonderful for you to get away and visit with Ann.
We’re having a two family garage/yard sale Saturday…in CT it would be a TAG sale. Don’t like to part with some Country Thread patterns, but I’d already sewn them so hope someone else will enjoy them as much as I did.
One of my uncles had a curly haired Chesapeake Retriever…she was so good watching and playing with all of my young cousins. Good to see you are feeling better.
Thanks, Launa – I am now feeling fine. Yes, pass those CT patterns on to someone else. Garage sales are lots of work! This Chesapeake is such a high energy dog – she’s a handful!