Thursday This and That: June 25, 2026

 

Leon Day is a new day to me.  It marks six months until Christmas and the term "Leon" is "Noel" spelled backwards.  I sure am seeing a lot of people getting ready for Christmas in July but I'm still not sure if I will participate or not.

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I've been wondering about digital prints.  I have a few panels that are digitally printed.  I'm not sure I want to invest in digital printed yardage.  Most of us know of at least one time (probably more) when we didn't have the right color fabric and turned a piece of calico over and found the right tone on the fabric back.  That's not going to happen with digital prints.  At this point, I enjoy using my stash of older fabrics or purchase fabric at deadstock store.  What are your thoughts?

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I know a lot of people think that the quarter log cabin pattern is a new and "modern" approach.  Check out the antique Berks County quilt that is advertised on GB Best's facebook page (here).  The quarter log cabin is the first picture on the 7th row.

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Finally, Amy Smart has a free tutorial for a patriotic pillow and runner here.  It's just in time for the Fourth of July!

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Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: Happy Juneteenth!

 

Happy Juneteenth dear friends!

Sue sent this great photo of her Butterfly Weed!

Isn't it pretty?  I had just put two of these plants in my garden this past week.  According to the National Wildlife Federation, Monarch butterflies eat only one kind of plant:  Milkweed.  My neighbor used to grow the Milkweed I knew as a kid:

This was too big for my little garden.  Butterfly weed is a smaller more compact flower that fits in better in my gardenscape.

Also blooming this week are some of my hydrangeas!  I was convinced that I wouldn't have many blooms because of the rollercoaster of temperatures we experienced in Spring.  So it's a real pleasure to have flowers on so many bushes!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Tuesday's This and That: June 16, 2026

 

You might enjoy this story about the seamstresses of Manzanar.  I knew a lot about Japanese internment camps and even saw George Takei's play, Allegiance.  Still I found some interesting insights here.

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I still receive emails about upcoming auctions although I don't buy anything anymore.  It's fun to look at the photos but there was a lot of 19th century fabric scraps that really caught my eye.  There are strips of fabric and it appears that many of them have sewn on name labels.

I wondered if this was meant for a signature quilt or scraps just donated for a purpose like fund-raising.  You can study the lot here.  What do you think?

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I love this WPA Poster!  Seems appropriate for us quilters!

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: June 12, 2026

 

Sue sent two lovely photos this week and some important advice.  After reading the Wednesday post, she commented that she wished she had her phone with her when she fell in the garden and had to scream for help.  😢 I will always keep the phone now.  You can read her comment here.

Also, I'm glad she emailed me about her comment.  It used to be that comments were always emailed to me.  That is not happening so I'm reading old comments now.  Anyway, let's get on with the good stuff...

Sue's lovely Evening Primroses aka Sundrops!

Gorgeous!

Sue's Peaches and Cream Honeysuckle! 

Wow!  What a statement in the garden!

Thank you Sue and thank you to Lorraine who also shared these photos:

Ground orchids from Lorraine's garden!

Lorraine also shared False Indigo, Yellow Baptisia!

The Lambs' Ears are blooming in my garden!

My Evening Primrose self-sowed in the Lavender. 

Shasta Daisies and Spiderwort:

Andy mulched on Wednesday and the front garden looks wonderful!

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

Minor updates

 

I'm sorry but I have very little to report these days.  Most of my time is spent working the garden.  I actually have to take a break now.  It's so annoying--but my body says "STOP!" for now. 

It's hot, it's humid and time to stay in anyway.

These days, I'm working on two quilt tops (both the same pattern).  When it gets too hot in the attic, I'm able to work on an embroidery project downstairs...or clean the house.

I do have more flowers blooming and will post some pics tomorrow.  What have you been up to?

Have a safe and happy day!

Wayback Wednesday: June 10, 2026

 

In 1913, newspapers reported "the pocket telephone" was a new invention from Hungary.

Although I looked, I couldn't find a photo of this pocket phone.  By 1919, more predictions about a pocket telephone were published.

I can't tell you what happened to the Hungarian version of the device but I do know that the 1919 predictions were met with ridicule...and accurately foreshadowed how it would change our life.

My favorite (accurate) prediction is this comic:

Listen, I'm glad for the cell phone because of caregiving and emergencies.  It was also something I carried with me when my husband traveled all the time.  For some reason, I even had it nearby when I was outside gardening (SHEESH, gotta stop that).

What are your thoughts?

Hoping you have a wonderful day!!!

Flower Friday: June 4, 2026

 

Sometimes I can't believe how far behind in my garden and then I remember that the weather has been weird.  Plus I'm older.  I don't have to rush to get everything done anymore.  I get it done in my own time and around the caregiving schedule.

This week there were two wonderful roses at my neighbors:

I love these old fashioned cabbage roses:

There's something wonderful about red roses on a white fence.  

It just pops!

Years ago, a bunch of us were at a quilt program somewhere outside of Philadelphia.  My friend Dawn and I were marveling at pretty white flowers that neither of us knew.  We learned later that they were called "Star of Bethlehem"; I love that since I was born and raised in Bethlehem PA.  

But here's the weird thing.  I have Star of Bethlehem in my garden.  I didn't plant it...it just showed up and I love it.

That's all for this week!

Have a great weekend!