Last winter I worked on this quilt for almost 2 months. I get a little weary of the newer quilts that use big pieces just to get finished with a quilt quickly. For me, as I always say, it’s the journey, not the destination.
Here is the Martingale calendar from 2020 that I have drooled over for 6 years.
Pink and brown is not a favorite color scheme for me – it wouldn’t look right in my house, would it? So I had a collection of vintage Japanese homespuns and wovens that I wanted to do something special with.
The quilt pattern is also available in this book.
The most challenging part of this quilt is the fact that it’s a medallion quilt meaning each row must be pieced perfectly to fit and to allow the next round to fit. I learned to sew with a somewhat scant 1/4” seam.
I was asked what I would make next – I’m not sure but I’m checking lots of patterns, old and new – feel free to make suggestions.
And now I feel I must respond. If this offends you, please feel free to unsubscribe asap.
The “blog about nothing” will never be allowed to fall into insults. If you don’t like the conversation, please do not comment. If you bothered to comment about not sending a card, you just admitted to me that you didn’t. Kinda misses the point, doesn’t it? And if you have time to read this blog and comment back to me, you’ve got time to send a card. Yes, it’s a request and not required but from what I hear, readers love the blog and thank me all the time. Card recipients have enjoyed receiving cards from blog readers for several years now. Because Bob is such a close friend, I really thought you’d do this for me.
From now on your argumentative comments will be promptly deleted. I don’t have time for this crap either. Contrary to what you think, I’m just as busy as you are.
Yes, of course I understand traveling and sending an International letter but we can do better. And yes, I will call you out – Sharon and Myrna, you were just plain rude to me. You didn’t even have to respond and yet you felt you should jump down my throat. The time you spent reading the blog post and writing the comment to me was more than enough time to address a card.
Have at it and see if your rude comment appears here.
Love the calendar quilt, But I know I couldn’t stick with it without wanting to do something else. It would have to be a ‘whenever the feeling hits’ quilt!
Hi, Mary…I am so sorry people are rude to you. I am sorry, too, that I am one of the ones who did not send a card. I lost my son, and I know how special it is to receive a card. You feel a little less lonely. When I read your blog, I felt guilty. I realized I needed to do and be better. So, thank you for the wake up call. In the past, I always thought I need to do this….then, I didn’t. Now, I will.
I have all my copies of the “newspaper” you sent out back in the day…some day, I am going to sit down and read them again. I appreciate you! I have never met you, but feel like I know you…love you, Mary…
Nancy – it’s never too late to send a card but I understand. Oh, and be assured you do know me! I write totally as I think – not much held back – haha!!
Hi Mary & everyone,
I am one of the guilty people who has not sent cards because of being on a fixed income. I feel very bad about that. Cards are ridiculously expensive here plus the postage. But today I watched a Kelly Cline Vintage quilting video of her making vintage cards out of lace, hexies, scraps fabrics etc. Well she peaked my interest! A friend & I made a quilted card years ago. I had forgotten about how much fun it was. Ideas are swirling around in my head! So I guess I need to hunt for blank cards & give it a whirl!
Thanks for all you do Mary! I enjoy all of your show & tells etc & don’t mind you “telling it like it is”😎
Beautiful calendar quilt. And I live reading all of the comments.
Love this quilt and what a challenge to make. There is too much rudeness in the world. Respect and kindness go a long long way.
My belated birthday card to your friend and my nephew (April 13th) are going in the mail tomorrow. HA! First my nephew was out of town and then I was out of town. It’s never too late to receive happy mail.
Vickie / you’re right, it’s never too late!
Mary that quilt is a work of art! So many details to see and appreciate. I love, love, love your blog and read it and the comments every day. We have much in common – farm, animals, gardening, quilting, reading, love of antiques and more. I can always relate to your photos and stories. You brighten the lives of so many people. I have one friend who faithfully sends me cards for holidays, birthdays, etc. and it is always such a treat to receive them and leave them out on display. I’m sorry anyone would make rude comments to you. Keep on being you – we wouldn’t want it any other way!
Beautiful quilt Mary, just loved it, cheers
I love your calendar quilt. I know you were putting off quilting it, but it has all come together nicely. You have such vision. I wouldn’t have given the pink & brown quilt a second look. Your colors are more “you”. It takes me forever to choose fabric for a quilt, then I find myself second guessing my choices. You put your special fabrics to good use. I’m anxious to get outdoors & plant some flowers. We have frost in our forecast so I’ll have to put that idea on hold for now.
Good for you! I’m 96 now and more than ever I don’t have time for ugly words. And nor should you have to be subject to it. Keep up the good stuff. I enjoy it every day.
Jackee – you’re 96 and reading the blog about nothing??? Where do you live? Please tell me about yourself, if you don’t mind. What’s your secret to living to 96? Are you a quilter?
No, none of us has that much time left and what we do have cannot be wasted on unkind words.
I hope you’ll tell me about yourself / I wonder if you’re my oldest blog reader – pretty cool!
Mary, just a thought.
Would you consider doing a comment shower? You would post about someone’s birthday or special event, and we could all comment.
The honored person could read the comments or someone could show them all the comments.
Lynn – I think that’s a great idea except for the generation gap. Most of these card recipients don’t even use a computer – explain what you have in mind a little more.
There is always a reader connected to the blog that suggests a recipient. If the recipient isn’t a blog reader, the person who suggested the recipient can show them all the comments.
Another idea would be to give the reader a choice to either send a card or comment.
Lynn – so now it becomes techy – how and where do I save those comments? I can’t have them strung out throughout the blog. I’d have to figure out a way to get all the comments together / that’s a lot of copy and paste! I just couldn’t do it.
Wow,wow,wow I love that quilt. I’ve got too much going to even think about another quilt. Planting the garden yesterday and hope to finish today. Hard work for 75 yr olds. Not enough time in the day or am I slower? Ha , either way we keep going. It’s going to be 86 degrees this Sunday so I’m on a deadline. To hot to soon. Every one have a great and blessed day.
I really like your medallion quilt. That style is one of my favorites. I have a hint to make them a little easier. I works if there is a solid strip of fabric between each row. I make both the inner square and the next pieced row. I measure each one and the difference between them is how wide my solid strip needs to be. You still need to be careful with piecing but it gives you a little breathing room. I also do a lot of measuring of each block and then sections of blocks I have sewed together. It makes me want to make another one but without flying geese. They are pretty but I hate making them.
I LOVE you….thank you for all you do to bring JOY toa all
Oh, those tiny flying geese! I’m amazed when anyone takes the time and effort (all that skill, too!) to make quilts with tiny pieces. But that time is so worth all the effort! Gorgeous!
Mary, pink and brown is a combination that I, personally, love. But your calendar quilt is absolutely stunning with the colors you chose.
Your calendar quilt is beautiful. I can see how getting everything to fit would be challenging. All those tiny geese!
Agree with you Mary.
Please don’t stop blogging. I enjoy everything about your blog.
Good morning. Making flying geese 1/2 x 1 cannot be for the faint of heart! Your quilt is so beautiful!
The guys have had a flat tire year! We do our soybeans no-till in the cornstalks. We did not have enough snow last winter to break down the stalks and they are like knives and thus … flat tires. An expensive problem. Ugh!
Our sewing for missions group gets together this afternoon. Chatter chatter…😉
Freeze warning here tomorrow morning! Then, I think, it’s suppose to warm up.
Have a good day!
Joy – you reminded me that a reader asked where our church donation quilts go – I have to find out exactly – but I think the most rewarding donations go with the kids on mission trips.
I can sure understand about the no snow and corn stalks. Eek!!!
You used your treasured Japanese fabrics and made a beautiful quilt—so calm and bold at the same time. I especially like the one dark corner basket, the way the basket blocks are set around the outside, and the background of the middle square. Also, I hear you about kindness. I’ve been thinking I needed a reminder.
{{{ hugs }}}
Where I come from (Alabama/the Deep South), there are always Plenty of Folks who will happily provide reminders about kindness 😁😁😁 There are ever so many little sayings that sound charming but really sting when you realize where you fell short!
When I was young, my great-aunt had quite the hissy fit { Southern slang for a temper tantrum } about relatives not sending Thank You notes; she declared that anyone who failed to send a Thank You would never receive another gift. Well, her gifts were the best, and no one wanted to miss receiving one. I learned that lesson down deep, and I still send handwritten Thank You notes. My grandchildren all received boxes of cheerful stationery for Christmas last year … and one of them said, “Grandma’s gone all Southern”. The other one said, “Well, at least she didn’t get all Western on us.”
Beautiful quilt Mary. I made a medallion quilt and it is one that I am most proud of. The pieces were small (not as smaool as your’s though) and it was a slow , enjoyable process. I’m sorry you have had to read rude comments . This is your blog..do it your way. i am just happy that you provide us with so much fun. I look forward to reading your blog every day and reading comments. Quilts, animals, flowers and gardens, and really good people. Your blog makes my day, everyday.
Ginger – thank you! The comments are how we’re all connected for sure and we’ve become a great group who actually care for each other, I think. The readers who don’t bother to read the comments are missing the best part!!
Let’s face it, some people are just jerks. The nice thing is we can just walk away from them; their loss. Getting ready to head up North to our log cabin for the summer. Really looking forward to this. The Cabin is near the Finger Lakes in NY on the shore of Lake Oneida. There is multiple vineyards to go to, antique shops to explore and events to attend every weekend like antique car shows and farmer’s markets. It’s just too hot for me to stay in SC during the summer plus we still have family and many friends still up there. I packed multiple quilt kits I put together for upcoming gifts to work on . Just finished a lap quilt for my neigjbor who is facing chemo infusions for newly diagnosed breast cancer. Well for me it’s North vs South where I like to spend time.
Barbara – I’d say you’ve got the best of both worlds!! I’ll bet it’s beautiful up in the cool north
Love your calendar quilt! I’m afraid I shy away from little pieces nowadays.
Working on a patriotic wall hanging from Quilt Sampler a few years ago. Pattern calls for wool, but I’m using cotton as I love to machine applique.
Planted our garden Saturday morning. Hopefully it warms up and stays warm.
I have a confession to make. I did not send a card. I usually read the blog about 5:30 in the morning when I pick up the grandkids. Then with breakfast, dressing, school drop off – I forget. I will put some cards out on the counter to remind me of your request. After all – you ask so little from us. It’s the least we can do.
If you can’t say something nice – just shut up……
It’s all well Mary and thank you for addressing how people should comment or not comment. Lord knows since social media allows people to type what they want, it gives permission. Some days I just want to scream at the TV “ shut up” and that’s when I know it’s time to turn it off for a few days. It would make me be hostile like so many chose to be now.
And I happen to love pink and brown together in a quilt but yours looks just as good with those colors. Such a lot of work and I commend you!
In my family there are some who never send a card and could care less if anyone sent them a piece of mail. I also see a side of them that isn’t like me with empathy towards others. They’re different from me. It’s nice hearing about the ones you’ve asked us to send cards to have appreciated the gesture. But that’s because we feel we have gotten to know a little bit about them through your blog and comments. It’s caring about others no matter what. Keep caring Mary as there are more who could use a note of support or a smile. To all those caregivers, bless your heart for your kindness to that person who needs you.
Kathy – I think I’ve become an empathetic person and I don’t think I’ve always been this way. But when people don’t feel the same way I can’t help but wonder why. I feel bad for people who are handed a bad roll of the dice and I always feel like I want to help if I can. I know Rick doesn’t feel this way – maybe it’s a man thing.
I also think the anonymity of the screen in front of you gives one permission to say anything – would they say it to your face? I doubt it. I appreciate your support more than I can say!
This is your blog, Mary and you make the rules! YOU GO GIRL! I’m right behind ya!
And by the way, the quilt is beautiful. Actually beyond that because those little flying geese would drive me up the wall. I’m not good at tiny pieces anymore.
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Well said Mary. There’s enough ugly out there right now – let’s share some love and caring!!!! Proverbs 12:18 (NIV): “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Read James 3 people! We need to mind what we are writing!
Love, LOVE that quilt Mary!!! Oh those little pieces! My favorite is still miniatures…… talk about small pieces!!!
I have a question — I had a handle on a basket break. I’ve taped it back together but I want to cover the tape with something decorative — any ideas? I’ve thought of some type of braided leather – like they use in swords/knives handles. (and yes, I realize that the handle cannot be used to carry the basket, it’s just to cover the tape).
I had a handle break. I taped it back together with masking tape and then wrapped jute twine around the handle. I can still carry by the handle.
Thanks Suzanne — I will give that a try. I just want it to look pretty.
Lynette – thank you! I’m going to read that today.
I love that quilt!
I lost your blog posts for awhile …the notices were going into “promotions” (which I thought was junk mail) instead of “primary”. I have about 20 posts to catch up on. I blame it on anesthesia brain fog. I had surgery April 7. I love your blog about nothing because of the variety. I followed for the quilts, but love the cats and other critters and your escapades with them. Mortie has become my favorite.
Suzanne – well, technology behind the blog is not anything I understand so glad you figured it out!! Yes, Mortie is a charmer, isn’t she? But WHERE did she come from?????
Wish she had come to my house.
Are you recovering well from your surgery? I sure hope so ❤️
Yes! Aortic valve replaced…easy, peasy.
I hope people don’t think it was this Sharon (me). I would never make rude comments anywhere especially online for all the world to see forever! I think your card requests are lovely. Who wouldn’t like to receive one? I hope you pick a patriotic quilt next. I have made one so far this year and plan on at least one more to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday.
Sharon – I made a great one last year – Yes, We Can, America – and I’ll have to take down the calendar to hang it. But it’s ok – I have lots of patriotic to hang – just not enough walls. No, I thought I listed her as Sharon G
Mary,
Your quilt is so beautiful! Those flying geese are so small! Honestly, my first thought was “that’s crazy,” but they are gorgeous and so worth the effort. I haven’t finished my April UFO but getting there. I’ll have to see what #5 is! There’s excitement in even finding that out!
We went to see the play, Hamilton, at Detroit’s beautiful Fisher Theatre. It was very interesting and the talent in the cast was astounding! The woman who portrayed Angelica Schuyler had the most beautiful singing voice I have ever heard. Her name is Marja Harmon. Interestingly, we went with two other couples and my one girlfriend had a brother who helped install the elevators in the Fisher Theatre. There is a bank of elevators that are original, including the inside decor. Unfortunately, that bank of elevators is now closed, but the outside doors to the elevators were still beautiful.
My greenhouse is nearly full! Can’t wait to get some of these plants in the ground. Just too cold although our weather is improving! The seedlings I have left in the house are too small to go in the greenhouse yet. Both myself and my son and daughter-in-law are gardening this year with lots less stress as we aren’t preparing for a garden wedding this year! Can’t believe they’ve been married for a year almost. Time passes.
We are having new carpeting installed on our stairway to the basement. Today they come to measure. I am hoping to paint that area before the new carpet. We’ll see!
Have a great day everyone! Happy Cinco de Mayo. 🌻
Sunflower – gosh, thanks for the reminder! It’s Tom’s birthday today. I should show you what a bought for those tiny plants. I’ll take a picture.
👏👏👏👏👏 Kuddos to you Mary!!
Your calendar quilt is just breathtaking, Mary! I’m very partial to star quilts anyway. You really did a lovely job on that quilt! My card to Michele goes out tomorrow, our mail doesn’t seem to be picked up at the same time, sometimes early morning, sometimes afternoon. My mailbox isn’t right by my house either, but it’s an excuse to take a walk with Boots!😊 My son & I celebrated our birthdays with family at a new to us Mexican restaurant yesterday. Food was excellent & the service also! My granddaughter is home from OU & it was great catching up with her. She’s now a senior & I can’t believe how quickly these 4 yrs have disappeared!
After the bad scratch Boots caused & the ER visit to repair it my son ordered a set of dog booties for him. When he wants to be petted, he scratches at us. Haven’t been able to break him of that yet. I put his booties on him tonight & we had a good laugh at his high stepping. He did manage to peel the Velcro & take them off. I’m hoping he will soon understand that if he starts the scratching at me that it will result in him having to wear his boots. Time will tell.
Alice – Keeper uses his big foot with long toenails to get my attention as well and it’s dangerous to skin. Good luck with Boots and his boots. And a belated Happy Birthday!!
Your calendar is beautiful, Mary; what a wonderful way to use very special fabric.
Love the calendar quilt. You have a good eye for color. I have a pattern for a pink and brown quilt that is in my UFO’s. Not only is the pattern there but all of the brown and pink fabrics I’ve collected. Who knows when it will get done, but it’s ready when I am.
I haven’t commented for awhile with so much going on here, but do have to say that my mother-in-law was a card recipient last year and it was the highlight of her birthday. She loved getting the cards and still has them all in her dresser drawer and she still looks at them from time to time. I think what is so special about them is that she feels “stuck” at the nursing home-doesn’t have the care free life she once did-no longer has the group of friends she once did and the cards made her feel like she still mattered. Still makes me smile when I think about all the joy those cards brought to her.
Cindy K., It warms my heart to see your comment about how much your Mom’s card shower meant to her. Such a simple gesture that Mary initiated, was so far reaching. And, what did it take on our part, 5 minutes and a stamp , to brighten someone’s day.
Cindy K – and that’s the reason for the cards to people who might feel forgotten. I will be that old woman someday and I remember your MIL – I will miss my home and animals so much. If I get to the point of not being able bodied I’m not going to tell anybody. Ha!
How’s your Hank? Hazel is getting groomed today as well as Hank and I’m going to pick him up and bring him home while Michele has a doctor appt.
I know how busy you are but I really enjoy hearing from you.
I will have to text you and bring you up to date-there’s been a lot going on!
Hello Mary! I sent my card to Michele today, and am hopeful she is feeling better each day. I willl need to go to the Dollar Tree store as well to purchase a few additional greeting cards as my on-hand supply is getting very small. I am going to an all day class tomorrow to learn how to utilize my Stripology ruler better! I hope to do one of the scrappy projects you featured a short time ago. I have a wallhanging and two table runners to get back to them and finish them up. My Mary Engelbreit Attitudes throw is at the quilters but I have the binding all completed and the minute I get it back, I will get the binding on right away. This is a gift to one of my oldest-longest friends. She wanted me to leave my quilt to her when ai die, so I am hoping this will catch her totally by surprise..I am still here, and I made this for her..anyway..I went to Gold College and took a class on irganizing. I am deep cleaning the sewing room, and went thru my shelf unit in my laundry room and got rid of a few things. I am going thru fabric I will never use. Donating it. Next will be cookbooks. I also did a birding bus tour on Saturday to some lakes that are part of the Minnesota River Vaglley..to Wildlife Management Areas, and to a lake called Salt Lake in Western Minnesota and it goes into South Dakota as well…Salt Lake is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota. It was fun to be around birders, the cameras and scopes and binoculars, oh my! I will be checking my bluebird trail tomorrow and hope to photo some bluebirds! I enjoy taking a few minutes to look for various cards and so appreciated the card shower for Larry two years ago. He still has the cards! Well, I have to be at class by 10:00 and do not want to be late. Sometimes it’s my first name. (Grr).
Cynthia – you gotta slow down and take a breath!!! I’m glad you’re so busy and happy to be so!
I love the “oldest-longest friends” so much better than oldest friend and will be using that phrase. I recently went through every piece of fabric I own and donated to my guilds fabric sale anything I no longer liked or went with anything else. Very satisfying! Good luck with your organizing.
Your calendar quilt is fabulous! What a wonderful idea to use your prized Japanese fabric in the quilt. Looks great on your wall too. If it were mine, I’d probably leave it displayed forever. What a challenge and such a beautiful result. Thanks for the show and tell.
Connie R – it’s almost ready to come down to be replaced by Patriotic for the summer but it can go back up next year.
you said it right Mary, no one needs to be rude, and Kindness counts much more, everywhere.
and yes 1/2 x 1 is small, sounds like a dollhouse quilt.
😂😂😂😂. Good tell them , I was laughing the other day , I’m laughing now .
WOW! 1/2 x 1″ flying geese! I am making a little wall quilt with 1×2 finished flying geese (I think 140) and I thought that size was tiny, I just have the binding to do then I’ll share it with you.