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!

Tuesday's This and That: May 5, 2026

 

We had a thunderstorm roll through about 3 a.m. this morning.  I had planned to do more weeding this morning but now everything is all wet so I guess I'll actually do some sewing before going to care for my Mom.  

I've now realized that the weeding of the garden borders won't be finished until about June.  For almost a month, I have been binding one quilt.  Everything is taking longer because I have little spare time.  Most of what I do is accomplished before 10 a.m. when all the responsibilities begin...and that's okay.  Right now, the people that I love take precedence.  

***

Gadgets I like!

The first is the Lap App.  You can check it out here.  I got this a while ago after my last hand surgery.   It is still useful to me.  I've been marking fabric at night and I can do that because the base of the top has sandpaper on it and grips the fabric.

Through the years, I've made various gadgets to use while hand sewing on my chair at night.  But too many times my homemade lap desks have been unsteady and I spend as much time retrieving fallen notions as I do sewing.  The Lap App is so sturdy that I can put it on the arm of the recliner (while Lucky sleeps on my lap) and nothing falls.

The other thing I like is the Becca Box (here).  This has been such a good tool while I'm taking folks to doctor and hospital appointments.  The box has a lock mechanism, magnetic areas of the box and a place to store everything! It is also SMALL enough to put in a small bag when I'm taking my hand sewing to appointments.

What sewing tools or gadgets do you find useful?

***

I'm off.  I have to walk Lucky and get going with the day!

Have a safe and happy Tuesday!

Flower Friday: May 1, 2026

 

Happy May Day!

And Happy Flower Friday!

The honeysuckle is blooming.  It seems early to me but it's been a weird year.  It's May 1 and only 40 degrees Farenheit outside.

Forget-Me-Nots planted in honor of Janet a few years ago:

Interesting Iris blooming and I think it Cherry Laurel behind:

A weed that I loved as a kid is Fleabane.  I kept seeing this on my walks and it reminded me of how much Nana appreciated all flowers, even the weeds.

Cranesbill Geranium:

Today I'm taking flowers to my Mom, Kathy, and my brother Jim as is the tradition of May Day.

Have a safe and happy weekend!