Flower Friday: March 18, 2022

 Spring will be here in 2 days!!!

I'm going to do some clean up in the garden today and enjoy the 70 degree weather expected.  My garden is beginning to pop!

The early blooming daffodils are up and have buds!

The heather is blooming!

My neighbor's aconite is blooming!

Wishing you a happy first day of spring on Sunday!

Happy Weekend!

Luck of the Irish: 2022

 

Top of the morning!

Quilted celebrations of St. Patrick's Day:

Here are two shamrock quilt patterns I found:

1932:

1942:

Scout is closing her eyes and wishing you a happy and safe St. Paddy's Day!

Tomorrow is Friendship Friday!  If you have anything to share, email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com

Have a blessed day!

Good News!

 

Once upon a time there was a little boy who made a friend in kindergarten.  Both boys grew up, married, started families and each boy had two daughters.  They remained best friends.    One of those boys was my kid brother Drew.  Patrick, his best friend was destined to be my surrogate kid brother.

The boys' daughters also became best friends.  Then they grew up, got married and the two oldest daughters became pregnant around the same time.

Those girls are above.  Katie is blonde and Maggie my niece is the brunette.  Both girls are pregnant with girls--except Katie is pregnant with twins!

I'm happy to report that Katie had the babies last week.  Two precious little girl babies, each weighing over 6 pounds!  I've seen photos of the babies and they are precious!!!

Of course Auntie Michele had to make quilts!  Here are the photos of the quilts I made for the twins:

Isn't this just the best news!!!

Have a great day!

Tuesday's This and That: March 15, 2022

 Happy Tuesday!

Pam shared this video last week.  It has some really great masterpiece quilts and it's free on youtube!  The collection focuses on the Robert and Ardis James Collection.  So if you need a break, go here and relax and look at wonderful quilts!!!

Thank you Pam!

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Here's an important FYI from Sue P. for those of you who are making blocks for Ukraine:

"I mailed 15  8.5"x8.5" quilt blocks in a zip lock, inside a padded envelope to Claudia in Germany.   At the United States Postal Service, it cost $18.34  including the envelope.  I also went to UPS for a price.  Their price with an envelope was $175.   That is not typo, $175.  My point is, don't even bother going to UPS if you are participating  in her project." 

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I love a good 16 patch quilt!  

Here's one from my collection that I love.  It's up at Beth's right now but I always loved this one.

Although the quilt is circa 1900, you will notice that the blue strip of fabric along the bottom looks later.  I'm sure that was a mend job.

Have a safe and happy day!

Monday pick me ups

 

Well we got more snow on Saturday.

Did you?

So...today's post isn't informative or inspiring, it's just meant to pick you up.

Here's a photo of a plucky boy.  I love this photo.  It's all around pinterest and other sites but who cares?  It's just adorable:

If you follow Dan Rather on Instagram, then you might have seen this video.  I am familiar with Gustavo Dudamel, he's kind of rock star in the classical music arena but he also is a great musical ambassador.  This video shows him conducting a youth orchestra.  If this doesn't get you jazzed this morning, I can't help you!  😁

The video is here.

Have a safe and happy day.  Warmer weather is coming!

Friendship Friday: March 11, 2022

 Happy Friendship Friday!

Spring is becoming evident to many of our readers and they are sharing what is happening in their areas:

Crocuses are blooming for Sue P. (first) and Betsy (second photo):

Sue P. shared this delightful photo which hold special meaning to her:

"Found this this afternoon.  Tete-a-tete daffodil,  blooming way too early, coming out a stone wall by my garage.  To me it signifies the will to live,  to survive.   Surely  it's Ukrainian. 💛💙"

Sue is a second generation Ukrainian American and immediately made this block to send to Claudia:

Sue S. sent more information on how to get involved:

"Bonnie Hunter (quiltville) and Gudrun Erla(GE Designs) have joined up to support Ukraine in several ways. They have established a Quilters for Ukraine GoFundMe account. The money will go to a group called Together Rising, that will donate the funds to organizations on the ground now already working and sending supplies and money. The quilters are both featuring quilts to make in the Ukrainian colors and Gudrun's website has a special fabric group and pattern you can buy and she will donate those funds.  They both feel it is too early to send quilts but will pursue that later.

Pat Sloan (Ilovetomakequilts) is supporting Unicef. She has a pattern you can download with a suggested donation. Her pattern is for a wall hanging or banner you can hang to show your support."

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These are all great ways to support Ukraine.  Right now Poland is assisting the bulk of the refugees.  Because Poland is a predominately Catholic country, my husband and I also made a donation to Catholic Charities Relief fund.

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Sending each of you love and hugs!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Let us eat cake...

 I have been wrestling with insomnia since the war on Ukraine began.  I've also been craving oranges.  My husband has been craving cake.  "Loaf cake" is what he is telling me what he wants.  Last week he ate a lemon blueberry loaf I had made previously and froze.  This week I'll make him a chocolate chip pound cake.  But let's talk about calico---Calico Cakes.  Have you heard of them?

I first saw a recipe for this in a newspaper from the 1930s and threw it in my calico file.  The article featured the cake recipe and also encouraged a party where a "White Elephant" game could be played:

The cake must have been popular because the recipe was republished again and again during the 1940s and 50s:

Here's a vintage ad and it shows the cake:

Of course you could buy a cake if you preferred:

 

By the 1950s, more color was added--but to the exterior of the cake and not the cake itself:

I remember Nana Betty made cakes with different colors in the cake.  She never called it a "calico cake" and we kids just thought she was being creative.

Have you ever heard of a calico cake?

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

Have a safe and happy day!