settlers peace

Sweetness of time

We recently had a day to wander the back roads close to home.  Traveling down new highways we came across an estate sale sign and had to follow.  The trip there was full of anticipation and wonder as to what we would find, and just how far off the beaten path we would go to find it?

 We let it unfold before us and took in the beauty of nature and time at every turn.

 

The sale was pretty much sold out when we arrived, but I was gushing over some beautiful pink roses growing along the house and the homeowner came over and cut me a bouquet.  Don't they look lovely against the black console of the truck?  The generosity and kindness of the gentleman warmed my heart throughout the day and I smiled every time I opened the door to get in.

 

Back to the highway and headed no where in particular, we came across a sea of cars along the road.  There was a huge car show going on and the entries filled the parking lot of this small town school.  We found a space along the road and hiked our way to the show.  

 

Can you imagine trying to park it in the tiny lots now, as I'm sure it was before power steering, and the gas bill for cruising it?  But what fun when it happens!  Next we spent some time shopping the isles of some antique shops in a sleepy little downtown.

The purchases were few but the treasures were many.  Time with Dean and the spirit of adventure will be with us for much longer than stuff.  A perfect way to celebrate our anniversary of 23 years of marriage, a treasure for sure. 

Wine on the Vine

I have been wanting to do some freeform/abstract  work, but was putting off getting started.  Then I saw that V. over at Bumble Beans was having a quilt-a-long.  She posted a tutorial and had all kinds of tips.  It was suggested to use solids, and I love the look, but wanted to work with what I already had.  I've been stashing batiks for awhile and have not made much use of them, so that was my target.  I mainly buy fat-quarters, so the first cut the length of the FQ left me unable to use the measurements that V. was using.  But have no fear, I fell back on experience, and did my own thing.  As I said, starting was the issue, but a day later and I have a top!

 

I'm pretty pleased with it, and will be doing it again.  Head over to her blog and see what the others have done.  I am going to have to seriously start stashing solids now.  I love the inspiration of all of these 'Waverunner' quilts!

I'm just sayin'.....

is a common phrase around our house.  It's often used at the end of a statement.  "When I feel icky, it's not a good idea to decide to clean out the closet and go against the care labels in clothing.  Just because it's a "Boiled Wool" jacket does not mean to dismiss the "dry clean only" label and opt to wash it.  I'm just sayin'.  

No photo available, I'm just sayin'.

But I do have some photos of a lovely old quilt.  Pink, white, and scrappy stars.

 

 

 

 

 

It's amazing how contrast and color placement can change a block so easily, but how I love when they all come together.  Have a blessed day and don't dish the laundry labels, I'm just sayin'........ 

Into The Meadow

That's where I'm heading.  No not really, I am participating in a journal swap with several friends that have dubbed ourselves the Naughty Meadow Girls.  It's a rather long, twisted journey as to the name, and a 'had to be there' plot.  Cindy, Tammy, Jeanne, Linda and I met in Portland, Oregon this last June at ArtFiberFest, and stories evolved.  We decided to keep in touch through a journal swap.  Here is my journal and beginning pages.  I had such a hard time getting started that I decided to send it on, knowing that I could add to my pages when I get it back in the end.  It will be a treasure to behold when it comes full circle.

 

 

 

It's not golden.....

but it's an egg!!!!  And isn't the green color beautiful?  The first egg from the chicks that we got last March.  I splurged on the fancy ceramic egg crate, only because we will have pretty colored eggs!

 

Plenty of sewing going on, but not much to show yet.  I do love these fall quilts that I put out last week, too bad we can't use the table now....

 

Hope your days are bountiful!  I'm heading back to the henhouse and see if anybody else has gotten the idea yet!!

Not yet

Well, the sun just hasn't wanted to come out much lately, but the cooler weather feels amazing.  It does the body good, and certainly inspires one to do some sewing!   I've been sewing away on an adopted UFO, you'd think I had enough.  I have really enjoyed making it my own.  I also finally got this little guy done.  Yes, it is the same one that I declared would be done soon, way back in Dec. 2007!

 

I was at a loss for binding fabric, as I had no hand dyes left from the project.  Once I finally came to grips that there wasn't anymore going to appear, I made do and got it done.  I am pleased and relieved.

My little treasures from the sale last weekend have really captivated me.  When I first laid eyes on them I thought of disassembling them for jewelry etc. but the more I gander at them, I don't know.

I have been able to date the badges between 1882-1925 by the maker.  The metal fringe and trims are beautiful, not to mention the ornaments.

They are even in the original boxes.  I also thought that the label on the inside of the ribbon was too fun!

 

ohh, secret societies, you know that has my mind going!  My ability to grab these up was due to a kind man waiting in line ahead of us.  As it neared time to enter, he offered us better numbers, as his friends had not shown up.  We were 3 and 4 in the door!  Blessings abound!  Now if I could only decide what to do with them......  

Misty day

We are having another round of damp weather here, which translates to bad photos indoors.  But look at the treasures that I found while tending the chickens this afternoon.

 

I much prefer my webs bejeweled than the dark creepy things that the stores have for Halloween.  I found some other jewels at an estate sale yesterday, hopefully better lighting soon to share photos.  Blessings this peaceful Sunday!

Workin'

Well, I have been working on some projects.  I have had an eye for leaves lately and decided to applique some onto brown linen.  Makes me think of a photo from Washington last year,when I realized that there really were pink leaves in nature!  I made a journal out of the linen piece for another project that is in the works.

I have also been helping S. with a dress for the Homecoming dance.

Note the green tulle, what a lovely first project!!!  Anyway, the dress was finished, and I'd love to show you a picture of her wearing it, but she couldn't seem to take a sane photo.  This is as close as I could get.  

At least her feet didn't hurt during the dance.  She hasn't worn matching socks in years now, but I do wish the shoes had been washed!

I had the opportunity for another 'joy' moment this past weekend.  I had the privilege of spending some time in a building that I have admired for years.  You know those old buildings that could tell stories of ages long ago, the mystery of what those walls could say, so intriguing.  A quick tour just won't work, it takes time to soak it in, that was the great part, I had time inside this old place.

While the outside is weathered a bit, the inside has been restored and is beautiful.  The woodwork is all original, along with many exposed walls.  The small windows on the fourth floor are all trimmed in metal and wood, as is much of the ceiling up there.

The first floor even has the original shelving for the mercantile business that was there a hundred years ago.

I just can't call it anything except a blessing, to have something like this just handed to you.  Pure joy and bliss, such are God's gifts.

 

Jump for joy!

I have to laugh at myself sometimes, how much joy I can find in simple adventures.  We were recently shopping at an Anthropology store, which is pure joy to begin with.  After several trips into the backroom to check on something for us, we got to follow her in there!!!  Now I know that the store employees probably don't give much thought to what the storeroom and the trek there looks like, they see it everyday, but me?  My eyes were popping out of my head, wheels spinning, oh yeah, the bulletin board for employee notes-gorgeous, the lockers-precious, stacks of linens and inventory to make one drool.  We finally rounded the corner with the store displays piled high, and a ladder for us to climb, my heart almost skipped a beat, I tell ya!!!!!!  Turns out that we came out of the storeroom empty handed, but a head full of visions and eye candy to last awhile.

Man, if it were not for the long commute, I think that I'd apply for a seasonal job, just to soak up more inspiration, heck, I'd even be the stocker!

Hope that your day is sprinkled with joyous opportunities!

Questions and Comfort

I must say that I am still enjoying my dig through old quilts.  Some I wonder what was possessing me at the time, but others I remember instantly.  I love quilts that whisper, come closer, search me, read me, love me.  The majority of the quilts I have are simply because they needed a home.  Well loved and worn out, but that just begins the conversation.  If a quilt was well used, it makes me ask many questions.  Who was it made for?  What stage of life was the maker in when it was made?  What did she give up to have time to make it, and the resources, too?

Makes me think of many of the contemporary quilts being made.

Resourceful use of pieces already seemed together, that's making do!

My corner of favorite fabrics.

A Double Wedding Ring worn to bits, with a replaced binding done on the machine.  I adorn the variety of fabrics used in the binding, and I remember that was what made me buy it.

I've not seen another 'ball of string' quilt either.  Balls are hand pieced, not appliqued, to muslin. 

I make quilts to be used and loved.  I want my quilts to be worn out, not stored with archival paper in a box somewhere.  I want quilts to be part of my life and those that I give them to, not a treasure of skill or ability or beauty.  I like my quilts and people the same, well loved, showing signs of a life well lived, and still what/who I reach for when I need some comfort.

May you be blessed with what comforts you today!