Keeping it Simple

 

I finally finished binding my first finish for the year.

Yes it took more time than usual because of responsibilities, gardening, and sometimes hand pain.  This quilt isn't for anyone but me.  I was inspired by the fabric.  It reminded me of this illustration by Margaret Tarrant:

I just didn't want anything to distract from the feature fabric.

The layout also gave Lizzie a lot of space for her beautiful longarm quilting:

I want to get a navy slipcover and then put this on the couch.  I just like it and it's simplicity makes me happy.

Next I'm going to work on my challenge quilt and my embroidery quilt.  More on those later.

Initiating Summer Routine...

 

Yes, we are getting summer-like weather!  It's just part of spring here.  It will be in the 90s until Thursday and then cool off again.  Our bodies have already gone into "summer routine";  I wake up at the crack of dawn, walk Lucky as the sun rises. Water garden and clean the house, and sew.  I'll be enjoying sewing this week!

I spent the weekend working in the garden.  Happily, I've planted the tomatoes, peppers, and herbs because the temperature to the 90s (farenheit) until Thursday.  My husband thought I was crazy for buying 9 tomato plants but he's now embraced the idea.  If we are to harvest any tomatoes at all, we have to over prepare for the onslaught of the pilfering squirrels.  Fortunately Lucky has got a sixth sense about squirrels and appears to sense when they are in the garden.   Except yesterday when he was chasing bunnies. 😕

I'll be making "cool" meals now and just in time.  The oven died.  It happened while baking two loaves of my husband's favorite zucchini bread.  It didn't stop working but went 100 degrees above what I set and burned the bread within 20 minutes.  It was foruitous...I don't tend to bake in the summer because of the high heat and now that is done until the new oven arrives in a few weeks.

Well I must go out and water before he gets too warm!  Stay cool if you are in the heat zone!

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: May 15, 2026

 

Sue sent some splended photos from her garden.  Her irises are fantastic:

She also sent a photo of her lovely poppy:

Thank you Sue!

I've been working steadily in the garden but then my husband said, "Stop!  Please!"  There's no place left to store the containers and bags of weeds until the city pick up tonight.  There are yard so many full yard waste bags in the garage you can't step in anymore. 😄Yes, we are lucky that our yard waste is picked up and there is no limit to the amount we put out.  Tonight it will be 10 large containers.  

How are things in your garden?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Protest Stitches

 

I recently stumbled on a Facebook called "Super Sue Quilts".  Once again, Sunbonnet Sue is illustrating quilters frustration.  The group is here.   

This is the first time the quilt pattern has been used to reflect makers' opinions.  In fact,  Jean Laury wrote that "the sunbonnets mirror the times the pattern is made.  The reflection illustrates our lives as women, our fashions, and in some ways, our technology and techniques."

Vintage Sunbonnet Sue fabric designed by Jean Ray Laury.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with you.  I'm gardening full time these days.  I'd love to tell you (and the yard waste trash guys) that I'm half done...but I'm not.  Maybe a quarter of the way there.  

Hoping you are having some fun in the garden too!

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesdays' This and That: May 12, 2026

 

Happy Tuesday!

I saw this recently and it made me wonder:

My question today is do you allow food or drink (water counts) in your sewing room?  I don't but I also just saw a video where a quilter had a spill accident in her space and stained her project.  I do not allow snacks or beverages because I am a klutz; I am destined  by Murphy's Law to spill or stain something.

***

More and more crafters are complaining about the invasion of AI into our world.  The population of crafters exploded with the onset of the pandemic.  Younger generations are now interested in traditional crafts in order to reduce stress.  There's a rise of interest in the things grandparents or great grandparents did as hobbies.

Unfortunately this also has led to a lot of unscrupulous people to profit off other people's work.  It's not just our craft but even my husband complained that imitation tools are being sold for tying flies (for fly fishing).  

This also means people are making up patterns, etc. to try to capitalize on the trend.

All this to tell you to read this article .  I found it insightful.  It gives good tips on spotting AI generated quilt patterns.  

***

"Victory Garden" by Hetty Beatty Whitney

Haptic and Hue have a new podcast out and it sounds wonderful.  It focuses on the Folly Cove designers.  I had wanted to write about these women years ago but it got lost somewhere in life craziness.  You can listen to it here.

***

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: May 8, 2026

 

It's Lily of the Valley time!  Everytime I go outside, I can smell the sweet fragrance of these lovely little flowers!

My neighbor has pink ones that are so sweet!

 The rhododendrons are beginning to bloom!

So is the Allium:

I seem to have more Columbine this year.  

It must have self sowed!

The bees are happily enjoying the catmint:

How's the gardening where you are?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Wayback Wednesday: May 6, 2026

 

Do you remember Snagglepuss (above) or Muttley (below)?

Actually, most of us will remember that we always checked pennies to see if it was a "wheatback".  Today the wheatback is still worth about five cents!

This is how I learned to drive:

We used to have a morning AND an evening paper!

Have a super day!