Piecing Life Together One Stitch At A Time

A Surprise Gift Quilt Top

May 6, 2021May 8, 2021Sharon12 Comments

I was gifted a beautiful hand pieced quilt top a few months ago. It was a totally un expected surprise sent to me by the daughter of one of my closest friends, who passed away about 2 years ago. The quilt was actually pieced by her grandmother, Jane Ina Rogers nee Eyer. She had been going through some of her mothers things and found the quilt top and thought of me.

I just love the colors in this top. It will be some time before I get to this beauty but I wanted to share it with you and write a little bit about Jane.

Born Jennie Ina Eyer on 27 Dec. 1909 in Phoenix, Arizona, she changed her name to Jane because she hated Jennie. She was the first child of eight born to Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Eyer (1885 – 1948) and Florina (Florence) Knifton (1890 – 1981)

My grandfather was also named Benjamin Franklin. Growing up I didn’t think much about that but now I wish I had asked him what he thought about being named after ‘Benjamin’

I feel like I have a bit of old world quilting history in my hands. I knew Jane personally for many years, she was a remarkable woman. Not only a quilter, she was proficient in all kinds of hand work, embroidery, crochet, knitting. I don’t think there was anything she didn’t do. She had gifted me, back in the mid 80’s, this beautiful tumble block quilt (all hand done)

She also had made doll size puff or biscuit designed quilt (no picture) to my youngest daughter that she still has. It was done in all different colors of velvet with a delicate green lace border. We loved, love that sweet baby doll quilt.

Jane was a collector. Dolls and teddy bears are what stick in my memory. Entering her home was entering a world of wonder and magical fantasy. The bedrooms were converted into museum like show rooms. There was a bear room and multi doll rooms as well as crafting and all kinds of sewing treasures everywhere. She made their clothes, repaired the broken and displayed with pride all her treasures. In my younger years I ran a family day care and I will never forget taking a group of children to her home for a tour. In fact, with the memories flooding back I dug into the photo albums and found the one photo I remember taking.

My daughter Fawn in the red shirt, tallest in back, Marissa in jean jacket in front. Two sisters in pink and purple jacket and two sisters red beads and pinkish jacket next to Marissa in front.

I have been doing some digging on Ancestry about Jane for her granddaughter and came across a researcher who posted this photo of Janes mother, Florence. Jane looked remarkably like her mother. I am imagining that Jane learned everything she knew about quilting from Florence. Also interesting is that Jane was named Jennie after Florence’s mother, Jennie Knifton nee Wanless. I would imagine, that Jane knew she was named after her grandmother, but I don’t know.

I have had fun combining a bit of quilting/quilts with my love of genealogy. I am so grateful to have been gifted another treasure to pass on to my children and grands….

This is an edit to my original posting

Nanette of https://doitrightquilter.com asked me “how old was Jane when she passed” ?

Jennie (Jane) Rogers nee Eyer was born on 27 Dec. 1909 in Phoenix, Az and passed away on 6 Dec. 1996 in Yucca Valley, Ca. She was 87 years old.

May her memory be a blessing

SAL: Wild Flower Update

May 2, 2021Sharon24 Comments

Since our last posting on April 11th, there has been so many changes in my garden, the gardens of friends and in the neighborhood. Always a welcomed surprise to see everything springing to life. In my last posting I was here with my Wild Flower project

And as spring continues to blossom and gardens are filling in with color, so is my project. I have begun to work the flowers in the jar.

It’s interesting to see the color difference in the two photo’s. In that first photo posted last week I actually thought it looked pretty spot on. Boy was I wrong. The current photo shows the true colors.

Now I am off to check in with the other participants in this SAL and see the whats happening with their projects. You can join me by clicking on the links below.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

About the SAL

Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.

HQAL: Log Cabin

April 18, 2021Sharon11 Comments

Here we are, half way through with April already. Gardens are blooming and projects are blooming too. At our last posting, I added the border to frame in the quilt.

For this posting I picked fabric from my stash for the backing. I had quite a variety to choose from but none were large enough for a solid backing. I decided on these three fabrics. Once that was decided and I debated on whether to hand stitch or use the machine. I used the machine.

So now I have the quilt sandwiched together and ready for quilting. The batting is Fairfield, Purely Cotton. I could have started quilting – but the sun (absence of rain) and welcomed spring weather kept me outdoors on garden spruce up. I added viola’s and pansies to pots, transferred 3 lavender plants from pots to a fence edging and the lawn mower had her maiden mow for the season. There were more doggie walks and well, simply sitting in the sunshine daydreaming.

Time to head over to take a peak at the projects and their progress of the other hand quilters in the group. You can too with the links below.

Hand Quilt Along Links

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, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen, Daisy, Connie, and Sherrie

SAL: Wildflower Update

April 11, 2021Sharon24 Comments

Here we are again with an update on progress for our SAL projects. I have been working on Wildflower Jar a design by Maureen McCarthy for Janlynn needlecraft.

At our last posting I made some good progress getting the jar started.

Here is where I am now

It’s almost as lovely as the real thing. Enjoying every moment with this cross stitch and every moment of spring.

Time to start blog hopping and checking out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names below. If you’d like to join me, we live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Posting takes place every third Sunday, local time. Our next updates will be posted on the 2nd May 2021.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

HQAL: Log Cabin

March 28, 2021Sharon13 Comments

At our last posting I showed you this picture of the my log cabin quilt. I had finished piecing all the blocks together.

As you can see above it looks like I created sashing but I haven’t. It is the blocks. In my construction of this I should have added that step.

For this posting, first I added on to the bottom and right side with the coordinating material of the block to balance the off balance look (of the photo above) I lost the look of a larger block since that light green material looked like the sashing once I pieced it all together. I am not unhappy with it, it’s a lesson learned 🙂 Next, from my stash I found the perfect fabric and added a (real) 3″ border. I now have the top portion completed.

Below is a close up of the perfect coordinating fabric I chose.

I have two different fabric choices for the backing. I may have enough of one to use but if not I am going to split down the middle and have the backing with two different fabrics.

I hope everyone is beginning to lean into glorious spring weather. I am looking forward to more sunny warmer days here. It’s still a bit colder than I like and far too much rain still. Now, off to visit the pages of the other hand quilters and catch up on all their wonderful projects. Until next time 🙂

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen, Daisy, Connie, and Sherrie

SAL: Wildflower Jar Update

March 21, 2021Sharon18 Comments

At our last posting I showed you a picture of my next project. A counted cross-stitch, called Wildflower Jar, a kit bought off of Amazon. The perfect project to have started with Spring making her entrance yesterday.

I have gotten off to a good start and below is where I am.

Now it’s time to take a look at the progress of the others in this stitch a – long. Wishing you all a spring in your step ~ stay well and smiling 🙂

World Wide Quilting Day 2021

March 20, 2021Sharon8 Comments

It’s world wide quilting day 2021. I wouldn’t have known it unless on my facebook page a memory from last years day popped up on my feed. I haven’t really mentioned anything about the Pandemic we have collectively worldwide gone through this past year. It certainly has bound us together just as quilting binds us together as a community. Quilting this last year has taken on a new meaning, it has gotten me through a stitch at a time. At times of uncertainty – I quilted. At times filled with fear I quilted. At times filled with tears I quilted. When prayers were needed I quilted. I belong to two wonderful groups, a HQAL and SAL. Each posting at three week intervals our progress on your projects. Those involved are worldwide and I can’t stress enough what the groups have meant to me. Total connection when we had to isolate, quarantine and social distance ourselves. I can honestly say I never felt those things. I always felt surrounded and connected through 2020. Thank you quilting blog friends.

Because it is worldwide quilting day I thought it would be fun to post just a few pics of quilts I have worked with over the years. All of my work is hand pieced and hand quilted unless other wise written.

Velma’s Quilt squares were gifted to me by a neighbor, Velma (80 t years old) The squares had been machine pieced by her mother. I put them together and gifted it back to her.

A favorite – Water Lover – done in the 80’s for a male friend

Wishing You Good Will – a goodwill store quilt top find I backed and quilted.

Holding my first quilt – hand pieced machine quilted. A glimpse of Alma Ayres left corner and me in front (1970’s)

1970’s – My quilting mentor – Alma Ayres (middle) that’s me seated on the end surrounded by her 2 sons, daughter and son-in-law and 1 grandson. Because of Alma – I quilt!

It’s also the first day of spring and my crocus and hellebore are in full bloom. As we enter into spring and this time renewal I am reminded there is always something and someone to be thankful for. Thank you for all of you!

The Gift of Fabric & Pachanga Update

March 12, 2021March 13, 2021Sharon10 Comments

About a week ago a friend asked me if I would be interested in some fabric she had that she wasn’t and wouldn’t be using. She also had a Quilt ‘N Go Lap frame unused. My initial reaction was shipping fees. Was it worth sending or maybe just donating locally. Diane is in NY and I am in WA. No problem – she said. No problem – sure!

Boy was I surprised, blown away was more like it when the box arrived.

Back tracking a moment, I had been ordering ceramic patio table tiles. The box was so heavy and at first I was a bit confused. I thought the box contained tiles. Had I not received all the tiles and more arrived? My OH thought perhaps it was a replacement for returned broken tiles. No they had all been received. (yes I had forgotten the expected fabric box)

I was blessed by the fabric gods through my dear friend Diane. I have been thinking about our friendship. We met as young teens 56 years ago. We were next door neighbors growing up with a friendship that has stood the test of time.

On January 11th, 2021 I started Scrap Dance Pachanga Mystery Quilt Along

hosted by Carole ~ From My Carolina Home ~ https://frommycarolinahome.com/2021/01/08/scrap-dance-pachanga-mystery-quilt-along/

The idea is that this is a mystery and I have no idea what pattern I will be making. Who doesn’t love a great mystery? Twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Carole will post a new direction for the construction of the quilt. No deviating or changing the directions 🙂

I haven’t posted my progress and thought it was time to show you how the construction is going. While most are machine stitching, I am staying true too may passion and hand piecing.

New instructions posted today and I am anxious to get started.

HQAL: Log Cabin

March 7, 2021Sharon8 Comments

It’s our standard 3 week check in time. I always look forward to visiting everyones page and seeing what’s going on. This 3 weeks has brought us into March. Can you believe it? Three months into the new year already. Hoping everyone’s been well and enjoyed great progress. At our last check in I was here. I had all of the blocks completed.

For this check in I have a flimsy

During the night I started thinking about her and decided I possibly needed an extra border before going ahead. This morning taking a good look I realized before a border I still need to extend the border that was created on the top and left side to the bottom and right side. Then the additional border, perhaps. My thought for that is, I want make this a bit larger. She is measuring at 4′ x 4′

I am sure I have mentioned I have 3 panel quilts I am also hand quilting right now. Another Dahlia panel for a cousin and two Nat’l Park panels. I have been alternating between the four projects.

Time to do a bit of blog hopping, visiting the other quilters. Have a great three weeks and see you next time 🙂

This hand quilt-a-long is organized by Kathy at the link below. It’s a great way to keep motivated on your project. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join us please contact her.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen, Daisy, Connie, and Sherrie

SAL: Trick Or Treat Update

February 28, 2021Sharon27 Comments

Three weeks flew by once again. It was June of 2020 that I began this Trick Or Treat cross stitch project. It was a kit by The Victorian Sampler, original design by Thea Dueck. I ran into immediate trouble with the directions. In fact, I am not even sure I had all the directions now as this was a kit purchased second hand at the Goodwill. There were design elements I had not anticipated, the addition of beads, and metallic threads, Hardanger, and my wrong choice of back ground cloth (the white ghost are invisible), even some needle point elements. But once begun I decided to see her through and make her my own. I tweaked much of the design, added more trees and leaves to the trees, color choices, borders similar but different.

For this 3 three week update I am calling Trick or Treat finished. She was a fun project but I am glad to call her done!

I will frame her with 2 mats, like the original on the photo cover. A thin orange border on black with a black frame.

For my next project I picked a very simple kit purchased off of Amazon. I needed something less fussy and straight forward. I also thought this would make a lovely gift project, I have a friend in mind.

Also in the world of cross stitch, I have begun another Christmas Card series for 2021 and completed a 1st card. I really feel like these are the perfect card for someone you want to acknowledge as special in your life without gift buying during the holiday season.

Have a wonderful next three weeks and I am off to visit the pages of the others in this SAL at the links posted below.