Flower Friday: August 29, 2025

 

Happy Flower Friday!

Bill sent over a photo of his favorite rose.  He thinks this one is Double Delight:

It's Plumbago time!

Japanese anemones:

Before I go, I am really busy for the next few weeks.  Not only caregiving for family but driving my neighbor to chemo/radiation treatments.  Dave was always the caregiver for his wife who has had multiple strokes and heart attacks.  For a while Dave was taking himself to his radiation treatments.  His son and grandkids took him to chemo.  But now he is too weak and unable to drive.   I'm driving him to his radiation treatments 4 days a week.    I'll try to post ahead this weekend but if I'm not around, just understand how busy things are these days.

Wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Cleaning Out, Passing On

 

There's a popular method of decluttering these days called, "Swedish Death Cleaning."  Weird name but a worthwhile premise.  It's a method of cleaning out unnecessary possesions but it also lightens the burden of your loved ones should something happen to you.

About a year ago, my mother had a plumbing problem and my husband and I had to go down to her basement.  Although my mom's house looks pristine, the basement is her "Monica's Closet."

I went through some things, carried them upstairs to my mom, and offered to get rid of some of the junk.  She refused.  My husband said afterwards, "It will take 15 dumpsters to clean that basement out."   I don't think he was exaggerating.

Ironically my husband is the "saver" in our family.  I do have collections but I periodically  go through and streamline and purge my things.  My huband still had clothes from high school when we got married 30 years ago (he's in his 70s now and I'm not sure he doesn't still have some of those things tucked away).

 So while my husband is in Canada, I started going through more things.  My main focus was paper.  There were boxes of documents we had saved and are of no use now.  I just don't want our kids to have the hassle later.  I've taken 5 trips to the dump to get rid of paper and shredded documents.  IT FEELS GOOD!  

I even went through my patterns (which were here, there, and everywhere) and decided what to keep, donate, and toss.  I have only one more box of embroidery patterns to go through and then that job is done as well.  

I'm not getting rid of everything.  I just decided that one tote box of organized patterns should be enough to last me...forever.  THAT feels really good too!

One of the things that helped encourage me was the upcoming guild sale.  I donated a lot of fabric and patterns and really did a good clear out!

But what really brought all this on was the the weather became cooler.  There is something about the approaching autumn that ignites the desire to clean and declutter.  I hope you are having pretty good weather and feeling up to that too!

Have a safe and happy day!

First Day of School!

 

Today is the first day of school in our town!

Cooler weather will probably slide in next month and already the mornings are starting nice and cool.  The weather and the beginning of a new school year is like a page turning.  I find I have energy again and am busy in the house and garden.  More on that tomorrow...

I also have been able to be in the sewing room more.  I finished the top made from Paula's shirts.  It was a strange experience.  Even though I washed the shirts her scent was still on the fabric and I found myself talking to her as I worked.  I really miss her.

It was a challenge to figure out what to do with the selection of shirts but I decided to go with a pattern called Easy Peasy (free pattern is here).

The top is now with Lizzie and I will show you it once it is back and bound.  I wanted a lot of hearts quilted on it and I hope that Jenny (Paula's daughter) will like it.

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: August 22, 2025

 

June and autumn are the best times for roses around here.  I only have one rose left but it is so happy now I thought I would feature it on the blog header.

My friend Molly used to say that climbing roses are the most disease resistant and strongest type.  The only rose I have left is the yellow climbing rose in the front yard.  Many of the roses in this region had Rose Rosette a virus that really deforms the stems.  It's one of those diseases that you not only have to remove the whole bush but also not plant there because the soil still has the virus for many years.

We removed the arbor from the front this spring because of the new path we had put in.  I trimmed the remaining climbing rose and have been keeping it short--like a tea rose.   Apparently this has been a good thing for the rose.  It's been healthy and flourishing.  Today I'll prune it again for another batch.

Another flower blooming around here is the Crepe Myrtle.  These bushes were not common when I was young and to be honest, the first time I saw them was when I was in Alabama years ago.  But in the last decade or so, people around here have been planting the bushes and it's survived.  Perhaps there is a new hardier bloom that can take our zone 6 weather.  I also noticed many folks plant that in protected areas:  against the house, inbetween two buildings, etc.

A bush aside of my neighbor's home.

Do you have this bush?

How is your garden doing?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Wayback Wednesday: A Penny Saved

 

Most of us remember being children and having--or better--finding a penny.  In our little corner store, some of the candy was 2 for 1 cent!

Oh the decisions!

I did have a weakness for Tootsie Rolls.  

What candy did you prefer?

As the penny is being phased out, I thought it would be fun to reminisce about pennies.  I thought of this because I am streamlining some sewing research and patterns.  This crossed my path:

Who was the clever person to use pennies to create sewing templates?  This had to be from a British magazine (yes, I've had some of those too) because we did not have a half penny since 1857.  The Brits demonetized their half penny in 1984.

In the U.S., the penny was originally bigger in size than our current penny.  In the early 19th century, there was a "Large Penny" which was over an inch in diameter; current pennies are .75 inches.  Below is a Large Penny in top left with other later pennies. 

Pennies were also used as templates for sewing  "Penny Mats".  Usually made of wool, many of us have made one or two of these in the last few decades.  

If you don't know what a penny "mat" or "rug" or "circle" is there is a great article here.

Also in this genre of wool mats is the Lambs Tongue Mat (I hate the name) which uses a more oval shape to create the mat:

Both are 19th century mats

This modern pattern uses both pennies and tongues:

Have you made any of these kinds of mats?

Have a safe and happy day!

Soft Covers

 

I've been thinking about this book a lot lately--especially when I am returning from food shopping.  Times are tough these days and about to get tougher.

I'm a big fan of some British quilt and embroidery designers.  Some of the designers--like Helen from Bustle and Sew--I've followed for years.

On Sunday, the emails began.  British designers emailing their customers in the USA about the pending tariffs.  Some are stating outright that they can't ship to the U.S. anymore.  Others like Emma at Vintage Sewing Box will pay the tariffs until October.  At the Last Homely House, Kate sent out an email that the tariffs aren't in effect until August 25 (so order now).

The whole thing makes me sad and mad.  Barbara Brackman is featuring quilt blocks that protest the tariff on her blog (see here).

Also...and most of you are aware of this, expect fabric prices to jump.  There are lots of articles and videos about getting fabric other places (like thrift stores and estate sales).  Also, look around for quilt guild fairs.  

Our guild's event/show is called "Crazy About Quilting" and the celebration is on October 4, 2025, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The address by the way is:  Calvary Baptist Church, 4601 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA.  

Members have donated a ton of fabric and I'm sure you will be able to get good bargains there!

But unfortunately, this will not help our local fabric stores.  Times have been tough (even before the pandemic began) and I really feel sorry for anyone in any of the craft industries.

One last thing--if you know the answer, let me know.  Will this impact a pdf download from overseas?  It's not actually a good that will be shipped here.  Any insight would be helpful!

Have a safe and happy day!

The Old Lady Post

 

I know I'm getting old because I can't keep up with anything these days, even in the sewing world.  Excuse me while I ramble through this post muttering, "I'm so confused."

I keep seeing this word:

Flosstube

I really had no clue what that was or why so many youtube videos have that word in their title.  Now I've found out it means that there are channels dedicated to stitching and referred to as "Flosstube".  It appears that most of the flosstube channels are focused on cross stitch or embroidery...   Oh DUH!  That's why  the word floss (thread) and tube (channel).  I am not sure I can get used to this phrase...

And that goes right up there with another one that's been used for a decade or more:  Flimsy.

Flimsy is another "cool" word for quilt top.   I can't get over the original meaning of the word:

1

a

: lacking in physical strength or substance

flimsy silks

wore a flimsy dress

b

: of inferior materials and workmanship

flimsy construction

2

: having little worth or plausibility

a flimsy excuse

a movie with a flimsy plot

Different subject:  do you starch your fabric?

When did starching fabric become a thing in quilting?  I keep seeing that as well.  I just can't bring myself to think about starching my fabric.  Heck I wash fabric just to get out the chemicals and then spray some more on?  Nope.  And while we are speaking of starching... 

How many irons have you gone through?  This was a discussion with my sewing machine repair man and also I've seen a few quilters discuss it too.  My grandmother used the same iron for about 30 years.  I bet if I had that iron, it will still be working.    And yes, quilters use their irons hard and frequently.  But my grandmother ironed EVERYTHING including Pop's underwear so her iron got a lot of use as well.  Do you remember people doing that in your family?

The difference these days is that things are made to be disposable.  So I bought an iron earlier in the summer for $13 at Target.  I see no reason to invest good money in a machine that will not last anyway.

Do you use water in your iron?  My friend Sue told me she stopped that and her irons lasted longer.  I tried that but the iron died anyway.  Now I just use tap water.  Do you?

Thought about a lot of these things while I was sewing this weekend.  I know the world is going by fast now and changing even faster.  What about you?

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: August 15, 2025

 

It's Flower Friday!

Sue sent these photos of her perennial amaryllis:

I told Sue that around here, those flowers are referred to "naked ladies😁" . 

Sue replied, "Oh you Pennsylvanians!  Naughty!"

Then we both looked them up.  They are also referred to as Jersey Lillies which I thought was apt since Sue lives in New Jersey.  She said they are also called Resurrection Lilies because the there are huge leaves in the spring which die back.  Then the flowers emerge in the late summer.

Does anyone know what this flower is?  I'm referring to the little black eyed susans.  They are about a 1/3 of the size of a regular rudbeckia.  I hadn't planted this and the little button buds remind me of something else...   All I know is that the seeds must have been brought in by the rabbits because that is a favorite place of theirs.

My gut instinct is that they are zinnias, possibly creeping zinnias.  Any idea if it is?

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

Wayback Wednesday: August 13, 2025

 

It's time for a musical version of Wayback Wednesday!

Teeny bopper adoration of pop or movie stars has been happening for years.  You could even say it's been going on for centuries (example: Franz Liszt in the 19th century).

The first time I remember this was the Great Debate of the early 1960s.   Who was cuter/better/ etc: "Herman Hermits or The Beatles?"  

Everyone usually remembers the first record they bought or requested their parents buy.  What was yours?

Remember these ads?  The Columbia Record Company gambled that members would forget to cancel subscriptions.

I usually bought 45s.  I loved Motown, Sly and The Family Stone, The Monkees, and later, Carole King.  Actually...I love them all today.

Music can awaken memories.  My brother and I will often cite that a particular record was a "summer song" that we heard at the local swimming pool.

What kind of music do you still love?

Have a safe and happy day!

August Wears a Golden Crown

 

I spent my 12th summer writing poetry and enjoying playing with words.  I did save the poems and they are packed away in the attic in one of the trunks.

I do remember one poem was called "The Last Day of August" and it is a sad adieu to summer.  The poem wasn't just about going back to school soon.  I didn't like autumn even then.

I'm looking back at the summer months and seeing that again I didn't get accomplished as much as I had planned.   Creating a quilt in summer is challenging in the heat.  Thankfully I have handwork again.  Have you gotten a lot done?

The last few days were cooler and less humid and I did accomplish a lot on the Paula quilt.  The top should be done by Wednesday.  I'd like to get my brother's quilt top done soon so I can get these to Lizzie (the machine quilter).  I only need a few baby quilts yet and then I will be caught up.

What are you doing this week?

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: July 8, 2025

 

Happy Flower Friday!

Today we have some wonderful selections from Sue:

False Sunflower:

Phlox:

Morning Glory:

Hummingbird Moth on Butterfly Bush:

Sue does note that the Hummingbird Moth is from the Tomato Horn Worm but as she wrote, they are fascinating to watch!

Thank you so much Sue!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Milkweed

 

Are any of your neighbors growing Milkweed?  I'm not but am considering planting some on the side of the house.  A lot of my neighbors have a few plants in their garden.  

We know a couple who planted a whole butterfly garden while they were trying to get pregnant.  I think it was really healing for them and the amount of butterflies they saw was really remarkable.  

Tomorrow is Flower Friday and if you have anything to share, please email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com.

Thanks and have a great day!

Wayback Machine: Spool Pets

 

Like most kids of my generation, my brother and I were adept and using discarded things to create all kinds of things for our playtime.  I'll bet you were too!  

So anytime I see things that are upcycled for another purpose, it gives me a thrill.  Recently, I've been keeping thread spools for when my great niece visits again.  I'm hoping to make some spool pets with her.  There are a lot of vintage patterns for these that kids would have likely because it was (of course) a promotion to sell threads.  

This is the kind of thing that my brother and I would have loved and would have used alongside our animal cracker box wagon.

****

So what's a spool pet?

  

There's a variety of spool pet patterns on pinterest.

These were popular in the first half of the 1930s.  Many articles cite that children made spool pets in school and even used the spool pets as party favors.  There were a variety of ads also published promoting the spool pets and thread:

1931

 

1930

1932

Beth told me that the one designer brought this idea back years ago.  Oliver + S had a postcard with a spool dog that they included in sales.  You can read their blog post about this (and the history) here.  The Singer Featherweight Shop offers 5 bunny postcards to make a spool pet.  The cards cost $9.95 for the bundle of five.  You can look at it here.

Have you seen these before?

I wonder if you would have loved making and playing with these as a child?

Have a safe and happy day!