The big news is that Connie is home from Florida and this weekend she’ll be teaching in the Chicago area and visiting Andy and his family. Remember all those great little paper pieced house pincushions? The lucky class attendees are going to be so excited to receive one!
I finished the office area and have now moved on to other cupboards in the sewing room.
When I was sorting I found this picture – one of my favorites! The goat’s name was Jordan.
And this picture of a kitten named Norman.
I also managed to get this red and white quilt on the longarm machine – it’s finished but for the binding.
Here’s an update from Gloria about Angel – do you think she’s adjusted to her new life? Gloria and Angel have a very special relationship. Gloria says it’s like they’ve known each other for years. I love a good dog story!
No new Dirty Dozen pictures – unless I forgot somebody and if I did, please tell me.
Charlotte Shira – please tell us how your husband is doing.
Sue in Oregon – how’s it going for you?
And this is why I haven’t posted for 3 days – nothing new.
Thank for the great pictures. I received my oat seeds today. Thank you very much. Need to get some potting soil.
Love, love, love that red quilt!!
No need to have anything to say when you post such great pictures! They say it all. The animal pictures are always my favorite as beautiful as the quilts are. Angel has certainly found a wonderful loving home. I love happy endings.
Love that red quilt, too! Love the backing that is visible.
I think there’s probably not a lot new as we begin to hunker down and pray to avoid covid-19. My mom is going to be 90 soon and I’m worried about her getting this.
So…staying in as much as possible. I guess I’ll call it a quilter’s retreat…from the world!
Love that Angel and Gloria have forged such a good relationship already!!
My February Dirty Dozen hasn’t posted yet. I’d be happy to resend the photo, if necessary!
Your red and white quilt is beautiful! I’ll look forward to seeing the finished product!
Diane Bauer – please send me your February quilt again – don’t know what happened!
It’s great Angel and Carol found each other.
And the red quilt is fun. Looks like you are moving around.
I also received my seeds today. Thank you! I have them planted already. The photos are so great today. Looks like Angel is pretty happy, what a nice story. My UFO for this month is a pair of patriotic table runners so not really hard. But I am hand quilting a pink alahabet baby quilt (which was a previous UFO) while the basketball seasons wind down. Senior night at university of Michigan tonight so lots of emotions for those young players. Have a great weekend.
Love the picture of you two with the goat–also Angel, Gloria’s dog–she looks really happy and cozy!! Your red quilt makes me want to start one with my red fabrics (which I have a lot of!!) Your quilt is beautiful!
I also love the red and white quilt but especially love the backing. Such a dear picture of Norman, such a sweet picture.
I agree with the other readers-love the red quilt and the backing! Having to read this and comment on the iPad-a new experience. My computer has an issue and have been dealing with HP tech support for 3days. Not fun!
Debra Miller – Denise is working on my computer, too, but I do everything on this IPad so I’m ok. I had about 8000 photos to move! Think I should delete a few? Haha!
Love your red quilt. I have been collecting red fabrics so this one is on my bucket list.
Just love the pictures of Jordan, Norman & Angel. Gloria & Angel’s story is just such a feel good story. It was just meant to be.
Air Jordan! I still talk about him when Intell people about Country Threads! And Red, of course!
I should have a dirty dozen photo tomorrow. Only two sides to bind!
Deb Harrison – so many great memories of past pets! Yes, Air Jordan was special!
You are really making headway in your death cleaning. This fall my brother and I were talking about “cleaning out.” He said, “It time.” Little did he or we know that in January he’d be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and pass away just one month later in February. We never know!
Sandy – I’m so sorry about your brother! Yes, you just never know and I don’t want to leave my family with so much stuff to deal with. Little by little I’ll get thru it all.
I found some red scraps of fabric as I was cleaning my sewing room so decided to wash them by hand in the sink before I cut them up for your snowball quilt.
I am becoming more and more conscious of dyes, additives, etc so paying attention to what I can do to minimize my own exposure. Well those scraps were washed in the sink basin over a dozen times! That’s how much the red bled. They didn’t feel like a cheaper brand of fabric either. Just kinda concerned me with all my red fabrics and how I will use them going forward.
I am on a staycation as much as possible due to the virus spreading. I had a cough after the holidays that last for 6 weeks so don’t want to go through that again. If your state doesn’t have it yet, stock up now on canisters of wipes. I went to 2 big box stores and shelves were empty as well as no bleach. I even saw a worker wiping down the container where you put plastic bags to be recycled.
Kathy in western NY – staycation sounds like a good idea. It hasn’t appeared in Iowa yet but in time I’m sure it will. After spending the entire winter at home, I was so looking forward to getting out more this spring but I won’t take any chances. I never prewash fabric – guess I’ve just been lucky so far.
Use the dye magnets. They work wonders.
Betty – what are dye magnets? I haven’t heard of them before and where do I get them? Always good to learn new gadgets.
I forgot to mention they are at the grocery store with the blueing and starches — I think. Haven’t bought any for awhile as I have a good supply.
Shout Color Catcher is a dye magnet. You put one (or more if big load) of the sheets in the washer with all sorts of colors. It absorbs the “loose” dyes so they don’t get into other fabrics. They work miracles. Our Quilt Guild made a great raffle quilt with RED and white fabric. When it was finished they washed it and the red ran like mad ruining the quilt. It was the dye magnet to the rescue. They washed the quilt again with the sheets and the quilt came out PERFECT. Another example was a favorite sweat shirt was washed with something red. They washed it again with the dye magnet and all the dye was absorbed by the sheet. They would be perfect for college kids who throw everything into 1 load to be washed. They are a must to keep by the washer.
What a good explanation and testimony to these! Thanks Betty!! I will look for them next time I am at the store as they sound like one handy gadget when you look at a washed quilt and see colors have run.
So off to sew some more red and cream snowballs with renewed faith. Thanks again. Mary’s readers are the best.
Thanks Mary. Today wasn’t a good day at the hospital. The ICU doctor mentioned a feeding tube because Dick isn’t swallowing all the time when he coughs. He is meeting with me and our kids tomorrow to discuss options. Not a good place to be. His A-fib was going crazy today too. Maybe the quilting prayer warriors out there can add him to their lists. Thank you!!
Charlotte, we’ll be lifting up your family in prayer.
Charlotte Shira – we are a force of 2600 who will pray for Dick!
Love your red snowball quilt! I have just cut all the pieces for a queen size one…hope it turns out as pretty as yours.
Loved the photo of you and Connie- wasn’t it in one of your books?
Weather is warming up here and I should be outside but have a friend coming to work on hospice quilts. It’s always a good day when you can fondle fabric!
Carol in Memphis
Carol Rife – I think the picture was in one of our books but don’t remember which one. Have fun working on the quilts together!
You have definitely been busy, glad you feel like doing it. I have the pic of my feed sack quilt. I just have to write you the story and send to you.
Went to the Pigeon Forge Quilt Show Wednesday and there was a vendor booth filled with feed sacks which was exciting. I asked her if she was seeing a decline with feed sacks and she said there was actually a new love for them from people that didn’t even know what they are. Paula in KY
Ordinary days … nothing new days are sometimes the best! It’s when we get things done (awesome desk clean-up & beautiful quilt loaded & ready to go). Yay! Would it be too much trouble to post a picture again of the house pin cushions? I’ve tried to find the post but have failed in my attempt! 😂 I’m ordering the pattern today.
Love your quilt!! And what a great picture with you, Connie and your goat! Wish I had me sewing room all cleaned up like yours, it will take me awhile!! Finally finished the “Hawaii quilt” binding, label and all. I did send a picture awhile ago when I got the top finished. Now on to the next finish! What a sweet little kitty in your picture!
The pictures in this post are great. Little Angel is adorable and looks so comfortable in her new forever home. That kitten! I miss having cats but my husband says no more litter boxes and I won’t have an outdoor cat as we live beside a fairly busy road. Not to mention the coyotes and fox in the area. I just love your snowball quilt, Mary! Do you prewash your fabric? I have quite a few red prints and would love to make this quilt. But as Kathy in Western NY mentioned it’s probably a good idea to do so. I hand quilted a small house quilt that was made by someone else years ago and given to me to finish. After all of that work when it was finished I washed it and was very sad when the red used on an outer border bled. I’ve washed it several times but the pink is still there (insert sad face here)… Will be praying for your family Charlotte and so sorry about your brother Sandy. I have a friend from High School who died of Multiple Myeloma a few years ago. I had never heard of this cancer before and now another high school friend has it. I hope this virus stops spreading the way it has. So sad that some people aren’t more careful about staying home when they aren’t feeling well. That man that didn’t heed the advice of his doctors in NH and attended a party with coworkers makes me so mad. Sorry for the rant, it’s getting so much nicer here in New England. Spring is definitely on it’s way. My daffodils are up with buds formed, won’t be long before they are blooming! Stay healthy everyone. Jan in MA
Wash the red quilt again this time using the dye magnets. You may be pleasantly surprised. They work wonders.
Betty —- are you referring to color catchers when you say dye magnets?
Yes.
Good morning…your desk looks wonderful, but my question is what do you do with all you had on your desk? Or do we just collect, an at the time think it is sorta important an then later just get rid of, I seem to just sort an create another area…just curious…love your postings
Love your red quilt, so beautiful. Pictures of the goat, kitten & dog are so wonderful! Stay well everyone.
Tears of joy for Angel & Gloria. So wonderful!!!!
On another note, your Red Snowball quilt is a beauty!
Charlotte Shira: Hope all goes well tomorrow with the doctor regarding a feeding tube for your husband. You and your family are in my prayers.
Sandy: Condolences on the loss of your brother.
Gloria: Thank you for the update on Angel.
My goodness! I am so glad that Angel has found another angel to take care of her, and the kitty is so beautiful. I like your quilt, Mary, I love all your prints. I am going to come to your house and raid your tiny prints, I am still working on my little blocks. You and Connie haven’t changed that much and your goat was so cute. Take care.
Felicia – did you notice how I was sitting in that picture – taken about 30 years ago? Can’t sit like that again. Oh how I loved that Jordan! What size are you cutting your snowball blocks? Same as mine -5×5 and 1-1/2. X 1-1/2?
Prayers for Dick. Love the red quilt. Red is my favorite. March just drags on and on for me. I want to dig in the dirt!