Bird Nest On The Ground

Recent Flea Market Finds, #1 Linens and Lace

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:33:00 +0000

So, let's take a break from quilts and see what other things I've been up to lately.....you know...my other love - Flea Market Finds!!! I haven't spoken of those "finds" lately, although I've certainly found them and have spent quite a bit of time just looking at them, wondering just what I will "do" with these lovely things.

I went out twice this week just to walk around the flea market...as you know, I call that "my therapy." Bet if you like flea markets, you call it therapy too. Sometimes it's also my exercise, which might explain my waistline, or lack thereof. Anyway, I was out and about, searching for what I love....linens, lace, and all things inbetween.

Look at this wonderful apron with the crochet at the bottom...just beautiful...bought it from my friend, Dean's booth at Green Alley. Seems I'm collecting aprons these days...I'll have to do a post dedicated solely to them one day soon. (That friend, Jim, who draws, has given me several really nice ones.)

Then, there's that absolutely GORGEOUS roll of vintage lace...purchased from Terre at Green Alley. Isn't that just to die for? It's six inches in width and there's about two yards of it. I've shown it twice...it shows up so much better on top of that pink fabric for contrast. Ideas of what to do with it are just blowing my mind....so much to do...so little time!

I found the beautiful hankies at the Do Drop Inn Flea Market and the Apple Tree Mall in Beebe, Arkansas. Two of the other places I like to visit. These are just beautiful ones...to add to my hanky collection. What I am going to do with them is always a mystery.......and I love a good mystery, don't you?

That pink pillow came from Terre also....I've no idea what I will do with it, as it needs repair, but surely something will pop into my head in the middle of the night - maybe one night soon, and then that particular mystery will be solved.

In my next post, I will show you some things I purchased at the same time these beauties came into my life, but they will be dishes, etc. Flea Markets. Love 'em!! And, don't we all have to do our bit for the economy? See you in a couple of days...take care, pat

Drawing #3, A Log Cabin Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:24:00 +0000

OK, here is the largest, the most complex, and the last of the quilts I have made using friend Jim's drawings on fabric. All three quilts have had leaves and birds drawn on them....these leaves are just fabulous. Love the bird house too!

The center of the quilt is 12 inches x 14 inches. The Log Cabin blocks are about 6 1/2 inches square and the whole wall quilt is 39 inches square. He made two of these drawings, so I made two quilts...one for him...one for me. This one is mine. His is in totally different colors and so, looks really different...

Over the years, I have made several Log Cabin quilts. You may notice on this one that I quilted the "logs" right down the center. I always quilt a log cabin this way as I really like the way it looks here, rather than the quilting "in the ditch" that some quilters do. I've always thought if I was going to take the time and energy to hand quilt...I wanted it to 'show.' Then, too, there is the fact that I LOVE to hand quilt and proud of it!

IF I could draw like Jim, there is no telling what I could do...but I come up short in the drawing department....at least realistic drawing, so it's nice he's given me these drawings on fabric to make into quilts. Now to get busy doing something I can do......see you next time!!! take care, pat

Jim's First Fabric Drawing, as Promised

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:23:00 +0000

In my last post, I showed you one of my small quilts with some writing and drawing on it done by my friend, Jim. Actually, I should have shown you this one first....so I'm kinda going backwards here, but I said I'd show you all three quilts I have with his drawing on them...so here we are.

This one is the very first of his drawings and is what he actually did during his time in my class. If you remember, I told you he put it in his pocket, saying he could do better. Take a close look at this little quilt. Those little drawings around the edge of that center square are about 3/4 inch square! This center drawing is approximately 7 1/4 inches or so. The entire small wall quilt is 20 inches square. I just love the little drawings and as you can see, he probably did not need to take my class! One of my favorite of the little blocks is the pair of glasses....his rather subtle mention of my poor vision.

Naturally, making a quilt using this little muslin square was not an option....I just had to make it! I used leftover fabrics, of course, and embellished it with hearts all 'round using red perle cotton in a backstitch....then hand quilted it.

Next, I made a label and appliqued another heart for the back of the quilt. So much fun!!! He still denies this little square is "any good" but I think it is priceless. In my next post, probably on Thursday....I'll show you the largest and last of the three quilts with Jim's drawing. I will tell you this...he went on from here to use "writing on fabric" in some really cool quilts of his own and IN HIS OWN WAY....such a neat thing!!! Hope you enjoyed this one....I'll see you again on Thursday...take care. pat

My Friend Jim's Fabric Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:43:00 +0000

The other day my sister-in-law, Sandy, her husband, Cecil, along with my father-in-law, stopped by for lunch. They actually brought lunch to my house...which was really nice for me.
After we ate, the guys were watching football, so Sandy asked to see that "quilt closet" I wrote about in my last post. For some reason, she hadn't seen it. Oh, my goodness...how did that happen?

Naturally, we immediately went to the closet so she could take a look. Actually, I enjoy taking a look in there myself....from time to time, I suppose just to make sure it's still there! She picked out one particular quilt because she noticed the edging and liked it. The quilt had a beaded edge. I think she'd actually enjoy beading. She's a painter and a wonderful one at that....and she could bead if she took a mind to it...maybe we'll see about that soon. When she took the quilt out of the closet, she then noticed the center of it. Drawing on fabric....now, this is right up her alley, she just doesn't know it yet!

So, here's the quilt. It's eighteen inches square. It all began with a drawing on fabric done by my good friend, Jim. Years ago, I taught a class in "writing on fabric" at our guild retreat. Jim took that class...and because I knew he really didn't want to write on fabric....but would greatly enjoy heckling me, I didn't say a thing when he politely listened, then began to DRAW instead of write. He drew the tiniest little drawings as a frame for the writing...how cool was that?
After class, he stuffed the muslin drawing into his pocket and told me he was going to "throw it away."

At lunch that day, he placed something near my plate....it was the drawing! So, I said "I'll make a quilt and put this on it." He said, "Oh, no....it's not good enough, later I'll do a better one and send it to you." (Well, I kept that little piece and later made it into a quilt. He was actually surprised I had spent some time doing this. I wasn't, of course!) About a week after that class, I received an envelope in the mail from Jim...and in it was the drawing you see in the center of this quilt. It's just GREAT!!! So, I made a second little quilt embellished with buttons.

Somewhere in my hunting and gathering...I had found the brass bird, so I had to add it to the "scene" and of course, as you might expect, I had to bead the edges of the quilt too!

I made a label for the back of the quilt, as you can see, and as Jim does, I cut out some flowers and fused them to the label....and wrote a bit about the quilt. This was fun! Jim and I have done a couple of projects together. Sometimes it's difficult because we work in totally different ways, with totally different styles, sometimes we have loud and lively disagreements, but, gosh - it's really nice to have a friend who enjoys making things and sharing all this FUN....we both think so.

This quilt led to us making two more larger ones. He did the drawing, I made the quilts. I have one and he has the other. Maybe I'll show mine to you next time! And, Sandy, well, she MIGHT want to try that beading....come on over Sandy!!! Meantime, take care, pat

The Quilt Closet

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Last weekend during the program I did in Mountain View, someone asked me how I store all my quilts. It was a very good question. If you asked ten quiltmakers this same question, you'd probably receive ten different answers! We all seem to develop our own way of quilt making, so it stands to reason we are equally diverse in methods of storage, and with all the interest in
"where women create", etc. - where we store all the 'goodies' seems important too.

Three things I will tell you that probably DO NOT vary from quiltmaker to quiltmaker.....#1, never store your quilts or vintage linens in plastic. #2, never store them in the hot attic or a damp basement, #3, never store them in or on unfinished wood, such as an unpainted wood shelf, or in a cedar chest without wrapping them in a cotton pillowcase or sheet. There's acid in that wood. If you must store them on an unfinished shelf...by all means, the number one best way is to wrap them in acid free tissue in an acid free box. If you can't do that...then be sure to wrap them in that cotton sheet, etc.

Now, as I said, someone asked me how I store MY quilts. Here you see my entire quilt storage system! This is what works for me....here is my quilt closet. This closet is in one of our three bedrooms.....the smallest bedroom with the largest closet. Go figure! As you can see, I have quilts folded on the upper shelves...painted finish on the shelves. These are quilts that are vintage...some are waiting for needed repair, some aren't. The one with the little appliqued circles visible on that center shelf is a one of my own UFO's....I really need to finish quilting that one. The hanging quilts are quilts that I have made, with a couple of exceptions. I use plastic coat hangers.....rather thick ones, to avoid creases if possible. I also have some smaller quilts hanging from those 'pants' hangers, which are metal with a plastic covering on the hanging part. These can hold about four or five small wall quilts. Well, you have to think of ways to 'make more space' sometimes!

The reason this closet works for me is that not only do I not have any other place to put my quilts, but I am constantly getting a quilt or two out of the closet, for study, or to show, and this is very convenient, making it easy to remove them AND put them back where they belong. One suggestion....no matter where or how you store your quilts, take them out every few months and refold them. This also helps to prevent permanent creases.

Another good thing about the closet....sometimes I have visitors who want to see all my quilts.
Now, the house may be a big mess, but when they see this closet....they are impressed, and that pleases me, not to mention that showing is easy as I can take the quilts out, spread them on the bed, show them off, then return them easily. Another good thing about it....when I'm feeling kind of down and thinking I haven't done anything....I just open the closet and see something pretty and think "Oh, yeah....I did do that!" And, then I feel better. You know, every quilt has a story and sometimes I just take out a quilt - look, touch and "remember." That's a good thing too. Sometimes I hang them on the walls for a while, then trade them out...another good thing.

Does this give you any ideas? I certainly hope you enjoyed the visit to my quilt closet...let me know if you make a quilt closet of your own! Now, take care til we visit again.....pat

PS. I just know some of you are going to take a look at this closet and tell me you don't have a spare closet. I should probably have told you in advance that I, evidently, am not "into" clothing, so one little closet will do me. I am into quilts.....need I say more?

Everything Old is New Again: A Satin Stitch Reproduction

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Here I am again! Promised you I'd post something new last night, but my computer (or it's operator) had a glitch, so I'm just now able to post. Over the weekend, I went "out and about" and drove to Mountain View, Arkansas, to do a program for the Committee of 100 Workshop at the Ozark Folk Center, part of our state park system, devoted to the arts, crafts, music, and history of the Ozark Mountain area of Arkansas. It's a beautiful drive up there (about an hour and a half for me) and it made a nice "getaway" for a couple days.

Friday night I stayed in my room at the lodge and finished a project that I wanted to include in the presentation next day and that's what I'm showing you today. (By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to this group...they seemed very interested in what I had to say and show, which made the trip even nicer!)

A few posts ago, I showed you the pillow I purchased on yet another visit to one of the local flea markets. I really wanted to "reproduce" it, in my own way, for the program. I also showed a vintage curtain edged with lace that I would use to make the reproduction pillow. I removed the lace to save for another project. I love doing this...finding something interesting (maybe only to ME), and using found fabric, etc., to reproduce it.

In the photos, you can see the vintage pillow at the top....with a beautiful lace ruffle around it.
I really like the embroidered flowers and leaves...all done in a satin stitch. This is what I wanted to do 'in my own way' and so beneath it, you see the pillow I made. While doing the embroidery, I decided to use beads to finish it off...as you can also see here...these are bigger than the seed beads I might normally use....and a lovely "pearly" color. After finishing the pillow, I decided it needed a nice bow, so used some silk ribbon and French Knots to attach the bow. This pillow is approximately 6 inches x 13 inches. (Of course, you know, you can click on the photos and see the stitches "up close and personal.")

A word about the flowers.....on the vintage pillow, the leaves and the flowers are all done with a satin stitch. You know how I love to stitch leaves, so I used my version of a fly stitch to make them. I did use a satin stitch for the flowers and beads for the flower centers. It might interest you to know that I cut tiny "versions" of each flower petal out of white felt, then did the satin stitch over them....and that's what makes the petals really thick and fat looking....something you don't get with satin stitch alone. What do you think?

I really enjoyed making this pillow....it may end up in my etsy shop, but for right now...I'm enjoying looking at it. Now, after a trip out of town.....I need to get back to work....see you in a few days, hopefully, with something neat to show you. Take care, pat

My Sister's Silk Ribbon Pincushion

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Well, as promised, here is the second silk ribbon embroidered piece of my sister's that I wanted to show you. Remember I said these were photographed late at night because I would probably have forgotten to do it the next day. You know how things go when you are visiting. So, I apologize for pictures that aren't all that great.

This is a pincushion I designed and made for Debbie...way back when. I used a hand-dyed fabric as a background...dyed by a friend of mine. Lots of silk ribbon. Doing projects like this just eats up ribbon, and it can get pretty expensive, but, hey....we have to do our bit to keep the economy going I always say. This one has a pretty 'soft' look to it and I like that.

I can't remember how long it took to make...I know at least one person always asks that. Fortunately for me, I am never concerned with how long it takes...for me it's always do I want to do it or not. The answer seems to always be YES!

Flowers, leaves, my favorite things are here....another beaded edging...my goodness, how I love making this kind of thing! And, my sister loves having it...good for both of us!

Let me know what you think....love getting those comments and hearing how you feel about it.
It's that sharing thing that makes blogging so much fun.

And, speaking of that....I really try to respond to each comment. And, if I haven't responded to your comment, it generally means that there is no way for me to do that....for instance, commenting as "Anonymous" gives me no way to send you a message. I only bring this up because sometimes I feel bad that I can't say "thanks." Just so you know.

In a few days, look for another post. I've no idea, at the moment, what it will be about...something pretty maybe? I'll be in Mountain View, Arkansas, on Friday and Saturday where I will be doing a "thing" (that's what hubby calls these occasions) on quilts...so it will be Sunday, probably, before I post again. I hope you look forward to it as much as I do!!! Take care, pat

My Sister's Silk Ribbon Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:25:00 +0000

I mentioned to you last night that I would show you two pieces of silk ribbon embroidery that I made for my sister. These were made quite some time ago, but she has taken great care of them, so they still look 'new.' Tonight, as I sat down to post, a decision was made to show you each of them in a separate post, so I'll show you the other piece later in the week...probably Wednesday or Thursday.

As you know, if you read this blog very much, I recently visited my sister in Texas. When I look around her house I see lots of things I have made her over the years....and this heart is one of my favorites, so late one night I snapped these photos. Of course, the light could have been better, but it was 'now or never' so to speak.....meaning I was liable to forget to do it by the next day.

Flowers are just about my favorite thing to depict in my work...you'll know that, too, if you've visited here very much. So, on this heart I have embroidered some roses and some leaves and have included beads in the negative spaces and also along the edges. Also, there are some of my beloved French Knots....I'm a fool for those...love making them! And, do you remember that I like to bead fringe? Oh, my, do I!!!! So, here you will see the beaded fringe with a little loop at the end of each fringe. I had to count these, so it took a while. And, as you can see, I also beaded the hanger....I need to do that more often I think.

I forgot to measure this heart, but just from memory, I think the heart was about the same size as the fuschia and orange hearts a few posts back. Counting the fringe and hanger on this one, I'm estimating it is about ten or twelve inches long.

Well, there you go....something for my sister. She is a dear person....deserving a dear gift!!!
If you will visit later in the week, I'll show you the silk ribbon embroidered pincushion she has.
LOTS of flowers on it!! Til then, thanks for visiting and take care....pat

Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:47:00 +0000

OK....it's after 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2009....my 65th birthday!!! The winner of the black crazy quilted and embellished heart pin is Roseanna of NY....ta da!!!!! Roseanna, I sent you an email and it came back...please contact me with your mailing address so I can send my heart to you. I will hold it for a couple of days and if I don't hear back...well, that old navy man will choose another number and someone else will win the heart!

For those of you who visit often....thank you so much for helping to keep me going....for those who have just recently visited for the first time...please do visit again...I appreciate you all so much!

Now, come back to visit late tomorrow...I'm showing some rather pretty silk ribbon embroidery I did several years ago for my sister...it still looks great so I thought you'd enjoy seeing it. See you then...take care, pat

My 65th Birthday "Giveaway"

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:20:00 +0000

A busy, rainy day here at the nest today with lots to try and accomplish....but I wanted to take the time to announce a Giveway!

This Sunday (October 18) I will be 65 years old. 65!!!! Do I feel older? Sort of, but in many ways, I feel like a 40 year old trapped in a 65 year old body. And, if you are anywhere near my age...I know you feel the same way. The only time I really feel older, though, is when it's one of my kid's birthdays.

So, in honor of this milestone birthday, I would like to give you something. I love giving things away. To one of my blog readers I am gifting one of my crazy quilted hearts...this time it's a pin, although the pin on the back could be removed so it could be used as a pincushion if you were so inclined.

This heart is 3 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches tall. It is made in the crazy quilt style which I love, and is embellished with a vintage glass button and several vintage glass beads. There are dragonfly beads...they are not vintage and several glass/metal beads which are vintage. There is also embroidery in metallic threads and some black ric-rac with metallic thread running through it. The edge is beaded, as you've seen so often on my work.

I once walked into an antique store wearing another version of this black heart pin. As I walked into the store the owner shouted from the back of the room...."You have a beautiful heart!" "How do you know?" I said. He said, "Well, I meant the one you are wearing!" And, we both laughed. Actually, the light above me had lit the pin up, making it sparkle, and he noticed it immediately. I always remember that story when making these heart pins.

Would you like this selection of black 'jewels' from my collection? (The heart pin, 1 bead tray, 2 pkgs, Delica beads, 3 butterfly beads, 3 dragonfly beads, one photo frame charm, 4 vintage black glass buttons and 1 ball of size 12 DMC Perle Cotton) If so, please leave a comment (make sure I have a way to contact you) and this Sunday (after 10:00 pm), I will have that old navy man choose a winner. Meantime, be safe out there and take care! pat

That Orange Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Hi! I'm back from our little trip to Texas. That old navy man went to his "50th" class reunion in Meridian and had a great time. I visited my sister, who lives in McGregor (near Waco). My two brothers came also. One lives in Ft. Worth and the other lives in Corpus Christi. Our visit was long overdue, and I really appreciated them braving all the pouring rain to come see me. It rained nearly the whole time we were there. I'm the oldest of the four....sixteen months older than one brother, ten years older than my sister, and thirteen years older than my youngest brother. It was nice to see them, one of my nieces and one nephew too.

I managed to visit the flea market there...bought three things to add to my collections....a quilt, an apron and a lovely vintage lace hanky. Texas souvenirs, so to speak.

Before I left, I told you I would show you the Orange heart I made by request of my friend, Deb.
So, here it is. I had actually never made anything so totally orange before, so it was an experience finding embellishments in that color. Of course, one of my favorite things is hunting and gathering those embellishments, so I had great fun finding all the "ingredients" for this heart and, again, the ladybug charm provided by Deb.

Buttons, beads, embroidery and some crochet trim help to embellish this heart. I crocheted the trim myself, adding it to my simple crazy quilted heart. I mentioned in my last post that I beaded the edge of that fuchsia heart using a method I learned from Nancy Eha using her Three Bead Scalloped Edging. One of you commented, asking for more information. That particular edging is in her first book "Off the Beadin' Path" on page 50.

As always, I managed to embroider some leaves on this orange heart....one of my favorite things to do. So, do you like this one? I hope so.

Well, having been gone for a week, I am behind in my work....(when am I not, it seems?), so I'll go for now, but please stay tuned. Next week I will be having a giveaway for my birthday! Take care...pat

A Fuchsia Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Early in the summer I made two crazy quilted hearts as a custom order for my friend, Deb, in Texas. She wanted to give them to two friends on their birthdays...both in August. She had seen one I had done in red at our AWOL retreat in March and I guess that red one planted a seed somewhere in her subconcious mind...so later, she made an order. It certainly made me feel good. Deb has ordered several things from me to the point that we both joke about her paying my electric bill!

Anyway, she wanted one heart in fuchsia and one in orange. If you know me, then you know that these are not in my usual color palette, but I'm up for trying them out and I'm glad I did. On the fuchsia one, she wanted me to include a flamingo charm as her friend receiving that heart collected flamingos, so she even went so far as to send the charm! She is nothing if not THOROUGH!

I made these hearts, which are approximately 4 inches x 6 inches, in the crazy quilting style I love so much and they are great fun to make. Once again, time consuming, but FUN!!! I have used a variety of simple embroidery stitches, buttons, and beads to embellish this simple heart.
Nancy Eha taught me how to do this beaded edge...it's called a Three Bead Scalloped Edging Stitch and I could just do that all day long, it's so much fun. So, with that in mind, I did it on the inner edge of the pieced heart and the outer edge of the entire heart.

As I put the heart front and back together I added a tied fabric loop so the heart can be hung somewhere neat, for instance, I like to hang them from the china cabinet door...but one of my students suggested using it for a pincushion (imagine that!!) and hanging it in your sewing area. Well, why not? As you may remember, I taught a pincushion class at our retreat this month and now have four orders for these hearts....so I guess they liked the idea!

I am leaving for Texas on Friday to visit my sister. As soon as I get back, I will post the orange heart and let you have a look at that, while I get started on those four orders. I've added some recent post subjects to my ETSY SHOP, you might want to take a look. When I get back, I'll be adding a couple more items. I have to get better at tending to my tiny 'shop' I'm told by my best friends.

So, have a lovely weekend coming up, a great week following and I'll see you late next week.....now off to some visiting and maybe even a flea market or two. Take care, pat

PS. October is my birth month....so later in the month I am planning a Giveaway...stay tuned!

Flea Market Finds: More Work...More FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Someone asked me why I didn't show the Flea Market Finds from our Day Trip on Tuesday. Well, there is a reason.....most of what I 'found' is meant for blog posts for next year...you know, my 'year of the basket." That's the only clue I'm giving....and, it's not the obvious....real baskets!

So, because I didn't show any flea market finds...I thought I'd show you some 'finds' from other trips to area flea markets. Oh, you know you love seeing other people's junk....especially since they aren't taking up space in YOUR studio!!!

First, I found this vintage pillow some time back....the very minute I laid my eyes on it, I knew I'd reproduce it someday. I also found an old linen curtain...the pillow is on top of it in the photo. It has a beautiful lace edging. There are lots of holes in the fabric, but there is still plenty of good, usable fabric. I intend to use this old curtain to stitch the pillow pattern on and finish it with this lace. What do you think??? Seems to me...the day has arrived to start work on the "reproduction."

Then, last week, in Beebe, I found a Sunbonnet Sue baby quilt. It is very worn, with raveled edges, but oh, so soft! Of course I bought it! (Of course, the price was right!) Years ago, I made a Sunbonnet Sue...with embroidered embellishments...can't remember where it wound up. Seeing this one has inspired me to make another one and I think one with baskets would certainly fit into my plans for 2010~~~~

Finally, I saw this old ironing board. A small one....just the kind to use for ironing little bits of lace and ribbon or doll clothes. An old muslin cover, looking kind of shabby told me to recover it....being a complete FOOL for floral fabrics...I did just that this afternoon. Kinda looking spiffy now!

So, there you are. Some flea market finds...the bits and pieces that add beauty and interest to my life! What about you...would this be something you'd do? Take care, pat

Day Trip to Batesville or "What Happens at Marshall's Stays at Marshall's"

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:47:00 +0000

Every once in a while you need to take a little day trip, you know....just to get away from the "everyday" and have a few laughs with friends. So, yesterday I had the pleasure of taking a day trip with my friends, Bibi and Sherry. We decided to go to Batesville, a small town northeast of Searcy. It takes about thirty minutes or so to get there and the scenery is pretty...off we went!

Our goal was to eat lunch at Elizabeth's (a nice place to get a "plate" lunch, located on Main street) then go down the street to Marshall's Fabrics. Of course, quiltmakers and other sewing enthusiasts would want to go there! We have lost many of our fabric stores in this neck of the woods, so having an opportunity to visit this one was drawing us to it like a magnet.

Lunch was wonderful! My favorite part was the homemade rolls....absolutely delicious!!!!

You can see the FABRIC sign from the front door of Elizabeth's, so a short drive and we were there...here you see the photo I took right from the car as we drove up in front of Marshall's.
A pretty nondescript kind of warehouse building. Years ago they were closer to Elizabeth's but they moved to this location which is larger...gosh, I don't remember when, but it's bigger inside than it looks outside.

We can't shop in the wholesale section, but the retail section is plenty big for us....here you see rows of fabrics....I've caught some other shoppers between rows. It's kind of like a treasure hunt to tell the truth. You may visit for yourself at www.marshalldrygoods.com.

I took a photo of Sherry's purchases....see the size of her sack! She was very conservative, but pleased with what she found.

Then, there's my sacks.....plural......plenty full of delicious new fabrics, calling my name to take them home with me! I've plans for some, but like every devout fabric lover, some of it "I just wanted" because I like it a lot.

Here is my friend Bibi...with her loot! She had never been there before, but Sherry and I had.
Bibi managed to find several pieces and already wants to return sometime. That's what happens at a place like this.

I could get into the story of who spent the most, who had the most pieces of fabric, and all that, but we have decided that "what happens at Marshall's...stays at Marshall's!!! It's the only way to do it....

Then, of course, no trip would be complete without stopping at a Flea Market, which we did. We even managed to shop at a Flea Market that was closed!! One of the vendors just happened to be there, moving some things to another location, and allowed us to shop for about half an hour or so. Need I say that several things came along with us on the ride home?

A great day trip....a fun time with friends....and just the right amount of "loot." What a FUN day! We will definitely do it again sometime soon. Take care, pat

Red Tomato Pincushion "Re-Do"

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:23:00 +0000

Last Tuesday, I told you about my "Special Pincushion Class" at our guild retreat and mentioned to you that in my next post I would tell you about something you can do with your "stale, red tomato pincushions. Of course, that's assuming that you have "stale" red tomato pincushions. You may think yours is just fine. I have always thought they needed a "little something," but never gave it much more thought than that. Until I saw a blog featuring a lovely red tomato pincushion or two.

These red pincushions have been around for a very long time. I have had several, ultimately getting rid of them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought little of disposing of them when they became worn and tired. Not any more!

I visited a blog...you know how it is....you go to a person's blog you visit often and there is a comment or you see an interesting "favorite blog" listed, etc., or you visit the blogs of those making comments on your own blog. Next thing you know you see something interesting and you learn! Isn't this one of the really grand things about blogging?

I was "visiting," scrolling through a blog when I saw red tomato pincushions....these really caught my eye. Turns out they were in the collection of the blog owner and were made by her grandmother...oh, yes...just my kind of thing....vintage, with bits of tatting, buttons, etc. I loved them immediately and wondered what had made this grandmother "decorate" her red tomato pincushions. Thinking we all need to add some beauty (wherever we find it) to each day and knowing that this grandmother didn't want to waste a thing (I'm pretty much of the same mind)....I imagined what was running through her mind when she pinned these bits of beauty to her "stale" red pincushion.

Yes, she had taken tiny bits of handmade lacy things, buttons, etc. and embellished her pincushions.....making them beautiful to my eyes when I found them out in cyberspace week before last. Her decorations were pinned on! Oh, what a simple embellishment, so easy, so beautiful. I emailed the granddaughter and asked permission to copy this idea and show the class I was to teach later that week. Permission was given and the rest is history. So, go visit for yourself....robin-giftsyoucanfeelgoodabout.blogspot.com.

When you visit the blog....scroll down to her post on August 26th, entitled "It's RedNesday @
It's a Very Cherry World" and check out her grandmother's pincushions. See you if love them too.

So, I went out and bought several pincushions, embellished them with bits of lace I had on hand and took them to my class, drawing names of three students and presenting them with their own embellished tomato pincushions. One also went to the whole group as one of the door prizes. I also brought one home...the largest one you see here. They are ingenious really, you can look at the "bits" of decoration all you want to and when they get "stale " to you...unpin them and add something else. Or, if you love them, as I did the grandmother's....well, then, you can leave them as is and hopefully, they will enthrall someone else down the line.

So, having had a seed planted in my brain....and embroidery being one of my passions...I set about this weekend to do my own "thing" with some tomato pincushions. Here you have a blue one (I've just learned they come in different colors!!) and a red one. (And, yes, Deb...I have a purple one, just not decorated yet!) On the blue one, I removed the thread "ribs" completely, on the small red one, I replaced them with floss the color of the flowers. Also, on the blue one, I stitched the "strawberry" down flat, on the red, stitching it down in an upright position. Simple embroidery stitches....all in variegated threads.....my version of embellishing these everyday pincushions....just not removable.

Also, working on these pincushions made me wonder...just what really is inside these?
I was under the impression that emery powder was in the strawberry so as to sharpen your needles and pins when needed. And, I've always heard that the tomato was stuffed with sawdust. Turns out the tomato IS stuffed with sawdust, covered with a papery plastic, but the strawberry is stuffed with sand rather than emery. Interesting.

So, there you are. Red tomato pincushions...not so stale after all. Who knew? (Thanks, Robin!) Take care, pat

Quilting Arkansas '09, Part Two: A Special Pincushion

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:26:00 +0000

As noted in the previous post, Quilting Arkansas '09 was held this past weekend. And, as you know if you visit this blog often, I have been preparing to teach a class there. I've done so for many years and always look forward to meeting some really wonderful people, making new friends and spending time with old ones. (And, you know "old friends are best." Until you make a new one!)

I always send in a class proposal, usually two or three, so the retreat staff has a selection to choose from. This time they chose my class entitled "A Special Pincushion." I was really happy about that as I knew I would spend lots of time making and talking about pincushions in 2009.

Here is my class description: "Historically speaking, there are many different types of pincushions. The Victorian examples elevated the every day act of sewing into something special...what a great idea! So, do you find that red tomato pincushion just a little stale? In this class, you will applique and embroider a floral design onto a background fabric, assemble the pincushion, then bead the edges. This is one of the more "glamorous" items you may have in your sewing repertoire, so why not go all the way and spend some time making a special one for yourself...or someone else."

There was a small photo in the class brochure....so I wondered if anyone at all would want to do something like this...after all, I am known around here for being one of the last holdouts for doing things all by hand. To my surprise, enough quiltmakers signed up to "make" the class. As it turns out...the class was so much fun! Those who signed up for it seemed to have a good time and actually took to it like a duck takes to water. I was so surprised and happy to know that it didn't turn out to be "tedious" after all.

So, here you are, my class samples. I made a kit for the class and they could choose from several different fabrics.....and everything they needed was in the kit. Oh, what a good time we had!! By the way, the largest pincushion is five inches square, the next is a three inch square and the last one is two inches x four inches.

The fabric we used for the applique is organdy......the stitch is a simple chain stitch with one strand of DMC floss and the edge is beaded using a simple whip stitch. Before class was over,they were already wanting to know what my class was going to be in 2011. I consider the class a success when that happens!

So, there you are....a fun time was had by all and I was so proud of the work my students did..every single one of them. And, now....anticipation is already mounting for the next retreat!
You should join us. Take care, pat

PS. Next post I hope to tell you a story and show you a way to rejuvenate your "stale red tomato pincushion!!

Quilting Arkansas '09, Part One: Venue

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Quilting Arkansas '09 was held this past weekend at a very special place to Arkansas Quiltmakers. Every other year we all descend on the Arkansas 4H Center, located ten scenic miles from Little Rock. This may be the very best retreat we have had....take my word...it was WONDERFUL!!!

I thought you might want to see what this place looks like...just out of curiosity. You know Arkansas sometimes gets a bum wrap in the media, making everything and everyone out to be on the hillbilly/dumb side. And, on occasion, goofy things do take place, however, it's places like the 4H Center that makes us want to show off and say - "See, there are many beautiful places and wonderful things happening here in Arkansas!" And, something else to boast about is the large number of wonderful quiltmakers who call Arkansas home.

I didn't really have time to take any photos, but I did manage to take a few as I was leaving on Sunday. I hope you can see just how beautiful this little spot is. I sat out by the gazebo for a while and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet while admiring the lake which sits behind the conference center. There is a rose garden out there as well....it's a very secluded place and a pleasure to visit.

My favorite photos were taken from my car as I drove away....past each wing of the center...seeing the rest of my friends packing their cars to leave. We are always reluctant to go home...it's so much fun to be with friends in such a lovely place. And, notice the bits of fog around those Arkansas hills....just beautiful!

Yes, we hate to see it end...but you know what...plans are already underway for Quilting Arkansas 2011!!! Hope you enjoyed this little view of one of Arkansas's little secrets!! take care, pat

The "Hansel and Gretel" House on the River

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:25:00 +0000

Well, I'm back from the quilting retreat!!!! As promised, I'm posting after returning from my guild's retreat at the 4H Center in West Little Rock. Boy, am I tired! I didn't get to bed before two o'clock any of the nights I was there. It is huge fun to sit and talk and laugh with my friends, old and new. A wonderful time was had by all...this being just about the best retreat we've ever had!

I'm not quite ready to post about my class, etc., so look for that later in the week. Instead, I am going to show you the house next door to the cabin I was at when I told you about visiting the river week before last with Larry and that old navy man. I just love this little place......

The first time we went to the river with Larry, I saw this house and instantly thought of "Hansel and Gretel"....you know, the house in the woods! There are all kinds of trees growing here, and at the right time of the year...flowers are in abundance. There is a wooden walkway down to the river which stops at that dock I showed you last time with the flag reflecting in the water. There are tiny windows, all kinds of pots with things growing...a deck, etc. When you drive by, you can hardly see the house for the trees, shrubs, and vines. It's rather secluded...just like "being in the woods." Do you think this tiny little house is cute? I sure do. I would love to have a place like this...but, truly, I'd NEVER get a thing done for being out on the dock just drinking in all that natural beauty and peacefulness!

So, hope you enjoy seeing it and I will be presenting my class samples, etc. for you to see in a couple of days....so much to do....so little time...my Knot group comes on Thursday! Do take care til then...pat

Off to See the Quilters

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Today, I'm working on preparations for this week's Quilting Arkansas '09. The Arkansas Quilters Guild has this retreat every other year at the 4H Center located west of Little Rock. It's a lovely place. I'm sorry this is the only picture I have of the center...I took the photo with my trusty little camera, directly from my computer screen, so it's not the best...but hopefully you can get an impression of just what a nice setting this is. I plan on having a great time...but truth be told...just the ride to the center is pretty great...and everything else is icing on the cake!

I've been attending these quilt retreats since 1984 and always look forward to being there with 150 of my "peeps." It's always FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

Notice that PT Cruiser....it's my own personal ride of choice and will hold all I need to pack into it. I say that because when I'm ready to leave here on Wednesday, it will be totally full of quilt "stuff" with no room to spare. I get excited just packing the car!!

I'm teaching a class there on making pincushions - what a surprise?? Here you can see what kind....more on these when I get back. I don't know if you can tell in the close-up photo or not, but these are appliqued, then embroidered with a chain stitch, then beaded around the edges.
A simple project really. Hope my students enjoy making an heirloom pincushion...because I think when they are done...they may not want to stick pins in them! (But I will insist!) We'll see. (Sorry about the blurry photo!)

I'm also showing you the prize ribbons I made. Actually, I forgot all about making them til last week....wouldn't you know? So, I had to play "catch-up" even more than usual. We are having two challenges....one a quilt challenge, the second a mask challenge...so there is a set of ribbons for each challenge. They are all purple, green and gold because our theme for the challenges is
"Mardi Gras." They are much brighter than these photos show and if you can see it clearly enough....you'll notice my handwriting in each circle, surrounded by dark purple irridescent beads.

So, lots to get done by Wednesday noon, at which time the cruiser and I will leave for four days of fun......so, you will not hear from me until Monday, the 14th. Take a look at this aerial photo and imagine that little lake...there is a gazebo right at water's edge, where you can sit and observe and enjoy. There is a rose garden too. The facility is just wonderful and the people are too. I'm SO looking forward to being there....but I will think of you....and you will hear from me asap.....take care, pat

An Afternoon, Two Men, The River and Some Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:51:00 +0000

There's a river not far from here called the Little Red River. Our friend Larry's son has a cabin on the river and once in a while, Larry gives us a call and asks if we'd like to go there and spend a little time. We'd always like to go, but often, have other things going on. Wednesday he called and invited us, once again, to drive up to the river and spend some time. As you already have read, if you are a frequent reader of this blog, I am preparing for a quilt retreat next week and there is still lots to be done.....but, Larry caught me needing a little R & R, so we accepted his invitation to visit the river.

We left around 1:00 in the afternoon. It's a pleasant drive up there....and with two men in the car...well, you know there was lots of talking going on. Yes, me and two men in my little PT Cruiser off to see the river. (I decided to drive....mostly because Larry took his car last time and to be fair, it was our turn. Then too, the guys would probably have a beverage or two, so as the designated driver, I'd rather drive my own car.)

Now these two guys are just great! They can be very entertaining seeing as how they both like to recall stories about work, family, etc. They are both former Entergy employees and have other friends in common. They are never at a loss of subject matter and it's quite fun. Also, always under discussion is how to solve all the problems of the world...you know how that goes. I enjoy it, though, and I think they do too.

So, we drove to the cabin, which is right on the river...a beautiful spot! An avid reader, Larry took a book. Not likely to work out that he would be able to read with us along...but you never know...we might fall asleep or something. Richard took a fishing rod. Not likely to catch a fish either, but again, you never know! I took my camera.

The last time we went to the river, it was way up from all the rain in the late winter/early spring, so the walkway down to the dock was level all the way down. This time, the river is pretty normal, so the walkway was nearly vertical, a hard thing to walk down when you are short and out of shape!!! But, I got down there. Now coming back up was really difficult, but not to be shown up by two guys....I eventually made it to the top.

The river was flowing slowly, as rivers sometimes do, and that alone calms a person. The view was just beautiful. Take a look at these photos....the dock next door is really neat and I love the way the flag reflects in the water. Look down river...isn't it pretty?

It turns out both men took a turn at fishing...remember, we have ONE fishing rod between the three of us. No luck, but we didn't really care...it was just nice to sit there and look and listen.

There were lots of geese across the way and down river too. It was fun to watch them as they went through their daily activities. They didn't get too close to us, so my photos of them aren't that good.....but, my memory is pretty good, so I'll just remember what all we witnessed. (One of my favorite quotes, although right this minute, I can't recall who said it: "God gave us memories so we could have roses in winter.") We also saw a hawk and a couple of herons. I'm not really quick on the camera "trigger" so just couldn't get the camera aimed and ready fast enough to take any photos of them.

We left around 5:00 p.m. Even the drive home was pleasant. A lovely afternoon on a peaceful river, with great company....R & R, indeed! Thanks, Larry and Richard, for letting "an old quilting lady" tag along!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Take care, pat

PS. Larry is the one who gave me the poem, framed, about a quiltmaker. You may go back and read it in my archives...."The Quiltmaker" posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. You may also click on the word "writing" on my labels list, then scroll down. Enjoy!

Shopping Carts: All Dressed Up and Somewhere to Go

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:41:00 +0000

Sometimes I wonder what I can possibly have to say on this blog. And, then, I set foot in the Nest and something just says...."write about THIS." So, today, I am going to show you two of my flea market finds. Well, actually, only one is a FIND, as I just happened to see it in Melanie's booth at Green Alley a couple of months ago. I bought it immediately, then told Melanie if she found any others to let me know. She did. Last week, "something" told me to go to Green Alley that day. No kidding, this is how it works! So, I went and found she had another "find" for me. O Happy Day!!

What wonderful objects are these, you ask? Well, commonplace to some, but beautiful to me, take a look at these objects and let me tell you this story.....

I have been admiring the shopping carts that Lisa sells. She has a blog and that's where I saw them, (a thing for roses.blogspot.com). I've been looking for one for months...and that's when I came across that first one in Melanie's booth. Now there are two. The first one was the red one. So cool. Like Lisa, I wanted to line my cart, so I did. Not really knowing an easy way to go about making the liner, I just plowed on through and I think they turned out pretty good.
I am planning on taking them to my retreat and selling at least one of them. (I'm kinda fond of that red one though, so it may come back home with me.)

I have quite a lot of fabric so finding something I thought suitable didn't take very long, but making the liner is, (to me anyway), quite labor intensive. This sounds really funny coming from a person who loves tedious handwork. Well, go figure! Anyway, for what it's worth, they are done and I think they are kinda cute, not to mention handy. If you ever have to carry a lot of things with you to someplace like a quilt retreat....they are wonderful to have. Next week my car will be loaded with "stuff" and having a cart to transport it all, when I get there, will be very helpful. (I drive a PT Cruiser....there will not even be room for an extra piece of paper in that vehicle next Wednesday...and a cruiser can hold a LOT of stuff!!)

Speaking of "commonplace things," since some of you really liked that poem I put in my last post....here's another:

I HAVE FOUND BEAUTY
by Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey

"I have found beauty
In commonplace things,
In a blue gingham apron
With crisply tied strings.

In freshly washed windows,
With checked curtains brief,
In the mottled rose gray
Of a frost-bitten leaf.

Ruby red velvet
In a tiny toad stool;
Silky green plush
In a polliwog pool."

Til next time....I know you'll find beauty in some commonplace things too! take care, pat

A Pincushion and a Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:17:00 +0000

In my last post I showed you one of the two candlestick pincushions I had just finished, promising to show you the second one "in a couple of days." Gosh, how fast time goes and once again...it got away from me, so I've gone past the couple of days I intended. Sometimes I swear the days just dissolve away!

This is the other pincushion made from wool and attached to one of my flea market find candlesticks. As you can see, it is in the same colors of wool as the last but the embellishments are different. For instance, I've only embroidered the curved line going around the wool "ball" and the leaves. The flowers were crocheted (in two sizes). The larger ones and the ones on the button are sewn on and the ones around the candlestick were glued on. I have an intense dislike for using glue, but sometimes glue is the only way to make it work. The flowers were crocheted with bedspread cotton and a size 8 hook. The flowers were sewn on, then a bead was also sewn into the center of each flower. (Again, glue on the bottom flowers.)

The covered button on top of the pincushion was covered in wool, then embroidered, then the red flowers were added. Around the edge of the button, I sewed on beads...these are size 6/0.
Have you noticed I like to add beads to an edge?

I like making the buttons so much, I think I am going to embroider a batch of them and add them to my etsy shop when I do that "update" I've been talking about...probably mid-to-late October.

Every time I make something and then take a good look at it, I always find something I could've done better, or left off, or added. But, I don't go back and remake the thing. I just chalk it up to the fact that I'm still learning and get on with my day. You'd think after all these years of doing this kind of thing I'd know just about everything, but, wouldn't you know....I don't, however, I'm learning more all the time. Certainly makes my little life interesting!

I've never considered myself much of an artist. I suppose because the word "artist" always sounds a little too grandiose to describe what I do. Well, ok, "fiber artist" sounds a tad better, but when I see what some "fiber artists" do....that doesn't fit me either. What kind of artist could I be? Do you remember when Roseann (the comedienne) said she was a "domestic goddess?" Maybe I'm a "domestic artist" since what I do revolves around "homey" kinds of things. Is this silly? I don't know. I have a friend from Mountain View, Arkansas, who gave me copies of some poems written by a woman named Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey....who wrote in the 30's. She was from the Ozarks. One of her poems describes what kind of artist I find myself admiring.

THE ARTIST
by Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey

"She scanned the table with keen old eyes
There was the brown fried chicken
The creamy custard pies
The cool bright green of pickles
And the ruby glow of jell.
Then she hastened to the cellar
Before she rang the bell
And brought the golden butter
With its drops of frosty dew
Chilled and sweet and delicate
In a deep bowl of old blue."

This is from "Ozark Lyrics" 1934. I tried to find a copy, but never did. I love this poem. A true artist, this.

The last couple of days, I have made the prize ribbons for our guild retreat challenges. I'll show you those a few days before I leave for the retreat. And, then, inspired by my friend, Sharon, I got into moving a few things around the "Nest" to "re-organize." Even a "domestic artist"
needs the proper environment in which to create. All I have created recently is a huge mess, so I had intended to jump into the massive undertaking of re-organizing after the retreat in September, but she got me itching to do it NOW, so I jumped all the way in on Thursday! Not a total reorganization, but an attempt to make things a lot better and when I do tackle it this fall, well, it ought to be somewhat easier after this. Maybe I'll show you some of it then.

Well, that's it for today as I actually hear an owl.....the night owl, of course. so off to bed! take care, pat

Another Candlestick Pincushion

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:39:00 +0000

Once again, I have finished two wool candlestick pincushions. I'll show you one now and the other in a few days (stretching out my subject matter here while trying to get things ready for my September class at Quilting Arkansas). As you know, I've been making pincushions all year (with more to come) for 2009 has been my "year of the pincushion." So to speak.

This one is made from wedges of wool fabric, pieced into a ball, then embroidered and embellished. The same way that purple one I showed you recently was made, although they look entirely different. Also, if you remember, the "Girl Gang" came to my studio for a class earlier in the year, and made similar pincushions.

You know, I try not to make two of anything JUST ALIKE. So, while they may be similarly made, actually, they are different. You will also notice this when I post the other wool pincushion I will show you. The same fabric, but a different look. For those interested, I actually do all the embroidery after the ball is stuffed and added to the candlestick. Just seems easier to me, I suppose. Well, you'd have to embroider the seams after construction anyway.

The colors of this wool are green, red, yellow,pink and blue and rather subdued at that. Well, I like things to look old when I make them....so, naturally, subdued is good for that. And, then, there is the fact that my friends all tell me I am the Queen of Mud because of my color choices.
Not so true, really, as sometimes I can choose some VERY colorful fabrics and threads. I'm going to be showing you some of those very soon. Well, I'm only mentioning the colors because of all things, I decided to embroider the little daisy-like flowers with DMC #4200, a Color Variations floss. This particular number is a combination of red,orange, and pink! Just wonderful and looks really good next to all the colors of the wool fabric.

As you can see, I did a feather stitch over the seams, an outline stitch for the stems, a lazy daisy stitch for the leaves and flowers. Then, I added a large seed bead in the center of each flower. It is orange! So cool. There is also a tiny glass butterfly bead....so cute! The doily on top is appliqued down and over top of that is a one and a half inch covered button. Wool also. I embroidered that with similar flowers, smaller beads and another butterfly. I used Herringbone Stitch to embroider around the edge of the button, then sewed it on. I even used the herringbone stitch to anchor the wool and lace bits at the bottom of the ball. So much fun to make!

This pincushion (and the next one I show you) will be added to those I am taking to my class in September where I will have them for sale. If they don't find a new home....they'll be going into my etsy shop upon my return. Because I've bought so many candlesticks and other items to make pincushions from at the flea markets...I hope to have many for sale this fall.....if I can get the work done. You know, all of this is quite time-consuming when you work by hand! And, a hint....several will be made using vintage items such as sugar bowls and containers made from ceramic, metal, etc. There's even an angel!

One of my good friends and I have been having some conversations lately about etsy. You know there are people with etsy shops who sell LOTS of items. My friend told me we needed to get a lot of inventory done and we could sell a lot also. Well, that IS true. However, I work by hand to make my little heirloom pieces, so realistically, how many can I make and still have a real life? I don't know. So, I want to make what I can comfortably do and if a particular item doesn't sell, then, well, it won't sell. But, if it does, then hopefully both the buyer and I will be very happy! (Having said all that....I've let my etsy just lanquish for months....I plan on improving that situation after my September retreat.)

I may as well tell you now, since I'm already "collecting" for it - 2010 will be my "year of the basket." Embroidered, appliqued, crocheted, etc., I've been collecting patterns and actual vintage pieces for a very long time and am still on the "hunt" for them. So, be prepared to see lots of baskets in the coming year....I'm having fun just saying that!!!

Well, there you are...another candlestick pincushion, with more on the way! take care, pat

A Vist from a Luna Moth

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:50:00 +0000

The other night we had an unexpected visitor. It was late...around 11:oo or 11:30 p.m. I had been working out in the Nest. That old Navy man was watching tv. Just as I turned out all the lights in the Nest and locked the door, something caught my eye out by our yard light near the garage. It looked white and was there on the ground between the light and one of our shrubs. I, with my excellent vision, thought it was a piece of paper, so I went over to pick it up and throw it away.

As I bent down to pick it up....it moved and startled me. So, I carefully took another look. It was a creature! I had never seen anything like it before and didn't want to touch it...so I went to get that Navy guy! "What could I possibly want to show him at that hour of the night?" he said. "Just come on," I said. So, out we go. And, to my amazement, he knew what it was...a Luna Moth.

He picked it up and it crawled around on his hand, not at all trying to fly away. It was beautiful! I ran and got my camera. I had the flash on, so the moth looks white, but it wasn't white as you can see in the other photos without the flash. It was a very pale green...just gorgeous and HUGE! So, we visited it for a while, then left it where we found it.

I looked it up on Google. And, here is what I found out:

"Luna Moths are members of the Saturniidae family, also known as the "Giant Silkworm Moths." They are huge moths, with a wingspan of four and a half inches. They have a white body, pinkish legs and huge pale green wings. The hindwings have eyespots and long tails.
They fly, only at night in Spring and early Summer. Adult Luna Moths don't eat; in fact, they don't even have a mouth. They only live for about a week and their only purpose is to mate.
Luna Moths were once very common, but are now considered an endangered species in some areas. People rarely see Luna Moths, mostly because they fly late at night. It is a treat to see one because they are beautiful insects. Humans have caused Luna Moths to become endangered by pollution and loss of habitat."

Well. That late night visit was even more special than I originally thought. They only live a week and this one was right in my yard....and I just "happened" to look it's way. Wow! So glad I thought to get the camera....so I can remember and you can see it too. Take care. pat

Just for Fun: A Quilted Self-Portrait

noreply@blogger.com (Pat) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Today I decided to show you something funny. Well, I think it's funny. How about a "portrait" of me. For one of my guild's quilting retreats a challenge was given to make a self-portrait quilt. There were only six or eight of them presented. I don't know, maybe people are just self-conscious making a quilt featuring themselves. Me...well, I look how I look and I have a sense of humor, so it wasn't traumatic for me. Hysterical, yes.

I decided that I would make a portrait quilt which would include my friend, Ethel. He is my son's cat, but he's always lived with us. Yes, he. One summer day, when my husband and I returned from a trip to Texas, my son, who was living with us at the time, "adopted" two tiny kittens. He was at a friend's house. The neighbor had a litter of eight kittens that he was going "to dispose" of and when Scott heard that he immediately took charge of two of them. He loves animals. He didn't tell us the kittens were in the house, but when we heard them..well...he had to tell us the story of why they were there. We lived on the farm at the time, so we kept them. No one could think of a name for them...and we THOUGHT one was male and the other female. Hard to tell on kittens that tiny.

The guys couldn't come up with any names, so I was given the task of naming them. Fred and Ethel, as we loved I Love Lucy! Time went by and Ethel just got used to his name, so we didn't try to change it...even after we found that he was a male cat. He's funny. And, old now. His brother, Fred, died several years ago.

Anyway, when I decided to put Ethel on the quilt, I named it "Friends and Flowers." He posed for my drawing!

As you can see, Ethel and I are appliqued and embellished. It was fun to make. I particularly like the little embroidered flowers and the buttons I used to embellish this wallhanging. The wallhanging is 18 inches wide and 19 1/2 inches tall. Notice the hand and flower button. Yes, the right hand is a china button which I bought at Quilt Festival in Houston one year. It sat around here for a long time before I knew what to do with it. (Doesn't everything?) I don't think you can tell, but right before I sewed this button on...I dropped it and it broke clear across the fingers. I glued it back together because as much as that button cost, I wasn't going to "waste" it.

And, Ethel....he's a nice cat. He runs to hide every time someone comes in the house as he's basically anti-social. And he absolutely refuses to enter the Nest! We've no clue why. Here's a photo of him, although not a good one. He hates having his photo taken so you have to sneak up on him...hard to do with a cat!!

So, there you are...something funny...hope you are as amused as I am with this little piece of work! take care, pat