One last weekend of vacation

It was tough getting all my stuff into suitcases to come back home. Kitty is sitting on the Kaffe Fassett kit I bought at Under the Sea from Material Girls with birthday money mom gave me.

Note to self: Don't bring those big-ass platform shoes next time. They take up too much room in the suitcase!

Actually the kit is under the roll of pink I bought at Fabric Recycles. Fabric Recycles is like a treasure hunt for that fabric you need just a little of to finish a project (and then you come home with all manner of bits to start something new). The inventory is grouped by color and type, so finding things is easy, and the owner, Page Burns, is so incredibly knowledgeable of her stock and eager to help you get what you need. We'd read about her and her store in a free issue of Generation Q. The magazine is smaller than the magazines we are used to, but the content made the copy one Mom and I fought over (only because I couldn't find the copy they gave me). I cannot wait to see what the magazine does next. I really like printed better than online, so I can sit in my comfy chair. (I have not gone to using a "reader" or I-Pad yet.)

This is a tray of fabric Mom cut up while I was there to make Andy (middle son) a bow tie quilt. Last I spoke with her, she said making bow tie blocks is boring. I hope she sticks with it; he will love it. (I plan to upload pictures of her hooked rugs on her blog when I finish this post: Linda Brannock's hooked rug designs)

Ha! I got photos of the moon flower open.  Mom has been drying the open blooms and framing them. They are really pretty, but I don't think I got a photo of the framed one.

Joey is really glad I am home; he assumed the quilting cat position right away as I got busy making a baby gift for a young friend of one of Andy's. She married a fellow Collins Hill HS graduate and they are stationed in Hawaii. She announced (on Facebook) she was in labor on Friday night while I was in Kansas City, and then it was MONDAY before she posted anything else. Not being a close friend, so not on the phone tree, I was anxious to hear everything went well. Little Lucas is safely here, so his quilt is under the needle.

I put some denim I scored at the local GW store on the back to make is super durable for dragging around sandy beaches.

I think they'll like it.

And here is an unfinished item that I want to play around with.

The colors are fabulous, but it has some problems.

It's a holiday weekend; enjoy your family and get some sun!

Wandering Quilter in Kansas City

On the way to Mom and Dad's from the airport we stopped by Asiatica. We'd read about it on Barbara Brackman's blog. Mom and I were both overwhelmed by the rolls of vintage kimono fabric stored in their work rooms.  Asiatica designers make lovely new garments for high end consumers. Sorry I was too shy to ask if I could take photos. Watch the video on their website.  Really, it it worth your time.

Once we got to the house, I threw my new(ish) quilt over the bed.

Great Grandmother "Mom" Irvin pieced it and I just finished quilting it. I felt it important for Mother to see it in person. 

Mom saw lots of friends: Jan Patek (her design partner), Barb Adams and Alma Allen, Sandy Gervais, Rita Briner of Quilter's Station, Terry Thompson, the Buggy Barn girls Pam Soliday and Janet Nesbitt and Edie McGinnis. The market was HUGE, and we got properly worn out traipsing all over it.

One woman we were very happy to meet is Delores Storm. She designs under Lackadaises, and we love her use of vintage found treasures and wool. Check out her redwork designs too.

Back at the house I mentioned to Mom I'd like to make a string pieced star quilt like one I'd seen, so she brought out this:

I don't remember seeing it before.

She is looking for the pattern.

It is so soft with age.

And it has wonderful geranium leaf fabric on the back. (sigh)

I may want to make another rag quilt too, so she brings this out:

Dang. The back as lovely as the front:

Shoot. Big squares and little ones.

So I just keep plugging away at my quilts:

I finished the binding on Eron's (my paramedic son who is engaged to the lovely Meredith) quilt.

It came out very nice I think.

He wants it for his firehouse bunk, and he requested black, white and red (he said it is a fireman thing). I learned the stack method for the stars at a class with Peggy Barkle, so finishing it for Eron was a no-brainer. 

I am trying to get a good photo of an open Morning Glory (Mom just corrected me; this is a Moon Flower, and it blooms at night, so good luck getting a photo of it) in Mom and Dad's yard. 

This curled up one will have to do for now.

By the way, it is seven months after Mom's knee replacement surgery and Dad is still bringing her breakfast in bed. Every day!

(I got nothing else.)

Peace, Love & Decorating in Duluth

Yesterday, after I finished with an early Dr. appointment, I ate my lunch on the steps of the Duluth, GA municipal building.  As I was sitting in the sunshine admiring the expanse of park space, my eye caught sight of the building that formerly housed Share the Spirit quilt shop. Feeling nostalgic, since that shop set my feet back on a quilting path, I ventured over to see if the space was still vacant.

 To my great delight it was occupied by Peace, Love & Decorating. All the photos here are from their shop.  I was in a big hurry (needed to get to a hair appointment), so I just snapped a few pictures. The young ladies were so nice. They said they'd only been open a week, and would love for me to let folks know about them.

 I am going to date myself here by saying they have seriously groovy merchandise.  I am dying to get back there to purchase the yellow throw in the photo above. (There is an important person in my life who is crazy about yellow, and I am crazy about her.)

 I could just squeal with delight over these pillows!

 The messages are all about celebrating life.

 I hope to get back there soon. (This cat, who had been rolling around in the dirt in the yard, was NOT at the shop, but she knows eye want to go back to PLD as soon as possible). She is watching my every move.

Speaking of nostalgia, anyone going to see Dark Shadows?

Forty years to a finish

When I started putting together the layers for this quilt.  I thought oh dear this is not going to be square. I worried should I take it all apart and start the piecing over?

I could not do that.  I would be taking out stitches put in by my great Grandmother Mae Stella Irvin (B 1898).

These furrow rows were put together while she was in her 80s, and while they aren't straight, they are hers.  I left her work alone and finished it the best way I knew how.

Mae Stella Irvin with a quilt she completed probably in the 1970s.

So I started stitching last weekend, and I finished today.

I used the shamrock fabric I found around St Pat's Day, and pulled the back to the front to create a self binding.  The shamrocks are perfect! My great Grandmother married a second generation American, since her husband's (Frank Irvin's) grandfather was one of the first Irish immigrants to settle in the Qzarks of Missouri.

I think she would love it!

I hope so.

The love is what matters.  I am so lucky to have something of hers and to finish it for her.

Bulloch Hall's Quilt Show

Two weeks ago I attended the Pearls of Wisdom Great American Cover-Up Quilt Show at Bulloch Hall. There were many wonderful quilts in the show, but I am going to show you my two favorites.

Candy Kisses by Diane Knott.

Diane says "This quilt is based on the "Gypsy Kisses" pattern by Material Obession.  I changed the technique, piecing method and size.  I love the result!"  As do we Diane. Thank you for creating such an impressive visual treat for us to enjoy. (Quote from the show booklet.)

A Million Pieces of Love and Wisdom shown by Evelyn Hardy

Evelyn Hardy says of this piece "My grandmother, Tommie L. Smith, created this quilt in the late 1800's to help keep her five children warm on chilly Elberton, GA winter nights.  The quilt backing was constructed from flour sacks and cloth bags.  Each of the multicolored fabric(s) used for this quilt was folded and hand sewn to make 'petals' that are three dimensional."(Quote also from the show booklet.)

Here is a close up of the foundation fabric:

One reason I was attracted to Million Pieces is that my mother, Linda Brannock, has one block of this design at home, and it is finished in a circle and used on the back of a chair.  I have always been fascinated by its construction.  To see this construction method on a piece so large brought me to my knees with respect for this woman's tenacity.  And she made this work of art and craftsmanship for the most basic reason: to keep her children warm. 

Can you get more personal expressions of love than quilts?

Shop Hop Your Boots Off

Yesterday was my day to do the Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop. I prepared by planning my route, eating a good breakfast (fruit, rice toast, mushrooms and tea), and selecting footwear (as well as clothing; I don't want you to think I went without an entire ensemble). I just noticed my dishes don't match in the photo above.  Well, isn't that just normal of me?

I've pretty much made a habit of wearing boots on my Shop Hop treks, so I decided to make it a tradition.I bought a bit of fabric, so I really need to sew (not buy more).  Besides there are babies being born I need to make blankets for. 

It is funny; the less I spend on clothing for work, the more I seem to spend at quilt shops.

I just loved wearing my "new" dress to work this week.  

Life is good.

Sunday Something Better Than Nothing

I started this Lisa Bongean project, Little Tulips, in her class in Cullman, Alabama last summer. I had not gotten far on it that day, so I pulled it out to take to Ellijay with me for the Silver Thimble Club retreat last weekend. This Friday, at our regular Thimble group meeting, I finally got the border on.

The tulips are wool applique and the 25 patch blocks are composed of 3/4" squares. It was fun to put together. I would like to have it quilted to show her at the Quilter's Expo here (Duluth, GA) next month.
I have not been sewing at home much.  I rearranged my sewing room over my holiday break from work.  After three weeks it seemed like an alien planet.  I had no new furniture, nor any new shelving.  Everything was put away, but I could not find a darn thing.  Today I rearranged it again.  I think I can sew in there again. I hope.

I SOOOO want one of these collapsible rolling carts from Costo.  I don't have a membership though, so they let me in the store a couple weeks ago to look around, but the carts were not in yet. One of my friends is going to help me out and pick it up for me. It is getting a bit much to carry my sewing stuff in and out of buildings, and this cart will help immensely.

Some of the ladies I sewed with Friday are working on some really beautiful things.

I love the bright vintage look of this fabric.

And these lovely batiks.

are going to make an outstanding log cabin from this pattern.

How exciting is that?

One more thing: DOWNTON ABBY is on tonight.  I must not forget like I did last week, since then I had to wait for the repeat broadcast on Thursday. I read in the morning newspaper this is the last episode of season 2, and they've not yet begun filming season 3.  What? Ugh! You have GOT to be kidding!  So how long are we going to have to wait to see more? Here is what I think: Mr Bates is going to get deeper into trouble and get shipped off (or escape) to America.  While here he will found a motel chain and father a deeply disturbed son who will keep his transvestite father's mummified body at home while he murders a certain young blonde women in one of the motel's showers.  Who knows what the writers will come up with?  I am sad over Lavinia's death though.  She was so lovely to look at; her costumes were gorgeous.

TV sewing

One thing I love about my job at the technical college is the diversity of students I get to meet and help.  The students who are originally from Africa are so kind, caring and generous.

One of those students gave me a package of this fabric.  It is very different from the cotton I am used to for quilting.  The package contained between 4 and 6 yards.  The fabric feels papery and is very shiny. I could see it would make a wonderful traditional African costume. But what would I do with it?

Yo-yo girlfriend!

(looks so different; doesn't it?)

I like the crispness the fabric gives the yo-yos.  I am putting them together with bright colors of embroidery floss.

Scooter (now 13 years old) likes when I am hand sewing (making yo-yos) in the bedroom.  It is cozy there and he can sleep.

A short visit is better than none.

I got to spend a few days at my folks house in Missouri. Mom and I played with Brannock & Patek  Farmer's Market fabric.

We got a quilt top together, but I am going to hand applique the circles down, so it is not finished yet.

Quilts make a bed cozy.  I was totally spoiled with Dad bringing Mom and I breakfast in bed every morning.

Mom's hand-hooked rug at the base of the bed.

Hallway from Mom's room.

A wall in Mom's library.

I love Mom's hand hooked rugs.

And Dad's apple pie.  This was his best.  I don't know how he does it.  This one was beyond sublime.

On the way home from the Atlanta airport Saturday night I related to my husband how spoiled I was at (my other) home, and he added "oh yeah, there's nothing to eat at (our) home."

Marvelous.