Tea Towels and Wine

I have been driven to drink and am drunk with new idea’s for gift giving.

This gorgeous box holds the secret to my new project.

Stashed away, high on a closet shelf; forgotten for years.

Newly found I discovered the contents were perfect for my new project. A match made in heaven one might say. But first, I did a quick search of the Inglenook Winery for information on the box which led me to their story. It is so interesting, please take a moment to take a look

https://www.inglenook.com/Story/History?m=1879

But back to my story and the reveal of my project.

Inspired by fellow blogger Kathy @

https://livinginrapidcity.wordpress.com

Tea Towels –

Kathy is in the middle of embroidering a set of Dutch tea towels. When I first saw her project I instantly thought of my step mom, who loves anything Dutch – ‘the perfect gift project for her from me’ I was thrilled to find this box filled with embroidery threads. Now to decide on a color palette for my set.

 

 

Tea towels, embroidery thread and wine! 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hand Quilt Along: Connecting through a Vintage Photo and Quilting

Mid way through the summer and here we are again with another update for the HQAL. When I got the reminder notice I had to really think, had I made progress? Yes, I have. I have made a conscious effort to quilt ‘Wishing You Good Will’ these last 3 weeks and while the progress seems slow, as said before, ‘slow and steady wins the race’ if this were a race. But something else happened in the last week before posting that I would like to share. Something that made me sit up, take notice and reflect about this quilt top I am working on.

Wishing You Good Will

In my last post I asked about the age of this quilt. I had some feed back on my thought that this may have dated in the 50’s. It was overshadowed by others thinking more like a 30’s – 40’s feel.

Another of my passions is genealogy, along with old vintage family photo’s ~ lost photo’s that I like to try and return to a family member. Whenever I come across a photo with some labeling I will purchase it and try to find its family. This week, that is exactly what happened. I had found this amazing photo at an antique store and got busy finding its home.

Brier Deming Family – wife Nancy with children and the gentleman labeled Uncle

I sent out 2 queries and heard back from one gentlemen who was connected with the family. His name is Gary and in the course of corresponding not only did we share a love for genealogy but I learned his wife, Donna, was a quilter, and an incredible quilter sharing with me some of her magnificent quilts. This photo share of her work led to me spotting a gorgeous double wedding ring quilt that hinted at a twin for ‘Wishing You Good Will’.  Inquiring about it this is what I learned:

“Gary shared “the double wedding ring quilt was hand pieced by my great grandmother Eda Mae Vercoe, who was a very talented seamstress and quilter.” She was born in 1880. She had never finished this hand pieced top and it sat in a cedar chest for about 40 years. In 2005 Gary’s Mom gave the top to his wife Donna who did this exquisite job of hand quilting and finishing this beauty.

Eda Mae Vercoe’s Double Wedding Ring Quilt; quilted by her daughter-in-law Donna

The story does not stop there.

For Gary’s Mom’s 85th birthday in 2010, the quilt was given back to her completed as a gift. I can barely imagine the joy felt by all three of them in completing this circle of love.

What an incredible story!

It makes me wonder if this could have been a wedding quilt started by Eda either for herself or a daughter/son which was never completed?

On a last note for this post and getting back to the Deming Family photo that started this connection to Gary and Donna, this is what he shared with me in regards to the photo

“It might interest you to know that Nancy Deming (Brier’s wife), was the daughter of James Anderson O’Neil who was one of the men who were instrumental in having the US Government establish Oregon Territory at a time that it would have otherwise ended up being part of Canada!  So, without James’ efforts, Oregon, Washington and part of Idaho would now be in Canada!” 

Quilts not only connect us to the past but they connect us to friendships. ©

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Check out the others work that are doing the quilt along….

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan, Nanette, Sassy , Edith, and Sharon

 

 

 

 

 

HQAL: ‘Wishing you Good Will’ and lazy summer days with a good book

Summer is here with her array of blooms and bugs, mixing with bbq’s and cooler evening walks, while ‘Wishing You Good Will’ sits quietly at her place on the couch.

Each day reminding me, “you water the plants, you mow the lawn, you walk the dog, you read a book, you talk on the phone; when is it my turn?”

I have made progress and yes, it is so hard to work on her with the temps soaring. I have been trying to quilt at least 2/3 times a week. What has really struck me in this last 3 week period is the wear and age of this quilt. I have also been finding more and more small to larger imperfections and stains.

The fabrics are worn and I am finding more to repair than I had originally.

In this photo you can see the drastic change in the shape/size of the strips in the pattern. Instead of taking away, I think it totally adds to her beauty and marks her as classic but it also adds to a bit more buckling and puckering and not laying flat.

I know nothing about dating fabrics or quilts but I would love to have this looked at by someone who does. To me it feels very 1950’s, at least the fabrics, (those purple and white squares still throw me off) The wear of the material adds to the age although this simply could be material from then, put together recently and then discarded at the Goodwill (after all that hard work?) I still think this was a family find that the person had no idea what to do with. All thoughts welcomed 🙂

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Changing gears just a bit, I must mention that I read a fantastic book that was recommended by Kathy Reeves Kathy   https://livinginrapidcity.wordpress.com

I ordered it from a used book site of the net. I wish I could say that once it came I spent most of my time reading and not enough time working on the quilt but that is not the case. The book was so good, it drew me in to its rhythm and mystery so quickly, I was captive and had it finished in 2 days. Thank you for the recommendation Kathy, I really enjoyed it.

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The Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan,  Nanette, Sassy , Edith, and Sharon

Thank You Egg Foo Young & Woman and Their Quilts

I was waiting for a take out order of shrimp egg foo young from my favorite Chinese restaurant, which wasn’t quite ready, so I dropped in at Tuesday Morning, next door. I rarely if almost never shop there. In fact it may have been my first look see, if not, it has been that long since I had gone in.

To my surprise I found these fabulous fat quarters. I scoured the bin of material and only found two but would have settled for the 1 if that was all they had.

Combining my love of hand quilting and genealogy

I was also delighted to find this book at our local Goodwill. Woman and Their Quilts ~ A Washington State Centennial Tribute by NancyAnn Johanson Twelker Foreword by Carter Houck

A transplant from New York via California, now 20 years in glorious Washington State, overjoyed with this find is an understatement. It’s rich history of Washington, along with the family stories and the gorgeous historic family heirloom quilts this book is a treasure.

The above picture is in honor of my great grandfather Samuel Haimowitz born 1875 in Odessa, Ukraine. He immigrated along with his wife Rebecca Strulowitz, son Hyman and Pincus (born aboard ship) to begin their new life in New York. Samuel was a carpenter his entire life. Imagine if Rebecca actually quilted and a Carpenter’s Square at that.

I just realized I picked all blue tone quilts to display ~

I will leave you with this beauty ~ Cigar Silk Quilt ~ summer sunshine ~ absolutely stunning ~

 

 

Fun with Fingerless Gloves

I picked up a lovely odd skein of yarn the other day at a place called Ragfinery here in town.

http://www.ragfinery.com/story/

What a treasure trove. Their story is wonderful too, repurpose of unwanted garments and textiles. Please take a moment to stop by and read their story but back to my story. I picked up 1 lone skein of yard and decided to make a pair of fingerless gloves for gift giving this coming winter.

I will pair it up with a pashmina ~ for the perfect gift.

Such a fast easy pattern. You can find quite a few different patterns and tutorials on youtube to follow, I happened to follow

Playing with my phone – edit, I morphed the color and got this beautiful alternate color pattern. Green and turquoise is a favorite and I will be on the hunt for a yarn similar to this. Paired with a piece of turquoise jewelry ~ another perfect gift. ©

HAND QUILT ALONG: Making Progress

When I decided to start quilting ‘Wishing You Good Will’ I admit, I was overwhelmed, terrified at the physical size and commitment this undertaking would require. I have always tackled much smaller projects and thought I wasn’t truly prepared. I literally have no room for a table type scroll stand, then I thought a hoop floor stand might just work.

I have kicked the stand to the curb 

Well not really, but I abandoned its use in the first week and have been using the hoop perched on my lap since. I have been making slow but steady progress but still wondering if I will ever get to the borders.

Good Will sits front and center in the living room daring me to forget or neglect her.

If you noticed the horse in my background that is MOBO. That handsome bronco was made by D. SEBEL & CO., ERITH, KENT, ENGLAND from 1947 – 1972. This metal horse is one of the earliest model horses. I found this beauty in an antique store and could not pass up the purchase. I had a mobo, one of the most memorable memories of my childhood. He moves using a pumping up and down method on the stirrups, forward only. He provided hours of fun not only for me but for the kids in the neighborhood.

Hand Quilting and Childhood Treasures ~ it doesn’t get any better than that ©

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This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan,  Nanette, Sassy , Edith, and Sharon.

 

Baby Blankets and the Garden

One of my favorite crochet stitches is the shell pattern, its easy and fast,

change the hook size, change the count, add a ruffle, a ribbon, a stuffed

animal and you have the perfect baby gift ~ I was busy this winter

 

The popcorn stitch is lots of fun for baby blankets, a tighter weaver, a warmer blanket

 

 

 

Babies and Crochet Baby Blankets

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Hand Quilt Along: Slow and Steady

Heart Friendship Quilt

Friendship

Back in 2006 I participated in a ‘friendship quilt’ organized by a woman I worked with. This was and still is the only quilting project I have ever done with a group of quilters. Six of us participated. We were given instructions for creating a heart  block, we could use the material of our choice but needed to create six identical blocks to swap. A deadline was given and the creating began. At the end of the time period, we exchanged our heart blocks, receiving a  block from each person. The next task, to piece together, again with our choice of fabric and pattern and then complete the quilt.  This could be done by machine or hand worked, there was no restriction. (mine was hand worked)

I have been following a blogger on a Hand Quilt Along that I am participating in. Her name is Nanette. Take a moment and visit her page @    doitrightquilter.wordpress.com

She has been posting photo’s of the beautiful delicate hearts she has been working on for a quilt. I was suddenly reminded of the heart quilt I had done so many years ago and long since forgotten about. Finding my quilt journal I was delighted to see I had documented and taken a picture of the finished project. (I did give it as a gift, to who I do not remember and I did not write it down; shame on me)

Below is the finished lap size friendship quilt. With only six blocks I created a row of 3 solid batik fabric blocks in the middle; my batik heart block in the left bottom corner. I squared off each block, adding some width on each side.

 

 

When I was looking for the ‘one’ picture I took of this quilt I noticed the picture of the quilt below. I had absolutely forgotten that I had  made this one using the same heart pattern. This was specifically for my cousin Karen after the devastating loss of her husband in 2007 at the age of 40.

 

Friendship ~ a true gift to cherish and nurture. Take time to tell a friend how much you appreciate her/him today ©

 

HAND QUILT ALONG: Please forgive me

My goal was to finish hand quilting ‘Wishing You Good Will’ before summer set in. I am far from that happening. With the warmer weather here, the sun high and glorious I am finding it harder and harder to sit myself down and work on ‘Wishing You Good Will’

First of all, Good Will, you are massive and bulky and heavy and warm, so warm. You  and the Sun are in a battle for my attention “Come wrap your self in my love and quilt me” Good Will calls. “Come and play in the garden with me under my spring time rays” Sun taunts me.

 

I have found so much to distract me from staying on course. You must forgive me if I decide to stop and take in the beauty around me (on my morning walk)

 

 

But I am making progress – slow but sure and the lure of your beauty brings me back to you.

 

You are the colors of this beautiful spring in the northwest ~ but

You must forgive me if I decide to curl up with a good book instead of quilting

Or if I decide to take a walk along the stream bank instead of quilting

 

Or if I mow the lawn instead of quilting

Or if I water the gardens instead of quilting

Or if I swap veggie starts with a friend

Or if I chat with a grandchild instead of quilting

Or if I visit with a neighbor instead of quilting

Or if I decide to bbq instead of quilting

Or if I put out peanuts for the stellar jays

Or if ……I simply do absolutely nothing but take time to be thankful

©

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This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan,  Nanette, Sassy , Edith, Sharon and Bella.