Here was the dark sky looking north to where Becky lives in Forest City.
This was us.
They got 2.7” and we got about 10 drops. There was a tornado spotted just west of Becky, too. Very unsettled weather.
Reader photos
The same reader scored these shears for $2!
I answered a reader’s comment about what to do with all the fabric she’s accumulated – guild sale table, Etsy, church mission quilts. Can you give me more ideas? We all have the same problem.
I am behind on reading posts. But I just saw the post on your chicken. I had one like that to and they will peck her to death. When they see red like what’s on her back that’s what they do and they eat them. You need to make her a chicken jacket. You are so talented you can do that. Just don’t have any red in the fabric. Look it up online. There are free patterns everywhere and they look so cute in them. That will stop the pecking and maybe the rooster will leave her alone. Hope you see this post, I feel for the chicken. You can also put blue coat on it, it’s a medicine to heal and cover the red.
Carol – I even ordered some chicken capes but they were too small. With the elastic under the wings I wonder if that won’t hurt her. Have you ever heard of putting Vicks on a chicken? A reader said her mother used to do it. I’ll catch her tomorrow – should I bathe her back with Epsom salts maybe? Just water won’t disinfect
Sounds like everyone is super busy! I’m doing peaches, I can’t seem to give them away. Took some to the vets, neighbors have taken all they want. I’m going to put them on Nextdoor. I haven’t done any sewing. I’ll have to wait till fall. We had a quick storm but now it’s just hot. Love Hazel and Keeper, they must have such fun.
Another idea if you want to use a lot of fabric quickly 🙂
is to make Little Dresses for Africa https://littledressesforafrica.org/
They have a pattern for dresses made with a t-shirt top, but you don’t have to use that pattern. The main idea is that the families do not have the ability to repair buttons or zippers, so the dresses need to just slip over the head or tie at the neck or shoulders. I like to make reversible toddler-style dresses just a little longer than the pattern that tie at the shoulders so that they wear longer. The organization needs all sizes as well as shorts for boys and menstrual pads for older girls and women. If you just want to donate fabric, you could contact a coordinator who could help you. I know a woman who has made over 1200 dresses and could probably make them in her sleep!
I so do enjoy your blog about nothing. I look forward to your posts every day. I love the miniature sewing table and bolts of fabric. It’s perfect! We, too, have had crazy weather. The other day it thundered for about 15 minutes in the morning then it cleared up. No rain. Later in the evening, it thundered (without lightning) for over 2 hours. Then one big BOOM with lightning! It made me jump! LOL but no rain. Weird!
When I die, or maybe move, my Project Warmth group, part of our guild, have instructions to take EVERYTHING sewing, fabric, cupboards, shelves, patterns, doll clothes patterns, quilt books — everything. In turn, the ladies will keep what Project Warmth will use and sell or donate to where it will be used. About the only thing left in the house will be some old furniture , a lot of dust and maybe a few spiders! Different groups around town make different types of quilts, etc.
The Project Warmth group makes quilts that stay in Western South Dakota. Our projects include pediatric quilts in a specific size for the hospital, new mothers, twin sized for Children’s home, Habitat for Humanity, so many different places they can be used. What fabric no suitable for quilts is made into pet beds for the local animal shelter. They are filled with scraps of batting, thread, fabric. Not much goes to waste.
We have a couple men in our group. One was on a submarine and he remembers the scratchy blankets they were supposed to use. He is retired and there is a new sub named the South Dakota, so his project is making quilts for the guys to use in the limited bed space.
Like the pictures of the quilts people make, it is amazing what people’s imagination and colors can come up with. It is inspiring, keeps our hands and minds busy and brings big smiles on what we can make.
The stuff does NOT go to waste!!!
Betty in Rapid City
If you don’t mind the cost of mailing my friend just sent off a box to Southern California, the CA Heritage Quilt Project. They resell quilts, tops, blocks, etc to raise money for documentation projects.
https://chqp.org/what-were-doing-now
Perhaps there are 4H or Girl Scout groups that would like to have fabric donations.
The guild I belong to accepts fabric donations, going so far as to help the family’s of quilters who have passed clear out the sewing rooms and stashes. Some of the fabric, patterns, kits, and notions are sold at a guild sale with proceeds used for guild activities. A lot of the fabric goes to the community service group to use in making tied quilts donated to various causes, such as nursing homes, foster kids, and women’s shelters.
Mary, I don’t think you would have to actually join a guild for them to accept a donation from you.
Seven yrs ago when I downsized to move here I donated over half of my fabric stash to a group of ladies from the local Lutheran Church. I also had quite a bit of poly batting that I gave to them. They were able to make 92 quilts out of what I gave them. Now to have that much fabric that I’ll never be able to use made me sick! But, I was thrilled that these quilts were going to people who could use them! About the only time I buy fabric now is when it’s for a project. I don’t buy just because I like the fabric. About once a year I go through what I have & pull out what I know I’ll never use & donate to them. I’m not into having yard sales anymore. Too much work! I might also add that friends donate fabric to me, so I didn’t buy all of it!
Stormy here this morning! Nothing last night so it was all north of me. You might be getting this too Mary when we are done with it! Ha
I found out last night that the retreat starts Wed. not Thursday. I have two days to get ready. Laundry today. Then a run to the city for a few things. I with another quilter are doing baked potatoes and fixings for one of our meals. This retreat is in an old farmhouse about 1.5 mi off the highway, gravel rd. and we are at the end of the rd. Website if anyone is interested Stitches Inn. So we take turns on the meals
Fran – is it in Wisconsin? We got 2.8” rain this morning. Forest City got 2.7 last night and 2.8 this morning – that’s a lot of rain in 12 hours.
I made an initial purge of my fabric a few months ago. I sold some at a yard sale, some to quilt guild friends who came to my house to buy a sewing machine, donated four boxes to my guild for our semi-annual quilt show where we always sell lots of fabric, and donated the rest to a local Lutheran church which has a group who makes quilts for Lutheran World Relief to be donated all around the world. I also belong to a church group that makes baby quilts for children in the hospital and have donated juvenile fabric to that group. There is still so much left so there will be another purge in the future. I don’t want my children to have to get rid of all this stuff and none of them sew unfortunately. I did teach my two granddaughters to sew this summer and they made lots of scrunchies to sell and “shopped” Nana’s closet for fabric. I gave them one of my machines and the one girl has especially taken off on her sewing journey which makes me very happy.
We rely on community donations for the senior center quilt group I volunteer with as the quilts are tied and given to vet homes, cancer care centers, and folks who are falling on difficult times. Might check locally to see if there is a quilt group associated with your towns senior center/ recreation center.
Love the minature one of your amazing readers made!
I’m thinking of making a half batch of your corn recipe as corn is just about over here. Apples are starting to turn red here already on the tree.
The miniature fabric bolts display is too darn cute!! Always something interesting and beautiful – a bright spot every day!! Curious what size is your simple block, Mary? You always come up with the neatest and simplest projects 🙂
The miniature fabric bolts are for my dollhouse sewing room. The dollhouse is a hobby I’ve been working on for years. I’m seriously thinking about making a 1:12th scale full size quilt. I’ve searched and have found patterns that I’m pretty sure will be foundation paper pieced.
Regarding reducing your stash: Check with the Women’s Prison if you live nearby. Got this idea from Marie Bostwick’s book “Hope on the Inside”.
I’m keeping this page for that barn photo. I’m learning to paint with watercolors and that sky is awesome. The detail in the clouds. That photo will make a great painting. I hope you don’t mind me using it.
Suzanne – I’d be honored to have you use it. I framed several pictures of the barn with stormy skies. I’ll post one of my favorites.
Thank you.
A library near me has a sewing give away weekend. Everything they get is donated and you can go in and you just help yourself. It fills a small auditorium. It is set up by category so all the quilting stuff is all together and fills about 6 eight foot tables. It takes a lot of volunteers! I always look for backings, but bring a couple of bags full to donate too. They collect the donations a few days before they open.
If there is a Quilts of Valor group in your area-they love donations of red, white and blue fabric.
I belong to 2 quilt guilds in the area and we have a free table at one of them. So every month I go through one basket or box and pull things to donate. It’s made a small dent, but I feel better about getting rid of fabric and notions I will never use.
Thought about you last night when I was watching radar. Glad it missed you. We are having storms this morning and the skies are just black!
Elliott loves to see photos of Hazel. Every morning he asks if you have posted anything new!
Last week of grands being here full days. He starts Kindergarten next Monday and Leah starts 4 year old pre-K after Labor Day. My sewing time will be restored!
Diana – oh, that’s sweet that Elliott likes Hazel. I’ll try to post her doing something everyday just for him! Sewing time during school hours! Yay!! Guess I should join a guild just to donate fabric to someone who really wants it.
For fabric, look at Jo’s Country Junction web site. She has a list of people in need of fabric for charity sewing. Just be polite and contact the person first to make sure they are still in need and your fabric meets their criteria. Maybe contact your local chapter of the American Sewing Guild.
The link is:
https://www.joscountryjunction.com/find-a-place-to-give-your-unwanted-projects-and-fabric-to/
What to do with all that fabric in the stash… for years, I’ve been donating to the local Salvation Army for their fabric sale in April and September. Once or twice a year, I purge fabric that no longer interests me and donate it to the sale. But, I recently came across a “yard sale” where only fabric and notions were being sold. Very reasonable prices for vintage and out of print fabrics. I think I might do that to help reduce my stash and to make some money to buy a new sewing machine.
David – evidently Salvation Army stores differ. A reader in Iowa took some fabric to her SA store and was told they throw it out if not approved ahead of time. The yard sale sounds like a lot of work BUT if you want a new machine, it would be worth it. What kind of machine are you considering?
The Ladies Auxiliary of the local Salvation Army organizes the fabric sale. From what I can find, the Pittsburgh Salvation Army may be the only chapter that does this kind of sale. People line up at the doors before they open and from what I understand, it’s a fabric frenzy! The sale has more than fabrics, and includes yarns, craft supplies and all kinds of notions.
I’m looking at the Bernette b08 – simple straight stitch machine. I don’t need anything with fancy stitches because I really enjoy piecing blocks and making quilt tops. I don’t make clothes or do machine embroidery. The best feature of this machine is the bright built-in lighting. The older I get, the more lighting I need for accurate piecing!
David – good choice of machines – with a Bernina you can never go wrong!
While you are getting storms, we had a 5.6 earthquake in Australia Saturday morning, centred about 250 kilometres from where I live. No major injuries or damage reported thankfuly. Nothing like this in 50 years. Some of my windows shook,, all of 10 seconds. Life is full of surprises!
Denise – AN EARTHQUAKE? And your windows shook for 10 seconds? Were you terrified and did you realize what was happening? Guess that’s probably one thing we don’t have to worry about in Iowa. Be safe.
Hi Denise, lwas at my sister’s in morayfield, north Brisbane, the table shook, l thought the roof next door rattled with a wind gust,but it was the quake! Not at strong as we get in New Zealand!
Great photos, as always. Oh, that corn! I miss the corn we had when I was growing up in Illinois. Neighbors always grew some and let us help ourselves when we didn’t grow any. I miss the farm life.
If the reader has the time and ability, it would be great to offer to teach someone else how to make a simple quilt. Let them go “shopping” in your stash of fabrics you’re willing to let go.
Erin – I’d be happy to teach someone but I don’t know anyone who is interested. Yes, great corn! Next winter we’ll really love it.
I am determined to use up my stash and was almost there when I was gifted a container of batiks. I’ve never used them. Here is my idea: I showed the box to my husband and said pick two colors. I made a No Point Star from his choice, then pick two colors and I made a 16 Patch. We took turns choosing colors. The blocks are so easy and come together fast. He was loving it!! and kept coming to me to say “can I pick another one?” In 4 days we had a quilt top 48 x 48. The colors are darks and mediums and some are pretty wild but when you only use 2 colors per block they come out great. (these 2 blocks alternating, each block is 12″, and no seams have to match) The quilt is fabulous! so different from anything I’ve made, and we had so much fun together. As usual it hardly made a dent in the box, so we are doing another one. We named the first one Starlight, and the 2nd one Starbright. And still we have more fabric. Ha Ha! It was freeing not to worry about color and easy sewing. we are going to keep making until the box is empty.
Can you send a picture of your Star Light and also Star Bright? Or have Mary post it. I’m intrigued with what the final projects look like.
Linda, I typed in No Star Point quilt pattern and my internet directed me to a free pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew! Give that a try! I am go8ng to print this for myself!
Linda – I also asked her for pictures – I’ll post them
Linda – please show us the quilts!
I love your barn pic and the miniature is just so cute. As are the dogs!
At my last church in another state I was a member of the “Crafty Ladies.” We made quilts and sewed home items … the sales of which helped the church. We welcomed all fabric donations. I’m sure other churches have quilt groups that need fabric.
Christine – I know my church doesn’t. Getting ladies to come and sew is getting harder and harder and they have lots of fabric. And I don’t want to go because I know I’d be appalled at how they do things sometimes. Better to stay home.
I have donated fabric to the local high school economics class. The Salvation Army also received some of my fabric. I had called the store and asked before I took it in. The person I spoke with said they were glad to receive it because people do come in to buy it. When I took the fabric in to the drop off point, the guy in receiving told me that sometimes they just throw it away. I looked at him in horror and said that this was really good fabric and that I had been told they do sell it. He said that if I had cleared it with someone then they must sell it. So, make sure you know what your store does.
Vicki – they throw it away???????? I’ll never shop there again. I feel like I could open a thrift store myself and if I were 20 years younger I would.
Hazel and Keeper sure keep each other company.
Our local high school home economics class loves getting fabric donations as does the local thrift shop. The thrift shop, which helps fund Hospice, has a group of quilters that will pick up the donations, measure and price it for the thrift shop. I have gotten some excellent deals.
Brenda – both great ideas! Thank you
Yes, thanks for the corn recipe; I think I will also make some. I have been watching the late summer varieties of apples at our local orchard, when we pick up garden veggies and fresh eggs, it is almost applesauce time.
It is always fun to see what Hazel and Keeper are doing.
I am glad Becky is safe. This weekend produced no rain here, just heat and humidity. We skipped a family reunion today, because an outdoor potluck just sounded miserable. I am going to suggest moving it to September next year.
Thanks So Much, Mary 🥰
Jeanie – I skipped a quilt show in southern MN, too, becuse of the heat. I just couldn’t bear it – putting on decent clothes and driving there. I don’t make applesauce – guess we must not like it. Hazel and Keeper are always up to something but Hazel hates thunder so now she’s still in bed after keeping me awake half the night! Very stormy here starting about 3 am and inches of rain.
Awesome photo of your barn. The miniature fabric display is adorable. Great photos tonight, And thanks for the corn recipe. Several people are still selling corn so I’ll be looking for some to purchase since we didn’t have a garden this year.
The fever pulled off a win that looked like it wasn’t going to happen. Yeah! Sad to see so many of their players getting injured.
Cindy – I’m betting Sophie is out for the season now, too. They needed that win just for some confidence but it was hard to watch – I was so afraid they’d blow it at the end. I’m sure you’ll love this corn recipe – IF you start with great corn, of course. Text or email your address which I didn’t keep so I can mail a little gift to Hank.