Pass it on

 My Mother was a fabric hoarder quilter.  After she died we gave away some of her fabric to people who sew.  I do not sew, so I saved some for our daughter Trica and Jen picked out some pieces that she wanted.  I have a friend that I grew up with that makes quilts and donates them and does a quilt raffle for Leukemia every year. I picked out pieces of material that I thought would look good together in a quilt and saved them for Janet.

This is my childhood friend Janet's quilt.  It is a beauty, Mom would like knowing that her material is blessing many people. It will go to a Cancer patient or a Woman's Shelter.

Well done!  

Far Side

1991

In 1991, Osage had its Centennial.   Some how I got roped into helping with the Centennial Quilt.  Anyone in the community could make a quilt square, it was quilted and still hangs inside a glass case at the new Osage Community Center.   

 The photo was taken inside the old Community Center/Senior Center/the school where I went to 5th and 6th grade...I believe we are in the 6th grade side of the schoolhouse.  I believe my Mom took this photo.  These photos were were amongst my Mom's many photographs. 

I am at the end of the quilt in the red shirt...my shirt says Pine Springs Resort as that is the resort that we owned at that time...a summer fishing resort with eight cottages and a campground. 

All of the ladies are gone now...on the left is Grace...she made the best cookies ( she and her husband lived two farms away from us), next to her and quite hidden is Auntie Esther/Far Guy's Aunt...we loved her very much.  I am not sure who the man is in the photo...maybe Mel?   Standing talking to me is Dorothy...I went to Release Time classes at her home when I was in Grade School...in later years I helped her teach Release Time ( Release Time was always on Wednesday and was like Sunday School...called Release Time because the kids got released from school to attend...we would form a line and walk over to Dorothys house) Dorothy dedicated an area in her basement for Release Time.  Then the lady in red...is Harriet...a sweet lady...her husband Ray was a favorite ...when my baby brother and I would be with our Dad at the repair shop...he would buy us soda out of the Coke machine!  Then there in her red shoes is Olivia...in these years she always made me a cake for my birthday...she made the most delicious chocolate cake with boiled icing...sometimes when she would make the cake and it wasn't my birthday she would call me to come over to have coffee with her and Walter!  Olivia worked for my Mom for many years cleaning cottages at my parents resort...she was the best kitchen cleaner ever. Olivia also grew huge Dinner Plate Dahlias. 

I wish I could recall the conversation that day...I do not...but it was still a good day.

Grace, Auntie Esther and Olivia all stitching away.  Dorothy is in the background. 

Good memories of some great women.

Far Side

Cousins

Some of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family gathered yesterday for lunch. Seven showed up;  Geraldine, Hilda, Wilma, Georgianna, Evelyn and Chuckie.  It was a nice visit.  Better than visiting at a funeral....plus we were at the place that has the wonderful Sour Cream and Raisin Pie! 

I had a few old photos to share with the gals. 

This is an old photo from1994.  In the photo is Far Guy's Mother, me and my cousin Kathy.  That is Mary Ann's head of dark hair, she is a sister to several of my Aunts.  We gathered for a quilting bee to work on our 25th anniversary quilt.  Many of the relatives embroidered a quilt square and they were all included in two double quilts.  The photo was taken at my parents home on the lake downstairs in their large family room.

My cousin Kathy was missed yesterday....she always like the gatherings.  Perhaps the gathering she is having in heaven is much better!  In 30 years every one in the photo has died...except me. 

The quilts have never been used...they are like new.  

Far Side

Quilting

 I do not sew tiny pieces of material together to make quilts.  My Mother was a quilter and many of my cousins are and my sister in law is. 

We gathered on the weekend of my Mother's first birthday in heaven.  Last year Mom quilted with the gals on her birthday weekend. 

Cousin Wilma's quilt pieces.

Cousin Geraldine's quilt pieces.

My sister in law (my baby brothers bride) was putting together a quilt that she and my Mom started together.  

Everyone made some progress on their projects...my cousin Art's wife Bonnie was cross stitching, cousin LeAnn was playing with watercolor on cards and cousin Cora was doing some embroidery.  

We had more good food for lunch and supper and great conversations:)
 

Old Quilting Bee Photos

 I had a bunch of old photos to take to Mom for her to look at.  We got them kinda sorted out.  

If you were married 25 years "The Aunts" used to send out instructions for a cotton quilt square with embroidery on it that included your name.   Then they would get together and sew the top together and have a quilting bee. 

This was my parents quilt, Mom said they got it when they were married about 35 years...because they had lots of catching up to do when they started the project.

The "Quilting Bee" was held at my cousin Art and Kathy's home on the lake. 

Mom still has her quilt, I packed it at her apartment and it went to storage. 

You can see the squares were all different pastel colors of cotton material....each design unique. 

Far Guy and I have two quilts...two double size quilts because by the time our anniversary rolled around I had many cousins participating!

It was a great family tradition.  Many thanks to the Aunts that started the tradition! 

Far Side

A Sewing Day

 Jen and I joined a few of my cousins, my sister,  my sisters in law and my Mom for a day of sewing at my baby brothers lake place. The food was fantastic...soups and fruit and many desserts....gluten free and otherwise.  There were four Gluten Free people there...Jen, my cousin Geraldine, my sister and my other baby brother. 

Nearly everyone there was a quilter.  Cousins Geraldine and Wilma helped my Mom get ready to sew a couple of quilts.   I crocheted on a couple of projects...my sister and I helped Mom catch up on writing thank you cards.   

Mom is grieving and has lost her interest in sewing, we were hoping that the sewing days would help her through the process a bit.  

Cousin Geraldine

There were many sewing tables and machines set up in the porch. 

 Jen sewing.

I ironed some pieces for my Mom and for Jen...that is as close as I want to get to quilting!

Far Side

Scraps

 Jen is taking a beginning quilting class and had homework to do during retreat.   The instructor is apparently very accomplished but unable to write so that beginners can understand what to do to create an 8 pointed star ( which I think is very complicated and more for advanced lessons)...needless to say we had many scraps while trying to create that square.  We were supposed to use the tri rec rulers...which proper quilters with experience possibly know how to use.  I helped as much as I could with my very limited quilting skills and barely a C in Home Ec sewing class years ago ( the C was a gift...because my Mom finished my sewing project for me...a pleated skirt.)

I admire my daughters persistence...and anyone that can sew a straight seam and make beautiful quilts. 

This art work is made totally from wood scraps.  Jen designed it and Andy helped put it together. 

It is the perfect addition to one of the walls in the hallway at Gather in Laporte.

Far Side

Quilt Square Finished

I finished the quilt square!  It is done is plenty of time!

Here it is ready to backstitch.

Back stitching is just that.. sewing backwards stitches with one or two threads.

Back stitching complete and the work of art was signed.

The next step requires that you cut the excess of the waste fabric away.

Then you soak the whole thing in warm water..it softens up the waste cloth that must be removed.

Far Guy loves to pull the stitches..he pulls them one at a time with a tweezers.  The stitches are exposed one by one..it took him about an hour of gentle tugging to get all the waste cloth removed.

I am so glad it is done..one more project off the list.  No more cross stitching for me for awhile. It will be interesting to see what birds my other cousins have come up with!  This quilt will be put together and hand quilted and given away at the Family Picnic in 2013.  The girls decided that having a picnic every year was getting old so they will skip the usual picnic this year:)

Quilt Squares

Well the past 15 days of lollygagging sure did go by fast.  I made another list of things to do before March 1st.  It is a long list..I hope I have not defeated myself before I begin.

The quilt square for “Cousins” is coming along.  Jen grabbed it over the weekend and stitched away on the bird.

I reminded myself that Nancy at Wyoming Breezes makes Quilts of Valor..and I said I would try to send her a couple of quilt squares.  I will get into my stash and see what kinds of red, white and blue fabrics I have to work with and then wash them up…and then figure out a simple pattern that I can do.  I have some old quilt patterns someplace.  Perhaps there are more of you that want to join in! If so pop over to Nancy’s and get the details.
That will be enough sewing for this non sewing person for the winter. I can sew..but it is not one of my talents and I do not enjoy it like some people do.  If someone said “Take the whole day off to sew.”  I would be bored and most likely get so sleepy I would need an extended nap. 

That is what happens with the Cross Stitching..I stitch and I get sleepy. So progress is slow..I still have a few more days.  Tuesday noon is the deadline..I am not sure what happens if you are late with your square..but I would just as soon get it out of my hair and crossed off my list:)

Forgotten Project

I forgot all about the Cousin’s Quilt Square that I need to have done by February 21. Old age I guess..the theme of this years quilt is “birds.” 

I usually do a cross stitch pattern on waste cloth.

The waste cloth is attached to the top of your quilt square.  Waste cloth is a patterned cloth that has threads running through it..so that a cross stitch design can be stitched upon it and then the cloth is soaked and removed.  The threads are pulled..Far Guy likes to do that part. 

Here is my pattern. My eyes are not as good as they used to be..but it is coming along.

I pulled some pinky looking floss..I am not sure that it is quite right for the thistle flower so I need to go to town to get some more floss.

I organize all my floss onto plastic holders, that are marked with the color and then they are put into the containers in numerical order.  It is one of the things I am anal about…I like it perfect and not a mess.  I have been cross stitching for about 30 years and there is nothing as frustrating as having a balled up messy bag of floss to sort through when you want to begin a project.

Years ago I began with cardboard thingys to wind the floss on..then the plastic ones came out. I have a bunch of extras..I am not sure that they even make them anymore.  I am not sure why I have three boxes either..I may have used a box for each of the girls..they both enjoyed cross stitching too.  I used to cross stitch on sweatshirts and give them away as gifts.

Someone asked for my Pork Chop Recipe.  Use one box of Uncle Bens Wild and White Rice and 2 cups of water and a little butter put it all in a roasting pan and submerge three uncooked pork chops into the rice.  Bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes…whilst you are napping:)

Wistful Wednesday: Cousins

The old photo today is three sisters that are my cousins.

Bernice, Beatrice ( Petie) and Diana.  This must have been taken about 1948 or maybe 1949.   My Aunt Senia must have sewn the dresses and fixed their hair. In 1949 Bernice would have been 8, Petie  5 and Diana 4. 

Last Sunday we had our annual family picnic.  There were two weddings in the family last weekend so many family members were out of the area.   Those of us that showed up had a great potluck meal and enjoyed all the good company of many cousins gathered.

Four of the Aunts were there, Aunt Lila, Aunt Violet, Aunt Grace and Aunt Anna.  Aunt Senia did not come from the nursing home.

We drew names for a few gifts.  Our quilt theme this year was patriotic.   I did the square that is embroidered with the angel that says God Bless America.

Click on photo to bigify!

We did not consult with each other about what we were doing in our square..as always it turned out real pretty.  Cousin Diana won this year.  She is the littlest girl in that old photo.  She was pleased.  That would be cousin Marsha and cousin Kim’s feet:)

Blue

I have decided that I am homesick at work, and feeling a little bit blue. I miss Far Guy and Chance, even though they come and visit me every couple of days.  The first time they came to visit Chance tracked me from the parking lot to the door. Yes, Chance can come in to visit..I am not putting a no pets allowed sign on the door.  Every morning when I leave Chance puts his ears down and looks sad…really sad.   Far Guy and I have worked together since 1998 when he retired..sure we had different greenhouses and different projects..I had flowers and he had veggies..but we worked closely together and got along just fine.  So I miss spending time with them throughout the day. So far they have not gotten into any trouble without me.

“Things” are going fine at work, I am always busy organizing, sorting or cleaning out something. The days go by so fast, and I am tired when I get home. Next week the school tours start, I would be nervous but they are only First Graders..how badly can I mess up?  If I do will they notice? 

I thought I would enjoy the job more than I do, perhaps when I know everything there is to know about the museum and it’s policies and procedures I will feel better..so far they don’t have much written down ..so I am writing the procedures and policies for them.  Many times I ask a question and no one knows the answer. I am finding the answers for them or making them up as I go.  I am trying to remember to take little bites..that was Far Guys advice. I do not want to reinvent the wheel..I want to get it moving in the right direction and stay on track.   

I stopped by my Aunts the other night after work, my cousins were quilting the quilt that will be given away at the Family Picnic in August.  This years theme was patriotic. They were doing a wonderful job and had plenty of help so I came home.

We had some visitors in the yard.

Playing peek a boo and trying out a bunch of different houses.

I hope the Bluebirds pick this one, it is close to the house and I can watch them from the patio. They occupied this nesting box two years ago..last year they picked a box near the wildflower gardens..we will just have to wait and see where they decided to build!  They are a good two weeks later than normal. They should be all settled in by now.

It is turning cold again here..we had two nice days..that’s it? As far as I am concerned we are having a non spring :(

A Quilter

Meet Glenn, a quilter.  He was demonstrating at the Lake Itasca Pioneer Farmers Show.  I asked him if I could take his photo, he said sure, fire away! 

I asked him why he picked quilting as a hobby, he replied “I retired and my wife said I had to have some kind of hobby, and I figured quilting was for me.  I love it. Of course I have streamlined the process, and I can put together a quilt in a day or two, this one will be finished by the end of the show this weekend.”   I asked him about his sewing machine, I said it must be the best operating sewing machine around.  He replied “I oil it every three or four quilts.” 

I was very impressed with his sewing skills, I was also very impressed that a man would find great satisfaction in a hobby that is predominately female, and be comfortable enough in his own skin to demonstrate those skills:)

Quilting Cousins

I have some very talented cousins on my Dad's side of the family. Once a month a few of my girl cousins get together, we take turns hosting. At one of the Fall get togethers we decide on a theme for the quilt that we will give away at the family picnic. All you have to do to receive a chance to win, is to show up at the picnic.

This years theme was Summer or maybe flowers..everyone did flowers! Previously we have done Christmas, Fall, Winter and Spring. The squares are handed out in the Fall and we have several months to come up with our design and complete it. Then one of my cousins squares up the squares and sews on the borders..and then we hand quilt it. This year there were eleven squares, and then two smaller squares with our Family name and the year.

There are many different methods, embroidery, machine embroidery, hand sewn applique, machine applique and counted cross stitch. Each design is different and unique.

The quilt is not huge, it is meant to be used as a throw or a wall hanging. This year we did flannel because it is so warm and cozy. Which square do you think I did? Hint..one with flowers!
Yes, this is mine.. I am the weirdo counted cross stitcher:)